JP2003093575A - Pattern displaying apparatus in game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pattern displaying apparatus in a game machine by which e.g. a pattern of ready-to-win and the other patterns can be easily displayed without giving an influence on an original display of a pattern of a reel tape of a rotating reel or on the contrary, without being influenced by the display and the constitution for it is made easy and which can be inexpensively manufactured. SOLUTION: On the inside of a rotating reel 21 for displaying with a reel tape on the outer peripheral face, an arm 34 on which a number of flashing LED 38 are arranged on a supporting part 35 is provided so as to be rocked back and forth within a specified range by means of a motor 31 for driving the LED. While the arm 34 is rocked, by controlling flashing of a number of the LED 38, a specified pattern utilizing an afterimage, e.g. the pattern of ready- to-win, etc., can be displayed on the reel tape.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a symbol display device in a game machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a symbol display device in a game machine equipped with a rotary reel having a reel tape on its outer peripheral surface, a plurality of, for example, three rotary reels are independently rotatably arranged side by side, Illuminating means for displaying various symbols on the reel tape provided on the outer peripheral surface of each rotating reel at predetermined angular intervals, and irradiating the corresponding reel tape symbol from the back side inside the reel tape of each rotating reel. A so-called backlight is provided, the player rotates each rotating reel by a start operation, and stops each rotating reel by a stop operation after a lapse of an arbitrary time, and when a predetermined symbol is aligned on the winning line, the player is notified of the hit. In order to do so, a table such as blinking the complete pattern by the backlight, changing its brightness, changing its color, etc. The it had done.

In this game, the number of medals is paid out to the player by a combination of specific symbols.
Whether or not the respective spinning reels are stopped when the specific symbols are aligned with the pay line is determined by the timing of the player's stop operation. Then, for example, by stopping some of the rotating reels, at the stage where a part of the specific symbol is aligned, before the final rotating reel is stopped, the remaining symbols of the specific symbol, so-called "reach eyes" The order of the symbols to be called is displayed on the reel display window or the like to be clearly shown to the player, or the symbols to be hit are displayed in order to make the player expect when the start operation is performed. Things are known, but especially for beginners, other than the prominent display such as "777", other symbols were difficult to understand.

Therefore, in order to display any of the above-mentioned "reach-eye" patterns so that the beginner can easily understand, for example, as shown in Japanese Patent No. 2999179, a normal pattern is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating reel. In addition to arranging, on the back side, it is configured to arrange an additional pattern that can be seen from the outside only when the backlight is radiated, or inside the rotating reel, from the outside of the rotating reel only when the backlight is radiated. It is configured to have an inner reel on which an additional pattern that can be seen is arranged, or, on the inside of the rotating reel, a fixed screen on which an additional pattern that is visible from the outside of the rotating reel only when the backlight is illuminated is arranged. With these configurations, when displaying the "reach eyes" design by these configurations, the rotation is performed so that the design can be displayed. Or Lumpur, the controls the rotation of the inner reel is stopped, be displayed by illuminating the backlight as visible symbols of the "reach box" from the outside of the rotating reel is disclosed. Further, in addition to the "reach eye" pattern, a detachment display symbol can also be displayed by rotation control of the rotating reel or the inner reel and irradiation of the backlight, so that the player can be notified of the detachment. ing.

[0005]

However, according to the above, while the "reach-eye" pattern or the deviation display pattern can be displayed for a beginner to understand, the outer peripheral surface of the rotating reel is provided. Since the additional pattern is specially arranged on the back surface of the device, or the inner reel having the additional pattern is specially provided, the assembly and configuration of the apparatus are complicated, and the "reach It is pointed out that the rotation of the inner reel and rotation of the inner reel are specially required to display the "eyes" pattern, etc., so that the entire control is complicated and the cost is generally high. It

However, the present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and does not affect the original display of the design of the reel tape of the rotating reel or, conversely, is not affected by the display. For example, it is an object of the present invention to provide a symbol display device for a gaming machine, which can display a "reach eye" symbol and other symbols in a manner that is easy for a player to understand, and which can be easily manufactured at a low cost.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the symbol display device in the gaming machine according to claim 1 of the present invention has a large number of blinkable inside a rotary reel having a reel tape on the outer peripheral surface. It is characterized in that a luminous body support member in which luminous bodies are arranged is provided so as to be relatively movable.

According to the symbol display device in the gaming machine according to the first aspect of the present invention configured as described above, the luminous body support member is relatively moved inside the rotary reel, and the plurality of units are moved every time a predetermined amount or a predetermined position is moved. By blinking the light-emitting body of No. 1 according to a predetermined program, for example, a predetermined pattern using an afterimage, for example, a "reach eye" pattern can be displayed on the reel tape. In this case, the design of the reel tape is not affected by the original display of the design of the reel tape, and conversely, the design of the "reach eye" can be seen in a state of an afterimage as if it were raised in the space. it can.

