JP7084436B2 - Pachinko machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming machine.

As a gaming machine such as a slot machine or a pachinko gaming machine, a machine that uses a display device (liquid crystal display) to perform an effect is known. Further, as this kind of gaming machine, a machine that displays an image configured by superimposing a plurality of layers on a display device is known. For example, Patent Document 1 describes that a transmittance is set for each layer and the image of each layer is transmitted. Further, it is known that an image itself arranged on each layer has an alpha channel (transparency information) so that a predetermined portion of the image is transmitted.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-272958

By the way, the method of setting the transmittance for a layer has a problem that the transmittance can be set only uniformly for each layer. Further, the method of giving an alpha channel to an image has a problem that the data capacity of the image becomes large and a problem that the image quality deteriorates and the quality of the production deteriorates.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of reducing the data capacity related to the staging and improving the quality of the staging.

In order to achieve the above object, the gaming machine of the present invention includes a display device that displays an image configured by superimposing a plurality of layers.
A staging control means for controlling the display of an image in the display device is provided.
As an image arranged on the layer, there is an effect image, and there is an effect image.
The effect image is
A specific color part whose RGB value is a predetermined value,
It has a part that adds a predetermined effect to other images, and
The staging control means
It is characterized in that a process of superimposing an effect image arranged on an upper layer on an image of a lower layer is executed so that the specific color portion is transparent.

In the present invention, since the processing is performed so that the portion of the effect image in which the RGB value is a predetermined value (specific color portion) is transmitted, it is not necessary to provide an alpha channel in the effect image, and the data capacity related to the effect is reduced. can. In addition, it is possible to prevent deterioration of image quality due to the provision of the alpha channel and improve the quality of the production.

Further, in the configuration of the present invention, the process is an addition process of adding the RGB values of the effect image and the RGB values of the image of the lower layer, and the black portion of the effect image is transmitted. It may be a process (the specific color portion may be black).

According to this configuration, the black part of the effect image can be transmitted. Further, since the black portion is transmitted and the other portions are added to the RGB values of the image of the lower layer, the display of the other portions can be brightened and made to stand out.

Further, in the configuration of the present invention, the process is a multiplication process of multiplying the RGB value of the effect image and the RGB value of the image of the lower layer to transmit the white portion of the effect image. It may be a process (the specific color portion may be white).

According to this configuration, the white part of the effect image can be transmitted. In addition, since the white part is transparent and the other parts are multiplied by the RGB values of the image of the lower layer, the display of the other parts may be darkened to make the other parts inconspicuous. can.

Further, in the configuration of the present invention, the predetermined value is an intermediate value between the maximum value and the minimum value that can be taken, and the process may be a process of transmitting a gray portion of the effect image. (The specific color portion may be gray).

According to this configuration, the gray part of the effect image can be transmitted.

According to the gaming machine of the present invention, the data capacity related to the effect can be reduced and the quality of the effect can be improved.

It is a perspective view which shows an example of the gaming machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the schematic structure of the gaming machine. It is a figure for demonstrating the internal lottery table. It is a figure for demonstrating the winning mode of a small winning combination. It is a diagram for explaining the dividend of a small role. The same is a state transition diagram of the gaming state. It is a state transition diagram of the game section and the staging state. It is a figure for demonstrating the layer structure in the display on the display device. It is a figure for demonstrating the 1st effect using the specific color transmission synthesis processing. It is a figure for demonstrating the 1st effect using the specific color transmission synthesis processing. It is a figure for demonstrating the 2nd effect using the specific color transmission synthesis processing. It is a figure for demonstrating the 3rd effect using the specific color transmission synthesis processing. It is a figure for demonstrating the 4th effect using the specific color transmission synthesis processing. It is a perspective view which shows the other example of the gaming machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which looked at the game board from the front side.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present embodiment will be described by taking the case where the present invention is applied to a slot machine or a pachinko gaming machine, which is one of the gaming machines, as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to slot machines or pachinko gaming machines, and may be applied to other gaming machines.

As shown in FIG. 1, the slot machine (game machine) 10 of the present invention opens and closes a box-shaped housing 11 having an opening on the front side, which is a surface facing the player side, and an opening on the front side of the housing 11. It is provided with a front door 12 to be used. The housing 11 houses a reel unit in which a rotatable first reel 20a, a second reel 20b, and a third reel 20c are unitized, a hopper device for paying out medals, and the like. Further, the front door 12 is divided into an upper door 12a and a lower door 12b, and the upper door 12a and the lower door 12b can be opened and closed with respect to the housing 11, respectively.

The upper door 12a is provided with an effect device such as a display device 13, a speaker 14, and a lighting device 15, and a display window 16. The display device 13 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays images (moving images, still images) for various effects. Further, the speaker 14 outputs sounds for various effects (music, sound effects, voice, etc.). As the staging device, in addition to the display device 13, the speaker 14, and the lighting device 15, a movable accessory that can be operated by an actuator or the like may be provided.

At the back of the display window 16, a reel unit is arranged so that a part thereof can be visually recognized from the outside of the display window 16. A plurality of types of symbols are arranged in a row on the outer peripheral surface of each reel 20a to 20c, and when each reel 20a to 20c is stopped, three symbols per reel (upper symbol, middle symbol, lower row) are arranged through the display window 16. Design) is displayed. Further, the display window 16 is provided with an upper stage, a middle stage, and a lower stage as display positions for visually recognizing the symbols of the reels 20a to 20c, and an effective line is set by the combination of the display positions of the reels 20a to 20c. Has been done. In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the effective line is composed of the middle stage of the first reel 20a, the middle stage of the second reel 20b, and the middle stage of the third reel 20c. Further, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the number of medals (specified number of medals) required for one game is set to 3, and when the specified number of medals are inserted, the effective line is activated. To.

In the slot machine 10, each reel 20a to 20c starts to rotate with the start of the game, and an internal lottery is executed to determine whether any of the winning combinations is won or lost (unwinned). Next, when the reels 20a to 20c are stopped, if the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination won in the internal lottery is displayed on the valid line, this winning combination becomes a prize, and the process corresponding to the winning combination (winning). Processing) is executed.

Below the display window 16, a game information display unit 17 and an advantageous section display 18 are provided. The game information display unit 17 includes LEDs, lamps, a 7-segment display, and the like, and displays various game information such as the number of medals credited, the number of medals paid out or won in one game, and error information. Further, the advantageous section indicator 18 has an LED, and by turning on and off the LED, it is notified whether or not the user is staying in the advantageous section.

The lower door 12b has a medal insertion slot 22 for inserting medals, a bet button 23 for betting a credited medal, a start lever (start operating means) 24 operated when starting a game, and a rotation. Stop buttons (stop operation means) 26a, 26b, 26c for stopping the reel, operation panel (effect operation means) 30 for selecting the effect of the game, payout port 27 for paying out medals by the hopper device, payout port A medal tray 28 for receiving medals paid out from 27 is provided. Further, behind the medal insertion slot 22, a medal sensor 29 (see FIG. 2) for detecting the passage of medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 22 is provided. Further, the operation panel 30 includes up / down / left / right direction buttons 30a to 30d, a determination button 30e, and a cancel button 30f.

In the slot machine 10, the operation of the start lever 24 is enabled by inserting a medal into the medal insertion slot 22 or operating the bet button 23 to bet a predetermined number of medals. Further, when the activated start lever 24 is operated, the game is started. When the game is started, the reels 20a to 20c start to rotate, and when the rotation speed of the reels 20a to 20c reaches a constant speed and becomes a steady rotation, the operation of the stop buttons 26a to 26c is enabled. Further, when the activated stop buttons 26a to 26c are operated, the reels 20a to 20c corresponding to the operated stop buttons 26a to 26c are stopped.

As shown in FIG. 2, a main control board (main control device) 31 and a sub control board (sub control device) 32 are provided inside the slot machine 10. The main control board 31 receives input signals from input means such as the bet button 23, the start lever 24, the stop buttons 26a to 26c, and the medal sensor 29, performs various calculations for executing the game, and obtains the calculation results. Based on this, the output means such as the reel unit and the hopper device are controlled. Further, the sub control board 32 receives a signal sent from the main control board 31 and performs various calculations for executing the effect, and based on the calculation results, the display device 13, the speaker 14, the lighting device 15, and the like. Controls the production device.

Further, the main control board 31 and the sub control board 32 are electrically connected to each other, and various information (signals) such as information indicating the game state can be transmitted from the main control board 31 to the sub control board 32. However, information cannot be transmitted from the sub control board 32 to the main control board 31.
Further, the functions of each board such as the main control board 31 and the sub control board 32 are preliminarily applied to various processors (CPU, DSP, etc.), ICs, hardware such as information storage media such as ROM and RAM, ROM and the like. It is realized by software consisting of a predetermined program stored.

The main control board 31 includes an input receiving means 40, a random number generation means 41, an internal lottery means 42 that performs an internal lottery to determine the winning or failing of a combination, a reel control means 43 that controls the rotation of reels, and all reels. The winning determination means 44, the payout control means 45, the setting changing means 47, the initialization means 48, the game state control means 49, and the instruction function control for determining whether or not the winning combination has won when the reels are stopped. The means 51, the effect main control means 52, and the storage means 60 are provided. Further, the storage means 60 includes a ROM and a RAM.
Further, the sub control board 32 includes an effect sub control means 70 and a sub side storage means 72. Further, the sub-side storage means 72 includes a ROM and a RAM.

Further, the staging control means 100 is configured by the staging main control means 52 and the staging sub control means 70. The effect main control means 52 determines whether or not to perform a navigation effect (auxiliary effect) based on the game state, the effect state, and the like. Further, the staging sub-control means 70 is for staging stored in the sub-side storage means 72 based on the game state transmitted from the staging main control means 52, information on the staging state, or the determination of whether or not to perform the navigation staging. The data is used to control the device for staging. The control performed by the staging main control means 52 described in the present embodiment may be performed by the staging sub control means 70, and the control performed by the staging sub control means 70 may be performed by the staging main control means 52. Further, the control performed by the staging control means 100 described in the present embodiment may be performed by the instruction function control means 51, and the control performed by the instruction function control means 51 may be performed by the staging control means 100.

The insertion receiving means 40 accepts the insertion of medals for each game, and performs a process of validating the game start operation for the start lever 24 based on the insertion of a predetermined number of medals. Specifically, when a medal is inserted into the medal insertion slot 22, the medal sensor 29 detects the medal, and the insertion receiving means 40 inserts the inserted medals up to a specified number (up to the specified number). Bet status). Further, when the bet button 23 is pressed while the medals are credited, the insertion receiving means 40 sets the credited medals to the insertion state up to a predetermined number. In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the first pressing operation on the start lever 24 activated based on the insertion of a specified number of medals is accepted as the game start operation, and the reels 20a to 20c are triggered by the operation. As the rotation starts, a lottery such as an internal lottery is performed.

