JP2002143375A - Slot machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To individually and clearly display stopping positions of respective symbols. SOLUTION: A light source unit 46C attached with a body frame 65, a support frame 66 having three opening parts 69, and two side plates is arranged on the reverse side of a reel in a state of making the respective opening parts 69 correspond to a symbol stopping display position. Light conductive plates 68a, 68b and 68c are arranged in the rear of the respective opening parts 69, and plural LEDs 42 arranged on the front edge of one side plate 67 are inserted into one side surface of these light conductive plates 68a, 68b and 68c. The light of the respective LEDs 42 advances in the width direction of the reel while expanding in the longitudinal respective directions. The light expanded in the forward direction and the reflected light from a support surface of the body frame 65 are diffused via the light conductive plates 68a, 68b and 68c, and are introduced to the opening parts 69.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a plurality of reels each having a plurality of symbols arranged on an outer peripheral surface thereof, and rotating the reels with respect to a symbol display window to variably display the symbols. The present invention relates to a slot machine in which each reel is stopped in order and a predetermined number of symbols are stopped and displayed in a symbol display window.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional slot machine, three reels each having a plurality of symbols drawn on a peripheral surface are housed in an aligned state inside a fuselage, and at a position corresponding to each reel on the front of the fuselage. Each has a symbol display window. Each reel is rotated simultaneously by a game start operation by the player, and then sequentially stopped by receiving an individual stop operation. At this time, each symbol display window has 3
Symbols are stopped and displayed.

[0003] Each symbol display window is formed at an upper, middle, lower, or diagonal 5 position in accordance with the stop display position of each symbol.
A book stop line is formed. When a specific symbol combination is established on any one of the stop lines when each reel is stopped, a winning is achieved, and a privilege such as paying out a predetermined number of medals is given to the player.

In this type of slot machine, a light source is arranged on the back side of a reel in correspondence with a stop position of each symbol, and a symbol on an activated stop line or a symbol to be awarded is specified. There is a model in which the back lighting is applied to the symbol. For example, 61-1
In the slot machine described in Japanese Patent No. 51784, a light source for back illumination is provided for each symbol that is stopped and displayed, and a light-shielding plate is arranged between the light sources so that only the symbol to be illuminated is illuminated. I have.

[0005]

However, in the above-mentioned slot machine, a single mini lamp or LED is used as the light source.
It can only provide a lighting effect that brightens the symbol and its surroundings, and it is difficult to clearly separate a specific symbol from other adjacent symbols to display a high-impact symbol. is there.

In this type of conventional light source, the miniature lamp and the LED are arranged so as to face the reel surface, so that illumination light is incident on a player's eyes to obstruct the recognition of symbols, The eyes of the player become fatigued by the game,
Such a problem has occurred.

In addition, in recent years, with the diversification of the game, not only the active line and the establishment of the winning are announced but also the stop line selected by the player, and It is necessary to perform various notifications, such as notifying a lottery or the arrival of a winning chance called “Tempai”. However, since the conventional light source only emits a single color light, it is impossible to perform an effect such as performing back illumination with various color lights according to the content of information to be notified.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and displays the stop position of each symbol on each reel individually and clearly, and provides a back lighting which is less likely to cause fatigue to the eyes of the player. A first object is to provide a slot machine that can be used.

Further, according to the present invention, depending on the game development,
It is a second object of the present invention to provide a slot machine capable of performing various types of back light illumination by various colors of light to selectively emit a plurality of types of color lights.

[0010]

It is known that a luminous body such as an LED or a fluorescent lamp has a directivity of emitting light traveling while spreading within a predetermined angle range. The invention of each claim uses this directivity to provide a plurality of reels on which a plurality of symbols are arranged on the outer peripheral surface,
This is performed for a slot machine in which each reel is rotated to display a symbol in the symbol display window, and then the reels are sequentially stopped, and a predetermined number of symbols are stopped and displayed in the respective symbol display windows. It is a thing.

In the slot machine according to the first aspect of the present invention, a number of light sources corresponding to the number of symbols to be stopped and displayed are provided on the back side of the respective reels, respectively, in correspondence with the stopped and displayed positions of the symbols. In this light source, a light guide plate is provided corresponding to the light transmitting portion inside a case body having a light transmitting portion on the front surface, and a plurality of light emitters are provided on one side surface of the light guide plate so as to change the symbol. Are deployed along the direction.

