JP4401454B2 - Symbol variable display game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To arrange an illuminating device even in a narrow space inside a machine body in addition to uniform illumination in a symbol display part and to unnecessitate an excessive light quantity. SOLUTION: A reel illuminating device 21 is constituted by using a linear light emitting member such as side surface light emitting optical fibers, etc. The plural symbols of the reel are displayed so as to be visually recognized from a symbol display window 20 under the illumination by the illuminating device 21. The side surface light emitting optical fibers 22D (22A, 22B and 22C) as the linear light emitting member are arranged at the inner side positions of the symbol display window 20. The illuminating device 21 is constituted with a light source which guides light from the end surfaces of the optical fibers (22A, 22B and 22C).

Description

[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
The present invention relates to a variable symbol display game machine having a variable symbol display device for displaying a plurality of symbols so as to be visible from a symbol display window under illumination by a lighting device, such as a slot machine or a pachinko machine.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, in a conventional slot machine, three symbol display windows are provided in parallel on the front panel on the front side. Inside the fuselage, three reels each having a plurality of symbols on the outer peripheral surface are arranged in parallel as a symbol variable display device at a position behind each symbol display window. Each reel can be rotated individually, and from each symbol display window, a moving symbol can be seen from the outside when the reel is rotated, and three symbols can be seen from the outside when the reel is stopped. .
[0003]
The symbols are configured by numbers, designs, and the like, and a plurality of symbols are drawn by silk screen printing on the surface of a belt-like sheet material attached to the outer peripheral surface of the reel frame.
Inside the symbol display window, a reel illumination device such as an incandescent bulb or a fluorescent lamp is disposed, and thereby the outer peripheral surface of the reel is illuminated.
[0004]
As shown in FIG. 16, the reel illumination device is configured such that a light source 103 such as an incandescent bulb or a fluorescent lamp is disposed at an upper position of a symbol display window 102 inside the front panel 101 so that it cannot be seen from the outside. . The light from the light source 103 is irradiated obliquely from above to the outer peripheral surface of the reel 104.
[0005]
In addition, as shown in FIG. 17, a light source 103 such as a fluorescent lamp is arranged at an inner position of the reel 104 that is not visible from the outside, and the light from the light source 103 is irradiated on the inner peripheral surface of the reel 104, Some also specify symbols explicitly.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, as in the conventional example described above, when an incandescent bulb or a fluorescent lamp is used as the light source 103 of the reel illumination device, a large installation space is required, and the installation location of the light source 103 is a symbol display window inside the front panel 101. There is a problem that the position is limited to an upper position of 102 or an inner position of the reel 104.
Also, as shown in the example of FIG. 16, when the light source 103 is positioned above the symbol display window 102 and light is irradiated obliquely from above the outer peripheral surface of the reel 104, the outer peripheral surface of the reel 104 is placed on the symbol display window 102. The upper position looks bright and clear, and the lower position is darker than the upper position because the distance from the light source 103 is far. Therefore, a bright and dark level difference is generated on the outer peripheral surface of the reel 104 in the vertical direction.
[0007]
Further, when the player rotates the reel 104, the player stares at the moving symbol and tries to stop the desired symbol. However, since the symbol is difficult to see at the lower position of the symbol display window 102, the player selects the desired symbol. It is hard to stop aiming and the game is less fun.
Furthermore, if there are the above-described steps of light and dark, it is easy to get tired of eyes and it is difficult to continue the game for a long time.
[0008]
Further, as shown in the example of FIG. 17, if the light source 103 is positioned inside the reel 104 and light is irradiated from the inside of the reel 104, there is a waste of illumination, and an extra symbol is required to clearly show the symbol display surface. The amount of light is required. Therefore, when a high output light source 103 is used, or when the light source 103 is brought close to the reel 104, the reel may be heated and deformed.
[0009]
The present invention has been made paying attention to the above-mentioned problem. By constructing a reel lighting device using a linear light emitting member, it is possible to install the lighting device even in a narrow space in the machine body. An object of the present invention is to provide a variable symbol display game machine that uniformly illuminates the surface on which the symbol is displayed and does not require an extra light quantity.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
This invention includes a front panel symbol display window transparent is formed, a plurality of reels to be positioned behind the symbol display window, and a motor for driving each reel individually driven by the respective reel motors By variably displaying a plurality of symbols displayed on the outer peripheral surface of the reel, the driving of each motor is stopped to stop the symbol variability display so that any symbol can be viewed from the outside in the symbol display window. A symbol variable display game machine comprising: a symbol variable display device to display; and a lighting device arranged at a position inside the symbol display window and not blocking a symbol that is visually recognized from the symbol display window after the reel stops. The illumination device is configured by using a linear light-emitting member having a reel illumination unit that is curved substantially along the front half of the outer peripheral surface of the reel. In addition, the reel illumination portion of the linear light emitting member is disposed at least at the boundary position between adjacent reels and outside the outer peripheral surface of the reel so that the distance from the outer peripheral surface of the reel is uniform. In the front panel, strip-like partition portions that make each reel illumination portion invisible from the outside are formed in the vertical direction at corresponding positions of each reel illumination portion in the symbol display window .
