JP2004097694A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine in which problems of noise by the transmission of an analog voice signal is avoided. <P>SOLUTION: Digital amplifiers 8 are arranged near front speakers FLS and FRS, and a rear speaker RS, respectively, and each of the digital amplifiers 8 is given a PCM(Pulse Code Modulation) digitized voice signal from a voicing control substrate. In each digital amplifier 8, based on the PCM digitized voice signal given from the voicing control substrate, the analog voice signal for actuating the front speakers FLS and FRS and the rear speaker RS is formed and this formed analog voice signal is given to the front speakers FLS and FRS and the rear speaker RS through a speaker wiring SC. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachislot machine and a pachinko machine.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, in gaming machines such as pachislot machines and pachinko machines, sound effects (effect sounds) are output in accordance with the operation of the gaming machine in order to increase the interest of the game (game).
In general, a speaker for outputting a sound effect is provided on a front door which is attached to the front of the game machine main body so as to be openable and closable. In addition, some gaming machines have rear speakers arranged inside the gaming machine itself in addition to the speakers (front speakers) arranged on the front door to improve the sound quality of sound effects. Are provided.
[0003]
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration for outputting a sound effect from a speaker. The gaming machine has a main control board 110 for comprehensively controlling the basic operation of the gaming machine, and a voice control board 120 for controlling the output of sound effects based on a command from the main control board 110. , And an analog audio signal is supplied to the speaker S from the audio control board 120 via the speaker wiring 130.
[0004]
The main control board 110 includes a CPU 111, a RAM 112, and a ROM 113. The CPU 111 transmits a sound control signal for causing the speaker S to output a sound effect according to the operation state of the gaming machine, based on the program stored in the ROM 113, to the sound control board 120.
The audio control board 120 includes a CPU 121, a RAM 122, and a ROM 123. The CPU 121, the RAM 122, and the ROM 123 are interconnected by a bus 124. The audio control board 120 includes an audio control circuit 125, an audio data ROM 126, a DA converter 127, a low-pass filter 128, and an analog amplifier 129. The voice control circuit 125 and the DA conversion circuit 127 are integrated into one chip to form a voice control LSI.
[0005]
When a voice control signal is sent from the main control board 110 to the voice control board 120, the CPU 121 reads out data corresponding to the voice control signal from the ROM 123 and supplies the data to the voice control circuit 125. The voice data ROM 126 stores voice data representing various timbres and scales. The voice control circuit 125 reads voice data from the voice data ROM 126 based on data provided by the CPU 121, and reads the read voice data. A PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) digital audio signal corresponding to the data is transmitted to the DA converter 127. The DA converter 127 converts the PCM digital audio signal from digital to analog to generate an analog audio signal, and supplies the generated analog audio signal to the low-pass filter 128. Then, the analog audio signal from which the predetermined high-frequency band has been removed by the low-pass filter 128 is appropriately amplified by the analog amplifier 129, and then supplied to the speaker S via the speaker wiring 130. Thereby, a sound effect according to the operation state of the gaming machine is output from the speaker S.
[0006]
As described above, a configuration in which an analog audio signal is output from the audio control board 120 and the analog audio signal is given to the speaker S via the speaker wiring 130 is a general configuration for outputting a sound effect in a conventional gaming machine. (For example, see Patent Document 1).
[0007]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-178869 A
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In such a configuration, since an analog audio signal (electric signal) amplified by the analog amplifier 129 flows through the speaker wiring 130, the audio control board 120 and the speaker S are arranged separately, and the audio control board 120 and the speaker S are separated from each other. If the speaker wiring 130 connecting to the speaker S is long, noise generated from the speaker wiring 130 may adversely affect electronic components disposed between the audio control board 120 and the speaker S. Conversely, the possibility that noise is mixed into the analog audio signal flowing through the speaker wiring 130 increases.
[0009]
However, in the conventional gaming machines, the voice control board 120 and the speaker S are often arranged apart from each other due to the layout, and the above-described noise problem is inevitable. For example, in a pachislot machine, a voice control board is provided above a front door which can be opened and closed on the front of the game machine body, even though a rear speaker is arranged in the center of the game machine body. Some of the pachislot machines are arranged. In such a pachislo machine, since the speaker wiring connecting the audio control board and the rear speaker is long, there is a possibility that the above-described noise problem may occur.
[0010]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned technical problem and to provide a gaming machine capable of shortening a transmission path for transmitting an analog audio signal.
[0011]
Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention
According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a speaker (FLS, FRS, RS) for outputting a sound effect for enlivening a game atmosphere, and general control for realizing a predetermined game. And a digital audio signal corresponding to a sound effect to be output from the speaker in association with the game, based on a control signal given from the main control board to the speaker. And a sound control board (7) for outputting the sound.
