JP2005102879A - Slot machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a slot machine which is equipped with an auxiliary operational part placed in the lower part in the vertical direction on the front of a casing in addition to a main operational part placed in the central part, has the number of parts fewer than that of a conventional slot machine, and requires less work for mounting parts on the casing. <P>SOLUTION: The slot machine is equipped with the vertically long, box-shaped casing, a plurality of reels which have a variety of symbols displayed on the circumferences, are placed in the casing, and are driven to rotate, the main operational part which has a switch for directing the number of tokens for a bet for directing the number of tokens to be spent in a game, a reel starting switch for starting a plurality of reels simultaneously, and a plurality of reel stopping switches for stopping the plurality of reels separately, is placed in the central part in the vertical direction on the front of the casing, and is used for operating the game, a token tray which receives prize winning tokens paid out when the symbols on a prescribed stopping line of the halted reel result in a prescribed combination and is placed in the lower part on the front of the casing, and the auxiliary operational part which is integrated with the token tray and is used for operating the game. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a slot machine.

A vertical box-shaped casing, a plurality of reels that are displayed in a plurality of symbols around the casing and are driven to rotate, a medal bet number indicating switch that indicates the number of medals to be inserted into the game, and a plurality of reels Main operation unit for game operation, which has a reel start switch for starting all of the reels simultaneously and a plurality of reel stop switches for individually stopping a plurality of reels, and is disposed at the center in the vertical direction on the front of the casing, A medal tray disposed in the lower part of the front of the casing for receiving a winning medal to be paid out when the symbols on the predetermined stop line are in a predetermined combination, and an auxiliary operation unit for game operation disposed in the vicinity of the medal tray Patent Document 1 discloses a slot machine including the above.
Since the slot machine of Patent Document 1 includes an auxiliary operation unit that can be operated by lowering the arm, there is an advantage that the player is not tired compared to a conventional slot machine that includes only a main operation unit that operates by raising the arm. is there. Also, since the main operation unit similar to that of the conventional slot machine is provided, there is an advantage that a player who is accustomed to the operation of the conventional slot machine will not be confused by the operation.
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 4-104891

In the slot machine of Patent Document 1, the auxiliary operation unit is configured separately from the medal tray, and there is a problem in that the number of parts increases and the number of steps for attaching parts to the casing increases.
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and is a vertically long box-type casing, a plurality of types of symbols that are displayed around the casing, a plurality of reels that are arranged in the casing and are driven to rotate, and a game. A medal bet number indicating switch for instructing the number of medals, a reel start switch for starting a plurality of reels at once, and a plurality of reel stop switches for individually stopping a plurality of reels are arranged at the center in the vertical direction on the front of the casing. A main operation unit for game operation, a medal tray disposed at a lower portion of the front of the casing for receiving a winning medal to be paid out when a symbol on a predetermined stop line of the stopped reel is in a predetermined combination, and a medal tray A slot machine provided with an auxiliary operation unit for game operation arranged in the vicinity of the slot machine, compared with the slot machine of Patent Document 1 And an object thereof is less, to provide a small slot machine with parts mounting steps of the casing.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in the present invention, a vertically long box-type casing, a plurality of types of symbols displayed around the casing, a plurality of reels arranged in the casing and driven to rotate, and a medal to be inserted into the game It has a medal bet number indication switch for instructing the number, a reel start switch for starting a plurality of reels at the same time, and a plurality of reel stop switches for individually stopping a plurality of reels. A main operation unit for game operation, a medal tray disposed at a lower portion of the front of the casing for receiving a winning medal to be paid out when symbols on a predetermined stop line of the stopped reels are in a predetermined combination, a medal tray, A slot machine comprising an integrated auxiliary operation unit for game operation is provided.
Since the slot machine according to the present invention includes an auxiliary operation unit that can be operated with the arm lowered, the slot machine according to the present invention has an advantage that the player does not get tired as compared with the conventional slot machine that includes only the main operation unit operated by raising the arm. . Further, since the main operation unit similar to that of the conventional slot machine is also provided, there is an advantage that a player who is accustomed to the operation of the conventional slot machine is not confused by the operation.
Since the auxiliary operation part of the slot machine according to the present invention is integrated with the medal tray, the slot machine according to the present invention has a smaller number of components and a smaller number of steps for mounting the components on the casing than the slot machine of Patent Document 1.