[0011]
In the invention of claim 2, the linear light emitting member is further arranged along the window frame portion of the symbol display window .
[0012]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the illumination device, the light emission color of the reel illumination unit is variable according to the progress of the game .
[0014]
[Action]
Since the reel illumination part of the linear light emitting member that curves along the front half circumference of the outer peripheral surface of the reel is arranged at the boundary position between adjacent reels so that the distance from the outer peripheral surface of the reel is uniform, the reel Uniform and bright illumination is applied to the outer peripheral surface of the.
[0015]
In the symbol variable display game machine according to the second aspect, since the linear light emitting member is arranged along the window frame portion of the symbol display window, the window frame portion of the symbol display window is clearly lit.
[0016]
In the variable symbol display game machine according to claim 3, since the light emission color of the reel illumination unit is variable according to the progress of the game , the lighting device can display various colors according to the progress of the game. The feeling for is raised .
[0018]
【Example】
FIG. 1 shows the appearance of a slot machine in which the present invention is implemented.
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. As shown in FIG. 2, a medal discharger having a circuit board 5 such as a reel block 4 and a control circuit at an upper position and a hopper 6a for receiving a large number of medals at a lower position, as shown in FIG. 6 are respectively incorporated.
[0019]
The reel block 4 is formed by integrally assembling three reels 8a, 8b, 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, letters, numbers, etc. are represented. Some of these symbols are symbols for establishing a prize (hereinafter referred to as "winning symbol"). That is). The reel block 4 is assembled with stepping motors 9a, 9b, 9c for individually rotating the reels 8a, 8b, 8c, and constitutes a symbol variable display device 10 together with the reels 8a, 8b, 8c. .
[0020]
The front surface of the door 3 includes a central front panel 11 having a symbol display window 20 for displaying symbols of the reels 8a, 8b, and 8c, an upper panel 12 for displaying model names and game information, and the like. It consists of a lower panel 13. Each panel 11, 12, 13 is formed by performing silk screen printing on the surface of a transparent synthetic resin plate or tempered glass.
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.
[0021]
One transparent symbol display window 20 surrounded by a color printing layer 11A (shown in FIG. 5) is formed in the center of the plate surface of the front panel 11. The symbol display window 20 has a horizontally long rectangular shape and constitutes three symbol display portions 20a, 20b, and 20c for displaying the symbols of the reels 8a, 8b, and 8c, respectively.
The reels 8a, 8b, and 8c of the reel block 4 are positioned behind the symbol display portions 20a, 20b, and 20c. When the reels are stopped, only three symbols on the reel outer peripheral surface can be visually recognized for each reel.
In this embodiment, one symbol display window 20 without a partitioning portion is formed on the plate surface of the front panel 11 to have a width corresponding to the arrangement width of the three reels 8a, 8b, 8c. Alternatively, three symbol display windows for each reel having a width corresponding to the width of each of the reels 8a, 8b, and 8c may be formed side by side with a partition portion interposed therebetween.
[0022]
On the surface of the front panel 11, as shown in FIG. 3, a total of five stop lines L 1 to L 5 are displayed so as to cross the symbol display window 20. The symbols of the reels 8a, 8b, and 8c are aligned 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.
[0023]
In the slot machine configured as described above, when medals are inserted through the medal insertion slot 16, the number of stop lines corresponding to the number of inserted medals is validated. Next, when the start lever 14 is operated, the three reels 8a, 8b, 8c are started all at once. Thereafter, each time the stop button switches 15a, 15b, 15c are operated, the corresponding reels 8a, 8b, 8c are stopped. At this time, when a combination of winning symbols is established on the activated stop line, the winning is made, and a predetermined number of medals are discharged from the medal discharge port 17 to the medal tray 18 by the operation of the medal dispensing machine 6.
[0024]
As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, an illuminating device 21 for illuminating the outer peripheral surfaces of the reels 8 a, 8 b, and 8 c is disposed inside the door portion 3.
