JP6546804B2 - Gaming machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine that performs a predetermined game.

  As an example of a game machine, a game medium such as a game ball is shot by a launch device into a game area, and a predetermined game value is obtained based on the game medium having won in a prize area such as a prize port provided in the game area. There is a pachinko game machine that can be assigned. Also, as another example of the gaming machine, the player operates the start lever after setting a predetermined number of bets for one game using gaming media such as medals, coins, or gaming balls similar to pachinko gaming machines. Thus, there is a slot machine which can start variable display of display symbols by the variable display device and provide predetermined game value based on the derived display result.

  In such a gaming machine, it has been proposed to control an electric component for effect including a light emitting component using a control signal output by a serial signal method (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2008-73438 A

  In the technology described in Patent Document 1, there is a possibility that radiation noise may be generated to exceed the regulation value of radio interference due to the circuit configuration for performing light emission control of the light emitting component and the increase in communication speed.

  This invention is made in view of the said situation, and aims at provision of the game machine which can suppress radiation noise.

(1) To achieve the above object, the gaming machine according to the present invention is a game machine for performing Yu technique (e.g., a pachinko game machine 1), presentation control means for controlling the execution of Starring out (for effect control CPU 120, display control unit 123, serial signal relay device 151 and the like, and electric component drive means (for example, light emitter drive unit 152 etc.) for driving the electric component, the effect control means controlling the electric component Transmission means (e.g., LVDS drivers 144-1 to 144-4, serial signal relay device 151, etc.) for transmitting control signals to the electric component drive means in serial signal format, the electric component drive means including the transmission Means for converting the control signal received from the serial signal system to the parallel signal system and outputting the converted signal to the electric component (for example, a light emitter Ba 411S, 411DU, and the like) 411DD, the transmission unit, the reference clock a clock modulated by spread spectrum method, using different spread clock in accordance with the transmission destination of the control signal, said control signal The control signal is transmitted by serial signal transmission (see, for example, FIG. 14) via a wiring provided between a plurality of substrates.
According to such a configuration, radiation noise can be suppressed by transmitting the control signal by the serial signal method using the modulation clock.

(2) In the gaming machine according to the above (1), the transmitting means and the received signal converting means are mounted with a substrate (for example, the effect control board 12) on which the effect control means is mounted and the electric component driving means It may be configured to be connected via a signal path including serial signal lines provided between substrates (for example, light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64).
In such a configuration, it is possible to suppress the radiation noise from the serial signal wiring.

(3) In the gaming machine according to the above (1) or (2), the electric component driving means is a plurality of control circuits (for example, a plurality of light emitter drivers shown in FIG. 11) connected to a plurality of serial signal lines. And the transmission means may be configured to include modulation setting means (for example, the diffusion setting unit 151B and the like) which performs different modulation settings according to the system of the serial signal wiring.
In such a configuration, it is possible to suppress the radiation noise from the serial signal wiring of a plurality of systems.

(4) In the game machine according to any one of the above (1) to (3), the transmission means is a drive control signal used for drive control of the electric component as the control signal (for example, a light emitter driver 411S on the strobe side) And serial control data to be drive control data), and a gradation control signal used for gradation control of the electric component (for example, latched by the light emitter driver 411DU above the digit and the light emitter driver 411DD below the digit) , And may be configured to transmit a signal including serial data to be gray scale data).
In such a configuration, it is possible to preferably suppress the radiation noise in the case of performing drive control of the electric component and gradation control.

(5) The gaming machine according to any one of the above (1) to (4) may be configured to be provided with a shield member (for example, a shield SHI or the like) that covers the serial signal wiring.
In such a configuration, radiation noise from the serial signal wiring can be suitably suppressed.

(6) In the gaming machine according to any one of the above (1) to (5), the substrate provided with the serial signal wiring is a signal wiring layer between a pair of ground conductor layers (eg, ground connection layers GND1, GND2, etc.) It may be configured to have a multilayer structure (see, for example, FIG. 13B) in which (for example, the circuit formation layer LY1 and the like) is sandwiched.
In such a configuration, radiation noise from the serial signal wiring can be suitably suppressed.

(7) In the gaming machine according to any one of the above (1) to (6), the serial signal wiring is configured to have a wiring length in which the resonant frequency of the serial signal wiring does not match the clock frequency of the serial signal system. It is also good.
In such a configuration, radiation noise from the serial signal wiring can be suitably suppressed.

It is a front view of a pachinko game machine in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the case where several movable members are in an advance state. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a presentation movable mechanism. It is a figure which shows the operation example of an upper side mechanism. It is a figure which shows the operation example of a lower side mechanism. It is a figure which shows the operation example of a presentation movable mechanism. It is a block diagram which shows the various control boards etc. which were mounted in the pachinko game machine. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a display control part. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a light-emitting-body control circuit. It is a figure which shows the example of a setting divided | segmented into several blocks. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a light-emitting-body circuit board. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a light-emitting-body driver. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of setting a serial communication method. It is a figure which illustrates the clock signal for every light-emitting-body circuit board. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of game control process processing. It is a figure which shows the example of a setting of a fluctuation pattern. It is a flow chart which shows an example of production control process processing. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a variable display start setting process. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a presentation control pattern, etc. It is a flow chart which shows an example of production processing under variable display. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the image data processing which VDP performs. It is a figure which shows the example of preparation of display data, and the example of an output. It is a figure which shows the example of a setting of a buffer memory area. It is a figure which shows the example of a structure of an address specific table. It is a figure which shows the example of selection setting of a lighting data generation table, etc. It is a figure which shows the example of execution of the display effect by the effect movable mechanism.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment, showing an arrangement layout of main members. In addition, in FIG. 1, the effect movable mechanism 50 mentioned later is shown with the broken line. The pachinko gaming machine (game machine) 1 is roughly divided into a gaming board (gauge board) 2 constituting a gaming board surface and a gaming machine frame (underframe) 3 for supporting and fixing the gaming board 2. In the game board 2, a game area having a substantially circular outer edge surrounded by guide rails is formed. In this game area, a game ball as a game medium is shot and shot from a predetermined ball striking device.

  A first special symbol display device 4A and a second special symbol display device 4B are provided at a predetermined position of the game board 2 (in the example shown in FIG. 1, the lower right side of the game area). Each of the first special symbol display device 4A and the second special symbol display device 4B is constituted of, for example, LEDs (light emitting diodes) of 7 segments, dot matrix, etc., and identifies each in a special view game as an example of a variable display game. Special symbols (also referred to as "special figures"), which are plural types of possible identification information (special identification information), are variably displayed (variable display). For example, the first special symbol display device 4A and the second special symbol display device 4B can variably display a plurality of types of special symbols composed of numbers indicating "0" to "9" and symbols indicating "-", etc. Do. In addition, the special symbols displayed on the first special symbol display device 4A and the second special symbol display device 4B are limited to those composed of numbers indicating "0" to "9" and symbols indicating "-", etc. For example, a plurality of types of lighting patterns may be set in advance as a plurality of types of special symbols, in which combinations of what are turned on and turned off in the 7-segment LED are different. Hereinafter, the special symbol variably displayed in the first special symbol display device 4A is also referred to as "the first special view", and the special symbol variably displayed in the second special symbol display device 4B is also referred to as the "second special view" .

  In the vicinity of the center of the game area on the game board 2, a main image display device 5MA is provided. The main image display device 5MA is configured of, for example, an LCD (liquid crystal display device) or the like, and forms a display area for displaying various effect images. On the screen of the main image display device 5MA, corresponding to the variable display of the first special figure by the first special symbol display device 4A in the special figure game and the variable display of the second special figure by the second special symbol display device 4B For example, in the decorative symbol display area serving as a plurality of variable display portions such as three, decorative symbols as a plurality of types of identification information (decorative identification information) capable of identifying each are variably displayed. The variable display of this decorative pattern is also included in the variable display game.

  As an example, in the left, middle, and right decorative symbol display areas 5L, 5C, and 5R arranged in the display region of the main image display device 5MA, decorative symbols corresponding to each are variably displayed. In this case, one of the first special symbol display device 4A and the second special symbol fluctuation of the second special symbol display device 4B is started in the special image game. In the "left", "middle" and "right" decorative symbol display areas 5L, 5C and 5R, fluctuation of the decorative symbol (for example, scroll display in the vertical direction) is started. After that, when the finalized special symbol is stopped and displayed as the variable display result in the special view game, the decorative symbol is variable in the decorative symbol display areas 5L, 5C, 5R of “left”, “middle” and “right”. The finalized decorative symbol (final stop symbol) to be displayed is stopped and displayed.

  Thus, on the screen of main image display device 5MA, the special figure game using the first special figure in first special symbol display device 4A or the second special figure in second special symbol display device 4B is used. In synchronization with the special view game, variable display of a plurality of decorative patterns that can be identified is performed, and a finalized decorative pattern to be a variable display result is derived and displayed (or simply referred to as "derivation"). Note that, for example, deriving and displaying various display symbols such as a special symbol and a decorative symbol means to stop display (also referred to as complete stop display or final stop display) identification information such as a decorative symbol and to end variable display. . On the other hand, during the variable display from when variable display of the decorative symbol is started to when the fixed decorative symbol as the variable display result is derived and displayed, the change speed of the decorative symbol is "0", and the decorative symbol is displayed. For example, the symbol may be displayed in a stationary state, and may be in a display state that causes, for example, slight shaking or expansion and contraction. Such a display state is also referred to as a temporary stop display, and although the display result in the variable display is not displayed in a definite manner, the player can recognize that the variation of the decorative symbol by the scroll display or the update display is not progressing. It becomes. The temporary stop display may include, for example, complete stop display of the decorative pattern only for a time shorter than a predetermined time (for example, one second) without causing slight shaking or expansion or contraction.

  The decorative symbols variably displayed in the left, middle, and right decorative symbol display areas 5L, 5C, 5R are, for example, eight types of symbols (alphanumeric characters "1" to "8" or Chinese numerals) The character image may be, for example, a person, an animal, an object other than these, or, as long as the character image is an alphabetic character, eight character images related to a predetermined motif, a number or a character or a combination of a symbol and a character image. It may be configured to include a symbol such as a character, or any other decorative image representing a figure. Corresponding symbol numbers are attached to each of the decorative symbols. For example, symbol numbers “1” to “8” are attached to alphanumeric characters indicating “1” to “8”, respectively. The decorative design is not limited to eight types, but may be any number (for example, seven types, nine types, etc.) as long as it can constitute an appropriate number of combinations such as a big hit combination or a combination resulting in lost.

  After the variable display of the decorative symbol is started, until the finalized decorative symbol to be the variable display result is derived and displayed, the decorative symbol display areas 5L, 5C, 5R for "left", "middle" and "right" For example, when the scroll display is performed such that the symbol numbers flow sequentially from the top to the bottom from the one with the highest symbol number to the next, and the decorative symbol with the maximum symbol number (for example, "8") is displayed, A decorative symbol whose symbol number is the smallest (for example, "1") is displayed. Alternatively, in at least one of the decorative symbol display areas 5L, 5C, 5R (for example, the decorative symbol display area 5L of "left", etc.), scroll display is performed from those with large symbol numbers to those with small symbols, When the decorative symbol having the smallest number is displayed, the decorative symbol having the largest symbol number may be displayed subsequently.

  The start winning storage display area 5H is disposed on the screen of the main image display device 5MA. In the start winning storage display area 5H, a holding storage display for specifying the number of holdings of variable display (number of special drawing holding memories) corresponding to the special drawing game is performed. Here, the game ball passes the first start winning opening formed by the normal winning ball device 6A, and the second starting winning opening formed by the normal variable winning ball device 6B, for suspension of variable display corresponding to the special view game. It occurs based on the start-up winning by (entering). That is, although a start condition (also referred to as "execution condition") for executing a variable display game such as a special view game or variable display of a decorative symbol is satisfied, a variable display game based on the start condition established earlier is being executed. When the start condition for allowing the start of the variable display game is not satisfied due to the fact that the pachinko gaming machine 1 is controlled to the big hit gaming state, etc., the hold of the variable display corresponding to the satisfied start condition is To be done.

  For example, when the game ball passes (enters) the first start winning opening, the start condition of the special drawing game using the first special figure by the first special symbol display device 4A (the first start condition) If the first start condition for starting the special view game using the first special figure based on the establishment of the first start condition is not satisfied when 1) The addition (increment) is performed, and the execution of the special drawing game using the first special drawing is suspended. In addition, starting condition of the special figure game which uses the 2nd special figure by the 2nd special symbol display device 4B due to the occurrence of the 2nd start winning which the game ball passes (enters) the 2nd starting winning a prize opening (the 2nd starting condition If the second start condition for starting the special view game using the second special view based on the establishment of the second start condition is not satisfied when The addition (increment) is performed and the execution of the special drawing game using the second special drawing is suspended. On the other hand, when the execution of the special figure game using the first special figure is started, the first special figure reservation memory number is decremented by 1 and the special figure game is executed using the second special figure Is decremented by one.

  The number of pending storages of the variable display obtained by adding the number of the first special view pending storage and the number of the second special view pending storage is particularly referred to as the total pending storage number. The term "number of Tokushu reserve storages" simply refers to a concept that includes all of the number of first to reserve special storages, the number of second to reserve special storages, and the total number of pending storages, but in particular It may refer to a concept including the number of first special view pending storages and the number of second special view pending storages, but excluding the total number of pending storages.

  In addition to or in place of the start winning storage display area 5H, a display for displaying the number of stored special figures may be provided. In the example shown in FIG. 1, together with the start winning combination storage display area 5H, a first hold for specifying the number of special view hold storages to be identifiable on the top of the first special symbol display device 4A and the second special symbol display device 4B. A display 25A and a second hold display 25B are provided. The first hold indicator 25A displays the number of first special view hold memories in an identifiable manner. The second hold indicator 25B displays the second special view hold storage number in a distinguishable manner. The first hold indicator 25A and the second hold indicator 25B are, for example, the number corresponding to the upper limit (for example, "4") in each of the first special view reserve storage number and the second special view reserve storage number (for example, 4 Components) are configured.

  On the right side of the main image display device 5MA, there is provided a sub image display device 5SU that displays various images including a plurality of effect images separately from the main image display device 5MA. The installation locations of the main image display device 5MA and the sub image display device 5SU are not limited to the vicinity of the center of the game area on the game board 2. For example, while the main image display device 5MA is installed near the center of the game area, The sub image display device 5SU may be installed at an arbitrary position in the pachinko gaming machine 1, such as outside the gaming area or at the upper front, lower front, or front side of the front of the gaming machine frame 3.

  Under the main image display device 5MA, a normal winning ball device 6A and a normal variable winning ball device 6B are provided. The regular winning ball device 6A, for example, forms a first starting winning opening as a starting area (first starting area) which is always kept in a constant open state by a predetermined ball receiving member. The normally variable winning ball device 6B is an electric motor having a pair of movable winglets that changes between a normally open state in a vertical position and an enlarged open state in a tilted position by a solenoid 27 for a normal motorized product shown in FIG. A tulip type character (normal motorized character) is provided, and a start area (second start area) forms a second start winning opening.

  As an example, in the case of the normally variable winning ball device 6B, when the movable wing piece is in the vertical position when the solenoid 27 for the normal motorized combination is off, the gaming ball passes (enters) the second start winning opening Do not close. On the other hand, in the case of the normally variable winning ball device 6B, the game ball passes through the second starting winning opening by the movable wing piece being in the tilting position when the solenoid 27 for the normal motor vehicle is in the on state. ) Can be opened. The normally variable winning ball device 6B is normally open when the solenoid 27 is in the off state, and the game ball can enter (pass) the second start winning port while the solenoid 27 is in the on state. The game ball may be configured to be less likely to enter (pass) than the open state. As described above, the normally variable winning ball device 6B can not pass (enter) the first variable state such as the open state or the enlarged open state in which the game ball easily passes (enters) the second start winning opening. It is configured to be able to change to a second variable state such as a closed state or a normally open state that is difficult to pass (enter).

  The game ball which has passed (entered) the first starting winning opening formed in the regular winning ball device 6A is detected by, for example, a first starting opening switch 22A shown in FIG. The game ball which has passed (entered) the second starting winning opening formed in the normally variable winning ball device 6B is detected by, for example, a second starting opening switch 22B shown in FIG. A predetermined number (for example, three) of game balls are paid out as a prize ball based on the detection of the game ball by the first starting opening switch 22A, and the first special view reserve memory number is a predetermined upper limit (for example, " 4 ′ ′) If not, the first start condition is satisfied. A predetermined number (for example, three) of game balls are paid out as a prize ball based on the detection of the game ball by the second start opening switch 22B, and the second special view reserve memory number is a predetermined upper limit (for example, " 4 ′ ′) If not, the second start condition is satisfied.

  The number of winning balls to be paid out based on the detection of the gaming ball by the first starting opening switch 22A and the number of the winning balls to be paid out based on the detection of the gaming ball by the second starting opening switch 22B. The numbers may be the same or different from each other. The pachinko gaming machine 1 may directly pay out the gaming balls to be the winning balls, or may give a score corresponding to the number of gaming balls to be the winning balls.

  A special variable winning ball device 7 is provided below the normal winning ball device 6A and the normal variable winning ball device 6B. The special variable winning prize ball device 7 includes a special winning opening door which is driven to open and close by a solenoid 28 serving as a special winning opening door shown in FIG. 7 and a specific area which changes to an open state and a closed state by the special winning opening door. To form a winning opening as.

  As an example, in the special variable winning prize ball device 7, when the solenoid 28 for the big winning mouth door is in the OFF state, the big winning mouth door closes the big winning mouth, and the gaming ball passes the big winning mouth (entry) become unable. On the other hand, in the special variable winning prize ball device 7, when the solenoid 28 for the big winning mouth door is on, the big winning mouth door passes the big winning mouth with the big winning mouth open. ) Easy to do. In this manner, the special winning opening as a specific area changes into an open state in which the game ball easily passes (enters), which is advantageous for the player, and a closed state in which the game ball can not pass (enter). Do. In place of the closed state in which the game ball can not pass (enter) the big winning opening, or in addition to the closed state, a partially open state in which the game ball does not easily pass (enter) the big prize opening may be provided.

  The game ball which has passed (entered) the special winning opening is detected by, for example, the count switch 23 shown in FIG. A predetermined number (for example, 15) of game balls are paid out as winning balls based on the detection of the game balls by the count switch 23. Thus, when the game ball passes (enters) the special winning opening that is in the open state in the special variable winning winning ball device 7, the gaming ball is in the other winning opening such as the first starting winning opening and the second starting winning opening. More balls will be paid out than when passing (entering). Therefore, when the special winning prize opening is opened in the special variable winning prize ball device 7, the gaming ball can enter the special winning prize opening, which is an advantageous first state for the player. On the other hand, if the special winning hole is closed in the special variable winning ball device 7, it becomes impossible or difficult to get the winning ball by passing the game ball to the big winning hole, which is difficult for the player. It is a disadvantageous second state.

An ordinary symbol display 20 is provided at a predetermined position of the game board 2 (in the example shown in FIG. 1, on the left side of the game area). As an example, the normal symbol display 20 is composed of LEDs of 7 segments, dot matrix, etc. like the first special symbol display device 4A and the second special symbol display device 4B, and plural kinds of identification information different from the special symbol The symbol which is normally displayed (also referred to as "common figure" or "ordinary figure") is variably displayed (variable display). Such variable display of ordinary symbols is referred to as a common-play game (also referred to as a "normal-figure game"). Above the normal symbol display 20, a general drawing reserve display 25C is provided. The general drawing retention indicator 25C is configured to include, for example, four LEDs, and displays the general drawing retention memory number as the number of effective passing balls passed through the passing gate 41 .

  On the surface of the game board 2, in addition to the above-described configuration, a windmill, which changes the flow direction and speed of the game ball, a large number of obstacle nails, and the like are provided. As a winning opening different from the first starting winning opening, the second starting winning opening and the big winning opening, for example, a single or a plurality of general winning openings which are always kept in a constant open state by a predetermined ball receiving member It is also good. In this case, a predetermined number (for example, 10) of game balls may be paid out as winning balls based on the fact that a game ball entering one of the general winning openings is detected by a predetermined general winning ball switch. At the lowermost position of the game area, an out port is provided where game balls that have not entered any winning port are captured.

  The game board 2 is provided with the effect movable mechanism 50 as a movable member capable of executing display effects by the lighting modes of the plurality of light emitters aligned. The effect movable mechanism 50 has a plurality of (for example, four) movable members. The effect movable mechanism 50 changes between a retracted state in which the plurality of movable members are divided into upper and lower parts of the screen of the main image display device 5MA and an advanced state in which the plurality of movable members is positioned in front of the screen of the main image display device 5MA. be able to. In the following description, vertical and horizontal directions will be described on the basis of a state in which the front of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is faced.

  The effect movable mechanism 50 shown in FIG. 1 is the one in the state of being retracted. In this embodiment, the game area of the game board 2 is configured by a transparent plate (not shown) made of, for example, resin, and the effect movable mechanism 50 is disposed behind the transparent plate so that the game ball is effective. It flows down the front of the movable mechanism 50. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example, and at least one of the plurality of movable members of the effect movable mechanism 50 may be disposed in front of the transparent plate forming the game area.

  FIG. 2 shows a case where the plurality of movable members provided in the effect movable mechanism 50 are in the advanced state in which the plurality of movable members are positioned on the front surface of the main image display device 5MA. FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of the effect movable mechanism 50. As shown in FIG. The effect movable mechanism 50 is positioned below the screen of the main image display device 5MA in the retracted state and the upper mechanism 50T including the two movable members 51 and 52 positioned on the screen upper side of the main image display device 5MA in the retracted state. It is separable to lower mechanism 50B provided with two movable members 53 and 54. That is, the effect movable mechanism 50 is configured to include the upper mechanism 50T and the lower mechanism 50B which can be disposed apart from or close to each other. The upper mechanism 50T and the lower mechanism 50B are separated from each other to be in the retracted state as the first state. On the other hand, when the upper mechanism 50T and the lower mechanism 50B come close to each other, the advanced state as the second state is achieved.

  The upper mechanism 50T and the lower mechanism 50B are provided with drive means for changing between the retracted state and the advanced state. The upper mechanism 50T includes an upper support unit 55 and a decoration member 57 in addition to the two movable members 51 and 52. The lower mechanism 50 </ b> B includes a lower support unit 56 in addition to the two movable members 53 and 54.

  The upper support unit 55 includes a frame formed in a U shape so as to cover the upper side of the screen of the main image display device 5MA, and this frame is fixed to the game board 2 so that each component of the upper mechanism 50T is configured. Support the member. The upper support unit 55 includes a power transmission unit engaged with the movable member 51, and transmits power from the movable motor (included in the movable motor 60 shown in FIG. 7) to the movable member 51. The frame of the upper support unit 55 is formed with a rotation support shaft for pivotally supporting the movable member 51, a guide hole for guiding the rotation operation of the movable member 51, and the movement of the decorative member 57 Guide slits are formed along the vertical direction. The decorative member 57 pivotally supports the left ends of the two movable members 51 and 52, and the movable members 51 and 52 rotate with respect to the decorative member 57. The decorative member 57 moves up and down with the operation of the movable member 51 by the power from the movable motor being output to the movable member 51. The upper support unit 55 may be provided with a position detection sensor for directly or indirectly grasping the position of the movable member 51.

  The lower support unit 56 includes a frame configured to cover the lower side of the screen of the main image display device 5MA, and this frame is fixed to the main body of the game board 2 so that each component of the lower mechanism 50B is To support. The lower support unit 56 includes a link mechanism connected to the movable member 53 and engaged with the movable member 54, and the movable member 53 via a power transmission unit or the like where the power from the movable motor is engaged with the link mechanism. , 54 to move the movable members 53, 54. The frame of the lower support unit 56 is formed with a protrusion, a guide hole, and the like for supporting the link mechanism.

  In the upper mechanism 50T, each of the movable members 51, 52 includes a plurality of light emitters aligned in a matrix. That is, in each of the movable member 51 and the movable member 52, a plurality of light emitters are aligned and arranged along a predetermined direction such as, for example, the vertical and horizontal directions (upper and lower, left and right directions). The plurality of light emitters aligned by the movable member 51 constitute a light emitter unit 71 shown in FIG. The plurality of light emitters aligned by the movable member 52 constitute a light emitter unit 72 shown in FIG.

  The plurality of light emitters arranged to form the light emitter units 71 and 72 include a plurality of types of light emitting elements each having a different emission color. For example, as each light emitter, a full color LED having a light emitting element capable of emitting R (red), G (green), and B (blue) is used. As a result, the movable member 51 and the movable member 52 emit light by using the light emitter unit 71 such as rainbow color display by displaying various colors in a single area in addition to lighting and displaying various colors in a single color over the entire area The display effect by the lighting mode of the plurality of light emitters aligned in the body unit 72 can be performed. As described above, the light-emitting unit 73 and the light-emitting unit 74 can perform display effects by changing the color or pattern of display (light emission) using a plurality of light emitters with the passage of time. In front of the plurality of light emitters aligned by the light emitter units 71 and 72 included in the movable members 51 and 52, partition bodies formed in a grid shape to partition the plurality of light emitters are provided. ing. Further, on the front surface of the partition of the movable members 51, 52, a front plate for decorating the movable members 51, 52 is provided.

