JP2006314647A - Outside display device for game machine, and method and program for converting presentation of game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a player to change a presentation display part of a game machine to a desired device and to select the display mode of the presentation. <P>SOLUTION: The display device 1 is detachably attached to the game machine with the presentation display part for executing the presentation related to a game. The light of light emitting elements LEDs of the presentation display part of the game machine is received by light receiving elements PD of the display device 1. The light receiving pattern showing which light receiving element receives the light is compared with the lighting pattern in a lighting pattern storing part 14. The presentation data in a presentation storage part 15 are selected based on the result of the comparison, and the presentation is displayed in the display part 13 based on the selected presentation data. For example, if the lighting pattern is A, the presentation D is executed, and if the lighting pattern is B, the presentation E is executed. In this way, the presentation (the lighting pattern) of the game machine can be converted to the presentation stored in the presentation storage part 15. The presentation to be stored is arbitrary, and the player can select the presentation the player likes. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention is for a gaming machine for performing an effect different from the effect of the gaming machine itself, which is detachably attached to a revolving game machine or a ball game machine equipped with an effect display unit for performing an effect related to the game. The present invention relates to an external display device, a conversion method of a game machine effect, and a program.

  A spinning-type game machine or a ball game machine is designed to insert a predetermined game medium, perform a predetermined game, and pay out the game medium when winning. In addition to the processing directly related to the game, there are effects for entertaining the player. Various kinds of productions are known. In order to provide such an effect to the player, the gaming machine includes an effect display unit. As an effect display unit, decorative illumination including light emitting elements such as LEDs and lamps, a display device in which light emitting elements are arranged in a matrix, a liquid crystal display (LCD), and the like are used. Such a display unit repeatedly turns on and blinks during the production and displays an animation.

JP 2001-310069 A “Calling Machine for Game Machines and Centralized Management Device thereof” Provided are a calling lamp device for gaming machines and a centralized management device thereof that can be configured corresponding to differences in functions and specifications. The unitized lamp switch, call lamp, call response lamp, data display device, display changeover switch, and call lamp device control circuit 30 are each equipped with a common interface that can be exchanged between identical components with different specifications. To do. Based on a predetermined management program, the management computer manages the state of each calling lamp device, communication between the calling lamp devices, and the like.

  The display unit for effect of a conventional gaming machine is a device incorporated in the gaming machine, and is not exchanged when playing a normal game. Moreover, the effects provided by the effect display unit must be the same if they are the same model, and if it is desired to change the effects, it is necessary to apply for a different model and obtain permission. Due to such circumstances, it is difficult to change the display unit for the effect and to select the expression form of the effect according to the player's preference. As described in Patent Document 1, there is a technique in which some part is provided so as to be interchangeable with another part, but the technique cannot be applied as it is.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and an external display device for a gaming machine that allows a player to change the display unit for performance to a favorite device or to select an expression form of the effect, and It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and program for converting the effects of gaming machines.

  The present invention is a display device that is detachably attached to a gaming machine having an effect display unit for performing an effect related to a game, and receives light from a light emitting element included in the effect display unit of the gaming machine. A light-receiving unit, a lighting pattern storage unit that stores in advance a lighting pattern of a light emitting element of the display unit for presentation of the gaming machine, and a presentation performed in accordance with the lighting pattern and different from the presentation of the gaming machine The effect storage unit that stores the data in advance and the light reception pattern of the light receiving unit are compared with the lighting pattern of the lighting pattern storage unit, and the data of the effect of the effect storage unit is selected and selected based on the comparison result A processing unit for performing the production based on the data of the production, a display unit for displaying the production by the processing unit, and an attachment mechanism for detachably attaching to the front surface of the display unit for the production of the gaming machine. It is obtain things.

The lighting pattern storage unit is provided for each magnitude of deviation between the light receiving unit and the display unit for effect of the gaming machine when the external display device for game machine is attached to the front surface of the display unit for display of the game machine. The lighting pattern is memorized in
The effect storage unit stores different effects for each magnitude of deviation between the light receiving unit and the display unit for effect of the gaming machine,
The processing unit selects a lighting pattern of the lighting pattern storage unit corresponding to a magnitude of a deviation between the light receiving unit and the display unit for presentation of the gaming machine, and outputs the production data of the production storage unit You may make it select.

  The processing unit compares the light-receiving pattern of the light-receiving unit with a shift of the lighting pattern of the lighting-pattern storage unit, and sets the shift amount when the two coincide with each other as the magnitude of the deviation, and based on the magnitude of the deviation You may make it select the lighting data of the said lighting pattern memory | storage part while selecting the data of the said effect memory | storage part.

  The processing unit may notify an error when the light receiving pattern of the light receiving unit does not match any of the lighting patterns of the lighting pattern storage unit.

