JP4063399B2 - Slot machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
The present invention is applied to a slot machine among various gaming machines deployed in a game arcade such as a pachinko parlor or a game center, and in particular, a decorative illumination for a panel on a front surface of a machine body having a symbol display window. Related to the technology to apply.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In conventional slot machines, a door is attached to the front opening of the machine body where the reel unit and control board are installed, and symbol display windows, various displays, game information, etc. are printed on the front of the door. The panel panel is arranged.
[0003]
In recent slot machines, in order to cope with the diversification of game development and to provide more attractive models, decorative light sources such as lamps and LEDs are provided on the panel plate or on the back side of the plate surface. A number of these are provided, and decorative lighting such as switching or blinking of multiple types of color light is performed by these light sources. In order to further enhance the decoration effect, a plurality of light sources are arranged in a pattern to display a predetermined decoration pattern, or each light source is arranged along the periphery of the panel and lighted all at once. There is a method of specifying it.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, if a large number of decorative light sources are arranged on the panel or the lighting pattern of each light source is complicated, wiring on the back side of the panel becomes complicated, and there is a problem that it takes time to manufacture the machine.
[0005]
Also, when pattern illumination is performed by the arrangement of light sources, such as forming a predetermined pattern with each light source, or placing each light source along the periphery of the panel, if the wiring for some light sources is disconnected, the decorative pattern on the panel is missing A part will occur. If the decoration pattern is missing, there is a risk of giving the player an image that the aircraft is out of order, so care must be taken for maintenance, and the burden on the manufacturer becomes significant.
[0006]
The present invention has been made paying attention to the above-mentioned problems. By using a side-emitting optical fiber curved in a U-shaped arc as a decorative light source, a slot having a simple structure and a high decorative effect can be obtained. Providing a machine is a technical issue.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In the present invention, a door having a structure in which a plurality of printed panels are assembled to a frame is detachably attached to the front surface of a box-shaped main body having an opening on the front surface. A plurality of reels each having a plurality of types of symbols on the outer peripheral surface thereof are rotatably provided at a height position, and a symbol display window for displaying the symbols of each reel is provided on the door portion. A formed front panel is provided, and below this front panel is formed an operation part frame in which operation switches for gaming are arranged along the lateral width direction of the door part. Further, the model name is provided below the operation part frame. This is for a slot machine provided with a lower panel on which information such as is printed .
[0008]
In the first aspect of the invention, a side-emitting optical fiber as a linear light emitter is arranged on the back surface of the front panel in a state of being curved in an inverted U-shaped arc so as to surround the symbol display window. In addition, on the back surface of the lower panel, as a linear light emitter, a side-emitting optical fiber is arranged in a U-shaped arc shape so as to represent an egg-shaped decorative pattern together with the optical fiber on the front panel side. Then, both end portions of each optical fiber are fixed to the back side of the operation portion frame of the door portion. The portion of each panel where the optical fiber is disposed is set in a transparent state without a printed layer or a state in which a printed layer having translucency is formed. On the back side of the operation unit frame, multi-color light sources that introduce light from both end surfaces into the optical fibers are disposed at positions facing the both end surfaces of the optical fibers. Each light source is connected to a light emission control means for displaying a color indicating the current game progress state on each optical fiber by switching the light emission color according to the game progress state.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, the light emission control means individually executes control for switching the light emission operation timing and the light emission color of each multicolor light source.
[0009]
[Action]
An optical fiber is arranged on the back surface of the front panel so that it surrounds the symbol display window in an inverted U-shaped arc shape, and an optical fiber is arranged on the back surface of the lower panel with a U-shaped arc shape. By turning on a light source disposed opposite to each end face of each optical fiber, the optical fiber emits side light over the entire length. In addition, since the portion of the panel where the optical fiber is arranged is set in a transparent state or a state where a translucent printing layer is formed, it becomes possible to visually recognize the light emission state of the optical fiber from the outside . An egg-shaped illumination can be displayed along the periphery of the main part of the front of the aircraft including the symbol display window.
Therefore, by switching the light emission color of each light source according to the progress of the game, various color displays can be performed along the periphery of the main part on the front of the machine body . In addition, only the optical fiber is arranged on the back surface of the front panel and the lower panel , and the light source is also arranged on the back side of the operation unit frame by introducing a light source for introducing light to each edge of the optical fiber. As a result, wiring is greatly simplified, and labor for manufacturing and maintenance is reduced.
[0011]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to cause each optical fiber to emit light at different timings or to emit light by different color lights by executing the control for switching the light emission operation timing and emission color of each light source individually for each optical fiber. become.
[0012]
【Example】
FIG. 1 shows the appearance of a slot machine to which the present invention is applied, and FIGS. 2 and 3 show the internal structure of the airframe.