  In the lower mechanism 50B, each of the movable members 53, 54 includes a plurality of light emitters aligned in a matrix, similarly to each of the movable members 51, 52 of the upper mechanism 50T. That is, in each of the movable member 53 and the movable member 54, a plurality of light emitters are aligned and arranged along a predetermined direction such as, for example, the vertical and horizontal directions (upper and lower, left and right directions). The plurality of light emitters aligned by the movable member 53 constitute a light emitter unit 73 shown in FIG. The plurality of light emitters aligned by the movable member 54 constitute a light emitter unit 74 shown in FIG.

  The plurality of light emitters arranged to form the light emitter units 73 and 74 include a plurality of types of light emitting elements each having a different emission color. For example, as each light emitter, a full color LED having a light emitting element capable of emitting R (red), G (green), and B (blue) is used. As a result, the movable member 53 and the movable member 54 emit light by using the light emitter unit 73 such as iridescent display such as displaying various colors in a single area in addition to lighting and displaying various colors in a single color over the entire area. The display effect by the lighting mode of the plurality of light emitters aligned in the body unit 74 can be performed. As described above, the light-emitting unit 73 and the light-emitting unit 74 can perform display effects by changing the color or pattern of display (light emission) using a plurality of light emitters with the passage of time. In front of the plurality of light emitters aligned by the light emitter units 73 and 74 included in the movable members 53 and 54, partition bodies formed in a grid shape so as to separate the plurality of light emitters are provided. ing. Further, on the front surface of the partition of the movable members 53 and 54, a front plate for decorating the movable members 53 and 54 is provided.

  The compartments provided in the movable members 51 to 54 are formed of, for example, a material with low light transmittance, such as a resin, or a material without light transmittance. Such compartments are provided corresponding to the light emitter units 71 to 74 provided on the movable members 51 to 54 respectively. Thus, in each of the movable members 51 to 54, each of the plurality of light emitters arranged in an array to constitute the light emitter units 71 to 74 can be easily partitioned. In addition, by changing the material of the compartments and the thickness of the part partitioning the respective light emitters, the amount of light from the light emitters can be reduced (adjusted), and the light from the light emitters can be irregularly reflected. The partition body may be formed, for example, by forming a plurality of holes in a lattice shape on a plate material such as resin, or by injection molding a resin material or the like on a mold. In addition, as a some light-emitting body, it is not limited to what uses full color LED, For example, LED of single color or multiple colors may be used, and light-emitting bodies other than LED may be used. The compartments are not limited to members three-dimensionally formed in a lattice, and may be formed, for example, by forming a lattice-like pattern on a transparent or translucent plate by printing, cutting, or the like. The partitioning body is not limited to one configured to partition the plurality of light emitters one by one, and may be configured to partition the plurality of light emitters by a predetermined number, or may be formed in a predetermined direction And vertical direction) may be configured to partition. Furthermore, such compartments need not be provided.

  The front plate provided on the movable members 51 to 54 has a metal thin film layer formed on its surface, for example, of aluminum, and is configured to be translucent so as to reflect light from the outside and transmit light from the inside. Thus, when the plurality of light emitters do not emit light, the appearance (appearance) of the movable members 51 to 54 can be improved. Also for the decorative member 57, such a metal thin film layer may be formed and a light emitter may be provided inside. The movable members 51 to 54 are not limited to those configured by forming a metal thin film layer on the surface, and may be configured to be decorated with a transparent or translucent paint.

  FIG. 4 shows an operation example of the upper mechanism 50T as viewed from the front of the pachinko gaming machine 1. The movable members 51 and 52 included in the upper mechanism 50T are pivotally supported by the decorative member 57 and are rotatable, and the movable members 51 and 52 have different rotational ranges. That is, the movable member 52 can be pivoted to the retracted position and the advanced position with respect to the movable member 51. The movable member 51 is configured such that a base body is disposed behind a front surface portion provided with a plurality of light emitters, and holds the movable member 52 between the front surface portion and the base body. When the upper mechanism 50T is in the retracted state, for example, as shown in FIG. 4A, the movable member 51 is positioned upward with the longitudinal direction of the movable member 51 substantially along the horizontal direction. When the upper mechanism 50T changes from the retracted state to the advanced state, for example, as shown in FIG. 4D, the movable member 51 is moved with the decorative member 57 moved downward by the power from the movable motor, 52 rotates. On the other hand, when the upper mechanism 50T changes from the advanced state to the retracted state, the movable members 51 and 52 rotate with the upward movement of the decorative member 57 by the power from the movable motor.

  As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4C, when the amount of rotation of the movable member 51 and the movable member 52 is approximately the same, a plurality of light emitters disposed on each of the movable member 51 and the movable member 52 Array orientation does not match, and the arrays do not align. That is, when the upper mechanism 50T is in the retracted state, the movable members 51 and the movable members 52 do not match the arrangement directions of the plurality of light emitters aligned in the vertical and horizontal directions in the movable members 51 and 52. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 4 (c) and 4 (d), when the difference in the amount of rotation between the movable member 51 and the movable member 52 is the largest, the movable member 51 and the movable member 52 respectively. The arrangement directions of the plurality of arranged light emitters match, and the arrangement becomes uniform. That is, when the upper mechanism 50T is in the advanced state, the movable members 51 and the movable members 52 have the same arrangement direction in the plurality of light emitters arranged in a plurality of rows in the movable members 51 and 52.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, in a state where both the movable member 51 and the movable member 52 are positioned upward, the display screen of the main image display device 5MA (corresponding to the upper mechanism 50T being in the retracted state) The player can visually recognize the display screen of the main image display device 5MA and the movable member 51 without disturbing the visual recognition with respect to the dashed line). As described above, when the upper mechanism 50T is in the retracted state, the movable member 51 and the movable member 52 do not overlap the display screen of the main image display device 5MA. As shown in FIG. 4 (d), in the state where the movable member 51 and the movable member 52 are pivoted to the farthest, the display screen of the main image display 5MA corresponding to the upper mechanism 50T being in the advanced state Visibility to the As described above, when the upper mechanism 50T is in the advanced state, the movable member 51 and the movable member 52 overlap the display screen of the main image display device 5MA. Thereby, it is possible to make the player pay attention to the movable members 51, 52, and improve the interest of the effect by executing the display effect using the plurality of light emitters arranged in alignment with each of the movable members 51, 52. be able to. Further, when the upper mechanism 50T is in the advanced state, the arrangement directions of the plurality of light emitters aligned in the movable members 51 and 52 coincide with each other. Thereby, a sense of unity can be given to the display effect in the movable members 51 and 52, and the effect of the effect can be improved.

  FIG. 5 shows an operation example of the lower mechanism 50B viewed from the front of the pachinko gaming machine 1. The movable members 53, 54 included in the lower mechanism 50B are connected to the frame of the lower support unit 56 via a predetermined link mechanism, and the power of the movable motor 60C (included in the movable motor 60 shown in FIG. 7) Can move within a predetermined range. The link mechanism includes, for example, link members 642a and 642b and link members 645a and 645b shown in FIG. 5 (b). The link members 645a and 645b have one end pivotally supported by the frame and the other end pivotally supported near the lower end of the movable member 54 to guide the movement of the movable member 54.

  When the lower mechanism 50B is in the retracted state, for example, as shown in FIG. 5A, the movable members 53 and 54 are positioned downward and the movable member 53 is positioned behind the movable member 54, The player can hardly visually recognize the movable member 53. Then, when the lower mechanism 50B changes from the retracted state to the advanced state, for example, as shown in FIG. 5B, the movable member 53 moves upward with a slight rotation from the back side of the movable member 54. . Further, when power from the movable motor 60C is output, the movable member 54 moves upward along with the movement of the movable member 53, as shown in FIG. 5C, for example. On the other hand, when the lower mechanism 50B changes from the advanced state to the retracted state, each of the movable members 53 and 54 is moved downward by the power from the movable motor 60C, and then the movable member 53 is the back side of the movable member 54. Move to

  As shown in FIG. 5A, when the lower mechanism 50B is in the retracted state, the plurality of light emitters arranged in the vertical and horizontal directions in the movable member 53 and the movable member 54 are the movable member 53 and the movable member 54. Sequence direction does not match. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5C, when the lower mechanism 50B is in the advanced state, the arrangement directions of the plurality of light emitters arranged in each of the movable member 53 and the movable member 54 coincide with each other. , The arrangement is aligned. That is, when the lower mechanism 50B is in the advanced state, the movable members 53 and the movable members 54 align the arrangement directions of the plurality of light emitters arranged in a plurality of rows in the movable members 53 and 54.

  FIG. 6 shows an operation example of the effect movable mechanism 50. In FIG. 6, the arrangement direction of the plurality of light emitters aligned on the surface of the movable members 51 to 54 is indicated by a solid line. In the retracted state where the upper mechanism 50T and the lower mechanism 50B are separated from each other, the movable members 51 to 54 do not overlap the display screen (display area) of the main image display device 5MA. Therefore, when the upper mechanism 50T and the lower mechanism 50B are in the retracted state, as shown in FIG. 6A, the display screen of the main image display device 5MA can be viewed. On the other hand, in the advanced state in which the upper mechanism 50T and the lower mechanism 50B approach each other, the movable members 51 to 54 overlap the display screen (display area) of the main image display device 5MA. Therefore, when the upper mechanism 50T and the lower mechanism 50B are in the advanced state, as shown in FIG. 6B, the display screen of the main image display device 5MA becomes difficult to visually recognize or invisible.

  Moreover, when the upper mechanism 50T and the lower mechanism 50B are in the retracted state, as shown in FIG. 6A, the arrangement directions of the plurality of light emitters aligned in the movable members 51 to 54 do not match. . On the other hand, when the upper mechanism 50T and the lower mechanism 50B are in the advanced state, as shown in FIG. 6 (b), the arrangement directions of the plurality of light emitters aligned with each of the movable members 51 to 54 coincide. . As described above, when the arrangement directions of the plurality of light emitters aligned in each of the movable members 51 to 54 are aligned when in the advanced state, the display effect on each of the movable members 51 to 54 is made to have a sense of unity Can. In particular, by performing an integrated display effect with the plurality of movable members 51 to 54 when in the advanced state, it is possible to improve the interest of the effect. In addition, since the visibility on the display screen of the main image display device 5MA changes depending on the positions of the plurality of movable members 51 to 54, it is possible to prevent the effect from becoming monotonous and to improve the effect of the effect.

  At the upper left and right positions of the gaming machine frame 3, speakers 8L and 8R for reproducing and outputting sound effects and the like are provided, and further, a gaming effect lamp 9 is provided at the periphery of the gaming area. Of each structure in the game area of the pachinko gaming machine 1 (for example, a normal winning ball device 6A, a normal variable winning ball device 6B, a special variable winning ball device 7, a frame member etc. arranged at the periphery of the main image display device 5MA) A decorative LED may be disposed around the periphery. At the lower right portion of the gaming machine frame 3 is provided a striking operation handle (operation knob) operated by a player or the like to fire a gaming ball as a gaming medium toward the gaming area. For example, the hit ball operating handle adjusts the resilience of the gaming ball according to the amount of operation (the amount of rotation) by the player or the like. The hitting control handle may be provided with a single-shot release switch for stopping the drive of the firing motor provided in the hit shooting device or a touch ring (touch sensor).

  At a predetermined position of the gaming machine frame 3 below the gaming area, a game ball paid out as a prize ball and a game ball lent out by a predetermined ball lending machine are held so as to be able to be supplied to the ball striking device (stored ) Is provided. At the lower part of the gaming machine frame 3, a lower tray is provided which holds (retains) surplus balls and the like overflowing from the upper tray so as to be discharged to the outside of the pachinko gaming machine 1.

  A stick controller 31A which can be held and tilted by the player is attached to a member forming the lower tray, for example, at a predetermined position on the upper surface of the lower tray main body (for example, the central portion of the lower tray). There is. The stick controller 31A includes an operating rod held by the player, and a trigger button is provided at a predetermined position of the operating rod (for example, a position where the index finger of the operating hand is hit when the player holds the operating rod). There is. The trigger button can perform a predetermined instruction operation by pushing and pulling with a predetermined operation finger (for example, index finger or the like) while the player holds the operation stick of the stick controller 31A with the operation hand (for example, left hand or the like) It should just be comprised. Inside the operating rod, a trigger sensor may be incorporated so as to detect a predetermined instruction operation such as a push-pull operation on the trigger button.

  A controller sensor unit including a tilt direction sensor unit for detecting a tilting operation on the operating rod may be provided inside the lower body of the lower tray at the lower part of the stick controller 31A. For example, the tilt direction sensor unit may be two transmissive photosensors (parallel sensors) disposed parallel to the board of the game board 2 on the left side of the center position of the operating rod as viewed from the player facing the pachinko game machine 1 Four transmission types combining the pair) and two transmission type photosensors (vertical sensor pairs) arranged vertically to the board surface of the game board 2 on the right side of the center position of the operation stick viewed from the player's side It may be configured to include a photo sensor.

  The member forming the upper tray is, for example, a push button 31B which allows a player to perform a predetermined instruction operation by pressing operation or the like at a predetermined position on the front side of the upper surface of the upper tray body (for example, above the stick controller 31A). It is provided. The push button 31B may be configured to be able to mechanically, electrically or electromagnetically detect a predetermined instruction operation by the player or the like. A push sensor may be provided inside the main body of the upper tray at the installation position of the push button 31B or the like, for detecting a player's operation performed on the push button 31B. In the stick controller 31A and the push button 31B, when an operation by the player is detected, the display effect on the main image display device 5MA or the sub image display device 5SU is changed by the effect control board 12 shown in FIG. It may be used in an effect (for example, advance effect or reach effect) in which an operation in the movable mechanism 50, an audio output from the speakers 8L, 8R, a lighting operation (flashing operation) in a light emitter such as the game effect lamp 9 is performed .

  The pachinko gaming machine 1 includes various types of substrates such as a main substrate 11, an effect control substrate 12, an audio control substrate 13, a lamp control substrate 14, a movable mechanism control substrate 16, and light emitter circuit substrates 61 to 64 as shown in FIG. A control board is mounted. The pachinko gaming machine 1 also includes a relay board 15 for relaying various control signals transmitted between the main board 11 and the effect control board 12. Besides, various substrates such as a payout control substrate, an information terminal substrate, a launch control substrate, an interface substrate and the like are arranged on the back of the gaming board 2 etc. in the pachinko gaming machine 1.

  The main board 11 is a control board on the main side, and various circuits for controlling the progress of the game in the pachinko gaming machine 1 are mounted. The main substrate 11 is mainly directed to a sub-side control substrate consisting of a setting function of random numbers used in the special view game, a function of inputting a signal from a switch disposed at a predetermined position, etc. And a function of outputting and transmitting a control command as an example of command information as a control signal, and a function of outputting various information to a hall management computer. Further, the main board 11 performs lighting / extinguishing control of each LED (for example, segment LED) constituting the first special symbol display device 4A and the second special symbol display device 4B, and the first special figure or the second special figure The variable display of a predetermined display pattern, such as controlling the variable display of the normal symbol display 20 or performing the on / off / coloring control of the normal symbol display 20 to control the variable display of the normal symbol by the normal symbol display 20 It also has a function to control.

  The main circuit board 11 includes, for example, a microcomputer 100 for game control, a switch circuit 110 for capturing detection signals from various switches for detecting game balls, and transmitting the detection signals to the microcomputer 100 for game control, and the microcomputer 100 for game control A solenoid circuit 111 for transmitting a solenoid drive signal to the solenoids 27 and 28 is mounted.

  The effect control board 12 is a sub-side control board independent of the main board 11, receives the control signal transmitted from the main board 11 via the relay board 15, and displays the main image display device 5MA and the sub image display Various circuits for controlling the rendering operation by the electric components for presentation such as the device 5SU, the speakers 8L and 8R, the game effect lamp 9, the light emitter units 71 to 74, and the presentation movable mechanism 50 are mounted. That is, the effect control board 12 performs the display operation in the main image display device 5MA and the sub image display device 5SU, all or part of the lighting modes in the light emitter units 71 to 74, and all the audio output operations from the speakers 8L and 8R. Control content for causing a predetermined effect operation to be performed on an electronic component for effect, such as all or a part of all or a part of the on / off operation of the game effect lamp 9 or all or a part of the operation of the effect movable mechanism 50 Have the ability to determine

  The voice control board 13 is a control board for voice output control provided separately from the effect control board 12, and based on the command and control data (for example, serial signal system) from the effect control board 12, the speaker 8L. , 8R, etc. The processing circuit etc. which perform the audio | voice signal processing for making an audio | voice output are mounted. The lamp control board 14 is a control board for lamp output control provided separately from the effect control board 12, and based on commands and control data from the effect control board 12, lighting / extinguishing the game effect lamp 9 etc. A lamp driver circuit for driving is mounted. The movable mechanism control board 16 is a control board for effect movable mechanism control provided separately from the effect control board 12, and the movement of the movable members 51 to 54 is based on the command and control data from the effect control board 12, etc. A motor driver circuit or the like for performing operation control is mounted. The light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64 are control boards for controlling the light emitter unit provided separately from the effect control board 12, and based on the commands and control data from the effect control board 12, the light emitter units 71 to A light emitter driver circuit or the like that performs lighting / lighting out operation at 74 is mounted.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the main board 11 is connected to a wire for transmitting detection signals from the gate switch 21, the first start port switch 22A, the second start port switch 22B, and the count switch 23. The gate switch 21, the first start opening switch 22A, the second start opening switch 22B, and the count switch 23 have an arbitrary configuration capable of detecting a game ball as a game medium, such as a sensor called, for example. It is sufficient if it has. In addition, the main substrate 11 has a first special symbol display device 4A, a second special symbol display device 4B, a normal symbol display device 20, a first hold indicator 25A, a second hold indicator 25B, and a common view hold indicator 25C. Wiring for transmitting a command signal for performing display control such as is connected.

  The control signal transmitted from the main substrate 11 to the effect control substrate 12 is relayed by the relay substrate 15. The control command transmitted from the main substrate 11 to the effect control substrate 12 via the relay substrate 15 is, for example, an effect control command transmitted and received as an electric signal. The effect control command includes, for example, a display control command used to control an image display operation in the main image display device 5MA or the sub image display device 5SU, and an audio used to control audio output from the speakers 8L and 8R. The control command, the lamp control command used to control the lighting operation of the game effect lamp 9 and the decorative LED, the movable mechanism control command used to control the operation of the effect movable mechanism 50 and the like are included. . The effect control command used to control the lighting operation of the light emitter units 71 to 74 may be included in the display control command or the lamp control command, or may be transmitted and received as a separate effect control command. .

  The game control microcomputer 100 mounted on the main substrate 11 is, for example, a one-chip microcomputer, and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 101 for storing a program for game control, fixed data, etc., and a work for game control. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 102 for providing an area, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 103 for executing a control operation by executing a game control program, and updating of numerical data representing a random number independently of the CPU 103 A random number circuit 104 to be performed and an I / O (Input / Output port) 105 are provided.

  As an example, in the game control microcomputer 100, the CPU 103 executes a program read from the ROM 101 to execute a process for controlling the progress of the game in the pachinko gaming machine 1. At this time, a fixed data read operation in which the CPU 103 reads fixed data from the ROM 101, a variable data write operation in which the CPU 103 writes various fluctuation data to the RAM 102 and temporarily stores it, and various fluctuation data temporarily stored in the RAM 102 by the CPU 103 Data reading operation to read out the data, reception operation in which the CPU 103 receives input of various signals from the outside of the gaming control microcomputer 100 via the I / O 105, to the outside of the gaming control microcomputer 100 via the I / O 105 Also, a transmission operation for outputting various signals is performed. The random number circuit 104 only needs to count numerical data indicating a part or all of various random number values used to control the progress of the game.

  The ROM 101 of the microcomputer 100 for game control stores various selection data, table data, and the like used to control the progress of the game, in addition to the program for game control. For example, the ROM 101 stores data constituting a plurality of determination tables, determination tables, setting tables, and the like prepared for the CPU 103 to make various determinations, determinations, and settings. Further, in the ROM 101, table data constituting a plurality of command tables used for transmitting control signals as various control commands from the main substrate 11 by the CPU 103, and a fluctuation pattern table storing plural kinds of fluctuation patterns are constituted. Table data etc. are stored.

  The effect control board 12 includes an effect control CPU 120 that performs control operations according to a program, a ROM 121 that stores effect control programs, fixed data, and the like, a RAM 122 that provides a work area for the effect control CPU 120, and an image display device 5, a random number circuit 124 for executing processing for determining control contents of the display operation in 5, and the like, the random number circuit 124 for updating numerical data indicating random numbers independently of the effect control CPU 120, and I / O 125 And is mounted.

  As an example, the effect control board 12 executes a program for effect control read out from the ROM 121 by the effect control CPU 120 to execute a process for controlling the effect operation by the effect electric component. At this time, a fixed data read operation in which the effect control CPU 120 reads out fixed data from the ROM 121, a change data write operation in which the effect control CPU 120 writes various change data in the RAM 122 and temporarily stores them, and the effect control CPU 120 in the RAM 122 Fluctuation data read operation to read out various fluctuation data temporarily stored, reception operation to receive various signal input from outside of the effect control board 12 via the I / O 125, the effect control CPU 120 to I / O for effect control CPU 120 A transmission operation of outputting various signals to the outside of the effect control board 12 via O125 is also performed. The effect control CPU 120, the ROM 121, and the RAM 122 may be included in a one-chip effect control microcomputer mounted on the effect control board 12.

  In the effect control board 12, a wire for transmitting a video signal to the image display device 5, a wire for transmitting a sound effect signal as an information signal indicating sound number data to the sound control board 13 ( Serial signal communication wiring), wiring for transmitting an electric decoration signal as an information signal indicating lamp data to the lamp control board 14, driving the movable motor 60 to the movable mechanism control board 16 to move the movable members 51 to Wiring for transmitting a movable control signal as an information signal indicating a command for moving 54 and control data, light emission drive data for driving the light emitter units 71 to 74 to emit light with respect to the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64 Wiring for transmitting a light emission control signal as an information signal to be shown is connected. Further, the effect control board 12 detects wiring for receiving an operation detection signal as an information signal indicating that the player's operation on the stick controller 31A has been detected, and detects the player's operation on the push button 31B. Wiring for receiving an operation detection signal as an information signal indicating that the connection has been made is also connected.

  The ROM 121 mounted on the effect control board 12 shown in FIG. 7 stores various data tables and the like used to control the rendering operation, in addition to the program for effect control. For example, in the ROM 121, a plurality of determination tables prepared to make various determinations, determinations, and settings by the effect control CPU 120, table data forming the determination tables, pattern data forming the various effect control patterns, etc. It is memorized. The effect control pattern includes, for example, effect control execution data (display control data, voice control data, lamp control data, movable member control data, operation detection control data, etc.) associated with a effect control process timer determination value, an end code, etc. It is composed of process data included. The RAM 122 mounted on the effect control board 12 stores various data used to control the effect operation.

  The display control unit 123 mounted on the effect control board 12 determines the control content of the display operation in the main image display device 5MA and the sub image display device 5SU based on the display control command from the effect control CPU 120 and the like. For example, the display control unit 123 executes variable display of decorative symbols and various effect displays by determining the switching timing of effect images to be displayed on the screens of the main image display device 5MA and the sub image display device 5SU. To control. In this embodiment, the display control unit 123 performs control for causing display effects according to the lighting mode of the light emitter units 71 to 74 formed by the plurality of light emitters arranged in alignment with the movable members 51 to 54, respectively. Do.

  The random number circuit 124 mounted on the effect control board 12 counts up numerical data indicating various random number values used for controlling the effect operation. The random number used to control such a rendering operation is also referred to as a gaming random number. The I / O 125 is configured to include, for example, an input port for taking in the effect control command transmitted from the main board 11 or the like, and an output port for transmitting various signals to the outside of the effect control board 12.

FIG. 8 shows a configuration example of the display control unit 123. The display control unit 123 shown in FIG. 8 includes a VDP (Video Display Processor) 130, an image data memory 131, a VRAM (Video RAM) 132A, a frame buffer 132B, a main LCD drive circuit 133A, and a sub LCD drive circuit 133B. And a light emitter control circuit 134. The VDP 130 may be a graphics processing unit (GPU), a graphics controller LSI (GCL), or a microprocessor for image processing which is more generally referred to as a digital signal processor (DSP). The image data memory 131 may be, for example, a non-rewritable semiconductor memory, or a rewritable semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, or any of non-volatile recording media such as a magnetic memory and an optical memory. What is necessary is just to be configured using.
Control for execution.

  The VDP 130 has an image data processing function such as a high speed drawing function for displaying various images on the screen of the main image display device 5MA or the sub image display device 5SU or a moving image decoding function, for example. It is an image processor that executes image data processing in accordance with a control command. The image data memory 131 stores in advance various types of image data (image element data) indicating display images in the main image display device 5MA and the sub image display device 5SU. For example, the image data stored in the image data memory 131 includes plural types of image element data corresponding to plural types of effect images, such as plural types of decorative patterns variably displayed in the main image display device 5MA. . In addition, the image data memory 131 may be character image data or moving image data displayed on the main image display device 5MA or the sub image display device 5SU, specifically, an image of a person, characters, figures, symbols, etc., and a background image. Data is stored in advance. In this embodiment, using the image data stored in the image data memory 131, data (lighting data) is created to control the lighting of the plurality of light emitters constituting the light emitter units 71 to 74.