  The attachment mechanism is, for example, a connector or a clamp attached to an external display device for gaming machines, and the connector or the clamp is fitted to a member provided in the vicinity of the display unit for effect of the gaming machine. .

  The attachment mechanism is, for example, a magnet or a hook-and-loop fastener attached to an external display device for gaming machines, and the magnet or hook-and-loop fastener is attracted to a magnet or hook-and-loop fastener provided in the vicinity of the display unit for presentation of the gaming machine. To do.

  The attachment mechanism is, for example, a suction cup attached to an external display device for a gaming machine, and the suction cup is attracted to the front surface of the gaming machine.

  The attachment mechanism is, for example, a U-shaped member attached to an external display device for a gaming machine, and a tip of the U-shaped member is sandwiched between a front door of the gaming machine and the gaming machine main body. It is configured to be inserted.

The present invention is a method for providing a player with a different effect by converting the effect of a gaming machine provided with an effect display unit for performing an effect related to a game,
Receiving light of a light emitting element included in the display unit for effect of the gaming machine by a light receiving unit;
Comparing the light receiving pattern of the light receiving unit with a lighting pattern of a light emitting element of the display unit for effect of the gaming machine stored in advance;
Based on the result of the comparison, selecting any of the data related to the effect prepared for each lighting pattern;
And performing an effect based on the data related to the selected effect.

The program according to the present invention is for causing a computer to execute the above method.
The program according to the present invention is recorded on a recording medium, for example.
Examples of the medium include EPROM device, flash memory device, flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, magneto-optical disk, CD (including CD-ROM and Video-CD), DVD (DVD-Video, DVD-ROM, DVD- RAM), ROM cartridge, RAM memory cartridge with battery backup, flash memory cartridge, nonvolatile RAM cartridge, and the like.

  A medium is a medium in which information (mainly digital data, a program) is recorded by some physical means, and allows a processing device such as a computer or a dedicated processor to perform a predetermined function. is there.

  According to the present invention, the player changes the display unit for the effect to a favorite device (for example, the effect display unit of the LED matrix of the gaming machine is changed to a liquid crystal display (LCD)), or selects the expression form of the effect Will be able to. The present invention is an apparatus of a type added to a gaming machine and does not affect the gaming machine, so that there is no problem with the rules regarding the manufacturing of the gaming machine.

Embodiment 1 of the Invention
An external display device for gaming machines according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a front view of a general slot machine (cylinder-type game machine).
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes a slot machine. The slot machine 100 includes a slot machine main body 120 and a front door 130 attached to one side of the front surface of the slot machine main body 120 by a hinge or the like so as to be opened and closed. As shown in FIG. 1, a game display unit 131 is provided substantially in the center of the front door 130, and a medal insertion slot 132 for a player to insert medals is provided at the lower right corner of the game display unit 131. Provided below the medal insertion slot 132 is a reject button 133 for forcibly discharging a clogged medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 132 to the outside of the slot machine 100.

  Further, a start button 134 for starting a game is provided at the lower left of the game display unit 131, and three stop buttons 140 are provided corresponding to the three reels. A medal payout port 135 is provided at the center of the lower end of the front door.

  A player who wants to enjoy a game with a slot machine can first borrow a medal as a game medium from a medal lending machine (not shown) or the like, and insert a medal directly into the medal slot 132 of the medal slot device. A square window-like game display unit 131 facing the player side is formed at the center and upper part of the slot machine casing. In the center of the central display window, a symbol display window through which the symbols of the three rotating reels can be seen is formed. The start button 134 is a lever positioned obliquely below the rotary reel, and starts driving the reel unit 203 on condition that a game medal is inserted. The drive of the reel unit 203 is stopped by a stop button 140. The reel unit is composed of three rotating reels. Each rotating reel includes a rotating drum made of a synthetic resin and a tape-like reel tape attached around the rotating drum. A plurality of (for example, 21) symbols are displayed on the outer peripheral surface of the reel tape.

  An effect display unit 204 for performing various effects is provided above the game display unit 131. The effect display unit 204 is a decorative illumination including light emitting elements such as LEDs and lamps, a display device in which the light emitting elements are arranged in a matrix, and a liquid crystal display (LCD). Although not shown in FIG. 1, an external display device for gaming machines described below is attached to the front surface of the effect display unit 204.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the slot machine and the external display device for gaming machines according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 2, reference numerals 200 and 201 denote a main board (control unit) and a sub board, each incorporating a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The main board 200 performs medal insertion, payout, reel control, winning process, and the like. The sub-board 201 performs processing such as effect display. An operation unit 202 includes a start button 134, a stop button 140, and switches such as a bet switch without reference numerals. A reel unit 203 includes three rotating reels. An effect display unit 204 includes a game display unit 131, internal illumination of a reel, a liquid crystal display device, a speaker, and the like. The effect display unit 204 notifies the winning combination and the pressing order. A power supply unit 205 supplies power to each unit. A medal selector 206 sends out the medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 132 to the hopper device 121 after selecting and counting the medals. Non-standard or illegal medals are removed by the medal selector 206 and returned to the medal payout slot 135. 121 is a hopper device for paying out stored medals one by one to a payout opening 135 provided on the front surface of the front door 130.