The machine body 1 of this 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. In the hollow interior of the main body 2, a reel block 4, a circuit board 5 such as a control circuit, a light source 6 for panel illumination, which will be described later, and the like are incorporated at an upper position, and a hopper that accommodates a large number of medals at a lower position A medal discharger 7 having a 7a, a power supply device 8, a medal recovery box 9, and the like are incorporated.
[0013]
The reel block 4 includes three reels 11a, 11b, and 11c and stepping motors 12a, 12b, and 12c that individually rotate and drive the reels 11a, 11b, and 11c. On the outer peripheral surface of each reel 11a, 11b, 11c, a plurality of types of symbols such as symbols, letters, numbers, etc. are represented, and some of these symbols constitute a symbol for establishing a prize.
[0014]
The door 3 is formed by assembling three panels 13, 14, 15 to a metal frame. Each panel 13, 14, 15 is formed by performing silk screen printing on the surface of a transparent synthetic resin plate or tempered glass, and the symbol of each reel 11 a, 11 b, 11 c is displayed on the central front panel 14. A symbol display window 16 or the like for displaying is formed. Speakers 17a and 17b are provided on the upper panel 13, and a model name, game information, and the like are drawn on the lower panel 15.
[0015]
On the lower frame of the front panel 14, an operation unit 23 is provided in which a start lever 18, three stop button switches 19a, 19b, 19c, a medal slot 20, bet button switches 21, 22 and the like are arranged. In addition, a medal discharge port 24 and a medal tray 25 are respectively provided below the lower panel 15.
[0016]
The symbol display window 16 displays a predetermined number (usually three) of symbols in the window frame when the reels are stopped for each of the reels 11a, 11b, and 11c. A plurality of stop lines (not shown) corresponding to the stop display positions of these symbols are drawn at the formation positions of. On the back side of the upper panel 13 and the lower panel 15, fluorescent lamps 26a and 26b for adjusting the brightness of the panel surface are provided.
[0017]
In the slot machine configured as described above, when either a medal insertion from the medal insertion slot 20 or a medal stored in advance in the machine body is inserted by pressing the bet button switches 21 and 22, The number of stop lines corresponding to the number of inserted sheets is activated. Then, after the three reels 11a, 11b, and 11c are started all at once by operating the start lever 18, the corresponding reels are stopped each time the stop button switches 19a, 19b, and 19c are operated. When a winning combination of symbols is established on the activated stop line at this time, a winning is made, and a predetermined number of medals are discharged from the medal discharge port 24 to the medal tray 25 by the operation of the medal dispensing machine 7.
[0018]
In the slot machine of this embodiment, in addition to the back lighting by the fluorescent lamps 26a and 26b, two side-emitting optical fibers 30a and 30b and a light source 6 for introducing light into each optical fiber are used for each panel. It is comprised so that the illumination for decoration can be given to 13,14,15.
[0019]
The front panel 14 and the upper panel 13 are supported in series by frames 27a and 27b at both ends, and the optical fiber 30a is curved and arranged so as to draw an elliptical arc across the back sides of the panels 13 and 14. . The other optical fiber 30b is similarly arranged in the shape of an elliptical arc on the back side of the lower panel 15, and along these optical fibers 30a and 30b, the operation unit 23, the symbol display window 16 and the like around the main part related to the game. Thus, an egg-shaped decorative pattern is formed.
[0020]
The positions corresponding to the optical fibers 30a and 30b of the panels 13, 14, and 15 are formed on the ground where no print printing is performed so that the light from the optical fibers can be visually recognized, or printing with a paint having transparency. A layer is formed.
[0021]
Each of the optical fibers 30a and 30b has one end led to the light source 6 arranged at an even position in the upper stage of the machine body, and its end face is optically coupled to the light source 6 through the socket 6b. . These optical fibers 30a and 30b are formed by coating a core of a material excellent in light transmittance with a flexible pipe-shaped clad, and by selecting the material of the core and the clad, adjusting the refractive index between them, As a result, the introduced light from the end surface is emitted from the outer peripheral surface, and the outer peripheral surface emits light over the entire length. Acrylic resin is used as the core and Teflon is used as the cladding, but each material is not limited to this.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 4 (1), the light source 6 is formed by incorporating a halogen bulb 47 in a housing 6a. A motor 46 is disposed below the halogen bulb 47, and a disc-shaped color filter 45 is supported in a state supported by the motor 46 at a position before the halogen bulb 47. .
[0023]
As shown in FIG. 4 (2), the color filter 45 is formed by forming eight color filter materials of green, red, purple, yellow-green, blue, pink, orange, and yellow into a fan shape of the same size. The radius is set to a size that sufficiently includes the two optical fibers 30a and 30b.
The color filter material used for the color filter 45 need not be limited to eight types.
