JP3822968B2 - Slot machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
The present invention relates to a slot machine that moves and displays a plurality of types of symbols, stops the movement by a stop operation by a player, and displays any symbol at a predetermined position.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In the conventional slot machine, three transparent symbol display windows are formed on the front panel, and reels are arranged inside each symbol display window. Each reel has a plurality of types of symbols on its outer peripheral surface. In each symbol display window, a plurality of types of symbols are variably displayed in a scrolled state when the reel is rotated, and each reel is displayed when the reel is stopped. Three symbols are displayed.
[0003]
Each time the game is performed, the player performs medal insertion and start lever operation to start all reels, and then operates the stop button switch for each reel to stop each reel individually. As a result, when a predetermined symbol combination is established on the activated stop line, a winning is won and a predetermined number of medals are paid out. When a specific symbol combination is established, a special prize is awarded and the game shifts to a special game called “bonus game” where a large amount of medals can be obtained.
[0004]
The front panel shows five upper, middle, and lower diagonal stop lines that are activated according to the number of inserted medals, and one of the activated stops when two reels stop. When a symbol related to winning or special winning (hereinafter referred to as “winning symbol” or “special winning symbol”) is stopped on the line, a so-called “reach state” is entered, and the player is spinning on the stopping line. The stop button switch is operated aiming at the final reel so that the winning symbol or the special winning symbol stops.
[0005]
However, it is particularly difficult for beginners to stare at the spinning reels and distinguish between winning symbols and special winning symbols passing through the symbol display window. Therefore, in a conventional slot machine, a player can tell the player's visual and auditory sense of the timing of the stop operation in accordance with the reel rotation cycle so that the player can skillfully operate the stop button switch. A slot machine that has been informed to have been commercialized.
[0006]
As a method of notifying the player of the timing of this stop operation, a backlit stop button switch with a built-in lamp is used, or a lamp is provided in the vicinity of the stop button switch so as to match the reel rotation cycle. There have been proposed a method in which the lamp is turned on instantaneously, a method in which a sound shorter than that of the speaker is generated in accordance with the rotation period of the reel, and the like.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the former method, since the position of the lamp and the position of each symbol display window are separated, it is necessary to check the lighting of the lamp while staring at the movement of the reel in the symbol display window. There is a problem of eye fatigue.
In the latter method, if the generated sound is small, it is difficult to hear the sound in the noisy hall. On the other hand, if the generated sound is large, it causes noise.
[0008]
As a method for solving the above-mentioned problem, a light transmission hole is opened at an appropriate position on the outer peripheral surface of the reel, and a light source is arranged on the inner side of the reel toward the symbol display window. In addition, a method has also been proposed in which light from a light source is transmitted through a light transmission hole to be emitted.
However, this method has a problem in that the light directly hits the eyes of the player staring at the movement of the reel, which adversely affects the eyes.
[0009]
The present invention has been made paying attention to the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a slot machine that does not cause a player's eyes to get tired or adversely affect the eyes.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Slot machine according to the invention, in the symbol display window provided on the front panel, and displays are moved by rotation of the plurality of types of symbols represented on the outer peripheral surface, one of the symbols by the stop of rotation A symbol variable display device comprising a plurality of reels that are stopped and displayed on a plurality of stop lines set in a symbol display window, a stop button switch for stopping rotation of the reel, and a stop button switch Informing means for informing the player of the operation timing. The notifying means forms an optical image in the form of a spot on the outer peripheral surface of the reel by means of a laser diode arranged inside the front panel, and a control device for controlling the imaging operation of the imaging device become equipped with bets, wherein the control device, sequentially the optical image in accordance with the movement of the symbol for each predetermined symbol passes through the symbol display window along on the outer peripheral surface of the reel of the symbol display window The image forming operation of the image forming apparatus is controlled so that the image is moved while being imaged and the size of the optical image changes stepwise .
[0012]
[Action]
Since the optical image is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the reel to notify the player of the timing of the stop operation, light does not directly hit the player's eyes. Further, since the player can check the optical image while keeping his line of sight on the symbol display surface, the player can advantageously perform the stop operation while watching the variable display.
[0013]
Further, the control device sequentially forms and moves an optical image along the outer peripheral surface of the reel in the symbol display window in accordance with the movement of the symbol every time a predetermined symbol passes through the symbol display window. Since the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus is controlled so that the size of the image changes stepwise, the optical image looks as if it moves through the symbol display window, and the player looks at the optical image and presses the stop button switch Is operated, the target symbol can be stopped at a predetermined stop position.