  As described above, the effect display unit 204 is a decorative illumination including light emitting elements such as LEDs and lamps, a display device in which the light emitting elements are arranged in a matrix, a liquid crystal display device (LCD), and the like. The display unit 204 includes four LEDs (or lamps, the same shall apply hereinafter) 204-1 to 204-4. Needless to say, such a configuration is an example of the effect display unit 204. Actually, the number of LEDs is larger, but four LEDs are used to simplify the explanation. The LEDs 204-1 to 204-4 are attached to the front door 130 of the slot machine 100. More specifically, the light emitting surface is disposed directly inside the front plate glass of the front door 130 with the light emitting surface facing the player. In FIG. 2, the arrow indicates that light is directed toward the player.

  The gaming machine external display device 1 is attached to the front surface of the effect display unit 204. Therefore, the effect produced by the effect display unit 204, that is, the emitted light of the LEDs 204-1 to 204-4 is blocked by the game machine external display device 1 and cannot be seen by the player, but instead of the game machine external display device 1 The display unit 13 provides an effect.

  The external display device 1 for gaming machines is used for the effects of the light receiving unit 11 that receives light from the effect display unit 204, the display unit 13 for performing an effect different from the effect of the gaming machine, and the effect display unit 204. A lighting pattern storage unit 14 that stores the lighting pattern in advance, and an effect storage unit 15 that stores in advance data related to an effect performed in response to the lighting pattern (data for performing an effect different from the effect of the effect display unit 204). Then, the light receiving pattern of the light receiving unit 11 is compared with the lighting pattern of the lighting pattern storage unit 14, the production data of the production storage unit 15 is selected based on the comparison result, and the display unit 13 is selected based on the selected production data. And a processing unit 12 for producing effects. Although not shown in FIG. 2, an attachment mechanism for detachably attaching the external display device 1 for gaming machines to the front surface of the effect display unit 204 is provided.

  The light receiving unit 11 includes light receiving elements (PD) 11-1 to 11-4 respectively corresponding to the LEDs 204-1 to 204-4 of the display unit 204 for presentation. Each light receiving element is provided to face the LEDs 204-1 to 204-4, and one light receiving element detects the lighting state of one LED. In FIG. 2, the LEDs and the light receiving elements correspond one-on-one, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in the case where the display unit 204 for production is an array of 100 LEDs arranged in a matrix (10 × 10), the light receiving unit 11 is arranged with five light receiving elements like, for example, the fifth eye of a dice. Can be configured. Even if the number of light receiving elements is smaller than the number of LEDs, it is possible to know which part of the effect display unit 204 (any of the regions including a plurality of LEDs) is lit. In the case of an effect display unit 204 in which a large number of LEDs are arranged in a matrix or a liquid crystal display device (LCD), the actual effect is not expressed by lighting one LED (pixel), but a certain number of LEDs ( Since the pixel) is turned on, it is possible to detect what effect is being performed even with the arrangement of the light receiving elements as described above. An image sensor such as a CCD can also be used as the light receiving unit.

  The lighting pattern storage unit 14 stores in advance lighting patterns of the four LEDs 204-1 to 204-4 in the effect performed by the effect display unit 204. Since what kind of effects are performed for each type of gaming machine and how the four LEDs 204-1 to 204-4 are lit in each effect are determined in advance, the lighting pattern storage unit 14 stores the patterns. is doing. For example, there are a lighting pattern A, a lighting pattern B, and a lighting pattern C as the production patterns of the gaming machine in FIG. Each lighting pattern is such that all four LEDs 204-1 to 204-4 are turned on, and LEDs 204-1 and 204-2 are turned on.

  The lighting pattern will be further described. The lighting pattern is a pattern indicating which LED 204-1 to 204-4 of the effect display unit 204 of the gaming machine is turned on and which LED is turned off, that is, a combination of turning on / off the LEDs.

  On the other hand, the light receiving pattern is a result of detecting the lighting pattern by the light receiving unit 11. When the light receiving unit 11 is composed of a plurality of light receiving elements (PD) and the number and arrangement thereof match the light emitting elements (LEDs) of the effect display unit 204 of the gaming machine, the light receiving pattern matches the lighting pattern. Embodiment 1 of the invention corresponds to this. Therefore, in the following description, it is expressed as a lighting pattern (light receiving pattern). In the second and subsequent embodiments of the present invention, the case where the light receiving pattern does not match the lighting pattern is handled. In this case, the light receiving pattern is distinguished from the lighting pattern.

