JP2000288209A - Inspection device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [PROBLEMS] To provide a new inspection device capable of freely selecting a desired variation pattern and generating a command signal, and performing an operation test of a variable display device independently and efficiently using the command signal. I will provide a. SOLUTION: The program is executed under an emulation environment similar to that of a gaming machine which mainly performs overall game control including generation control of a command signal for commanding a display state of a variable display device by program control, and executes the program. Patch information necessary for generating a series of command signals for causing the variable display device to have a predetermined display state among all the command signals that can be generated in accordance therewith is applied to a corresponding portion of the program.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an inspection apparatus applied to a ball-and-ball game machine (commonly called a pachinko game machine), and more particularly, to an operation state of a "variable display device" which is a component unit of the game machine. The present invention relates to a new inspection device capable of inspecting a unit alone.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Among so-called ball game machines, a so-called "seven machine" or the like has a third symbol roulette or a corresponding symbol display (represented by roulette) at the center of the game board. It is to enter a jackpot mode in which a large number of balls are discharged when the symbols are arranged, but recently, the movement of the symbols has various changes to make it interesting. Interest / interest) has been increased. In particular, when the roulette is graphically displayed using an image display device, not only the type and movement of the pattern but also the background image and color are variously changed. Or the appearance of an arbitrary character image can be easily performed, so that the reach stop method for predicting the jackpot and the reach stop to the jackpot or out of reach Many changes to the image display during made to have (hereinafter referred to as "variation pattern") thereby achieving a further improvement in playability.

FIG. 6 is a front view of this type of ball and ball game machine (hereinafter abbreviated as "game machine"). In the figure, a gaming machine 1 is provided below a frame-shaped front frame 2, a game board 3 forming a game area, a metal frame 4 supporting a glass covering the front surface of the game board 3, a front panel 5, and a front panel 5. The front frame 2 is openably and closably supported by an upper hinge 7 and a lower hinge 8 with respect to a wooden machine frame (not shown) holding the gaming machine 1, and the metal frame 4 is opened and closed by the front frame 2. Supported as possible.

One end of the front panel 5 is supported by the front frame 2 so as to be openable and closable. An upper plate 9 for receiving a prize ball is formed, and the ball of the upper plate 9 is also called a ball storage plate 1.
An opening / closing lever 11 is provided for opening and closing a passage connecting the two in order to move the opening to zero. An ashtray 12 and the above-mentioned ball storage tray 10 are formed on the operation panel 6, and
A ball pulling lever 13 is provided for pulling the balls stored in the ball storage tray 10 downward outside. Operation panel 6
An operation knob 14 for shooting a ball is provided on the right end side of the game machine 1, and a big hit indicator 15 which is turned on or blinks at the time of a big hit is provided above the front frame 2 of the gaming machine 1.

The game board 3 has a game area in which a substantially circular area on the front surface is surrounded by a guide rail 16, and a central portion of the game area is called a so-called special symbol (hereinafter referred to as "special figure"). In addition to a variable display device 17 for displaying identification information, a background image, a character image, and the like in an arbitrary fluctuation pattern, a special fluctuation prize device 18 having a special winning opening, and a normal fluctuation prize device functioning as a special figure starting opening 19. A general symbol display 2 for displaying a normal symbol (hereinafter, referred to as a "common symbol") provided in the normal variable winning device 19
0, multiple general-purpose starting gates 2 through-chucker type
1, a plurality of general winning openings 22, a plurality of hitting direction converting members 23 called windmills, various electric decorations (for example, left and right side lamps 24 and 25), an out hole 26, and the like.

Although not shown, the ordinary variable prize winning device 1
A special figure start sensor 27 is provided in the winning path in FIG. 9, and a general figure start sensor 28 is provided in the passing path in the general figure start gate 21, respectively. Further, a continuation sensor 29 is provided in a continuous prize flow path and a count sensor 30 is provided in a general prize flow path in a special winning opening of the special variable prize winning device 18 (see FIG. 7 for these sensors).

[0007] Four special figure start storage displays 31 are provided above the variable display device 17, and four ordinary figure start storage displays 32 are provided in the ordinary variable winning device 19. The general-purpose indicator 20 is, for example, a liquid crystal or L having a seven-segment display unit for displaying a general-purpose figure consisting of a single digit.
This is a display using an ED or the like. Special figure start memory display 31
The general-purpose start memory display 32 displays the number of start-up memories of a special figure or a general figure.

[0008] The special figure start sensor 27 is a normal fluctuation winning device 1
9 is detected that a ball has been won, the general-purpose starting sensor 28 detects that the ball has passed through the general-purpose starting gate 21, and the count sensor 30 detects all the balls that have entered the special winning opening of the special variable winning device 18. The ball is detected, and the continuation sensor 29 detects the ball that has been continuously won (so-called V prize) among the balls that have entered the special winning opening.

In the game area of the game board 3, a number of obstacle nails, such as a top nail or a nail, are provided, but are omitted here to avoid congestion in the drawing.

FIG. 7 is an internal block diagram of the gaming machine 1. 34 is a game control device mounted on the main board,
The game control device 34 includes a game arithmetic processing device 37 that executes a game program stored in the ROM 35 or the RAM 36 and controls the entire game control of the gaming machine 1, and has an input interface 38, an output interface 39, a clock oscillator 40, A peripheral circuit such as a reset signal generation circuit 41 is provided.

Note that the "game program" in this specification refers to the "execution state", especially by the game processing unit 37.
(Hereinafter, this state is referred to as a “dynamic state”; on the other hand, the state of the game program when the power of the gaming machine 1 is not turned on is referred to as a “static state”.) It refers to electronic data, and the storage location of a game program in a dynamic state does not matter.

Generally, most of the control programs are stored in a ROM or a hard disk in a static state, and all or a part of the control programs are loaded and executed in a high-speed memory such as a RAM in a dynamic state. This is a conventional measure for speeding up based on the fact that the access time of a ROM or a hard disk is long (compared to a high-speed memory such as a RAM), and is common sense in personal computers and the like. In the field of machines, some of the gaming programs are in a static state due to architectural regulations specific to the field (restrictions specified in “Rules on the recognition and type approval of gaming machines” or voluntary restrictions by industry groups in the field). This is because the storage position (ROM 35) may be used as a dynamic state.