[0024]
Circular openings 48a and 48b for the optical fibers 30a and 30b are formed vertically in the front surface of the housing 6a so as to correspond to the positions where the halogen bulbs 47 are arranged. One end of each of the optical fibers 30a and 30b is fitted into the openings 48a and 48b, and is fixedly supported by the socket 6b.
[0025]
With the above configuration, when the halogen bulb 47 is turned on by turning on the power, the light is modulated into one of the eight color lights through the color filter 45, and each optical fiber is transmitted through the openings 48a and 48b. It is introduced into 30a and 30b. Thereby, each optical fiber 30a, 30b emits side light over the entire length, and egg-shaped illumination is applied along the periphery of the main part of the front surface of the aircraft. Further, by driving the motor 46 and rotating the color filter 45, the color of light introduced into the optical fibers 30a and 30b can be changed as appropriate, so that various color displays can be performed as the game progresses. .
[0026]
For example, in bonus games called “Regular Bonus” and “Big Bonus”, the yellow and red lights are turned on or flashed, respectively, and the green light is turned on when the chances called “Reach” and “Tempe” arrive. Alternatively, it is possible to notify the player of the progress of the game by the display color, such as blinking and when the bonus game winning flag is set, such as lighting or blinking blue light. .
[0027]
Further, during normal times, each color light or color light other than the above four colors may be displayed while switching appropriately. Furthermore, at the time of winning a prize or the like, it is possible to produce an effect such that each color changes while blinking by rotating the color filter 45 at a high speed.
[0028]
Since the optical fibers 30a and 30b are arranged along the periphery of the panels 13, 14 , and 15 , the panels 13, 14 , and 15 are evenly illuminated, and there is no possibility of causing a light / dark step. Further, since the optical fibers 30a and 30b hardly generate heat during light emission, there is no fear of making the player feel hot with the decorative lighting.
Furthermore, according to the above-described configuration, effective decoration illumination can be performed over a wide range of the front part of the aircraft with only one light source 6, so that it is troublesome in the wiring process and maintenance of the decoration illumination in the manufacturing process of the machine. Can be greatly reduced.
[0029]
In the above embodiment, the optical fibers 30a and 30b are arranged on the back surfaces of the panels 13, 14, and 15. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the positions corresponding to the optical fibers 30a and 30b on the panel surface are cut out to form slits. A hole may be formed, and the optical fibers 30a and 30b may be fitted into the hole.
[0030]
5 and 6 show a second embodiment of the present invention.
In this embodiment, light from individual light sources is supplied to two optical fibers 30a and 30b, respectively. The main part of each optical fiber 30a, 30b is arranged on the back side of each panel 13, 14, 15 in the same state as in the first embodiment, but both ends are operated by the fixing member (not shown). A light source 32 is arranged for each end face position.
[0031]
Each of the light sources 32 is a multicolor light emitting type in which a plurality of LEDs having different emission colors are combined. As shown in FIG. 7A, the end face of the optical fiber 30a (30b) is inserted through a socket 31. To be optically coupled. These light sources 32 are connected to a light emission control unit (not shown) to control the timing of the light emission operation and switch the light emission color. By performing this control independently for each of the optical fibers 30a and 30b, each light source 32 is controlled. The optical fibers 30a and 30b can emit light at different timings, and the optical fibers 30a and 30b can emit light with different color lights.
[0032]
As shown in FIG. 7 (2), if the diameter of each socket 31 is formed large and a plurality of light sources 32 of LEDs similar to those described above are fitted in the socket, each optical fiber 30a, 30b can emit light more brightly. Further, instead of the LED, a lens lamp capable of irradiating a strong spot light may be adopted as the light source 32.
[0033]
8 and 9 show a third embodiment of the present invention in which one optical fiber 30a, 30b, and 30c is arranged for each panel 13, 14, and 15, respectively. In this embodiment, a decorative lamp 35 is provided on the upper panel 13 in place of the speakers 27a and 27b.
[0034]
Each optical fiber 30a, 30b, 30c is disposed on the back side of the panel 13, 14, 15 in a state of being bent in a rectangular shape along the periphery of the panel, and one end of the light source 6 inside the fuselage. It is led to a position and its end face is coupled to the light source 6.
Here, the same color light is simultaneously guided into each of the optical fibers 30a, 30b, 30c using the light source 6 having the same halogen bulb 6a as in the first embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to this. You may arrange | position the light source 32 by LED of 2nd Example for every optical fiber 30a, 30b, 30c.
[0035]
The means for arranging the panels 13, 14, and 15 for decorative illumination is not limited to the optical fibers 30a, 30b, and 30c, and other flexible line-shaped light emitters may be introduced.