  As described above, as for the lighting pattern (light receiving pattern), which LED of the effect display unit 204 of the gaming machine detected by each element (PD) constituting the light receiving unit 11 is turned on and which LED is turned off. That is, a pattern that means turning on / off the LED. A lighting pattern (light receiving pattern) in the case of an image display device such as an LCD is a combination of lighting and extinguishing of each pixel constituting the image display device, or a plurality of regions (each of which is defined on the screen by the image display device) Each area is a combination of lighting and extinguishing. For example, this is a state in which the center of the screen of the image display device is turned on and the other areas are turned off.

  Note that the lighting pattern (light receiving pattern) here includes not only lighting and extinguishing of LEDs and the like, but also a combination of emission color and luminance. For example, a state in which the LED matrix or the entire image display device is displayed in red is also one of the lighting patterns (light receiving patterns), and a state in which the center of the screen is displayed in blue and the other parts blink in green is also a lighting pattern (light receiving pattern). Pattern).

  The effect storage unit 15 stores in advance data for an effect performed on the display unit 13 of the external display device 1 for gaming machines. For example, two effect data for effects D and E are stored. The effect data is arbitrary, for example, data for displaying characters such as “big hit” and “out of”, and data for expressing the meaning of that kind of animation.

  The gaming machine of FIG. 2 includes an effect display unit 204 equipped with only LEDs as an effect device, and need not be specially modified. The main point of the first embodiment of the invention is that the external display device 1 that is an external device that recognizes the light emission pattern of the LED for production as a control signal is detachable so as to hide the production display unit 204. The effect pattern of gaming machines is to be converted and diversified at the device level.

(1) Control of the external display device 1 This is performed by the light emitted from the effect display unit 204. Currently, it is not uncommon to convert light into an electrical signal, and it is possible for an external device to recognize the light emission of the LEDs 204-1 to 204-4 of the display unit 204 for presentation of the gaming machine as an electrical signal. Therefore, effect conversion is realized by the effect display unit 204 performing effect processing according to the electrical signal.

(2) Attaching / detaching method of external device to / from game machine The external display device 1 recognizes the light of the LED on the back side and converts it to an electrical signal such as photodiodes (PD) 11-1 to 11-4 It is only necessary to install a panel with a mark and place the panel on the LEDs 204-1 to 204-4 of the display unit 204 for the game machine. Just fix it. The attachment mechanism will be described later.

(3) External Device Recognition by Gaming Machine On the other hand, the gaming machine itself produces an effect by the effect display unit 204, and the effect is provided without the external display device 1 that is an external device. There is no need for the gaming machine to recognize the presence or absence of an external device. Therefore, in order to perform an effect by the external display device 1, it is not necessary to make any special action to the gaming machine itself, and the gaming machine can be used as it is.

(4) Power supply of external device Although the power supply of the external display device 1 is not shown in FIG. 2, the power supply may be incorporated in the external display device 1 or supplied from the gaming machine side. The former method is preferable. In the latter case, since it is necessary to provide a power supply connector in the gaming machine, the conventional one cannot be used as it is. For example, a female outlet may be formed on the housing and a male plug may be formed on the external device, and by connecting them, it is possible to perform both attachment of the external device to the housing and electrical contact at a time. .

  Next, the operation of the external display device according to the first embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the effect processing of the gaming machine. When the effect process is started at a predetermined opportunity, an effect corresponding to the type of the event is selected (S1). In the example of FIG. 3, any one of a total of four effects including no effect is selected (actually, there are more types of effects, but the number is four for convenience of explanation). That is, the lighting pattern A (S2), the lighting pattern B (S3), the lighting pattern C (S4), or no effect (S5). The specific content of the lighting pattern may be arbitrary.

  FIG. 4 is a process flowchart of the external display device 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention. The processing unit 1 monitors the output of the light receiving unit 11 (S10), and when the effect display unit 204 is lit in any of the lighting patterns A to C in FIG. 3, the light receiving unit 11 of the external display device 1 Detect (YES in S11). As described above, the light receiving unit 11 includes a plurality of light receiving elements (PD), and the number and arrangement thereof match the light emitting elements (LEDs) of the effect display unit 204 of the gaming machine. The pattern matches the lighting pattern of the effect display unit 204.

  Therefore, the light receiving pattern (= lighting pattern) is compared with the lighting pattern stored in advance in the storage unit 14 (S12). Lighting patterns A to C are stored in the storage unit 14. The following processing is executed according to which lighting pattern the received light pattern matches.

  When the light receiving pattern = lighting pattern A, the effect D is executed based on the effect data D stored in advance in the effect storage unit 15 (S14).

