JP2007151924A - Lighting device for game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lighting device for a game machine, which is structured to approach a panel member of the game machine to irradiate the panel member, capable of securing a wide irradiation angle, and allowing a user to visually recognize printed symbols, etc. by widely irradiating the panel member. <P>SOLUTION: The lighting device 100 is composed of a cylindrically curved light diffusion plate 104 attached to a base board, on which light emitting diodes 102 are mounted, to widely irradiate the rear surface of the panel member 152 of the slot machine. Though the panel member and the lighting device are located close to each other, the lighting device can widely and efficiently irradiate the panel member and the visibility of the printed symbols can be enhanced. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a lighting device provided in a gaming machine, and more particularly to a lighting device for a gaming machine that can ensure a wide irradiation angle and irradiate a front panel and other equipment of a gaming machine over a wide range.

  In general, in a gaming machine such as a slot machine, a plurality of types of identification symbols are provided on the front panel facing the player via operation means such as a start lever and a stop button and a transparent display window formed on the front panel. For example, a reel unit composed of three reels is provided. That is, when the reels are controlled to rotate and stop by the player's operation, and the identification symbols displayed by the three stopped reels are displayed in a predetermined manner, for example, the same type is displayed in a line, The number of medals according to the type is paid out to the player as a dividend.

  In addition, the panel member, usually called the “lower panel” that forms the lower part of the front panel, is printed with a picture such as a character (person, animal, personified virtual hero, etc.) appearing in the game. The player recognizes the game content and model of the machine, prevents confusion with other models, and also functions as an advertisement for that model.

  Conventionally, on the back side of the panel member described above, an illuminating device having a light source such as a cold cathode fluorescent tube for irradiating light on the panel member is provided close to the panel member. The above-mentioned pattern is displayed brightly on the player side.

  By the way, in recent years, since the development of blue light-emitting diodes, high-intensity light-emitting diodes that can emit white light in a single package have begun to spread, and in addition to the low power consumption and long life characteristics inherent in light-emitting diodes, sufficient responsiveness Therefore, the possibility is expected in a gaming machine as a light source of an illumination device such as a panel member.

  However, for example, in the lighting device for a panel member described above, a light source must be disposed at a position close to the back side of the panel member, and even if a light emitting diode is simply replaced with a cold cathode fluorescent tube as a light source, Only the effect as a point light source can be obtained due to the narrow irradiation angle characteristics and the like, and a sufficient visual effect such as improving the visibility of the panel member cannot be obtained as it is.

  The present invention has been made in view of these conventional problems, and while using a light-emitting element close to a point light source such as a light-emitting diode as a light source, a wide irradiation angle is secured to reduce power consumption and extend the life. An object of the present invention is to provide a lighting device for a gaming machine that can be realized. In addition, the present invention provides a game in which a printed pattern or the like can be favorably viewed by illuminating the panel member over a wide range even in a structure in which the back side is irradiated at a position close to the panel member of the gaming machine. It aims at providing the lighting device for machines. Another object of the present invention is to provide a lighting device for a gaming machine that enables a higher level of production than before by turning on or blinking light at a high speed.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the invention according to claim 1 is a lighting device for a gaming machine provided in a gaming machine, on a circuit board on which a light emitting element is mounted, and on the side where the light emitting element emits light. And a semi-cylindrical diffusion plate that covers the light emitting element.

  According to the lighting device for a gaming machine according to claim 1, the light emitted from the light emitting element is transmitted through the semi-cylindrical diffusion plate, so that the light diffused in the entire direction of the curved diffusion plate can be emitted. And a wide irradiation angle can be obtained. In addition, a light-emitting diode close to a point light source can be used as a light source of the lighting device, so that low power consumption, long life, and the like are achieved. Furthermore, if the light is lit or blinked at a high speed by the light emitting diode, it is possible to perform an advanced performance that has not been achieved in the past.

