JP2009201571A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine equipped with illumination having the high presentation effect and capable of transmitting information in letters by using a laser irradiation device for projecting information to the outside. <P>SOLUTION: The game machine 1 includes a casing 3 with an opening/closing front door 2. The front door 2 is disposed in the upper part of the casing, and includes a laser projector 4 for projecting information including letters or images to the outside. The casing 3 includes a main control circuit 71 and a subordinate control circuit 72 for controlling the information projected by the laser projector 4. The laser projector 4 can transmit information with letters, images or patterns or original information of a game parlor to players by projecting the information on a ceiling. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine. In particular, the present invention relates to a gaming machine including a laser irradiation device that irradiates information to the outside.

  In general, game shops where pachinko machines, slot machines, and the like are installed are trying to enhance the fun of the game through lighting effects. In recent years, a simple lighting such as a spotlight is not enough for a player to have an impression or impression, so a moving light that moves the lighting itself is used to produce the inside of a game hall (so-called a hall).

  For example, lighting means have been developed in which lighting means each having a protruding shape so as to hang downward from the ceiling surface of the ceiling are mounted. This illumination means is a multifunctional intelligent moving spotlight. The intelligent moving spotlight moves the spotlight horizontally and vertically in response to a signal indicating the predetermined gaming state and gaming machine number from each gaming machine, and illuminates the player, gaming machine, and surrounding walls. Can be irradiated. The illumination means and the surveillance camera are operated by the same control signal (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

On the other hand, there has been developed an irradiation device that irradiates light onto a hologram sheet that is attached to the ceiling in the same manner as described above and disposed on the front door of the gaming machine. This irradiation device irradiates light on which information is superimposed onto a hologram sheet placed on the front door of the gaming machine, and projects character information onto the gaming machine (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
JP 2004-313506 A JP 2007-267921 A

  Since the lighting device according to Patent Document 1 uses a multi-function intelligent moving spotlight, the lighting device can be rotated to freely produce effects for the player. However, the illumination device can only perform light irradiation, and no means for irradiating information such as characters is provided. For this reason, in addition to giving a gorgeous impression to the surroundings by light irradiation, it was impossible to convey certain information.

  On the other hand, although the light irradiation apparatus described in Patent Document 2 can project characters, the light irradiation apparatus is attached to a ceiling and projects characters onto a gaming machine by irradiating light on a hologram sheet. For this reason, only a player using the gaming machine can read the characters and convey information to a player who uses a game other than the gaming machine, or the information can be more interesting. Not considered. Depending on the game situation of the player, there is a need for lighting that is highly effective for other players in the amusement hall and capable of transmitting information in characters. The above can be said to be the subject of the present invention.

  This invention is made in view of such a problem, and provides the illumination which can transmit the information by a character with a high production effect using the laser irradiation apparatus which irradiates information toward the exterior. With the goal.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present inventor can produce an effect by irradiating character information by directly connecting a laser irradiation device to a gaming machine instead of a conventional moving light, and can be easily installed. Based on this finding, the inventors have invented a gaming machine equipped with the following new laser irradiation device.

  (1) A gaming machine including a casing that is opened and closed by a front door, wherein the front door includes a laser irradiation device that is disposed at an upper portion thereof and irradiates information toward the outside, and the casing includes the laser A gaming machine comprising control means for controlling the information emitted by the irradiation device.

  The gaming machine according to the invention of (1) includes a housing that opens and closes a front door. The front door includes a laser irradiation device disposed on the front door side of the housing. The housing includes a control means. A laser irradiation apparatus irradiates information toward the exterior. The control means controls information irradiated by the laser irradiation apparatus.

  Here, a commercially available laser projector can be used as the laser irradiation device. For example, a laser projector includes a substantially cylindrical main body that emits light and a U-shaped arm body that rotatably supports both wings of the main body in the vertical direction. The main body has a front surface on which the projection lens is disposed and a rear surface opposite to the front surface. The U-shaped arm body supports the main body on the front surface side of the main body, and a stand for connecting the arm body and the main body to the front door extends in the center of the U-shaped width direction at the bent portion of the arm body. . A control unit that controls the operation of the projector may be incorporated in the housing of the gaming machine, and the irradiation direction of the main body and information irradiated from the projector can be freely changed by a signal transmitted to the control unit.

  The projector stand may be fixed to the upper front portion of the front door, and the laser projector stand may be fixed to the upper surface of the front door. For example, a slot machine, which is a type of gaming machine, has a display window that can observe a reel unit that variably displays a plurality of symbols arranged at the center of the front door. Therefore, it is preferable to arrange the laser projector on the upper part of the front door so as not to disturb the observation of a plurality of symbols. Further, in order to stably support the laser projector, it is more preferable to arrange the laser projector on the upper surface of the front door. Further, the front door of the slot machine is surrounded by a frame with a rectangle, and the projector can be fixed to the upper surface of the frame. The laser projector may emit light at a predetermined angle toward the ceiling of the game hall, and it is preferable that characters or images are projected on the ceiling. The laser projector may irradiate the wall surface in the hall. By irradiating the ceiling or wall surface with light, the atmosphere of the hall can be produced. Note that the projector may be externally attached to the gaming machine as described above, and may be built in the gaming machine so as to be able to irradiate text or video information.

  Control means includes controlling the content of information projected from the laser projector and controlling effects such as the irradiation method, irradiation angle, color, and irradiation time of the information irradiated by the laser projector. In addition, the information is controlled by a control unit built in the housing of the gaming machine. The control means may actually include a control board that controls the operation of the gaming machine or the screen effect, and the irradiation of information of the laser projector is controlled by a program written in the ROM mounted on the control board.