[0014]
【Example】
FIG. 1 shows the appearance of a slot machine in which the present invention is implemented.
The machine body 1 of the slot machine is configured such that a door portion 3 is attached to a front opening of a box-shaped main body portion 2 so as to be opened and closed. As shown in FIG. 2, a medal dispenser having a circuit board 5 such as a reel block 4 or a control circuit at an upper position and a hopper 6a for accommodating a large number of medals at a lower position, as shown in FIG. 6 are respectively incorporated.
[0015]
The reel block 4 is formed by integrally assembling three reels 8a, 8b, and 8c to a metal frame 7. On the outer peripheral surface of each reel 8a, 8b, 8c, a plurality of types of symbols such as symbols, characters, numbers and the like are represented to form a symbol display surface. A specific symbol (in this embodiment, “7”) is formed. Symbol) constitutes a special prize symbol for establishing a special prize, and some other predetermined symbols constitute a prize symbol for establishing a normal prize. The reel block 4 is assembled with stepping motors 9a, 9b, and 9c that individually rotate and drive the reels 8a, 8b, and 8c, and constitutes a symbol variable display device 10 together with the reels 8a, 8b, and 8c.
[0016]
As shown in FIG. 3, each reel 8a, 8b, 8c is provided with a reference signal generator 23 for generating a reference signal described later. The reference signal generator 23 of the illustrated example has a projection 21 integrally formed on a shaft portion 25 that connects between the outer peripheral frame of each reel 8a, 8b, 8c and the central boss portion, and a position where the projection 21 passes. It is comprised with the photoelectric sensor 22 arrange | positioned. The photoelectric sensor 22 generates a reference signal every time the protrusion 21 blocks the optical path of the photoelectric sensor 22 due to the rotation of the reel, and supplies the reference signal to the counting unit 34 of the CPU 51 described later.
[0017]
The front surface of the door 3 is composed of a front panel 11 for variably displaying the symbols of the reels 8a, 8b, and 8c, and an upper panel 12 and a lower panel 13 for displaying model names and game information. . Each panel 11, 12, 13 is formed by performing silk screen printing on the surface of a transparent synthetic resin plate.
Below the front panel 11 are a start lever 14, three stop button switches 15 a, 15 b, 15 c, a medal slot 16, etc., and below the lower panel 13 are a medal discharge port 17 and a medal tray 18, Each is deployed.
[0018]
Three uncolored and transparent symbol display windows 20a, 20b, and 20c are formed in the center of the front panel 11. The reels 8a, 8b, 8c of the reel block 4 are positioned behind the symbol display windows 20a, 20b, 20c. When the reels are stopped, the reels have a vertically long shape so that only three symbols on the outer peripheral surface of the reel are visible. Is formed.
[0019]
As shown in FIG. 4, the front panel 11 has a total of five stop lines L1 to L5 that are upper, middle, lower, and diagonal so as to cross the symbol display windows 20a, 20b, and 20c. When stopped, the symbols of the reels 8a, 8b, and 8c are arranged on the stop lines L1 to L5. These stop lines L1 to L5 are the upper, middle, and lower three if only one central stop line L1 is two if the number of medals inserted into the medal slot 16 is one. If there are three stop lines L1 to L3, all the five stop lines L1 to L5 are activated.
[0020]
In the figure, reference numeral 19 denotes an illuminating device comprising a fluorescent lamp disposed inside the front panel 11. The illuminating device 19 is always lit during the operation of the machine, and the outer peripheral surface of each reel 8a, 8b, 8c. Provide lighting.
As shown in FIG. 5, an image forming device 30 for forming an optical image of a predetermined shape on the outer peripheral surface of each reel 8a, 8b, 8c, that is, the symbol display surface is provided inside the front panel 11. It is.
[0021]
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the imaging device 30 in the illustrated example includes three laser diodes a <b> 1 to a <b> 3, b <b> 1 to b <b> 3, along one side edge of each symbol display window 20 a, 20 b, and 20 c. c1 to c3 are arranged in units of three, and one of the laser diodes is instantaneously driven, and the outer peripheral surface of each reel 8a, 8b, 8c is in the upper, middle, lower and middle in each symbol display window 20a, 20b, 20c. A spot-like optical image 31 is formed at any one of the symbol stop positions.
[0022]
In addition, it is also possible to use a light emitting diode instead of a laser diode as a light source for forming the spot-shaped optical image 31. In this case, the light of the light emitting diode is condensed using an appropriate optical system. Let
If a multicolor light emitting diode is used as the light emitting diode, the color of the optical image 31 can be changed according to the situation.