Further, the insertion receiving means 40 controls so that the medal owned by the player is not newly set in the insertion state in the next game of the game in which the replay wins. Specifically, when the replay wins in the previous game, even if a medal is inserted into the medal insertion slot 22 while accepting the insertion of medals, the inserted medal is not set to the inserted state. Credit the inserted medals up to the maximum number of credits (for example, 50). Further, the operation for the bet button 23 is not accepted in the state of accepting the insertion of medals, and the credited medal is not set in the insertion state even if the bet button 23 is pressed.

The random number generation means 41 generates a random number value for lottery. The random value can be generated, for example, based on the count value of an increment counter (a counter that counts numerical values so as to circulate in a predetermined count range). In the present embodiment, the "random number" is not only a value that is randomly generated in a mathematical sense, but also a value that is generated regularly, but the acquisition timing and the like are irregular. Also includes values that can function as random numbers.

The internal lottery means 42 performs an internal lottery using the internal lottery table based on the operation of the activated start lever 24 (that is, the start of the game).
In the internal lottery table, each of a plurality of random numbers (for example, 65536 random numbers from 0 to 65535) is associated with various winning combinations and losses (unwinning) including small wins, replays and bonuses. It is stored in a plurality of internal lottery table storage areas 61 provided in the ROM of the storage means 60. Specifically, the gaming machine of the present embodiment has a plurality of internal lottery tables including three types of internal lottery tables from the internal lottery table 1 to the internal lottery table 3 shown in FIG. The internal lottery means 42 selects an internal lottery table according to the game state and the set value, and performs an internal lottery.
The small winning combination is a role in which a predetermined number of medals can be paid out according to the winning small winning combination. In addition, replay is a role in which a player can play a game again without consuming a new medal by winning a prize. When the replay wins, the operation of the start lever 24 is activated without using the player's medal, and the game can be started by operating the start lever 24.

In the internal lottery, a random number value for lottery is acquired from the random number generation means 41, the random number value is collated with the internal lottery table to determine whether or not the winning combination has been won, and the winning associated with the random number value is determined. The role is won. Further, each random value has one associated with one winning combination and one associated with a plurality of winning combinations. Therefore, there are cases where one winning combination is won and cases where a plurality of winning combinations are won in duplicate by the internal lottery.

In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the small roles are bell A, bell B, bell C, special small role A1, special small role A2, special small role A3, special small role A4, special small role B, weak cherry, and strong. Cherry and watermelon are prepared, and as the winning mode of the small winning combination in which multiple types of small winning combinations are won, the hitting order bell (beating order bell 1 to hitting order bell 8: first winning mode) and JAC1 (second winning mode) Aspect) and JAC2 are set.

The batting order bell will be specifically described with reference to FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 4A, the batting order bells 1 to 4 are the bell A, the bell B, and the special small winning combination A1 to the special small winning combination. It shows that any one of A4 and the special small winning combination B are won in duplicate. As described above, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, in the batting order bells 1 to 4, the bell A, the bell B, and the two types of special small winning combinations are won in duplicate, and the bell A and the bell B overlap. The combination of the two types of special small wins that are won is different. Further, as shown in FIG. 4A, the batting order bells 5 to 8 are the bell A, the bell C, one of the special small winning combination A1 to the special small winning combination A4, and the special small winning combination B. Indicates that the winners will be duplicated. As described above, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, in the batting order bells 5 to 8, the bell A, the bell C, and the two types of special small winning combinations are won in duplicate, and the bell A and the bell C overlap. The combination of the two types of special small roles that are won is different.

Further, when JAC is specifically described with reference to FIG. 4, JAC1 includes bell A, bell B, bell C, special small role B, and watermelon, as shown in FIG. 4 (b). It shows that the weak cherry and the strong cherry are won in duplicate. Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, JAC2 indicates that the special small winning combination A1 to the special small winning combination A4, the special small winning combination B, and the bell A are won in duplicate.

Further, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the winning probability of the small winning combination is the same in the internal lottery table 1 and the internal lottery table 2. In addition, the winning probabilities of the replays are the same in the internal lottery tables 1 to 3. Further, in the internal lottery table 3, a small winning combination is won in a manner different from that of the internal lottery table 1 and the internal lottery table 2. In the internal lottery table 1 and the internal lottery table 2, the batting order bells 1 to 8 allow the bell B and the bell C to win without overlapping each other, and in the internal lottery table 3, the bell B and the bell B are won by the JAC1. Bell C is winning more than once.

Further, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, a big bonus (BB) is prepared as a bonus, and in the internal lottery table 1, the big bonus is set as a lottery target, but the internal lottery table 2 and the internal lottery table 3 are set. Then, the big bonus is excluded from the lottery.
In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, as a bonus, a continuous operation device for a so-called first-class special bonus is assumed, but a first-class special bonus or a second-class special bonus is played. It may be an object continuous actuating device or the like. Further, the bonus is not limited to one type, and a plurality of bonuses may be installed.

Further, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the replay and the bonus are set to be individually won, but the case where the replay and the bonus are won in duplicate may be set. For example, a case where the replay and the bonus are won in duplicate, a case where the small winning combination and the bonus are won in duplicate, a case where a plurality of types of replays are won in duplicate, and the like may be set.

The internal lottery means 42 sets the winning flag corresponding to the winning combination as a result of the internal lottery from the non-winning state (off state) to the winning state (on state). If a plurality of winning combinations are won in duplicate, the winning flag corresponding to each of the winning combinations is set from the non-winning state to the winning state. Further, the setting information of the winning flag is stored in the winning flag storage area 62 provided in the RAM 60a of the storage means 60.

In addition, the winning flag includes a winning flag (carry-over possible flag) that allows the winning state to be carried over to the next and subsequent games until a prize is won, and a non-winning state because the winning state is not carried over to the next and subsequent games regardless of the winning. There is a winning flag (non-carryover flag) that is reset to. There is a big bonus as a role to which the carry-over flag is associated. In addition, there are small roles and replays as the roles to which the carry-over impossible flag is associated. For example, when the big bonus is won in the internal lottery, the internal lottery means 42 carries over the winning state of the winning flag of the big bonus until the big bonus is won. At this time, the internal lottery means 42 performs an internal lottery to determine whether or not the small winning combination and the replay are successful even in the game in which the winning state of the winning flag of the big bonus is carried over. That is, in a game in which the winning state of the winning flag of the big bonus is carried over, if a small winning combination or replay is won, the winning flag of the big bonus that has already been won and the small winning combination or replay won by the internal lottery The winning flag corresponding to two or more types of winning combinations with the winning flag is set in the winning state.

Further, in the slot machine 10, the winning probability of the winning combination differs depending on the difference in the set values for the six set values from the setting 1 to the setting 6. Specifically, when the setting is changed, the internal lottery table group consisting of the internal lottery tables 1 to 3 is changed to the internal lottery table group associated with each setting. , The odds of winning a bonus are changed to different internal lottery tables.

The setting changing means 47 controls to change the set value stored in the set value storage area 63 provided in the RAM of the storage means 60. Specifically, the setting change key is inserted into the setting change key cylinder provided inside the slot machine 10, and the slot is in a state where the setting change key (setting change key cylinder) is rotated 90 degrees clockwise from the initial position. When the power of the machine 10 is turned on, the setting changing means 47 starts the slot machine 10 in the setting changing mode. The set value can be selected from 6 levels of setting values from setting 1 to setting 6, and an internal lottery is made so that the expected value of the payout rate increases in order from setting 1 to setting 6. The winning probability of is fluctuating. The setting changing means 47 is set in the order of setting 1 → setting 2 → ... setting 6 → setting 1 → ... each time the setting change button provided inside the slot machine 10 is pressed in the setting change mode. When the set value is changed and the start lever 24 is pressed, the set value is fixed and the fixed set value is stored in the set value storage area 63. In addition, the setting change mode can be switched to the game mode by returning the setting change key inserted in the setting change key cylinder to the initial position.
In this embodiment, the height of the set value is expressed in the order of setting 1 <setting 2 <setting 3 <setting 4 <setting 5 <setting 6.

Further, when the power is turned on with the setting change key cylinder in the initial position, the slot machine 10 is started in the game mode. In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the game can be played in the game mode, but the set value cannot be changed, and the set value can be changed in the setting change mode, but the game cannot be played. It is not possible.

The initialization means 48 performs an initialization process for initializing at least a part of the information stored in the RAM of the storage means 60 when the set value is changed. Specifically, when the set value is changed, the initialization means 48 performs a process of returning the game state, the game section, and the effect state, which will be described later, to the initial state. That is, when the set value is changed, the game state becomes the normal state, the game section becomes the non-advantageous section, the effect state becomes the normal effect state, and these states are the same as when the power is first turned on after the factory shipment. It becomes a state. In addition, the initialization means 48 also initializes information and the like related to the effect stored in the RAM of the storage means 60 in the initialization process. Further, the sub control board 32 also has an initialization means (not shown), and when a signal notifying that the set value has been changed is transmitted from the main control board 31, the initialization means of the sub control board 32 becomes available. The information about the effect stored in the RAM of the sub-side storage means 72 is initialized.
Even if the set value is changed, the game state, the game section, or the effect state may not be returned to the initial state.

The reel control means 43 starts the rotation of each reel 20a to 20c and activates it when the start lever 24 activated under the control of the main control board 31 is operated (that is, the game starts). When the stopped buttons 26a to 26c are operated, the stop control of the reel corresponding to the operated stop button is performed.

That is, each time the stop buttons 26a to 26c are operated, the reel control means 43 determines the stop position of the reel corresponding to the operated button among the first reel 20a to the third reel 20c. , Controls to stop the reel at the determined stop position. In the slot machine 10, when the stop button 26a is operated, the rotation of the first reel 20a is stopped, and when the stop button 26b is operated, the rotation of the second reel 20b is stopped and the stop button 26c is operated. Then, the rotation of the third reel 20c is stopped. Therefore, the stop order of the first reel 20a to the third reel 20c changes depending on the operation order of the stop buttons 26a to 26c.

In the following, regarding the order of stop operations (operation order of stop buttons 26a to 26c), the order of one group of stop operations in which all the stop buttons of the stop buttons 26a to 26c are operated is referred to as "batting order". Of the stop operations that make up the batting order, the first stop operation is the "first stop operation", the second stop operation is the "second stop operation", and the third stop operation is the "third stop operation". ".

Further, in the following, the operation of the stop buttons 26a, 26b, 26c for stopping the rotary reels in the order of the first reel 20a, the second reel 20b, and the third reel 20c is referred to as "beating order 1", and the first reel 20a and the third reel The operation of the stop buttons 26a, 26b, and 26c for stopping the rotary reels in the order of 20c and the second reel 20b is set to "beating order 2", and the rotary reels are stopped in the order of the second reel 20b, the first reel 20a, and the third reel 20c. The operation of the stop buttons 26a, 26b, 26c is set to "hit order 3", and the operation of the stop buttons 26a, 26b, 26c for stopping the rotating reels in the order of the second reel 20b, the third reel 20c, and the first reel 20a is "hit order 4". The operation of the stop buttons 26a, 26b, 26c for stopping the rotating reels in the order of the third reel 20c, the first reel 20a, and the second reel 20b is set to "beating order 5", and the third reel 20c, the second reel 20b, The operation of the stop buttons 26a, 26b, 26c for stopping the rotary reels in the order of the first reel 20a is referred to as "beating order 6".