In the slot machine according to the second aspect of the present invention, a light source unit for individually illuminating a stop display position of each symbol is provided behind each reel. This light source unit is provided with a plurality of openings on the front surface corresponding to the stop display position of each symbol. Further, a light guide plate is provided corresponding to each of the openings, and a plurality of light emitters are provided on one side surface of the light guide plate along the direction of the variable display of the symbol.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the first or second aspect, the illuminant is configured to be capable of selectively emitting a plurality of types of color lights.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of any one of the first to third aspects, a full-color light emitting LED is used as the luminous body.

[0015]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when a light-emitting body such as an LED or a fluorescent tube lamp is mounted on the inner side surface of a case body having a light-transmitting portion on the front surface, the light from this light-emitting body is forward and backward and up and down. While spreading in each direction. Therefore, in addition to the light guided to the front side of the case body, the reflected light from the back side is guided to the front side of the case body. Further, the light spread in the front direction and the reflected light from the rear surface pass through the light transmitting portion while diffusing in the respective forward directions through the light guide plate, so that each symbol stop display position has uniform and illuminance. High planar illumination patterns can be transmitted.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the opening of the light source unit and the light guide plate are respectively provided corresponding to each symbol stop position, and a plurality of light emitters are provided on one side surface of each light guide plate. Are arranged along the direction of the variable display of the symbols, so that the light from each light emitter spreads in the front and rear directions and travels along the width direction of the reel. Further, since the light that has spread forward and the reflected light from the surface facing the opening is diffused in each direction forward through the light guide plate and guided forward from the opening, for each symbol stop display position, A uniform and highly illuminated planar illumination pattern can be transmitted.

In each of the first and second aspects of the present invention, each illuminant is disposed with the optical axis extending along the width direction of the reel, so that the direct light from the illuminant strikes the eyes of the player. There is no risk of entering.

According to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention, it is possible to selectively emit a plurality of types of color light behind each symbol stop display position, so that a predetermined color light is selected from the plurality of types of color light. By selecting and emitting light, it becomes possible to perform notification by back lighting of various colors according to the flow of the game.

[0019]

1 shows the appearance of a slot machine to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 shows the internal structure of the machine.
The body 1 of this slot machine has a box-shaped main body 2 and a door 3 attached to the front opening so as to be openable and closable. In the hollow interior of the main body 2, a reel block 4 and a circuit board 5 on which a control circuit and the like are arranged are incorporated at an upper position, and a medal discharger having a hopper 6a for accommodating a large number of medals is arranged at a lower position. The machine 6 is incorporated.

The reel block 4 comprises a metal frame 7
, Three reels 8a, 8b, 8c are integrally assembled. As shown in FIG. 3, each of the reels 8a, 8b, 8c is formed by attaching a belt-shaped sheet 80 to the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical frame 81. Each belt-shaped sheet 80 is made of a light-transmitting material such as PET resin. In addition, belt-shaped sheet 8
On the surface of 0, a plurality of types of symbols S such as symbols, characters, and numbers are drawn, and some of the symbols S constitute winning symbols for establishing a winning. These reels 8a, 8b, 8c are respectively mounted on mounting plates 10a, 10b, 10c arranged at one side position.
Stepping motor 9 for individually rotating b and 8c
a, 9b, and 9c.

The main body of the door portion 3 is formed of a metal frame having a predetermined thickness, and three panels 11, 12, and 13 are provided on the front opening thereof, and a wiring board for various indicators and operation switches is provided on the rear surface. (Not shown) and the like.

A start lever 14 and a stop button switch 1 are provided on a frame portion between the front panel 11 and the lower panel 13.
5a, 15b, 15c, a medal slot 16 and the like are provided, and a medal payout port 17, a medal tray 18, and the like are provided below the lower panel 13.