The symbol display device in the gaming machine according to a second aspect is characterized in that the luminous body support member is provided so as to be movable along the back surface of the reel tape. Therefore, according to the symbol display device in the gaming machine of this structure, when displaying the symbol, the luminous body support member is spaced from the back surface of the reel tape at a substantially predetermined interval in the circumferential direction thereof, or the axis line orthogonal thereto. Since it moves in the direction, the entire design can be displayed on the reel tape with a constant brightness.

Further, the symbol display device in the gaming machine according to claim 3 is characterized in that the luminous body support member is provided so as to be capable of reciprocating within a predetermined range. Therefore, according to the symbol display device in the gaming machine of this configuration, the luminous body support member is moved only in a relatively narrow range corresponding to the player, for example, the display window, and the symbol is displayed rationally. You can

Further, in the symbol display device of the gaming machine according to a fourth aspect, the luminous body support member is rotatably supported with respect to a support body supporting the rotary reel about a rotation axis of the rotary reel. It is characterized by being done. Therefore, according to the symbol display device in the gaming machine of this configuration,
Since the luminous body support member rotates with a constant distance from the back surface of the reel tape, the entire pattern can be stably displayed on the reel tape with a constant brightness.

Further, in the symbol display device in the gaming machine according to claim 5, the luminous body support member is driven by a second drive motor different from the first drive motor for driving the rotating reel. It is characterized by Therefore, according to the symbol display device in the gaming machine of this configuration, the second
Since the light emitter support member can be moved independently of the rotary reel by the drive motor of the light emitter, the light emitter can be used according to various display purposes even when the rotary reel is stopped or rotating. The afterimage of the symbol can be arbitrarily displayed.

Further, the pattern display device in the gaming machine according to claim 6 is characterized in that the luminous body is an LED. Therefore, according to the symbol display device in the gaming machine of this configuration, by using the LED, it is possible to deal with it by an inexpensive means as a light emitting body, and the color display of the symbol is easy.

Further, in the pattern display device in the gaming machine according to claim 7, the afterimage is caused by blinking the light emitters in a programmed order in association with the movement of the light emitter support member to a predetermined amount or a predetermined position. It is characterized by comprising a light emitter drive timing control means for displaying a predetermined symbol utilizing the above on the reel tape. Therefore, according to the symbol display device in the game machine having this configuration, the order in which the light emitters are programmed by the light emitter drive timing control means is related to the movement of the light emitter support member to the predetermined amount or the predetermined position. It is possible to display a predetermined symbol using the afterimage on the reel tape by controlling the blinking with.

Further, in the symbol display device of the gaming machine according to claim 8, a backlight for irradiating the symbol displayed on the reel tape from the back side of the reel tape is made to correspond to the movement range of the light emitter support member. And is arranged inside the rotating reel. Therefore, according to the symbol display device in the game machine having this configuration, in addition to the irradiation of the reel tape symbol by the backlight, the symbol display utilizing the afterimage of each luminous body of the luminous body support member is appropriately combined. More versatile and effective display can be performed.

Further, a symbol display device in a gaming machine according to a ninth aspect is characterized in that a plurality of the rotary reels are arranged, and at least one of the rotary reels is provided with the luminous body support member. Therefore, according to the symbol display device in the gaming machine of this configuration, at the stage where a part of the specific symbol is prepared, before the last rotary reel holding the remaining symbol of the specific symbol is stopped, The remaining symbols of a specific symbol, so-called "reach eyes", can be displayed by each light emitter of the light emitter support member provided on at least one of the rotating reels. In this case, for example, if the one rotating reel is dedicated to display the "reach eye" symbol, the specific symbol of each of the rotary reels and the "reach eye" symbol are not overlapped and displayed. Therefore, it is possible to make those displays easy to see individually. Further, the "reach eye" symbol may be displayed on all the rotating reels. Alternatively, the symbol of the hit object may be displayed in order to make the player have expectations when the start operation is performed.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments in which the present invention is embodied in a slot machine will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the slot machine. In the figure, the slot machine 1 displays three common symbols such as numbers and images on the circumferential surface at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction, and three rotatable game reels 2 for games that can be rotated separately. , 3, 4 and the reels 2, 3, 4 for the game are respectively exposed to the front side separately by the continuous 3 picture portions, respectively, the reel windows 5, 6, 7 of the same size.
A start lever 8 for starting the rotation of the game rotation reels 2, 3, 4; a medal insertion slot 9 for inserting medals during a game; a medal ejection slot 10 for ejecting medals; A medal tray 11 for receiving medals, a number-of-multiplications setting switch 12 for setting the number of medals to be multiplied, and the rotary reels for each game 2, 3, 3.
4 corresponding to the lower sides of the reels 4, and stop switches 13, 14, 15 for stopping the corresponding game rotary reels 2, 3, 4 respectively, and the front of the window frames of the reel windows 5, 6, 7. The three payout lines 16 are displayed, which are three exposed horizontal patterns of the game rotary reels 2, 3 and 4 and three horizontal and diagonal two corresponding patterns.