The embodiment of FIG. 10 shows an example in which three neon tubes 40a, 40b, and 40c are introduced in place of the optical fibers 30a, 30b, and 30c. The neon tubes 40a, 40b, and 40c are arranged in the same state as the optical fibers 30a, 30b, and 30c of the third embodiment. However, the arrangement is not limited to this, and the arrangement is as in the first and second embodiments. It is also possible to do.
[0036]
Three inverter circuit units 41 a, 41 b, 41 c for each neon tube are arranged on one side surface inside the machine body while being connected to the power supply device 8. Each of the neon tubes 40a, 40b, and 40c has one end connected to the corresponding inverter circuit unit 41a, 41b, and 41c, and is supplied with an AC voltage for glow discharge to emit light.
[0037]
Instead of the neon tubes 41a, 41b and 41c, a cold cathode discharge tube or an electroluminescent fiber having a pipe-like light emitting layer made of an EL element may be used. An LED array in which a large number of LEDs and their wiring patterns are arranged on a long semiconductor substrate having flexibility can also be used as a means for decorative illumination of the panel.
[0038]
Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the linear bodies such as the optical fibers 30a and 30b and the neon tubes are arranged along the periphery of the game unit and the panel. However, the arrangement of the linear bodies is not limited to this, and may be a desired one. Illumination of various patterns can be performed by arranging the curved portions at arbitrary positions .
[0039]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the present invention arranges the optical fiber on the back surface of the front panel in a state of being bent in an inverted U-shaped arc so as to surround the symbol display window, and the optical fiber is disposed on the back surface of the lower panel with the U-shaped arc shape. The optical fibers are arranged in a curved state, and colored light is introduced from each end of each optical fiber so that each optical fiber emits side light over the entire length, and the light emission state can be visually recognized through the illumination panel. Therefore, it is possible to display the egg-shaped illumination on the main part of the front of the aircraft including the symbol display window without complicating the wiring. Slot machine can be provided.
[0040]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the control for switching the light emission operation timing and the light emission operation of each light source is executed individually for each optical fiber, so that each optical fiber can emit light at different timings or emit light with different color lights. Thus, the decorative effect can be further enhanced.
[0041]
Furthermore, in the present invention, by using a side-emitting optical fiber, uniform illumination can be applied over the entire length, and heat is not generated by light emission, so that the player is concerned that his eyes are tired and he feels hot. The effect that there is no is also acquired.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing an appearance of a slot machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front view showing an internal configuration of the slot machine.
FIG. 3 is a left side view of the essential part of the embodiment of FIG.
FIGS. 4A and 4B are a side view and a front view showing a detailed configuration inside the light source. FIGS.
FIG. 5 is a front view showing the appearance of the slot machine of the second embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a left side view of the essential part of the embodiment of FIG.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged side view showing a coupling portion between an optical fiber and a light source.
FIG. 8 is a front view showing the appearance of the slot machine of the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a left side view of the essential part of the embodiment of FIG.
FIG. 10 is a left side view showing the essential part of the slot machine of the fourth embodiment of the present invention in a cutaway manner.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Airframe 3 Door part 6, 32 Light source 13, 14, 15 Panel 30a, 30b, 30c Optical fiber 40a, 40b, 40c Neon tube

Claims (2)

On the front surface of the box-shaped main body portion having an opening on the front surface, a door portion having a structure in which a plurality of printed panels are assembled to a frame is attached to be openable and closable at a predetermined height position in the main body portion. A front surface in which a plurality of reels each having a plurality of types of symbols are rotatably provided on the outer peripheral surface, and a symbol display window for displaying a symbol of each reel is formed on the door portion. A panel is provided, and below this front panel is formed an operation part frame in which operation switches for gaming are arranged along the width direction of the door part, and information such as the model name is further provided below the operation part frame. In a slot machine provided with a printed lower panel,
On the back surface of the front panel, as a linear light emitter, a side-emitting optical fiber is disposed in a curved state in an inverted U-shaped arc so as to surround the symbol display window, and the back surface of the lower panel Further, as a linear light emitter, a side-emitting optical fiber is arranged in a U-shaped arc shape so as to represent an egg-shaped decorative pattern together with the optical fiber on the front panel side, and both end portions of each optical fiber There is fixed to the rear side of the operation portion frame of each of the door portions,
The portion of each panel where the optical fiber is disposed is set to a transparent state without a printed layer or a printed layer having translucency , respectively .
On the back side of the operation unit frame, a multicolor light source that introduces light from both end surfaces into each optical fiber is disposed at a position facing each end surface of each optical fiber,
A slot machine in which each light source is connected to a light emission control means for displaying a color indicating the current game progress state on each optical fiber by switching the light emission color according to the game progress state. 2. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the light emission control unit individually executes control for switching the light emission operation timing and the light emission color of each multicolor light source .

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