That is, information indicating the execution procedure of the game processing unit 37 is stored in the illustrated ROM 35 in a static state and a dynamic state, and the RAM 36 is stored in the illustrated RAM 36. Since the data of the work area and the data of the stack area used in the memory 37 are stored in a dynamic state, the “game program” in this specification is basically an electronic program stored in the ROM 35 or the RAM 37 and in a dynamic state. This is a general term for generic data (execution procedure, work area data, and stack area data).

The game controller 34 receives signals from the above-described special figure start sensor 27, general figure start sensor 28, continuation sensor 29, and count sensor 30, and receives signals from the safe sensor 42 (safe unit (not shown)). (A sensor that detects the winning balls collected in the game).

The game control device 34 executes a required control sequence such as a jackpot lottery based on these signals, and, depending on the control result, a special map, a background image, a character image, and the like for the variable display device 17. Display command control, operation control of the general-purpose indicator 20, the special-purpose start memory display 31, the general-purpose start memory display 32, and various illuminations 43, the drive control of the special variable winning device solenoid 44 and the normal variable winning solenoid 45, The sound effect output control for the voice control device 46, the ball discharge command control for the ball discharge control device 48, the information output control for the hall computer 50, and the like are performed. In addition, 47 is a speaker, 49 is a ball discharge device, the special variable prize device solenoid 44 drives the opening and closing of the special variable prize device 18, and the normal variable prize device solenoid 45 is a normal variable prize device. 19 is used to drive the opening and closing of 19.

The variable display device 17 comprises a display control device 51 and a display device 52 such as an LCD.
As shown in FIG. 8, the display control device 51 includes an interface 53, a CPU 54, a ROM 55, a RAM 56,
A57, a font ROM 58, a clock generator 59, a VDP 60, and the like.

When the display controller 51 receives a "command signal" (described later) in a predetermined format from the game controller 34, it generates a communication interrupt at the interface 53, fetches the command signal into the CPU 54, and stores the command signal in the ROM 55. In accordance with the displayed display program and the information stored in the font ROM 58, screen information (information of a special figure, a background, and a character) corresponding to the command signal is generated.
And, in response to a vertical synchronization interrupt from the VDP 60, the screen information is stored in the DMA 57 and the VD
The image is output to the display device 52 via P60 to display a required image.

FIG. 9 shows a display example on the display device 52. FIG. 9A shows an example of a background image in which a moving image of a vehicle is superimposed on a still image imitating a building, and FIG. (C) is an example of a background image and a character image combined with a special figure indicated by a numeral pattern.

As described at the beginning, these special figures, backgrounds, and character images are variously changed by "command signals" from the game control device 34.

FIG. 10 shows an example of the format of a command signal. In this example, three frames each having a fixed length (for example, 1 byte length) (hereinafter, FRM_0, FRM_1, FRM_1) are shown.
— 2). FRM_0 located at the top is for the type code of the command signal. For example, this FRM_
When "01H" (H means a hexadecimal code; the same applies hereinafter) is stored in 0, the left symbol operation command of the special figure is stored, and when "02H" is stored, the right symbol operation command is stored. When "03H" is stored, it indicates a medium symbol operation instruction, when "04H" is stored, it indicates a background operation instruction, and when "05H" is stored, it indicates a character operation instruction. It has become.

The use of FRM_1 and FRM_2 differs for each type of operation command. For example, "01" is added to FRM_0.
When "H", "02H" or "03H" is stored, that is, when a left, right or middle symbol operation command of a special figure is used, FRM_1 indicates the operation correspondence of the symbol, and FRM_2 indicates symbol information. However, when "04H" is stored in FRM_0, that is, when a background operation command is issued, FR
M_1 represents, for example, background color information, and FRM_2 represents background change information. Further, when "05H" is stored in FRM_0, that is, when a character operation command is issued, FRM_1 represents, for example, character information,
M_2 represents character change information.

FIGS. 11 to 13 show FRM_0 to FRM_.
2 is a list showing a combination example of the contents of No. 2 and its description.
In FIG. 11, since FRM_0 is all "01H", this command signal is a left symbol operation command. And
A command to stop the symbol is issued at "01H" of FRM_1, and "02"
"H" to replace the design, "03H" to "08"
Up to "H", the change mode is commanded, "09H" is commanded to change the color of the symbol (for example, changed to white), and the content of FRM_2 is commanded to stop, replace, or change the symbol of the mode. When the content of FRM_1 is “03H” to “09H”, the content of FRM_2 is ignored (fixed at “3EH” in the figure), and the immediately preceding symbol is adopted. By the way, FIG. 11 is an example of the left symbol operation command, but in order to make the right symbol operation command or the middle symbol operation command,
What is necessary is just to replace the content of FRM_0 in the same figure with “02H” or “03H”.

In FIG. 12, FRM_0 is all “0”.
4H ", this command signal is a background operation command. Then, for example, a white background is commanded by “01H” of FRM_1, a red background is commanded by “02H”, a blue background is commanded by “03H”, and a background operation (“01H”) is performed by the contents of FRM_2.
H "for normal and" 02H "for flash). “Normal” indicates normal display of the background image (display without flashing), and “flash” indicates flashing display.

In FIG. 13, FRM_0 is all “0”.
5H ", this command signal is a character operation command. For example, a "@" character is commanded by "01H" of FRM_1, a "@" character is commanded by "02H", and a character action (falling motion by "01H", ascending motion by "02H", "0
3H "to the right, and" 04H "to the left).

FIGS. 14 and 15 show the "command signal" outputted from the game control device 34 to the variable display device 17 with time.
FIG. 16 to FIG. 20 are transition state diagrams of images displayed on the display device 52 of the variable display device 17 in response to the command signal. 14 and FIG.
The symbols (A) to (M) shown in (1) are identification codes indicating the correspondence with each of FIGS. 16 to 20.