[0025]
The illumination device 21 of this embodiment includes four side-emitting optical fibers 22A, 22B, 22C, and 22D arranged in parallel at equal intervals at positions facing the symbol display window 20 inside the front panel 11, and these The optical source 22A, 22B, 22C, 22D comprises a light source 23 for introducing light from each lower end face 220.
[0026]
The optical fibers 22A, 22B, 22C, and 22D are held by the metal frame 7 of the reel block 4, and the lower end portions 22a are bundled together, and the lower end surfaces 220 are formed in the main body 2. Are optically coupled to a light source 23 disposed upward via a socket 25.
[0027]
Each optical fiber 22A, 22B, 22C, 22D penetrates the partition wall 24 in the main body 2, and the upper half extending upward constitutes the reel illumination part 22b.
The two optical fibers 22A and 22D on both sides are curved so that the reel illumination part 22b is located corresponding to both side edges of the symbol display window 20 and is substantially along the front half circumference of the outer peripheral surface of the reels 8a, 8b and 8c. I'm allowed. The two optical fibers 22B and 22C at the intermediate position are located at the boundary position between the reels 8a and 8b adjacent to the reel illumination part 22b of one optical fiber 22B, and between the reels 8b and 8c adjacent to the reel illumination part 22b of the other optical fiber 22C. Each of the outer peripheral surfaces of the reels 8a, 8b, and 8c is curved so as to correspond to the front half of the outer peripheral surface.
[0028]
Each of the optical fibers 22A, 22B, and 22C has a structure in which the outer periphery of the core excellent in light transmittance is covered with a flexible pipe-shaped clad, and the core and the clad material are selected to be refracted between them. By adjusting the rate, the light introduced from the end face 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.
[0029]
The optical fibers 22A, 22B, 22C, and 22D are not limited to those having the above-described configuration. For example, an AC voltage is applied between the core electrode and the transparent pipe-like electrode on the outer periphery, and the pipe interposed between the electrodes. Alternatively, an electroluminescent optical fiber or the like that emits light from the light emitting layer may be used.
[0030]
Moreover, if the illuminating device 21 of this invention was comprised using the light emitting member which makes a small diameter and linear form like an optical fiber, it uses a cold cathode tube lamp, a neon tube, etc. as a linear light emitting member. It may be configured. Regardless of which linear light-emitting member is used, the linear light-emitting member is located inside the symbol display window 20 and does not block the symbols of three frames that are visible from the symbol display window 20 when the reel is stopped. Arranged.
In particular, when one symbol display window 20 having no partition portion is formed to have a width corresponding to the arrangement width of the three reels 8a, 8b, and 8c, the linear light-emitting member is moved from the outside inside the symbol display window 20. By arranging it at the boundary position between the adjacent reels, the symbols of the reels 8a, 8b, and 8c can be easily seen by the linear light emitting member even if there is no partitioning portion.
[0031]
As the light source 23 constituting the illumination device 21 of this embodiment, a halogen sphere, a metal highland sphere, a light emitting diode, a semiconductor laser, or the like is used.
The arrangement position of the light source 23 can be arbitrarily selected. However, if the light source 23 is arranged in the lower part of the main body 2 having a sufficient space as in this embodiment, the space can be effectively used. .
[0032]
When the light source 23 is turned on by turning on the power, light is introduced from the lower end surfaces 220 of the four optical fibers 22A, 22B, 22C, and 22D. Thereby, each optical fiber 22A, 22B, 22C, 22D emits side light over the entire length, and each reel illumination unit 22b illuminates the outer peripheral surface of each reel 8a, 8b, 8c.
[0033]
Since the reel illumination portions 22b of the optical fibers 22A, 22B, 22C, and 22D are curved along the outer peripheral surfaces of the reels 8a, 8b, and 8c, the outer peripheral surfaces of the reels 8a, 8b, and 8c are equally illuminated from the same distance. There is no difference in brightness between the top and bottom.
[0034]
Since the optical fibers 22A, 22B, 22C, and 22D generate little heat during light emission, even if the optical fibers 22A, 22B, 22C, and 22D are arranged close to the reels 8a, 8b, and 8c, there is a problem due to heat. And a uniform illumination state is ensured.
[0035]
The two optical fibers 22B and 22C at the intermediate positions are arranged at the boundary positions adjacent to each other of the reels 8a, 8b and 8c. Therefore, when viewed from the outside, the symbol display window 20 is located at the center of the optical fibers 22B and 22C. It is divided into two places and appears to be divided into three symbol display portions 20a, 20b, and 20c.
[0036]
Further, since the two optical fibers 22A and 22D at the both side positions are arranged corresponding to the both side edges of the symbol display window 20, the left and right sides of the symbol display window 20 are seen by both the optical fibers 22A and 22D when viewed from the outside. It appears that the window frame portions 20d and 20e are formed.