The game method by the slot machine 1 is the same as the known one, and the number-of-multiplication-set switch 1 is used.
The number of medals to be set is set to any one of 1 to 3 by 2, and the set number of medals is inserted from the medal insertion slot 9, and then the start lever 8 is operated to rotate the reels for all games 2, 3, 3. Start rotation of 4. Next, the stop switches 13, 14, and 15 are sequentially operated in an appropriate order to stop the game reels 2, 3, and 4. In this game, if only one medal is thrown, the winning line 16
In case of inserting 1 horizontal line in the middle of 2 lines, 3 medals in case of inserting 2 medals, and in case of inserting 3 medals in case of inserting 3 medals If you have a set of predetermined special patterns,
It becomes a "big hit", and accordingly a predetermined number of medals are paid out to the medal receiving tray 11 from the medal payout opening 10. The game is repeated in this way.

On the right side of the main body of the slot machine 1, a display for displaying reach marks, hits, or a decorative display in connection with winning by the game reels 2, 3, and 4. A device is provided. This configuration will be described below.

In FIGS. 2 and 3, inside the right side of the main body of the slot machine 1, a substrate 17 as a support body having a lower base fixed inside the main body is fixed. Its substrate 1
In the upper and lower intermediate portions of 7, the game rotating reels 2, 3,
A reel driving motor 18 constituted by a stepping motor having an axis of rotation substantially on the extension of the axis of rotation 4 is fixed by a plurality of screws 19. A shaft support of a drum-shaped display rotating reel 21 is fixed to a fixture 20 fixed to the shaft of the reel driving motor 18 so as to be integrally rotatable by a plurality of screws 22. The display rotary reel 21 is similar to the game rotary reels 2, 3 and 4,
It is integrally molded in the shape shown in the figure with a synthetic resin material, but has an outer diameter slightly larger than that of the above-mentioned game rotating reels 2, 3, 4 and has a transparent or translucent reel tape (not shown) on its outer peripheral surface. No.) is attached, and a pattern different from that of the game reels 2, 3, 4 is displayed at predetermined intervals on the surface for decoration. A part of the display rotary reel 21 is the slot machine 1
The display window 23 is provided on the front surface of the main body and is longer in the vertical direction than the reel windows 5, 6, and 7, and is exposed to the front.

In relation to the display rotary reel 21, a first origin detecting sensor 24 for detecting the origin position of the display rotary reel 21 is fixed to a mounting piece 25 protruding from the substrate 17 by cutting and raising. It The first origin detection sensor 24, a light emitting element arranged at a distance in the direction orthogonal to the axis of the display rotary reel 21 and a light receiving element for receiving the light, and the axis of the display rotary reel 21. For detection, the detection piece 26 formed on one of the four connecting arms 21A protruding outward from the support portion in a cross shape crosses the space between the light emitting element and the light receiving element by rotation to block light. The origin position of the rotary reel 21 is detected. The display rotary reel 21 is
Usually, the predetermined position is stopped at a predetermined position so that a predetermined pattern is exposed at a predetermined portion of the display window 23 with reference to the position where the origin position is detected.

A back light LE that irradiates the back surface of the reel tape from the inside of the display rotating reel 21.
D27 is provided on the LED mounting frame 28 fixed to the substrate 17. The backlight LED 27 can switch the emission color based on the R, G, B3 primary color data according to the color of the emitted light, and the pattern displayed on the reel tape can be changed from the back to a different color. It is possible to continuously or intermittently irradiate and display the pattern in a raised manner.

A support frame 29 having a U-shaped vertical cross section is fixed to the substrate 17 by a screw 30 on the surface opposite to the side where the display rotary reel 21 is disposed. Inside the support frame 29, a forward / reverse rotatable LED drive motor 31 constituted by a stepping motor is provided with a plurality of screws so that its rotation axis is parallel to the axis line of the display rotation reel 21. It is fixed by 32. LED drive motor 3
A base end of an arm 34 as a light emitter support member protruding in a direction orthogonal to the motor axis is fixed to a fixture 33 that is integrally rotatably fixed to the first shaft. Its arm 34
A support portion 35 is provided on the leading end side of the substrate 17 so as to cross the open end portion of the substrate 17 and project in the vicinity of the back surface of the reel tape of the display rotary reel 21 in parallel with the back surface thereof. The arm 34 can be reciprocally rocked within a predetermined angle range (within the present embodiment within an angle range of about 27 °) by the forward and reverse rotations of the LED driving motor 31, and the supporting portion 35 thereof has the LED mounting frame. It swings at an outer position substantially facing the installation range of 28.