In the stop control when the stop buttons 26a to 26c are operated, the reel control means 43 stops each reel 20a to 20c so that the winning combination whose winning flag is set to the winning state wins. Specifically, when the winning flag of one winning combination is set to the winning state, the stop control of each reel 20a to 20c is performed so that the winning combination wins. Further, in a state where the winning flags of a plurality of winning combinations are set to the winning state in duplicate, each reel 20a to 20c is stopped so that a predetermined winning combination wins according to the priority order determined for each combination. Let me. In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the priority is determined in the order of "replay> small winning combination> bonus". Then, the reel control means 43 arranges the reel 20a so that the symbol constituting the winning form of the winning combination having a high priority is displayed on the effective line in preference to the symbol constituting the winning form of the winning combination having a low priority. ~ 20c is stopped.

In addition, when multiple types of small winning combinations are won in the internal lottery, the priority order for the stop position candidates is the case where the priority is obtained according to the number of symbol combinations that can be displayed on the valid line, and the case where the small winning combination is previously selected. There are cases where priority is sought according to the number of medals paid out based on the specified dividend. When determining the priority of stop position candidates according to the number of symbol combinations that can be displayed on the valid line, the stop position that has a larger number of symbol combinations that indicate the winning form that can be displayed on the valid line has priority. The priority of each stop position candidate is obtained so that the order is high. When finding the priority of the candidate stop position according to the number of medals paid out, the number of medals paid out based on the payout of the small winning combination corresponding to the symbol displayed at the display position on the valid line increases. The priority of each stop position candidate is obtained so that the position (the stop position where a small winning combination with a large payout can be won) has a higher priority. However, when seeking priority for candidates for stop positions according to the number of medals paid out, if small wins with the same payout are won in duplicate, the stop positions where each small win can be won. The priorities of the candidates are treated as the same.

Further, the batting order bell 1 to the batting order bell 8 are set with a correct batting order and a specific batting order, respectively, and an order different from both the correct batting order and the specific batting order is treated as an incorrect batting order. In particular, in the present embodiment, the correct batting order and the specific batting order have the same reel to be stopped first, and the second reel to be stopped is determined to be the correct batting order and the specific batting order. It is designed to branch to. If any of the batting order bells is won and the type of stop button pressed first corresponds to the correct batting order and the specific batting order, the number of medals paid out is the highest for the reel that stops first. The priority is calculated so that the priority of the stop position candidate with the largest number of symbol combinations that can be displayed on the effective line is the highest, and the effective line is used for the reels that stop after the second. The priority is calculated so that the candidate for the stop position having the largest number of symbol combinations that can be displayed above has the highest priority. Further, when any of the batting order bells is won and the stop buttons 26a to 26c are pressed in the incorrect batting order, priority is given to the candidate stop position capable of displaying the symbol combinations constituting the most winning forms. Priority is required so that the ranking is the highest.

Then, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, when any of the batting order bells is won and the stop buttons 26a to 26c are pressed in the specific batting order, the priority of the stop position candidates capable of winning the bell A is set. Priority is required so that it is the highest, and when the stop buttons 26a to 26c are pressed in the correct batting order, the game is so that the priority of the candidate for the stop position where the bell B or bell C can be won is the highest. When the order is obtained and the stop buttons 26a to 26c are pressed in the wrong batting order, the priority of the stop position candidate that can win the special small winning combination A1 to the special small winning combination A4 or the special small winning combination B is the highest. Priority is required so that

In addition, if JAC1 is won, Bell B or Bell C can be won regardless of the batting order, and if JAC2 is won, Bell A can be played in any batting order. Can be awarded.

The winning determination means 44 is activated when the rotation of the reels 20a to 20c is stopped, and determines whether or not the winning combination has been won based on the stopping mode of the reels 20a to 20c. Specifically, the symbol combination displayed (stop display) on the effective line when the reels 20a to 20c are stopped is collated with the winning determination table stored in the ROM of the storage means 60. In the winning judgment table, each winning form (a combination of symbols that will be won when stopped and displayed) is stored in each winning combination, and the presence or absence of winning and the type of winning combination can be determined by the above-mentioned collation. do. When the winning combination is won, the main control board 31 executes the winning process corresponding to the winning combination. Specifically, when a small winning combination is won, a payout process is performed, when a replay is won, a replay process (replay process) is performed, and when a bonus is won, the game state is displayed. Performs the process of transition (game state transition control process).

Here, the payout process is a process of paying out a number of medals determined based on the dividend determined for each winning combination when a small winning combination is won, and is performed by the payout control means 45. When a small winning combination is won, the payout control means 45 determines the number of medals to be paid out based on the dividend determined for each winning combination, and causes the hopper device to pay out the determined number of medals to be paid out. If credits are permitted, the number of credits stored in the credit storage area provided in the RAM of the storage means 60 (the number of credited medals) instead of actually paying out the medals by the hopper device. ), The credit addition process for adding the number of payouts is performed, and the medals are virtually paid out.

In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, one medal is paid out when the bell A, the special small winning combination A1 to A4 or the special small winning combination B is won, and 7 when the bell B or the bell C is won. One medal is paid out, three medals are paid out when a watermelon is won, and two medals are paid out when a weak cherry or a strong cherry is won.

Further, the replay process is a process of setting the same game start standby state as the previous game without requiring the player to insert a medal owned by the player for the next game when the replay wins, and the replay processing means 46. Do. If the replay wins, the same number of medals as the number set in the input state in the previous game (the game that the replay won) will be given to the player's own medals (including credited medals). The automatic insertion process for automatically inserting medals without using the medals is performed, and the game start operation for the next start lever 24 is waited for with the effective line corresponding to the number of medals inserted by the automatic insertion process set. Further, when the automatic insertion process is performed, additional medals cannot be inserted.

As shown in FIG. 6, the game state control means 49 performs a game state transition control process for shifting the game state between the normal state, the bonus establishment state, and the bonus state. As the transition condition of the gaming state, one condition may be defined, or a plurality of conditions may be defined. When a plurality of conditions are set, the gaming state may be changed based on the fact that one of the plurality of predetermined conditions is satisfied, and a plurality of the plurality of predetermined conditions or a plurality of predetermined conditions may be set. The gaming state may be changed based on the fact that everything is established.

The internal lottery means 42 selects an internal lottery table from the internal lottery tables shown in FIG. 3 according to the gaming state, and performs an internal lottery. Specifically, in the normal state, the internal lottery is performed with reference to the internal lottery table 1 in which the big bonus is set as the lottery target. Further, in the bonus establishment state, the internal lottery is performed with reference to the internal lottery table 2 in which the big bonus is excluded from the lottery targets. Further, in the bonus state, the internal lottery is performed with reference to the internal lottery table 3 in which the big bonus is excluded from the lottery target. The slot machine 10 is provided with a plurality of internal lottery tables having different replay winning probabilities, and the game state control means 49 determines the replay winning probability at a predetermined opportunity (for example, based on the winning of a predetermined combination). The gaming state may be shifted between a plurality of different gaming states (RT states).

The gaming state is a normal state in the initial state.
In addition, it is possible to shift from the normal state to the bonus establishment state. The game state control means 49 shifts the game state to the bonus establishment state when the big bonus is won in the normal state.

The bonus establishment state is a gaming state in which the game shifts when the big bonus is won in the internal lottery. In the bonus establishment state, the lottery flag corresponding to the big bonus is maintained in the winning state until the big bonus is won, and when the symbol combination indicating the winning form of the big bonus is displayed on the valid line, the game state control means 49 , Shift the game state from the bonus established state to the bonus state.

The bonus state is a gaming state in which the game shifts when the symbol combination indicating the winning form of the big bonus is displayed on the valid line. In the bonus state, it is determined whether or not the end condition is satisfied based on the total number of medals paid out in the bonus state, and when the number of medals exceeding a predetermined number (for example, 100) is paid out, the game is played. The state control means 49 ends the bonus state and shifts the gaming state to the normal state.
In the present embodiment, the end condition of the bonus state is determined by the total number of medals paid out, but the end condition may be determined by the number of games played in the bonus state, the number of winning small wins, and the like. Further, the bonus state may be one in which the end condition is set so as to end in one game.

The instruction function control means 51 includes a game section control means 80, an effect state control means 81, and a privilege lottery means 82. The instruction function control means 51 performs a process related to the operation of the instruction function that assists the winning of a specific combination in the advantageous section. Specifically, when a predetermined combination is won, the instruction function control means 51 determines whether or not to perform an instruction effect to assist the winning of this combination. More specifically, when the batting order bell is won, the instruction function control means 51 determines whether or not to notify the correct batting order and perform a navigation effect to assist the winning of the bell B or the bell C. Then, based on this determination, the effect control means 100 causes the liquid crystal display 13 to execute the navigation effect.

As shown in FIG. 7, the game section control means 80 performs a game section shift control process for shifting a game section between a non-advantageous section and an advantageous section according to the progress of the game. The non-advantageous section is a game section corresponding to the initial state among a plurality of types of game sections. In the non-advantageous section, the privilege lottery means 82 performs the advantageous section transition lottery, and when the advantageous section transition lottery is won, the game section control means 80 shifts the game section to the advantageous section. Further, the advantageous section is a game section in which an upper limit value (here, 1500 times) is provided for the number of times the game can be played. In addition, when the game section is set to the non-advantageous section, the navigation effect (more accurately, the navigation effect to instruct the batting order) cannot be performed, and only when the game section is set to the advantageous section, the navigation effect (batting order) is performed. It is possible to perform a navigation effect) to instruct. The game section control means 80 ends the advantageous section when the number of times the game is played in the advantageous section reaches the upper limit of 1500 times, and shifts the game section to the non-advantageous section.

In the non-advantageous section, the privilege lottery means 82 performs a lottery (advantageous section transition lottery) to determine whether or not to shift to the advantageous section based on the winning of watermelon, weak cherry or strong cherry. Then, when the advantageous section transition lottery is won, the gaming section control means 80 shifts the gaming section from the non-advantageous section to the advantageous section.

Further, the game section control means 80 is set to the advantageous section game number counter 65 provided in the RAM of the storage means 60, triggered by the game start operation for the start lever 24, every time a game is played in the advantageous section. Increment processing is performed to add "1" as a value corresponding to the game of the game. The game section control means 80 does not add to the advantageous section game number counter 65 in the non-advantageous section. Further, at the time of transition from the non-advantageous section to the advantageous section, the stored value of the advantageous section game number counter 65 is "0". Then, when the storage value of the advantageous section game number counter 65 reaches the threshold value (upper limit value) "1500", the game section control means 80 assumes that the end condition of the advantageous section is satisfied, and changes the game section from the advantageous section to the non-advantageous section. Move to. That is, the upper limit of the number of games played in the advantageous section is set to 1500 times, and the games exceeding 1500 times are not continuously performed in the advantageous section.