[0037]
If the optical fibers 22A, 22B, 22C, and 22D are arranged as in the above-described embodiment, the outer peripheral surfaces of the reels 8a, 8b, and 8c are clearly indicated in the symbol display window 20, so that the illumination effect is improved and the symbol is displayed. Visual recognition can be further clarified.
[0038]
The two optical fibers 22B and 22C at the intermediate position can be made invisible from the outside. In this case, the belt-like color print layer 11A is vertically arranged at the corresponding position in the symbol display window 20 on the surface of the front panel 11. What is necessary is just to form an above-described partition part by forming in this.
[0039]
In addition, a light reflecting portion is generally present on the upper end surfaces of the optical fibers 22A, 22B, 22C, and 22D, and the reflected light of the light from the light source 23 is also effectively used for illumination. As described above, if the open end is returned to the light source 23 to face the light source 23, the light from the light source 23 can be used more effectively.
[0040]
The side emission colors of the optical fibers 22A, 22B, 22C, and 22D are not limited to a single color, and can be changed to two or more colors. For example, when a halogen sphere or a metal halide sphere is used as the light source 23, a color filter is disposed on the front side of the light source 23 so as to be switchable. When a light emitting diode is used as the light source 23, as shown in FIG. 6, a composite element 32 having a plurality of light emitting diode chips 31 having different emission colors is used, and each light emitting diode chip 31 is replaced with a light emission control unit 33. The switching is controlled with.
[0041]
If the light emission colors of the optical fibers 22A, 22B, 22C, and 22D are made variable, the illumination effect can be improved, and various color displays can be made according to the progress of the game, thereby enhancing the player's mood for the game. .
[0042]
The illumination device 21 is not limited to the use of only the combination of the four optical fibers 22A, 22B, 22C, and 22D and the light source 23, and a fluorescent lamp or a light emitting diode may be used in combination.
[0043]
Further, it is not always necessary to use four optical fibers as in the illustrated example. For example, as shown by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 4, a series of optical fibers can be formed by bending one optical fiber.
[0044]
7 to 9 show other application examples of the optical fiber.
In the illustrated example, the reel illumination unit 22b is formed by using one side-emitting optical fiber 22A. The reel illumination unit 22 b has upper and lower horizontal sides 22 c and 22 d formed in a folded shape, and the horizontal sides 22 c and 22 d are connected to the upper and lower window frame portions 20 f and 20 g of the symbol display window 20. Each of them is arranged along the way.
[0045]
In this embodiment, the outer peripheral surfaces of the reels 8a, 8b, and 8c can be illuminated from the upper and lower directions by the upper and lower horizontal sides 22c and 22d formed by one optical fiber 22A, and the upper and lower windows of the symbol display window 20 can be illuminated. The frame portions 20f and 20g can clearly emit light, and the visibility of the symbol is improved.
[0046]
10 to 12 show still another application example of the optical fiber.
In the illustrated example, each of the reel illumination units 22b is formed by using two side-emitting optical fibers 22A and 22B. The reel illumination unit 22b of one optical fiber 22A has four vertical sides 22c, 22d, 22e, and 22f that are formed in a folded shape and are parallel to each other. The vertical sides 22c and 22f at both sides are displayed as symbols. Arranged along the window frame portions 20d and 20e on both the left and right sides of the window 20, the vertical side portions 22d and 22e at the intermediate positions are arranged corresponding to the positions adjacent to each other on the reels 8a, 8b and 8c, respectively. is there.
[0047]
The reel illumination unit 22b of the other optical fiber 22B has upper and lower horizontal sides 22g and 22h formed in a folded shape, and the horizontal sides 22g and 22h are connected to the upper and lower window frames of the symbol display window 20, respectively. Corresponding to the portions 20f and 20g, they are arranged respectively.
[0048]
In this embodiment, the vertical sides 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f formed by one optical fiber 22A and the horizontal sides 22g, 22h formed by the other optical fiber 22B are caused to emit light on the side surfaces, thereby causing the reels 8a, 8b to emit light. , 8c are illuminated without causing a difference in brightness between the upper and lower sides, and the window frame portions 20d and 20e on both sides of the symbol display window 20 and the window frame portions 20f and 20g on the upper and lower edges are clearly lit in a rectangular shape. Is done.
[0049]
13 to 15 show still another application example of the optical fiber.
