JP2000271267A - Symbol variable display game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To clearly show a winning line without obstructing the visibility of symbols. SOLUTION: When respective reels 8a, 8b and 8c stop, three symbols for respective reels 8a, 8b and 8c are aligned in top, intermediate and bottom lines along the arrangement directions of symbol display windows 20a, 20b and 20c, and in the right side up and right side down respective diagonal directions which cross these lines. On the rear side of a front surface panel 11, line display apparatus 30A-30E which irradiate linear rays by laser are provided by being confronted with locations corresponding with the aligned directions of the symbols. The linear rays from respective line display apparatus 30A-30E are irradiated in the aligned directions of respective symbols, on the outer peripheral surfaces of respective reels 8a, 8b and 8c, and linear projected patterns by the reflection of the irradiated rays are set as winning lines L1-L5.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a slot machine, a pachinko game machine, and the like, in which a plurality of reels having a plurality of symbols arranged on an outer peripheral surface are arranged in a row behind a symbol display window, and each reel is stopped. The present invention relates to a variable symbol display game machine in which, when a symbol is displayed, a symbol for each reel is arranged and displayed in a direction in which the reels are arranged and in a direction obliquely crossing the direction via a symbol display window.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A typical slot machine of the prior art has a reel block in which a plurality of reels are mounted at a central position in a body main body at a front opening, and a metal frame is provided at an opening of the body main body. And a door unit in which a resin panel plate is assembled.

In the center panel of the door, three uncolored rectangular symbol display windows are formed corresponding to the arrangement positions of the reel blocks, and each symbol display window is formed. Five prize lines are provided so as to cross the upper, middle, lower and diagonal lines. In the lower frame portion, an operation unit such as a start lever and a stop button switch for each reel, a medal slot, and the like are provided, and a predetermined number of winning lines are activated according to the number of medals inserted by the player. You. Thereafter, when the player operates the start lever, the reels start all at once, thereafter stop sequentially according to the operation of the stop button switch, and the symbols for each of the three reels are aligned on each pay line. It is displayed in the state where it was done.

When a predetermined combination of symbols is formed on the activated pay line when all reels are stopped, a winning is achieved, and the player receives a predetermined number of medals according to the type of winning.

Conventionally, slot machines having a configuration in which each winning line is silk-printed on a panel surface are mainly used. However, in order to display each winning line more vividly, a position where each line is formed is provided on the back surface of the front panel. There is also a model in which a linear line indicator is arranged along the line.

As the line display, a plurality of LEs are used.
D having a configuration in which D are arranged in a line, and a display device using an EL element have been proposed (Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 62-84484,
Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 5-24179). In addition, an optical fiber was attached along the position of the winning line, and LEDs were installed at both ends of the optical fiber, and a line display was also developed that led the light from the LED into the fiber and displayed light. (JP-A-6-23092).

[0007]

The conventional printed payline always exists across the symbol display window, whether or not it has been activated. Whether or not each winning line is activated is notified by the lighting status of the display lamps beside the line, but it is difficult to execute the game while checking the lighting status of these lamps. When aiming, there is a possibility that an effective pay line and an ineffective pay line may be confused.

On the other hand, in the case of using the above-described line display using the illuminant, it is possible to clearly distinguish and display an effective pay line and an invalid pay line by operating only a necessary display. . However, even if it is not lit, the state in which the linear object crosses the symbol display window remains unchanged, so that these linear objects become obstructive when visually recognizing each symbol. Especially LED
However, if a certain amount of light emission is to be obtained by using an EL element or an optical fiber, a problem arises in that the line width is inevitably increased, and the visual recognition of symbols is hindered.

When a pay line is set on the front panel, each symbol on the reel is located behind the pay line. Therefore, when the symbol display window is viewed from the front, each symbol is slightly shifted from the pay line. It stops at the position and gives the player a sense of discomfort. In particular, since the upper and lower symbols stop at positions farther from the symbol display window, the deviation from the pay line increases, and there is a possibility that an error may occur in the timing of the symbol aiming of the player.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems. By generating a linear light reflection pattern on a reel surface, a pay line can be clearly displayed without obstructing symbol recognition, and a symbol display can be performed. To display the symbol with less discomfort by aligning the positional relationship between the winning line viewed from the window and the stop display position of the symbol, and to make it possible to appropriately set the required winning line along the flow of the game. Aim.