[0023]
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, when the two reels 8a and 8b are stopped, the special winning symbol is placed on one of the activated stop lines (oblique stop line L5 in FIG. 6). When the “7” of the reels 8c are aligned, that is, in the “reach state”, the outer peripheral surface of the remaining rotating reel 8c is positioned at the lower symbol stop position in the symbol display window 20c and the rotation period of the reel 8c. In addition, the optical image 31 is repeatedly formed in an instant.
The optical image 31 can be generated not only when the “reach state” due to the special winning symbol occurs but also when the “reach state” due to other winning symbols occurs.
Furthermore, when the special game is established and the game is shifted to the bonus game and the winning symbol for the bonus game is stopped, the optical image 31 can be formed to notify the player of the timing of the stop operation.
[0024]
Further, in this embodiment, in the illustrated “reach state”, the special symbol “7” of the rotating reel 8c passes through the middle symbol stop position in the symbol display window 20c, and the lower symbol The optical image 31 is formed at the stop position. However, when the reel rotates slowly, the optical image 31 may be generated at the lower symbol stop position at a timing when the reel passes through the lower symbol stop position. On the other hand, when the reel rotates rapidly, the optical image 31 may be formed at the lower symbol stop position at the timing when the reel passes through the upper symbol stop position.
[0025]
In this embodiment, the optical image 31 is instantaneously formed every time the reel rotates once in accordance with the rotation period of the reel. However, the optical image 31 is formed every time the reel rotates a predetermined number of times. Thus, the imaging cycle may be set longer.
Further, the optical image 31 is not formed in correspondence with the reel rotation cycle as in the above embodiment, but the optical image 31 having a size overlapping the symbol is fixedly fixed regardless of the reel rotation cycle. The image may be formed at any one of the symbol stop positions below. In this case, the player performs a stop operation at the timing when the symbol of clear color overlaps the optical image 31 during the reel rotation.
[0026]
Further, in this embodiment, when the remaining spinning reel 8c stops and the special winning symbol “7” stops on the oblique stop line L5, that is, when the special winning is established, the corresponding laser diode c3 or All laser diodes a2, b1 and c3 corresponding to the position where the special prize symbol is stopped are intermittently driven to form one or three optical images 31 in a blinking state, and a special prize is established. To the person in charge.
The notification that the special prize has been established may adopt a method other than blinking the optical image 31. For example, when a liquid crystal or the like is used as the symbol variable display device, characters such as “big hit” can be displayed.
[0027]
In the above specific example, every time the special winning symbol “7” passes through the symbol display window 20c, the spot-shaped optical image 31 is formed at the lower position of the symbol display window 20c. As described above, every time the special winning symbol “7” passes through the symbol display window 20c, the three laser diodes c2, c1, and c3 are instantaneously and sequentially driven in accordance with the rotational speed of the reel 8c, so that the optical image 31 is obtained. May be formed in sequence at the upper, middle, and lower step positions of the symbol display window 20c so that the optical image 31 moves from the top to the bottom of the symbol display window 20c.
[0028]
FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of the imaging device 30 in which nine laser diodes a1 to a3, b1 to b3, and c1 to c3 are arranged inside the reels 8a, 8b, and 8c.
In this embodiment, since the optical image 31 is generated on the rear surface of the outer peripheral surface of each reel 8a, 8b, 8c, the outer peripheral surface of each reel 8a, 8b, 8c is formed of a translucent material, or FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, the optical image 31 is projected onto the surface of the reel outer peripheral surface by forming a thin portion 40 around a part of the outer peripheral surface of each reel 8 a, 8 b, 8 c to form a semitransparent state. I am letting. The outer peripheral surfaces of the reels 8a, 8b and 8c are generally formed by sticking a strip-shaped tape on which a symbol is printed to the outer peripheral surface of the reel frame. Or a strip-shaped tape on which the thin portion 40 is formed.
[0029]
FIG. 11 shows another arrangement example of the laser diodes a1 to a3, b1 to b3, and c1 to c3 constituting the imaging device 30.
The imaging device 30 of the illustrated example distributes and arranges the laser diodes a1 to a3, b1 to b3, and c1 to c3 to the upper position and the lower position of the reels 8a, 8b, and 8c. Reflecting mirrors 45 and 46 for reflecting light from each laser diode toward the outer peripheral surface of the reel are attached on the inner side.
[0030]
In each of the above embodiments, a spot-like optical image 31 is generated in the vicinity of the symbol so as not to overlap the symbol. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. An optical image 31 having a shape and size that covers the image may be generated so as to overlap the symbol. When the optical image 31 having a special shape or design is generated, the optical image is projected using a projection film.