  When the light receiving pattern = lighting pattern B, a lottery is performed to determine which effect D or effect E is executed on the display unit (LCD) 13 for the lighting pattern B (S13). A known method can be applied to the lottery. This lottery process may not be arbitrary, but the lottery process does not make a one-to-one correspondence between the effects of the gaming machine and the effects of the external display device 1, thereby enabling various controls. If the effect D is selected as a result of the lottery, the effect D is executed based on the effect data D stored in advance in the effect storage unit 15 (S14), and the effect D is executed based on the effect data E in which the effect E is selected. To do.

  When the light receiving pattern = lighting pattern C, the detection is ignored and nothing is performed (S16). Although it is contradictory to display the process S16 in FIG. 4 even though the process is not performed, it is dared to make it easier to understand the operation of the first embodiment of the invention in comparison with the processes S14 and S15. (The dotted line in S16 means that no processing is actually performed).

  By the process of FIG. 4, the lighting patterns A to C of the gaming machine are converted into any one of the effects D, the effects E, or no effects. If production data is stored in advance in the production storage unit 15, the player's favorite production can be provided by the external display device 1. Which effect (lighting pattern) of the gaming machine is to be performed can be adjusted by changing the lighting pattern stored in the lighting pattern storage unit 14 and the program of the processing unit, and can be adapted to the player's preference. .

  According to the first embodiment of the invention, the player can change the display unit for the effect to a favorite device (for example, the effect display unit of the LED matrix of the gaming machine is changed to a liquid crystal display (LCD)), or the expression of the effect The form can be arbitrarily selected. The external display device according to the first embodiment of the invention is a device of a type that is added to the gaming machine, and does not affect the gaming machine, so that there is no problem with the rules regarding the manufacturing of the gaming machine.

Embodiment 2 of the Invention
The first embodiment of the invention is based on the premise that the light receiving unit 11 has a plurality of light receiving elements (PD) attached in alignment with the light emitting elements (LEDs) of the effect display unit 204 of the gaming machine. If there is a difference between the two, the external display device 1 cannot detect a correct lighting pattern. In order to attach the external display device 1 so that the light receiving pattern matches the lighting pattern, it is desirable to provide some positioning means. As long as the external display device 1 is assumed to be attached and detached, it is expected that there will be a shift between the two.

  In the second embodiment of the present invention, when such a deviation occurs, an error notification is given to prompt the user to reattach the external display device 1. FIG. 5 shows a process flowchart of the second embodiment of the present invention. This flowchart is substantially the same as that shown in FIG. 4, but differs in that error notification is performed when a pattern other than the lighting patterns A to C stored in advance in the determination process is detected (S18). ). The lighting pattern storage unit 14 stores in advance lighting patterns of all effects performed in the gaming machine. Note that it is not necessary to produce effects on the external display device 1 for all the lighting patterns stored in the lighting pattern storage unit 14. In addition, although the effect F is executed when the light receiving pattern = the lighting pattern C (S17), this is an example of a different effect, and the essence of the invention according to the second embodiment of the invention. It has nothing to do with.

  S12: In the determination process, when the received light pattern is other than the lighting patterns A to C, an error notification (S18) may be performed immediately, but a malfunction due to external light or the like is also conceivable. The error notification (S18) may be performed for the first time when the value exceeds. Moreover, you may make it alert | report how much the light-receiving part 11 has shifted | deviated from the display part 204 for effect | action at the time of error alerting | reporting (S18). In order to detect the magnitude of the deviation, for example, the following processing is performed. After shifting the light receiving pattern up and down or left and right, S12: a determination process is performed, and when “light receiving pattern = other than lighting patterns A to C” is not reached, the shift amount at that time corresponds to the actual deviation amount.

Embodiment 3 of the Invention
In the third embodiment of the present invention, as in the first embodiment of the present invention, the light receiving section 11 is attached so that the plurality of light receiving elements (PD) coincide with the light emitting elements (LED) of the effect display section 204 of the gaming machine. However, it is intended to increase the variation of production by actively using the difference between the two. That is, by deliberately attaching the two, the type of effect is selected by the amount of the deviation.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the external display device 1 according to Embodiment 3 of the invention. In FIG. 6, the same or corresponding elements as those in FIG. In FIG. 6, the display of the gaming machine is omitted, but the point attached to the gaming machine is the same as in FIG. However, the light receiving unit 11 is different in that the light receiving unit 11 may be attached to be shifted from the presentation display unit 204 of the gaming machine.

  The lighting pattern storage unit 14 stores, for example, three lighting patterns 14-1 to 14-3 for each magnitude of deviation between the light receiving unit 11 and the display unit 204 for effect of the gaming machine. The first lighting pattern 14-1 previously stores lighting patterns A1, B1, and C1 as lighting patterns. The second lighting pattern 14-2 stores lighting patterns A2, B2, and C2 as lighting patterns in advance. The third lighting pattern 14-3 stores lighting patterns A3, B3, and C3 in advance as lighting patterns.