In relation to the arm 34, its arm 3
A second origin detection sensor 36 for detecting the origin position of No. 4 is fixed to the board 17. The second origin detection sensor 36
Is composed of a light emitting element arranged at a distance in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the arm 34 and a light receiving element for receiving the light, and the detection piece 37 protruding from the standing portion of the arm 34 toward the substrate 17. Is rotated so as to cross the space between the light emitting element and the light receiving element to block light, thereby detecting the origin position of the arm 34. The origin position of the arm 34 is about 10 outside the swing angle range of the arm 34 for displaying an afterimage (an angle range of about 17 ° in the present embodiment), as will be apparent from the description of the afterimage display by the LED described later. It is a position that is over about °. Also,
At this origin position, the support portion 35 of the arm 34 is at the L position.
It is also located above the upper end of the ED mounting frame 28 and does not block the light emission of the backlight LED 27.

On the support portion 35 of the arm 34, eight LEDs 38 as blinkable light emitting bodies are arranged in one row at equal intervals. The respective LEDs 38 are respectively R, G,
Based on the B3 primary color data, at least the rainbow color (red,
It can emit 7 colors (orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, purple). Further, the LEDs 38 are controlled to blink according to the sequence of data programmed in advance in association with the swing of the arm 34 when the afterimage is displayed.

Next, a control device for electrically controlling each part of the slot machine 1 will be described. Although not shown,
The slot machine 1 includes a well-known main control device for electrically controlling each part thereof. The main control unit uses a signal corresponding to the number set by the number-of-multiplies setting switch 12 via an input interface or a bus (not shown), a start signal generated based on the operation of the start lever 8 and the stop switches. 13, 1
Each stop signal generated by the operation of 4, 15 and a signal for detecting a predetermined number of medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 9 are input to rotate or stop the game rotary reels 2, 3, 4 Alternatively, the payout of medals and the like are controlled. Then, a program for controlling the slot machine 1, the game rotating reel 2,
A CPU for executing a program for performing the stop control of 3 and 4 and a program for controlling the effect control device described later, for example, according to "reach eyes" are provided.

In addition to the main control device, the slot machine 1 also includes an effect control device for controlling the display rotary reel 21 and a display device mainly including the LEDs 38. The effect control device will be described below with reference to the block diagram of FIG. The CPU 39 is the center of the display control, is connected to the main control device via an input interface (not shown), and inputs a control instruction signal corresponding to the “reach eyes” or the like.
The signals output from the first and second origin detection sensors 24 and 36 are input, and based on the control instruction signal input from the main control device, the LEDs 38 and the arms. Signals and control data for controlling the swinging of 34 and the like are output. A memory 40, which is connected to the CPU 39 via a bus so as to be able to send and receive signals, is a program for controlling blinking of each LED 38 in accordance with afterimage display, a program for controlling swing of the arm 34, and the like. , Backlight LE
Program for lighting and blinking D27, backlight for the game rotating reels 2, 3, 4 (not shown)
It includes a ROM that stores a program for controlling the blinking of, and a RAM that stores a work area of the program and variable data. The memory 40 is the C
Alternatively, the PU 39 may have a built-in form.

The LED drive circuit 41 connected to the CPU 39 via a bus controls the backlight LE under the control of the CPU 39 based on the data in the memory 40.
D27 and the LEDs 38 are driven to blink. Further, the reel drive motor drive circuit 42 connected to the CPU 39 via a bus controls the reel drive motor 1 under the control of the CPU 39 based on the data in the memory 40.
Drive eight. Further, the LED drive motor drive circuit 43 connected to the CPU 39 via a bus drives the LED drive motor 31 under the control of the CPU 39 based on the data of the memory 40.

The present embodiment is configured as described above. The operation of the slot machine 1 will be described below.

As described above, in the game by the slot machine 1, first, the number of medals to be multiplied is set to any one of 1 to 3 by the number of medals setting switch 12, and the set number of medals is inserted into the medal slot. After inserting from 9, the start lever 8 is operated to start the rotation of all the game rotary reels 2, 3 and 4. Next, the stop switches 13, 14, and 15 are sequentially operated in an appropriate order to stop the game reels 2, 3, and 4. As a result, when the initially set number of medals is only one, the middle horizontal line in the pay line 16 is targeted, and when the initially set number of medals is two, the prize is For three horizontal lines in the line 16, further, when the number of medals initially set is three, for all five lines of the winning line 16,
When you have a specific pattern that is set in advance
Or, it becomes a “big hit”, and accordingly, a predetermined number of medals are received from the medal payout opening 10 to the medal tray 11
Be paid to. The game is repeated in this way. This control is performed based on a command from the main controller.