  Invention of Claim 2 is the illuminating device for game machines of Claim 1, Comprising: The said game machine is provided with the panel member which prints and displays a picture on the front in the side where a player is located, The said panel The back surface of the member is irradiated to illuminate the pattern.

  According to the lighting device for a gaming machine according to claim 2, a wide irradiation angle can be obtained by the semi-cylindrical diffusion plate, for example, a light emitting diode close to a point light source is used as a light source and is arranged close to the back side of the panel member. Even so, the pattern printed on the panel member can be brightly displayed in the entire area in front of it. Therefore, the visibility of the panel member can be improved and the visual effect can be enhanced.

  A third aspect of the present invention is the lighting device for a gaming machine according to the first aspect, wherein the gaming machine includes a rotatable reel that variably displays a plurality of symbols arranged on a peripheral surface, and the reel On the other hand, the rotating shaft or the peripheral surface on the side where the player is located is illuminated.

  According to the lighting device for a gaming machine according to claim 3, a wide irradiation angle can be obtained by the semi-cylindrical diffusion plate. For example, even if a light emitting diode close to a point light source is used as a light source for illuminating the reel, the reel is used. Irradiates evenly over a wide range. Therefore, the visual effect can be enhanced by improving the visibility of the reel design and the like.

  Invention of Claim 4 is the illuminating device for game machines of any one of Claims 1-3, Comprising: The reflective surface which has a glossiness in the mounting surface of the said circuit board which mounts the said light emitting element Is formed.

  According to the lighting device for a gaming machine according to claim 4, a part of the light emitted from the light emitting element is reflected by the reflecting surface formed on the mounting surface of the circuit board and diffused in all directions of the curved diffusion plate. And radiated to the outside. Thereby, a wide irradiation angle and high irradiation efficiency are obtained.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the lighting device for gaming machines according to claim 4, wherein the reflection surface is formed in the same process as a conductor pattern for wiring the light emitting element. And

  According to the lighting device for a gaming machine according to claim 5, a wide irradiation angle and high irradiation efficiency can be obtained with a simple configuration, and the lighting device can be manufactured or provided at low cost.

  According to the lighting device for a gaming machine of the present invention, a wide irradiation angle can be obtained by the semi-cylindrical diffusion plate, and for example, a panel member such as a lower panel can be efficiently irradiated on the adjacent back side to Visibility can be improved and visual effects can be enhanced. Further, for example, a light emitting diode close to a point light source can be used as the light source of the lighting device, and low power consumption and long life can be achieved. Moreover, if the light is lit or blinked at high speed by the light emitting diode, it is possible to perform a high-level production that has not been achieved in the past.

  Hereinafter, as a preferred embodiment of the illumination device according to the present invention, an illumination device 100 that illuminates the lower panel of the slot machine from its back side will be described. First, the structure of a slot machine 1 which is an embodiment of a gaming machine on which the lighting device 100 is mounted will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 is a front view showing the external structure of the slot machine 1, and FIG. 2 is a view showing the structure inside the housing 2 with the front door 3 of the slot machine 1 opened.

  In the slot machine 1, a front door 3 having a so-called front panel formed on the side facing the player is attached to an opening of a housing 2 which is a substantially rectangular box body so as to be opened and closed by a hinge mechanism (not shown). ing. The front panel is roughly divided into an upper panel portion, a middle panel portion, and a lower panel portion from the top, and these are integrally formed of a hard plastic designed to enhance the visual effect as a decorative board. In addition, a tray unit 4 including a tray for storing medals is provided below the lower panel portion.

  The upper panel is provided with effect lamps such as corner lamps 5a and 5b and an upper lamp 5c with built-in high-intensity light-emitting diodes (LEDs). We produce visual appeal. In addition, sound emitting portions 7a and 7b each having a built-in speaker are provided at the left and right positions of the upper panel portion, and a game is produced with sound effects and musical sounds. Further, an image display unit 8 provided with a liquid crystal display unit is formed at a central position between the sound emitting units 7a and 7b.