The panels 11, 12, and 13 are formed by performing silk screen printing on the surface of a transparent synthetic resin plate or tempered glass, and the upper panel 12 and the lower panel 13 have model names, game information, and the like. Is drawn. In addition, a symbol display section 20 is formed on the central front panel 11 by three non-colored and transparent symbol display windows 20a, 20b, and 20c. Behind the symbol display windows 20a, 20b, 20c, three reels 8a, 8b, 8c of the reel block are located. When the reels are stopped, the symbol display windows 20a, 20b, 20c are provided.
Thus, the symbols displayed on the outer peripheral surface of each of the reels 8a, 8b, 8c can be visually recognized for three frames.

On the surface of the front panel 11, as shown in FIG. 4, a total of five stop lines L of upper, middle, lower and diagonal cross each symbol display window 20a, 20b, 20c.
1 to L5, and when the reels are stopped, the reels 8a, 8b,
8c are aligned. Note that the stop lines L1 to L5
Is activated according to the number of inserted medals. When the number of inserted medals is one, only the central stop line L1 is activated. When the number of inserted medals is two, the upper, middle, and lower three lines are used. The stop lines L1 to L3 are activated. When three more medals are inserted, all the stop lines L1 to L5
Is activated.

Further, in the slot machine of this embodiment,
On the back side of each of the reels 8a, 8b, 8c, a light source 21 that emits light in a planar shape is arranged corresponding to the stop position of each symbol. Each light source 21 is connected to a control unit 7 described later.
It operates individually in response to 0 or a drive signal from the sub-control unit 78, and a planar back lighting is applied to a position where a specific symbol such as a winning symbol is stopped.

In the slot machine having the above structure, when medals are inserted through the medal insertion slot 16, the number of stop lines corresponding to the number of inserted medals is activated. Then, when the starting lever 14 is operated, the three reels 8a, 8b, 8
c start all at once, and thereafter the stop button switches 15a, 1
Each time 5b, 15c is operated, the corresponding reel 8a,
8b and 8c stop. All reels 8a, 8b, 8
When the combination of winning symbols is established on the activated stop line when c stops, a winning is achieved, and a predetermined number of medals are transferred from the medal discharge port 17 to the medal tray 18 by the operation of the medal dispensing machine 6. Is released.

FIGS. 5 to 7 show examples of the structure of the light source 21. FIG. In this embodiment, 3 corresponding to the display range of the symbol is used.
A block in which an LED 42 serving as a light emitting body is inserted between a main body frame 43 having a plurality of support surfaces 43a, 43b, 43c and a support frame 44 having an opening 49 corresponding to each of the support surfaces 43a, 43b, 43c. Light source unit 4 in which body 40 is sandwiched and three light sources 21 are integrated
6A is formed.

The block body 40 is made of a transparent or translucent resin into which a diffusing material is mixed. As shown in FIG. 7, three blocks for inserting lamp-type LEDs 42 are provided at both side positions. A hole 41 is opened. Each block 4
The reference numeral 0 indicates that the front side is formed in a curved shape that gradually projects forward in accordance with the front shape of the support frame 44, and that the back side is formed in a valley shape slightly inward at the center.

Each support surface 43a, 43 of the main body frame 43
b, 43c take a shape along the rear surface of the block body,
Each block body 40 is provided with a respective support surface 43a, 43
b, 43 c and the support frame 44. Each of the frames 43 and 44 is made of resin and is colored in a color having a high light-shielding property. The frames 43 and 44 are screwed together with the three block bodies 40 interposed therebetween to be integrated.

Each integrated frame 43, 44
And a side plate 48 in which three LEDs 42 are provided for each of the block bodies 40 from both sides, and a total of nine LEDs 42 are inserted into the holes of the corresponding block bodies 40. , Assembled. In addition, 51a and 51b in the figure are connector portions for electrically connecting the LEDs 42.

Generally, as shown in FIG. 8, the light emitted from the LED has a directivity of traveling around the optical axis while spreading to a predetermined angle around the optical axis. Therefore, according to the configuration of FIG.
The light from D42 travels in the width direction while spreading in the front-rear direction of the block body 40, but the light spreading rearward is blocked by the support surfaces 43a, 43b, and 43c of the main body frame 43. Therefore, the light is reflected forward while traveling along the inside of the back surface of the block body 40. Further, the light emitted from the LED 42 and the reflected light from the back surface are diffused in various directions by the diffusing agent inside the block body 40, so that the entire front surface of the block body 40 emits a uniform and strong light. LED
By providing 42 on both sides, the thickness of the light source 21 can be reduced as compared with a type of light source in which LEDs are arranged in a matrix to form a planar illumination pattern.