[0011]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of reels having a plurality of symbols arranged on an outer peripheral surface are arranged in a line behind a symbol display window, and when each reel is stopped. In the variable symbol display gaming machine, the symbols for each reel are arranged and displayed along the direction in which the reels are arranged and the direction obliquely crossing the direction through the symbol display window. In the vicinity of the arrangement position, a light projecting unit for generating a linear reflected light pattern along the alignment direction of each symbol is arranged on the outer peripheral surface or the inner peripheral surface of each reel.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the light projecting unit generates a linear reflected light pattern by irradiating a laser beam along a direction in which the symbols are arranged.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first or second aspect, the number of linear reflected light patterns is changed according to the number of game media inserted for the game. A light emitting control means for controlling the operation of the light emitting section so as to fluctuate, and a determination section for performing a winning determination by a combination of symbols arranged along a reflected light pattern when each reel is stopped. I have.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the symbol variable display game machine according to the first or second aspect, when the symbols for winning are arranged along one of the reflected light patterns, Light projection control means for controlling the operation of the light projection unit so that only a reflected light pattern along the pattern is generated.

[0015]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a linear reflected light pattern is generated on the reel surface by directly irradiating light to the outer peripheral surface or the inner peripheral surface of each reel, and is formed as a winning line. used. As described above, the pay line along the stop display position of each symbol is set directly on the reel, so that there is no deviation between the stop display position of each symbol and the pay line viewed from the symbol display window, and the player The symbol can be visually recognized without any discomfort.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, by irradiating linear light by a laser along the alignment direction of each symbol,
Since the linear reflected light pattern is set, the light is hardly attenuated, and a clear line with uniform brightness is projected on the reel surface.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the number of reflected light patterns is changed according to the number of game media inserted for a game, only valid pay lines are specified. According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, by irradiating light only to the alignment position of the symbols related to the winning, only the line in which the winning is established is specified.

[0018]

FIG. 1 shows the appearance of a slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 2 and 3 show the internal structure of the machine. The illustrated slot machine 1 is configured by assembling a door 3 into an opening of a body main body 2 having a front opening. A control board 5 on which a reel block 4 and a control circuit are mounted is provided at an upper position in the body portion of the machine, and a medal dispenser 6 having a hopper 6a is incorporated at a lower position.

As shown in FIG. 4, the reel block 4 has three mounting plates 35 slidably mounted on a metal frame. At the center of the plate surface of each mounting plate 35, a reel 8 on which a plurality of types of symbols are arranged on the outer peripheral surface.
a, 8b, and 8c are pivotally supported together with the stepping motors 9a, 9b, and 9c serving as the driving sources. At the center of the side edge of the mounting plate 35 corresponding to the center and right reels 8b and 8c, a half-moon-shaped partition plate 36A is mounted. The arc-shaped peripheral edge of the partition plate 36A is formed in a size corresponding to the outer diameter of the reel, and further has a width corresponding to the gap between the reels 8a, 8b, 8c along the peripheral edge. The cover pieces 38B are attached in series. Thereby, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in the reel block 4, each of the reels 8a, 8b, 8c and the cover 38
B and 38B are arranged in a continuous state so that each peripheral surface is included on the same curved surface.

The door portion 3 is provided on an upper portion of a metal frame,
In the central part and the lower part, a resin panel 11,
12 and 13 are assembled. On the upper and lower panels 12 and 13, model names, game information, and the like are printed and printed on a colored background. On the other hand, uncolored rectangular symbol display windows 20a, 20b, and 20c are formed on the central front panel 11 corresponding to the positions of the respective reels of the reel block 4. At the left side position of the symbol display windows 20a, 20b, 20c, the stored medal number display 21 for displaying the stored number of medals by the credit function and the number of paid medals for displaying the number of medals to be paid out per hit. A display 22 and the like are provided.