  The image display unit 8 displays a moving image that is appropriately selected according to the progress of the game to give the game a story, or a more dynamic image in the case of a big hit such as a bonus game. Is displayed, causing the player to have a high payout expectation.

  A middle panel plate 9 as a front panel having a substantially rectangular transparent display window 9a formed at the center thereof is attached to the middle middle panel portion. And through this display window 9a, it is comprised so that a player can see three cylindrical reels 10a, 10b, 10c provided in the housing | casing.

  For example, 21 symbols including a plurality of different types are arranged at almost equal intervals on the peripheral surfaces of the reels 10a, 10b, and 10c, and the three vertical and horizontal three columns facing the display window 9a The player can see through the display window.

  Below the middle panel 9 is formed a table-like portion called a console that slightly protrudes forward, which includes a medal insertion portion 11 having an insertion slot for inserting medals used in the game, and a game Are provided with a bet button 12, a start lever 13, and three stop buttons 14a, 14b, and 14c.

  The bet button 12 is a push-type button switch for presenting the number of medals bet on the game. The start lever 13 is a lever switch for instructing to rotate the reels 10a, 10b, and 10c all at once. The start lever 13 is turned on when a lever having a spherical operation knob at the tip is tilted in any of the vertical and horizontal directions. When the hand is released from the lever, the spring is automatically returned to the original position by the urging force of the spring and is turned off.

  The stop buttons 14a, 14b, and 14c are push-type button switches for individually instructing to stop the rotation of the reels 10a, 10b, and 10c, and are arranged in parallel corresponding to the arrangement of the reels.

  On the lower panel 15 constituting the lower panel portion of the front panel, for example, a picture (not shown) of an appearing character is printed and displayed so that the player can recognize the model type and the like of the slot machine 1. Further, side lamps 15 a and 15 b are formed on both sides of the lower panel 15 with light emitting diodes built therein.

  The saucer unit 4 provided at the lowermost part of the front door 3 has a medal payout opening 16 for paying out medals by a winning payout and the like, and a sound emitting unit 17a for generating a production effect sound according to the progress of the game. , 17b are disposed respectively.

  Next, the internal structure of the slot machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, a main control board 21 that performs overall control of the overall operation of the slot machine 1 is attached to an upper position inside the housing 2. The main control board 21 is a microcomputer-based control board on which electronic components such as an interface circuit having a matching function when communicating with a CPU, ROM, RAM, and other peripheral devices, and is housed in a transparent board case. The housing 2 is fixed so as not to be detached.

  A reel unit 10 in which three reels 10a, 10b, and 10c are arranged in parallel in the axial direction is formed in a predetermined frame facing the display window 9a formed on the front door 3 side. is set up. The reels 10a, 10b, and 10c are rotationally driven by stepping motors provided on the respective rotation shafts, and the main control board 21 is arranged in a four-phase manner via a rotating device board (not shown) attached to the top of the reel unit 10. The drive pulse signal is sent to each stepping motor to perform the rotation operation control and stop position control of each reel.

  Below the reel unit 10, there is provided a hopper unit 22 that stores medals inserted from the medal insertion portion 11 on the front surface and discharges the medals from the medal discharge port 22a to the tray unit 4 at the time of a prize payout. . The auxiliary tank 23 adjacent to the hopper unit 22 is provided to collect medals overflowed by the hopper unit. Further, a main power supply device 24 composed of a constant voltage source is housed and disposed in the sheet metal case at the bottom of the housing 2.

  Next, on the rear surface side of the front door 3, speakers 31a and 31b facing the sound emitting portions 7a and 7b are attached at the upper position. Also, a liquid crystal display unit (not shown) as an image display device for displaying an image on the image display unit 8 and a microcomputer-based sub control board 32 are attached between the speakers 31a and 31b. Yes. The sub-control board 32 controls the display of the effect image by the above-described liquid crystal display unit, the illumination control using the effect lamps such as the corner lamps 5a and 5b, the upper lamp 5c, and the side lamps 15a and 15b, and the sound emitted from the speaker. This is a control board that mainly performs control related to game effects such as effect sound effect control using the units 7a, 7b, 17a, and 17b.