In the illustrated example, two optical fibers 22A and 22B form upper and lower horizontal sides 22c and 22d, respectively, and these horizontal sides 22c and 22d extend along the window frame portions 20f and 20g at the upper and lower edges of the symbol display window 20. Are arranged in correspondence with each other. Four optical fibers 22C to 22F are arranged at positions adjacent to each other on the reels 8a, 8b, and 8c and along the window frame portions 20d and 20e on both side edges of the symbol display window 20, and the upper and lower ends thereof are respectively arranged. The upper and lower horizontal sides 22c and 22d are connected.
[0050]
Also in this embodiment, the outer peripheral surfaces of the reels 8a, 8b, and 8c can be illuminated uniformly, and the total length of the optical fibers 22A to 22F can be reduced so that the window frame portions 20d and 20e on both side edges of the symbol display window 20 The window frame portions 20f and 20g at the upper and lower edges can be clearly indicated to emit light. According to this embodiment, the total length of the optical fibers 22A to 22F can be reduced as compared with the above-described embodiment.
[0051]
The present invention can be applied not only to a slot machine having three reels 8a, 8b and 8c as a variable symbol display device, but also to a pachinko machine having a variable symbol display device, and further replaced with reels 8a, 8b and 8c. The present invention can also be applied to a game machine using another symbol display medium such as a disk.
[0052]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the distance between the reel illuminating portion of the linear light-emitting member that curves along the front half of the outer peripheral surface of the reel at the boundary position between adjacent reels is uniform with the outer peripheral surface of the reel. Thus, the space between the reels can be used effectively, and the lighting device can be installed even in a narrow space in the machine body. In addition, since the outer peripheral surface of the reel is illuminated from an equal distance, the outer peripheral surface of the reel is uniformly and brightly illuminated, and there is no bright / dark step .
[0053]
In the invention of claim 2, since the linear light emitting member is arranged along the window frame portion of the symbol display window, the window frame portion of the symbol display window can be made to emit light clearly, and the visibility of the symbol is improved. .
[0054]
In the invention of claim 3, since the light emission color of the reel illumination unit is variable according to the progress of the game , the lighting device can display various colors according to the progress of the game, thereby enhancing the player's feelings about the game. Can
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front view showing an internal configuration of the slot machine.
FIG. 3 is a front view showing a front panel of the slot machine.
FIG. 4 is a front view of the inside of a slot machine showing an application example of an optical fiber.
5 is a right side view of the essential part of the embodiment of FIG.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment in which a composite element having a plurality of light emitting diode chips having different emission colors is used as a light source.
FIG. 7 is a front view of a front panel showing another application example of an optical fiber.
FIG. 8 is a front view of the inside of the slot machine showing the embodiment of FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a right side view of the essential part of the embodiment of FIG.
FIG. 10 is a front view of a front panel showing another application example of an optical fiber.
11 is a front view of the inside of the slot machine showing the embodiment of FIG.
12 is a right side view of the essential part of the embodiment of FIG.
FIG. 13 is a front view of a front panel showing another application example of an optical fiber.
14 is a front view of the inside of the slot machine showing the embodiment of FIG.
15 is a right side view of the essential part of the embodiment of FIG. 13 broken away.
FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a conventional lighting device.
FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of another conventional illumination device.
[Explanation of symbols]
8a, 8b, 8c Reel 20 Symbol display windows 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g Window frame 21 Illumination devices 22A, 22B, 22C, 22D Optical fiber 23 Light source

Claims (3)

Includes a front panel symbol display window transparent is formed, a plurality of reels to be positioned behind the symbol display window, and a motor for driving each reel individually, reel by reels driven by a motor A symbol that displays a plurality of symbols displayed on the outer peripheral surface of the symbol in a variable manner and then stops driving the motors to stop the symbol variation display, and displays any symbol in the symbol display window so as to be visible from the outside. In the symbol variable display game machine comprising: a variable display device; and a lighting device arranged at a position inside the symbol display window that does not block a symbol that is visible from the symbol display window after the reel stops. And a linear light-emitting member having a reel illumination portion that is curved substantially along the front half of the outer peripheral surface of the reel. , Reel illumination unit of the linear light emitting member at a position outside the outer peripheral surface of the reel to a boundary position of the reel mutually at least adjacent, are arranged so that the distance between the outer peripheral surface of the reel becomes uniform, A variable symbol display game machine in which the front panel is formed with a strip-like partition portion in the vertical direction that makes each reel illumination portion invisible from the outside at a corresponding position of each reel illumination portion in the symbol display window .   2. The variable symbol display game machine according to claim 1, wherein the linear light emitting member is further arranged along a window frame portion of a symbol display window.   3. The variable symbol display game machine according to claim 1, wherein the illumination device has a light emission color of the reel illumination unit that is variable in accordance with the progress of the game.

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