In a frame portion between the front panel 11 and the lower panel 13, a start lever 14, three stop button switches 15a, 15b, 15c for each of the reels 8a, 8b, 8c are provided in addition to a medal slot 16. Three bet button switches 17, 18, 19, settlement switch 23, changeover switch 2
4 and the like are deployed. A hit indicator lamp 25 for notifying a “big hit” is attached to the upper panel 12, and a medal payout exit 26 is provided below the lower panel 13.
And a medal tray 27 are provided.

The slot machine 1 is a credit type machine that stores a large number of medals in an electronic data format in a control circuit and executes a game while consuming the stored medals. The bet button switch 17 provided on the overhanging surface below is for playing a game by consuming three stored medals. A bet button switch 1 provided on a vertical surface below the bet button switch 1
Reference numerals 8 and 19 are for consuming two stored medals and one stored medal, respectively. The settlement switch 23 is used to settle the stored medals and pay out a considerable number of medals to the medal tray 27 from the medal payout port 26. The changeover switch 24 is used to set the machine in a credit type game mode or a medal insertion port. This is for selecting any one of the game modes in which medals are directly inserted from the game mode 16.

Each of the symbol display windows 20a, 20b, 2
As shown in FIG. 6, 0c is formed in a vertically long shape corresponding to the reel width in the horizontal direction and the display range for three symbols S in the length direction. Each reel 8
a, 8b, and 8c, the symbol display windows 20a,
In the upper, middle, and lower three rows along the arrangement direction of 20b and 20c, and three symbols for each of the reels 8a, 8b, and 8c, respectively, along each of the lower right and upper right diagonal directions crossing these rows, Align and stop.

In this embodiment, each reel 8a, 8b,
By projecting linear light on the outer peripheral surface of the front panel 8c, a required pay line is displayed when necessary. As a configuration for this, as shown in FIGS. 5 line indicators 30A ~
30E is provided with the light projecting unit 30 arranged vertically.

For each of the line indicators 30A to 30E, a line generator for generating a linear irradiation pattern by a laser beam and irradiating the pattern in a specific direction is used. FIG. 7 shows the appearance of the line indicators 30A to 30E. A laser diode that emits laser light in the visible wavelength band, a collimating lens for shaping, and the like are provided on the front surface of a cylindrical case body 31. A lens 32 for regulating the irradiation direction of the laser light is attached.

The line indicators 30A to 30E are supported in a U-shaped holder 33. The front panel 11 is held in a state in which both open edges of the holder 33 are in close contact with the back surface of the front panel 11. Attached to. The optical axis of the lens 32 corresponds to the line indicator 3 in this mounted state.
Linear light from 0A to 30E is applied to each reel 8a, 8b, 8c.
It is adjusted so that it is irradiated along the outer peripheral surface of.

The five line indicators 30A to 30E
Are arranged corresponding to the alignment position and the alignment direction of each symbol when the reels are stopped. The three central line indicators 30A to 30E indicate the stop display of the upper, middle, and lower symbols S, respectively. Opposed to the position, it is arranged so that the axial direction is aligned with the horizontal direction. On the other hand, the line indicators 30D and 30E at the upper end and the lower end are arranged to face the obliquely aligned positions of the symbols, and are arranged with their axial directions obliquely downward and obliquely upward. When the laser light is used as described above, a protection sheet 37 containing a material that absorbs the laser light is provided on the back side of the front panel 11 (FIG. 3) in order to prevent the laser light from leaking out of the body.
Is preferably attached.

With the above configuration, each line indicator 30A-
As shown in FIG. 5, the linear light from 30E
a, 8b, and 8c and a cover 36 between the reels
Irradiation is performed along B, and a linear projection pattern having a predetermined color is generated by the reflection. In this embodiment, this projection pattern is used as a winning line.
As shown in the figure, the projected patterns by the three line indicators 30A, 30B, 30C at the center and above and below the three winning lines L corresponding to the symbol rows along the horizontal direction.
1, L2, L3, and the projection patterns by the upper and lower line indicators 30D, 30E are two winning lines L4, L corresponding to the symbol rows along the oblique direction.
5, respectively.