Here, the slot machine 1 is a stage in which two game reels among the three game reels 2, 3, 4 are stopped in the middle of the above-mentioned game. Depending on the winning line, the above "role",
When two patterns for "big hit" are aligned, when the remaining one design for winning hits a certain winning line by stopping the remaining one game reel, the "win" or "big hit" It is possible to visually display a notice indicating that the so-called "reach eyes". Alternatively, the symbol of the hit object may be displayed in order to make the player have expectations when the start operation is performed.

When the second game rotary reel is stopped, when the two patterns corresponding to the "win" or "big hit" are aligned in correspondence with a winning line, the main control device is set to 2 Recognizing that you have all of them, that is, for example,
The main control is performed when the correspondence between the stop position of each of the two game reels preset as data in the ROM of the main control device and the pattern is recognized or when a start operation is performed. A control instruction signal based on a program is output from the device to the CPU 39. Based on this, the CPU 39 first outputs a drive signal to the reel drive motor drive circuit 42 and activates the reel drive motor 18 by the reel drive motor drive circuit 42 to set the display rotary reel 21 to the origin position. Continue to rotate in one direction. At the same time, the CPU 39 reads program data for lighting and blinking the backlight LED 27 from the memory 40 and outputs a drive signal to the LED drive circuit 41, and the LED drive circuit 41 turns on and blinks the backlight LED 27. The patterns on the reel tape are sequentially illuminated.

After the rotation of the display rotary reel 21 and the lighting and blinking of the backlight LED 27, C
The PU 39 performs visual display control of the “reach eyes”.
The visual display of the "reach eyes" will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

That is, when the CPU 39 outputs a drive signal to the LED drive motor drive circuit 43, first,
The origin position excitation phase of the LED driving motor 31 is excited to bring the motor 31 into a locked state (S1 and S indicate steps. The same applies hereinafter). Next, the arm 34 supporting the LED 38 is at the origin position (the detection piece 37 is the second origin detection sensor 36).
It is checked whether or not it is stopped at the position where the light of the light emitting element is blocked) in conformity with (S2). As a result, when it is determined that the position is not the origin position (S1, NO), the arm 34
Is stopped on the side of the swing angle range where the image is deviated from the origin position and the afterimage is displayed, the LED driving motor 31 is reversed by one step to swing the arm 34 toward the origin position (S3). In this case, it is determined whether or not it is the origin position each time the reverse rotation for one step is performed (S4), and if it is not the origin position (S4, NO), the reverse operation for one step is repeated.
In this way, when the detection piece 37 of the arm 34 coincides with the second origin detection sensor 36 and the light of the light emitting element is blocked by repeating the reverse rotation operation, it is determined that the origin position is detected (S4, Yes). If the arm 34 is initially located at the origin position, the LED drive motor 31 is maintained at the origin position excitation phase position without performing the reverse rotation control. Although the second origin detection sensor 36 is used as a means for holding the LED driving motor 31 at the origin position excitation phase position, other means may be applied instead.

Next, the LED driving motor 31 is rotated in the forward direction by a predetermined number of steps to swing the arm 34 downward from the original position to start one end of the swing angle range for displaying an afterimage, that is, display start. Swing to the position (S5).
From this position, the LED driving motor 31 is continuously rotated in the forward direction by one step, and the arm 34 is swung accordingly, and the display operation of the "reach eye" is performed by the LED 38. At this time, the display data corresponding to the “reach eyes” to be displayed by the CPU 39 is read from the memory 40 and output to the LED drive circuit 41, and the LE
The D drive circuit 41 sequentially blinks the eight LEDs 38 in the programmed order in order to display the "reach eye" as an afterimage.

Explaining with reference to the explanatory view of FIG. 7 schematically showing the details of the afterimage of the "reach eye", the swing angle range for displaying the afterimage of the "reach eye" is the same as that of the present embodiment. In this case, two step angles of the LED driving motor 31 are divided into 12 equal parts, and the display data is switched every time the two step angles are rotated to control the blinking of the eight LEDs 38. Therefore, when displaying the numeral "7" in the example shown in FIG. 7, all the eight LEDs 38 are turned off at the first step angle from the top (white circles indicate extinction, black circles indicate illumination). In the second rotated 2 step angle, all the 8 LEDs 38 are turned on, and in the next 3 rotated similarly, the 8 LEDs 38 are continuously turned on.
All of the LEDs are turned on, and similarly rotated, the 4th LED is the 2nd and 3rd LED from the right side among the 8 LEDs 38.
Eight LEDs in accordance with the data of the above-mentioned numeral “7” every time when turning two steps, such as turning on only 38.
The blinking control of 38 is repeated 12 times. Above 1
Since the blinking control of the eight LEDs 38, which is performed twice, is actually continuously and instantaneously performed, the number "7" is displayed so that the afterimage can be seen on the reel tape.