  The data for creating the lighting data of the light emitter units 71 to 74 may be added to the image data of the effect image to be displayed on the screen of the sub image display device 5SU, and stored in the image data memory 131 in advance. Alternatively, data for creating lighting data of light emitter units 71 to 74 is stored in advance in image data memory 131 as image data separate from the image data of the effect image to be displayed on the screen of sub image display device 5SU. When the VDP 130 executes drawing processing, display data used to create lighting data may be added to display data of a rendering image on the display screen of the sub image display device 5SU.

  The VRAM 132A temporarily stores the image data read from the image data memory 131, and provides a work area for the VDP 130 to execute image data processing. In the storage area of the VRAM 132A, for example, a pallet area in which pallet data is arranged, a character buffer in which character image data read from the image data memory 131 is stored, and an area such as a CG buffer are allocated. The CG buffer temporarily stores palette data in which the display color of the character is defined when the drawing process is performed by the VDP 130, or temporarily stores the display data of the effect image created by the drawing process. Used to

  The frame buffer 132B provides a virtual display area in which display data and the like of effect images created by drawing processing and the like by the VDP 130 are expanded and stored. The display data developed and stored in the frame buffer 132B may be, for example, pixel data (raster data) created by the VDP 130 based on vector data (vector data) such as points, lines, and polygons. In the frame buffer 132B, for example, an actual display area for storing display data of various images displayed on the screen of the main image display device 5MA, and a display of various images not displayed on the screen of the main image display device 5MA. A virtual display area for storing data may be included. Alternatively, display data for performing screen display of the same size as the display screen of the main image display device 5MA in the virtual display area of the frame buffer 132B is created, and the display data of the virtual display area read by the VDP 130 is main By being supplied to the LCD drive circuit 133A, it may be output to the main image display device 5MA side. The VRAM 132A and the frame buffer 132B may be secured as separate storage areas in the same semiconductor memory (SDRAM or the like), or may be configured using separate semiconductor memories.

  An image display area and an image drawing area are allocated to the storage area of the frame buffer 132B. In the image display area, display data for displaying the effect image on the screens of the main image display device 5MA and the sub image display device 5SU is stored. Display data of each effect image created by the drawing process is stored in the image drawing area. The image display area and the image drawing area may be switched to each other whenever V blanking occurs. The V blank occurs at a cycle of updating the image displayed on the screen of the main image display 5MA or the sub image display 5SU. Every time V blank is started, a V blank interrupt signal is output from the VDP 130 to the CPU 120 for effect control, and various other interrupt signals are output from the VDP 130 to the CPU 120 for effect control.

  By switching between the image display area and the image drawing area each time a V blank occurs, display data of each effect image is created in the storage area allocated as an image drawing area in a certain V blank cycle (first drawing display period) In the next V blank cycle (second drawing display period), the storage area is switched to the image display area. Therefore, the display data created in the drawing process in the first drawing display period is output to the main image display device 5MA and the sub image display device 5SU in the second drawing display period, and in the second drawing display period In the storage area to which the image drawing area is allocated, the display data created in the drawing process is stored.

  A mainframe buffer and a subframe buffer may be allocated to each of the storage areas to which the image display area and the image drawing area are allocated in the frame buffer 132B. In the main frame buffer, display data and the like for displaying the effect image on the screen of the main image display device 5MA are stored. The sub-frame buffer stores display data for displaying the effect image on the screen of the sub-image display device 5SU and display data for creating lighting data of the light emitter units 71 to 74. As described above, lighting data for lighting and controlling the plurality of light emitters constituting the light emitter units 71 to 74 is created using a part of the display data stored in the sub-frame buffer.

  The effect control CPU 120 accesses a system register and an attribute register built in the VDP 130 via, for example, a CPU interface included in the VDP 130. Then, various commands and data are stored in the system register and the attribute register in accordance with process data such as display control data included in the effect control pattern. Thus, the effect control CPU 120 indirectly controls the display operation in the main image display device 5MA and the sub image display device 5SU and the lighting operation in the light emitter units 71 to 74.

  The process data indicates the setting contents that the effect control CPU 120 performs on the system register and the attribute register of the VDP 130 whenever V blanking occurs. The setting contents of the system register include drawing and data transfer instructions, CG data and pallet data for data transfer, and attribute settings. In addition, the setting contents of the attribute register may indicate an attribute as a parameter used in the rendering process of the effect image. In the process data, the attribute is set such that the image is updated each time V blank occurs. Thus, the image can be updated each time V blank occurs.

  The main LCD drive circuit 133A creates a color signal (gradation control signal) according to display data output from the VDP 130, and also generates a predetermined image signal (dot clock signal) and a scanning signal (drive control signal) as main images. It is a circuit for displaying various images on the screen of the main image display device 5MA by outputting to the display device 5MA or the like. The sub LCD drive circuit 133 B creates a color signal (gradation control signal) according to the display data transmitted from the VDP 130 via the light emitter control circuit 134, and also generates a predetermined clock signal (dot clock signal) and scanning signal. It is a circuit which displays various images on the screen of the sub image display device 5SU by outputting (drive control signal) to the sub image display device 5SU or the like.

  The light emitter control circuit 134 uses the partial data obtained by separating the display data read from the sub-frame buffer of the frame buffer 132B by the VDP 130, and the lighting mode (light emission state) by a plurality of light emitters in the light emitter units 71-74. Control circuit. The light emitter control circuit 134 may be configured using a dedicated IC, such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), for example. Alternatively, the light emitter control circuit 134 may be configured using a programmable integrated circuit such as, for example, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array). Alternatively, the light emitter control circuit 134 may be configured using a general-purpose IC, such as a DSP. Of the display data separated by the light emitter control circuit 134, the remaining display data not used for the lighting control of the light emitter units 71 to 74 is output to the sub LCD drive circuit 133B.

  The VDP 130 has, as a data signal output system for outputting display data, a signal output configuration (output circuit and output wiring) of two systems such as a main display output system and a sub display output system. The main display output system, which is one of the two data signal output systems, is connected to the main image display device 5MA via the main LCD drive circuit 133A and used for screen display of the main image display device 5MA. Transmit a data signal of display data. The sub display output system, which is the other output system of the two data signal output systems, is connected to light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64 and sub LCD drive circuit 133 B via light emitter control circuit 134, and a sub LCD drive circuit From 133B, it is further connected to the sub image display 5SU. In such a sub display output system, data signals of display data used for image display on the screen of the sub image display device 5SU are transmitted, and data of display data used for lighting control of the light emitter units 71 to 74 A signal is transmitted. Display data used for lighting control of the light emitter units 71 to 74 is converted to lighting data in the light emitter control circuit 134 and then transmitted to the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64. The main LCD drive circuit 133A, the sub LCD drive circuit 133B, and the light emitter control circuit 134 may be mounted on a separate substrate different from the effect control substrate 12.

  FIG. 9 shows a configuration example of the light emitter control circuit 134. The light emitter control circuit 134 generates a control signal according to the lighting control information based on a part of display data output from the VDP 130, and the like, thereby generating a plurality of light emissions aligned in each of the light emitter units 71 to 74. Control the lighting of the body. The light emitter control circuit 134 includes a signal separation circuit 140, a buffer memory 141, a lighting data generation circuit 142, parallel-serial conversion circuits 143-1 to 143-4, and LVDS drivers 144-1 to 144-4. Have.

  The signal separation circuit 140 separates part of the display data used for lighting control of the light emitter units 71 to 74 among the display data output from the VDP 130, and temporarily stores the display data in the buffer memory 142. Among the display data output from the VDP 130, the light emitter control circuit 134 receives display data output corresponding to the sub display output system. The signal separation circuit 140 separates part of display data used for lighting control of the light emitter units 71 to 74 among the display data input to the light emitter control circuit 134. For example, the signal separation circuit 140 specifies display data used for lighting control based on a predetermined synchronization signal (horizontal synchronization signal or vertical synchronization signal) or a clock signal (dot clock signal). The display data specified in this way is written from the top storage area (buffer memory area) in the buffer memory 141 in a predetermined order and temporarily stored.

  The lighting data generation circuit 142 reads the display data temporarily stored in the buffer memory 141, and executes predetermined conversion processing to generate lighting data that constitutes lighting control information. The buffer memory 141 stores a part of display data output from the VDP 130 corresponding to the sub display output system. Therefore, the lighting data generation circuit 142 converts part of the display data generated by the VDP 130 into lighting data. In the lighting data generated by the lighting data generation circuit 142, drive control data serving as drive control information for specifying the drive timing of the light emitter, and a floor for specifying the luminance (tone) corresponding to each light emission color of the light emitter. Gradation data to be tone control information may be included.

  The lighting data generation circuit 142 divides a region where a plurality of light emitters included in the light emitter units 71 to 74 provided in each of the movable members 51 to 54 are arranged into a plurality of blocks, and emits light for each of those blocks. Create body lighting data. In this embodiment, light emitter blocks B01 to B42 are set in advance as a plurality of blocks. The lighting data generation circuit 143 generates lighting data corresponding to each of the light emitter blocks B01 to B42.

  FIG. 10 shows a setting example in which an area in which a plurality of light emitters in the movable member 51 are aligned is divided into a plurality of blocks. Regions in which a plurality of light emitters are arranged in the movable member 51 are the light emitter blocks B01 to B06 as shown in FIG. 10A and the light emitter blocks B07 to B15 as shown in FIG. 10B. It is divided. As for the movable members 52 to 54 other than the movable member 51, similarly to the movable member 51, the region in which the plurality of light emitters are disposed is set to be divided into a plurality of blocks. As a result, the whole of the light emitter units 71 to 74 provided in each of the movable members 51 to 54 is divided into light emitter blocks B01 to B42. The number of divisions of the light emitter block may be arbitrarily set based on the number of movable members constituting the effect movable mechanism 50, the size of the region where the plurality of light emitters are disposed, and the like. .

  Each of the light emitter blocks B01 to B42 has a basic shape such as a rectangular shape or a square shape. Therefore, due to the shape of the movable members 51 to 54 or the like, the light emission unit block can not be completely accommodated in the region where the plurality of light emitters are arranged in each of the light emitter units 71 to 74. There may be an area where light emitters less than the body block are disposed. In addition, among the plurality of light emitter blocks, an empty area in which the light emitters are not disposed may occur in a part of the square shape. Therefore, the processing load of lighting control for a plurality of light emitters is reduced by including the remaining area in which the light emitters less than one light emitter block are disposed in the vacant area in any of the light emitter blocks.

  In this embodiment, four light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64 are provided corresponding to the light emitter units 71 to 74 provided in the four movable members 51 to 54. The light emitter control circuit 134, as a serial output system for outputting control signals corresponding to the four light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64, includes four sets of signal output configurations (output circuit and output wiring) corresponding to four systems. have. More specifically, a first set of signal output configuration including parallel-serial conversion circuit 143-1 and LVDS driver 144-1, and a second set of parallel-serial conversion circuit 143-2 and LVDS driver 144-2. Signal output configuration, third set of signal output configuration including parallel-serial conversion circuit 143-3 and LVDS driver 144-3, fourth set of parallel-serial conversion circuit 143-4 and LVDS driver 144-4 And a signal output configuration.

  Control signals including lighting control information corresponding to the lighting data generated by the lighting data generation circuit 142 are input to the parallel-serial conversion circuits 143-1 to 143-4. The parallel-serial conversion circuits 143-1 to 143-4 are connected to the lighting data generation circuit 142 via, for example, an address bus and a data bus. The parallel-serial conversion circuits 143-1 to 143-4 are connected to any one of the LVDS drivers 144-1 to 144-4 associated in advance via serial signal wiring. In each of the parallel-serial conversion circuits 143-1 to 143-4, the control signal input from the lighting data generation circuit 142 is converted (serial conversion) from parallel signal format to serial signal format. The converted control signal is input to any one of the corresponding LVDS drivers 144-1 to 144-4. More specifically, the output signal from the parallel-serial conversion circuit 143-1 is input to the LVDS driver 144-1, and the output signal from the parallel-serial conversion circuit 143-2 is input to the LVDS driver 144-2. An output signal from the parallel-serial conversion circuit 143-3 is input to the LVDS driver 144-3, and an output signal from the parallel-serial conversion circuit 143-4 is input to the LVDS driver 144-4.

  A unique address is given in advance to each of the parallel-serial conversion circuits 143-1 to 143-4, and the lighting data generation circuit 142 specifies the address and outputs parallel data, thereby parallel-serial communication. It is sufficient that the control signal can be transmitted to any of the conversion circuits 143-1 to 143-4. As an example, address PS01 is given to parallel-serial conversion circuit 143-1, address PS02 is given to parallel-serial conversion circuit 143-2, and address PS03 is given to parallel-serial conversion circuit 143-3. The address PS04 is given to the parallel-serial conversion circuit 143-4.

  Each of parallel-serial conversion circuits 143-1 to 143-4 includes a plurality of (for example, eight) D flip flops, and parallel data from lighting data generation circuit 143 is input to any D flip flop in units of bits. Ru. A capture signal (latch signal) is input to each D flip flop in a predetermined cycle, and parallel data is latched to each D flip flop at its rise timing. Further, a clock signal is input to each D flip flop, and shift operations are sequentially performed at the rising timing of the clock signal. As a result, control signals input in parallel are converted into serial data and output.

  The LVDS drivers 144-1 to 144-4 are output circuits capable of transmitting the signals serial-converted by the parallel-serial conversion circuits 143-1 to 143-4 in a low voltage differential signal (LVDS) system. . LVDS is one of differential interface standards for data transmission, and is also referred to as a low voltage differential signal transmission system or a small amplitude differential signal transmission system. In addition, it is not limited to the signal transmission method conforming to the LVDS standard, but a signal conforming to a predetermined differential interface standard such as RSDS (Reduced Swing Differential Signaling) method, mini-LVDS method, SLVS (Scalable Low Voltage Signaling) method Other than the transmission method, a signal transmission technology of a predetermined specification such as CML (Current Mode Logic) or LVPECL (Low Voltage Positive-referenced Emitter Coupled Logic) may be used.

  Each of the LVDS drivers 144-1 to 144-4 has a constant current source for supplying a predetermined amount of current (for example, 3.5 mA), and the difference between the signal levels determined by the potential difference between two data lines (twisted pair lines) Generate a dynamic signal. Differential signals have the property of being more resistant to extraneous noise than single-ended signals. In addition, differential signals can transmit data with a smaller amplitude than single-ended signals, and power consumption can be reduced. In addition to the ability to transmit data with a small amplitude with differential signals, radiation noise can be reduced because the electric fields emitted by the two data lines are canceled out. The maximum speed of the digital signal can be defined by the slew rate (rise / fall voltage change amount) of the signal, and for the same slew rate, the smaller the amplitude, the higher the speed. Therefore, by using a differential signal having a small amplitude, data transmission can be performed at a higher speed than a single-ended signal having a large amplitude.

  FIG. 11 shows a configuration example of the light emitter circuit board 61. As shown in FIG. The light emitter circuit boards 62 to 64 may have the same configuration as well. The light emitter circuit board 61 causes the plurality of light emitters disposed on the movable member 51 to emit light based on the control signal transmitted from the LVDS driver 144-1 of the light emitter control circuit 134 mounted on the effect control board 12 It has various circuits for A plurality of light emitters disposed in the movable member 51 to constitute the light emitter unit 71 are the light emitter blocks B01 to B06 shown in FIG. 10A and the light emitter blocks B07 to B15 shown in FIG. The light emission state is controlled by being included in any of the light emitter blocks. The light emitter circuit board 62 includes various circuits for causing the plurality of light emitters disposed in the movable member 52 to emit light based on the control signal transmitted from the LVDS driver 144-2 of the light emitter control circuit 134. . A plurality of light emitters disposed in the movable member 52 and constituting the light emitter unit 72 are included in any of the light emitter blocks of the light emitter blocks B16 to B26, and the light emission state of each is controlled. The light emitter circuit board 63 includes various circuits for causing the plurality of light emitters disposed in the movable member 53 to emit light based on the control signal transmitted from the LVDS driver 144-3 of the light emitter control circuit 134. . A plurality of light emitters disposed in the movable member 53 and constituting the light emitter unit 73 are included in any of the light emitter blocks B27 to B34, and the light emission state of each is controlled. The light emitter circuit board 64 includes various circuits for causing the plurality of light emitters disposed on the movable member 54 to emit light based on the control signal transmitted from the LVDS driver 144-4 of the light emitter control circuit 134. . A plurality of light emitters disposed in the movable member 54 and constituting the light emitter unit 74 are included in any of the light emitter blocks B35 to B42, and the light emission state of each is controlled. On the light emitter circuit board 61, in addition to the LVDS receiver 150 and the serial signal relay device 151, a plurality of light emitter drivers constituting the light emitter drive unit 152 and the like are mounted.

  The LVDS receiver 150 sets the signal level of the reception data transmitted in the LVDS system from the light emitter control circuit 134 of the effect control board 12 to a TTL level (for example, a digital signal level corresponding to the power supply voltage 5.0 V) or a CMOS level (for example Convert to digital signal level corresponding to the power supply voltage of 3.3V. In the LVDS receiver 150, two data lines used in the LVDS method are connected to a termination resistance of about 100Ω, and the current on the data line serving as the transmission path generates a voltage across the termination resistance. The LVDS receiver 150 also includes a differential comparator, and outputs the comparison result of the voltages generated at both ends of the termination resistor as a digital signal.

  The LVDS receiver 150 mounted on the light emitter circuit board 61 is connected to the LVDS driver 144-1 of the light emitter control circuit 134 via two data lines, and the differential signal transmitted from the LVDS driver 144-1 is It is input. That is, the LVDS receiver 150 mounted on the light emitter circuit board 61 receives the serial data transmitted corresponding to the first set of signal output configurations included in the light emitter control circuit 134. The LVDS receiver 150 mounted on the light emitter circuit board 62 is connected to the LVDS driver 144-2 of the light emitter control circuit 134 via two data lines, and the differential signal transmitted from the LVDS driver 144-2 is It is input. That is, the LVDS receiver 150 mounted on the light emitter circuit board 62 receives the serial data transmitted corresponding to the second set of signal output configurations included in the light emitter control circuit 134. The LVDS receiver 150 mounted on the light emitter circuit board 63 is connected to the LVDS driver 144-3 of the light emitter control circuit 134 via two data lines, and the differential signal transmitted from the LVDS driver 144-3 is It is input. That is, the LVDS receiver 150 mounted on the light emitter circuit board 63 receives the serial data transmitted corresponding to the third set of signal output configurations included in the light emitter control circuit 134. The LVDS receiver 150 mounted on the light emitter circuit board 64 is connected to the LVDS driver 144-4 of the light emitter control circuit 134 via two data lines, and the differential signal transmitted from the LVDS driver 144-4 is It is input. That is, the LVDS receiver 150 mounted on the light emitter circuit board 64 receives the serial data transmitted corresponding to the fourth set of signal output configurations included in the light emitter control circuit 134.

  The serial signal relay device 151 includes various circuits for relaying the control signal transmitted from the light emitting body control circuit 134 of the effect control board 12 and supplying the light emitting body drive unit 152 with the control signal. For example, the serial signal relay device 151 includes a serial data buffer circuit 151A, a diffusion control unit 151B, and a clock generation circuit 151C.

  The serial data buffer circuit 151A temporarily stores serial data as a digital signal output from the LVDS receiver 150. Diffusion control unit 151B sets whether or not to perform spectrum spreading by frequency modulating the reference clock, and the spreading amount (spreading factor) in the case of performing spectrum spreading, for the drive clock generated by clock generation circuit 151C. Do. For example, the diffusion control unit 151B reads out diffusion data stored in advance in a storage device such as a ROM or a register, and supplies the diffusion data to the clock generation circuit 151C. The diffusion data is data for determining the diffusion amount of the drive clock generated by the clock generation circuit 151C. The setting as to whether or not to perform the spread spectrum, and the setting of the diffusion amount in the case of performing the spread spectrum may be set in advance differently depending on each of the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64.

  More specifically, the diffusion control unit 151B determines the number of light emitters (the number of light emitters) included in each of the light emitter units 71 to 74 whose light emission state is controlled by the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64. The setting as to whether or not to perform the spread spectrum, and the setting of the spread amount in the case of the spread spectrum may be made different. As an example, in the light emitter circuit board for controlling the light emission state of the light emitter unit having the number of light emitters disposed among the light emitter units 71 to 74 being less than the predetermined number, the spread control unit 151B is set not to perform spread spectrum Alternatively, the amount of diffusion may be set to a small amount of first diffusion. On the other hand, in the light emitter circuit board for controlling the light emission state of the light emitter unit having the predetermined number or more of the light emitter units disposed among the light emitter units 71 to 74, the diffusion control unit 151B performs spectrum diffusion. The setting or the amount of diffusion may be set to a second amount of diffusion larger than the first amount of diffusion.

  Alternatively, the diffusion control unit 151B changes the setting as to whether or not to perform the spread spectrum, or the setting of the spread amount when performing the spread spectrum according to the serial data communication amount in each of the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64, for example. May be As an example, when the serial data communication amount in each of the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64 is less than a predetermined amount, the generation of radiation noise is not a particular problem, so the setting for not performing spread spectrum or the amount of diffusion is small. The first diffusion amount may be set. On the other hand, when the serial data communication amount in each of the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64 is equal to or more than a predetermined amount, the generation of radiation noise becomes a problem. The second diffusion amount may be set to be larger than one diffusion amount.

  By increasing the diffusion amount, it is possible to further spread the frequency of the drive clock. On the other hand, the operating speed of various circuits may decrease as the amount of diffusion increases. Therefore, the reduction of the operating speed may be prevented by setting the radiation noise intensity to the minimum diffusion amount necessary to suppress the intensity to the allowable upper limit value.

  The clock generation circuit 151C frequency-modulates the reference clock as a drive clock used to transmit serial data from the serial signal relay device 151 to the light emitter drive unit 152 in each of the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64. A spread spectrum clock (SSC: Spread Spectrum Clock) is generated. The reference clock may be generated by, for example, a crystal oscillator mounted on each of the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64. Alternatively, the reference clock may be generated by a crystal oscillator or the like mounted on the effect control substrate 12 and may be transmitted to the respective light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64 via the clock signal line. The clock generation circuit 151C only needs to be able to perform frequency modulation by switching the division ratio of a divider used for PLL (Phase Locked Loop) to a plurality of different values, for example. Alternatively, the clock generation circuit 151C includes a phase interpolator that adjusts and outputs the phase of the reference clock, and outputs a drive clock obtained by frequency-modulating the reference clock based on the up signal and the down signal from the diffusion control unit 151B. May be

  In each of the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64, the control signal received from the LVDS drivers 144-1 to 144-4 of the light emitter control circuit 134 is separated into a plurality of systems in the serial signal relay device 151. For example, in the light emitter circuit board 61 shown in FIG. 11, the control signal received from the LVDS driver 144-1 of the light emitter control circuit 134 is separated into three systems in the serial signal relay device 151 and transmitted to the light emitter drive unit 152 Do. The serial signal relay device 151 shown in FIG. 11 has three systems of signal output configurations (output circuit and output wiring) as a serial output system for outputting control signals. The serial clock wiring and the serial data wiring connected to each output circuit are connected in a bus format inside the serial signal relay device 151, and serial data read from the serial data buffer circuit 151A is transmitted. A unique address is given in advance to each output circuit, and the serial signal relay device 151 may supply serial data read from the serial data buffer circuit 151A to the output circuit by specifying the address. As an example, in serial signal relay device 151 shown in FIG. 11, among the signal output configurations of three systems, the output circuit included in the signal output configuration of the first system is provided with address AD01, and the signal output configuration of the second system The address AD02 is given to the output circuit included in the above, and the address AD03 is given to the output circuit included in the signal output configuration of the third system. Note that the number of systems separated in the serial signal relay device 151 depends on the configuration of the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64 and the light emitter units 71 to 74, the specification of the serial signal method used to transmit the control signal, etc. And may be designed in advance.

  In the serial signal relay device 151 mounted on the light emitter circuit board 61 shown in FIG. 11, the serial data received by the LVDS receiver 150 is temporarily stored in the serial data buffer circuit 151A, and the drive clock generated by the clock generation circuit 151C. Accordingly, the serial data read out is divided into three systems, and supplied to the light emitter drive unit 152 together with the drive clock. A serial signal wiring corresponding to the first system is connected to the output circuit to which the address AD01 is assigned, and a control signal including lighting control information is output in a serial signal system. A serial signal line corresponding to the second system is connected to the output circuit to which the address AD02 is assigned, and a control signal including lighting control information is output in a serial signal system. A serial signal line corresponding to the third system is connected to the output circuit to which the address AD03 is assigned, and a control signal including lighting control information is output in a serial signal system. As described above, the serial signal relay device 151 outputs the control signal including the lighting control information to the serial signal wiring of a plurality of systems in the serial signal system. Serial signal wiring corresponding to each of the three serial output systems is connected to the serial signal relay device 151, and a control signal including lighting control information is output to each wiring in a serial signal system.