Further, the game section control means 80 updates the value of the difference number counter (not shown) provided in the RAM of the storage means 60 according to the difference number of medals in the advantageous section, and is a value corresponding to the number of medals paid out (not shown). For example, if 7 medals are paid out, it will be set to "7", and if no winning combination is made and no payout is made, it will be set to "0"). (For example, if three cards are inserted, "3" is used) is subtracted to obtain the calculation result of the difference number in the game, and this calculation result is added to the value of the difference number counter. Perform the update process. The game section control means 80 does not add to the difference number counter in the non-advantageous section. Further, at the time of transition from the non-advantageous section to the advantageous section, the stored value of the difference number counter is "0". Then, the game section control means 80 changes the game section from the advantageous section to the non-advantageous section, assuming that the end condition of the advantageous section is satisfied when the value of the difference number counter exceeds the threshold value (for example, "2400"). Migrate. The value of the difference number counter is controlled so as not to fall below the initial value "0". For example, the value of the difference number counter at the start of the game is "2", and as a result of playing the game, any combination wins a prize. If the medals are not paid out without paying out, the calculation result of the difference number in the game becomes "-3", and when the calculation result of the difference number is added to the value of the difference number counter, it falls below the initial value "0". However, the value of the difference number counter after the update is counted and stopped with the initial value "0" as the lower limit value. That is, an upper limit is set for the number of medals that can be obtained in the advantageous section, and the number of medals increased from the standard exceeds 2400, with the time when the number of medals decreases most in the advantageous section as the standard "0". In that case, the advantageous section ends. In addition, if there is a replay prize in a game, it will be treated as if the medals corresponding to the specified number of medals for the game were paid out in the replay prized game, and the difference will be calculated, and the replay prize will be free of charge. The next game to be provided may be treated as if medals corresponding to the specified number of medals inserted in the game have been inserted even if the actual medals have not been inserted, and the difference number may be calculated.

Further, the advantageous section indicator 18 is turned off in the non-advantageous section and turned on in the advantageous section.
The advantageous section indicator 18 does not need to be turned on at the same time as the transition to the advantageous section, and may be turned on before the first navigation effect (navigation effect for instructing the batting order) is performed. Moreover, once it is turned on, it is not turned off until the advantageous section ends.

As shown in FIG. 7, the staging state control means 81 shifts the staging state between a plurality of types of staging states including a normal staging state, a chance staging state, and an AT staging state (navigation staging state). I do. As the transition condition of the effect state, one condition may be defined, or a plurality of conditions may be defined. When a plurality of conditions are set, the staging state may be shifted by satisfying one of the plurality of predetermined conditions, and the plurality or all of the plurality of predetermined conditions may be set. The production state may be changed based on the establishment.

The normal effect state is an effect state corresponding to the initial state among a plurality of types of game states. In the non-advantageous section, the effect state control means 81 sets the effect state to the normal effect state. In the normal effect state (non-advantageous section), the privilege lottery means performs the advantageous section transition lottery as described above, and when the transition to the advantageous section is determined in the advantageous section transition lottery, the effect state control means 81 , Shift the production state to the chance production state.

In the chance effect state, the privilege lottery means 82 performs a lottery (AT lottery) for determining whether or not to shift to the AT effect state. Specifically, the privilege lottery means 82 performs an AT lottery when a watermelon, a weak cherry, or a strong cherry is won in the chance production state.
The chance effect state has a higher probability of transition to the AT effect state than the normal effect state, and is more advantageous for the player than the normal effect state. Further, in the chance effect state, the frequency at which the navigation effect is performed is lower than that in the AT effect state, and the navigation effect is hardly performed or is not performed at all.

When the AT lottery is won, the effect state control means 81 determines to shift the effect state to the AT effect state. When the AT lottery is won and it is decided to shift the effect state to the AT effect state, the effect state control means 81 sets a predetermined value in the stored value of the AT game number counter 67 provided in the RAM of the storage means 60. Set and shift the effect state to the AT effect state. In the present embodiment, the AT game number counter 67 is set to "50" as a value corresponding to, for example, 50 games. Further, in the AT effect state, the privilege lottery means 82 determines whether or not to increase the number of games played in the AT effect state when the watermelon, the weak cherry, or the strong cherry is won (the duration of the AT effect state is determined). A lottery (additional lottery) for determining whether to increase or not is performed, and a value corresponding to the number of games determined based on the lottery result is added to the AT game number counter 67.
The value set in the AT game number counter 67 at the start of the AT effect state may be determined by lottery or the like.

It should be noted that the normal effect state may be directly shifted to the AT effect state. For example, in the advantageous section transition lottery, instead of simply deciding whether or not to shift to the advantageous section (chance effect state), whether the effect state is shifted to the AT effect state, the chance effect state, or the normal effect. It may be decided not to shift the state as it is or to draw a lottery.

The effect state control means 81 performs a decrement process for subtracting a value “1” corresponding to the number of games played from the stored value of the AT game number counter 64 each time a game is played in the AT effect state. Then, when the stored value of the AT game number counter 67 reaches the threshold value "0", it is determined that the end condition of the AT effect state is satisfied, the AT effect state is terminated, and the effect state is shifted to the normal effect state.

Further, the AT effect state may be set according to the game state to be transferred based on the winning or winning of the bonus. For example, the game state may be changed to the AT effect state when the game state is the bonus established state, and may not be changed to the AT effect state in the normal state or the bonus state. In other words, in the normal state or the bonus state, for example, even if the AT lottery is won, the AT effect state may not be entered, or the AT lottery may not be performed.

In addition, if the bonus is won when the effect state is the AT effect state and the game state is the bonus establishment state, the bonus is established again via the normal state after the end of the bonus state transitioned by winning this bonus. The AT effect state (update of the AT game number counter 67) may be interrupted until the transition. That is, the navigation effect may be stopped when the bonus is won, and the navigation effect may be restarted when the bonus is established again.

The instruction function control means 51 initializes the information stored in the RAM of the storage means 60 as the information related to the navigation effect when the advantageous section ends and the game section shifts to the normal section. I do. Specifically, the instruction function control means 51 is a flag (lottery) related to the lottery related to the navigation effect such as the storage value of the advantageous section game number counter 65, the storage value of the difference number counter, and the information stored in the AT flag storage area 66. Result), the storage value of the AT game number counter 67, the storage value of the input number storage area 68, the storage value of the payout number storage area 69, and the like are initialized. That is, the information related to the navigation effect (instruction function) is not carried over across a plurality of advantageous sections. Further, when the initialization means 48 performs the above-mentioned initialization process performed when the set value is changed, the information related to the navigation effect shown here is also initialized.

When the batting order bell 1 to the batting order bell 8 is won when the staging state is the AT staging state, the staging control means 100 notifies the correct batting order and assists the winning of the bell B or C. Control is performed by the staging device such as the display device 13 and the speaker 14. Whenever the stop buttons 26a to 26c are pressed according to the correct batting order notified by the navigation effect, the bell B or the bell C wins a prize and can obtain seven medals.
When performing a navigation effect, information indicating the correct batting order is also displayed on the 7-segment display of the game information display unit 17.

The display device 13 executes the effect by displaying the effect image on the display surface thereof. Further, the staging image displayed on the display device 13 is a composite image formed by superimposing a plurality of layers on which drawing materials (material images) are arranged. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the concept of a layer in which drawing materials corresponding to each effect are arranged.

The effect screen displayed on the display device 13 is composed of, for example, 30 frames per second (hereinafter referred to as frames) (so-called frame rate of 30 fps). Therefore, for example, in the case of an effect pattern having a length of 1 minute, the effect screen is composed of a total of 1800 frames of 60 seconds × 30 frames in total. FIG. 8 shows a layer structure constituting one frame corresponding to the minimum unit.

The substance of each frame is one composite image in which a plurality of drawing materials are superimposed. There are N virtual transparent layers in each frame, and one drawing material is arranged on one layer. Priority is set for each drawing material to be superimposed, the drawing material having a lower priority is arranged in a lower layer, and the drawing material having a higher priority is arranged in a higher layer. It should be noted that the composite image forming each frame can be composed by superimposing a maximum of N drawing materials by arranging the drawing materials on all N layers, but each composition is made according to the content of the effect. The number of drawing materials that make up an image varies and is not necessarily composed of N drawing materials. Further, when the number of drawing materials constituting the composite image is less than N, the layers are not always used by packing them from the lower rank without empty numbers, and the layers are used in consideration of the efficiency in the frame image composite processing. As it is used, unused layers may occur in the middle as appropriate.

When drawing one frame, the drawing material with the lowest priority is drawn one by one on the corresponding layer. For example, when one frame is composed of five drawing materials, the drawing material having the lowest priority (fifth priority) is first arranged in the lowest layer and drawn at a predetermined position. .. Next, the drawing material having the second lowest priority (fourth priority) is arranged in a layer higher than the layer on which the drawing material having the fifth priority is drawn and drawn at a predetermined position. In this way, the drawing materials are drawn one after another according to the priority, and finally the drawing material having the highest priority (first priority) is higher than the layer on which the drawing material having the second priority is drawn. It is arranged on the layer and drawn in a predetermined position. When all the drawing materials have been drawn on each layer, a composite image of these layers viewed from the upper side (front side) is displayed on the display device 13 as a composite image corresponding to the frame. In other words, when the composite image is viewed on the display device 13, the drawing material arranged on the lower layer is covered with the drawing material arranged on the upper layer. In other words, it can be said that the higher the layer, the higher the priority on the display in the display device 13. In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, each frame has N layers of layers 1 to N, the lower the number, the lower the display priority, and the higher the number, the higher the display priority. Is high.

The drawing process of each composite image is executed by using the frame buffer which is one area in the VRAM of the sub-side storage means 72. Drawing the new drawing material on the upper layer means drawing the new drawing material on top of the image buffered in the frame buffer. The drawing materials constituting a certain frame are drawn in the frame buffer in order from the lowest priority, and when all the drawing materials have been drawn, the completed composite image on the frame buffer is displayed as the image of the frame. Will be displayed in. The drawing material is stored in the drawing material storage area (ROM) of the sub-side storage means 72. Further, each drawing material may be a still image or a moving image (movie).

In the following, the image of the upper layer (upper image: drawing of layer M, for example) is compared with the image of the lower layer (lower image: for example, a composite image of the drawing material of layers 1 to M-1 (M is a natural number of N or less)). The composition process when synthesizing the material) will be described. The compositing process can also be said to be a drawing method when drawing a drawing material in the frame buffer.