[0012]
It should be noted that the alphanumeric characters in parentheses indicate corresponding components and the like in embodiments described later. Hereinafter, the same applies in this section.
According to the above configuration, the audio control board outputs a digital audio signal to the speaker.
Therefore, an analog audio signal is generated in the vicinity of the speaker based on the digital audio signal output from the audio control board, and the generated analog audio signal is transmitted to the speaker as a driving signal. If the speaker driving device (8; 9) for inputting the analog audio signal is disposed, the transmission path through which the analog audio signal flows can be shortened, so that the radiation noise from the analog audio signal does not adversely affect the electronic components such as the main control board. . In addition, there is no possibility that noise is mixed from the outside into the analog audio signal given to the speaker, and the speaker can output a sound effect of good sound quality with little distortion and noise.
[0013]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a speaker for outputting a sound effect for enlivening a game atmosphere, a control board for outputting a digital audio signal corresponding to the sound effect to be output from the speaker, and a control board for the speaker. A speaker driving device (8; 9) that is disposed in the vicinity and generates an analog audio signal based on the digital audio signal output from the control board and inputs the generated analog audio signal to the speaker as a driving signal; A gaming machine characterized by including:
[0014]
According to this configuration, a digital audio signal is output from the control board, and an analog audio signal is generated by the speaker driving device arranged near the speaker based on the digital audio signal. Then, the analog audio signal generated by the speaker driving device is provided to the speaker as a driving signal.
Accordingly, even if the speaker is arranged at a position far away from the control board, the analog audio signal is transmitted only at a short distance between the speaker and the speaker driving device arranged near the speaker. Radiation noise from the analog audio signal does not adversely affect other electronic components arranged in the gaming machine. In addition, there is no possibility that noise is mixed from the outside into the analog audio signal given to the speaker, and the speaker can output a sound effect of good sound quality with little distortion and noise.
[0015]
As set forth in claim 4, the speaker drive device includes a PWM signal generation circuit (81) that generates a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal having a duty according to a digital audio signal output from the audio control board. A low-pass filter (83) for converting the PWM signal generated by the PWM signal generation circuit into the analog audio signal may be provided. In the speaker driving device having this configuration, unlike the conventional device that amplifies the analog audio signal, the problem of signal waveform distortion caused by the amplification of the analog audio signal can be avoided, and a high-quality sound effect without distortion from the speaker. Can be output.
[0016]
Further, the speaker driving device is not limited to the configuration described in claim 4, but as described in claim 5, a digital-analog conversion circuit that performs digital-analog conversion of a digital audio signal output from the audio control board. (91) and an analog amplifier circuit (93) that amplifies the output signal of the digital-analog conversion circuit to generate the analog audio signal.
[0017]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of a pachislot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. The body of the pachislot machine includes a box-shaped main body 1 and a front door 2 attached to the front surface of the main body 1 so as to be openable and closable.
Inside the main body 1, three reels 3L, 3C, 3R having a plurality of types of symbols drawn on a peripheral surface are arranged at a central portion. When the front door 2 is closed, a part of the peripheral surface of these three reels 3L, 3C, 3R is visible through a symbol display window 21 formed in the front door 2. .
[0018]
For example, after inserting one to three medals into the pachislot machine, the player operates the start lever and the stop button provided on the front surface of the front door 2 to start rotating the reels 3L, 3C, 3R, respectively. Then, while visually checking the rotation state of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R from the symbol display window 21, when all the reels 3L, 3C, 3R are stopped, a predetermined combination of symbols is arranged in the symbol display window 21. Then, the user can enjoy a game in which the reels 3L, 3C, 3R are stopped one by one.
[0019]
In the lower part of the main body 1, a hopper 4 for storing medals to be given to the player for a predetermined combination of symbols in the symbol display window 21 is arranged, and a commercial AC power source (not shown) is used. A power supply unit 5 for turning on / off the supply of power to the pachislot machine is disposed.
Further, between the reels 3L, 3C, 3R and the hopper 4, a rear speaker RS for outputting a sound effect (effect sound) for enlivening the atmosphere of the game is arranged. A pair of left and right front speakers FLS and FRS for outputting a sound effect together with the rear speaker RS are disposed above the front door 2 (above the symbol display window 21). The rear speaker RS is, for example, a speaker for heavy bass having a larger output than the front speakers FLS and FRS.
[0020]
Further, a main control board 6 for executing general control for realizing a game in the pachislot machine is arranged at the uppermost portion (above the reels 3L, 3C, 3R) in the main body 1. Voice control for controlling the output of sound effects from the front speakers FLS, FRS and the rear speaker RS based on a command from the main control board 6 is provided between the front speakers FLS, FRS at the upper part of the front door 2. A sub-board box B accommodating the boards is arranged.