In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the auxiliary operation unit includes a medal bet number indicating switch for instructing the number of medals to be inserted into the game, a reel start switch for simultaneously starting a plurality of reels, and a plurality of reels for individually stopping the plurality of reels. And a reel stop switch.
The game can be operated in the same manner as the main operation unit by the auxiliary operation unit having the same configuration as the main operation unit.

In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the medal bet number instruction switch included in the main operation unit has a maximum bet number instruction switch and a minimum bet number instruction switch, and the medal bet number instruction switch included in the auxiliary operation unit is the maximum bet number. Has only an indicator switch.
When the maximum bet number switch is operated, generally, the number of medals that is most advantageous in terms of the winning probability (three in general games and one in bonus games) is inserted. Therefore, if the auxiliary operation unit has the maximum betting instruction switch, the player can reliably insert an advantageous number of medals by operating the auxiliary operation unit. As a result, the interest of the game increases, and the customer's attractiveness of the game hall where the slot machine is installed increases. Further, since the auxiliary operation unit does not have the minimum betting instruction switch, the auxiliary operation unit is miniaturized and the number of steps for mounting components on the casing is reduced.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the medal bet number indicating switch, the reel start switch, and the reel stop switch of the auxiliary operation unit are directed obliquely upward.
If the medal bet number indication switch, the reel start switch, and the reel stop switch that the auxiliary operation unit has are directed diagonally upward, the player can operate the various switches of the auxiliary operation unit with the palm downward, never tired.

In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the reel start switch included in the auxiliary operation unit has the same shape as the reel start switch included in the main operation unit.
In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the reel stop switch included in the auxiliary operation unit has the same shape as the reel stop switch included in the main operation unit.
In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the betting number instruction switch included in the auxiliary operation unit has the same shape as the betting number instruction switch included in the main operation unit.
By making the switch of the auxiliary operation unit the same shape as the switch of the main operation unit and making them both common, the design cost, parts procurement cost, and maintenance cost of the operation unit are reduced.

In a preferred aspect of the present invention, when the hand is placed on the auxiliary operation unit, the reel start switch faces the thumb, and the plurality of reel stop switches face the index finger, middle finger, and ring finger, respectively.
When the reel operation switch faces the thumb when the hand is placed on the auxiliary operation section and the plurality of reel stop switches face the index finger, middle finger, and ring finger, the auxiliary operation section can be easily operated with one hand. .

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a pair of auxiliary operation portions are disposed on both the left and right sides of the medal tray.
If the pair of auxiliary operation units are arranged on both the left and right sides of the medal tray, a right-handed player or a left-handed player can play a game by operating the auxiliary operation unit without feeling uncomfortable.

In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the pair of auxiliary operation units are arranged on both the left and right sides of the medal tray, and the arrangement of the reel stop switch included in the left auxiliary operation unit is the reel stop switch included in the right auxiliary operation unit. Is symmetrical with the arrangement of
If the arrangement of the reel stop switch of the left auxiliary operation unit is symmetrical to the arrangement of the reel stop switch of the right auxiliary operation unit, the reel stop operation can be performed in the same manner with either the right hand or the left hand.

In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the pair of auxiliary operation units are arranged on both the left and right sides of the medal tray, and the arrangement of the reel stop switch included in the left auxiliary operation unit is the reel stop switch included in the right auxiliary operation unit. The arrangement is the same.
If the arrangement of the reel stop switch of the left auxiliary operation unit is the same as the arrangement of the reel stop switch of the right auxiliary operation unit, a player familiar with the right auxiliary operation unit uses the left auxiliary operation unit. At this time, or when a player accustomed to using the left auxiliary operation unit uses the right auxiliary operation unit, the possibility of erroneous operation of the reel stop switch is reduced.

In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the slot machine includes an illumination device that illuminates the auxiliary operation unit.
Illuminating the auxiliary operation unit facilitates the operation of the auxiliary operation unit and prevents erroneous operation.

Since the slot machine according to the present invention includes an auxiliary operation unit that can be operated with the arm lowered, the slot machine according to the present invention has an advantage that the player does not get tired as compared with the conventional slot machine that includes only the main operation unit operated by raising the arm. . Further, since the main operation unit similar to that of the conventional slot machine is also provided, there is an advantage that a player who is accustomed to the operation of the conventional slot machine is not confused by the operation.
Since the auxiliary operation part of the slot machine according to the present invention is integrated with the medal tray, the slot machine according to the present invention has a smaller number of components and a smaller number of steps for mounting the components on the casing than the slot machine of Patent Document 1.

A slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 shows an external perspective view of a slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. The slot machine A includes a vertically long casing 1. Three reels 2 a, 2 b, and 2 c that are displayed on a peripheral surface and are driven to rotate are arranged in the casing 1. A pair of left and right audio indicators 3a and 3b, an image indicator 4, a reel display window 5, a medal slot 6, a main operation unit 7, an image indicator 8, and a pair of left and right illumination lamps are arranged in order from the top on the front of the casing 1. 9a and 9b, a medal tray 10, and a pair of auxiliary operation units 11 and 12 which are disposed on the left and right sides of the medal tray 10 and integrated with the medal tray 10 are disposed.
The main operation unit 7 is disposed at the center in the vertical direction on the front surface of the casing 1. The main operation unit 7 includes a maximum bet number instruction switch 7a, a minimum bet number instruction switch 7b, an intermediate bet number instruction switch 7c, a reel start switch 7d, reel stop switches 7e, 7f and 7g, and a settlement switch 7h.

The auxiliary operation units 11 and 12 are disposed in the lower part of the front surface of the casing 1.
The auxiliary operation unit 11 includes a maximum bet number instruction switch 11a, a reel start switch 11d, and reel stop switches 11e, 11f, and 11g. The auxiliary operation unit 12 includes a maximum bet number instruction switch 12a, a reel start switch 12d, and reel stop switches 12e, 12f, and 12g.
The switches 11a, 11d, 11e, 11f, 11g, 12a, 12d, 12e, 12f, and 12g are directed obliquely upward in a direction away from the front surface of the casing 1.
The maximum bet number instruction switches 11 a and 12 a have the same shape as the maximum bet instruction switch 7 a included in the main operation unit 7.
The reel start switches 11d and 12d have the same shape as the reel start switch 7d included in the main operation unit 7.
The reel stop switches 11e and 12e have the same shape as the reel stop switch 7e included in the main operation unit 7, and the reel stop switches 11f and 12f have the same shape as the reel stop switch 7f included in the main operation unit 7, and the reel stop switch The switches 11g and 12g have the same shape as the reel stop switch 7g included in the main operation unit 7.
The switches 11a, 11d, 11e, 11f, and 11g included in the left auxiliary operation unit 11 are arranged symmetrically with the switches 12a, 12d, 12e, 12f, and 12g included in the right auxiliary operation unit 12.
When the left hand is put on the left auxiliary operation unit 11 and the right hand is put on the right auxiliary operation unit 12, the reel start switches 11d and 12d face the left and right thumbs, and the reel stop switches 11e and 12e turn the left and right index fingers. The reel stop switches 11f and 12f face the left and right middle fingers, and the reel stop switches 11g and 12g face the left and right ring fingers.

The operation of the slot machine A will be described.
The player can see the rotation state of the reels 2a, 2b and 2c through the reel display window 5. When the reels 2a, 2b, and 2c are stopped, symbols for three frames of each reel are aligned and arranged on the upper, middle, lower, and oblique stop lines L1 to L5. The stop lines L1 to L5 are sequentially activated according to the number of medals inserted into the game. L1 is activated when one medal is inserted into the game, L1 to L3 are activated when two medals are inserted into the game, and L1 to L5 when three medals are inserted into the game. Is activated. If the combination of symbols arranged on the activated stop line is a winning combination, a predetermined number of medals are paid out to the medal tray 10 through the medal payout opening.

The player inserts medals through the medal insertion slot 6. Up to three medals inserted through the medal insertion slot 6 are inserted into the game, and more than three medals are stored in the machine body of the slot machine A. The number of stored medals is displayed on the image display 4. When the number of stored medals is displayed on the image display 4, any one of the betting number instruction switches 7a to 7c, 11a, and 12a can be operated to put the stored medals into the game. When the maximum bet number indicating switch 7a, 11a or 12a is operated, a maximum of 3 medals can be inserted into the game from the stored medals, and when the minimum bet number indicating switch 7b is operated, one medal is stored from the stored medals. When the intermediate bet number indicating switch 7c can be operated, a maximum of 2 medals can be inserted into the game from the stored medals.
When the checkout switch 7h is operated, the stored medals are discharged to the medal tray 10 through the medal payout opening.