  The effect storage unit 15 stores effects different from each other for each magnitude of displacement between the light receiving unit 11 and the display unit for effect 204 of the gaming machine (first effect data 15-1 to third effect data 15-3). . The first effect data 15-1 previously stores effect data D1, E1, and F1 as data for effects D, E, and F. The second effect data 15-2 stores effect data D2, E2, and F2 as data for effects D, E, and F in advance. The third effect data 15-3 stores effect data D3, E3, and F3 in advance as data for effects D, E, and F.

  The processing unit 12 selects any one of the lighting patterns 14-1 to 14-3 in the lighting pattern storage unit 14 in accordance with the magnitude of the deviation between the light receiving unit 11 and the display unit 204 for presentation of the gaming machine, Any one of the production data 15-1 to 15-3 in the production storage unit 15 is selected. Then, the processing unit 12 compares the light reception pattern with the selected lighting pattern, retrieves the corresponding effect data from the selected effect data based on the result of the comparison, and displays based on the effect data. Production is performed in part 13.

  The operation of the external display device 1 according to the third embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The flowchart in FIG. 7 is almost the same as that in FIG. 5, but differs in that S19: attachment state determination processing is executed when “light reception pattern = other than current lighting pattern” in S12: determination processing. “Light reception pattern = other than the current lighting pattern” is a case where the light reception pattern does not match the currently selected lighting pattern, and specifically, the magnitude of the deviation between the light receiving unit 11 and the effect display unit 204. Means that it does not coincide with the magnitude of the deviation of the currently selected lighting pattern. Therefore, the optimum lighting pattern is searched in S19: attachment state determination process. An arbitrary lighting pattern (for example, the first lighting pattern) is selected as an initial setting.

  S19: The attachment state determination process will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of attachment state determination processing, and FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of determination of the magnitude of deviation.

  In FIG. 8, the light receiving pattern is analyzed to determine the attachment state (size of deviation) (S20). In order to detect the magnitude of the deviation, for example, the following processing is performed. An arbitrary light receiving pattern (for example, the first lighting pattern 14-1 having no deviation) is shifted up and down or left and right, and the same determination process as in S12 is performed, so that “light receiving pattern = other than lighting patterns A to C” does not occur. Then, the shift amount at that time corresponds to the size of the actual deviation. The shift is the magnitude of the shift by shifting the light receiving pattern up and down or left and right by the processing unit 1 with the interval between the light receiving elements or the light emitting elements as a unit. The shift amount has the same meaning as the size of the shift (shift amount) described later.

  Instead of the process of S20, a process of checking the state of a shift magnitude designation switch (not shown) may be executed. This can be applied to the case where the magnitude of deviation is manually given with a designated switch.

  The magnitude of the deviation obtained in S20 is compared with the magnitude of the deviation assigned to the three lighting patterns 14-1 to 14-3. In addition to selecting (S22-1 to S22-3), the corresponding effect data is selected (S23-1 to S23-3).

  For example, it is assumed that the magnitude of the shift of the first lighting pattern 14-1 is zero, which is the lighting pattern in the state of FIG. FIGS. 9A to 9C show a state in which the effect display unit 204 is viewed from the front of the gaming machine. In these drawings, the display of the light receiving element (PD) is omitted. FIG. 9A shows a state in which there is no shift in the vertical and horizontal directions, and this is set as a shift amount = (0, 0). FIG. 9B corresponds to the second lighting pattern, and in a state where it is shifted downward by one LED in the vertical direction, this is set as a shift amount = (0, −1). FIG. 9C corresponds to the third lighting pattern, and in a state where it is shifted to the right by one LED in the horizontal direction, this is set as a shift amount = (1, 0).

  S20: In the determination process, when it is determined that the deviation amount = (0, −1), the second lighting pattern 14-2 corresponding to this is selected and the determination process is performed. The case of “other than patterns A to C” does not occur. If the first lighting pattern 14-1 is selected by mistake, a case of “light receiving pattern = other than lighting patterns A to C” occurs. However, the processes of S12 and S19 in FIG. 7 and the process of FIG. 8 are repeated. Eventually, an optimum lighting pattern for the actual amount of deviation is selected.

  According to the third embodiment of the invention, the effect of the external display device 1 can be switched according to the magnitude of the shift, and various effects can be provided by the player. In the above example, when the external display device 1 is attached, any one of the first effect to the third effect can be arbitrarily selected by the player selecting the magnitude of the shift.

  In the above description, the magnitude of the shift is automatically determined by the processing of FIG. 8, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the magnitude of the deviation may be specified by a switch.