In FIG. 14, the contents of the command signal at an arbitrary base point time T are (A) FRM_0 = 0H, FR
M_1 = 03H, FRM_2 = 3EH, (A) FRM_
0 = 02H, FRM_1 = 0H, FRM_2 = 3E
H, (c) FRM — 0 = 0H, FRM — 1 = 0H,
FRM_2 = 3EH, (d) FRM_0 = 04H, FR
M_1 = 01H and FRM_2 = 01H. As described above, FRM_0 = 01H is a left symbol operation command, FRM_
0 = 02H is a right symbol operation command, FRM_0 = 03H is a middle symbol operation command, FRM_0 = 04H is a background operation command, and FRM_ in left, right and middle symbol operation commands.
1 = 03H means that the variation pattern of the left, right and middle symbols is changed to “slow variation”, and the content of FRM_2 is ignored and the symbol immediately before is adopted.
FRM_1 = 01H and FRM_ in the background operation command
Since 2 = 01H means changing to a white background normal, the immediately preceding left, right and middle symbols are set to “123” for convenience.
Then, as shown in FIGS. 16A to 16B, the left,
The right and middle symbol “123” starts to move at low speed under the white background normal.

In FIG. 14, the content of the command signal at a time T + 800 ms after a lapse of an arbitrary time 800 ms (the value of the time is a convenient value; the same applies hereinafter) from the base point time T is as follows.
(E) FRM_0 = 01H, FRM_1 = 04H, FR
M_2 = 3EH, (f) FRM_0 = 02H, FRM_
1 = 04H, FRM_2 = 3EH, (G) FRM_0 =
03H, FRM_1 = 04H, and FRM_2 = 3EH. In this case, no background operation command is output, and only a command (FRM_1 = 04H) for changing the variation mode of the left, right, and middle symbol operation commands to “middle speed movement” is output. Thus, as shown in FIG. 16C, the scroll speed of the left, right and middle symbols of the variable display device 17 is increased from low-speed movement to medium-speed movement (indicated by a double arrow in FIG. 16). become.

In FIG. 14, the contents of the command signal at the time T + 1600 ms after the elapse of an arbitrary time 1600 ms from the base point time T are (h) FRM_0 = 0H, FRM
_1 = 05H, FRM_2 = 3EH, (f) FRM_0
= 02H, FRM_1 = 05H, FRM_2 = 3EH,
(Co) FRM_0 = 0H, FRM_1 = 05H, FR
M_2 = 3EH. Also in this case, the background operation command is not output, and only the command (FRM_1 = 05H) for changing the variation mode of the left, right, and middle symbol operation commands to “high-speed movement” is output. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 16D, the scroll speed of the left, right and middle symbols of the variable display device 17 is further increased from the middle speed movement to the high speed movement (indicated by the triple arrow in FIG. 16). become.

In FIG. 14, the contents of the command signal at time T + 2000 ms after the lapse of an arbitrary time 2000 ms from the base point time T are (f) FRM_0 = 05H, FRM
_1 = 1H, FRM_2 = 0H. As described above, FRM_0 = 05H is a character operation command,
FRM_1 = 1H in the character operation command
And FRM_2 = 03H means that the "@" character is moved rightward, and as shown in FIG. 16 (f), it overlaps with the left, right, and middle symbols during high-speed movement and moves from left to right. A “＄” character moving to the right is displayed.

In FIG. 14, the contents of the command signal at the time T + 6336 ms after the elapse of an arbitrary time 6336 ms from the base point time T are (S) FRM_0 = 0H, FRM
_1 = 02H and FRM_2 = 04H. As described above, FRM_0 = 01H is the left symbol operation command, and FRM_1 = 02H and FR in the symbol operation command.
Since M_2 = 04H means that the symbol is replaced with “4”, as shown in FIG. 17 (g), the left symbol during high-speed movement changes from “3” to “4” and is displayed. become.

In FIG. 14, the contents of the command signal at the time T + 6400 ms after the elapse of an arbitrary time 6400 ms from the base point time T are (S) FRM — 0 = 0H, FRM
_1 = 04H, FRM_2 = 3EH. As described above, FRM_0 = 01H is a left symbol operation command, and FRM_1 = 04H and FR in the symbol operation command.
Since M_2 = 3EH means that the symbol variation mode is changed to “medium-speed movement”, as shown in FIG. 17 (i), the left symbol of the variable display device 17 shifts from high-speed movement to medium-speed movement. The scroll speed will be reduced.

In FIG. 14, the contents of the command signal at time T + 7200 ms after the elapse of an arbitrary time 7200 ms from the base point time T are (F) FRM_0 = 0H, FRM
_1 = 06H, FRM_2 = 3EH. As described above, FRM_0 = 01H is a left symbol operation command, and FRM_1 = 06H and FR in the symbol operation command.
Since M_2 = 3EH means that the variation mode of the symbol is changed to the “swaying motion”, the left symbol of the variable display device 17 is accompanied by a slight swing as shown in FIGS. Will be displayed. It should be noted that such shaking is such that it is visually regarded as substantially stopped.

In FIG. 14, the contents of the command signal at time T + 7936 ms after the elapse of an arbitrary time 7936 ms from the base point time T are (S) FRM — 0 = 02H, FRM
_1 = 02H and FRM_2 = 04H. As described above, FRM_0 = 02H is the right symbol operation command, and FRM_1 = 02H and FR in the symbol operation command.
Since M_2 = 04H means that the symbol is replaced with “4”, the right symbol during high-speed movement is replaced with “4” and displayed as shown in FIGS. become.

In FIG. 14, the contents of the command signal at the time T + 8000 ms after the elapse of an arbitrary time 8000 ms from the base point time T are as follows: (f) FRM — 0 = 02H, FRM
_1 = 04H, FRM_2 = 3EH. As described above, FRM_0 = 02H is a right symbol operation command, and FRM_1 = 04H and FR in the symbol operation command.
Since M_2 = 3EH means that the symbol variation mode is changed to “medium speed movement”, the right symbol is changed from high speed movement to medium speed movement and displayed as shown in FIG. 18 (n). Will be.