[0021]
Here, in the conventional pachislo machine, an audio control board is connected to a front speaker and a rear speaker by speaker wiring, and an analog audio signal is transmitted from the audio control board to the front speaker and the rear speaker via the speaker wiring. It is supposed to be. Therefore, the speaker wiring connecting the audio control board and the rear speaker is particularly long, and noise generated from the speaker wiring adversely affects electronic components such as the main control board, and may also affect analog audio signals flowing through the speaker wiring. There was a possibility that noise might be mixed.
[0022]
Therefore, in the pachislo machine according to this embodiment, the digital amplifiers 8 (speaker driving devices) are disposed near the front speakers FLS and FRS and the rear speakers RS, respectively. (Pulse Code Modulation) A digital audio signal is provided. Then, in each digital amplifier 8, an analog audio signal for driving the front speakers FLS, FRS and the rear speaker RS is generated based on the PCM digital audio signal given from the audio control board, and the generated analog audio signal is generated. Is supplied to the front speakers FLS and FRS and the rear speaker RS through the speaker wiring SC. As a result, the speaker wiring SC through which the analog audio signal flows can be short, and the problem of the noise of the conventional pachislo machine can be avoided.
[0023]
In FIG. 1, signal lines connecting the main control board 6 and the audio control board and signal lines connecting the audio control board and the respective digital amplifiers 8 are shown in order to avoid complicating the drawing. Omitted.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining a circuit configuration of the main control board 6 and the voice control board. A CPU 61, a RAM 62 and a ROM 63 are mounted on the main control board 6, and these CPU 61, RAM 62 and ROM 63 are mutually connected by a bus 64. The CPU 61 gives a control signal for controlling the operation of each part of the pachi-slot machine to each sub-control board housed in the sub-board box B according to the operation program stored in the ROM 63. For example, the sound control board 7 is provided with a sound control signal for controlling the output of sound effects from the front speakers FLS, FRS and the rear speaker RS.
[0024]
A CPU 71, a RAM 72, and a ROM 73 are mounted on the audio control board 7, and an audio control signal from the main control board 6 is input to a bus 74 that interconnects the CPU 71, the RAM 72, and the ROM 73. . Further, the voice control board 7 is mounted with a voice control LSI having a voice control circuit 75 and a voice data ROM 76 storing voice data representing a timbre, a scale, and the like.
When a voice control signal is sent from the main control board 6 to the voice control board 7, the CPU 71 reads data corresponding to the voice control signal from the ROM 73 and supplies the read data to the voice control circuit 75. The audio control circuit 75 reads necessary audio data from the audio data ROM 76 based on the data supplied from the ROM 73, and transmits a PCM digital audio signal carrying the read audio data to the digital amplifier 8.
[0025]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining a circuit configuration of the digital amplifier 8. The digital amplifier 8 includes a PCM-PWM conversion circuit 81, a switching amplifier circuit 82, and a low-pass filter 83. The PCM-PWM conversion circuit 81 and the switching amplifier circuit 82 are integrated on a single chip to form an LSI.
The PCM digital audio signal from the audio control board 7 is provided to a PCM-PWM conversion circuit 81. The PCM-PWM conversion circuit 81 generates a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal having a duty corresponding to the value of the audio data represented by the PCM digital audio signal given from the audio control board 7, and The PCM digital audio signal is converted to a PWM signal.
[0026]
The switching amplifier circuit 82 has, for example, a D-class operation switching driver, and amplifies and outputs the PWM signal generated by the PCM-PWM conversion circuit 81 as a digital signal.
The PWM signal amplified by the switching amplifier circuit 82 is applied to a low-pass filter 83, and passes through the low-pass filter 83, so that the PWM signal has a waveform corresponding to a sound effect to be generated from the front speakers FLS, FRS or the rear speaker RS. It is converted to an analog audio signal. The analog audio signal output from the low-pass filter 83 is supplied to the front speakers FLS and FRS or the rear speaker RS through the speaker wiring SC. Then, the diaphragm of the front speaker FLS, FRS or the rear speaker RS vibrates by the analog audio signal, so that a sound effect is output from the front speaker FLS, FRS or the rear speaker RS.
[0027]
As described above, according to this embodiment, the PCM digital audio signal is output from the audio control board 7, and based on the PCM digital audio signal, the PCM digital audio signal is arranged near each of the front speakers FLS, FRS and the rear speaker RS. The analog audio signal is generated by the digital amplifier 8. The analog audio signal generated by the digital amplifier 8 is supplied to the front speakers FLS, FRS and the rear speaker RS as drive signals.