Further, in the embodiment of FIG. 7, optical images 31 having the same shape and size are sequentially formed at the upper, middle, and lower step positions in the symbol display windows 20a, 20b, and 20c. As described above, the optical image 31 may be enlarged or reduced in steps to form an image.
[0031]
FIG. 14 shows an electrical configuration of the slot machine described above.
In the figure, reference numeral 50 denotes a control unit composed of a microcomputer for controlling the operation of each unit, and includes a CPU 51 as a control body, a ROM 52 for storing programs and fixed data, and a RAM 53 used for reading and writing data.
[0032]
The control unit 50 is connected via a bus 54 to a start lever 14, three stop button switches 15a, 15b, 15c, a medal sensor 55, photoelectric sensors 22a, 22b, 22c for each reel, and an image forming unit. The laser diodes a1 to a3, b1 to b3, c1 to c3, the medal dispenser 6, and the reel driving units 56a, 56b, and 56c of the reels 8a, 8b, and 8c that constitute the device 30 are connected.
The medal sensor 55 detects the insertion of medals into the medal slot 16, and the reel driving units 56a, 56b, 56c drive the reels 8a, 8b, 8c.
[0033]
FIG. 15 shows a circuit configuration example of the reel driving unit 56a and the function of the CPU 51 together.
In the figure, the circuit configuration of the first reel 8a is shown, but the same applies to the second and third reels 8b and 8c, and the illustration is omitted here.
[0034]
The reel drive unit 56a receives the clock signal, generates a drive pulse p, supplies the drive pulse p to the stepping motor 9a, and drives the reel 8a. A start command and a stop command are given to the reel drive unit 56a from the reel control unit 33 of the CPU 51.
[0035]
When the start lever 14 is operated, a start signal is input to the reel controller 56a, and the reel controller 33 issues a start command to operate the reel driver 56a. When the stop button switch 15a is pressed, a stop signal is input to the reel controller 56a, and the reel controller 56a issues a stop command to stop the operation of the stepping motor 9a.
[0036]
The drive pulse p is given to the counting unit 34 of the CPU 51 and counted. The count value of the counter 34 is reset by the reference signal given every time the reel 8a rotates once. The symbol detector 35 detects which symbol of the reel 8 a is located on which stop line from the count value of the counter 34, and outputs the detection result to the timing signal generator 39 and the determiner 36.
[0037]
The determination unit 36 is also provided with a symbol detection result from the symbol detection unit 35 for the other reels 8b and 8c, and the determination unit 36 stops any two of the three reels 8a, 8b and 8c. At this time, it is determined whether or not the combination of symbols for the special prize can be established, that is, the “reach state”. Further, the determination unit 36 determines whether or not a special winning combination or a combination of symbols for other winnings is established when the three reels 8a, 8b, and 8c are stopped. This determination is made for all activated stop lines.
[0038]
When the timing signal generator 39 determines that the determination unit 36 has reached the “reach state”, the position of the remaining spinning reel is one frame before the position where the special winning in the symbol display window is established. Each time the symbol detector 35 detects that the special winning symbol passes, a timing signal is generated to drive the corresponding laser diode of the imaging device 30.
[0039]
FIG. 16 shows a flow of control of the slot machine by the control unit 50. In the figure, ST indicates each step of control.
In FIG. 3, when a medal is inserted in ST1 and the start lever 14 is operated in ST2, the CPU 51 rotates the three reels 8a, 8b, and 8c all at once (ST3).
[0040]
In the next ST4, when any one of the stop button switches 15a, 15b, 15c is pressed, the CPU 51 stops the corresponding reel (ST5), and whether or not the two reels are stopped in ST6, the three reels. In ST7, it is determined whether each has stopped. At the stage where one reel is stopped, the determination in ST6 and 7 is “NO”, and the process returns to ST4.
[0041]
When the second reel is stopped by the operation of the next stop button switch, the determination in ST6 is “YES”, and the CPU 51 immediately before the combination of the special winning symbol is established on the activated stop line in ST8. It is determined whether or not a so-called “reach state” has been reached. If it is in the “reach state”, the determination in ST8 is “YES”, and the CPU 51 generates a timing signal each time it detects that the special winning symbol passes through a predetermined position for the spinning reel. Then, the corresponding laser diode of the imaging device 30 is operated instantaneously, and the optical image 31 is formed at the stop position of the special prize symbol that establishes the special prize (ST9, 11).