In FIG. 15, the content of the command signal at time T + 8800 ms after the elapse of an arbitrary time 8800 ms from the base point time T is (h) FRM_0 = 02H, FRM
_1 = 06H, FRM_2 = 3EH. As described above, FRM_0 = 02H is a right symbol operation command, and FRM_1 = 06H and FR in the symbol operation command.
Since M_2 = 3EH means that the variation mode of the symbol is changed to the “swaying operation”, the right symbol of the variable display device 17 is accompanied by a slight oscillation as shown in FIGS. Will be displayed. It should be noted that such shaking is such that it is visually regarded as substantially stopped.

In FIG. 15, the content of the command signal at time T + 9536 ms after the elapse of an arbitrary time 9536 ms from the base point time T is as follows: (F) FRM — 0 = 0H, FRM
_1 = 02H, FRM_2 = 0CH. As described above, FRM_0 = 03H is a medium symbol operation command, and FRM_1 = 02H and FR in the symbol operation command.
Since M_2 = 0CH means that the symbol is replaced with the symbol of 0CH, that is, the symbol of "C", the middle symbol of the variable display device 17 is replaced with "C" as shown in FIGS. Will be displayed.

In FIG. 15, the contents of the command signal at the time T + 9600 ms after the elapse of an arbitrary time 9600 ms from the base point time T are (T) FRM_0 = 0H, FRM
_1 = 03H, FRM_2 = 3EH, (g) FRM_0
= 04H, FRM_1 = 02H, and FRM_2 = 01H. As described above, FRM_0 = 03H is a medium symbol operation instruction, FRM_0 = 04H is a background operation instruction, and FRM_1 = 03H and FR in the symbol operation instruction.
M_2 = 3EH means that the symbol variation mode is changed to “low-speed movement”, and FRM_1 in the background operation command
= 02H and FRM_2 = 01H mean a change to the red background normal, so that the middle symbol of the variable display device 17 changes from middle-speed movement to low-speed movement as shown in FIG. Will be changed to red.

In FIG. 15, the contents of the command signal at the time T + 11000 ms after the elapse of an arbitrary time 11000 ms from the base point time T are (f) FRM — 0 = 05H, F
RM_1 = 02H and FRM_2 = 03H. As described above, FRM_0 = 05H is a character operation command, and FRM_1 = 0 in the character operation command.
Since 2H and FRM_2 = 03H mean the rightward movement of the “右” character, the “￥” character moves from the left to the right of the variable display device 17 as shown in FIG. Will be displayed.

In FIG. 15, the contents of the command signal at the time T + 13600 ms after the elapse of an arbitrary time 13600 ms from the base point time T are (d) FRM — 0 = 03H, F
RM_1 = 08H, FRM_2 = 3EH, (nu) FRM
_0 = 04H, FRM_1 = 02H, FRM_2 = 02
H. As described above, FRM_0 = 03H is a medium symbol operation command, FRM_0 = 04H is a background operation command,
FRM_1 = 08H and F in the symbol operation command
RM_2 = 3EH means that the symbol is temporarily stopped, and FRM_1 = 02H and FRM_2 = 0 in the background operation command.
Since 2H means a red background flash, FIG.
As shown in (u) to (v), the middle symbol of the variable display device 17 is temporarily stopped, and the background image is displayed in red by flashing.

In FIG. 15, the contents of the command signal at the time T + 14000 ms after the elapse of an arbitrary time 14000 ms from the base point time T are (f) FRM_0 = 0H, F
RM_1 = 09H, FRM_2 = 3EH, (NO) FRM
_0 = 02H, FRM_1 = 09H, FRM_2 = 3E
H, (c) FRM — 0 = 0H, FRM — 1 = 0H,
FRM_2 = 3EH, (HI) FRM_0 = 04H, FR
M_1 = 01H and FRM_2 = 01H. As described above, FRM_0 = 01H is a left symbol operation command, FRM_
0 = 02H is a right symbol operation command, FRM_0 = 03H is a middle symbol operation command, FRM_0 = 04H is a background operation command, and FRM_1 = 09H and FRM_2 = 3EH in the symbol operation command change the color of the symbol to white. And FRM_1 in the symbol operation command =
07H and FRM_2 = 3EH mean that the symbol variation mode is changed to “rotation variation”, and further, FRM_1 = 0H and FRM_2 = 0 in the background operation command.
1H means changing to a white background normal, so that the left and right symbols and the background of the variable display device 17 are displayed in white and the middle symbol is rotated as shown in FIGS. It will be displayed in a variable manner.

In FIG. 15, the contents of the command signal at the time T + 16400 ms after the elapse of an arbitrary time 16400 ms from the base point time T are (F) FRM — 0 = 05H, F
RM_1 = 02H and FRM_2 = 04H. As described above, FRM_0 = 05H is a character operation command, and FRM_1 = 0 in the character operation command.
Since 2H and FRM_2 = 04H mean that the “の” character moves to the left, the “￥” character moves from the right to the left of the variable display device 17 as shown in FIG. Will be displayed.

In FIG. 15, the content of the command signal at the time T + 1760 ms after the elapse of an arbitrary time 17600 ms from the base point time T is (f) FRM_0 = 0H, F
RM_1 = 01H, FRM_2 = 07H, (e) FRM
_0 = 02H, FRM_1 = 01H, FRM_2 = 07
H, (MA) FRM_0 = 0H, FRM_1 = 1H,
FRM_2 = 06H, (M) FRM_0 = 04H, FR
M_1 = 03H and FRM_2 = 01H. As described above, FRM_0 = 01H is a left symbol operation command, FRM_
0 = 02H is a right symbol operation command, FRM_0 = 03H is a middle symbol operation command, FRM_0 = 04H is a background operation instruction, and FRM_1 = 1H and FRM_2 = 07H in the symbol operation command are black “7” symbols. (07
H) means that the symbol is stopped, and FRM_1 = 1H and FRM_2 = 06H in the symbol operation command means that the symbol is stopped at black “6” (06H),
Furthermore, since FRM_1 = 03H and FRM_2 = 01H in the background operation command means changing to a blue background normal, the left and right symbols of the variable display device 17 are black as shown in FIGS. "7", the middle symbol is stopped and displayed at black "6", and the background color is displayed as normal blue.