Eight L's performed for each of the above two step angles
The blinking control of the ED 38 turns on the eight LEDs 38 according to predetermined program data at the first one step angle of the two step angles (S6), and turns off all the eight LEDs 38 at the subsequent one step angle. (S
7). 8 LEDs performed by this 2 step angle
The number of steps is confirmed for each blink control of 38 (S
8). Then, it is determined whether or not the blinking control number by the eight LEDs 38 has reached 12 times and the arm 34 has reached the display end portion (step number 23) on the other end portion side of the swing angle range in which the afterimage is displayed. (S9). If the arm 34 does not reach the display end and the number of steps is less than 23 (S9, NO),
Returning to S6, the steps of S6 to S8 are repeated. If the blinking control number reaches 12 times (S9, YES, the number of steps is 23 at this point), the other end of the swing angle range in which the afterimage is displayed by the arm 34 (the number of steps is 24, eight LEDs 38 are shown).
It is determined whether or not all the positions have been turned off) (S10). If a negative determination is made here (S10, N
O), returning to S7, the LED driving motor 31 is rotated forward by one step. In this way, when the arm 34 reaches the other end and reaches the predetermined number of steps (24) (S10, YE
S), the display of the forward stroke ends (S11).

The afterimage display described above is similarly performed in the backward stroke in which the arm 34 swings upward from the other lower end of the swing angle range in which the afterimage is displayed by the reverse rotation of the LED driving motor 31. Be seen. Therefore, when displaying this backward stroke, the reverse rotation process of the LED driving motor 31 is performed (S12). And the afterimage of this return stroke is
Basically, it is performed in substantially the same way as the display control of the forward stroke,
Contrary to the display of the forward stroke, the data is sequentially displayed from the bottom to the top, and accordingly, the programmed data is read in the reverse order to the blinking control of the eight LEDs 38. Be served. In this case as well, the blinking control of the eight LEDs 38 is continuously and instantaneously performed in the same manner as described above.
The afterimage of the display can be seen on the reel tape in a state substantially similar to the forward stroke.

In this way, while the arm 34 is reciprocally rocked between one end and the other end of the rocking angle range for displaying the afterimage, "reach-eye" afterimage display can be performed. This afterimage display is continued at least until the third game rotary reel is stopped. Then, as a result of the stop of the third rotating reel for the game, when the symbols corresponding to the “win” and the “big hit” are aligned, the blinking display of the eight LEDs 38 is displayed, for example, a character such as “win”. It is also possible to switch to the afterimage display by, the appropriate image indicating the hit, or the afterimage display by a symbol or the like and display this for a predetermined time or a predetermined number of times. On the other hand, as a result of the stop of the third game rotation reel, when the symbols corresponding to the “win” or the “big hit” are not aligned, that is, when the symbols stop at the out-of-symbol position, the CPU 39 gives an instruction to that effect. A signal is received from the main control device and a stop signal is output to the reel drive motor drive circuit 42 and the LED drive motor drive circuit 43 to output the reel drive motor 18 and the LED drive motor 31.
To stop. In this case, the LED driving motor 31
Is stopped at the origin position, stops at this position, and ends (S13).

In the example of the afterimage display of the number "7" described above, the number "7" is fixedly displayed as an afterimage at a fixed position, but it is configured to dynamically display the afterimage. Good. For example, FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B show an example in which the same number "7" as described above is displayed as if afterimages were observed as if they were vibrating left and right. According to this example, in the forward stroke in which the arm 34 is swung downward from the swing angle range for displaying an afterimage, as shown in FIG. For each afterimage display rotated for each step, the original display data is shifted to the left by one dot as shown in FIG.
Blinking control is performed, and in the backward stroke in which the arm 34 swings from below to above the swing angle range for displaying the afterimage, as shown in FIG. For each afterimage display that is rotated in the opposite direction for 2 steps, the original display data is set to the right by 1 as shown in the same figure.
The eight LEDs 38 are controlled to blink by shifting by dots. By repeating the above, the afterimage can be displayed as if the numeral “7” is vibrating left and right.

Further, as described above, after the afterimage display in which the numeral "7" is oscillated to the left and right is repeated a predetermined number of times, the display data of a different picture (for example, "7" of Chinese characters) is switched and the same vibration is performed as described above. Afterimage display may be performed. After this is displayed a predetermined number of times, the display may be switched to the display of the numeral "7" again, or the display may be switched to a completely different pattern.
Then, the afterimage may be displayed as if the numeral "7" is moving downward or upward. For example, when the afterimage is displayed as if the arm 34 is moving downward, the original display data is displayed each time the arm 34 swings in each direction in one reciprocation, each reciprocation, or every predetermined number of reciprocating swings. The eight LEDs 38 are controlled to blink by shifting downward by one dot to several dots. As a result, the afterimage is displayed as if the numeral “7” is moving downward.
Further, in each of the various afterimage displays as described above, every time the image such as the number "7" is afterimage-displayed or every time afterimage display is performed a predetermined number of times, each of the seven colors is changed by the LED drive circuit 41 under the control of the CPU 39. You may make it change and display in another color one by one.