  In the serial signal relay device 151 mounted on the light emitter circuit board 61 shown in FIG. 11, the serial signal wiring corresponding to the first system is connected with a light emitter driver or the like for lighting control of the light emitter blocks B01 to B06, The serial signal wiring corresponding to the second system is connected with a light emitter driver or the like for controlling lighting of the light emitter blocks B07 to B10, and the serial signal wiring corresponding to the third system controls lighting of the light emitter blocks B11 to B15. A light emitter driver or the like may be connected. That is, the light emitter blocks B01 to B06 are assigned to the serial output system of the first system, the light emitter blocks B07 to B10 are assigned to the serial output system of the second system, and light is emitted to the serial output system of the third system. Body blocks B11 to B15 are assigned. In addition, the setting of lighting control of the light emitter included in any light emitter block corresponding to which system is made up of the configuration of the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64 and the light emitter units 71 to 74, and the control signal. It may be designed in advance according to the specifications of the serial signal system used for transmission.

  The light emitter drive unit 152 is configured to include a plurality of light emitter drivers for lighting (emitting) a plurality of light emitters included in regions respectively divided into a plurality of light emitter blocks. As an example, in the light emitter drive unit 152 mounted on the light emitter circuit board 61, a plurality of light emitter drivers connected to serial signal wiring corresponding to the first system are divided into light emitter blocks B01 to B06, respectively. The plurality of light emitters included in the light emitting area emit light. Further, the plurality of light emitter drivers connected to the serial signal wiring corresponding to the second system cause the plurality of light emitters included in the area divided into each of the light emitter blocks B07 to B10 to emit light. The plurality of light emitter drivers connected to the serial signal wiring corresponding to the third system cause the plurality of light emitters included in the region divided into each of the light emitter blocks B11 to B15 to emit light.

  A plurality of light emitter drivers for performing lighting control of the light emitters included in the light emitter block allocated to the serial output system 1 may be connected in a daisy chain system via serial signal wiring. For example, in the light emitter drive unit 152 mounted on the light emitter circuit board 61 shown in FIG. 11, a plurality of serial signal wirings corresponding to the first system are provided first for lighting control of the light emitter block B01. The light emitter drivers are connected in a daisy chain manner, and the serial data transmitted from the serial signal relay device 151 is input. Next, a plurality of light emitter drivers provided to control lighting of the light emitter block B02 are connected in a daisy chain method, and thereafter a plurality of light emitter drivers provided to control lighting of the light emitter blocks B03 to B06 in the same manner. The light emitter drivers of the above may be connected in a daisy chain manner in order. In addition, it is not limited to what is connected by a daisy chain system, A several light-emitting body driver may be connected by a serial bus system.

  Each light emitter driver can change the light emission state of the plurality of light emitters based on lighting control information indicated by the control signal transmitted through the serial signal wiring. Each light emitter driver includes, for example, a data latch unit, a shift register, and a data buffer. The data latch unit of each light emitter driver is constituted by, for example, a latch circuit, latches serial data bit by bit using a drive clock transmitted from the serial signal relay device 151, and outputs it to a shift register. For example, the data latch unit latches input data at a rising timing of a drive clock which is a spread spectrum clock transmitted from the serial signal relay apparatus 151.

  The shift register of each light emitter driver sequentially stores data input bit by bit from the data latch unit. Also, the shift register shifts stored data bit by bit using the driving clock transmitted from the serial signal relay device 151. For example, the shift register sequentially performs the shift operation at the rising timing of the drive clock which is a spread spectrum clock transmitted from the serial signal relay apparatus 151. As described above, serial data transmitted from the serial signal relay apparatus 151 is stored by shifting the stored data repeatedly from the top register (the top bit) to the bottom register (the last bit) one bit at a time. After the data is shifted to the last register, when the rising timing of the drive clock is reached, the stored data in the last register is output and transmitted to the light emitter driver of the subsequent stage connected in the daisy chain system. The data buffer of each light emitter driver is constituted by, for example, a latch register, and latches and temporarily stores data stored in the shift register at a predetermined capture timing. The data latched in the data buffer is output to a plurality of signal lines by parallel signaling.

  Each of the plurality of light emitter drivers includes a light emitter driver on a strobe side serving as a drive control circuit that performs drive control of the light emitter in accordance with drive control data indicated by the drive control signal, and gradation data indicated by the gradation data signal. In accordance with the above, it is classified into any of the light emitter drivers on the digit side which becomes the gradation control circuit which performs the gradation control of the light emitter. In each of the light emitter blocks B01 to B42, dynamic lighting control of a plurality of light emitters is performed for each light emitter block using a light emitter driver on the strobe side and a light emitter driver on the digit side.

  FIG. 12 shows, as a specific example, a configuration example of a light emitter driver corresponding to the light emitter block B11. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 12, a plurality of light emitter drivers corresponding to the light emitter block B11 include a light emitter driver 411S on the strobe side, a light emitter driver 411DU on the upper digit side, and a light emitter driver 411DD on the lower digit side. It is provided. The serial signal wiring for transmitting the output signal from the serial signal relay device 151 is first connected to the light emitter driver 411S on the strobe side corresponding to the light emitter block B11, and then connected to the light emitter driver 411DU above the digit, It may be connected in the daisy chain system in the order of being connected to the lower light emitting body driver 411DD of the digit. The serial signal wiring extracted from the lower digit light emitter driver 411DD corresponding to the light emitter block B11 is connected to the light emitter driver provided corresponding to the light emitter block B12 in a daisy chain manner. Just do it. Likewise, it is only necessary to connect to the light emitter drivers provided corresponding to the light emitter blocks B13 to B15 in the daisy chain method.

  The serial signal wiring may include a serial clock wiring for transmitting a serial clock serving as a drive clock for serial communication and a serial data wiring for transmitting serial data synchronized with the serial clock. The light emitter driver connected to the serial signal wiring takes in drive control data or gradation data transmitted as serial data synchronized with the serial clock, and controls (lights up) the light emission states of the plurality of light emitters. The serial clock serving as a driving clock for serial communication is generated by the clock generation circuit 151C of the serial signal relay device 151, and can be a spread spectrum clock obtained by frequency-modulating the reference clock. The light emitter driver corresponding to the light emitter block B11 shown in FIG. 12 corresponds to being mounted on the light emitter circuit board 61, a serial clock wiring for transmitting the serial clock SC1 and a serial for transmitting the serial data SD1. It is connected to the data wiring. The light emitter driver mounted on the light emitter circuit board 62 may be connected to the serial clock wiring for transmitting the serial clock SC2 and the serial data wiring for transmitting the serial data SD2. The light emitter driver mounted on the light emitter circuit board 63 may be connected to the serial clock wiring for transmitting the serial clock SC3 and the serial data wiring for transmitting the serial data SD3. The light emitter driver mounted on the light emitter circuit board 64 may be connected to the serial clock wiring for transmitting the serial clock SC4 and the serial data wiring for transmitting the serial data SD4. The present invention is not limited to the provision of serial clock wiring for transmitting a serial clock. For example, by including clock data recovery (CDR) in each light emitter driver by including predetermined synchronization bits in serial data, spectrum The serial data may be transmitted in synchronization with the spread clock.

  In the configuration example shown in FIG. 12, serial data output from the serial signal relay device 151 is first input to the light emitter driver 411S on the strobe side corresponding to the light emitter block B11. Thereafter, at the rise timing of the serial clock SC1 which is the drive clock, the light is transferred to the light emitter driver 411DU on the upper side of the digit and the light emitter driver 411DD on the lower side of the digit in order. Further, the light is sequentially transferred to a plurality of light emitter drivers provided corresponding to the light emitter blocks B12 to B15. The serial signal relay device 151 first outputs serial data to be supplied to the light emitting body driver connected to the end among the plurality of light emitting body drivers connected in a daisy chain system, and then the serial data is supplied one stage before the end. Output serial data to be supplied in order from the light emitter driver at the end to the light emitter driver at the previous stage, such as outputting serial data supplied to the connected light emitter driver, and finally connected to the start end The serial data to be supplied to the light emitter driver (for example, the light emitter driver 411S on the strobe side corresponding to the light emitter block B11 shown in FIG. 12) is output. Thus, serial data is sequentially transferred to the plurality of light emitter drivers connected in a daisy chain system, and the capture timing is reached after the input of the serial data supplied to each light emitter driver is completed, thereby shifting each light emitter driver. The data stored in the register may be latched and temporarily stored in the data buffer.

  For example, in the light emitter block B11, a half block B11U composed of a plurality of light emitters whose gradation is controlled by the light emitter driver 411DU above the digit, and a plurality of light emissions whose gradation is controlled by the light emitter driver 411DD below the digit It is comprised by the combination with half block B11D comprised from a body. As described above, each light emitter block may be configured by a combination of half blocks which are smaller modules than the light emitter block. The plurality of light emitter blocks is not limited to one configured by a combination of two half blocks. For example, in the plurality of light emitter blocks, in addition to the light emitter block formed by combining two half blocks, a light emitter block formed by only one half block may be included. When the light emitter block B11 includes only one half block, the light emitter driver 411S on the strobe side and the light emitter driver 411DU on the upper side of the digit are provided, while the light emitter driver 411DD on the lower side of the digit is not provided. It should just be composition. Thus, each light emitter block may be configured to include one light emitter driver on the strobe side and one or two light emitter drivers on the digit side.

  The half block B11U and the half block B11D may be configured to have the same number of light emitters. For example, the strobe-side light emitter driver 411S is connected to 12 strobe signal lines, and outputs a strobe signal serving as a drive control signal for driving and controlling a plurality of light emitters aligned in 12 columns. Gray-scale data for controlling the gradation of a plurality of light emitters arranged in eight rows, to which eight digit signal lines are respectively connected, of the light emitter driver 411DU at the upper digit and the light emitter driver 411DD at the lower digit Output a digit signal to be a signal. Therefore, half block B11U corresponding to the upper digit and half block B11D corresponding to the lower digit are formed to include a total of 96 light emitters consisting of 12 columns on the strobe side and 8 rows on the digit side. There is. Similarly, the half blocks constituting the light emitter blocks other than the light emitter block B11 may be formed so as to include a total of 96 light emitters. As described above, the half blocks as modules constituting the light emitter block may be configured so as to be able to control lighting of the same number of light emitters.

  The number of light emitters included in one half block is not limited to 96 in total, and may be any number determined in advance based on the specifications and design of the light emitter driver. For example, in the case of driving and controlling a plurality of light emitters aligned in eight columns with eight strobe signal lines, a total of 64 light emitters are composed of eight columns on the strobe side and eight rows on the digit side. , And may be included in one half block. In addition, the number of light emitters that can be lighted and controlled in one half block and the number of light emitters actually included in one half block may not always always match. For example, while the number of light emitters that can be lighted and controlled in one half block is 96, the number of light emitters actually included in one half block depends on the arrangement of the light emitters in the light emitter units 71 to 74, etc. It may be less than 96. As described above, the lighting control of the predetermined number or less of light emitters may be performed for each half block as a module smaller than the plurality of blocks obtained by dividing the region in which the plurality of light emitters are arranged.

  The lighting data generation circuit 142 generates lighting data for performing dynamic lighting control of the plurality of light emitters for each of the plurality of light emitter blocks B01 to B42. For example, as drive control data serving as drive control information for designating drive timings of light emitters, control data for driving a plurality of light emitters in time division at different timings for each strobe signal line is generated. Further, tone data to be tone control information for designating the brightness (tone) for each light emission color is generated by PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) control according to a plurality of light emitters connected to each digit signal line. Note that the light emitting body driver on the digit side is not limited to one that performs gradation control of the light emitting body according to the output period of the pulse signal as in the PWM control method, for example, the number of pulse signals to be output in a fixed period The gradation control of the light emitting body may be performed according to the physical quantity (pulse amount) of the pulse signal such as the number of pulses) and the amplitude of the pulse signal (drive current value).

  The strobe-side emitter driver provided corresponding to each of the emitter blocks outputs a strobe signal based on the drive control data to drive and control the plurality of emitters connected to the strobe signal line. The upper digit driver or lower digit light emitter driver provided corresponding to each light emitter block outputs a digit signal based on the gray level data to gray out the plurality of light emitters connected to the digit signal line. Control. Thus, in each of the light emitter units 71 to 74, the plurality of light emitters arranged in a line emit light at a duty ratio according to the digit signal in the light emission drive period in which the strobe signal is turned on, and the plurality of light emitter blocks The lighting mode can be changed for each of B01 to B42 by a dynamic lighting method (also referred to as a pulse lighting method, a duty lighting method, or a time division lighting method). As described above, by performing dynamic lighting control for each of the plurality of light emitter blocks B01 to B42, the light emitter driving unit 144 enables parallel execution of lighting control using the plurality of light emitter drivers. .

  FIG. 13A shows a setting example of the serial communication method in each communication path. Hereinafter, a communication path (signal path) including serial signal wiring for transmitting serial data from the light emitter control circuit 134 mounted on the effect control board 12 to the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64 is referred to as a first communication path. A communication path (signal path) including serial signal wiring for transmitting serial data from the serial signal relay device 151 to each light emitter driver constituting the light emission drive unit 152 on the substrate of each light emitter circuit board 61 to 64 It is called a second communication path.

  In the setting example shown in FIG. 13A, the LVDS method is used as the serial communication method in the first communication path, while the SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) method is used as the serial communication method in the second communication path. Corresponding to the difference between the serial communication methods, the power supply (voltage) is 3.3 V and the amplitude (voltage) is about 0.35 V in the first communication path, while the power supply (voltage) is in the second communication path. Is 5.0 V and the amplitude (voltage) is about 4.0 V. Therefore, in the first communication path, the control signal is transmitted by the serial signal method in which the voltage of the power supply and the amplitude is lower than that of the second communication path. That is, the LVDS drivers 144-1 to 144-4 which output control signals in serial signal system from the light emitter control circuit 134 mounted on the effect control board 12 to the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64 are light emitters. The control signal is output by the serial signal system which can be transmitted at a lower voltage than the serial signal relay device 151 which divides control signals received by the circuit boards 61 to 64 into a plurality of systems and outputs them to each light emitter driver by serial signal system Do. The first communication path includes serial signal wiring between the substrates connecting the effect control substrate 12 and the light emitter circuit substrates 61 to 64, and the wiring length may be long to easily generate radiation noise. Therefore, in the first communication path, the control signal is transmitted by the serial signal method in which the voltage of the power supply and the amplitude is lower than that of the second communication path, thereby preferably suppressing the radiation noise from the serial signal wiring. Can.

  Also, while the reference clock frequency is 10 MHz in the first communication path, the reference clock frequency is 2 to 4 MHz in the second communication path. Therefore, in the first communication path, the control signal is transmitted by the serial signal method in which the data communication speed is higher than that of the second communication path. That is, the LVDS drivers 144-1 to 144-4 which output control signals in serial signal system from the light emitter control circuit 134 mounted on the effect control board 12 to the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64 are light emitters. The control signal is output by the high-speed serial signal system than the serial signal relay device 151 which divides the control signal received by the circuit boards 61 to 64 into a plurality of systems and outputs the control signal to each light emitter driver by the serial signal system. The first communication path includes serial signal wiring between the substrates connecting the effect control substrate 12 and the light emitter circuit substrates 61 to 64, and the wiring length is often long. Therefore, in the first communication path, the control signal is transmitted by the serial signal method in which the data communication speed is higher than that of the second communication path, and the control signal is transmitted by the serial signal relay device 151 mounted on each of the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64. By separating and relaying into a plurality of systems, it is possible to prevent an increase in the number of wires between the substrates, to suppress the manufacturing cost, and to preferably suppress the radiation noise from the serial signal wires.

  In the first communication path, the spread spectrum is not performed by using the reference clock as it is, while in the second communication path, the spread spectrum is performed by frequency modulating the reference clock. As described above, in the second communication path, the control signal is transmitted by the serial signal system using the spread spectrum clock (SSC) obtained by frequency modulating the reference clock. The control signal may be transmitted by the serial communication method using a spread spectrum clock also on the first communication path. By transmitting the control signal by the serial signal method using such a spread spectrum clock, the radiation noise from the serial signal wiring can be suitably suppressed.

  FIG. 13B shows an example of a physical substrate configuration of the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64. 13B, in each of the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64, a circuit formation layer LY1 to be a signal wiring layer is sandwiched between ground connection layers GND1 and GND2 to be a pair of ground conductor layers. Have a multi-layered structure. By having such a multilayer structure, the radiation noise from each of the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64 can be suitably suppressed.

  The respective light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64 are connected to the effect control board 12 via the cable CB1, and transmitted from the LVDS drivers 144-1 to 144-4 of the light emitter control unit 134 mounted on the effect control board 12 Receive serial data. The cable CB1 has a configuration suitable for transmitting serial data by the LVDS method, and the cable side connector CN1 provided at one end is inserted into the board side connector CN2 provided on each of the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64. Connected by

  FIG. 13C shows a configuration example of the cable CB1 at the cross section PV shown in FIG. 13B. The cable CB1 is configured to include a power supply line V +, a data line D +, a data line D−, and a ground line GND. Further, the cable CB1 is provided with a shield SHI serving as a shield member covering the serial signal wiring and a sheath SHE serving as an external protective film. The serial signal lines covered by the shield SHI may include at least the data line D + and the data line D−. As described above, the cable CB1 is provided with a shield member that covers the serial signal wiring. Thereby, the radiation noise from cable CB1 can be suppressed suitably.

  The length (cable length) of the cable CB1 may be configured so that the radiation noise in a predetermined frequency band falls within various control ranges. For example, the allowable upper limit value of the intensity of the electromagnetic wave radiated from the information processing apparatus is regulated by CISPR (International Special Committee on Radio Interference) or VCCI (Information Processing Apparatus, Radio Frequency Interference Voluntary Control Association). Therefore, the length of the cable CB1 may be a wiring length that does not match the clock frequency in the serial signal system for transmitting the control signal from the effect control board 12 to each of the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64. More specifically, the length of the cable CB1 may be set so as not to match the integral multiple of 1⁄4 wavelength in the clock frequency of the serial signal method. Alternatively, set the length of the cable CB1 so that it is not included in the range of integral multiples of 1⁄4 wavelength in the frequency band under various regulations (for example, the range of 150 kHz to 30 MHz, or 320 MHz to 6 GHz). It is also good. As described above, the resonance frequency of the serial signal wiring may be configured to have a wiring length that does not match the clock frequency of the serial signal method. Thereby, the radiation noise from cable CB1 can be suppressed suitably.

  The first communication path including serial signal wiring for transmitting serial data from the light emitter control circuit 134 mounted on the effect control board 12 to the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64 is between the boards connected by the cable CB1. Not only the wiring of the light emitting diode circuit but also the wiring within the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64 such as serial signal wiring from the board side connector CN2 to the LVDS receiver 150 shown in FIG. Also includes wiring. That is, the first communication path may be a signal path including at least a part of the wiring between the substrates, and is not limited to one formed only by the wiring between the substrates.

  FIG. 14 shows a specific example of the clock signal used in each of the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64. In each of the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64, the spread control unit 151B included in the serial signal relay device 151 sets whether or not to spread the spectrum by spreading the frequency of the reference clock, and the spread amount when performing the spread spectrum. Be done. The clock generation circuit 151C can generate a spread spectrum clock according to the setting of the diffusion control unit 151B. In the example shown in FIG. 14, in each of the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64, the setting of whether or not to perform the spread spectrum and the setting of the diffusion amount are made different. For example, as shown in FIG. 14A, in the light emitter circuit board 61, the reference clock is used as the serial clock SC1 serving as a driving clock for serial communication without frequency modulation. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 14B to 14D, in the light emitter circuit boards 62 to 64, spread spectrum clocks obtained by frequency modulating the reference clock are converted to serial clocks SC2 to SC4 serving as drive clocks for serial communication. Use.

  In the light emitter control circuit 134 as shown in FIG. 9, as a serial output system for outputting control signals corresponding to the four light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64, parallel-serial corresponding to the signal output configuration of four systems. Conversion circuits 143-1 to 143-4 and LVDS drivers 144-1 to 144-4 are provided. Then, the reference clock is frequency-modulated for each of the four serial output systems by setting the setting as to whether or not to spread the spectrum and setting the diffusion amount for each of the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64. The settings for generating the spreading clock can be different. Thus, radiation noise in the whole of the light-emitting-body circuit boards 61-64 can be suitably suppressed by setting different frequency modulations according to the system of serial signal wiring.

  In the example shown in FIG. 14, the setting as to whether or not to perform spread spectrum and the setting as to the amount of diffusion are made different for each of the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64. On the other hand, even in the substrate of the light emitter circuit board, the setting as to whether or not to spread the spectrum and the setting as to the amount of diffusion are made different for each of the plurality of serial output systems supplying serial data separately. It is also good. For example, in the case where serial data is divided into three systems and supplied to the light emitter drive unit 152 as in the serial signal relay device 151 mounted on the light emitter circuit board 61 shown in FIG. The setting as to whether or not to perform spread spectrum and the setting as to the amount of spreading may be made different for each serial output system of the system. As described above, by setting different frequency modulations according to the system of serial signal wiring even within the substrate of the light emitter circuit board, it is possible to further suppress the radiation noise from each of the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64. .

  In the pachinko gaming machine 1, a predetermined game using a game ball as a game medium is performed, and a predetermined game value can be provided based on the game result. As an example of a game using a game ball, a predetermined hitting ball is launched based on the player having performed a predetermined operation (for example, a rotation operation) the hitting operation handle installed at the lower right of the front of the case in pachinko gaming machine 1 A game ball as a game medium is shot toward the game area by a shooting motor or the like included in the device. When this gaming ball passes (enters) the first starting winning opening formed in the normal winning ball device 6A, the first based on the fact that the gaming ball is detected by the first starting opening switch 22A shown in FIG. 7, etc. The start condition is satisfied. Thereafter, the first start condition is established based on, for example, the end of the previous special view game or the big hit gaming state. Thus, a special drawing game using the first special drawing by the first special symbol display device 4A is started.

  When the game ball launched toward the game area passes (enters) the second start winning opening formed on the normally variable winning ball device 6B, the game ball is detected by the second start opening switch 22B shown in FIG. Be done. The second start condition is established based on the detection of the game ball by the second start opening switch 22B. Thereafter, the second start condition is established based on, for example, the end of the previous special view game or the big hit gaming state. In this way, a special drawing game using the second special drawing by the second special symbol display device 4B is executed. When the normal variable winning prize ball device 6B is in the normal open state as the second variable state, it is difficult or impossible for the game ball to pass through the second starting winning opening.

  In the normally variable winning ball device 6B, based on the variable display result of the normal symbol by the normal symbol display 20 is "per common drawing", the open control and the enlargement open the movable wing piece of the electric tulip becomes a tilting position Control is performed, and closing control or normal opening control is performed to return to the vertical position after a predetermined time has elapsed. The game ball can easily pass through or can pass through the second start winning opening when the normally variable winning ball device 6B is in the enlargement opening state as the first variable state by the opening control or the enlargement opening control. The common drawing start condition for executing variable display of the normal symbol by the normal symbol display 20 is satisfied based on the fact that the gaming ball having passed the passing gate 41 is detected by the gate switch 21 shown in FIG. After the popular drawing start condition is established, the common symbol display 20 is updated by the common symbol display 20 based on the common drawing start condition for starting variable display of the normal symbol being established, for example, the previous common drawing game is ended. The figure game is started. In this common-play game, after starting the fluctuation of the normal symbol, when a predetermined time passes, the determined normal symbol as the variable display result of the normal symbol is stopped and displayed (derived display). At this time, if a specific normal symbol (common symbol per symbol) is stopped and displayed as the determined normal symbol, the variable display result of the normal symbol is "per common symbol". On the other hand, if the normal symbol other than the symbol in the common drawing is stopped and displayed as the determined normal symbol, the variable display result of the normal symbol becomes "general drawing lost".

  When the special figure game using the first special figure by the first special symbol display device 4A is started, or when the special figure game using the second special figure by the second special symbol display device 4B is started It is determined (predetermined) before the variable display result is derived and displayed, whether or not the variable display result of the symbol is to be a "big hit" as a predetermined specific display result. Then, the variation pattern is determined at a predetermined ratio based on the determination of the variable display result, and the effect control command for specifying the variable display result or the variation pattern is the microcomputer 100 for gaming control of the main substrate 11 shown in FIG. From the stage to the effect control board 12.

  After the special view game is started based on the determination of the variable display result and the variation pattern, for example, when a predetermined variable display time corresponding to the variation pattern has passed, a finalized special symbol to be a variable display result is derived. Is displayed. Corresponding to the variable display of the special symbol by the first special symbol display device 4A and the second special symbol display device 4B, "left", "middle", "right" disposed on the screen of the main image display device 5MA In the decorative symbol display areas 5L, 5C and 5R, variable display of decorative symbols (effect symbols) different from the special symbols is performed. The decorative symbols variably displayed in the "left", "middle" and "right" decorative symbol display areas 5L, 5C and 5R are also referred to as left symbol, middle symbol and right symbol, respectively.