  Below the sub-control board 32, a middle panel unit 33 is formed by forming a transparent display window 9a or the like for seeing through the reels 10a, 10b, and 10c on the middle panel plate 9 to form a unit.

  Further, on the inner side of the lower edge of the display window 9a, there is a central display board 34 for relaying signals of operation switches such as the start lever 13 and stop buttons 14a, 14b, 14c to the main control board 21 on the housing 2 side. It is assembled.

  A panel back plate 153 facing the lower panel 15 on the front surface is attached to the lower position of the central display board 34, and further behind this, a medal selector 35, a medal receiving passage 36, a flow chute 37, a medal payout passage 38, etc. Is arranged.

  The medal selector 35 is a device that determines whether or not a medal inserted into the medal insertion unit 11 on the front surface is appropriate. The medal selector 35 is equipped with a medal sensor composed of a photo interrupter, and the medal sensor detects a medal that the medal selector 35 determines to be appropriate, and outputs a medal acceptance signal to the main control board 21. To do. The main control board 21 performs a process of internally storing medals by adding credits and storing them in the memory every time a medal acceptance signal is received.

  The medal receiving passage 36 guides the medals selected by the medal selector 35 and distributes them to the hopper unit 22, and the flow chute 37 removes the dropped medal (or foreign object) as inappropriate by the medal selector 35 and pays the medals to the front. Guide to exit 16. The medal payout passage 38 guides medals discharged from the medal discharge port 22a of the hopper unit 22 to the medal payout outlet 16 on the front surface.

  Furthermore, speakers 39 a and 39 b are respectively attached to the lower part on the back side of the front door 3 so as to face the sound emitting portions 17 a and 17 b of the tray unit 4 described above.

  The slot machine 1 having such a structure enters a standby state when winning in the previous game and the payout of medals are completed, or when a loss is confirmed in the previous game. In this state, when the player inserts a medal from the medal insertion unit 11, the medal is added to the credit and stored internally.

  When the player presses the bet button 12 in this state, a part of the credited medal is bet on the game and the game starts. When the player tilts the start lever 13, the main control board 21 rotates all the reels 10a, 10b, 10c at the same time, and at the same time, the winning combination is randomly drawn by internal processing (this is referred to as “ Internal lottery).

  Next, when the player presses the stop buttons 14a, 14b, and 14c in an arbitrary order, the main control board 21 sequentially stops the corresponding reels accordingly. Then, after all the reels 10a, 10b, and 10c are stopped, the main control board 21 determines whether or not the combination of symbols displayed on each reel matches the combination of symbols related to the above-mentioned winning lottery. Determine whether. When they match, the winning is confirmed, and the number of medals corresponding to the type of winning combination is added to the credit and awarded. When the upper limit of credit is exceeded due to the payout of the winning prize, the surplus number of medals is paid out to the tray unit 4 from the medal discharge port 16.

  As described above, the player of the slot machine 1 performs a game operation for rotating and stopping the reels 10a, 10b, and 10c, and loses the bet medals if the symbols displayed in the display window 9a are not variably displayed. If a winning combination is achieved with a combination of symbols, it is possible to acquire more medals than the betted number, so that it is possible to enjoy a win / lose game with an interest in increasing the number of medals depending on skill and luck.

  Next, the lighting device 100 according to the present invention mounted on a gaming machine such as the slot machine described above will be described. Here, FIG. 3A is a perspective view showing the external structure of the lighting device 100, and FIG. 3B is an enlarged plan view showing a part of the LED circuit board 103. FIG.