As described above, the command signals (A) to (M) shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 are successively generated by the game control device 34 and output to the variable display device 17, whereby the variable display device 17 to FIG.
It can be changed as shown in FIG.

Therefore, according to this example, the appearance of the "@" character that gives a sense of reach (FIG. 16)
(F)), the subsequent stop of the reach (FIG. 18 (q)), the appearance of a “キ ャ ラ ク タ” character giving the expectation of a jackpot (FIG. 19 (t)), the rotation fluctuation of the middle symbol (FIG. 20 (x) )
(Y) (z) (A)), the appearance of the "@" character immediately before the stop of the middle symbol (FIG. 20 (z)), and finally the middle symbol stops at "6". Change is obtained.

The stop symbol in this case is "767".
So, unfortunately, the jackpot has been missed, but due to the appearance of appropriate characters during the image change and the change in background color, the expectation that the player may possibly win the jackpot It can be embraced, and the interest can be further improved.

[0046]

The change in image display of the variable display device 17 shown in FIGS. 16 to 20 is only an example of a dozen or hundreds of variation patterns. Therefore, since the types of command signals shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 are enormous according to the number of fluctuation patterns,
In addition, since the variation patterns are randomly selected by the game control device 34 using random numbers, it is extremely difficult to confirm the display operation of all the variation patterns, for example, at the development stage or at the time of inspection by a third party organization. There was a problem that it is.

That is, the simple inspection method is based on the game board 3
The game ball is manually inserted into the special figure starting port (normal fluctuation winning device 19) to generate a fluctuation pattern. However, this method is a normal game operation except for the winning efficiency. There is a disadvantage that it is not possible to inspect all the variation patterns efficiently.

Note that Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 10-272253 discloses an inspection apparatus equipped with an inspection program for each gaming machine. In this inspection apparatus, when the type of gaming machine changes, It is necessary to recreate a new inspection program, and there is a disadvantage that the development cost of the program increases.

The inventor of the present invention has made intensive studies to overcome the drawbacks, and as a result, has noticed that there is no significant difference in the hardware configuration of each game machine. By executing a game program that differs for each model in the same emulation environment and generating a command signal, the variable display device can be inspected without the need for an inspection program for each model. Conceived that the cost of the inspection apparatus can be reduced.

Further, the control program for the gaming machine includes a step of performing random control in order to enhance the interest of the game, and the display operation of the variable display device is exclusively controlled by this randomness. Therefore, by removing the random elements, the display operation of the variable display device intended by the inspector can be obtained, and it has been conceived that the inspection efficiency of the variable display device can be improved.

Accordingly, the problem to be solved by the present invention is that a desired variation pattern can be freely selected and a command signal can be generated, and the operation test of the variable display device can be performed independently and efficiently using the command signal. It is an object of the present invention to provide a new inspection device capable of performing the above.

[0052]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a gaming machine having a variable display device and performing a game control including a generation of a command signal for instructing a display state of the variable display device mainly by program control. A series of commands for executing the program under an emulation environment similar to that of the gaming machine and causing a predetermined display state on the variable display device among all command signals that can be generated with the execution of the program. Patch information necessary for generating a signal is applied to a corresponding portion of the program.

More specifically, the first aspect of the present invention provides a hardware environment similar to a gaming machine that mainly performs overall game control including generation control of a command signal for commanding a display state of a variable display device by program control. Emulation means for reproducing, execution means for executing the program under a hardware environment reproduced by the emulation means, and the variable display device among all command signals that can be generated with the execution of the program. Holding means for storing patch information necessary to generate a series of command signals for generating a predetermined display state; specifying means for specifying a predetermined display state; and a display means corresponding to the display state specified by the specifying means. Extracting means for extracting patch information from the holding means; and extracting the patch information using the patch information extracted by the extracting means. A replacement means for replacing the corresponding portion of the ram, characterized by comprising a. According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the part replaced by the replacing means is a part of the game program where a last stop symbol is designated and / or a symbol change starts. It is a part for designating a variation mode until the symbol stops. Alternatively, the invention described in claim 3 is based on claim 1
5. The invention according to claim 4, wherein the command signal includes a special symbol operation command, a background image operation command, and a character image operation command displayed on the variable display device. Is characterized by storing a program for realizing the emulation means, execution means, holding means, designation means, extraction means and replacement means according to claim 1.

[0054]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings, taking an example of an inspection apparatus using a personal computer.

In FIG. 1, 70 is a personal computer, and 71 is a variable display device. Although the illustrated personal computer is a notebook type, it is needless to say that a desktop type or a workstation type may be used. A user application arbitrarily designed under a predetermined operating system (hereinafter, referred to as “OS”) and a game program of a ball-and-ball game machine (hereinafter, collectively referred to as “AP”) can be executed. Any device capable of virtually realizing the inspection function described later by organically combining with the various hardware resources described above.

The variable display device 71 is a component unit of a ball and ball game machine (see reference numeral 1 in FIG. 6), and is the same as the variable display device 17 in FIG. As described at the beginning, the variable display device 71 outputs a "command signal" in a predetermined format (see FIGS. 10 to 13) output from a game control device (see reference numeral 34 in FIG. 7 or FIG. 8) of the ball game machine. In response, the image such as the special map, the background, and the character is variously changed and displayed.

The personal computer 70 shown in the figure emulates the hardware environment of the ball game machine including the variable display device 71 in accordance with the execution of the AP, and also executes the ball game machine under the emulation environment. Is executed, and among all the command signals (see FIGS. 11 to 13) that can be generated along with the execution of the game program, a predetermined display state (for example, FIGS. 16 to 20) is displayed on the variable display device 71. Patch information (described later) required to generate a series of command signals (see FIGS. 14 and 15) for causing the relevant portion of the game program to be applied. A command signal generated by the game program is output to the variable display device 71 to check (check) the display state.