As described above, since the covering piece 36B between the reels is formed so as to be continuous with the outer peripheral surfaces of the reels 8a, 8b and 8c, any linear light is refracted or divided. Instead, the image is projected as a line extending straight in a specific direction. In addition, since linear light is emitted by the laser, light is not attenuated, and a clear winning line without unevenness in brightness can be set for any of the reels 8a, 8b, 8c.

By the way, in this embodiment, each of the line indicators 30A to 30E emits a laser beam corresponding to a predetermined color light (for example, red light). By incorporating two sets of diodes that emit light and switching the diodes that are in the excited state, depending on the progress of the game,
The color of the winning line can be changed.

In this embodiment, five winning lines L
Although 1 to L5 are generated by individual line displays, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a cross line generator that can generate an irradiation pattern of two intersecting linear light beams is used to generate each of the diagonal directions. The pay lines L4 and L5 may be generated. In addition, it is also possible to generate a plurality of winning lines with one line display by disposing a reflection plate at a position outside the symbol display windows 20a and 20c and folding the linear light.

Further, instead of using a line generator as a line display, a laser pointer of a type that irradiates a spot light is provided so that the irradiation direction of the light can be changed, and the spot light by this laser is sequentially scanned to form a winning line. Can also be generated.

According to the above-mentioned line indicators 30A to 30E, the player can display only the activated pay lines in accordance with the number of inserted medals, or display only the activated pay lines in which the winning symbols are arranged at the end of the game. It is possible to display a required pay line according to the game operation or the game result. Therefore, there is no possibility that the player mistakes the winning line which has not been activated during the game as being valid and mistakes the aiming position of the symbol, and the player can clearly recognize the winning line.

By projecting linear light on the outer peripheral surfaces of the reels 8a, 8b, 8c, the symbol display windows 20a, 2
There is no deviation between the stop display position of each symbol viewed from 0b and 20c and the pay line. And the winning line is
Since it is formed entirely of light, even if a winning line is placed on the symbol, the symbol can be visually recognized through the line, and the player can visually recognize the stopped symbol without discomfort. It is possible to accurately determine when to aim at. Further, ineffective pay lines are completely erased by turning off the corresponding line indicator, so that unnecessary pay lines are
The problem that the recognition of the symbol is hindered can also be solved.

It is to be noted that each linear light is irradiated on the reel 8a,
8b, 8c, for example, each reel 8a,
A light-transmissive reel tape is attached to each of the reels 8b and 8c, and the line indicators 30A to 30E are attached to appropriate positions of the reel block 4 to irradiate linear light to the inner peripheral surfaces of the reels 8a, 8b and 8c. May be. The light source is not limited to a laser, and a linear light pattern may be projected by disposing an LED array on the inner peripheral side of a reel, for example. Further, in this embodiment, the front panel 11
Although three symbol display windows 20a, 20b, 20c are formed corresponding to the respective reels 8a, 8b, 8c, a single symbol display window long in the width direction is formed, and the three reels 8a, 8b, 8c are formed. If you put 8b and 8c in the window,
The winning line is not divided, and the entire line can be visually recognized.

FIG. 8 shows an electrical configuration of the slot machine having the above configuration. In the figure, reference numeral 38 denotes a control unit comprising a microcomputer, which controls the CPU 4 which is the main body of control and calculation.
0, ROM 41 for storing programs and tables for the lottery, RAM 4 for reading and writing data
2 and the like.

Various input / output units are connected to the CPU 40 via a bus 39. Based on programs in the ROM 41, while recognizing various input signals, a drive signal is given to an output unit, and a series of operations related to the game are performed. Execute the processing of The input unit includes the start lever 14, the stop button switch 15
a, 15b, 15c, bed button switches 17, 18, 1
9, a settlement switch 23, a changeover switch 24, a medal detection sensor 43 for detecting a medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 16, and the like. The output unit includes a reel drive unit 45 for driving the stepping motors 9a, 9b, 9c, a medal dispensing machine 6, five line displays 30A to 30E, a hit notification lamp 25, a stored number display 21, and a number of hits. The display 22 and an audio circuit 44 for outputting a sound effect and the like are connected.