  The illuminating device 100 includes a long, rectangular plate-like support body 101, an LED circuit board 103 on which a plurality of high-intensity light-emitting diodes 102 are mounted in the longitudinal direction as light-emitting elements, and a half provided so as to cover the light-emitting diodes 102. It mainly includes a cracked cylindrical light diffusion plate 104.

  The support body 101 is formed by, for example, sheet metal plastic working or cutting of a metal such as aluminum, and the LED circuit board 103 is fixed by screws at predetermined positions.

  As shown in detail in FIG. 3B, at least the surface (mounting surface) on the LED circuit board 103 on which the light emitting diode 102 is mounted is made of Cu or the like for supplying a driving current to the light emitting diode 102. A wiring pattern 103a based on a conductor is printed. Further, a Cu pattern is formed in the same process around the wiring pattern 103a in the most area of the mounting surface, and glossy solder plating or silver plating is applied to the surface of both the Cu patterns. Yes. As a result, a solid reflective surface portion 103b having gloss is also formed in a region around the wiring pattern 103a.

  The light diffusing plate 104 is colorless and translucent and has a shape that is curved in a semicylindrical shape, and both curved ends are fixed to the edge of the support 101 so as to cover the irradiation side space of the light emitting diode 102. ing. The light diffusing plate 104 has substantially the same length as the longitudinal direction of the support body 101 so as to cover the irradiation side space of all the light emitting diodes 102 arranged, but in FIG. For convenience of explanation, a part on the right side is shown broken.

  The operation of the illumination device 100 having such a structure will be described with reference to the cross-sectional view of FIG. According to the figure, the light EL emitted from the light emitting diode 102 is diffused while being transmitted through the light diffusion plate 104, and is emitted toward the entire surface of the curved light diffusion plate 104. Further, a part of the light EL emitted from the light emitting diode 102 is also reflected by the wiring pattern 103a formed on the mounting surface of the LED circuit board 103 and the reflection surface portion 103b, and is transmitted and diffused by the light diffusion plate 104 to be emitted to the outside. Is done. As a result, diffusion-modulated diffused light SL that does not use the light-emitting diode 102 as a radiation light source is obtained.

  As described above, the illumination device 100 radiates the diffused light SL toward the entire curved surface of the light diffusion plate 104, so that a wide irradiation angle and high illumination efficiency can be obtained even when the light emitting diode 102 close to a point light source is used as the light source of the illumination device. Can be obtained.

  FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing an embodiment in which the illumination device 100 is mounted as the illumination means of the lower panel 15.

  As shown in the figure, the lower panel 15 has, for example, two lighting devices 100 attached to a panel back plate 153 that is the back plate of the housing portion formed in the lower part of the front door 2 with the longitudinal direction being horizontal. Yes. And the frame member 151 which provided the panel member 152 in the center covers the said accommodating part, and is attached to the position which the illuminating device 100 adjoins and opposes.

  The panel member 152 has a structure in which a translucent printed matter (film) is sandwiched between two opposing transparent acrylic plates, and the illumination device 100 uniformly irradiates the back side of the panel member 152. The pattern drawn on the printed matter is brightly displayed on the front.

  Thus, according to the illuminating device 100 provided as the illuminating means of the lower panel 15, the light of the light emitting diode 102 is diffused at an irradiation angle of approximately 180 degrees through the light diffusing plate 104 curved in a semicylindrical shape. Even in the structure in which the panel member 152 and the lighting device 100 are arranged close to each other, the entire back side surface of the lower panel 15 (panel member 152) can be irradiated evenly. By illuminating the back side surface of the panel member 152 over almost the entire area, the visibility of the printed pattern is ensured. Thus, even if a light emitting element close to a point light source such as the light emitting diode 102 is used, the lower panel 15 visual effects can be enhanced.

  In addition, a high-intensity light emitting diode can be adopted as the light source of the illumination device 100 for the lower panel 15, reducing power consumption and extending the life.

  In addition, since the light emitting diode can switch on and off the light at a higher speed than the cold cathode fluorescent tube, it is possible to produce a more advanced light effect using the lower panel 15.