In the figure, auxiliary circuits such as a command signal interface circuit, a signal conversion circuit, and a power supply circuit for the variable display device 71 are omitted.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the inspection function virtually implemented in the personal computer 70. In the figure, reference numeral 72 denotes a game emulation unit (corresponding to emulation means described in the gist of the invention) for emulating a hardware environment of a ball game machine, and 73 denotes a variable display device included in the ball game machine (that is, a variable display device shown in the figure). A display emulation unit 74 for emulating the display device 71) is a game control device (FIG. 8) for the ball game machine.
(See reference numeral 34) is a game program holding unit for rewritably holding a game program executed, 75 is a program counter (abbreviation: PC), and 76 is held in the game program holding unit 74 while referring to the value of the PC 75. It is a game control unit (corresponding to an execution means described in the gist of the invention) that executes a game program and controls the entire game control of the game emulation unit 72.

Reference numeral 77 stores a command signal (command signal for a special figure, a background, and a character image) generated by the game control section and its time-series output time information (refer to FIGS. 14 and 15 for the storage state). The command signal log storage unit 78 stores each command signal stored in the command signal log storage unit 77 at the output time (for example, T, T + 800 m in FIGS. 14 and 15).
s, T + 1600 ms,..., T + 17600 ms) sequentially (for example, FIGS.
Display emulation unit 7 in the order of i, c, ..., mi)
A command signal transmission control unit 79 that outputs the command signal to the variable display device 3 (if the variable display device 71 is connected, also outputs to the variable display device 71), urges the command signal transmission control unit 78 to output the command signal in response to a user operation. A transmission command unit 80 is a patch unit.

The patch section 80 designates an arbitrary variation pattern among all the variation patterns defined in the game program (one variation pattern is, for example, the display state shown in FIGS. 16 to 20) by, for example, keyboard operation or mouse operation. Pattern designating section (corresponding to designating means described in the summary of the invention) 8
1, a table (corresponding to the holding unit described in the gist of the invention) 82 holding patch information corresponding to each of the variation patterns defined in the game program, and patch information corresponding to the designated variation pattern The table 82
And a program replacement unit (applying a patch) that replaces (applies a patch) the contents of the corresponding address portion of the game program held in the game program holding unit 74 with a value included in the patch information while referring to the value of the PC 75. 83 (corresponding to the extracting means and the replacing means described in the summary).

Here, a patch generally means
A code inserted to correct or change an error in a program, or a partial program for correction, and to modify an already compiled or assembled object program in a form similar to machine language However, in this embodiment, a part of the object program loaded into the memory in an executable state is corrected in a form close to a machine language.

That is, the game program before the patch is applied is the same as the game program executed by the game control device of the ball game machine, and when the game program is executed by the game control unit 76, the game emulation unit 7
2 to output a command signal based on a fluctuation pattern having the same randomness as the ball-and-ball game machine, and store the command signal log storage unit 77.
The display emulation section 73 and the variable display device 71
, And a display change similar to that of a normal ball game machine can be performed.

On the other hand, when a required patch is applied to a relevant portion (an address portion related to a certain variation pattern) of the game program held in the game program holding section 74 in an executable state, the game emulation section 72 starts. After outputting a command signal based on the fluctuation pattern and temporarily storing the same in the command signal log storage unit 77, the command signal can be output to the display emulation unit 73 and the variable display device 71 in response to a user operation. A specific display change corresponding to the pattern can be performed.

The game control unit 76, as described above,
Game program holding unit 74 while referring to the value of PC 75
Executes the game program held in the game emulation unit 72 and controls the entire game control, but when the game program is not patched, that is, the game program executed by the game control device of the ball game machine The operation of the game control unit 76 when executing a game program equivalent to that described above is generally as follows.

In FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, step S1 is as follows.
This is power-on determination processing. This process corresponds to a process of determining whether or not a reset interrupt signal from a reset signal generation circuit in an actual ball game machine (hereinafter, referred to as an “actual machine”) is the first one after power-on. The reset signal interrupt circuit in the real machine is virtually emulated by the game emulation unit 72, and the reset interrupt signal necessary for the processing is immediately and immediately after the start of the program by the virtually emulated reset signal interrupt circuit, Given every hour.

Step S2 is an initialization process performed when the reset interrupt signal is the first one after the power is turned on in the actual machine, that is, provided in the game processing unit (see reference numeral 37 in FIG. 7). This corresponds to a process of storing a predetermined value in a test data area of a RAM or initializing a register of the arithmetic processing unit. In the present embodiment,
When the reset interrupt signal is the first signal after the start of the program, the inspection data is stored in the work area virtually provided in the game program holding unit 74, and the register virtually provided in the game control unit 76 is also provided. And processing for initializing.

In step S3, a special figure start sensor (see reference numeral 27 in FIG. 7) and a count sensor (FIG.
7), a continuation sensor (see reference numeral 29 in FIG. 7), a general-purpose start sensor (see reference numeral 28 in FIG. 7), and a safe sensor (see reference numeral 42 in FIG. 7). (See reference numeral 34). In the present embodiment, there is no entity of such sensors. A signal corresponding to each sensor signal is virtually given from the game emulation unit 72.

Step S4 corresponds to a process of outputting data in the game control device to each section of the game machine via the output interface in the actual machine. In the case of this embodiment,
A dummy output destination may be secured in the game emulation unit 72 and dummy data may be output.

Step S5 corresponds to a process of adding +1 to the value of an event counter provided in the game control device in the actual machine. The event counter is a counter for determining a branch destination in time-division processing in step S6, step S11, and step S12, which will be described later. In the case of the present embodiment, for example, the event counter circulates in a range of 0 to 7. An octal counter can be used.

Step S6 is a process for selectively executing a corresponding process according to the value of the event counter in the actual machine and the present embodiment. For example, when the value of the event counter is “2”, the process of step S6_2 (the process of generating and outputting the left symbol operation command) is executed, and when the value of the event counter is “3”, the process of step S6_3 (the right symbol operation). Command generation and output processing). If the value of the event counter is "4", the process of step S6_4 (the process of generating and outputting a medium symbol operation command) is executed, and if the value of the event counter is "5", the process of step S6_5 (the background operation command). Generation output processing). Further, if the value of the event counter is “6”, step S
The process of 6_6 (the process of generating and outputting a character operation command) is executed, and if the value of the event counter is “7”, the process of step S6_7 (the process of generating and outputting a sound effect operation command) is executed. When the value of the event counter is “0” or “1”, no processing is performed.