  In the special figure game using the first special figure by the first special symbol display device 4A, or in the special figure game using the second special figure by the second special symbol display device 4B, the finalized special display result of the special symbol When the symbol is derived and displayed, a finalized decorative symbol as a variable display result of the decorative symbol is derived and displayed on the main image display device 5MA. The variable display result is "big hit" (specific display result) when the predetermined big hit symbol is derived and displayed as the variable display result of the special symbol, and the variable display result is displayed when the predetermined lost symbol is derived and displayed. It becomes "loss" (non-specific display result). Based on the variable display result becoming "big hit", it is controlled to the jackpot gaming state as a specific gaming state advantageous to the player. That is, whether or not the jackpot gaming state is controlled corresponds to whether or not the variable display result is a "big hit", and is determined (predetermined) before the variable display result is derived and displayed.

  When the variable display result of the special symbol in the special figure game is "big hit", a finalized decorative symbol to be a predetermined big hit combination is derived and displayed on the screen of the main image display device 5MA. As an example, a big hit combination is decided by the same decorative pattern being aligned and stopped on the predetermined effective line in the decorative pattern display areas 5L, 5C, 5R of "left", "middle", "right" The decorative pattern may be derived and displayed.

  In the big hit game state, the big winning opening is opened and the special variable winning ball device 7 is in the first state advantageous to the player. Then, during a predetermined period (for example, 29.5 seconds) or until a predetermined number (for example, 10) of game balls enter the big winning opening and a winning ball is generated, the big winning opening is continuously opened A round game (also referred to simply as "round") is executed. In a period other than the execution period of such a round game, the special winning opening is closed, making it difficult or impossible to generate winning balls. When the gaming ball enters the big winning opening, the winning ball is detected by the big winning opening switch 23, and a predetermined number (for example, 15) of gaming balls are paid out as winning balls each time the detection is made. The round game in the jackpot gaming state is repeatedly executed until a predetermined upper limit number (for example, “16”) is reached. Therefore, in the big hit gaming state, the player can acquire a large number of winning balls extremely easily, which is an advantageous gaming state for the player. The pachinko gaming machine 1 may directly pay out the gaming balls to be the winning balls, or may provide a score corresponding to the number of gaming balls to be the winning balls.

  After the jackpot gaming state ends, the gaming state becomes the definite change state based on the establishment of the predetermined probability change control condition, and the probability (big hit probability) that the variable display result becomes the "big hit" becomes higher than the normal state Control may occur. In the definite variation state, predetermined definite variation ending conditions are satisfied, such as the variable display being performed a predetermined number of times (for example, 100 times) or the big hit gaming state being started before the number of times the variable display is performed reaches a predetermined number. It is controlled to continue until It should be noted that the definite variation end condition may be satisfied when the next big hit gaming state is started regardless of the number of times of execution of the variable display. After the jackpot gaming state ends, the gaming state may be short, and time-saving control may be performed in which the average variable display time is shorter than the normal state. In the time saving state, a predetermined time saving end condition is satisfied, such as that a variable display of a predetermined number of times (for example, 100 times) is executed, or a big hit gaming state is started before the number of times of execution of variable display reaches a predetermined number of times. It is controlled to continue until

  In a positive change state or a short time state, the game ball can pass (enter) the second starting winning opening more easily than in the normal state in an advantageous change mode in which the normal variable winning ball device 6B is in the first variable state (opened state or enlarged open state) And the second variable state (closed state or normally open state). For example, control to shorten the variation time of the normal symbol (general figure variation time) in the regular game by the regular symbol display 20 than in the normal state or the variable display result of the regular symbol in each regular game Control to improve the probability of being “per-figure” than in normal condition, tilt control time to perform tilting control of movable wing in ordinary variable winning ball device 6B based on the variable display result becoming “per-flat” Is changed to the first variable state and the second variable state in the advantageous change mode by the control to make the length of the ball longer than that in the normal state, and the control to increase the number of tilting times more than in the normal state. Just do it. Note that any one of these controls may be performed, or a plurality of controls may be combined and performed. As described above, control for changing the normally variable winning prize ball device 6B between the first variable state and the second variable state in the advantageous change mode is referred to as high open control (also referred to as "high base control"). By being controlled to such a definite change state or a short time state, the time required for the next variable display result to become a "big hit" is shortened, and a special gaming state ("advantageous game state") advantageous to the player than the normal state It is also called). Even when the probability change control is performed in the probability change state, the high release control may not be performed.

  In the main image display device 5MA, the symbols other than the symbols to be the final stop symbols (for example, the left symbol, the middle symbol, and the middle symbol of the right symbol) are stopped in a state where they match the big hit combination continuously for a predetermined time. A large hit occurs before the final result is displayed due to rocking, scaling, or deformation, or multiple symbols fluctuating in synchronization with the same symbol, or the positions of the display symbols are reversed. An effect performed in a state where the possibility is continuing (hereinafter, these states are referred to as a reach state) is referred to as a reach effect. In addition, reach state and the appearance are called reach mode. Furthermore, a variable display including reach effect is called reach variable display. As the reach mode, a plurality of types are prepared in advance corresponding to the change pattern of the decorative pattern, etc., and the possibility (big hit expectation degree) that the variable display result will be "big hit" differs according to the reach mode. That is, the possibility that the variable display result will be the "big hit" can be differentiated depending on which of the plurality of reach effects is executed. Among the reach effects, the normal reach effects and the super reach reach effects having a higher degree of big hit expectation than the normal reach effects may be included. Then, when the display result of the symbols variably displayed on the screen of the main image display device 5MA is not the big hit combination, it becomes "losing", and the variation display state is ended.

  As an effect of liquid crystal display on the screen of the main image display device 5MA, variable display of a decorative pattern is performed. In addition, on the screens of the main image display device 5MA and the sub image display device 5SU, for example, effects such as displaying a notification image based on effects using a character image or determination results of a big hit determination and a variation pattern are also performed. Ru. Various effects performed during variable display in which variable display of special symbols and decorative patterns is performed are also referred to as “variable display effects”. As an example of the variable display effect, there is a possibility that the variable display state of the decorative symbol becomes the reach state, a possibility that the reach effect of the super reach is executed, the variable display by the effect operation different from the variable display operation of the decorative symbol A preview effect may be executed to suggest in advance to the player that the result may be a "big hit".

  The production operation to be the preview production is the variable display state of the decorative design after the variable display of the decorative design is started in all of the decorative design display areas 5L, 5C, 5R of "left", "middle" and "right" It is sufficient if it is performed (started) before (i.e., before the decorative symbol is temporarily stopped and displayed in the "left" and "right" decorative symbol display areas 5L and 5R). In addition, the notice effect that notifies that the variable display result may become a "big hit" may include one that is executed after the variable display state of the decorative symbol is in the reach state. In this manner, the notice effect can be a big hit gaming state at a predetermined timing from when the variable display of the special symbol or the decorative symbol is started to when the finalized special symbol or the fixed decorative symbol is derived as the variable display result. It should be something that can give notice of sex. A plurality of advance notice effect patterns are prepared in advance, corresponding to the contents (effect mode) of the effect operation in the case of executing such advance notice effects.

  When the lost symbol is stop displayed (derived) on the first special symbol display device 4A or the second special symbol display device 4B and the variable display result is "loss", the variable display mode is "non reach" ("normal" Also included are cases where it is a loss, and cases where the variable display mode is a "reach" (also called a reach loss). When the variable display mode is "non-reach", after the variable display of the decorative pattern is started, a predetermined decorative pattern combination that does not become reach without the variable display state of the decorative pattern being in the reach state (non-reach) Reach combination) is stopped (derived). When the variable display mode is "reach", after the variable display of the decorative symbol is started, the reach effect is executed after the variable display state of the decorative symbol becomes the reach state, and finally the jackpot combination is The predetermined combination of the decorative symbols (reach loss combination) is stopped and displayed (derived).

  The game ball used as a game medium in pachinko gaming machine 1 and the record information of the score given corresponding to the number thereof have a valuable value which can be exchanged for a special prize or a general prize according to the quantity, for example Just do it. Alternatively, the recorded information of the gaming balls and the scores may not be exchanged for special prizes or general prizes, but may have a valuable value that can be used for playing the game again with the pachinko gaming machine 1.

  In addition, the game value that can be awarded in the pachinko gaming machine 1 is not limited to the payout of the game ball serving as a winning ball or the provision of a score, and for example, control to a big hit gaming state or special gaming state such as a probability change state Controlling, that the upper limit number of rounds that can be executed in the jackpot gaming state becomes the first round number (for example, "15") larger than the second round number (for example, "7") The upper limit number of variable display becomes the first number (for example "100") more than the second number (for example "50"), and the jackpot probability in the positive change state is higher than the second probability (for example 1/50) The first probability (for example, 1/20), the number of times of continuous chanting, which is the number of times of being repeatedly controlled to the big hit gaming state without being controlled to the normal state, is larger than the second consecutive chan number (for example, "5") Second Communicating Chang number (e.g. "10") and such part or all of becoming, it may include be a more favorable game situation for the player.

  Next, the operation (action) of the pachinko gaming machine 1 in the present embodiment will be described.

In the main substrate 11, when power supply from a predetermined power supply substrate is started, the gaming control microcomputer 100 is activated, and the CPU 103 executes predetermined processing to be gaming control main processing. When the game control main processing is started, the CPU 103 sets the interrupt prohibition and then performs necessary initialization. In this initial setting, for example, RAM 10 2 is cleared. Further, the register setting of the CTC (counter / timer circuit) built in the game control microcomputer 100 is performed. As a result, thereafter, an interrupt request signal is sent from the CTC to the CPU 103 every predetermined time (for example, 2 milliseconds), and the CPU 103 can periodically execute timer interrupt processing. When initialization is complete, after enabling the interrupt, it enters loop processing. In the game control main process, the loop process may be entered after executing the process for restoring the internal state of the pachinko gaming machine 1 to the state at the time of the previous power supply stop.

  When the CPU 103 having executed such a game control main process receives an interrupt request signal from the CTC and receives an interrupt request, the CPU 103 sets the interrupt disable state and executes predetermined game control timer interrupt processing. The game control timer interrupt process includes, for example, switch process, main side error process, information output process, random number update process for gaming, game control process process, normal symbol process process, command control process, etc. in the pachinko gaming machine 1 Includes processing to control the progress of the

  The switch process is a process of determining the state of detection signals input from various switches such as the gate switch 21, the first start port switch 22A, the second start port switch 22B, and the count switch 23 through the switch circuit 110. The main side error processing is processing for diagnosing abnormality of the pachinko gaming machine 1 and enabling generation of a warning if necessary according to the result of the diagnosis. The information output process is a process of outputting data such as jackpot information, start information, probability fluctuation information and the like supplied to a hall management computer installed outside the pachinko gaming machine 1, for example. The game random number updating process is a process for updating at least a part of the plurality of types of game random numbers used on the main substrate 11 side by software.

  In the game control process process included in the timer control process for game control, the value of the game process flag provided in the RAM 102 is updated according to the progress of the game in the pachinko gaming machine 1, and the first special symbol display device 4A or Various processes are selected and executed in order to perform control of display operation in the second special symbol display device 4B, opening / closing operation setting of the special winning opening in the special variable winning prize ball device 7 and the like in a predetermined procedure. The normal symbol process processing controls the display operation (for example, lighting and extinguishing of the segment LED, etc.) in the normal symbol display 20, and the variable display of the normal symbol and the tilting operation setting of the movable wing in the normally variable winning ball device 6B, etc. Is a process that enables

  The command control process is a process of transmitting a control command from the main board 11 to a sub-side control board such as the effect control board 12 or the like. As an example, in the command control process, the effect control board 12 among the output ports included in the I / O 105 corresponding to the settings in the command transmission table designated by the value of the transmission command buffer provided in the RAM 102. After control data is set in the output port for transmitting the effect control command, predetermined control data is set in the output port of the effect control INT signal, and the effect control INT signal is turned on for a predetermined time and then turned off. Thus, the transmission of effect control commands based on the settings in the command transmission table is enabled. After executing the command control process, the game control timer interrupt process is ended after setting to the interrupt enabled state.

  FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing an example of the game control process process. In the gaming control process shown in FIG. 15, the CPU 103 of the gaming control microcomputer 100 first determines whether or not a start winning has occurred (step S11). As an example, in step S11, the input state (on / off) of the start winning signal serving as the detection signal transmitted from the first start port switch 22A or the second start port switch 22B is checked. It may be determined that a prize has occurred.

  When a start winning is generated at step S11 (step S11; Yes), a winning random number is stored (step S12). As an example, in the process of step S12, a random counter 104 built in (or externally attached) to the gaming control microcomputer 100, a random counter provided in a predetermined area of the RAM 102 in the gaming control microcomputer 100, a gaming control micro A random number for gaming (random number value for determining variable display result, for determining gaming state, updated by at least a part of a random counter or the like configured using an internal register provided separately from the RAM 102 in the computer 100 A part or all of numerical data indicating a random number value, a random number value for determining a variation pattern) is extracted. The random number value extracted at this time may be stored as hold data associated with the hold number, for example, in a hold random number value storage unit provided in a predetermined area of the RAM 102 in the game control microcomputer 100.

  Following the processing of step S12, various control commands corresponding to the start winning combination are transmitted (step S13). As an example, in the process of step S13, setting for transmitting a start winning combination designation command for notifying the occurrence of the start winning combination to the effect control board 12 may be performed. If the start winning is not generated at step S11 (step S11; No) or after the process of step S13 is executed, the value of the game process flag is determined (step S21). Then, from among the plurality of processes described in advance in the computer program for game control, the process according to the determination value is selected and executed.

  For example, when the value of the game process flag is "0", it is determined whether or not variable display of a symbol (variable display game) can be started (step S101). As an example, in the process of step S101, it is determined whether or not the number of holds of the variable display game is “0” by checking the stored contents of the holding random number value storage unit or the like. At this time, when the number of reservations is other than “0”, after the variable display start condition is satisfied, variable display is not performed since the variable display is not yet satisfied. Determine that it is possible. On the other hand, when the number of reservations is "0", it is determined that the variable display can not be started. When the variable display can not be started (Step S101; No), the game control process processing is ended.

  When variable display can be started in step S101 (step S101; Yes), a definite symbol derived and displayed as a variable display result is determined (step S102). The variable display result of the special symbol in the special drawing game is referred to as a special drawing display result. In the process of step S102, the game random number (variable display result determination random number value, gaming state determination random number value, fluctuation) stored at the top (storage area with the smallest hold number) in the hold random number value storage unit Read out the random numbers etc. for pattern determination. The gaming random numbers read out from the holding random number storage unit may be temporarily stored in a variable display random number buffer or the like provided in a predetermined area of the RAM 102 in the gaming control microcomputer 100. Then, using a random value for variable display result determination and a variable display result determination table, it is determined at a predetermined ratio whether or not the variable display result is to be a "big hit". Here, when the gaming state in the pachinko gaming machine 1 is a definite change state, the variable display result determination table so that the variable display result is determined to be a "big hit" at a higher rate than in the normal state or the time saving state. It is only necessary to set the determination value in.

  When the variable display result is determined to be a "big hit" in the process of step S102, the game state after the end of the big hit game state is called a definite change state using the random number value for game state determination and the game state determination table. A decision is made as to whether or not to be in a special gaming state. In response to these determination results, a finalized symbol to be derived and displayed as a variable display result may be determined.

  Following the process of step S102, an internal flag or the like is set (step S103). As an example, in the process of step S103, when the variable display result is determined to be "big hit" in the process of step S102, the big hit flag provided in a predetermined area of the RAM 102 in the game control microcomputer 100 is turned on. set. In addition, when it is decided that the game state after the end of the big hit game state is decided to be the definite change state, the probability change decision flag provided in the predetermined area of the RAM 102 in the game control microcomputer 100 is set to the on state, etc. Alternatively, it may be stored so as to be identifiable. Thereafter, the value of the gaming process flag is updated to "1" (step S104), and the gaming control process processing is ended.

  When the value of the gaming process flag is "1", the variation pattern or the like is determined (step S111). FIG. 16 shows an example of setting of a fluctuation pattern used in the pachinko gaming machine 1. Each fluctuation pattern indicates the required time (variable display time) from the start of the variable display to the derivation display of the finalized symbol as the variable display result and the outline of the effect mode. In this embodiment, among the cases where the variable display result is "loss", the variable display mode of the decorative symbol variably displayed on the image display device 5 is "non reach" and "reach". A plurality of fluctuation patterns are prepared in advance corresponding to each case and also in the case where the variable display result is a "big hit". As the variation pattern, a plurality of patterns are prepared in advance for each variation time (variable display time) in the special view game and the variable display of the decorative symbol. Therefore, the variable display time of the special symbol or the decorative symbol can be determined by determining the variation pattern.

  In the process of step S111, the fluctuation pattern to be used pattern is determined at a predetermined ratio using the fluctuation pattern determination random number value temporarily stored in the variable display random number buffer and the fluctuation pattern determination table. At this time, by making the determination ratio of each variation pattern different depending on whether or not the variable display result is determined to be "big hit", the possibility that the variable display result becomes "big hit" corresponding to each variation pattern The (big hit reliability) can be different.

  Further, in the process of step S111, it may be determined whether or not the variable display state of the decorative symbol is to be "reach" by determining the change pattern when the variable display result is determined to be "loss". . Alternatively, before determining the change pattern, it may be determined whether or not the variable display state of the decorative pattern is to be "reach" using a random value for reach determination and the reach determination table. That is, in the process of step S111, the variation pattern may be determined to any one of a plurality of types based on the variable display result and the determination result of the reach / non-reach.

  Following the process of step S111, various control commands corresponding to the start of variable display are transmitted (step S112). As an example, in the process of step S112, as a variable display start command for specifying the start of variable display, a variable display result notification command for notifying a variable display result, a variable display time such as a variable display time of a decorative symbol and a reach effect type A setting for transmitting a fluctuation pattern designation command or the like for notifying a fluctuation pattern indicating an aspect may be performed. Further, in response to the reduction of the number of reservations due to the start of the variable display, a setting may be made to transmit a notification of number of reservations for notifying the number of reservations after reduction.

  The variable display time is set in response to the determination of the variation pattern by the process of step S112. In addition, setting for starting variable display of a special symbol by either of the first special symbol display device 4A or the second special symbol display device 4B may be performed. As an example, the variable display of symbols may be started by transmitting a predetermined drive signal to either of the first special symbol display device 4A and the second special symbol display device 4B. Whether to execute a special figure game using a special symbol in any of the special symbol display devices depends on which of the first start winning opening and the second start winning opening the special drawing game is based on the game ball having passed It may be set accordingly. More specifically, based on the fact that the gaming ball has passed through the first starting winning opening, a special drawing game by the first special symbol display device 4A is performed. On the other hand, based on the fact that the game ball has passed through the second start winning opening, a special drawing game by the second special symbol display device 4B is performed. Thereafter, after updating the value of the gaming process flag to "2" (step S113), the gaming control process processing is ended.

  When the value of the gaming process flag is "2," it is determined whether or not the variable display time has elapsed (step S121). Then, when the variable display time has not elapsed (step S121; No), after performing the variable display control of the special symbol (step S122), the game control process processing ends. On the other hand, when the variable display time has elapsed (step S121; Yes), control is performed to stop the variable display of the special symbol and derive and display the final symbol (step S123).

  Following the process of step S123, various control commands corresponding to the end of variable display are transmitted (step S124). As an example, in the process of step S124, a variable display end command for instructing the end (stop) of the variable display, or a big hit start designation command (fan fare command for specifying the start of the big hit gaming state when the variable display result is "big hit" And the like may be set to transmit.

  After the process of step S124 is performed, it is determined whether the variable display result is a "big hit" (step S125). Then, if the variable display result is "big hit" (step S125; Yes), the value of the game process flag is updated to "3" (step S126), and the game control process processing is ended. On the other hand, if the variable display result is not "big hit" but "lost" (step S125; No), the game process flag is cleared and its value is initialized to "0" (step S127), the game control process processing ends. In addition, when the process of step S127 is executed, it is determined whether or not the definite variation state or the time saving state is ended, and when it is determined that the ending is made based on the fulfillment of the predetermined condition, the gaming state is ended. A setting for controlling to the normal state may be performed.

  When the value of the gaming process flag is "3", it is determined whether or not the big hit gaming state is to be ended according to whether or not the predetermined big hit end condition is satisfied (step S131). The jackpot end condition may be, for example, that all rounds executed in the jackpot gaming state have ended. When the big hit gaming state is not ended (step S131; No), after performing the gaming operation control at the time of the big hit (step 132), the game control process processing is ended. On the other hand, if the big hit gaming state is to be ended (step S131; Yes), setting is performed to control the gaming state after the big hit ends (step S133).

  As an example, in the process of step S133, it is determined whether or not the probability variation determination flag is on. If it is on, the probability variation flag provided in the predetermined area of the RAM 102 in the game control microcomputer 100 is on Set to Thereby, when it is determined that the variable display result is to be the "big hit", and it is determined that the gaming state after the end of the big hit gaming state is to be the positive change state, the game corresponding to the determination result The state can be controlled to a definite change state. Even in the case of controlling to the time saving state, the setting corresponding to this may be performed. Thereafter, the gaming process flag is cleared, and the value thereof is initialized to "0" (step S134), followed by terminating the gaming control process.

  Next, the operation of the effect control board 12 will be described. The effect control board 12 receives the supply of the power supply voltage from the power supply board or the like. A predetermined effect control main process is executed in the effect control CPU 120 at which the power supply for activation has been started. When the effect control main process is started, the effect control CPU 120 first executes a predetermined activation process. Thereafter, it is determined whether the timer interrupt flag is on. The timer interrupt flag is set to an on state each time a predetermined time (for example, 2 milliseconds) elapses based on, for example, the register setting of CTC. Such an interrupt that turns on the timer interrupt flag is a timer interrupt for effect control. The effect control CPU 120 stands by until a timer interrupt for effect control occurs.

  When a timer interrupt for effect control is generated and the timer interrupt flag is turned on, the timer interrupt flag is cleared and turned off, and a timer interrupt process for effect control is executed. The effect control CPU 120 can execute an interrupt process for command reception in addition to the timer interrupt process for effect control, and the effect control command transmitted from the main board 11 via the relay board 15 is It should just be able to receive. In the timer interrupt process for effect control, the effect control CPU 120 executes a command analysis process. In the command analysis process, it is determined whether or not the effect control command has been received, and if the effect has been received, setting or control corresponding to the received command is performed. After executing the command analysis process, the effect control process process is executed. In the effect control process, for example, the display operation of the effect image on the screen of the main image display device 5MA or the sub image display device 5SU, the lighting operation of the plurality of light emitters aligned in each of the light emitter units 71 to 74, the speaker Operation using various effect devices such as voice output operation from 8L, 8R, lighting operation in various light emitting members such as game effect lamp 9 different from light emitting units 71 to 74 and decorative LED, driving operation of model for effect For the control content, determination, determination, setting, and the like are performed according to the effect control command and the like transmitted from the main substrate 11. Following the effect control process, the effect random number updating process is executed, and software is used to update numerical data indicating effect random numbers counted as various random number values used for effect control.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of the effect control process. In the effect control process shown in FIG. 17, the effect control CPU 120 determines the value of the effect process flag stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 122 or the like, and from a plurality of processes described in advance in the effect control computer program, The process according to the determination value is selected and executed. The processing executed in accordance with the determination value of the rendering process flag includes the processing of steps S170 to S176.

  The variable display start waiting process of step S170 is a process executed when the value of the effect process flag is "0". This variable display start waiting process is based on whether or not the first change start command or the second change start command transmitted from the main substrate 11 has been received or not, the variable display of the decorative symbol on the screen of the main image display device 5MA Includes a process of determining whether or not to start. The first change start command is an effect control command for notifying that the special figure game using the first special figure by the first special symbol display device 4A is started. The second change start command is an effect control command for notifying that the special figure game using the second special figure by the second special symbol display device 4B is started. When such a first change start command or a second change start command is received, the value of the effect process flag is updated to "1".

  The variable display start setting process of step S171 is a process that is executed when the value of the effect process flag is "1". This variable display start setting process corresponds to the start of the variable display of the special symbol in the special drawing game by the first special symbol display device 4A or the second special symbol display device 4B, the screen of the main image display device 5MA In order to perform the variable display of the decoration pattern on the top and other various effect operations, including the process of determining the finalized decoration pattern and various effect control patterns according to the variation pattern of the special symbol and the kind of display result etc. There is. When the variable display start setting process is executed, the value of the effect process flag is updated to "2".

  The variable display effect process of step S172 is a process executed when the value of the effect process flag is "2". In the variable display effect processing, the CPU for effect control 120 controls various control data from the effect control pattern corresponding to the timer value in the effect control process timer provided in a predetermined area (such as the effect control timer setting unit) of the RAM 122 Are included to perform various effect control during variable display of the decorative symbol. In addition, during the variable display effect processing, in response to receiving the symbol determination command transmitted from the main substrate 11, etc., the finalized display of the finalized decorative symbol as the final stop symbol as the variable display result of the decorative symbol A process of (derivative display) is included. In addition, in response to the end code being read out from the predetermined effect control pattern, the finalized display (derivative display) of the finalized decorative symbol may be made. In this case, when the variable display time corresponding to the fluctuation pattern designated by the fluctuation pattern designation command has elapsed, the effect control board 12 side autonomously without the effect control command from the main board 11 It is possible to derive and display the finalized decorative symbol on the final display and to fix the variable display result. After such effect control, etc., the value of the effect process flag is updated to "3".