The front surface of the support frame 44 and a portion of each side plate 48 corresponding to this frame are formed in an arc shape along the peripheral surface of the reel, and the upper and lower ends of the frame have horizontal plates 44a projecting rearward. , 44b are formed. Further, between each of the openings 47 of the support frame 44, a light-shielding plate 49 protruding horizontally rearward is formed continuously.
The light from each light source 21 is clearly separated and displayed on the reel peripheral surface by the horizontal plates 44a and 44b and each light shielding plate 49.

The support surfaces 43a to 43 of the body frame 43
c, the width of each block body 40, and each opening 47 are all set to lengths according to the reel width. On the other hand, the entire width of the main body frame 43 is formed so as to protrude from the support surfaces 43a to 43c by a length in consideration of the distance from the mounting plate 10a (10b, 10c) of the reel unit. A mounting portion 50 projecting rearward is integrally formed. As shown in FIG. 9, the mounting portion 50 is supported on a support plate 10a (10b, 10c) for each reel.

Therefore, each light source 21 is
In a space surrounded by the support frame 44 and the side plate 48, three blocks 40 in which three LEDs 42 are provided on both sides are housed. By attaching the mounting portion 50 to the support plate 10a (10b, 10c), each light source 21 is fixedly arranged at a position corresponding to each symbol display position on the back side of the reel. A planar illumination pattern according to the size and shape of the opening 47 is transmitted through the symbol display position of the reel.

As the LEDs 42 arranged vertically on both sides of each light source 21, three types of LEDs that emit red, blue, and green light, respectively, are used. For each light source 21,
As shown in FIG. 10, the LEDs 42 for red (R), green (G), and blue (B) light are arranged in opposite positions on both sides.

The three light sources of the light source unit 30 include:
Individual drive circuits are provided, and a sub-control unit 78 (shown in FIG. 23) described later individually controls each drive circuit, whereby each light source 21 can be operated independently. Each LED in one light source 21
The light emission operation of 42 is individually controlled for each color, and thereby, it is possible to emit light of a plurality of colors. More specifically, the LEDs 42 of each color emit light alone to emit light in the three primary colors of red, green, and blue. In addition, as shown in FIG. 11, the duty ratio of the drive pulse applied to the LEDs 42 of each color is varied. Accordingly, a light emitting operation using a plurality of types of color light in addition to white light can be performed.

12 to 14 show other examples of the light source unit. The light source unit 46B of this embodiment includes a main body frame 52, three support frames 53, and a plurality of L frames.
The side plate 54 on which the ED 42 is disposed has an integrated configuration. The main body frame 52 includes three support plates 55a, 55b, and 55c that are vertically connected, and protrudes rearward from one side of each of the support plates 55a, 55b, and 55c.
And two vertical pieces 57a, 57 connected to the upper and lower support plates 55a, 55c.
b. Each support plate 55a, 55b, 55c
The central support plate 55b is arranged with its plate surface vertical, while the upper and lower support plates 55a, 55c are supported at the center with the plate surface inclined obliquely rearward in accordance with the peripheral shape of the reel. It is connected to the plate 55b. The width of each of the support plates 55a to 55c is formed to a length corresponding to the reel width, and each of the upper and lower vertical pieces 57a and 57b is attached to the reel unit 4 with respect to the support plates 55a and 55c provided continuously. It is formed to have a width protruding by a length corresponding to the distance to the side mounting plate 10a (10b, 10c). At the ends of the protruding portions, mounting pieces 58a, 58b protruding rearward are provided.
Are continuously formed.

The side plate 54 has a front edge formed in an arc shape along the peripheral surface of the reel, and a rear edge formed in a linear shape having a length corresponding to the distance between the upper and lower support plates 55a and 55c of the main body frame 52. Become. One surface of the side plate 54 has six light sources for each light source.
A total of 18 LEDs 42 are arranged in an arc along the front edge, and a connector 51a is provided behind the LEDs 42. The side plate 54 includes the LED 4
2 is disposed on one side edge of the main body frame 52 (the mounting piece 5).
8 is formed on the supporting surface of each support plate 55a, 55b, 55c.