In the output process of step S6, various operation commands edited corresponding to the game state, that is, a left symbol operation command, a right symbol operation command, a middle symbol operation command, a background operation command, a character operation command, and a sound effect sound. The data of the operation command is converted into a predetermined format and output. In the case of the present embodiment, the output destination is a left symbol operation command, a right symbol operation command, a middle symbol operation command, a background operation command, and a character. The operation command is a command signal log storage unit 77, and the sound effect operation command is a sound output unit virtually provided in the game emulation unit 72.

Step S7 is a prize-winning process based on a signal from the special figure starting sensor, a prize-winning process based on a signal from the general-purpose starting sensor, and a counting of the number of winnings in the special winning opening based on a signal from the count sensor. This corresponds to processing, determination processing of round continuation based on a signal from a continuation sensor, and the like. However, in the present embodiment, since there is no entity of such sensors, a signal corresponding to each sensor signal is output by the game emulation unit 72. It virtually occurs and executes a process corresponding to each of the above processes based on the signal.

Step S8 corresponds to a process of editing and outputting the prize ball command information in the actual machine. In the present embodiment, since actual ball ejection is not performed, dummy processing can be performed.

Step S9 is a process for updating the special figure random number counter used for the jackpot determination in the actual machine and the present embodiment.

Step S10 corresponds to a process of judging whether or not the game is in an abnormal state (for example, an illegal game) in the actual machine. However, in the present embodiment, since the improper game is not considered, the dummy processing is performed. Can be

Step S11 is a process for selectively executing a process related to a game for determining awarding of a prize ball in the actual machine and the present embodiment. For example, when the value of the event counter is “0”, the special figure game progress processing of step S11_0 is executed, and when the value of the event counter is “1”, the special figure change control processing of step S11_1 is executed. When the value of the event counter is “2”, the general-purpose game progress processing of step S11_2 is executed, and when the value of the event counter is “3”, the general-purpose change control processing of step S11_3 is executed. If the value of the event counter is "4" to "7", no processing is performed.

By the way, in the special figure game progress processing and the special figure change control processing, processing for determining whether or not there is a prize memory in the starting port, processing for monitoring the change stop of the special figure, determination of the jackpot regarding the special figure And a process of controlling various operations at the time of a big hit is performed. In the special figure change control processing, a pointer update indicating a special figure to be displayed is performed. In addition, in the general figure game progress processing and the general figure change control processing, the same processing as the special figure game progress processing and the general figure change control processing is executed for the general figure.

For example, in the special figure game progress processing and the special figure change progress processing, the following data stored in the game program holding unit 74 is used to execute a left symbol, a middle symbol, a right symbol, a background, and a character. The command signal of the image is updated at random.

Last stop left symbol number: A number for designating the last stop symbol of the changing left symbol. For example, symbols “0”, “1”, “2”,..., “E” are represented by numbers 0, 1, 2,. Taking the fluctuations of FIGS. 16 to 20 as an example, the final stop left symbol in FIG. 20B is “7”, so 7 in decimal notation is the final stop left symbol number in this case.

Last stop right symbol number: The same number as the last stop left symbol number. Taking the fluctuations in FIGS. 16 to 20 as an example, the final stop right symbol in FIG. 20B is “7”, so 7 in decimal notation is the final stop right symbol number in this case.

Symbol number during final stop: The same number as the final stop left symbol number or the final stop right symbol number. FIG.
20 as an example, the symbol during the final stop in FIG. 20B is “6”, so 6 in decimal notation is the symbol number during the final stop in this case.

Temporarily stopped symbol number: This is a number for designating a temporarily stopped symbol of a changing middle symbol. Taking the fluctuations of FIGS. 16 to 20 as an example, the temporarily stopped symbol in FIG. 19 (u) is “3”, so the decimal symbol 3 is the temporarily stopped symbol number in this case.

Variation pattern designation number: A number for designating one variation pattern from predetermined variation patterns. The number and type of reach are specified by this number.

Character effect designation number: This is a number for designating one motion pattern from the predetermined character motion patterns. The number specifies the type and appearance timing of the character.

In order to uniquely designate the last symbol of the left symbol, the right symbol and the middle symbol of the special symbol, the above-mentioned "final symbol of the last stop", "the symbol number of the right symbol of the last stop", "the symbol of the last symbol" The "number" may be changed to a desired number, and in order to uniquely designate the temporarily stopped symbol of the special figure, the "temporarily stopped symbol number" may be changed to a desired number. In order to uniquely specify the variation pattern, the type of character, and the timing of appearance, the “variation pattern designation number” or “character effect designation number” may be changed to a desired number.

Step S12 is a process for selectively executing a process not related to a game for determining awarding of a prize in the actual machine and the present embodiment. For example, when the value of the event counter is "2", the count sensor-related abnormality monitoring processing of step S12_2 is executed, and when the value of the event counter is "3", the mechanical device output information processing of step S12_3 is executed. If the value of the event counter is "4", the illumination device output information editing process of step S12_4 is executed, and if the value of the event counter is "5", various output information synthesis editing processes of step S12_5 are executed. Further, when the value of the event counter is "7", the sales information editing process of step S12_7 is executed.
If the value of the event counter is "0", "1" or "6", no processing is performed.

Incidentally, the information output in the time division processing in step S6 is synthesized and edited in the various output information synthesizing and editing processing in step S12_5.

Step S13 is a process for repeatedly updating various random numbers over the remaining period until the next generation of the reset interrupt signal in the actual device and the present embodiment.

Among the above steps, the steps related to the generation of the operation command for each special pattern, background, and character variation pattern are the generation and output processing of the left symbol operation command (S
6_2), right symbol operation command generation / output processing (S6_)
3), middle symbol operation command generation / output processing (S6_4), background operation command generation / output processing (S6_5), character operation command generation / output processing (S6_6), various random number update processing (1) (S9), special figure Game progress control processing (S11_
0), special figure fluctuation control processing (S11_1), various output information synthesis output processing (S12_5), various random number update processing (2) (S13), and the like.