In the following description of the composition processing formula, the pixel value (RGB value) of each pixel of the upper image is A, the pixel value (RGB value) of each pixel of the lower image is B, and the upper image and the lower image are combined. The pixel value (RGB value) of each pixel of the combined image (image after composition processing) is defined as C, and the respective pixel values A, B, and C are described as being normalized by the maximum possible value and taking a value of 0 to 1. is doing. Further, in the explanation of the formula of the composition processing, the processing related to the limit of the pixel value and the processing for the division with the 0 value are naturally performed, so they are omitted. The image is represented by, for example, three colors of RGB, and the image composition is performed for each color, for example. Further, in the following description, the pixel value will be described as being able to take a value from 0 to 255, but the pixel value is not limited to this.

In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the staging control means 100 can execute a specific color transmission composition process for synthesizing an image so that a specific color portion of the image to be combined is transmitted as a composition process. Specifically, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, as the specific color transmission synthesis processing, a black portion transmission synthesis process in which the black portion of the upper image to be synthesized is transmitted and a white portion transmission in which the white portion of the higher image to be synthesized is transmitted are transmitted. It is possible to execute the compositing process and the gray part transparent compositing process in which the gray part of the upper image to be synthesized is transparent.

(Black part transmission synthesis processing)
There are multiple types of black part transmission synthesis processing: "addition" (dodge linear), "screen", "comparison (bright)", "dodge color", "difference", "exclusion" and "subtraction". Is included.

In "addition", the synthesis process is performed according to the equation (1).
C = A + B ... (1)

In the "screen", the synthesis process is performed according to the equation (2).
C = 1- (1-A) x (1-B) ... (2)

In "comparison (bright)", the synthesis process is performed according to the formula (3).
C = max (A, B) ... (3)
Here, max () is a function that returns the element having the largest value among the elements in ().

In the "dodge color", the synthesis process is performed according to the formula (4).
C = B / (1-A) ... (4)

In the "difference", the synthesis process is performed according to the equation (5).
C = abs (BA) ... (5)

In "exclusion", the synthesis process is performed according to the formula (6).
C = 0.5-2 x (A-0.5) x (B-0.5) ... (6)

In "subtraction", the synthesis process is performed according to the equation (7).
C = BA ... (7)

As shown in the formulas (1) to (7), in the black portion transmission synthesis processing, the value of B appears as it is in the portion where A becomes “0”. That is, the portion of the higher-level image to be combined whose RGB value is "R: 0, G: 0, B: 0" is transparent. In other words, the black part of the higher-level image to be combined is transmitted. In other words, the black portion of the upper image is treated as transparent, and in the composited image, the color of the lower image appears as it is in the portion corresponding to the portion. In addition, the post-combination image created by "addition", "screen", "comparison (bright)", "dodge color", etc. is brighter than the lower image. The black portion transmission composition processing is used, for example, when it is desired to make a predetermined portion of an image appear to emit light after the composition processing, or when it is desired to brighten a predetermined portion.

(White part transmission synthesis processing)
The white part transmission composition processing includes a plurality of types of processing of "multiplication", "burning color", "burning linear", and "comparison (dark)".

In "multiplication", the synthesis process is performed according to the equation (8).
C = A × B ・ ・ ・ (8)

In the "burn-in color", the synthesis process is performed according to the formula (9).
C = 1- (1-B) / A ... (9)

In the "burning linear", the synthesis process is performed according to the equation (10).
C = A + B-1 ... (10)

In "comparison (dark)", the synthesis process is performed according to the formula (11).
C = min (A, B) ... (11)
Here, min () is a function that returns the element having the smallest value among the elements in ().

As shown in the formulas (8) to (11), in the white portion transmission synthesis processing, the value of B appears as it is for the portion where A is “1”. That is, the portion of the higher-level image to be combined whose RGB value is "R: 255, G: 255, B: 255" is transparent. In other words, the white part of the higher-level image to be combined is transmitted. In other words, the white part of the upper image is treated as transparent, and in the combined image, the color of the lower image appears as it is in the part corresponding to the part. Further, the post-combination image produced by "multiplication" or "comparison (darkness)" or the like is darker than the lower image. The white part transmission composition processing is used, for example, when it is desired to darken a predetermined portion of an image after the composition processing.

(Gray part transmission synthesis processing)
The gray part transmission composition processing includes a plurality of types of processing of "overlay", "soft light", "hard light", "linear light", "vivid light" and "pin light".

In the "overlay", the composition process is performed according to the equation (12).
C = if (B <0.5) 2 × A × B
else 1-2 x (1-A) x (1-B) ... (12)

In the "soft light", the synthesis process is performed according to the equation (13).
C = if (A <0.5) (-2 x B x B + 2 x B) x A + B x B
else if (B <0.25) 2 x B x (16 x B x B-12 x B + 3) x A-2 x B x (8 x B x B-6 x B + 1)
else 2 × (√B－B) × A + 2 × B－√B ・ ・ ・ (13)

In the "hard light", the synthesis process is performed according to the equation (14).
C = if (A <0.5) 2 × A × B
else 1-2 x (1-A) x (1-B) ... (14)

In the "linear light", the synthesis process is performed according to the equation (15).
C = 2 × A + B-1 ・ ・ ・ (15)

In "Vivid Light", the synthesis process is performed according to the formula (16).
C = if (A <0.5) 1- (1-B) / (2 × A)
else-B / (2 × A) ・ ・ ・ (16)

In the "pin light", the synthesis process is performed according to the formula (17).
C = if (A <0.5) min (2 × A, B)
else max (2 × A-1, B) ・ ・ ・ (17)

As shown in the formulas (12) to (17), in the gray portion transmission synthesis processing, the value of B appears as it is in the portion where A is “0.5”. That is, the portion of the higher-level image to be combined whose RGB value is "R: 127, G: 127, B: 127" is transmitted. It should be noted that the portion where the RGB values are "R: 128, G: 128, B: 128" may be transmitted. In other words, the gray part (the part where the RGB value is between white and black) of the upper image to be combined is transmitted. In other words, the gray part of the upper image is treated as transparent, and in the combined image, the color of the lower image appears as it is in the part corresponding to the part. The gray part transparent composition processing is used, for example, when it is desired to make the difference in brightness of the image after the composition processing clearer than that of the lower image.

("Normal" processing)
Further, the staging control means 100 can execute a "normal" process of simply superimposing the upper image on the lower image as a compositing process. In "normal", the portion where the upper images overlap is C = A. However, when the transparency is set (alpha channel setting) for the upper image, the color of the upper image is superimposed on the color of the lower image at a ratio corresponding to the set transparency. That is, if there is a part to be transparent in the drawing material to be synthesized in "normal", an alpha channel is provided in the drawing material. In other words, the drawing material is given transparency information so that part or all of the drawing material is transparent.

It should be noted that the image of the upper layer is "added" (dodge linear), "screen", "comparison (bright)", "dodge color", "difference", "exclusion", and "subtraction" with respect to the image of the lower layer. , "Multiply", "Burn Color", "Burn Linear", "Comparison (Dark)", "Overlay", "Soft Light", "Hard Light", "Linear Light", "Vivid Light", " Combining by each "pin light" or "normal" compositing process, the layer mode of the upper layer is "addition" (dodge linear), "screen", "comparison (bright)", "dodge color", "dodge color" Difference, Exclusion, Subtraction, Multiplication, Burn Color, Burn Linear, Comparison (Dark), Overlay, Soft Light, Hard Light, Linear Also known as "light", "vivid light", "pin light" or "normal".

(Production using specific color transmission composition processing)
Next, the first effect using the specific color transmission synthesis process will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the effect control means 100 executes a black portion transmission synthesis process and a white portion transmission composition process in an effect (specific effect) that makes a predetermined portion of the background image 110 stand out. Specifically, the first effect image 112 is synthesized with respect to the background image 110 by the white portion transmission synthesis processing, and the second effect image 114 is combined with the composite image of the background image 110 and the first effect image 112 with the black portion. By synthesizing by the transparent synthesizing process, an effect of making the character (character's face) as a feature portion in the background image 110 stand out is executed.
Here, for the sake of simplicity, the drawing material as the background image 110 is arranged on the layer 3, the drawing material as the first effect image 112 is arranged on the layer 4, and the drawing material as the second effect image 114 is arranged on the layer 5. Will be described as being arranged, but the layer on which each drawing material is arranged does not have to be the same. Further, the background image 110, the first effect image 112, or the second effect image 114 may each be composed of a plurality of drawing materials (over a plurality of layers). That is, the first effect image 112 is superimposed on the image of the layer lower than the layer on which the first effect image 112 is arranged, but the image of the lower layer here is the image of the first effect image 112. It can be said that it is a composite image in which the drawing materials of a plurality of (all) layers lower than the layer to be formed are combined, and the drawing of a specific (single) layer lower than the layer on which the first effect image 112 is arranged is drawn. It can be said to be a material. Further, the second effect image 114 is superimposed on the image of the layer lower than the layer on which the second effect image 114 is arranged, but the image of the lower layer referred to here is the image of the second effect image 114 arranged. It can be said that it is a composite image in which the drawing materials of a plurality of (all) layers lower than the layer to be formed are combined, and the drawing of a specific (single) layer lower than the layer in which the second effect image 114 is arranged is drawn. It can be said to be a material.

As shown in FIG. 9A, the background image 110 includes three character portions 120 as feature portions. Although the three character units 120 represent the same character from each other here, they may represent characters different from each other. Further, the background image 110 includes three blue portions 121 provided so as to surround each character portion 120, and a black portion 122 provided so as to surround the three blue portions 121. The blue portion 121 is blue, and is not white, black, or gray. Further, the black portion 122 is black, and the RGB values are "R: 0, G: 0, B: 0".

As shown in FIG. 9B, the first effect image 112 has a circular white portion 130 provided in the central portion, an annular dark color portion 131 provided so as to surround the white portion 130, and a white portion 130. It is provided with a gray portion 132 provided so as to surround the. Further, in the first effect image 112, the portion excluding the white portion 130 and the dark color portion 131 is a gray portion 132. The white portion 130 is white, and the RGB values are "R: 255, G: 255, B: 255". Further, the gray portion 132 is gray, and the RGB values are "R: 128, G: 128, B: 128". Further, the dark color portion 131 is a darker (darker) color than the gray portion 132, and the RGB values are "R: 1, G: 1, B: 1" to "R: 127, G: 127, B: 127". (However, R value = G value = B value in each pixel). That is, the first effect image 112 is a grayscale image in which R value = G value = B value at any point.
The first effect image 112 is not provided with an alpha channel. That is, the transparency is not set in the first effect image 112. In other words, the first effect image is opaque.