Each support frame 53 has a rectangular opening 5
The front plate 61 is provided with a pair of mounting pieces 62 projecting rearward from both side edges of the front plate 61.
In addition, light shielding portions 59a, 59b, 59c, 59d projecting forward are formed at each edge of the opening 59. In particular, the light-shielding portions 59c and 59d on both side edges of the opening 59 each have a front edge formed in an arc shape, and each surface faces obliquely outward with respect to the opening 59 in order to widen a light irradiation range. It is formed as follows.

In the above configuration, the side plate 54 is placed in a state where the LEDs 42 are positioned on the support plates 55a, 55b, 55c.
Are supported on the body frame 52, and these side plates 54
And each support frame 53 over the body frame 52,
Each of the mounting pieces 62, 62 is
The light source unit 46B in which each LED 42 is sandwiched between the main body frame 52 and the support frame 53 is formed by screwing the screws to the a, 56b, 56c and the side plate 54. Further, each of the mounting pieces 58a, 5
8b is attached to the mounting plate 10a (10b, 1) of the reel unit 4.
The light source unit 46B is fixedly supported at the rear side position of the reel 8a (8b, 8c) with the respective openings 59 corresponding to the symbol stop display positions by screwing the screws to the inner surface of the reel 8a.

The opening 59 of the support frame 53
Is formed so as to correspond to a position on each of the support plates 55a to 55c that does not contact the LED 42.
When viewed from the front, 2 is arranged along one side of the opening 59 in a state of being hidden by the front plate 61 of the support frame 53 as shown in FIGS.

Also in the above configuration, the light from each LED 42 is
The light spreads in the width direction while spreading in both the front and rear directions, and the light and the support plates 55a, 55b, and 55 spread forward.
c, the light reflected forward along the support surface causes the opening 5
9 is brightly illuminated. Therefore, in each light source 21, six LEDs 42 are provided along one length of the reel on one side of a space surrounded by one support plate 52a (52b, 52c), the side plate 54, and the support frame 53. When the light source 21 emits light, a planar illumination pattern corresponding to the size of the opening 59 is transmitted to the corresponding symbol stop display position on the reel. In this embodiment, the opening 59 is provided on the front surface to form a planar illumination pattern. Instead, a transparent or translucent window is formed on the front plate 61 of each support frame 53. May be.

Further, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, two LEDs for each of R, G, and B colors are arranged side by side for one light source 21 while changing the color one by one. . Each LED 42 is individually driven for each color in light source units as in the above-described embodiment, and similarly to the light source unit 46A, by adjusting the duty ratio based on FIG. It is possible to emit light by switching a plurality of color lights.

FIGS. 16 to 18 show examples of the configuration of a light source unit according to the present invention. Light source unit 46 of this embodiment
C joins the main body frame 65 and the support frame 66 having three openings 69 with the light guide plates 68a, 68b, 68c arranged behind the openings 69, respectively. In this configuration, six LEDs 42 are inserted from one side into 68b and 68c, respectively.
Since the main body frame 65 and the support frame 66 have the same configuration as the main body frame 43 and the support frame 44 of the first light source 46A, detailed description thereof will be omitted. Each LED 42 is assembled to a side plate 67 having the same configuration as the side plate 54 of the second light source 46B. The side plate 67 and the side plate 70 on which no LED is provided are integrated with the main body frame 65 and the support frame. It is aligned on both sides of 66 and mounted with screws.

Each of the light guide plates 68a, 68b, 68c has a diffusing surface with fine linear patterns formed on the front and rear surfaces. In this embodiment, in order to make the diffusion surface emit light uniformly, as shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B, each light guide plate 68a, 68b, 68c is moved from the insertion side of the LED 42 to the other end. The plate thickness is gradually reduced, and the linear pattern of the diffusion surface is formed so as to be gradually denser.
The change in the plate thickness and the inclination angle of the diffusion surface are set so that each diffusion surface is inclined according to the curved surface shape of the reel.
8a, 68b, and 68c are individually set.