In the above, when the "reach eyes" are applied,
Although examples have been described in which the number "7" is displayed as an afterimage in various forms, it may be difficult to display an afterimage with only eight LEDs 38 as in the present embodiment for a particularly complicated pattern (though, (It is possible if the number of LEDs is increased according to the design). However, if it is difficult, another display may be used instead. When such a display is performed, it may be made known to the player in advance by an instruction manual display on the front surface of the slot machine 1 or a voice.

As an example of the display, an afterimage such as a rainbow can be displayed. That is, in this case, when the arm 34 oscillates from the top to the bottom of the oscillating angle range in which the afterimage is displayed, all the eight LEDs 38 are red at the first step angle according to the rainbow color arrangement order. Lights up,
The next two 8 step LEDs 38 rotated by 2 steps
Are all lit in orange, and in the next rotated third, all eight LEDs 38 are also lit in yellow, so that the seventh purple is sequentially switched and displayed. In this way, the entire display is performed continuously and instantaneously, so that an afterimage display like a rainbow can be seen. Then, in the next return stroke in which the arm 34 swings from the bottom to the top of the swing angle range in which the afterimage is displayed, the seventh purple from the bottom in the step angle range in which the seven colors are displayed, and then The sixth blue color, then the fifth green color, and the first red color are sequentially switched and displayed. Even in this return stroke, the rainbow-like afterimage display can be seen in the same manner as in the forward stroke. The rainbow afterimage display may be replaced with the “hit” afterimage display.

In the above, when the "reach eyes" are applied,
Although it has been described that the afterimage display for the purpose of the "reach eye" is performed, the backlight LED 27 may be combined with the irradiation display of the pattern on the reel tape of the display rotary reel 21 for display regardless of the "reach eye". The pattern may be decoratively displayed as an afterimage. Alternatively, the display rotating reel 21 may be stopped and only the arm 34 may be reciprocally rocked to perform a decorative afterimage display.

In the present embodiment, the arm 34 is swung around an axis parallel to the axis of the display rotary reel 21, and eight supporting parts 35 of the arm 34 are provided together with the LED 38 on the reel tape of the display rotary reel 21. The afterimage was displayed by swinging back and forth in the direction of rotation along the back surface of the LED.
A support member that supports 38 may be configured to reciprocate in a direction parallel to the axis of the display rotation reel 21, that is, in the left-right direction, so as to display an afterimage. In this case, the LEDs 38 are arranged in the rotation direction along the back surface of the reel tape of the display rotation reel 21. Then, as a result, the arrangement of the display data, the order of blinking control of the LEDs 38, and the like are set so that the afterimage display looks the same in the same direction as described above.

Further, in the present embodiment, in order to display "reach eyes" and the like, three game rotating reels 2, 3, 4 are used.
The display rotating reel 21 is provided separately from the above, and the display rotating reel 21 is used for display. However, the display rotating reel 21 may not be provided in particular, and the LEDs involved in the display of "reach eyes" and the like.
A drive motor 31, an arm 34, etc. are provided in association with any or all of the three game rotary reels 2, 3, 4 and the reel tapes of the game rotary reels 2, 3, 4 are used. Alternatively, afterimages may be displayed on one or all of the reel tapes.

[0048]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the symbol display device in the gaming machine of the first aspect, a large number of blinkable light emitters are arranged inside the rotary reel having the reel tape on the outer peripheral surface. Since the light emitting body supporting member is provided so as to be relatively movable, the light emitting body supporting member is relatively moved inside the rotating reel, and the plurality of light emitting bodies are moved according to a predetermined program, for example, every time the predetermined amount or the predetermined position is moved. By blinking, a predetermined pattern using the afterimage,
For example, a "reach-eye" pattern or the like can be displayed on the reel tape. In this case, the design of the reel tape is not affected by the original display of the design of the reel tape, and conversely, the design of the "reach eye" can be seen in a state of an afterimage as if it were raised in the space. it can.

Further, according to the symbol display device in the gaming machine of claim 2, since the light emitter support member is provided so as to be movable along the back surface of the reel tape, when the symbol is displayed, the light emission is performed. Since the body support member moves in the circumferential direction or in the axial direction orthogonal to the back surface of the reel tape at a substantially predetermined distance, the entire pattern is displayed on the reel tape with a constant brightness. be able to.