Embodiment 4 of the Invention
Next, the attachment mechanism of the external display device for gaming machines according to the embodiment of the invention will be described.
The external display device for gaming machines according to the embodiment of the invention needs to be detachably attached to the front surface of the display unit for effect of the gaming machine, and the mounting mechanism described below is for that purpose. The part to which the effect display unit of the gaming machine is attached is made of glass or the like and is generally flat. The attachment mechanism fixes the external display device for gaming machines (especially the light receiving portion) in close contact with the part, and must be easily removable without leaving scratches or traces on the front panel of the gaming machine. I must. Although it is desirable that the light receiving unit of the external display device for gaming machines is easily positioned so as to face the effect display unit of the gaming machine, the both may be intentionally shifted as in the third embodiment of the invention. It is desirable to be possible.

  Hereinafter, attachment mechanisms according to embodiments of the invention will be listed.

(1) Connector or clamp FIG. 10 shows a state in which the gaming machine external display device 1 is attached to the gaming machine using the connector or the clamp. A connector or clamp 16 is attached to the upper surface of the external display device 1 for gaming machines, and the front door 130 is a connector that fits with the connector in the vicinity of the effect display unit 204 or a plate or rod-like member sandwiched by the clamp. 16 'is provided. The connector 16 of the external display device 1 for gaming machines can be attached and detached by fitting it into the connector 16 of the front door 130, or the clamp 16 of the external display device 1 for gaming machines bites the member 16 'of the front door 130 In this state, the clamp 16 can be attached or removed by tightening or loosening it. If a connector is used, positioning is easy. If a clamp is used, it is easy to shift the mounting position. It is not necessary to make an electrical connection with the connector 16.

(2) Magnet or hook-and-loop fastener FIG. 11 shows a state in which the gaming machine external display device 1 is attached to the gaming machine using a magnet or hook-and-loop fastener. One or a plurality of magnets or hook-and-loop fasteners 17 are provided on one surface of the external display device 1 for gaming machines (the surface on which the light receiving unit 11 is provided). One or more magnets or hook-and-loop fasteners 17 ′ are provided in the vicinity of the effect display portion 204 of the front door 130 of the gaming machine, and the magnets or hook-and-loop fasteners 17 are attracted to one or more magnets or hook-and-loop fasteners 17 ′. To do. Both are arranged so as to face each other. A hook-and-loop fastener is a detachable cloth tape used for clothes and the like, and engages two pieces of hook and pile. Two cloths stick together and have the feature of being detachable. If a magnet or a hook-and-loop fastener is used, positioning is easy. If the magnet or hook-and-loop fastener 17 'on the front door 130 side is wide, the mounting position can be shifted within that range.

(3) Suction cup FIG. 12 shows a state in which the gaming machine external display device 1 is attached to the gaming machine using the suction cup. One or a plurality of suction cups 18 are provided on one surface (the surface on which the light receiving unit 11 is provided) of the external display device 1 for gaming machines. In many cases, since the vicinity of the effect display unit 204 of the front door 130 is made of plate glass, the suction cup can be easily sucked. It is also possible to shift the mounting position. Positioning is easy if a member (guide) is provided on the front door 130 so as to conform to the outer shape of the external display device 1 for gaming machines when mounted.

(4) U-shaped member FIG. 13 shows a state in which the gaming machine external display device 1 is attached to the gaming machine using the U-shaped member. A plate-like member 19 bent in a U-shape is attached to the upper surface of the external display device 1 for gaming machines. The front door 130 is opened, the tip of the U-shaped member 19 is hung on the front door 130 of the gaming machine, the front door 130 is closed, and the U-shaped member is placed between this and the slot machine main body (housing) 120. The external display device 1 for gaming machines can be fixed by sandwiching the tip of 19. It is also possible to shift the mounting position in the horizontal direction. Since the U-shaped member 19 is sandwiched between the front door 130 and the case 130, the external display device 1 for gaming machines cannot be removed unless the front door 130 is opened by calling a hall attendant, thus preventing theft. You can also.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and these are also included in the scope of the present invention. Needless to say.

  Further, in the present specification, the term “unit” does not necessarily mean a physical means, but includes a case where the function of each unit is realized by software. Furthermore, the function of one part may be realized by two or more physical means, or the function of two or more parts may be realized by one physical means.

It is a front view of a gaming machine. 1 is a block diagram of a game machine and an external display device according to Embodiment 1 of the invention. It is a flowchart of the effect process of a gaming machine. It is a process flowchart of the external display apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of invention. It is a process flowchart of the external display apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of invention. It is a block diagram of the external display apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 3 of invention. It is a process flowchart of the external display apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 3 of invention. It is a flowchart of the attachment state determination process of the external display apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 3 of invention. It is explanatory drawing of the attachment state determination process of the external display apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 3 of invention. It is a perspective view which shows an example of the attachment state of the external display apparatus which concerns on embodiment of invention. It is a perspective view which shows the other example of the attachment state of the external display apparatus which concerns on embodiment of invention. It is a perspective view which shows the other example of the attachment state of the external display apparatus which concerns on embodiment of invention. It is a perspective view which shows the other example of the attachment state of the external display apparatus which concerns on embodiment of invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 External display apparatus 11 Light-receiving part 11-1 to 11-4 Light-receiving element (PD)
12 Processing Unit 13 Display Unit (LCD)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 Lighting pattern memory | storage part 15 Production | presentation memory | storage part 16 Connector or clamp 17 Magnet or hook-and-loop fastener 18 Sucker 19 U-shaped member 100 Slot machine 120 Slot machine main body 121 Hopper apparatus 122 Hopper tank 130 Front door 131 Game display part 132 Medal slot 133 Reject button 134 Start button 135 Discharge port 140 Stop button 200 Main board (control unit)
201 Sub board 202 Operation part 203 Reel unit 204 Effect display part 204-1 to 204-4 Light emitting element (LED)
205 Power supply unit 206 Medal selector