With the above configuration, the light from each LED 42 travels in the width direction of the reel while spreading in the front and rear directions, similarly to the above-described embodiments. The light reflected from the support surface 65 is diffused in each forward direction via the light guide plates 68a, 68b, 68c. Therefore, each light source 21 includes a main body frame 65, a support frame 66, and respective side plates 67 and 7.
The light guide plate 68a (68b, 68c) in which six LEDs 42 are inserted on one side is provided in a space surrounded by 0, and the light guide plates 68a (68b, 68c) are provided on the rear surface of the reel with respect to the stop display position of each symbol. Then, a planar uniform illumination pattern is transmitted to the reel.

In the light source unit 46C and the first light source unit 46A, the LEDs 42 are inserted into the light guide plates 68a, 68b, 68c and the block 40 from the side. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the LEDs 42 may be arranged in contact with the side surfaces of these diffusion materials.

The light source units 46A, 46B, 46C
In the light source 21 configured as described above, the number of LEDs can be significantly reduced as compared with the case of using a light source of a type in which LEDs are arranged in a matrix, and bright illumination can be provided over a wide range, and the circuit configuration can be simplified. it can. Moreover, each LE
D is arranged with the optical axis along the width direction of the reel, respectively.
Since the illumination is performed by the light diffused by using the directivity of the LED, there is no danger that the direct light from the LED, which is the luminous body, enters the eyes of the player, and the player can use the symbol display window 20 for a long time.
An effect is obtained in that the eyes are hardly tired even if the user looks closely at a, 20b, and 20c.

Further, in the light source units 46B and 46C,
By arranging LEDs only on one side, wiring is simplified, and installation and drive control of the light source unit are simplified.
The advantage is obtained. In each of the above-described three embodiments, a single-color emission type LE that emits R, G, and B color lights is used.
The light source 21 is configured by combining a plurality of Ds. Alternatively, a full-color light emitting LED including R, G, and B light emitting elements may be introduced.

The light source 21 having the above-described configuration can emit a uniform and strong light, and uses a highly responsive LED as a light emitting body, so that a high-speed lighting operation can be performed. it can. Therefore, a specific symbol can be effectively produced by identification display using specific color light or display in which each color light is sequentially switched. Further, the present invention can also be used for a display mode (generally called “flash display”) in which a band of light runs instantaneously in each of the symbol display windows 20a, 20b, and 20c. Further, by causing the corresponding three light sources 21 to emit the same bright color light such as white light or yellow light for the rotating reels 8a, 8b, 8c, the symbol display windows 20a, 20b are displayed. , 20c can be clearly illuminated by brightly illuminating the entire peripheral surface of the reel or illuminating a specific position such as a target hit position of a symbol with a predetermined color light.

FIGS. 20 and 21 show examples of effects using the back illumination by the light source 21 having any of the above-described configurations. FIG. 20 shows a state in which the two reels 8a and 8b are stopped and two types of tempai states are established. The symbols S1 and S2 of each tempai have different back lighting for each symbol type. (Symbol S1 is green, symbol S2 is yellow). Also on the rotating right reel 8c, the symbols S1, S2
By illuminating the same color as the illumination color at the stop display position, the target position at which the symbols S1 and S2 should be stopped is specified.

FIG. 21 shows an example in which, when each of the reels 8a, 8b, 8c is stopped in the "off" state, the possibility of the internal lottery being hit is notified by the back illumination. Incidentally, in this embodiment, each of the reels 8a, 8b, the 8c, the symbols of "7" jackpot, red and green two symbols S _R depicted in color, with S _G are arranged, each color A special prize with different winning contents is set for each combination of “7” for each color.

In general, in a slot machine, an internal lottery is executed at the time of starting a reel, and a "pull-in control" is carried out for each reel 8a, 8b, 8c to draw and stop symbols according to the lottery result as much as possible. At the same time, when the special prize has been won, the winning result is held until the special prize is allocated, and the possibility of the winning is notified to the player by sound or light. In the example of FIG. 21, the back lighting of the same color as the color of the stopped-displayed symbol is applied to notify the possibility of winning by the symbol, and the number of symbols notified by the back lighting is further indicated. The higher the number, the higher the likelihood of winning.