When the player operates the reel start switch 7d, 11d, or 12d, the reels 2a, 2b, 2c start, and when the player operates the reel stop switch 7e, 11e, or 12e, the reel 2a stops, and the reel stop switch 7f, 11f, or 12f is pressed. When operated, the reel 2b stops, and when the reel stop switch 7g, 11g, or 12g is operated, the reel 2c stops.
As described above, if the combination of symbols arranged on the stop line activated according to the number of inserted medals is related to winning, a predetermined number of medals are paid out to the medal tray 10 through the medal payout opening.
Various displays for attraction and game guidance are made via the audio displays 3a and 3b and the image display 8. The illumination lamps 9a and 9b illuminate the operation panels of the auxiliary operation units 11 and 12 directly below.

The slot machine A is provided at the lower part of the front surface of the casing 1 and includes auxiliary operation units 11 and 12 that can be operated by the player with his arms lowered. Therefore, only the main operation unit 7 that is operated by the player raising his arms is provided. Compared to the conventional slot machine, the player has the advantage of not getting tired. Further, since the slot machine A also includes the main operation unit 7 similar to the conventional slot machine, there is an advantage that a player who is used to the operation of the conventional slot machine is not confused by the operation.
Since the auxiliary operation units 11 and 12 of the slot machine A are integrated with the medal tray 10, the slot machine A has a smaller number of parts than the slot machine of Patent Document 1, and thus the number of steps for mounting the parts on the casing 1 is reduced. Few.

In the slot machine A, the auxiliary operation units 11 and 12 have medal bet number indicating switches 11a and 12a, reel start switches 11d and 12d, and reel stop switches 11e to 11g and 12e to 12g. 7, the game can be operated in the same manner as the main operation unit 7.

When the maximum bet number switch 7a, 11a, or 12a is operated, generally, the number of medals that are most advantageous in terms of winning probability (three in general games and one in bonus games) are inserted. In the slot machine A, since the auxiliary operation units 11 and 12 have the maximum betting instruction switches 11a and 12a, the player operates the auxiliary operation units 11 and 12 to reliably insert an advantageous number of medals. it can. As a result, the interest of the game increases, and the customer's attractiveness of the game hall in which the slot machine is installed increases. In addition, since the auxiliary operation units 11 and 12 do not have the minimum bet instruction switch or the intermediate bet number instruction switch, the auxiliary operation units 11 and 12 are downsized, and the number of steps for mounting components on the casing 1 is reduced.

In the slot machine A, the medal bet number indicating switches 11a and 12a included in the auxiliary operation units 11 and 12, the reel start switches 11d and 12d, and the reel stop switches 11e to 11g and 12e to 12g are separated from the front surface of the casing 1. The player is directed obliquely upward, and the player can operate the various switches of the auxiliary operation units 11 and 12 with their palms facing downward, so there is no fatigue.

In the slot machine A, the maximum bet number indicating switches 11a and 12a included in the auxiliary operation units 11 and 12 have the same shape as the maximum bet indicating switch 7a included in the main operating unit 7, and the reel start switch included in the auxiliary operating units 11 and 12 is used. 11d and 12d have the same shape as the reel start switch 7d included in the main operation unit 7, and the reel stop switches 11e and 12e included in the auxiliary operation units 11 and 12 have the same shape as the reel stop switch 7e included in the main operation unit 7. The reel stop switches 11f, 12f of the operation units 11, 12 have the same shape as the reel stop switch 7f of the main operation unit 7, and the reel operation switches 11g, 12g of the auxiliary operation units 11, 12 have the main operation unit 7. The main switch is the same shape as the reel stop switch 7g, and the auxiliary operation units 11 and 12 have various switches. By sharing the various switches work section 7 has the design cost of the operation unit, parts procurement costs, maintenance costs are reduced.

In the slot machine A, when the player places the left hand on the auxiliary operation unit 11 or puts the right hand on the auxiliary operation unit 12, the reel start switches 11d and 12d face the thumb and the reel stop switches 11e and 12e become the index fingers. The reel stop switches 11f and 12f are opposed to the middle finger, and the reel stop switches 11g and 12g are opposed to the ring finger, so that the player can easily operate the auxiliary holding operation unit 11 or 12 with one hand.

In the slot machine A, since the pair of auxiliary operation units 11 and 12 are arranged on both the left and right sides of the medal tray 10, a right-handed or left-handed player can operate the auxiliary operation unit without feeling uncomfortable. it can.

In the slot machine A, the arrangement of the switches 11a, 11d, 11e to 11g included in the left auxiliary operation unit 11 is symmetrical to the arrangement of the switches 12a, 12d, and 12e to 12g included in the right auxiliary operation unit 12. Can operate the auxiliary operation part in the same way with either the right hand or the left hand.