  In addition, you may implement the illuminating device 100 which concerns on this invention as the illumination means 200 of the reel unit 10 shown by FIG. 6, for example.

  According to the embodiment shown in the figure, the illumination device 100 is configured such that the normal line of the LED circuit board 103 is slightly forward from the rotation axis direction of the reels 10a, 10b, and 10c, and the display window 9a of the middle panel unit 33 is. Arranged inside the upper edge.

  The illumination device 100 disposed at such a position can irradiate diffused light SL to the reels 10a, 10b, and 10c uniformly over a wide range. As a result, the visual effect can be enhanced by improving the visibility of the reel design and the like.

  In addition, the lighting device 100 can employ a high-intensity light emitting diode 102 as a light source, thereby reducing power consumption and extending the life.

  Furthermore, light can be switched on and off at a higher speed than a conventional reel illuminating device using a cold cathode fluorescent tube as a light source. Thus, for example, the light can be specified in synchronization with the rotation of the reels 10a, 10b, and 10c. It is also possible to produce a more advanced visual effect, such as assisting the timing of pressing by irradiating only the pattern.

It is a front view showing the external appearance structure of the slot machine by one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a view showing an internal structure by opening a front door of the slot machine shown in FIG. 1. It is embodiment of the illuminating device in connection with this invention, and is the perspective view showing the external appearance structure, and the top view which expands and represents the mounting surface of an LED circuit board. It is sectional drawing of the illuminating device shown in FIG. 3, and is a figure for demonstrating the operation | movement. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an embodiment in which the lighting device shown in FIG. 3 is mounted on the lower panel of the slot machine. FIG. 4 is an embodiment in which the illumination device shown in FIG. 3 is mounted as a reel illumination means, and is a side view showing a structure inside the slot machine with a part broken away.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Slot machine 2 ... Housing 3 ... Front door 4 ... Receptacle unit 5a, 5b ... Corner lamps 7a, 7b ... Sound emission part 8 ... Image display part 9 ... Middle panel board 9a ... Display window 10 ... Reel unit 10a, 10b DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10c ... Reel 11 ... Medal insertion part 12 ... Bet button 13 ... Start lever 14a, 14b, 14c ... Stop button 15 ... Lower panel 16 ... Medal payout opening 17a, 17b ... Sound emission part 21 ... Main control board 22 ... Hopper unit 22a ... Medal discharge port 23 ... Auxiliary tank 24 ... Main power supply device 25 ... Power supply device board 31a, 31b ... Speaker 32 ... Sub control board 33 ... Middle panel unit 34 ... Central display board 35 ... Medal selector 36 ... Medal receiving passage 37 ... Flow chute 38 ... Medal payout passage 39a, 39b ... Speaker 100 ... Lighting device 101 ... Support DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 102 ... Light emitting diode 103 ... LED circuit board 104 ... Light diffusing plate 151 ... Frame member 152 ... Panel member 153 ... Panel back plate 200 ... Reel illumination means

Claims (5)

  A lighting device for a gaming machine provided in a gaming machine, comprising: a circuit board on which a light emitting element is mounted; and a semi-cylindrical diffusion plate that covers the light emitting element on a side where the light emitting element emits light. A lighting device for a gaming machine.   2. The game according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine includes a panel member that prints and displays a picture on the front side where the player is located, and illuminates the picture by irradiating the back surface of the panel member. Lighting device for machine.   The gaming machine includes a rotatable reel that variably displays a plurality of symbols arranged on a peripheral surface, and illuminates a rotation axis of the reel or a peripheral surface on a side where a player is located. Item 2. A lighting device for a gaming machine according to Item 1.   The lighting device for game machines according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a reflective surface having gloss is formed on a mounting surface of the circuit board on which the light emitting element is mounted.   The lighting device for a gaming machine according to claim 4, wherein the reflection surface is formed in the same process as a conductor pattern for wiring the light emitting element.

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