Further, according to the symbol display device in the gaming machine of claim 3, since the luminous body support member is provided so as to be reciprocally movable within a predetermined range, it corresponds to, for example, a display window facing the player. The luminous body support member can be moved only in a relatively narrow range to rationally display the symbol.

Further, according to the symbol display device in the gaming machine of claim 4, the luminous body support member is rotatable with respect to the support body supporting the rotary reel about the rotation axis of the rotary reel. Since the luminous body support member is rotated at a constant distance from the rear surface of the reel tape, the entire pattern is stably displayed on the reel tape with a constant brightness. You can

Further, according to the symbol display device in the gaming machine of claim 5, the luminous body support member is driven by a second drive motor different from the first drive motor for driving the rotating reel. Therefore, the light emitter support member can be moved by the second drive motor regardless of the rotation reel, and various displays can be performed even when the rotation reel is stopped or rotating. Depending on the purpose, it is possible to arbitrarily display the afterimage of the pattern by the light emitter,

Further, according to the pattern display device in the gaming machine of the sixth aspect, since the light emitting body is constituted by the LED, it is possible to deal with the light emitting body by an inexpensive means by using the LED. Color display of designs is also easy.

Further, according to the symbol display device in the gaming machine of claim 7, blinking the luminous bodies in a programmed order in association with the movement of the luminous body supporting member to a predetermined amount or a predetermined position. Since the light emitting body drive timing control means for displaying the predetermined pattern utilizing the afterimage on the reel tape is provided, the light emitting body drive timing is related to the movement of the light emitting body supporting member to the predetermined amount or the predetermined position. The control means can control the light emitters to blink in a programmed order to display a predetermined pattern utilizing an afterimage on the reel tape.

Further, according to the symbol display device in the gaming machine of claim 8, a backlight for irradiating the symbol displayed on the reel tape from the back side of the reel tape is within the moving range of the luminous body support member. Since it is arranged corresponding to the inside of the rotating reel, in addition to the illumination of the reel tape design by the backlight, the display of the design using the afterimage of each luminous body of the luminous body support member is appropriately combined to make it more versatile. In addition, effective display can be performed.

Further, according to the symbol display device in the gaming machine of the ninth aspect, since a plurality of the rotating reels are arranged, and the luminous body support member is provided on at least one of the rotating reels, the start operation is performed. At the time of performing, or at the stage where a part of the specific symbol is completed, before the last spinning reel holding the remaining symbol of the specific symbol stops, the remaining symbol of the specific symbol, so-called " A pattern called "reach eye" can be displayed by each light emitter of the light emitter support member provided on at least one rotating reel. In this case, for example, if the one rotating reel is dedicated to display the "reach eye" symbol,
Since the specific design of each of the rotating reels and the design of the "reach eye" are not displayed in an overlapping manner, it is possible to make the displays individually easy to see.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a slot machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a display device with a part cut away.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a display device.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of the display device.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a control circuit that electrically controls the display device.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for controlling afterimage display.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing an afterimage display example.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing another example of an afterimage display in a different mode.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 slot machine Spinning reels for 2, 3, 4 games 17 board 18 reel drive motor 21 Rotating reel for display 27 Backlight LED 31 LED drive motor 34 Arm 35 Support 38 LED 39 CPU 40 memory

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A symbol display device in a gaming machine, characterized in that a light-emitting body support member, in which a large number of blinkable light-emitting bodies are arranged, is provided relative to the inside of a rotary reel having a reel tape on its outer peripheral surface so as to be relatively movable. . 2. The symbol display device in a gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the luminous body support member is provided so as to be movable along a back surface of the reel tape. 3. The symbol display device in a gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the luminous body support member is provided so as to be capable of reciprocating within a predetermined range. 4. The light-emitting body support member is rotatably supported by a support body that supports the rotating reel so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis of the rotating reel. A pattern display device in the gaming machine according to any one of 1. 5. The light emitter support member is driven by a second drive motor different from the first drive motor for driving the rotary reel.
A pattern display device in the gaming machine according to any one of 4 to 4. 6. The symbol display device in a gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the light emitter is an LED. 7. A predetermined pattern using an afterimage is displayed on the reel tape by blinking the light emitters in a programmed order in association with movement of the light emitter support member to a predetermined amount or a predetermined position. 7. A light emitter drive timing control means for controlling the light emitter is provided.
A pattern display device in the gaming machine according to any one of 1. 8. A backlight for irradiating the symbols displayed on the reel tape from the back side of the reel tape is arranged inside the rotating reel so as to correspond to the moving range of the light emitter support member. The symbol display device in the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7. 9. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the rotary reels are arranged, and at least one of the rotary reels is provided with the light emitter support member. Design display device.