[0028]
Accordingly, even if the rear speaker RS is arranged at a position far away from the audio control board 7, the analog audio signal is transmitted only between the rear speaker RS and the digital amplifier 8 arranged near the rear speaker RS. Since the distance is short, radiation noise from the analog audio signal does not adversely affect electronic components such as the main control board 6. In addition, there is no possibility that noise is mixed into the analog audio signal supplied to the rear speaker RS from the outside, and the rear speaker RS can output a sound effect with good sound quality with little distortion and noise.
[0029]
As mentioned above, although one Embodiment of this invention was described, this invention can be implemented in another form. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the digital amplifier 8 is arranged near each of the front speakers FLS and FRS and the rear speaker RS, but instead of the digital amplifier 8, a speaker having a configuration as shown in FIG. The driving device 9 may be provided. That is, a digital-analog conversion circuit (DA conversion circuit) 91 for digital-to-analog conversion of the PCM digital audio signal from the audio control board 7, and a noise component (high-frequency band component) ), And a speaker drive device 9 having a configuration including an analog amplifier 93 that amplifies an analog signal from which a noise component has been removed by the low-pass filter 92 to generate an analog audio signal. Instead of the amplifier 8, it may be arranged near each of the front speakers FLS and FRS and the rear speaker RS.
[0030]
In the above-described embodiment, the PCM digital audio signal is output from the audio control board 7, and the PCM digital audio signal is converted into the PWM signal by the PCM-PWM conversion circuit 81 provided in the digital amplifier 8. For example, a circuit for converting a PCM digital audio signal into a PWM signal may be provided on the audio control board 7, and the PWM signal may be supplied from the audio control board 7 to the digital amplifier 8. In this case, the PCM-PWM conversion circuit 81 is unnecessary, and the PWM signal from the audio control board 7 may be input to the switching amplifier circuit 82 of the digital amplifier 8. The audio control board 7 outputs a PDM (Pulse Density Modulation) signal corresponding to a sound effect to be output from the front speakers FLS, FRS and the rear speaker RS based on the audio control signal from the main control board 6. Then, the PDM signal output from the audio control board 7 may be input to the switching amplifier circuit 82 of the digital amplifier 8. Also in this case, the PCM-PWM conversion circuit 81 of the digital amplifier 8 is unnecessary. That is, the audio control board 7 outputs a 1-bit digital audio signal such as a PWM signal or a PDM signal, and the digital amplifier 8 includes a switching amplifier circuit for amplifying the 1-bit digital audio signal, A low-pass filter for converting the signal amplified by the amplifier circuit into an analog audio signal may be provided.
[0031]
Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a pachislot machine has been described as an example. However, the present invention relates to a case where a game ball (pachinko machine) Ball), and when the game ball enters the winning opening arranged in the game board, a prize ball is given to the game machine. it can.
In addition, various design changes can be made within the scope of the matters described in the claims.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of a pachislot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a main control board and a voice control board.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of a digital amplifier.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a speaker driving device that can be used in place of the digital amplifier.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration for outputting a sound effect in a conventional gaming machine.
[Explanation of symbols]
6 Main control board 7 Voice control board 8 Digital amplifier 9 Speaker drive device 21 Symbol display window 75 Voice control circuit 81 PCM-PWM conversion circuit 82 Switching amplifier circuit 91 Digital-analog conversion circuit 93 Analog amplifier FLS Front speaker FRS Front speaker RS Rear Speaker

Claims (5)

A speaker that outputs sound effects to enhance the atmosphere of the game,
A main control board that executes comprehensive control for realizing a predetermined game,
A sound control board that outputs a digital sound signal corresponding to a sound effect to be output from the speaker in association with the game based on a control signal given from the main control board to the speaker. A gaming machine characterized by: A speaker driving device that is arranged near the speaker and generates an analog audio signal based on a digital audio signal output from the audio control board, and inputs the generated analog audio signal to the speaker as a driving signal; The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising: A speaker that outputs sound effects to enhance the atmosphere of the game,
A control board that outputs a digital audio signal corresponding to a sound effect to be output from the speaker;
A speaker driving device that is arranged near the speaker, generates an analog audio signal based on the digital audio signal output from the control board, and inputs the generated analog audio signal to the speaker as a drive signal. A gaming machine characterized by including. The speaker drive device includes a PWM signal generation circuit that generates a PWM signal having a duty corresponding to a digital audio signal output from the audio control board, and converts the PWM signal generated by the PWM signal generation circuit into the analog audio signal. 4. The gaming machine according to claim 2, further comprising a low-pass filter for converting. The speaker driving device converts a digital audio signal output from the audio control board into a digital-analog converter, and amplifies an output signal of the digital-analog conversion circuit to generate the analog audio signal. The gaming machine according to claim 2, further comprising an analog amplifier circuit.

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