[0054] According to the illustrated example, red, symbol S _R of the "7" in green, both S _G, but two each are stopped and displayed, the red symbol S _R, the symbols displayed stopped , Respectively, is given the same color as the symbol, while the green symbol S _G is given only one symbol with the same color, and the other symbol is the same as the symbol. Back lighting in different colors (yellow). Therefore, in this case, the red symbol S
_This implies that it is more likely that the special prize for _R has been won.

FIG. 22 shows an example of flash display using the light source 21. FIGS. 22 (1) to (3) show that the light source 21 to be turned on is changed to the symbol display windows 20a, 20b, 20.
The flash display along each of the horizontal stop lines L1 to L3 is realized by sequentially switching at high speed every c. In the example of FIG. 22A, each light source 21 is set to emit the same light (white light in the illustrated example),
The band of color light runs at high speed along the horizontal direction. On the other hand, in FIGS. 22 (2) and (3), a different color light is emitted each time the lighting position is switched, thereby enhancing the display effect due to the afterimage phenomenon.

FIGS. 22 (4) and (5) show an example in which the lighting operation of the specific light source 21 is sequentially switched at high speed. In the example of FIG. 22 (4), after the light source 21 at the center symbol display position is turned on, the four light sources 21 above, below, left and right are simultaneously turned on, so that the light band is horizontally and vertically shifted from the center position. Running in each direction. FIG.
In the example of (5), the left and center symbol display windows 20a,
By switching the lighting position from the light source 21 in the upper position of 20b to the light source 21 positioned diagonally, a band of light running in an oblique direction is presented. In these displays, it is also possible to run a band of light with a single color light or to run while sequentially switching a plurality of color lights.

FIG. 22 (6) shows a state in which two reels (the left and center reels 8a and 8b in the illustrated example) are stopped, and "Tempai" by the symbol "7" related to winning.
Is a display example in the case where the reels 8 are stopped.
In a and 8b, the symbol “7” is illuminated with a different color light (red light) from the other symbols (not shown). On the rotating reel 8c, flash display is performed while various colors of light are switched along the vertical direction.

The flash display shown in FIGS. 22 (1) to (5) indicates that the internal lottery executed in the control unit is very likely to win a winning symbol and that “ This is performed when a special hit occurs during a bonus game called “replay”.

In both the flash display of the types shown in FIGS. 22 (1) to 22 (5) and the identification display of the symbols by the back lighting as shown in FIG. In accordance with special prize conditions such as the establishment of, it is possible to perform display using unique color lights.

The light source 21 using the LED described above includes:
A recently developed ultraviolet-emitting LED can be introduced. In this case, by drawing each symbol on the reels 8a, 8b, 8c with a paint containing a fluorescent material, each symbol emits a fluorescent color, and an attractive lighting effect can be performed. Further, the light source 21 of each of the above configurations
As for the light emitting element, a fluorescent tube lamp or a fluorescent lamp having a minute length can be used instead of the LED.

FIG. 23 shows an electric configuration of the slot machine 1 using the light source 21. Reference numeral 70 in the figure denotes a control unit mounted on the control board 5, which is a CPU 71 that is a main body of control and calculation, a ROM 72 that stores a program and a table for a lottery process, and a RAM 73 that is used for reading and writing data. , And a random number generator 74 for generating random numbers for a lottery process.

Various input / output units are connected to the control unit 70 via a bus 79. The CPU 71 recognizes various input signals based on a program in the ROM 72, and supplies a drive signal to an output unit to provide a game signal. Executes a series of processes related to. As the input unit, operation switches such as the start lever 14, the stop button switches 15a, 15b, and 15c, as well as a medal detection sensor 75 for detecting a medal inserted from the medal slot 16 are connected. As the output unit, in addition to the medal dispensing machine 6 and the reel driving unit 76 for driving the stepping motors 9a, 9b, 9c, a decoration lamp and a display (not shown) are connected.

Further, the slot machine is provided with a sub-control unit 78 for controlling the lighting operation of each of the light sources 21 independently of the control unit 70. The sub-control unit 78 is mainly controlled by a microcomputer similarly to the control unit 70, and its ROM (not shown) has contents of drive control for causing each light source to generate a predetermined illumination pattern (not shown). For example, R, G, B shown in FIG.
, A combination pattern of the duty ratios, and the timing of the light emission operation).