  The variable display stop process in step S173 is a process that is executed when the value of the effect process flag is "3." In the variable display stop process, the jackpot gaming state is started based on the variable display result notified by the variable display result notification command, the determination result of whether or not the big hit start designation command transmitted from the main board 11 is received, etc. Includes the process of determining whether or not And, when the big hit game state is started corresponding to the variable display result “big hit”, while the value of the presentation process flag is updated to “4”, the variable display result corresponds to “losing” If the jackpot gaming state is not started, the effect process flag is cleared and its value is initialized to "0".

  The jackpot display process of step S174 is a process that is executed when the value of the effect process flag is "4". The big hit display process includes a process for executing a big hit notification effect (fanfare effect) for reporting the start of the big hit gaming state based on the reception of the big hit start designation command transmitted from the main substrate 11 or the like. There is. Then, when the execution of the jackpot notification effect ends, the value of the effect process flag is updated to "5".

  The jackpot inside effect process of step S175 is a process that is executed when the value of the effect process flag is “5”. In this big hit medium effect processing, the CPU for production control 120 sets, for example, a effect control pattern and the like corresponding to the contents of the effect in the big hit medium effect which is executed in the big hit game state, and main effects image based on the setting contents The speaker 8 L can be displayed on the screen of the image display device 5 MA or the sub image display device 5 SU, or can execute display effects by the light emitter units 71 to 74, and output a command (sound effect signal) to the sound control board 13. 8R to output voice and sound effects, turn on / off / blink the game effect lamp 9 and decoration LED by outputting a command (electric decoration signal) to the lamp control board 14, and execute other effect control The jackpot effect corresponding to the jackpot gaming state can be performed. In the big hit, middle effect process, for example, the value of the effect control process flag is updated to “6” in response to the reception of the big hit end designation command transmitted from the main substrate 11 or the like.

  The jackpot end effect process in step S176 is a process that is executed when the value of the effect process flag is "6". In this big hit end effect processing, CPU 120 for production control, for example, sets the effect control pattern etc corresponding to the contents of the effect in the big hit end effect (ending effect) executed when the big hit game state ends, Based on the display of the effect image and the output of the sound, the various light emitting members are turned on / off / flashing, and other rendering operations are controlled, and the big hit end effect corresponding to the end of the big hit gaming state can be executed. Thereafter, the effect process flag is cleared and its value is initialized to "0".

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of the variable display start setting process executed in step S171 of FIG. In the variable display start setting process shown in FIG. 18, the effect control CPU 120 first determines a final stop symbol etc. to be a finalized symbol as a result of the variable symbol display of the decorative symbol (step S401). As the process of step S401, the effect control CPU 120 is based on the variable display content such as the fluctuation pattern indicated by the fluctuation pattern designation command transmitted from the main substrate 11 or the variable display result indicated by the variable display result notification command. Determine the final stop symbol. As an example, in the variable display contents according to the combination of the fluctuation pattern and the variable display result, “non reach (loss)”, “reach (loss)”, “non probability change (big hit)”, “certain change (big hit)” is there.

  When the variable display content is "non-reach (loss)", the variable display state of the decorative symbol is not in the reach state, but the fixed decorative symbol of the non-reach combination is stopped and displayed, and the variable display result is "loss" It becomes ". When the variable display content is "reach (losing)", after the variable display state of the decorative symbol becomes the reach state, the finalized decorative symbol of the reach loss combination combination is stopped and displayed, and the variable display result becomes "loss" . When the variable display content is "non-probable change (big hit)", the variable display result is "big hit", and the game state after the end of the big hit game state is short. When the variable display content is "probable change (big hit)", the variable display result is "big hit", and the gaming state after the end of the big hit gaming state becomes the positive change state.

  When the variable display content is "non-reach (loss)", the effect control CPU 120 stops the different (mismatched) decorative symbols in the "left" and "right" decorative symbol display areas 5L and 5R. Decide on. The effect control CPU 120 extracts numerical data indicating a left determined symbol determination random number value updated by a effect random counter or the like provided in a predetermined area (such as the effect control counter setting unit) of the random number circuit 124 or the RAM 122 By referring to the left fixed symbol determination table stored and prepared in advance in the ROM 121, the left fixed ornament pattern to be stopped and displayed in the left left decorative symbol display area 5L of the finalized decoration symbols is determined. Next, the numerical data indicating the right determined symbol determination random number value updated by the random number circuit 124 or the effect random counter or the like is extracted, and the right determined symbol determination table stored and prepared in the ROM 121 is referred to Thus, the right finalized decorative symbol to be stopped and displayed in the "right" decorative symbol display area 5R of the finalized decorative symbols is determined. At this time, the symbol number of the right determined decorative symbol may be determined to be different from the symbol number of the left determined decorative symbol by setting in the right determined symbol determination table or the like. Subsequently, numerical value data indicating a random value for determining the middle fixed symbol determined to be updated by the random number circuit 124 or the random counter for effect is extracted, and the middle fixed symbol determination table stored in advance in the ROM 121 is referred to Thus, among the finalized decorative symbols, the intermediately determined decorative symbol to be stopped and displayed in the "in" decorative symbol display area 5C is determined.

  When the variable display content is "reach (loss)", the effect control CPU 120 stops the same (matching) decorative symbols in the left and right decorative symbol display areas 5L and 5R. Decide on. The CPU 120 for effect control extracts the numerical data indicating the random value for the left and right fixed symbol determination updated by the random number circuit 124 or the random counter for effect, etc., and stores the left and right fixed symbol determination table stored and prepared in the ROM 121 in advance. By reference etc., the symbol numbers of the left and right decorative symbol display areas 5L and 5R in the finalized decorative symbol are the same, and symbol numbers identical to each other are determined. Further, numerical data indicating a random value for determining the middle fixed symbol determined to be updated by the random number circuit 124 or the random counter for effect is extracted, and the middle fixed symbol determination table stored in advance in the ROM 121 is referred to Thus, the determined decoration symbol to be displayed stopped in the decoration pattern display area 5C of "middle" among the determined decoration symbols is determined. Here, for example, when the determined decoration pattern becomes a big hit combination, as in the case where the symbol number of the middle determined decoration symbol becomes identical to the symbol number of the left determined decoration symbol and the right determined decoration symbol, an arbitrary value By adding or subtracting (for example, “1”) to the symbol number of the middle fixed decoration symbol, etc., the fixed decoration symbol may be a reach combination without being a big hit combination. Alternatively, when the middle fixed decoration pattern is determined, the difference between the left fixed decoration pattern and the right fixed decoration pattern with the pattern number (pattern difference) may be determined, and the middle fixed decoration pattern corresponding to the design difference may be set. .

  When the variable display content is "non-probability change (big hit)" or "probability change (big hit)", the CPU 120 for production control, "left", "middle", "right" decorative symbol display area 5L, 5C, 5R The same (matching) decorative pattern is determined as the final stop pattern. The effect control CPU 120 extracts numerical data indicating a random number value for determining the jackpot determination symbol updated by the random number circuit 124 or the effect random counter or the like. Subsequently, by referring to the big hit finalized symbol determination table stored and prepared in advance in the ROM 121, etc., the "left", "middle" and "right" decorative symbol display areas 5L, 5C, 5R are all displayed in a stop display. Designated symbol numbers determine the same decorative symbol. At this time, depending on whether the variable display content is "non-probability (big hit)" or "probability (big hit)", and whether or not a jackpot promotion promotion is performed, etc., a normal symbol (for example, an even number) It may be determined which of the decorative symbol to be shown and the definite variation symbol (for example, the decorative symbol indicating an odd number) is to be the finalized decorative symbol. The jackpot promotion promotion is a jackpot game state or a jackpot game state at the end of the jackpot game state after a combination of decorative symbols (non-probability bargain jackpot combination) that reminds of a jackpot but does not recall a definite change state is temporarily displayed once It is an effect that reports whether or not

  As a specific example, in the case where the variable display content is "non-probability change (big hit)", one of a plurality of types of normal symbols is determined to be the finalized decorative symbol. When it is determined that the variable display content is "probable change (big hit)" and it is decided not to execute the big hit or middle promotion effect, a thing to be a definite decoration pattern is determined from among a plurality of kinds of probability change symbols. On the other hand, when it is determined that the jackpot promotion promotion is to be executed even if the variable display content is "certain (big hit)", a determined decoration symbol is determined from among a plurality of types of normal symbols. In this way, it is possible to prevent the player from being distrusted by preventing the jackpot promotion effect from being executed even though the definite variation symbols are equally drawn out and displayed as the finalized decorative symbol.

  In the process of step S401, when the variable display content is "non-probability change (big hit)" or "probability change (big hit)", it is determined whether or not to execute a probability change promotion effect such as re-lottery effect or jackpot promotion effect May be In the re-lottery effect, the decoration pattern of the non-probability variation big hit combination consisting of the same normal pattern is displayed once during the variable display of the decoration pattern, making it temporarily difficult or unrecognizable that it is controlled to the probability changing state, It is possible to notify that the decorative pattern is controlled to be in the positive state by displaying the decorative pattern of the probability variation big hit combination consisting of the same probability variation symbol again by variably displaying (re-changing) the decoration symbol. In addition, after the decoration pattern is re-varied in the re-lottery effect, the decoration pattern of the non-probable variation big hit combination is stopped and displayed, and it may not be notified that it is controlled in the probability change state. If it is determined in the process of step S401 that the re-lottery effect is to be performed, the combination of the decorative symbols to be temporarily stopped may be determined before the re-lottery effect is performed.

  Subsequent to the determination of the final stop symbol etc. in step S401, the notice effect is determined (step S402). In the process of step S402, for example, if the presence or absence of the notice effect, the effect mode in the case of executing the notice effect, etc. are determined using the notice effect determination table prepared by storing in advance in a predetermined area of the ROM 121, for example. Good. In the advance notice determination table, for example, a numerical value (decision value) to be compared with the random value for the determination of the advance notice according to the variable display content may be allocated to the presence or absence of the advance notice or the determination result of the effect mode . The effect control CPU 120 refers to the advance effect determination table based on numerical data indicating a random value for determining advance effect, updated by the random number circuit 124 or a random counter for effect, etc. The form may be determined.

  Following the process of step S402, an effect control pattern is determined to be any of a plurality of patterns prepared in advance (step S403). For example, the effect control CPU 120 selects one of a plurality of prepared special pattern fluctuation control patterns and sets it as a usage pattern, corresponding to the fluctuation pattern indicated by the fluctuation pattern designation command. Further, the effect control CPU 120 selects one of a plurality of advance effect control patterns prepared in accordance with the determination result of the advance effect by the process of step S402, and sets it as a use pattern.

  FIG. 19A shows a configuration example of the effect control pattern. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 19A, the effect control pattern includes, for example, effect control process timer determination value, display control data, voice control data, lamp control data, movable member control data, operation detection control data, end code, etc. It is composed of process data included. The effect control process timer determination value is a value (determination value) to be compared with the effect control process timer value which is a stored value of the effect control process timer provided in a predetermined area (such as effect control timer setting unit) of the RAM 122 The determination value corresponding to the execution time (rendering time) of each rendering operation is set in advance. Note that, instead of the effect control process timer determination value, for example, a predetermined effect control command is received from the main substrate 11, or that a predetermined process is executed as a process for controlling the effect operation in the effect control CPU 120. Data indicating the switching timing of the effect control may be set according to the predetermined control content or processing content.

  The display control data includes, for example, data indicating the display mode of the effect image on the display screen of the main image display device 5MA or the sub-image display device 5SU, such as data indicating the variation mode of each decorative symbol during variable display of the decorative symbol. It is done. That is, the display control data is data for specifying the display operation of the effect image on the display screen of the main image display 5MA or the sub image display 5SU. In this embodiment, the display data used to create lighting data for controlling lighting modes by the plurality of light emitters constituting the light emitter units 71 to 74 is display data of effect images on the display screen of the sub image display device 5SU. Is attached to. Therefore, if the display operation of the effect image on the display screen of the sub image display device 5SU is specified by the display control data, the lighting mode by the plurality of light emitters arranged in an array to constitute the light emitter units 71 to 74 is also specified. be able to. In addition, it is not limited to what specifies the lighting aspect in the some light-emitting body which comprises the light-emitting-body units 71-74 by display control data, The lighting in a several light-emitting body using control data different from display control data An aspect may be designated.

  The voice control data includes, for example, data indicating an audio output mode from the speakers 8L and 8R, such as data indicating an output mode such as a sound effect interlocked with a variable display operation of an ornamental pattern during variable display of an ornamental pattern. There is. That is, the voice control data is data designating a voice output operation from the speakers 8L and 8R. The lamp control data includes data indicating lighting operation modes of various light emitting members other than the light emitting units 71 to 74, such as the game effect lamp 9 and the decorative LED. That is, the lamp control data is data for specifying the lighting operation of various light emitting members.

  The movable member control data includes data indicating an operation aspect of the movable members 51 to 54, such as data indicating a driving aspect of the movable motor 60 for rotating or moving the movable members 51 to 54, for example. . That is, the movable member control data is data for specifying the pivoting operation or moving operation of the movable members 51 to 54. The operation detection control data includes, for example, an operation valid period for effectively detecting an instruction operation (tilt operation) for the operation stick of the stick controller 31A and an instruction operation (push and pull operation) for the trigger button, or an instruction operation for the push button 31B ( Data indicating the presentation operation mode according to the player's operation action, such as data for designating an operation effective period for effectively detecting the pressing operation) and control contents of the rendering operation when each operation is effectively detected. include.

  Note that these control data do not have to be included in all of the effect control patterns, but are effect control patterns configured to include a part of control data according to the contents of the effect operation by each effect control pattern. There may be. Further, in the plurality of types of process data included in the effect control pattern, the types of control data constituting the process data may be different according to the contents of the effect operation performed at each timing. That is, if there is process data configured to include all of display control data, voice control data, lamp control data, movable member control data, and operation detection control data, there is also process data configured to include a part of these. May be there. Furthermore, various other control data may be included, such as model control data for effect indicating an operation mode of the movable member included in the model for effect.

  FIG. 19B shows various rendering operations performed in accordance with the content of the rendering control pattern. The effect control CPU 120 determines control content of the effect operation according to various control data included in the effect control pattern. For example, when the effect control process timer value matches any of the effect control process timer determination values, the decorative symbol is displayed in a mode specified by the display control data associated with the effect control process timer determination values, and the character Control is performed to display effect images such as images and background images on the screens of the main image display device 5MA and the sub image display device 5SU. In this embodiment, control is performed to turn on a plurality of light emitters aligned in the light emitter units 71 to 74 in a mode specified by the display control data to execute display effects. Further, control is made to output sound from the speakers 8L, 8R in a mode specified by the voice control data, and control is made to blink various light emitting members such as the game effect lamp 9 etc. in a mode specified by the lamp control data, Control for accepting the operation on the trigger button of the stick controller 31A or the operation rod or the push button 31B in the operation valid period designated by the operation detection control data and controlling the content of the effect is performed. Note that dummy data (data for which control is not specified) may be set as data corresponding to a component for effect that is not to be controlled even though it corresponds to the effect control process timer determination value.

  The effect control CPU 120 sets the effect control pattern based on, for example, the fluctuation pattern indicated by the fluctuation pattern designation command when starting variable display of the decorative pattern. Here, when setting the effect control pattern, the pattern data constituting the corresponding effect control pattern may be read from the ROM 121 and temporarily stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 122, or the corresponding effect control pattern may be configured. The storage address of the pattern data in the ROM 121 may be temporarily stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 122, and the reading position of the storage data in the ROM 121 may be designated. After that, every time the effect control process timer value is updated, it is determined whether or not any of the effect control process timer determination values match, and if it matches, the effect operation according to the corresponding various control data Control the In this manner, the effect control CPU 120 causes the effect device (main image display device 5MA, sub image display device 5SU, light emission according to the contents of process data # 1 to process data #n (n is an arbitrary integer) included in the effect control pattern. Control of body units 71 to 74, speakers 8L and 8R, various light emitting members including game effect lamp 9, movable members 51 to 54, etc. is advanced. In each of the process data # 1 to process data #n, display control data # 1 to display control data #n associated with the effect control process timer determination values # 1 to #n, voice control data # 1 to voice control Data #n, lamp control data # 1 to lamp control data #n, movable member control data # 1 to movable member control data #n, operation detection control data # 1 to operation detection control data #n The contents of control of (1) are shown, and effect control execution data # 1 representing effect control execution # 1 to effect control execution data #n are configured.

  An instruction according to the effect control pattern set in this manner is output from the effect control CPU 120 to the display control unit 123, the voice control board 13, and the like. In the display control unit 123 that has received an instruction from the effect control CPU 120, for example, the VDP 130 reads out the image data (image element data) indicated by the instruction from the image data memory 131 and temporarily stores the image data in the VRAM 132A. Further, the VDP 130 selects image data corresponding to the display screen of the main image display device 5MA or the sub image display device 5SU from the image data stored in the VRAM 132A, converts the selected image data into pixel data, etc. Then, the frame buffer 132B is arranged at a predetermined position (a position indicated by information indicating the display position in the display area of the image display device 5, etc.). Thus, display data for one screen is created in the frame buffer 132B. At this time, display data used to create lighting data of the light emitter units 71 to 74 is added to the display data of the effect image on the display screen of the sub image display device 5SU. In addition, in the voice control board 13 having received a command from the CPU 120 for effect control, for example, the voice synthesis IC reads out voice data indicated by the command from the voice data ROM and expands it by temporarily storing in voice RAM or the like. .

  After executing the process of step S403 shown in FIG. 18, the effect control CPU 120 is provided, for example, in a predetermined area (such as an effect control timer setting unit) of the RAM 122 corresponding to the change pattern specified by the change pattern specification command. The initial value of the effect control process timer is set (step S404). Then, setting is made to start the change of the decorative symbol or the like in the main image display device 5MA (step S405). At this time, for example, the main image display device 5MA is transmitted by transmitting to the VDP 130 of the display control unit 123 a display control instruction specified by the display control data included in the effect control pattern determined as the usage pattern in step S404. In the "left", "middle", and "right" decorative symbol display areas 5L, 5C, 5R provided on the screen of Fig. 5, variation of the decorative symbols may be started.

  Subsequent to the process of step S405, in response to the start of the variable display of the decorative symbol, the setting for updating the pending storage display in the start winning storage display area 5H is performed (step S406). For example, the display region corresponding to the hold number "1" in the start winning storage display area 5H may be erased and the entire display region may be moved leftward one by one. Thereafter, the value of the effect process flag is updated to "2" which is a value corresponding to the variable display effect process (step S407), and the variable display start setting process is ended.

  FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing an example of the variable display effect process executed in step S172 of FIG. In the variable display effect process shown in FIG. 20, the effect control CPU 120 first determines whether or not the variable display time corresponding to the fluctuation pattern has elapsed based on, for example, the effect control process timer value (step S451). ). As an example, in the process of step S451, when the effect control process timer value is updated (for example, 1 subtracted) and the end code is read out from the effect control pattern corresponding to the updated effect control process timer value, etc. It may be determined that the variable display time has elapsed.

  If the variable display time has not elapsed in step S451 (step S451; No), it is determined whether it is an execution period of various effects (step S452). The execution period of various effects may be determined in advance, for example, in the effect control pattern determined in the process of step S403 shown in FIG. When it is not an execution period of various effects (step S452; No), the variable display effect processing is ended. When it is an execution period of various effects (step S452; Yes), after effect control processing is executed (step S453), the variable display effect processing ends.

  If the variable display time has elapsed in step S451 (step S451; Yes), it is determined whether or not the symbol determination command transmitted from the main substrate 11 has been received (step S454). At this time, if the symbol determination command is not received (step S454; No), the variable display effect processing is ended and the process waits. In addition, after the variable display time elapses, when the predetermined time elapses without receiving the symbol determination command, a predetermined error processing is executed in response to the failure to receive the symbol determination command normally. You may

  When the symbol determination command is received in step S454 (step S454; Yes), display is performed in the variable display of the decorative symbol, for example, transmitting a predetermined display control command to the VDP 130 of the display control unit 123 Control is performed to derive and display the final stop symbol (decided decorative symbol) to be the result (step S455). Further, a predetermined time set in advance as the hit start designation command reception waiting time is set (step S456). Then, after the value of the effect process flag is updated to “3” which is a value corresponding to the variable display stop process (step S 457), the variable display effect process is ended.

  In the effect control process of step S453 shown in FIG. 20, the effect control process timer value is determined from the effect control pattern (for example, special pattern fluctuation effect control pattern, advance notice control pattern etc.) determined in step S403 shown in FIG. Control for executing rendering operations by various rendering devices is performed using process data read out based on the above. For example, the CPU for effect control 120 determines whether or not the effect control process timer has timed out, and switches the effect control execution data in the process data when it times out. That is, in process data # 1 to process data #n as shown in FIG. 19A, display control of main image display device 5MA and sub image display device 5SU is performed based on display control data set next. Lighting control of a plurality of light emitters arranged in alignment in the light emitter units 71 to 74 is performed. Further, in process data # 1 to process data #n, audio output control of the speakers 8L and 8R is performed based on the audio control data set next. Further, in the process data # 1 to the process data #n, lighting control of the game effect lamp 9 and the decoration LED is performed based on the lamp control data set next. In process data # 1 to process data #n, drive control of the movable motor 60 is performed based on the movable member control data set next. In addition, in process data # 1 to process data #n, detection control of an instruction operation by the stick controller 31A or the push button 31B is performed based on operation detection control data set next.

  In order to perform display control of the main image display device 5MA and the sub image display device 5SU, and lighting control of a plurality of light emitters aligned in each of the light emitter units 71 to 74, the effect control CPU 120 controls the display control unit Various display control commands are transmitted to the VDP 130 of 123. The display control command transmitted by the effect control CPU 120 to the VDP 130 may include, for example, a transfer command, an expansion command, and an output command.

  The transfer command is generated by using a plurality of types of image data (image element data) stored in the image data memory 131, image data used for screen display on the main image display device 5MA or the sub image display device 5SU, and a light emitter unit It shows that the image data used to create lighting data for controlling the lighting of 71 to 74 is read out and temporarily stored in the VRAM 132A. For example, the transfer instruction may include data for notifying the VDP 130 of the reading position of the image data in the image data memory 131, the image size when the image data is expanded and stored, and the like. Here, the reading position of the image data in the image data memory 131 may be a reading address in the image data memory 131, or identification information attached to the image element corresponding to the image data to be read (for example, the image element). It may be specified using arbitrary information such as a character number of a character image corresponding to data.

  From the image data temporarily stored in the VRAM 132A, the expansion instruction is a plurality of image data corresponding to the display areas of the main image display device 5MA and the sub image display device 5SU and a plurality of the light emitter units 71 to 74 aligned and arranged. The image data corresponding to the light emitter is selected, and drawing processing based on the selected image data is executed to create display data in the image drawing area of the frame buffer 132B. For example, the expansion command may include data for specifying image data temporarily stored in the VRAM 132A, and data for specifying the arrangement (setting position) of an image element in the frame buffer 132B. Here, the data for designating the image data temporarily stored in VRAM 132A may be data for designating the read address in VRAM 132A or may be attached to the image element corresponding to the image data to be selected. It may be data indicating any information such as specific information.

  The output command switches the image drawing area and the image display area of the frame buffer 132B, supplies the display data stored in the storage area that has become the image display area to the main display output system and the sub display output system, It shows outputting to the side of the image display device 5MA, the sub image display device 5SU, and the light emitter units 71 to 74. Each time the VDP 130 receives an output command, it outputs display data for one screen read from the frame buffer 132 B and supplies a vertical synchronization signal to generate a V blank interrupt at the same cycle as the vertical synchronization signal. It is also good. In this case, the effect control CPU 120 may execute processing relating to drawing in synchronization with the occurrence of the V blank interrupt from the VDP 130.

  The effect control CPU 120 may transmit various display control instructions to the VDP 130 of the display control unit 123 in addition to the transfer instruction, the expansion instruction, and the output instruction. For example, a copy command indicating copying the stored contents in the image display area of the frame buffer 132B set to output display data to the VRAM 132A, or the contents in the image drawing area of the frame buffer 132B and the effect image The rendering control CPU 120 transmits to the VDP 130 of the display control unit 123 a rendering command or the like indicating that an operation (for example, an addition or subtraction, an operation for realizing the semitransparent processing, etc.) is to be performed with the image data. It may be done.

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating an example of image data processing performed by the VDP 130 of the display control unit 123. In the image data processing shown in FIG. 21, the VDP 130 determines whether or not the display control instruction transmitted from the effect control CPU 120 is a transfer instruction (step S701). Then, if it is a transfer command (step S701; Yes), the image data read out from the image data memory 131 is written to the VRAM 132A and temporarily stored (step S702).