Claims (10)

  A display device that is detachably attached to a gaming machine having an effect display unit for performing an effect related to a game, and a light receiving unit that receives light from a light emitting element included in the effect display unit of the gaming machine; A lighting pattern storage unit that stores in advance a lighting pattern of a light emitting element of the display unit for presentation of the gaming machine, and data related to the presentation that is an presentation performed in correspondence to the lighting pattern and different from the presentation of the gaming machine The effect storage unit to be stored and the light receiving pattern of the light receiving unit are compared with the lighting pattern of the lighting pattern storage unit, the data of the effect of the effect storage unit is selected based on the result of this comparison, and the data of the selected effect A game comprising: a processing unit that produces an effect based on the display; a display unit that displays an effect produced by the processing unit; and an attachment mechanism that is detachably attached to the front surface of the display unit for producing the gaming machine Yogaibu display device. The lighting pattern storage unit is provided for each magnitude of deviation between the light receiving unit and the display unit for effect of the gaming machine when the external display device for game machine is attached to the front surface of the display unit for display of the game machine. The lighting pattern is memorized in
The effect storage unit stores different effects for each magnitude of deviation between the light receiving unit and the display unit for effect of the gaming machine,
The processing unit selects a lighting pattern of the lighting pattern storage unit corresponding to a magnitude of a deviation between the light receiving unit and the display unit for presentation of the gaming machine, and outputs the production data of the production storage unit The external display device for gaming machines according to claim 1, wherein the external display device is selected.   The processing unit compares the light-receiving pattern of the light-receiving unit with a shift of the lighting pattern of the lighting-pattern storage unit, and sets the shift amount when the two coincide with each other as the magnitude of the deviation, and based on the magnitude of the deviation 3. An external display device for a gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the lighting pattern in the lighting pattern storage unit is selected and the production data in the production storage unit is selected.   The said process part alert | reports an error, when the light-receiving pattern of the said light-receiving part does not correspond with any of the lighting patterns of the said lighting pattern memory | storage part, The error notification of Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. External display device for gaming machines.   The attachment mechanism is a connector or a clamp attached to an external display device for gaming machines, and the connector or the clamp is fitted to a member provided in the vicinity of the display unit for presentation of the gaming machine. The external display device for gaming machines according to any one of claims 1 to 4.   The attachment mechanism is a magnet or a hook-and-loop fastener attached to an external display device for gaming machines, and the magnet or the hook-and-loop fastener is attracted to a magnet or hook-and-loop fastener provided in the vicinity of the display unit for presentation of the gaming machine. The external display device for a gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein:   The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the attachment mechanism is a suction cup attached to an external display device for gaming machines, and the suction cup is attracted to a front surface of the gaming machine. External display device.   The attachment mechanism is a U-shaped member attached to an external display device for a gaming machine, and a tip of the U-shaped member is sandwiched between the front door of the gaming machine and the gaming machine main body. 5. An external display device for a gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the external display device is configured as described above. A method of providing a player with a different effect by converting the effect of a gaming machine including an effect display unit for performing an effect related to a game,
Receiving light of a light emitting element included in the display unit for effect of the gaming machine by a light receiving unit;
Comparing the light receiving pattern of the light receiving unit with a lighting pattern of a light emitting element of the display unit for effect of the gaming machine stored in advance;
Based on the result of the comparison, selecting any of the data related to the effect prepared for each lighting pattern;
A step of performing an effect based on data relating to the selected effect, and a method of converting the effect of the gaming machine. A program for causing a computer to execute a method of converting an effect of a gaming machine provided with an effect display unit for performing an effect related to a game and providing the player with a different effect,
Receiving light of a light emitting element included in the display unit for effect of the gaming machine by a light receiving unit;
Comparing the light receiving pattern of the light receiving unit with a lighting pattern of a light emitting element of the display unit for effect of the gaming machine stored in advance;
Based on the result of the comparison, selecting any of the data related to the effect prepared for each lighting pattern;
And a step of performing an effect based on the data related to the selected effect.

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