Further, the ROM of each of the control units 70 and 78 has
Various illumination patterns executed on the reels 8a, 8b, 8c are coded and set in advance. When the CPU (not shown) in the sub-control unit 78 receives the code information of the illumination pattern to be executed from the main control unit 70, it is necessary for each light source 21 to execute the specified illumination pattern. The contents of the drive control are read out from the ROM and set in a drive circuit (not shown) of each light source to realize a desired illumination pattern.

As a result, on the main control unit 70 side,
It is sufficient only to output predetermined code information to the sub-control unit 78 in accordance with the flow of the game, so that it is possible to reduce the load on the CPU 71 and perform effects using various illumination patterns. However, such control need not always be performed, and the control for the game and the back lighting may be executed only by the main control unit 70.

[0066]

According to the first and second aspects of the present invention, the light guide plate is provided corresponding to the symbol stop display position, and the light guide plate is provided on one side surface of the light guide plate along the variable display direction of the symbol. By using a plurality of light emitters, a high illuminance and a uniform planar illumination pattern are transmitted through the symbol stop display position, so that each symbol display position is clearly displayed individually. Becomes possible. In addition, since each light emitter is arranged with the optical axis along the width direction of the reel, there is no possibility that direct light from the light emitter enters the eyes of the player, causing fatigue of the eyes of the player. Difficult back lighting can be provided.

According to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention, it is possible to selectively emit a plurality of types of color light behind each symbol stop display position, so that a predetermined color light is selected from the plurality of types of color light. By selecting and emitting light, it is possible to perform notification by back lighting of various colors in accordance with the flow of the game, and to enhance the effect of production.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing the internal structure of the slot machine.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a reel.

FIG. 4 is a front view illustrating a configuration of a symbol display unit.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a light source unit.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the light source unit of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a front view, a plan view, and a side view showing a configuration of a block body incorporated in the light source unit of FIG.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing directivity of an LED.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a method of attaching the light source unit of FIG. 5 to a reel.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the arrangement of LEDs in each light source.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing combinations of duty ratios of driving pulses to LEDs for emitting a plurality of types of color lights.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view showing a second example of the light source unit.

13 is a front view and a side view of the light source unit of FIG.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the light source unit of FIG.

FIG. 15 is a front view showing an example of the arrangement of LEDs on a side plate.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a light source unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of the light source unit of FIG.

18 is a perspective view showing a method of attaching the light source unit of FIG. 16 to a reel.

19A and 19B are a front view and a bottom view showing a configuration of the light guide plate.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an effect produced by back lighting.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an effect produced by back lighting.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of flash display using back lighting.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing an electric configuration of the slot machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 8a, 8b, 8c Reel 21 Light Source 42 LED 46C Light Source Unit 68a, 68b, 68c Light Guide Plate

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of reels each having a plurality of symbols arranged on an outer peripheral surface thereof. The reels are rotated and displayed in a symbol display window, and then the reels are sequentially stopped. In a slot machine in which a predetermined number of symbols are stopped and displayed in the display window, on the back side of each reel, a number of light sources corresponding to the number of symbols to be stopped and displayed correspond to the symbol stop display positions. The light source is provided with a light guide plate corresponding to the light transmitting portion inside a case body having a light transmitting portion on the front surface, and a plurality of light emitters are provided on one side surface of the light guide plate. A slot machine arranged along the direction of the variable display of the symbol. 2. A plurality of reels each having a plurality of symbols arranged on an outer peripheral surface thereof. The reels are rotated and displayed in a symbol display window. In a slot machine in which a predetermined number of symbols are stopped and displayed in a display window, a light source unit for individually illuminating a stop display position of each symbol is provided on the back side of each reel, and the light source unit is provided. A plurality of openings are provided on the front surface corresponding to the stop display position of each symbol, a light guide plate is provided corresponding to each opening, and a plurality of light emitters are provided on one side surface of the light guide plate. Is arranged along the direction of the variable display of the symbol. 3. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the light emitter is capable of selectively emitting a plurality of types of color light. 4. The luminous body is a full-color luminescence type LE.
The slot machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the slot machine is D.