As shown in FIG. 9C, the second effect image 114 includes a black portion 140 and an annular decorative portion 141 provided in the central portion. Further, in the second effect image 114, the portion excluding the decorative portion 141 is a black portion 140. The black portion 140 is black, and the RGB values are "R: 0, G: 0, B: 0". The decorative portion 141 is arranged at a position corresponding to the dark color portion 131 of the first effect image 112, and is arranged so as to surround the position corresponding to the white portion 130 of the first effect image 112. It has become. Further, the decorative portion 141 is formed of a color other than black, and the RGB values are values other than "R: 0, G: 0, B: 0". Further, the decorative portion 141 includes a portion in which at least one of the R value, the G value, and the B value is a value of "128" or more.
The second effect image 114 is not provided with an alpha channel.

When the first effect image 112 is combined with the lower layer image (background image 110), the effect control means 100 performs the combination by the “multiplication” process. That is, the compositing process is performed with the layer mode of the layer 4 in which the first effect image is arranged as "multiplication". FIG. 10 (d) shows a post-combination image (first post-combination image 150) in which the background image 110 and the first effect image 112 are combined.

The image 150 after the first compositing process is in a state where the white portion 130 in the first effect image 112 is transmitted. That is, in the image 150 after the first compositing process, the portion corresponding to the white portion 130 remains the background image 110 (the color of the background image 110). Further, in the image 150 after the first compositing process, the portion corresponding to the gray portion 132 of the first effect image 112 is darker than the background image 110 (the color of the background image 110).

Further, the staging control means 100 performs the combination by the "addition" process when the second effect image 114 is combined with the image of the lower layer (the image 150 after the first composition process). That is, the compositing process is performed with the layer mode of the layer 5 on which the first effect image is arranged as "addition". FIG. 10 (e) shows a post-combination image (image 151 after the second compositing process) in which the image 150 after the first compositing process and the second effect image 114 are combined.

The image 151 after the second compositing process is in a state where the black portion 140 in the second effect image 114 is transmitted. That is, in the image 151 after the second compositing process, the portion corresponding to the black portion 140 remains as the image 150 after the first compositing process (the color of the image 150 after the first compositing process). Further, in the second combined image 151, the portion corresponding to the decorative portion 141 of the second effect image 114 is the background image 110 (the color of the background image 110) (and the second effect image 114 (the second effect image 114). It is brighter than the color)).

Further, in the image 151 after the second compositing process, the white portion 130 in the first effect image 112 is transmitted, and the black portion 140 in the second effect image 114 is transmitted. That is, in the image 151 after the second compositing process, the portion where the white portion 130 and the black portion 140 overlap remains the background image 110 (the color of the background image 110). Further, the overlapping portion corresponds to the character portion 120 (the portion of the character's face) in the middle of the background image 110. That is, the overlapping portion corresponds to the feature portion of the background image 110.
In the actual production, the overlapping portion is moved with time with respect to the background image 110, and is finally stopped at the position of any character portion 120 of the background image. That is, this effect gives the player a sense of expectation as to which position of the background image 110 the overlapping portion stops, and at the same time, it is an effect of notifying the feature portion (character) that should be noted in the effect.

As described above, by synthesizing the first effect image 112 and the second effect image 114 with respect to the background image 110 by "multiplication" processing or "addition" processing, respectively, a predetermined portion of the background image 110 is emphasized and stands out. It has become like. Specifically, by synthesizing the first effect image 112 with respect to the background image 110 by the "multiplication" process, the portion of the background image 110 other than the portion corresponding to the white portion 130 of the first effect image 112. Becomes darker, and the portion corresponding to the white portion 130 looks relatively bright. Therefore, this "multiplication" process emphasizes the feature portion of the background image 110. Further, by synthesizing the second effect image 114 with the image 150 after the first compositing process by the "addition" process, it corresponds to the decorative portion 141 of the second effect image 114 among the images 150 after the first compositing process. The part to be used becomes brighter. Since the decorative portion 141 is provided so as to surround the position corresponding to the white portion 130, an annular pattern of the decorative portion 141 appears so as to surround the characteristic portion of the background image 110 by this "addition" processing, and the feature The part is emphasized.

The second effect image 114 can emphasize a predetermined portion of the background image 110 and make it stand out even by itself. FIG. 10 (f) shows a post-combination image (third post-combination image 152) when the second effect image 114 is directly combined with the background image 110 (without sandwiching the first effect image 112). .. As shown in FIG. 10 (f), in the third composite image 152, the portion corresponding to the decorative portion 141 of the second effect image 114 becomes bright, and the portion surrounds the feature portion of the background image 110. The feature part is emphasized. However, by synthesizing the first effect image 112 before synthesizing the second effect image 114, it is possible to darken the portion of the background image 110 other than the feature portion to be emphasized to make the feature portion stand out more. can.

Further, by providing the dark color portion 131 in the first effect image 112, it is possible to darken the periphery of the pattern so as to border the pattern of the decorative portion 141 to make the pattern stand out, and the background image 110. The feature part can be made more prominent. That is, it is difficult to add shadows and contour lines to an image to be combined by the "addition" process, such as the second effect image 114, because the black portion is transmitted through the combined image. Like the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the lower image (first effect image 112) has shadows and contour lines (dark color portion 131 or black) corresponding to the object (decorative portion 141) of the upper image (second effect image 114). It is possible to make the shadows and contour lines of the object appear when the upper image is combined with the lower image by the "addition" process. In such a case, it is preferable that the portion corresponding to the shadow or the contour line of the upper image is black (transparent).

Next, a second effect using the specific color transmission synthesis process will be described with reference to FIG. In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the effect control means 100 executes a white portion transmission composition process in an effect (specific effect) of inserting (overlapping) characters or numbers into the background image 170. Specifically, the third effect image 172 is synthesized with respect to the background image 170 by the white portion transmission synthesis processing, and a character image (not shown) is added to the composite image of the background image 170 and the third effect image 172. By synthesizing, the character as a feature part in the character image (the character of "Chance is !!") is made to stand out.
Here, for the sake of simplicity, the drawing material as the background image 170 is arranged on the layer 3, the drawing material as the third effect image 172 is arranged on the layer 4, and the drawing material as the character image is arranged on the layer 5. As described above, the layer on which each drawing material is placed does not have to be the same. Further, the background image 170, the third effect image 172, or the character image may each be composed of a plurality of drawing materials (over a plurality of layers).

As shown in FIG. 11 (g), the background image 170 is an image on which an object such as a character or a tree is drawn.

As shown in FIG. 11 (h), the third effect image 172 includes a colored portion 180 formed in a horizontally long rectangular shape and a white portion 181 provided so as to surround the colored portion 180. Further, in the third effect image 172, the portion excluding the colored portion 180 is the white portion 181. The white portion 181 is white, and the RGB values are "R: 255, G: 255, B: 255". Further, the colored portion 180 has RGB values other than "R: 255, G: 255, B: 255". The colored portion 180 has, for example, RGB values of "R: 1, G: 1, B: 1" to "R: 127, G: 127, B: 127" (however, R value = G value = B value in each pixel). ). That is, the third effect image 112 is a grayscale image in which R value = G value = B value at any point.
The third effect image 172 is not provided with an alpha channel.

The character image is an image in which the characters "It's a chance !!" are drawn. In addition to the characters, the character image may be drawn with something other than the characters. The characters in the character image are white, and the RGB values are "R: 255, G: 255, B: 255".

When the third effect image 172 is combined with the lower layer image (background image 170), the effect control means 100 performs the combination by the “multiplication” process. That is, the compositing process is performed with the layer mode of the layer 4 in which the third effect image 172 is arranged as "multiplication". The composite image of the background image 170 and the third effect image 172 is in a state in which the white portion 181 of the third effect image 172 is transmitted. That is, in the composite image, the portion corresponding to the white portion 181 remains the background image 170 (the color of the background image 170). Further, in the composite image, the portion corresponding to the colored portion 180 of the third effect image 172 is darker than the background image 170 (the color of the background image 170).

Further, when the effect control means 100 synthesizes a character image with the image of the lower layer (composite image of the background image 170 and the third effect image 172), the portion other than the characters is the image of the lower layer (the lower layer). Perform composition so that the color of the image remains the same. Specifically, for example, a part of the character image other than the characters is set to a specific color (black (“R: 0, G: 0, B: 0”)), and a specific color transmission synthesis process such as “addition” is performed. Character images may be combined. Further, by providing an alpha channel in the character image and synthesizing it by "normal" processing or the like, a part other than the character may be transmitted. FIG. 10 (i) shows a post-combination image (fourth post-composite image 190) in which the background image 170, the third effect image 172, and the character image are combined.

In the image 190 after the fourth compositing process, the characters of the character image are arranged at the position of the colored portion 180 in the third effect image 172. That is, the characters appear on the front side of the colored portion 180.

As described above, the characters of the character image are emphasized and stand out by synthesizing the third effect image 172 with the background image 170 by the "multiplication" process and synthesizing the character image on the background image 170. .. Specifically, by synthesizing the third effect image 172 with the background image 170 by the "multiplication" process, the portion of the background image 170 corresponding to the colored portion 180 of the third effect image 172 becomes dark. .. Therefore, the contrast between the characters in the character image and the background of the characters becomes strong, and the characters can be clearly seen. Therefore, the characters in the character image are emphasized by this "multiplication" process. Further, since the colored portion 180 is provided so as to surround the position corresponding to the character, a pattern (a simple square pattern in this example) appears so as to surround the character by this "multiplication" process, and the player can use the character. It is easier to find.

The white portion 181 of the third effect image 172 is black (“R: 0, G: 0, B: 0”), and the RGB values of the colored portion 180 are “R: 128, G: 128, B: 128”. -Others such as "addition" processing of the third effect image 172, such as "R: 255, G: 255, B: 255" (however, R value = G value = B value in each pixel). It may be synthesized by a specific color transmission synthesis process. In this case, the characters in the character image may be black (“R: 0, G: 0, B: 0”).

Next, a third effect using the specific color transmission synthesis process will be described with reference to FIG. In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the effect control means 100 executes a black portion transmission synthesis process in an effect (specific effect: navigation effect) of inserting (overlapping) the navigation image 210 with respect to the background image 110. Specifically, the fourth effect image 200 is synthesized with the background image 110 by the black portion transmission synthesis process, and the navigation image 210 is combined with the composite image of the background image 110 and the fourth effect image 200. , Performs an effect that makes the feature portion of the navigation image 210 stand out.
For the sake of simplicity, the drawing material as the background image 110 is arranged on the layer 3, the drawing material as the fourth effect image 200 is arranged on the layer 4, and the drawing material as the navigation image 210 is arranged on the layer 5. Although it will be described as being done, the layer on which each drawing material is arranged does not have to be this way. Further, the background image 110, the fourth effect image 200, or the navigation image 210 may each be composed of a plurality of drawing materials (over a plurality of layers).

As shown in FIG. 12J, the fourth effect image 200 includes a decorative portion 220 and a black portion 221 provided so as to surround the decorative portion 220. Further, in the fourth effect image 200, the portion excluding the decorative portion 220 is a black portion 221. The black portion 221 is black, and the RGB values are "R: 0, G: 0, B: 0". Further, the decorative portion 220 is a portion on which a pattern having a color other than the RGB values "R: 0, G: 0, B: 0" is drawn. In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the pattern of the decorative portion 180 is a pattern representing a flame-like aura, and is drawn in a yellowish color.
The fourth effect image 200 is not provided with an alpha channel.