In the above configuration, the CPU 40 activates a predetermined number of line indicators in response to a detection signal from the medal detection sensor 43 or an input signal from the bet button switches 17 to 19, so that the medal slot 16 or the storage A number of winning lines corresponding to the number of medals inserted from medals are displayed. Thereafter, in response to the operation of the start lever 14, the reel drive unit 45 is operated to operate the reels 8a,
8b and 8c are rotated simultaneously, and a series of procedures relating to the game are executed.

FIG. 9 shows a procedure of game control in the slot machine 1 having the above-described configuration. Hereinafter, a series of processing will be described in accordance with the flow of FIG. Will be described.

As described above, this slot machine 1
The game can be executed by either a method of directly inserting medals from the medal insertion slot 16 or a method of consuming stored medals by operating the bet button switches 17 to 19. When the medal insertion method is selected, the player inserts medals one by one, so that when the first medal is inserted, the line display 30A operates to display the central winning line L1. (ST1,
2). Then, when up to three medals are inserted, the upper and lower line indicators 30B and 30C are activated to activate the pay line L2.
When L3 is displayed (ST4, 5) and five medals are further inserted, the remaining line indicators 30D and 30E operate to display diagonal winning lines L4 and L5 (S).
T7, 8). Thereafter, when the starting lever 14 is operated,
ST9 becomes "YES" and the process shifts to ST16, where the reels 8a, 8b and 8c start all at once.

When the starting lever 14 is operated at the time of one or three inserted medals, ST3 and S
The determination at T6 becomes "YES", and the process similarly proceeds to ST16, where the reels 8a, 8b, 8c start all at once.

On the other hand, if the method of consuming the stored medals is selected and three stored medals are inserted by pressing the first bet button switch 17, ST10 becomes "YES" and five medals are set. Line indicators 30A-30E
Are activated at the same time, and the winning lines L1 to L5 are simultaneously displayed (ST13). Also, the second bet button switch 18
When two stored medals are inserted by the push operation of,
The three line indicators 30A to 30C in the center operate,
Three horizontal pay lines L1 to L3 are simultaneously displayed (ST11, ST14). When the third bet button switch 19 is pressed and only one stored medal is inserted, only the center line indicator 30A is activated and only one winning line L1 is displayed (ST12). , 1
5). Any of these bet button switches 17, 18,
After operation 19, the process proceeds to ST9, where the starting lever 14
, The respective reels 8a, 8b, 8c are started simultaneously.

After each of the reels 8a, 8b, 8c is started, a stop button switch 15a, 15b, 15
If there is a pressing operation of c, ST17 becomes "YES" and C17
The PU 40 stops the corresponding reel at a predetermined timing (ST18). Hereinafter, when the reels stop sequentially according to the stop operation of the player and the same symbols are arranged along any one of the pay lines, a "winning" is achieved.
As a result, ST19 and ST20 become "YES" and the CP
U40 deletes all other pay lines except for the winning line where the winning is established, and specifies the winning line in which the winning symbols are arranged (ST21). And the following ST
At 22, pay out medals, and if it is a big hit,
Perform processing such as executing a special game.

On the other hand, if the same symbols are not aligned on any of the winning lines, the result is a loss and ST20 becomes "NO". In response to this determination, the CPU 40
23 and all the line indicators 30A to 30
By turning off E, the respective pay lines L1 to L5 are erased, and thereafter the game is ended.

In the actual game control, the CPU
At the same time as starting each reel, a lottery process is performed to determine whether or not a winning is achieved using a random number generated inside the control unit 38. Each reel 8a, 8b, 8c
On the other hand, "pull-in control" is performed in which the reel is further slid from the stop operation position of the player, and the symbol corresponding to the lottery result is drawn on the pay line and stopped. The number of frames that can be drawn is regulated by law, so even if a lottery is won, a win will not necessarily be established, but if it is decided by lottery that a "big hit" will be established, a big hit will be realized Until then, a winning flag for carrying over the lottery result is set, and the jackpot symbol is drawn in the next game.