[0042]
Thus, when the player presses the rotating reel stop button switch at the timing when the optical image 31 appears, the determination in ST10 is “YES” and the reel stops rotating (ST12), and the CPU 51 wins a prize in ST13. In ST14, it is determined whether or not it has been established.
If it is determined that the two reels are not in the “reach state”, the process returns from ST8 to ST4 to wait for the final reel stop operation. If there is a stop operation, the determination in ST4 is “YES”. The reel stops (ST5), and the process proceeds to ST13 winning determination through ST6 and 7.
[0043]
When the three reels 8a, 8b, and 8c are stopped, if a combination of winning symbols is established on the activated stop line, the determination of ST13 is “YES”, which is a combination of special winning symbols. If there is, the determination in ST14 is “YES”, and the CPU 51 causes the laser diode of the imaging device 30 to intermittently operate for a certain period of time to form an optical image 31 in a blinking state, and drives the medal dispenser 6. After paying out a predetermined number of medals, the process proceeds to a bonus game (ST16, 17).
[0044]
If a prize other than the special prize has been established, the determination in ST13 is “YES” and the determination in ST14 is “NO”. After proceeding to ST15 and paying out a predetermined number of medals, the process returns to ST1. To wait for the next game start operation.
If the winning is not established, the determination in ST13 is “NO”, and the process returns to ST1 and waits for the next game start operation.
[0045]
Note that the present invention is not limited to the slot machine, and can be implemented in a pachinko game machine and other variable symbol display game machines as long as the game player performs a stop operation of the variable symbol display device.
Further, in the above embodiment, three reels are used as the symbol variable display device. However, if a plurality of types of symbols are moved and displayed, a disk-shaped or belt-shaped display can be used instead of the reel. In addition, a display that electrically displays a plurality of types of symbols, a liquid crystal, a CRT, or the like can also be used.
[0046]
Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to a game machine using three reels as in the above embodiment, but one, two, four or more reels, or one, two, four or more reels instead of reels. It can also be applied to a game machine using the symbol variable display means.
[0047]
【The invention's effect】
Since the present invention informs the player of the timing of the stop operation by the optical image formed on the outer peripheral surface of the reel as described above, the player's eyes are tired or the player is There is no risk of adversely affecting your eyes. In addition, since the player can check the optical image with the line of sight directed to the outer peripheral surface of the reel, the stop operation can be advantageously performed while watching the symbol movement display.
Further, every time a predetermined symbol passes through the symbol display window, an optical image is sequentially formed and moved along the outer peripheral surface of the reel in the symbol display window in accordance with the movement of the symbol, and the size of the optical image. Since the image forming operation is controlled so as to change stepwise, the optical image appears to move through the symbol display window, and the player looks at the optical image and operates the stop button switch to It is possible to stop the symbol to be stopped at a predetermined stop position.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing an appearance of a slot machine in which the present invention is implemented.
FIG. 2 is a front view of the main body showing the internal structure of the slot machine.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a reference signal generator. FIG. 4 is a front view showing a configuration of a front panel.
5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 4 showing the configuration and arrangement of the imaging apparatus.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an imaging state of an optical image.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing another imaging method of an optical image.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing another arrangement example of the imaging apparatus.
FIG. 9 is a front view showing a symbol display surface of a reel.
10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG.
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating another arrangement example of the imaging apparatus.
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of an optical image.
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of an optical image.
FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the slot machine.
FIG. 15 is a functional block diagram illustrating functions of a CPU.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the flow of CPU control.
[Explanation of symbols]
8a, 8b, 8c Reel 10 Symbol variable display device 15a, 15b, 15c Stop button switch 30 Imaging device 31 Optical image 50 Control unit 51 CPU

Claims (1)

The symbol display window provided on the front panel, and displays a plurality of types of symbols represented on the outer circumferential surface is moved by the rotational operation is set to any of the symbols in the symbol display window by the stop of rotation A variable symbol display device comprising a plurality of reels that are stopped and displayed in a line on a plurality of stop lines, a stop button switch that stops the rotation of the reels, and an operation timing of the stop button switch are notified to the player. In the slot machine provided with an informing means, the informing means forms an optical spot-like image on the outer peripheral surface of the reel by a laser diode arranged inside the front panel, and the connection comprises a control unit for controlling the imaging operation of the image device, said control device, a predetermined symbol passes through the symbol display window The imaging device such that the magnitude of the moving vital optical image sequentially imaged along on the outer peripheral surface of the reel in the optical image is the symbol display window is changed stepwise in accordance with the movement of the symbol A slot machine that controls the image forming operation.

Images