The navigation image 210 is an image related to the navigation effect, and specifically, is an image for notifying the player of the stop operation. In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, in a predetermined game, a navigation image 210 showing the order of stop operations is displayed on the display device 13, and the correct batting order is notified. As shown in FIG. 12 (k), the navigation image 210 has navigation units 230a, 230b, 230c on which the numbers "1", "2", and "3" indicating the order of stop operations are drawn, respectively. There is.

In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the navigation units 230a, 230b, 230c have a circular pattern in addition to the numbers. Further, the patterns of the navigation units 230a, 230b, and 230c are similar in color (yellowish color) to the decorative unit 220 and have the same brightness (darkness) as the decorative unit 220 or darker (darker) than the decorative unit 220. It is a color.
The navigation units 230a, 230b, and 230c are designed to disappear each time a stop operation is performed according to each display. For example, when the stop button 26c is operated while the navigation image 210 shown in FIG. 12 (l) is displayed on the display device 13, the display of the navigation unit 230a disappears and the display of the navigation unit 230b becomes larger, and then the display of the navigation unit 230b becomes larger. When the stop button 26b is operated, the display of the navigation unit 230b disappears and the display of the navigation unit 230c becomes larger. Then, when the stop button 26a is operated, the display of the navigation unit 230c disappears.
As described above, the navigation units 230a, 230b, and 230c may be composed of different drawing materials and may be arranged on different layers.

When the fourth effect image 200 is combined with the lower layer image (background image 110), the effect control means 100 performs the combination by the “addition” process. That is, the compositing process is performed with the layer mode of the layer 4 on which the fourth effect image is arranged as "addition". In the composite image of the background image 110 and the fourth effect image 200, the black portion 221 in the fourth effect image 200 is transmitted. That is, in the composite image, the portion corresponding to the black portion 221 remains the background image 110 (the color of the background image 110). Further, in the composite image, the portion corresponding to the decorative portion 220 of the fourth effect image 200 becomes brighter than the background image 110 (color of the background image 110).

Further, when the effect control means 100 synthesizes the navigation image 210 with the image of the lower layer (composite image of the background image 110 and the fourth effect image 200), the portions other than the navigation units 230a, 230b, and 230c are lower. Composite is performed so that the image of the layer (the color of the image of the lower layer) remains. Specifically, for example, an alpha channel may be provided in the navigation image 210, and a portion other than the navigation units 230a, 230b, and 230c may be transmitted by synthesizing the navigation image 210 by "normal" processing or the like. By doing so, the display of the navigation units 230a, 230b, 230c can be made constant (constant color) regardless of the image of the lower layer. Further, even if the parts other than the navigation units 230a, 230b and 230c are set to specific colors (without providing the alpha channel in the navigation image 210) and the parts other than the navigation units 230a, 230b and 230c are transmitted by the specific color transmission synthesis processing. good. FIG. 12 (l) shows a post-combination image (fifth post-combination image 240) in which the background image 110, the fourth effect image 200, and the navigation image 210 are combined.

In the fifth combined image 240, the navigation unit 230a of the navigation image 210 is arranged at the position of the decoration unit 220 in the fourth effect image 200. That is, the number "1" indicating the order of the stop operations appears on the front side of the decorative portion 220.

As described above, the navigation unit 230a is emphasized and stands out by synthesizing the fourth effect image 200 with the background image 110 by the "addition" process and synthesizing the navigation image 210 on the background image 110. .. Specifically, by synthesizing the fourth effect image 200 with the background image 110 by the "addition" process, the color of the portion of the background image 110 corresponding to the decorative portion 220 of the fourth effect image 200 is changed. It becomes brighter in the pattern of the decorative portion 220. Therefore, the pattern of the decorative portion 220 appears on the back side of the navigation portion 230a, and the navigation portion 230a is emphasized. Further, when the stop button 26c is operated in this state, the display of the navigation unit 230a disappears and the display of the navigation unit 230b becomes larger. At this time, the position of the decoration unit 220 becomes the position corresponding to the navigation unit 230b. The pattern of the decorative portion 220 appears on the back side of the navigation portion 230b, and the navigation portion 230b is emphasized. Further, when the stop button 26b is operated in this state, the display of the navigation unit 230b disappears and the display of the navigation unit 230c becomes larger. At this time, the position of the decoration unit 220 becomes the position corresponding to the navigation unit 230c. The pattern of the decorative portion 220 appears on the back side of the navigation portion 230c, and the navigation portion 230c is emphasized. That is, the pattern of the decorative portion 220 appears on the back side of the navigation portions 230a, 230b, 230c corresponding to the stop buttons 26a, 26b, 26c to be operated next, whereby the stop to be operated next is stopped. The navigation portions 230a, 230b, 230c corresponding to the buttons 26a, 26b, 26c, that is, the feature portions of the navigation image 210 are emphasized.
It is also possible to add a decorative part to the navigation part (other navigation part) other than the navigation part corresponding to the stop button to be operated next to emphasize it. In this case, the size of the decorative portion attached to the other navigation portion is preferably smaller than that of the decorative portion 220. Further, the decorative portion attached to the other navigation unit may be provided in the fourth effect image 200 or may be provided in another material image.

Further, the color of the decorative portion 220 is equal to the color of the navigation portions 230a, 230b, 230c or brighter (thinner) than the color of the navigation portions 230a, 230b, 230c, and further has a fourth effect having the decorative portion 220. Since the image 200 is combined by the "addition" process, in the fifth combined image 240, the color of the decorative portion 220 is brighter than the color of the navigation units 230a, 230b, 230c regardless of the color of the background image 110. It becomes a (light) color. Therefore, regardless of the display content of the background image 110, it is possible to brightly decorate the surroundings of the navigation units 230a, 230b, 230c.

The black portion 221 of the fourth effect image 200 is white (“R: 255, G: 255, B: 255”), and the fourth effect image 200 is transparent to other specific colors such as “multiplication” processing. It may be synthesized by a synthesis process or the like.

Next, a fourth effect using the specific color transmission synthesis process will be described with reference to FIG. In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the effect control means 100 executes the white portion transmission synthesis process in the effect of gradually narrowing the display range of the background image 170. Specifically, by synthesizing the fifth effect image 250 with respect to the background image 170 by the white portion transmission synthesis process, the display range of the background image 170 is limited, and the range transmitted by the fifth effect image 250 is gradually increased. By narrowing it down to, the display range of the background image 170 is gradually narrowed down. The effect is executed, for example, at the end of a predetermined effect. In other words, the effect is executed when the background image is switched to another background image. Further, the effect may be executed when the effect state is changed. Further, the effect may be executed triggered by the third stop operation.
Although it is described here that the drawing material as the background image 170 is arranged on the layer 3 and the drawing material as the fifth effect image 250 is arranged on the layer 4, each drawing material is arranged. Layers do not have to be this way.

As shown in FIG. 13 (m), the fifth effect image 250 includes a white portion 260 formed in a circle and a black portion 261 provided so as to surround the white portion 260. Further, in the fifth effect image 250, the portion excluding the white portion 260 is the black portion 261. The white portion 260 is white, and the RGB values are "R: 255, G: 255, B: 255". Further, the black portion 261 is black, and the RGB values are "R: 0, G: 0, B: 0". That is, the fifth effect image 250 is formed by two colors, white and black.
The fifth effect image 250 is not provided with an alpha channel.

When the fifth effect image 250 is combined with the lower layer image (background image 170), the effect control means 100 performs the combination by the “multiplication” process. That is, the compositing process is performed with the layer mode of the layer 4 in which the fifth effect image 250 is arranged as "multiplication". FIG. 13 (n) shows a post-combination image (sixth post-combination image 270) in which the background image 170 and the fifth effect image 250 are combined.

The image 270 after the sixth compositing process is in a state in which the white portion 260 in the fifth effect image 250 is transmitted. That is, in the sixth composite image 270, the portion corresponding to the white portion 260 remains the background image 170 (the color of the background image 170). Further, in the sixth composite image 270, the portion corresponding to the black portion 261 of the fifth effect image 250 becomes black, and the object drawn on the background image 170 cannot be seen. That is, in the sixth combined image 270, the display range of the background image 170 is limited to the range corresponding to the white portion 260.

Further, in this effect, the effect control means 100 gradually reduces the area of the white portion 260 in the fifth effect image 250 combined with the background image 170 with the passage of time. Therefore, the display range of the background image 170 in the sixth combined image 270 is gradually narrowed. FIG. 13 (o) shows the sixth post-synthesis image 272 after several frames have elapsed from the state shown in FIG. 13 (n).
The process of gradually reducing the area of the white portion 260 may be performed, for example, by preparing a fifth effect image 250 of a still image and gradually reducing the fifth effect image 250. A moving image in which the area of the white portion 260 gradually decreases may be prepared as the fifth effect image 250, and the fifth effect image 250 may be drawn on the layer 4.

In any of the first to fourth effects, since the effect image (first effect image 112 to fifth effect image 250) is not provided with an alpha channel, the data capacity of the effect image can be reduced. Further, even though the alpha channel is not provided, a predetermined portion can be transmitted, and a desired effect can be realized. In addition, it is possible to prevent deterioration of image quality due to the provision of the alpha channel and improve the quality of the production.

Further, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, regarding the execution frequency of the black portion transmission synthesis treatment, the white portion transmission synthesis treatment, and the gray portion transmission synthesis treatment throughout the game, the black portion transmission synthesis treatment is the white portion transmission. It is set to be executed at a rate equal to or higher than the synthesis process (for example, a rate of 40 to 50%), and the white part transmission synthesis process is performed at a rate higher than that of the gray part transmission synthesis process (for example, a rate of 40%). It is set to be executed, and the gray part transmission synthesis process is set to be executed at the lowest ratio (for example, a ratio of 20 to 10%). In gaming machines, bright and flashy effects are preferred, but by setting the ratio of execution for each specific color transmission composition process in this way, the effects can be made to look bright and flashy.

The effect image is an image that adds some effect (visual effect, staging effect) to another image. An effect image can be said to be an image that is combined with an image arranged on another layer to produce an effect. The effect image has a specific color portion having a predetermined RGB value and a portion having an RGB value different from the specific color portion, and a portion having an RGB value different from the specific color portion is predetermined with respect to another image. It functions as a part to add the effect of. An example of an effect image is an image in which a pattern is drawn on a predetermined portion of another image arranged on a layer higher or lower than the effect image to make a predetermined portion of the other image stand out. Further, as an example of the effect image, there is an image in which a predetermined portion of another image arranged in a layer higher or lower than the effect image is brightened (brightened) or darkened. In addition, as an example of an effect image, numbers and characters (represented by numbers and characters) are used to surround numbers and characters on other images placed on a layer above or below the effect image. An image that emphasizes or makes it easier to see the information to be displayed (including predetermined count information and the like) can be mentioned. Further, as an example of the effect image, there is an image which is arranged in a layer between two images arranged in different layers and further enhances the effect of the composite image of these two images.