Therefore, when the winning flag is set and the lottery result is carried over to the next game, the player wins a "big hit" using the winning lines L1 to L5 by the line indicators 30A to 30E. Can be effectively notified. For example, instead of the process of ST23 in FIG. 9, each of the pay lines L1 to L5 is displayed by blinking, a special symbol combination called a reach eye is stopped and displayed, and the symbols are arranged along the arranged position. For example, a method of clearly indicating the reach eye while leaving only the winning line may be considered.

Further, this kind of display of the pay line can be applied not only to the slot machine but also to a pachinko game machine having a mechanical reel. In pachinko gaming machines, each reel is started in response to a pachinko ball entering the starting winning opening, and then automatically stopped sequentially, so that like a slot machine, the line display related to the activation of the winning line However, for example, the winning line can be effectively produced by displaying the winning line only when the winning is achieved when the reel is stopped.
Further, by changing the color of the winning line and the display position of the line, it is possible to notify the possibility that the internal lottery has been won.

[0048]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a linear reflected light pattern is formed on the outer peripheral surface or the inner peripheral surface of each reel along the direction in which the symbols are arranged, and is set as a winning line. As a result, there is no deviation between the stop display position of each symbol and the winning line viewed from the symbol display window, and the player can visually recognize the symbol without a sense of incongruity, and accurately measures the timing of aiming the symbol. It becomes possible. Further, since the pay line is formed entirely of light, each symbol on the reel can be visually recognized through the line by the light, and the pay line may hinder the visual recognition of the symbol as in the related art. Absent. In addition, by eliminating the reflected light pattern on the ineffective pay line, it is possible to solve the problem that the pay line unrelated to the game becomes obstructive.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the winning line is set by the linear light from the laser, it is possible to generate a winning line that is hardly attenuated, and is clear and has uniform brightness.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the number of linear reflected light patterns is changed according to the number of game media inserted for a game, only valid pay lines are specified, and invalid pay lines are not displayed. There is no danger that the user will get the wrong idea if it is effective.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, by generating the reflected light pattern only at the alignment position of the symbols related to the winning, it is possible to clearly indicate only the line where the winning is achieved, and to the player,
The winning can be easily and clearly notified.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an appearance of a slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing the internal structure of the slot machine.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing the internal structure of the slot machine with a part of the body cut away.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a reel block.

FIG. 5 is a top view showing a laser light irradiation state by a line display.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing a configuration of a front panel.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing a configuration of a line display.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an electric configuration of the slot machine.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a procedure of game control in the slot machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Slot machine 8a, 8b, 8c Reel 20a, 20b, 20c Symbol display window 30 Light emitting unit 30A-30E Line display 40 CPU

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of reels having a plurality of symbols arranged on an outer peripheral surface are arranged in a row behind a symbol display window, and when each reel is stopped, each reel is set via the symbol display window. In the variable symbol display game machine in which the symbols for each reel are arranged and displayed along the direction in which the reels are arranged and the direction obliquely crossing that direction, A variable symbol display game machine in which a light projecting unit for generating a linear reflected light pattern along an alignment direction of each symbol is provided on an outer peripheral surface or an inner peripheral surface. 2. The variable symbol display game machine according to claim 1, wherein the light projecting unit irradiates a laser beam along an alignment direction of each symbol to generate the linear reflected light pattern. 3. The variable symbol display game machine according to claim 1, wherein the number of said linear reflected light patterns varies according to the number of game media inserted for the game. A variable light display comprising: light projection control means for controlling the operation of the light projection section; and a determination section for performing a winning determination by a combination of symbols arranged along the reflected light pattern when each reel is stopped. Gaming machine. 4. The variable symbol display game machine according to claim 1, further comprising, when symbols for winning a prize are arranged along any one of the reflected light patterns, only the reflected light pattern along the symbol row is displayed. A variable symbol display game machine comprising light projection control means for controlling the operation of the light projection section so as to be generated.