  If it is not a transfer command in step S701 (step S701; No) or after the process of step S702 is executed, it is determined whether the display control command transmitted from CPU 120 for effect control is a deployment command (step S701) Step S703). Then, if it is the expansion command (step S703; Yes), the image data of the storage area designated in the VRAM 132A is selected and written in the image drawing area of the frame buffer 132B (step S704). In this way, the selected image data is written to the image drawing area of the frame buffer 132B and the like, whereby display data used for displaying the effect image and generating the lighting data is created. When selecting image data temporarily stored in the VRAM 132A, only a part of image data is extracted (clipped) out of image data (image element data) corresponding to one image element and written to the frame buffer 132B. You may

  If it is not the expansion command in step S703 (step S703; No), or after the process of step S704 is executed, it is determined whether the display control command transmitted from CPU 120 for effect control is an output command or not (step S703) Step S705). At this time, when it is not the output command (step S 705; No), the image data processing is ended. On the other hand, if it is an output command (step S705; Yes), the image drawing area and the image display area in the frame buffer 132B are switched, display data is read from the image display area after switching, and the main LCD drive circuit 133A The read display data is output to the included main display output system or the sub display output system including the sub LCD drive circuit 133B and the light emitter control circuit 134 (step S706).

  By executing such image data processing, the VDP 130 reads various image data such as character image data necessary for displaying the effect image from the image data memory 131 based on the display control command from the effect control CPU 120. Are arranged in a predetermined area of the VRAM 132A. When displaying the effect image, the same character image may be repeatedly displayed many times. When the image data stored in the image data memory 131 is compressed, it takes time to read it and then decompress it. Therefore, by arranging necessary character image data and the like in the storage area of the VRAM 132A at the stage of starting the display of the effect image, drawing as compared to reading from the image data memory 131 corresponding to each frame Can reduce the time required for

  After the display of the effect image is started, the effect control CPU 120 sets an attribute in the attribute register of the VDP 130 every time a V blank occurs, and then instructs to read and execute the attribute. In response to this, the VDP 130 reads an attribute. When this reading is completed, a read end interrupt signal is output from the VDP 130 to the CPU 120 for effect control. When receiving the read end interrupt signal, the effect control CPU 120 instructs execution of the drawing process. Thus, the VDP 130 executes a drawing process by writing display data in the frame buffer 132B according to the read attribute.

  A mainframe buffer and a subframe buffer are allocated to each of a plurality of storage areas to which an image display area and an image drawing area are allocated in the frame buffer 132B. Display data for displaying an image on the screen of the main image display device 5MA is stored in the main frame buffer. For example, a memory area capable of storing pixel data of 800 dots in the horizontal direction (X-axis direction) and 600 dots in the vertical direction (Y-axis direction) is allocated to the main frame buffer. The sub-frame buffer stores display data for displaying an image on the screen of the sub-image display device 5SU and display data used to create lighting data for controlling lighting of the light emitter units 71 to 74. For example, a memory area capable of storing pixel data of 480 dots in the horizontal direction (X-axis direction) and 885 dots in the vertical direction (Y-axis direction) is allocated to the sub-frame buffer.

  FIG. 22 shows an example of creation of display data and an example of output by the drawing process of the VDP 130 or the like. When the effect image is displayed and the display effect is executed, the VDP 130 reads the image data of the sprite image from the VRAM 132A and executes a drawing process of writing the display data in the main frame buffer and the sub frame buffer. Among the image data of the sprite image read from the image data memory 131 and temporarily stored in the VRAM 132A, the image data used to create lighting data for controlling the lighting of the light emitter units 71 to 74 is, for example, FIG. As shown in the figure, the image size corresponds to 320 dots in the horizontal direction (X-axis direction) and 320 dots in the vertical direction (Y-axis direction).

  The VDP 130 reduces the image data for lighting data creation to an image size of 80 dots in the horizontal direction (X-axis direction) and 80 dots in the vertical direction (Y-axis direction). The reduced image size corresponds to the resolution of the light emitter units 71 to 74 in which a plurality of light emitters are aligned. Thus, the image data for lighting data creation has a resolution higher than the resolution of the light emitter units 71-74. In this way, anti-aliasing processing such as super sampling is performed, and display data to be converted into lighting data is created using image data having a resolution higher than the resolution of display by a plurality of light emitters. Thereby, for example, it is possible to suppress the jaggies generated in the outline of the character image or the like, and to enhance the smoothness of the display in the light emitter units 71 to 74. In particular, when moving and displaying an effect image such as a character image, it is possible to smoothly display the outline portion and to improve the interest of the display effect in the light emitter units 71 to 74. The reduction of the image size may be performed in the deformation process of the image data by the VDP 130 or the drawing process of the display data, or may be performed using a predetermined scaler circuit. The scaler circuit only needs to be able to reduce the image size at a predetermined reduction ratio (for example, 1⁄4) by converting the number of pixels of the display data read from the frame buffer 132B. As described above, the size change of display data may be realized by a hardware circuit or may be realized by executing a predetermined program as software.

  The VDP 130 moves part of the display data according to the block allocation setting of each light emitter by dividing the region where the plurality of light emitters are arranged in each of the light emitter units 71 to 74 into the plurality of light emitter blocks. Perform the transformation process. For example, as shown in FIG. 22 (b), the light emitters included in the remaining area where the light emitters less than one light emitter block are disposed correspond to being included in the vacant region in any of the light emitter blocks. Then, a part of the display data (the upper end portion of the image showing “A” in the example shown in FIG. 22B) is cut out and moved to another image position. The processing load of the lighting data in the light-emitting-body control circuit 134 can be reduced by executing the transformation processing of the display data using the VDP 130 capable of executing high-performance drawing processing.

  For example, display data as shown in FIG. 22C is stored in the sub-frame buffer allocated to the frame buffer 132B. The display data includes data for sub image display and data for light emitter control, and corresponds to image display for one frame. The data for displaying the sub image corresponds to the image size of 480 dots in the horizontal direction (X-axis direction) and 800 dots in the vertical direction (Y-axis direction) (the same as the resolution of the sub image display 5SU). It is used for the image display on the screen of display 5SU. The data for light emitter control corresponds to the image size of 80 dots in the horizontal direction (X-axis direction) and 80 dots in the vertical direction (Y-axis direction), and creation of lighting data for controlling lighting of the light emitter units 71 to 74 Used for

  In the display data stored in the sub-frame buffer, boundary data corresponding to a predetermined number of lines, such as 5 dots, is provided between the data for displaying the sub image and the data for controlling the light emitter. Boundary data of such a predetermined data amount is set to separate data for sub-image display and data for light emitter control. Thus, the display data of the effect image displayed on the screen of the sub image display device 5SU and the display data to be converted into lighting data for controlling the lighting of the light emitter units 71 to 74 can be easily separated. The processing burden associated with data generation can be reduced.

  The VDP 130 reads out the display data thus stored in the sub-frame buffer in a predetermined order, and outputs it to the sub display output system. As an example, the reading operation from the upper left end dot to the upper right end dot in the horizontal direction in FIG. 22C, and subsequently reading the data one dot below similarly is repeated until the right lower end dot is reached. In this way, by outputting the display data to the sub display output system in the order in which the display data is read out, for example, as shown in FIG. In the second display output period after the first display output period, data for light emitter control is output. Since boundary data is set between the data for displaying the sub image and the data for controlling the light emitter, the first display output period in which the data for displaying the sub image is output and the data for controlling the light emitter are output. A predetermined interval period is provided between the second display output period and the second display output period.

  The display data stored in the sub-frame buffer is output, for example, for one frame in 1/60 seconds (about 16.7 milliseconds). Thus, the sub-image display device 5SU can update the display image at a frame cycle of 1/60 seconds. The data for controlling the light emitter is also added to the data for displaying the sub image, so it is output at a cycle of 1/60 seconds. The light emitter control circuit 134 separates the light emitter control data included in the display data output to the sub display output system by the signal separation circuit 140 and temporarily stores the data in the buffer memory 141. Therefore, the light-emitting-body control data separated from the display data is stored in the buffer memory 141 in a cycle of 1/60 seconds in which the VDP 130 outputs the display data for one frame.

  As shown in FIG. 22D, of the periods in which the display data stored in the sub-frame buffer is output, the period (second display output period) in which the light emitter control data is output is equivalent to one frame. Is sufficiently shorter than the entire period (1/60 second) in which the display data of is output. The lighting data generation circuit 142 sets the data stored in the buffer memory 141 to a remaining period during which data writing to the buffer memory 141 is not performed, for example, a period during which data for displaying a sub screen is output (first display output period). At this time, the data may be read out and converted to lighting data.

The lighting data generation circuit 142 controls lighting of a plurality of light emitters in a cycle shorter than a frame cycle (1/60 second etc.) of an image display apparatus using an LCD (liquid crystal display) such as a sub image display 5SU. Generate lighting data to do this. As a specific example, the lighting data generation circuit 142 generates lighting data for lighting control of the light emitter in a cycle of 1/120 seconds (about 8.3 milliseconds). Thus, lighting data generating circuit 1 42 generates a lighting data of the light-emitting element in the output period (1/60 seconds) shorter than the period of the display data by the VDP 130 (1/120 sec), the parallel - serial converter Control signals based on lighting data are output to the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64 by serial communication using the circuits 143-1 to 143-4 and the LVDS drivers 144-1 to 144-4. In this case, the buffer memory 141 can store light emission control data included in display data corresponding to image display for one frame output from the VDP 130, that is, light emission control data of 80 dots × 80 dots. It suffices to have a storage data capacity. In addition, by lighting the light emitters in a relatively short cycle, it is possible to suppress flicker in the display effect executed by the plurality of light emitters arranged in each of the light emitter units 71 to 74, thereby performing display. I can improve the interest of the production. The lighting control of the light emitters is not limited to one performed in a cycle of 1/2 of the output cycle of display data, and for example, an output cycle of display data such as a shorter cycle (for example, a cycle of 1/3) It may be performed at any cycle shorter than that.

  The light emitter control circuit 134 is generated by the lighting data generation circuit 142 in a cycle longer than the time required for the light emission control data included in the display data corresponding to the image display for one frame to be written to the buffer memory 141. It may be set to output a control signal corresponding to the lighting data. As described above, the light emission control data corresponding to one frame is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 141 in a time shorter than the cycle in which the control signal corresponding to the lighting data is output. As a result, even when the buffer memory 141 having a storage data capacity capable of temporarily storing data for light emission control corresponding to one frame is used, the light data can be stored in a shorter time than the output cycle of the control signal corresponding to the light data. The generation can be completed.

  The buffer memory 141 has a storage data capacity capable of storing data for light emission control included in display data corresponding to image display for a plurality of frames, such as display data corresponding to image display for two frames, for example. It may be In this case, a plurality of buffer areas are allocated to the storage area of the buffer memory 141. Each buffer area may have a storage data capacity capable of storing data for light emission control included in display data corresponding to an image display for one frame.

  Then, the lighting data generation circuit 142 reads data stored in another buffer area when data writing is performed in one of the plurality of buffer areas, and converts the data to lighting data. May be performed. As a specific example, it is assumed that the buffer memory 141 has a storage data capacity capable of storing data for light emission control included in display data corresponding to image display for two frames. In this case, the storage area of the buffer memory 141 is divided into two areas, which are allocated to the first buffer area and the second buffer area, respectively. Then, in the first frame period in which display data corresponding to the first frame of the plurality of frames is output from the VDP 130, the data for light emission control separated by the signal separation circuit 140 is written in the first buffer area. Temporarily store at. Next, in the second frame period in which the display data corresponding to the second frame following the first frame is output, the data for light emission control separated by the signal separation circuit 140 is written to the second buffer area for temporary use. Remember. In the second frame period, the lighting data generation circuit 142 reads data stored in the first buffer area for which data writing has been completed in the first period, and converts the data into lighting data. Furthermore, in the next frame period, the first buffer area and the second buffer area may be switched to write data and generate (convert) lighting data using read data. As described above, the buffer memory 142 may temporarily store data for light emission control by the double buffer method to enable conversion to lighting data. However, in this case, as the storage data capacity of the buffer memory 142 increases, there arises a problem that the manufacturing cost also increases. On the other hand, while setting the period when data for light emitter control is output is set to a time sufficiently shorter than the total output period of display data, the lighting data generation circuit 142 generates light emitters with a period shorter than the output period of display data by VDP130. When the lighting data is generated, the storage data capacity of the buffer memory 141 can be reduced to prevent an increase in manufacturing cost.

  The lighting data generation circuit 142 divides the data into a plurality of data ranges according to the storage position (read address etc.) of the buffer memory 141 storing the light emission control data separated from the display data. For example, the storage area of the buffer memory 141 is divided into a plurality of buffer memory areas according to the storage address and the like. The lighting data generation circuit 142 selects lighting data of the light emitters included in any of the light emitter blocks among the plurality of light emitter blocks B01 to B42 based on which buffer memory area is read out. Identify what to convert.

  FIG. 23 shows a setting example of the buffer memory area. In the setting example shown in FIG. 23, in the storage area of buffer memory 141, eight areas to which area indexes BX0 to BX7 are given in the horizontal direction (X axis direction) and area indexes BY0 to BY in the vertical direction (Y axis direction) It is divided into eight areas with BY7. Lighting data generation circuit 142 combines area designations BX0 to BX7 in the horizontal direction and area indexes BY0 to BY7 in the vertical direction on the basis of the read address of buffer memory 141 and the like, and specifies the area designation information (BXi, BYj). As long as the storage data of the buffer memory 141 belongs to which data range. The subscripts i and j in the area designation information (BXi, BYj) indicate that they are any one of “0” to “7”.

  The display data temporarily stored in the buffer memory 141 is allocated to any of the light emitter blocks B01 to B42 for each of a plurality of divided data ranges. The lighting data generation circuit 142 can specify the data range allocated to each of the light emitter blocks B01 to B42 in the buffer memory 141 by referring to the address specification table as conversion setting information prepared in advance. The address specification table may be stored in advance in a predetermined area or the like of the ROM built in or externally attached to the lighting data generation circuit 142.

  FIG. 24 shows a configuration example of the address specification table TA1 referred to by the lighting data generation circuit 142. In the address specification table TA1, buffer memory areas specified by the area specification information of 1 or the area specification information of 2 are allocated to each of the light emitter blocks B01 to B42. For example, among the light emitter blocks B01 to B12 shown in FIG. 24, the light emitter blocks B01 to B08 have the light emitter driver on the upper digit side, but do not have the light emitter driver on the lower digit side, and one half It consists only of blocks. On the other hand, among the light emitter blocks B01 to B12 shown in FIG. 24, the light emitter blocks B09 to B12 are provided with both upper digit and lower digit light emitter drivers, and two half blocks are included. It is composed of a combination. Corresponding to the configuration of such a light emitter block, one buffer memory area specified by the area designation information of 1 is allocated to each of the light emitter blocks B01 to B08. The area designation information 1 is configured by combining one each of area indexes BX0 to BX7 in the horizontal direction (X-axis direction) and area indexes BY0 to BY7 in the vertical direction (Y-axis direction). On the other hand, two buffer memory areas specified by the area specification information of 2 are allocated to each of the light emitter blocks B09 to B12. The area designation information of 2 is configured by combining, for example, one type of area indexes BX0 to BX7 in the horizontal direction and two types of area indexes BY0 to BY7 in the vertical direction.

  The lighting data generation circuit 142 may determine the system and order of supply of serial signal lines for supplying lighting data for each of the light emitter blocks B01 to B42 to which the buffer memory area is allocated in the address specification table TA1. For example, when the light emitter circuit board 61 controls the light emission state of the light emitters included in the light emitter blocks B01 to B15, the lighting data generation circuit 142 is a buffer allocated to the light emitter blocks B01 to B15 in the address specification table TA1. To supply lighting data generated based on stored data in the memory area to the parallel-serial conversion circuit 143-1 and the LVDS driver 144-1, which are the first set of signal output configurations corresponding to the light emitter circuit board 61. decide. Further, in the light emitter circuit board 61, for example, the serial signal relay device 151 as shown in FIG. 11 separates serial data into three systems, and a plurality is connected in a daisy chain system via serial signal wiring of each system. Transmitted to the light emitter driver of The lighting data generation circuit 142 may determine the order of supplying the lighting data in consideration of such a configuration. More specifically, lighting data for the light emitter driver on the digit side of the light emitter block B06, which is a light emitter driver at the end connected to the serial signal wiring corresponding to the first system in the light emitter circuit board 61, is supplied first Subsequently, lighting data for the light emitter driver on the strobe side of the light emitter block B06 is supplied. Next, lighting data for the light emitter driver of the light emitter block B05 connected to the front stage of the light emitter driver corresponding to the light emitter block B06 is supplied, and thereafter, similarly, the light emitter driver of the front stage from the light emitter driver at the end The lighting data may be supplied in the order of heading.

  The lighting data generated by the lighting data generation circuit 142 includes gradation data indicating the gradation control amount of each of the light emitting elements constituting each of the plurality of light emitters. For example, the gradation data may be any one as long as it indicates the output period (pulse width) of the pulse signal in PWM control as the gradation control amount. The lighting data generation circuit 142 refers to a lighting data generation table serving as color conversion setting information prepared in advance based on the level (RGB value) of each display color indicated by the display data read from the buffer memory 141. By doing this, tone data indicating the tone control amount is generated. A plurality of types of lighting data generation tables are prepared in advance, and any lighting data generation table is selected as a usage table based on a predetermined selection setting.

  FIG. 25 (a) shows an example of selection setting of the lighting data generation table. In this setting example, different lighting data generation tables are selected for each light emission color of the light emitting elements included in each light emitter. For example, in the case of the light emitter blocks B01 to B06, the lighting data generation table TR01 is selected according to the light emission color R (red), and the lighting data generation table TG01 is selected according to the light emission color G (green). The lighting data generation table TB01 is selected according to the color B (blue). In each lighting data generation table, the gradation control amount of each light emitting element indicated by the gradation data included in the lighting data of the light emitter is the level (RGB value) of each display color indicated by the display data generated by the VDP 130 It should just be comprised including the table data etc. which convert into. The lighting data generation circuit 142 is specified by lighting data by referring to the selected lighting data generation table based on the level (RGB value) of each display color indicated by the display data read from the buffer memory 141. Determine the gradation control amount.

  The lighting data generation table referred to by the lighting data generation circuit 142 for generating the lighting data may be stored in advance in a predetermined area or the like of the ROM built in or externally attached to the lighting data generation circuit 142. The correspondence between the level (RGB value) of each display color indicated in the display data and the gradation control amount of each light emitting element indicated by the gradation data included in the lighting data of the light emitter corresponds to the light emission corresponding to each light emission color It may be determined in advance in consideration of the element characteristics (for example, luminous efficiency), white balance, and the like. As one example, the light emitting diode serving as a light emitting element constituting each light emitting body has a non-linear characteristic in which the amount of current rapidly increases when the applied voltage reaches a predetermined value. Therefore, when converted to the gradation control amount proportional to the level (RGB value) of each display color indicated by the display data, there may be a disadvantage of display effects by a plurality of light emitters, such as overexposure and overexposure, for example. is there. Therefore, the lighting data from the display data is such that the light emitting elements corresponding to the respective light emitting colors constituting each of the plurality of light emitters have the light emission amount equivalent to the level (RGB value) of each display color indicated by the display data The setting information for converting into is stored in advance as a lighting data generation table. In addition, the characteristics of the light-emitting element may differ depending on the light-emitting color. Therefore, the display data is converted so that the correspondence with the level (RGB value) of each display color indicated by the display data is different according to the light emission color of each light emitting element constituting the light emitter. The setting information for converting the light into the lighting data is stored in advance as a lighting data generation table.

  In the setting example shown in FIG. 25 (a), different lighting data generation tables may be selected depending on the light emitter block. For example, in the case of the light emitter blocks B01 to B06, each of the lighting data generation tables TR01, TG01, and TB01 is selected according to the light emission color. On the other hand, in the case of the light emitter blocks B07, B08 and B15, each of the lighting data generation tables TR02, TG02 and TB02 is selected according to the light emission color.

  As described above, the display data is converted into lighting data using the lighting data generation table which is different according to the arrangement of each of the plurality of light emitters corresponding to each light emitter block. Each of the light emitter units 71 to 74 emits light at the same gradation according to the arrangement of the plurality of light emitters, depending on the size of the region where the plurality of light emitters are aligned and the anteroposterior relationship of each light emitter unit, etc. Even doing this may give the player a different impression. Therefore, regardless of the arrangement of the plurality of light emitters corresponding to each light emitter block, the lighting data from the display data so as to obtain the light emission amount that gives an impression as close as possible to the same display color. The setting information for converting into is stored in advance as a lighting data generation table.

  FIG. 25 (b) shows a comparison between the number of gradations of each display color indicated by the display data and the number of gradations of each light emission color by gradation control of the light emitter based on the gradation data included in the lighting data. ing. The lighting data generated by the lighting data generation circuit 142 corresponds to the number of gradations smaller than the number of gradations of the image displayed based on the display data used for the conversion. The display data output from the VDP 130 and temporarily stored in the buffer memory 141 has “0” to “255” in luminance (tone) for each display color of R (red), G (green) and B (blue). Gradation control is enabled in 256 steps so that it becomes any one of these levels. Thus, the number of gradations of the image displayed based on the display data output from the VDP 130 is “256”. The lighting data generated by the lighting data generation circuit 142 has any one of luminance (gradation) “0” to “63” for each display color of R (red), G (green) and B (blue). The gradation control can be performed in 64 stages so that the level of Thus, the lighting data generated by the lighting data generation circuit 142 indicates the number of gradations of "64", which is smaller than "256".

  Thus, according to not only the level (RGB value) of each display color indicated by the display data, but also the light emission characteristics of each of the plurality of light emitting elements constituting the light emitter, the arrangement of the plurality of light emitters, etc. Gradation data indicating the gradation control amount according to. Thereby, even when the light emitters including a plurality of light emitting elements having different light emission colors are aligned in the predetermined area of the light emitter units 71 to 74, the color reproducibility is enhanced to make the presentation more interesting. Improve. The lighting data generation circuit 142 generates lighting data including gradation data to be supplied to the light emitter driver on the digit upper side or the digit lower side, and generates the parallel-serial conversion circuits 143-1 to 143-4 and the LVDS driver 144-. The light is output to the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64 by 1 to 144-4.

  Furthermore, the lighting data generated by the lighting data generation circuit 142 includes drive control data for performing dynamic lighting control of the plurality of light emitters for each of the plurality of light emitter blocks B01 to B42. The lighting data generation circuit 142 performs parallel-serial conversion circuits 143-1 to 143-4 and LVDS drivers 144-1 to 144 according to the determination result of the system and order of supply of the serial signal wiring that supplies the generated lighting data. Output to the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64 by -4.

  In the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64, the serial data received by the LVDS receiver 150 is separated into a plurality of systems in the serial signal relay device 151 and supplied to the light emitter drive unit 152. At this time, in the serial clocks SC1 to SC4 serving as drive clocks for serial communication, the setting as to whether or not to perform spread spectrum and the setting as to the spreading amount are made different for each of the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64. The serial clock generated by the clock generation circuit 151C of the serial signal relay device 151 is supplied to each of the plurality of light emitting body drivers included in the light emitting body drive unit 152 via the serial signal wiring. Each light emitter driver receives serial data transmitted in synchronization with the serial clock.

  As described above, since the setting regarding the spread spectrum of the serial clocks SC1 to SC4 is different for each of the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64, a control signal including drive control data and gradation data is transmitted to each light emitter driver. The timing can be made different for each of a plurality of systems of serial signal wiring corresponding to the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64. When the control signal is output at the same timing, the lighting control of the many light emitters may be started at the same timing by the many light emitter drivers included in the light emitter driving unit 152. In this case, radiation noise may occur because a large amount of drive current flows as inrush current in a short period of time. In addition, as the power supply circuit for generating a large amount of drive current is required, the manufacturing cost may increase. On the other hand, the generation of inrush current is suppressed by outputting control signals as serial data at different timings for the serial signal lines of a plurality of systems corresponding to the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64, so that the radiation noise can be prevented. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of and the increase in manufacturing costs. In addition to spectrum spreading of the serial clock that is a drive clock for serial communication, the light emission circuit is a capture timing that latches data stored in the shift register provided in each light emission driver and temporarily stores it in the data buffer. It may be made different for each of a plurality of systems of serial signal wiring corresponding to the substrates 61 to 64.

  In the light emitter drive unit 152, each light emitter driver stores the received serial data in the shift register, and sequentially performs the shift operation according to the serial clock. Further, the final bit stored in the shift register is output and transmitted to the light emitter driver of the subsequent stage connected in the daisy chain system. After serial data is transmitted to all the light emitter drivers connected in a daisy chain manner in this way, the stored data in the shift register is latched by reaching the capture timing and temporarily stored in the data buffer, thereby serial data being transmitted. It converts into parallel data and performs lighting control of the light emitter based on this. For example, the light emitter driver on the strobe side drives and controls a plurality of light emitters connected to the strobe signal line by outputting a strobe signal based on the drive control data. Further, the light emitter driver on the upper digit side or the lower digit side controls the gradation of the plurality of light emitters connected to the digit signal line by outputting a digit signal based on the gradation data. In this manner, dynamic lighting control of the plurality of light emitters is performed for each of the plurality of light emitter blocks B01 to B42, and alignment is performed in each of the light emitter units 71 to 74 included in the movable members 51 to 54 configuring the effect movable mechanism 50. The display effect by the lighting aspect of the several light-emitting body arrange | positioned is performed.