(Application to pachinko machines)
Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above by taking a slot machine as an example, the present invention can also be applied to a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine. For example, the main control board of the pachinko gaming machine 1001 described later is provided with the effect main control means 52, the sub control board of the pachinko gaming machine is provided with the effect sub control means 70, and the effect control means 100 configured by these is a slot machine. The display device 1032 of the pachinko gaming machine 1001 may be controlled in the same manner as the control for the display device 13 of 10. By doing so, for example, the specific color transmission synthesis process in the pachinko gaming machine can be performed in the same manner as in the case of the slot machine. In both the slot machine 10 and the pachinko gaming machine 1001, a board different from the sub control board (including the board of the display device 13 and the display device 1032) includes a part or all of the staging sub control means 70. It may be that.

Hereinafter, an example of a pachinko gaming machine to which the present invention is applied will be described.
FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the pachinko gaming machine 1001 according to the present embodiment. The pachinko game machine 1001 plays a game using a game ball (game medium) lent out from the game hall, and is inside the outer frame 1002 forming the outer surface of the pachinko game machine 1001 and the inside of the pachinko game machine 1001. A game board 1006 that is provided and forms a game area 1004 in which the game ball moves, a glass unit 1008 that makes the game board 1006 visible and inaccessible to the player, and a front frame 1010 to which the glass unit 1008 is attached. It is equipped with.

The part of the front frame 1010 that surrounds the glass unit 1008 is made of a translucent material that transmits light, and inside the part made of the translucent material, there is a directing light for enlivening the game. A plurality of front frame lamps 1012 for outputting light are provided. Further, on the left and right of the upper part and the left and right of the lower part of the front frame 1010, speakers 1014 for outputting an effect sound for enlivening the game and the like are provided.

An upper plate 1016 for storing the game ball is provided in the lower center of the front frame 1010, and the pachinko gaming machine 1001 pays out the game ball to the player on the left side of the inner side surface of the upper plate 1016. A payout port 1018 for the purpose is provided. A grip unit 1020 is provided on the lower right side of the front frame 1010, and when the player operates the grip unit 1020 to rotate clockwise toward the pachinko gaming machine 1001, the grip unit 1020 is provided inside the pachinko gaming machine 1001. A launching device (not shown) is activated so that the gaming ball is launched into the gaming area 1004. The launching device of the present embodiment can launch 99 game balls per minute (1.65 per second).

On the right side of the inner side surface of the upper plate 1016, a supply port 1022 for supplying a game ball from the upper plate 1016 to the launching device is provided. Further, below the upper plate 1016, a lower plate 1024 for storing a surplus game ball when the game ball cannot be stored in the upper plate 1016 is provided.

A staging operation device 1026 is provided on the front side of the edge of the upper plate 1016, and when the player operates the staging operation device 1026, the staging performed by the pachinko gaming machine 1001 changes. In detail, the effect operation device 1026 has a built-in push button switch and a rotary switch (jog dial) so that the operation of pressing the effect operation device 1026 and the operation of rotating the effect operation device 1026 can be detected. It has become.

FIG. 15 is a front view showing the external configuration of the game board 1006 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 15, the game board 1006 is provided with an outer rail 1028 in a circular shape, and the area surrounded by the outer rail 1028 is a game area 1004 in which the game ball moves. Further, at the left end of the game area 1004, an inner rail 1030 is provided in an arc shape along the outer rail 1028, and the outer rail 1028 and the inner rail 1030 are provided below the game board 1006 and are not shown. The game ball launched from the launcher is guided to the game area 1004.

At the center of the game board 1006, a display device (liquid crystal display) 1032 for displaying an effect image or the like for enlivening the game, and an effect unit 1036 provided with a display frame 1034 formed so as to surround the display device 1032 are provided. ing.

In the present embodiment, the game ball cannot pass through the front side of the display device 1032, and the game ball launched from the launcher passes through the game area 1004 on the left side or the game area 1004 on the right side of the display device 1032. It is designed to fall. A large number of game nails (not shown) are struck in the game area 1004 so as to intersect the surface of the game board 1006, and the movement direction of the game ball moving in the game area 1004 is randomly changed. ..

An opening 1040 is formed in the left portion of the display frame 1034 through which a game ball falling through the game area 1004 on the left side of the display device 1032 can pass, and the game ball passing through the opening 1040 is provided in the display frame 1034. It passes through the passage 1042 and falls to the stage 1044 provided below the display device 1032. The upper surface of the stage 1044 has a smooth curved surface, and a gap is formed between the stage 1044 and the glass unit 1008 so that the game ball can fall downward from the stage 1044, and the game ball falls from the passage 1042 onto the stage 1044. The game ball moves back and forth on the stage 1044 from side to side, and then falls downward from the vicinity of the center of the stage 1044.

Below the central portion of the stage 1044, a first start winning opening 1046 is provided. Further, a passage gate 1048 is provided in the game area 1004 on the right side of the display device 1032. Further, a second starting winning opening 1050 is provided below the passing gate 1048. The second start winning opening 1050 has a reduced state in which it is difficult for the game ball to enter the second starting winning opening 1050 (a state in which entry is not assisted / a non-assisted state) and an expanded state in which the game ball is easy to enter (assists entry). A normal accessory 1052 is provided with an auxiliary member that can operate between the state and the auxiliary state.

In the game area 1004 on the right side of the display device 1032, a large winning opening 1054 is provided below the second starting winning opening 1050. The large winning opening 1054 is provided with a special accessory 1056 provided with a movable member that closes the large winning opening 1054. The special accessory 1056 is configured to be operable between a closed state in which the game ball cannot enter the large winning opening 1054 and an open state in which the game ball can enter the large winning opening 1054 (FIG. 15). Indicates a closed state). The special accessory 1056 is controlled to be in an open state under predetermined conditions in a special gaming state that starts when a big hit is won.

Below the grand prize opening 1054, a grand prize passage 1058 is provided downward. At the lower end of the grand prize passage 1058, a normal entrance 1062 is provided. Further, below the large winning passage 1058, a specific passage 1065 is provided so as to branch downward from the middle of the large winning passage 1058. The specific passage 1065 is provided with a specific accessory 1066 having a movable member that closes the specific passage 1065. The specific accessory 1066 is configured to be operable between a closed state in which the game ball cannot enter the specific passage 1065 and an open state in which the game ball can enter the specific passage 1065 (FIG. 15 is a closed state). Is shown). The specific accessory 1066 is controlled to be in an open state under a predetermined condition in a special gaming state. A specific entrance 1068 is provided at the lower end of the specific passage 1065. Further, at the lowermost part of the game area 1004, an out port 1069 is provided to collect the game ball that has fallen in the game area 1004 without entering any of the winning openings inside the game machine.

The launching device for the game ball is configured to change the firing output of the game ball by adjusting the rotation amount of the grip unit 1020 shown in FIG. 14, and is displayed when the rotation amount of the grip unit 1020 is small. The game ball is launched so that the game ball falls in the game area 1004 on the left side of the device 1032, and when the rotation amount of the grip unit 1020 is large, the game ball falls in the game area 1004 on the right side of the display device 1032. A game ball is fired.

The player adjusts the amount of rotation of the grip unit 1020 according to the game situation, and the game ball drops the game area 1004 on the left side, or passes through the opening 1040, the passage 1042, and the stage 1044, and the first start winning opening. The game ball is fired to enter the 1046 (left-handed), the game ball falls in the game area 1004 on the right side, and the game ball passes through the passage gate 1048, or at the second start winning opening 1050. The game ball is fired so that the game ball enters or the game ball enters the big winning opening 1054 (right-handed).

A state display unit 1070 is provided on the lower right side of the game board 1006 and outside the game area 1004 to indicate various states of the game machine by turning on and off a lamp or the like. The pachinko gaming machine 1001 is controlled by a control board including a main control board (main control device) and a sub control board (sub control device). The functions of each board such as the main control board and the sub control board include hardware such as various processors (CPU, DSP, etc.), ASIC (gate array, etc.), ROM (an example of information storage medium), or RAM. , Realized by software consisting of a given program stored in advance in a ROM or the like. Only unidirectional communication from the main control board to the sub control board is possible between the main control board and the sub control board, and information cannot be transmitted from the sub control board to the main control board. Communication is connected.

Even in such a pachinko gaming machine 1001, it is possible to execute the specific color transmission synthesis processing related to the effects such as the above-mentioned first to fourth effects, and the unique action and effect of the specific color transmission synthesis processing can be expected. Specifically, when the game ball enters (wins) the start winning opening such as the first starting winning opening 1046 or the second starting winning opening 1050 (as a trigger when the game ball passes a predetermined place). It may be possible to execute a specific color transmission synthesis process (an effect such as the above-mentioned first to fourth effects).

The gaming machine may perform both a process of transmitting an effect image without an alpha channel by a specific color transmission synthesis process and a process of transmitting an effect image with an alpha channel by using an alpha channel. For example, in a gaming machine such as a slot machine or a pachinko gaming machine, the degree of expectation (degree of advantage for the player) regarding the granting of benefits is suggested by the color of the effect image displayed on the display device 13 (display device 1032). It is known. Specifically, for example, the degree of expectation is set in the order of "blue", "yellow", "green", "red", and "rainbow color" from the lower side to the higher side, and the background of the effect image. It suggests the degree of expectation depending on the color of a predetermined object, or the color of the background or the effect attached to the object. For the effect image related to the suggestion of the degree of expectation, an alpha channel may be provided (transparency is set), and the effect image may be combined by "normal" processing. That is, in the image related to the suggestion of the degree of expectation, the color itself has the information related to the game, and the color indicates the important meaning, and the color depends on the display content of the image of the lower layer. May not be desirable. Therefore, for example, for at least one effect image among a plurality of effect images related to the suggestion of the degree of expectation, an alpha channel is provided (transparency is set), and the effect images are combined by "normal" processing, so that the player Can convey the correct information to.

10 Slot machine 13 Liquid crystal display (display device)
32 Sub control board 100 Production control means 1001 Pachinko game machine 1032 Liquid crystal display (display device)

Claims (1)

A display device that displays an image composed of multiple layers superimposed on each other,
A staging control means for controlling the display of an image in the display device is provided.
As an image arranged on the layer, there is an effect image, and there is an effect image.
The effect image is
The black part and
It has a part on which a predetermined display is depicted, and
The staging control means
An addition process is performed by adding the RGB values of the effect image and the RGB values of the lower layer image.
By the addition process, the effect image is superimposed on the image of the lower layer so that the black portion is transmitted and the predetermined display object appears .
A gaming machine characterized in that a non-black portion is present in an image of the lower layer at a position corresponding to the predetermined display object .

Images