In the slot machine A, since the illumination lamps 9a and 9b illuminate the operation panels of the auxiliary operation units 11 and 12 directly below, the player can easily operate the auxiliary operation units 11 and 12 without error.

The arrangement of the switches 11a, 11d, 11e to 11g included in the left auxiliary operation unit 11 may be the same as the arrangement of the switches 12a, 12d, and 12e to 12g included in the right auxiliary operation unit 12. When a player familiar with the right auxiliary operation unit 12 uses the left auxiliary operation unit 11 or when a player familiar with the left auxiliary operation unit 11 uses the right auxiliary operation unit 12, various switches are set. The possibility of incorrect operation is reduced.

The switches 7a, 7b, 7d-7g of the main operation unit 7, the switches 11a, 11b, 11d-11g of the auxiliary operation unit 11, and the switches 12a, 12b, 12d-12g of the auxiliary operation unit 12 are any operation unit. The game may be operated even if the switch is operated, or the game is operated by operating the switch of the operation unit that is alternatively selected by operating the selection device. You may do it.

The present invention is widely applicable to slot machines.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

A slot machine 1 casing 2a, 2b, 2c reel 3a, 3b voice display 4, 8 image display 5 reel display window 6 medal slot 7 main operation section 7a maximum bet number indicating switch 7b minimum bet number indicating switch 7c intermediate bet Number indication switch 7d Reel start switch 7e, 7f, 7g Reel stop switch 9a, 9b Illumination lamp 10 Medal tray 11, 12 Auxiliary operation part 11a, 12a Maximum bet number indication switch 11d, 12d Reel start switch 11e, 11f, 11g, 12e , 12f, 12g Reel stop switch

Claims (12)

A vertical box-shaped casing, a plurality of reels that are displayed in a plurality of symbols around the casing and are driven to rotate, a medal bet number indicating switch that indicates the number of medals to be inserted into the game, and a plurality of reels Main operation unit for game operation, which has a reel start switch for starting all of the reels simultaneously and a plurality of reel stop switches for individually stopping a plurality of reels, and is disposed at the center in the vertical direction on the front of the casing, A medal tray disposed at the lower part of the front of the casing for receiving a winning medal to be paid out when the symbols on the predetermined stop line become a predetermined combination, and an auxiliary operation unit for game operation integrated with the medal tray. A slot machine characterized by comprising. The auxiliary operation unit has a medal bet number instruction switch for instructing the number of medals to be inserted into the game, a reel start switch for starting a plurality of reels simultaneously, and a plurality of reel stop switches for individually stopping the plurality of reels. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein: The medal bet number instruction switch included in the main operation unit includes a maximum bet number instruction switch and a minimum bet number instruction switch, and the medal bet number instruction switch included in the auxiliary operation unit includes only a maximum bet number instruction switch. The slot machine according to claim 2. 4. The slot machine according to claim 2, wherein the medal bet number indicating switch, the reel start switch, and the reel stop switch of the auxiliary operation unit are directed obliquely upward. The slot machine according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the reel start switch included in the auxiliary operation unit has the same shape as the reel start switch included in the main operation unit. 6. The slot machine according to claim 2, wherein the reel stop switch included in the auxiliary operation unit has the same shape as the reel stop switch included in the main operation unit. The slot machine according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein a bet number instruction switch included in the auxiliary operation unit has the same shape as a bet number instruction switch included in the main operation unit. 8. The reel start switch faces a thumb when the hand is placed on the auxiliary operation unit, and the plurality of reel stop switches face an index finger, a middle finger, and a ring finger, respectively. The slot machine described in. The slot machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the pair of auxiliary operation portions are disposed on both the left and right sides of the medal tray. A pair of auxiliary operation parts are arranged on both the left and right sides of the medal tray, and the arrangement of the reel stop switch that the left auxiliary operation part has is symmetrical to the arrangement of the reel stop switch that the right auxiliary operation part has. The slot machine according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the slot machine is characterized in that: A pair of auxiliary operation units are arranged on both the left and right sides of the medal tray, and the arrangement of the reel stop switch included in the left auxiliary operation unit is the same as the arrangement of the reel stop switch included in the right auxiliary operation unit. The slot machine according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the slot machine is characterized in that: The slot machine according to claim 1, further comprising an illumination device that illuminates the auxiliary operation unit.

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