  As an example of a specific display effect by the effect movable mechanism 50, the player is in the retracted state (first state) where the upper mechanism 50T and the lower mechanism 50B are separated and the display screen of the main image display device 5MA can be viewed. The display effect using the plurality of light emitters disposed on the movable members 51 to 54 that can be visually identified is performed in conjunction with the display effect by the main image display device 5MA. In the retracted state, the movable members 51, 52 are positioned upward, and the movable members 53, 54 of the lower mechanism 50B are positioned downward. As described above, when the movable members 51 to 54 are in the retracted state in which the movable members 51 to 54 are not rotating (when stopped), only the light emitters visible from the front of the pachinko gaming machine 1 among the plurality of light emitters Control lighting. This can reduce power consumption. As display effects by such lighting control of the light emitters, for example, characters or symbols are displayed, or flickering of a plurality of light emitters or light emitting colors are moved in a predetermined order, and variable according to variable display by the main image display device 5MA Display effects may be performed. In addition, when reach effect is executed, at least one of the movable members 51 to 54 may be moved (vibration, advance, etc.), or characters or symbols such as "reach" may be displayed using a plurality of light emitters. Good.

  On the other hand, when the upper mechanism 50T and the lower mechanism 50B are close to each other and the display screen of the main image display device 5MA is difficult to see or invisible (the second state), a plurality of movable members 51 to 54 are arranged. The display effect using all the light emitters is interlocked with the display effect by the main image display device 5MA, or separately and independently from the display effect by the main image display device 5MA. In the advanced state, the movable members 51 and 52 rotate as the decorative member 57 in the upper mechanism 50T moves downward, and the movable members 53 and 54 of the lower mechanism 50B are located on the upper side. As described above, when the movable members 51 to 54 are in the advanced state in which the movable members 51 to 54 are in the rotating operation (when operating), all the plurality of light emitters are controlled to be lit.

  FIG. 26 shows an example of execution of display effect based on the numeral “7” by the effect movable mechanism 50. As described above, when the upper mechanism 50T and the lower mechanism 50B are in the advanced state (second state) in which the upper mechanism 50T and the lower mechanism 50B approach each other, the arrangement directions of the plurality of light emitters in the movable members 51 to 54 coincide with the same direction. Therefore, when performing integral display production by movable members 51-54, the smoothness of a display style can be raised and display production can be performed. As an integral display effect in the movable members 51 to 54, for example, a symbol such as a character, a figure, or a symbol, a character or a silhouette thereof, etc. using all the regions where the plurality of light emitters are aligned in the movable members 51 to 54. Can be displayed.

  The integral display effect in the movable members 51 to 54 may be started before or while the upper mechanism 50T and the lower mechanism 50B change from the retracted state to the advanced state. As described above, when the movable members 51 to 54 are rotating, all of the plurality of light emitters may be turned on to execute the display effect regardless of whether the movable members 51 to 54 can be viewed from the front of the pachinko gaming machine 1 or not. Thereby, the rendering effect of the rotation operation of the movable members 51 to 54 can be increased. Also, by making all of the plurality of light emitters light up regardless of whether or not they can be viewed from the front of the pachinko gaming machine 1, the light emitters that are not performing lighting control will be visually recognized by the player by simple control. Can be suppressed.

  In this manner, the light emitter control circuit 134 uses lighting data to control lighting of a plurality of light emitters arranged in alignment in each of the light emitter units 71 to 74 using a part of display data generated by the VDP 130. Dynamic lighting control is performed for each of the light emitter blocks B01 to B42. Therefore, the VDP 130 creates and outputs general-purpose display data in the same manner as display data of effect images on the screens of the main image display device 5MA and the sub image display device 5SU. Since the contents of execution can be set, it is possible to improve the interest due to the execution of various effects while suppressing the circuit configuration from becoming complicated.

  In addition, the LVDS drivers 144-1 to 144-4 provided in the light emitter control circuit 134 provided in the display control unit 123 of the effect control board 12, and the serial signal relay device 151 mounted on the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64 Control signals for controlling the light emission states of the plurality of light emitters constituting the light emitter units 71 to 74 are transmitted to the plurality of light emitter drivers by serial signal method. Here, for example, in the serial signal relay device 151, a control signal is transmitted to each light emitter driver of the light emitter driver 152 in serial signal system using a spread spectrum clock in which the clock generation circuit 151C frequency modulates the reference clock. By this, radiation noise can be suppressed.

  The first communication path including serial signal wiring for transmitting serial data from the light emitter control circuit 134 mounted on the effect control board 12 to the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64 is a low voltage serial signal method such as LVDS. Transmit control signal. The serial signal relay device 151 mounted on each of the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64 separates the control signal received through the first communication path into a plurality of systems, and a plurality of light emitter drivers by serial signal system such as SPI system. Send towards. As described above, in the first communication path, the radiation noise can be suppressed by transmitting the control signal by the serial signal system capable of transmission at a low voltage.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications and applications are possible. For example, the pachinko gaming machine 1 does not have to have all the technical features shown in the above-described embodiment, and one of the embodiments described above can solve at least one problem in the prior art. It may have a configuration of part.

  As a specific example, in the above embodiment, the plurality of light emitters are aligned and arranged in each of the light emitter units 71 to 74 provided on the plurality of movable members 51 to 54 included in the effect movable mechanism 50. explained. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of light emitters may be aligned and arranged on a light emitter unit provided in one movable member, or the light emitter unit as a fixed display means The plurality of light emitters may be aligned.

  In the embodiment described above, the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64 corresponding to the light emitter units 71 to 74 provided on the plurality of movable members 51 to 54 included in the effect movable mechanism 50 are provided, and the display control unit of the effect control board 12 In the light emitter control circuit 134 provided in 123, the serial data is divided into four systems and transmitted to the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a single light emitter circuit board corresponding to a plurality of light emitter units is provided, and the light emitter control circuit 134 transmits serial data to the light emitter circuit board without separating it. It may be one. Alternatively, a relay board is connected between the effect control board 12 and the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64, and serial data is separated into a plurality of systems by the serial signal relay device 151 mounted on the relay board, and each light emitter You may make it transmit to the circuit boards 61-64. In addition, the substrate configuration for transmitting serial data to a plurality of light emitter drivers may be any design in advance.

  In the above embodiment, in each of the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64, setting of whether or not to spread the spectrum, and setting of the diffusion amount are made different, so that different frequency modulation can be performed depending on the system of serial signal wiring. It has been described as setting. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in each of the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64, the setting of whether to perform the spread spectrum and the setting of the diffusion amount are common settings while the diffusion code (PN By changing the code, different frequency modulation settings may be performed according to the system of serial signal wiring. The clock generation circuit 151C may execute constant spread spectrum processing regardless of the setting of the spread control unit 151B. The setting as to whether or not to spread the spectrum, the setting of the diffusion amount, the setting of the diffusion code (PN code) or the like may be made to differ for each of the plurality of pachinko gaming machines 1.

  In the above embodiment, the clock generation circuit 151C mounted on each of the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64 generates a spread spectrum clock obtained by frequency-modulating the reference clock and uses it for transmission of the control signal in the second communication path. As described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, as long as it uses a modulation clock modulated by any modulation scheme that can be used to transmit a control signal by serial signaling. For example, a spread-spectrum clock obtained by frequency-modulating a reference clock that is a digital signal can have the same waveform even when it is modulated by pulse width modulation (PWM). Also, it may be modulated by an angle modulation method including phase modulation. Furthermore, when modulating the reference clock, it is not limited to one modulating the clock signal of a fixed frequency output from a crystal oscillator or the like, and for example, a clock signal generated by a voltage controlled crystal oscillator (VCXO) The frequency of may be changed directly.

  In the above embodiment, the signal level of the reception data transmitted in the LVDS system from the light emitter control circuit 134 of the effect control board 12 in each of the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64 is made the TTL level or the CMOS level by the LVDS receiver 150. It has been described that it is converted and transmitted to each light emitter driver by serial signal method such as SPI method. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, even in the serial signal wiring on the substrates of the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64, even if the control signal is transmitted by the serial signal system capable of transmission at low voltage such as LVDS system. Good. The combination of serial communication using the LVDS method and serial communication using a spread spectrum clock may be any design in advance.

  In the above embodiment, one-way serial communication in which control signals are transmitted in a serial signal system from the light emitter control circuit 134 of the effect control board 12 to the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64 is performed. The one-way serial communication in which the control signal is transmitted in the serial signal system from the serial signal relay device 151 mounted on the substrates 61 to 64 to the light emitter drivers of the light emitter drive unit 152 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may have a configuration that enables serial communication in both directions. As an example, the serial signal relay device 151 mounted on each of the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64 responds to the reception of the predetermined control signal transmitted from the light emitter control circuit 134 of the effect control board 12 as a response signal. It may have a configuration for sending a reply to the effect control board 12 by serial signal method. As another example, a sensor for detecting a predetermined detection target such as a game ball or a player's hand is provided on a part or all of the movable members 51 to 54, and a sensor signal indicating the detection result is It may have a configuration for transmitting signals from 61 to 64 to the effect control board 12 in a serial signal system.

  When a plurality of light emitter drivers are connected in a serial bus system, the light emitter drivers on the strobe side and the light emitter drivers on the digit side provided corresponding to each light emitter block may be connected for each serial output system. A uniquely defined light emitter driver address may be assigned. In this case, one light emitter driver on the strobe side is provided corresponding to each of the light emitter blocks B01 to B42. Therefore, address information specifying one light emitter driver address corresponding to each light emitter block may be allocated to the light emitter driver on the strobe side regardless of the plurality of light emitter blocks B01 to B42. As described above, the same number of address information is allocated to the light emitter drivers on the strobe side, which is the drive control circuit, regardless of the plurality of light emitter blocks. On the other hand, according to whether the light emitter blocks B01 to B42 constitute one or two half blocks, the light emitter driver on the digit side has one light emitter driver (only at the upper side of the digit). In some cases, two light emitter drivers (upper digit and lower digit) may be used. Therefore, for the light emitting body driver on the digit side, address information specifying 1 light emitting body driver address or 2 light emitting body driver addresses is specified according to which of the plurality of light emitting body blocks B01 to B42. Address information may be assigned. As described above, a predetermined number of pieces of address information corresponding to a plurality of light emitter blocks are allocated to the light emitter drivers on the digit side which become the gradation control circuit. Thus, address information specifying at least one light emitter driver address is assigned corresponding to each of the light emitter driver on the strobe side and the light emitter driver on the digit side provided corresponding to one light emitter block. There is. The lighting data generation circuit 142 may generate lighting data including address information, and output serial data to each light emitter driver. Each luminous body driver checks whether or not the luminous body driver address indicated by the address information included in the received serial data matches the luminous body driver address assigned to itself. At this time, if they coincide with each other, serial data to be drive control data and gradation data are taken in, converted into parallel data, and lighting control of the light emitter based on this is performed.

  In the above embodiment, each of the plurality of light emitter blocks B01 to B42 has been described as being configured by a combination of half blocks which are smaller than the respective light emitter blocks. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and among a plurality of light emitter blocks, a combination of a plurality of half blocks and a single light emitter block which is not divided into half blocks are constituted. Things and things may be included. As an example, while the light emitters of 12 (12 columns) are arranged in the horizontal direction (X-axis direction), the half block is provided for the region in which 16 (16 rows) of light emitters are arranged in the vertical direction (Y-axis direction). The whole may be set to be allocated to one light emitter block without dividing into two. As described above, in a wide area in which a plurality of light emitters are aligned, the lighting control of the large number of light emitters is performed collectively without dividing the light into half blocks. As a result, the circuit configuration can be simplified to reduce the manufacturing cost, and the processing load associated with the lighting control can be reduced.

  In the above embodiment, different lighting data generation tables are selected according to the light emitter blocks by the setting as shown in FIG. 25 (a). In this case, for the light emitters corresponding to the same light emitter block, conversion from display data to lighting data is performed using a common lighting data generation table. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and even for light emitters corresponding to the same light emitter block, different lighting data generation tables may be selected according to the arrangement and the like. As a specific example, different lighting data generation tables may be selected according to the storage address at which the display data is read from the buffer memory 141. As described above, setting information for converting display data into lighting data may be made different according to the arrangement of light emitters in more detail.

  The lighting data generation circuit 142 may convert the display data into lighting data by predetermined arithmetic processing, instead of the lighting data generation table. A plurality of arithmetic processing programs that can be used to convert display data to lighting data are prepared in advance, and the lighting data generation circuit 142 selects one of the lighting data generation circuits 142 according to the light emission color and arrangement (light emitter block etc.) of light emitters. The display data may be converted into lighting data by selecting and executing the arithmetic processing program of the above.

  The present invention is applicable not only to the pachinko gaming machine 1 but also to slot machines and the like. The slot machine is, for example, an arbitrary gaming machine capable of playing a predetermined game such as variable display of symbols serving as plural types of identification information and giving a predetermined game value based on the game result, more specifically, A variable display device that can start a game by setting a predetermined number of bets (the number of medals or the number of credits) for one game, and variably displays plural types of identification information (patterns) that can be identified. For example, one game is ended when the display results of a plurality of reels are derived and displayed, and the winnings are made according to the displaying results (for example, cherry winning, watermelon winning, bell winning, replay winning, BB winning, RB winning etc) Is a game machine in which it is possible to generate In such a slot machine, the hardware resources including the effect moving mechanism provided on the front side of the slot machine cooperate with the software for performing a predetermined process, and the pachinko machine shown in the above-described embodiment. It may be configured to have all or part of the features of the gaming machine 1. Specifically, when transmitting and receiving a control signal for controlling a light emission state of a plurality of light emitters by serial signal method, if it is configured to transmit and receive using a spread spectrum clock obtained by frequency modulating a reference clock. Good. Alternatively, the first communication path for transmitting control signals for controlling the light emission states of a plurality of light emitters by serial signaling and the control signal received via the first communication paths are separated into a plurality of systems for serial signaling The first communication path is configured to transmit and receive control signals in a serial signaling scheme that can be transmitted at a lower voltage than the second communication path when there is a second communication path to be transmitted to each light emitter driver. Just do it.

  Not limited to the case of controlling the light emission state of the light emitting component such as a plurality of light emitters, in the gaming machine which performs a predetermined game, the control signal input from the output means of the effect control means for controlling the electric component for effect is serialized A plurality of serial-to-parallel conversion circuits are provided that convert signal systems to parallel signal systems and output the same to electrical components for presentation, and each serial-to-parallel conversion circuit is connected via a single line of wiring A spectrum in which the reference clock is frequency-modulated when the control signal is output in the serial signal system, in which only different control information to which different address information is assigned and to which its own address information is added is converted to parallel signal system and output. It may be configured to transmit and receive using a spread clock. Alternatively, when there is a first communication path for transmitting the control signal by serial signaling and a second communication path for separating the control signal received through the first communication path into a plurality of systems and transmitting by serial signaling. The first communication path may be configured to transmit and receive control signals in a serial signaling scheme that can be transmitted at a lower voltage than the second communication path. For example, the plurality of serial-to-parallel conversion circuits include a board-side serial-to-parallel conversion circuit provided in the game board 2 and a frame-side serial-to-parallel conversion circuit provided in the gaming machine frame 3 -The parallel conversion circuit outputs the control signal converted to the parallel signal system to the electric component provided on the game board 2 among the electric components for effect, while the frame side serial-to-parallel conversion circuit controls the parallel signal system. In the configuration in which the signal is output to the electric component provided in the gaming machine frame 3 among the electric components for effect, when outputting the control signal for controlling the electric component provided in the game board 2, the board side serial -Control for outputting the control signal to which the address information that can specify the parallel conversion circuit is added by serial signal method, and controlling the electric components provided in the gaming machine frame 3 When outputting No., frame side serial - may output a control signal added identifiable address information parallel conversion circuit in a serial signal format.

  In addition, the apparatus configuration and data configuration of the gaming machine, the processing shown in the flowchart, the image display operation in the image display device and the sound output operation in the speaker, and further the lighting operation in the light emitting unit, the game effect lamp and the decorative LED Various rendering operations and the like can be arbitrarily changed and modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In addition, the gaming machine of the present invention is not limited to a payout type gaming machine that pays out a predetermined number of gaming media as a prize based on the occurrence of a prize, and it encloses the gaming media and scores based on the occurrence of the prize. It can apply also to the enclosed type game machine which grants. The slot machines are not limited to those in which the number of bets is set using medals and credits as gaming values, but only slot machines that set the number of bets using gaming balls as gaming values and only credits as gaming values It may be a fully credited slot machine that sets the number of bets using. When using a game ball as a game medium, for example, one medal can be made to correspond to five game balls, for example, when setting 3 as the number of bets, the number of bets is made using 15 game balls. Is equivalent to setting. The pachinko gaming machine 1 and the slot machine are not limited to those using only one of a plurality of types of game values such as medals and game balls, and for example, a plurality of types of medals and game balls etc. The game value may be used in combination. For example, a slot machine can set a bet number and play a game using any of a plurality of types of gaming values such as medals and gaming balls, and a plurality of medals and gaming balls etc. can be generated by winning. It may be possible to pay out any kind of gaming value.

  The program and data for realizing the present invention are limited to a form distributed and provided by a removable recording medium, for example, to a computer device included in a game machine such as a pachinko game machine 1 or a slot machine. It may be distributed without pre-installing it in a storage device such as a computer device. Furthermore, by providing a communication processing unit, the program and data for realizing the present invention are distributed by downloading from another device on a network connected via a communication line or the like. It does not matter.

  And the execution form of the game is not limited to that executed by attaching the removable recording medium, but can be executed by temporarily storing the program and data downloaded via the communication line etc. in the internal memory etc. It may be executed directly using hardware resources of another device on the network connected via a communication line or the like. Furthermore, the game may be executed by exchanging data with another computer device or the like via a network.

  As described above, in the above embodiment, the spread spectrum clock generated by frequency-modulating the reference clock by the clock generation circuit 151C of the serial signal relay device 151 mounted on each of the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64. To transmit and receive control signals in a serial signaling manner. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the radiation noise when transmitting and receiving the control signal for controlling the light emission state of the plurality of light emitters by the serial signal method.

  For example, serial data may be transmitted using a spread spectrum clock in a signal path including serial signal wiring including the cable CB1 connecting the effect control board 12 and the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64. This can suppress the radiation noise in the signal path including the serial signal wiring between the substrates.

  For example, different frequency modulation settings are made for each series of serial signal lines, such as serial signal lines of a plurality of systems corresponding to the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64. Thereby, the radiation noise from the serial signal wiring of a plurality of systems can be suppressed.

  For example, the serial signal relay device 151 mounted on each of the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64 is serial data transmitted from the LVDS drivers 144-1 to 144-4 included in the light emitter control circuit 134 mounted on the effect control board 12 Serial data serving as drive control data used for drive control of the plurality of light emitters constituting the light emitting units 71 to 74, and serial data serving as gradation data used for tone control of the plurality of light emitters. Transmit a control signal including Then, by transmitting and receiving the control signal using the spread spectrum clock, it is possible to preferably suppress the emission noise in the case of performing the drive control of the light emitting body and the gradation control.

  In addition, LVDS drivers 144-1 to 144-4 that output control signals in serial signal system from the light emitter control circuit 134 mounted on the effect control board 12 to the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64, and each light emitter The circuit boards 61 to 64 are configured to include a serial signal relay device 151 for separating control signals received in a plurality of systems and outputting the control signals to the respective light emitter drivers in a serial signal system. Then, the LVDS drivers 144-1 to 144-4 transmit control signals in a serial signal scheme that can be transmitted at a lower voltage than the serial signal relay device 151. Thereby, the control signal before separation can be transmitted by the low voltage serial signal system to suppress the radiation noise.

  For example, the LVDS drivers 144-1 to 144-4 transmit control signals by the serial signal system faster than the serial signal relay device 151. Thereby, the radiation noise by the control signal before isolation | separation can be suppressed suitably.

  For example, the LVDS drivers 144-1 to 144-4 control signals via a first communication path including serial signal wiring including the cable CB1 connecting between the effect control board 12 and the respective light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64. To transmit On the other hand, the serial signal relay device 151 transmits the control signal via the second communication path including the serial signal wiring provided on the substrate of each of the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64. As a result, in the first communication path, the control signal is transmitted by the serial signal system capable of transmission at a voltage lower than that of the second communication path, and radiation noise from the serial signal wiring can be suitably suppressed.

  For example, the LVDS drivers 144-1 to 144-4 transmit control signals by a differential signaling method such as the LVDS method. This enables communication less susceptible to noise.

  In addition, by providing a shield member that covers the serial signal wiring, such as a shield SHI provided in the cable CB1, for example, radiation noise from the serial signal wiring can be suitably suppressed. Each of the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64 has a multilayer structure in which a signal wiring layer such as the circuit formation layer LY1 is sandwiched between a pair of ground conductor layers such as the ground connection layers GND1 and GND2, for example. Thus, the radiation noise from the serial signal wiring can be suitably suppressed. Furthermore, for example, the cable CB1 has a wiring length different from an integral multiple of a quarter wavelength of the clock frequency, or a wiring length in which the resonance frequency of the serial signal wiring does not match the clock frequency of the serial signal system. Thus, the radiation noise from the serial signal wiring can be suitably suppressed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the serial signal relay device 151 mounted on the light emitter circuit board includes the serial data buffer circuit 151A, the diffusion control unit 151B, and the clock generation circuit 151C, and determines whether or not to spread spectrum. The setting, the setting of the diffusion amount in the case of performing the spread spectrum, and the like are performed, but instead of or in addition to this, the voice control board 13, the lamp control board 14, and the movable mechanism control board 16 In the case of setting whether to perform spread spectrum or performing spread spectrum by the functions of the serial data buffer circuit 151A, the diffusion control unit 151B, and the clock generation circuit 151C. The setting of the diffusion amount may be performed. According to this, it is possible to set different frequency modulations for the control signals for controlling the light emitter units 71 to 74 and the signals for controlling the speakers 8L and 8R according to the system of serial signal wiring. Since it can, radiation noise can be suppressed. In addition, the control signals of the speakers 8L and 8R, the game effect lamp 9, and the movable motor 60 can similarly suppress radiation noise.

  The drivers for operating the speakers 8L and 8R, the game effect lamp 9, and the movable motor 60 are configured to include, for example, a data latch unit, a shift register, and a data buffer, similarly to the light emitter driver. The data latch unit of each light emitter driver is constituted by, for example, a latch circuit, and latches serial data bit by bit using a drive clock transmitted from a serial signal relay device similar to the serial signal relay device 151, Output to For example, the data latch unit is configured to latch input data at a rising timing of a drive clock which is a transmitted spread spectrum clock.

  The serial signal relay device 151 of the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64 or the serial signal relay device of the voice control board 13, the lamp control board 14, and the movable mechanism control board 16 includes a serial data buffer circuit 151 A and a diffusion control unit 151 B. Although the clock generation circuit 151C may be mounted, the serial data buffer circuit 151A, the diffusion control unit 151B, and the clock generation circuit 151C may be mounted on the effect control board 12 instead. Preferably, different frequency modulation settings may be performed on the side of the effect control board 12 in accordance with the system of each serial signal wiring.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Pachinko gaming machine 2 ... gaming board 3 ... gaming machine frame 4A, 4B ... special symbol display device 5MA ... main image display device 5SU ... sub image display device 6A ... ordinary winning ball device 6B ... ordinary variable winning ball device 7 ... Special variable winning ball device 8L, 8R ... speaker 9 ... game effect lamp 11 ... main board 12 ... effect control board 13 ... voice control board 14 ... lamp control board 15 ... relay board 16 ... movable mechanism control board 20 ... normal symbol indicator 21 ... gate switch 22A, 22B ... start opening switch 23 ... count switch 50 ... effect movable mechanism 51 to 54 ... movable member 71 to 74 ... light emitter unit 100 ... game control microcomputer 101, 121 ... ROM
102, 122 ... RAM
103 ... CPU
104, 124 ... random number circuit 105, 125 ... I / O
120 ... CPU for effect control
123 ... display control unit 130 ... VDP
131 ... image data memory 132A ... VRAM
132B ... frame buffer 133A ... main LCD drive circuit 133B ... sub LCD drive circuit 134 ... light emitter control circuit 140 ... signal separation circuit 141 ... buffer memory 142 ... lighting data generation circuit 143-1 to 143-4 ... parallel-serial conversion circuit 144-1 to 144-4 ... LVDS driver 150 ... LVDS receiver 151 ... Serial signal relay device 151A ... Serial data buffer circuit 151B ... Diffusion control unit 151C ... Clock generation circuit 152 ... Light emitter drive unit B01 to B42 ... Light emitter block

Claims (1)

A game machine to perform the Yu skills,
And the effect control means for controlling the execution of Starring and out,
And electric component drive means for driving the electric component,
The effect control means includes transmitting means for transmitting a control signal for controlling the electric component to the electric component driving means in a serial signal system.
The electric component driving means includes reception signal conversion means for converting the control signal received from the transmission means from serial signaling to parallel signaling and outputting the converted signal to the electric component.
The transmission means is a clock obtained by modulating a reference clock in a spread spectrum system, and transmits the control signal in a serial signal system using different spread clocks according to a transmission destination of the control signal .
The control signal is transmitted by serial signaling via a wire provided between a plurality of substrates.
A game machine characterized by