Needless to say, which step is actually involved is determined by the design specification of the game program. The above related step example is merely one that is inferred from the processing content for convenience.

That is, it is obvious that the code written at one or more addresses of the game program is related to generation of an operation command for each special pattern, background, and character variation pattern regardless of design specifications. ,
By replacing the relevant code with an appropriate code (applying a patch), a series of operation commands (left symbol operation command, right symbol operation command, middle symbol operation command, background operation command, and character operation command corresponding to an arbitrary fluctuation pattern) ) Can occur. Moreover, which address should be patched with which code can be specified from a design specification, a source list or a dump list of the target game program.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a patch. In addition,
As described above, the addresses and codes to be patched are
The illustrated example is merely for convenience because it depends on the design specification of the game program and cannot be uniquely specified. In FIG. 5, PC is a program counter (FIG. 2).
The value is referred to as “F60” for convenience.
3 ". A vertically long graphic delimited by a partially broken line in the center of the figure is a memory map of a game program (a program loaded in an executable state) held in the game program holding unit 74, and a symbol on the left side Represents the address, and the symbols in the hatched portions in the figure represent the replaced codes.

That is, in the example of FIG. 5, the value of PC is "F6
03 ", the contents of address 001A are replaced with" FF "and the contents of address 002A are replaced with" 00 ".
, The contents of the address 002B are replaced with “11”, the contents of the address 0039 are replaced with “00”, and the contents of the address 003A are replaced with “D5”.

The patch information includes, for example, “(F60
3 (001A, FF) (002A, 00) (002B,
11) (0039, 00) (003A, D5))).

Therefore, patch information of such a format is created for all the variation patterns and stored in the table 82, and selection information (for example, a table ID or the like) of a desired variation pattern is input from the pattern specifying section 81. By extracting the corresponding patch information from the table 82 and performing the replacement process as shown in FIG. 5, it is possible to freely select a desired variation pattern and generate a command signal, and use the command signal to operate the variable display device. A special effect that the test can be performed independently and efficiently is obtained.

The main functions (emulation means, execution means, holding means, designation means, extraction means, replacement means, and the like) of the above embodiment are hardware resources including a microcomputer and OS and various programs and the like. Although functionally realized by organic coupling with software assets, general-purpose hardware assets can be used. Therefore, essential items indispensable to the present invention are substantially OS and various It can be said that it is concentrated in the program. Therefore, the present invention
A storage medium such as a floppy disk, MO, CD, hard disk, or semiconductor memory that stores all or a major part of the OS and various programs. (Including those provided).

[0098]

According to the present invention, there is provided a gaming machine having a variable display device, which performs overall game control mainly by program control including generation control of a command signal for commanding a display state of the variable display device. Executing the program under an emulation environment similar to that of the machine, among all command signals that can be generated with the execution of the program,
Since the patch information necessary for generating a series of command signals for causing the variable display device to generate a predetermined display state is applied to a corresponding portion of the program, a desired change pattern can be freely selected and commanded. Can generate a signal,
It is possible to provide a novel inspection device that can independently and efficiently perform an operation test of the variable display device using the command signal. Alternatively, if the portion to which the patch is applied is a designated portion of the final stop symbol in the game program and / or a portion which designates the variation mode from the start of the symbol change to the stop of the symbol, the variation mode from the last stop symbol or the symbol stop is provided. Can be set according to the wishes of the inspector, and the inspection efficiency can be remarkably improved as compared with the case where the inspection is performed at random.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an operation sequence diagram of a game program (1/2).
It is.

FIG. 4 is an operation sequence diagram of a game program (2/2).
It is.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram of patch application.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the ball game machine.

FIG. 7 is an internal block diagram of the ball game machine.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a variable display device.

FIG. 9 is a display state diagram of the variable display device.

FIG. 10 is a signal format diagram of a command signal.

FIG. 11 is a signal list diagram (symbol operation command) of a command signal.

FIG. 12 is a signal list diagram of a command signal (background operation command).

FIG. 13 is a signal list diagram of a command signal (character operation command).

FIG. 14 is a signal list diagram (1/2) of a series of command signals corresponding to an arbitrary fluctuation pattern.

FIG. 15 is a signal list diagram (2/2) of a series of command signals corresponding to an arbitrary fluctuation pattern.

FIG. 16 is a series of display state transition diagrams (1/5) corresponding to an arbitrary fluctuation pattern.

FIG. 17 is a series of display state transition diagrams (2/5) corresponding to an arbitrary fluctuation pattern.

FIG. 18 is a series of display state transition diagrams (3/5) corresponding to an arbitrary fluctuation pattern.

FIG. 19 is a series of display state transition diagrams (4/5) corresponding to an arbitrary fluctuation pattern.

FIG. 20 is a series of display state transition diagrams (5/5) corresponding to an arbitrary fluctuation pattern.

[Explanation of symbols]

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 ball game machine (game machine) 71 variable display device 72 game emulation section (emulation means) 76 game control section (execution means) 81 pattern designation section (designation means) 82 table (holding means) 83 program replacement section (extraction means) , Replacement means)

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An emulation means for reproducing a hardware environment similar to a gaming machine in which game control including generation control of a command signal for instructing a display state of a variable display device is mainly performed by a program control, and reproduction by the emulation means. Executing means for executing the program under the set hardware environment, and a series of command signals for generating a predetermined display state on the variable display device among all command signals that can be generated with the execution of the program. Holding means for storing patch information necessary for generating the information, designating means for designating a predetermined display state, and extracting means for extracting from the holding means patch information corresponding to the display state designated by the designating means And replacing the corresponding part of the program using the patch information extracted by the extracting means. Inspection apparatus characterized by comprising: a stage, a. 2. The part replaced by the replacement means is a part for designating a final stop symbol in the game program and / or a part for designating a variation mode from the start of the symbol variation to the stop of the symbol. The inspection device according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the command signal includes a special symbol operation command, a background image operation command, and a character image operation command displayed on the variable display device. 4. The emulation means according to claim 1,
A recording medium storing a program for implementing an execution unit, a holding unit, a designation unit, an extraction unit, and a replacement unit.