  Generally, a gaming machine has a main board for controlling the operation of various games and a sub board for controlling the screen effect of a display provided on the front door. The gaming machine according to the invention of (1) can control the laser irradiation apparatus using these main board and sub board. The gaming machine according to the invention of (1) has an advantage that an existing control board can be used without newly providing a centralized control unit as in the prior art since the laser irradiation device is directly connected to the gaming machine.

  (2) The gaming machine according to (1), wherein the information includes a character or an image, and the control unit controls the information of the laser device in a special gaming state advantageous to a player.

  Here, the special game state refers to a so-called bonus state or a big bonus state in which more game medals can be obtained in the slot machine than in the normal game state, and is a game state advantageous to the player. In a special gaming state, players are generally more excited.

  The information includes characters or images. For example, when a player is in a bonus or big bonus state, “Bonus”, “Big Bonus”, or an English alphabet that represents them, an image combining characters and other designs, “Bonus” , Symbols and designs associated with the meaning represented by the character information such as “Big Bonus”.

  Controlling information emitted by the laser irradiation apparatus includes irradiation of characters or images by the laser irradiation apparatus. In a special gaming state, the laser irradiation device may be illuminated toward the player, and information may be irradiated toward the ceiling or wall surface in the hall. The gaming machine according to the invention of (2) controls the information irradiated by the laser irradiation device when triggered by the special gaming state. The player will be able to enjoy the game even more with the sensation of attention.

  (3) The front door further includes an image display device, and the control means controls the information of the character or image of the laser device in response to a predetermined effect displayed on the image display device. The gaming machine according to (1).

  In general, a slot machine, which is a type of gaming machine, includes an image display device on a front door. Various effects are displayed on the image display device. For example, before entering the special game state, a notice effect (so-called reach state) is displayed on the image display device. The notice effect is a psychological state in which the player is expected to enter a special gaming state, and the player has a higher expectation.

  The predetermined effect displayed on the image display device may be a so-called reach effect in a reach state. The gaming machine according to the invention of (3) controls the information irradiated by the laser irradiation device in response to a predetermined effect displayed on the image display device, so that the player can , The expectation can be further enhanced.

  The gaming machine according to the present invention is directly connected to a laser irradiation device, and can irradiate characters or images from individual gaming machines toward a ceiling or a wall surface. The laser irradiation device can irradiate character information and project it onto a ceiling or a wall surface. For this reason, according to the gaming machine according to the present invention, it is possible to produce an effect according to the game situation of the player, and the player's interest is enhanced, and the player is projected by projecting information unique to the game hall where the gaming machine is installed. Can tell.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective external view showing an embodiment of a gaming machine according to the present invention, and shows an example in which a laser projector is fixed to an upper portion of a front door. FIG. 2 is a front view of the laser projector provided in the gaming machine according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a side view of the laser projector provided in the gaming machine according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a front view of the image display device provided in the gaming machine according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a control circuit provided in the gaming machine according to the embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, a gaming machine 1 is a so-called pachislot machine. In addition to coins, medals, game balls, and tokens, the gaming machine 1 plays using a game medium such as a card that is given to a player or stores information on game value that is given. In the following description, it is assumed that the game medium uses medals.

  In FIG. 1, the gaming machine 1 includes a front door 2 that covers an opening on the front surface of a housing 3. The front door 2 and the housing 3 are coupled so as to be openable and closable by, for example, a hinge.

  In FIG. 1, a panel display portion 2 a that is a substantially vertical surface, a liquid crystal display portion 2 b that produces an effect by displaying a liquid crystal image, and a fixed display portion 2 c are formed in front of the front door 2. . Behind the front door 2, three reels 8L, 8C, and 8R as a variable display means in which a plurality of types of symbols necessary for a game are drawn on each outer peripheral surface are rotatably provided in a horizontal row. . The reels 8L, 8C, and 8R rotate at a constant speed (for example, 80 rotations / minute).

  In FIG. 1, a pedestal portion 24 having a substantially horizontal plane is formed below the panel display portion 2a, the liquid crystal display portion 2b, and the fixed display portion 2c. On the right side of the pedestal portion 24, a medal slot 10 for inserting medals is provided. The inserted medals are credited or bet on the game. On the left side of the pedestal portion 24, a 1-BET switch 11, a 2-BET switch 12, and a maximum BET switch 13 for betting credited medals by a pressing operation are provided.

  In FIG. 1, the 1-BET switch 11 is bet on the game by one pushing operation, and the 2-BET switch 12 is credited by one pushing operation. Two of the medals are bet on the game, and the maximum BET switch 13 bets the maximum number of medals that can be bet on one game.

  In FIG. 1, a predetermined display line is validated by operating these BET switches 11-13. An operation unit 17 is provided above these BET switches 11 to 13. The operation unit 17 is operated to display information such as a game history on a liquid crystal display device 27 (see FIG. 4) which is a screen display device.

  In FIG. 1, a C / P switch 14 is provided on the left side of the front portion of the pedestal portion 24 to switch the credit / payout of medals acquired by the player in the game by a push button operation. By switching the C / P switch 14, medals are paid out from the medal payout opening 15 at the lower front, and the paid-out medals are stored in the medal tray 25. Speakers 9 </ b> L and 9 </ b> R are provided on the left and right above the medal tray 25 as sound production means for producing sound effects by outputting sound effects and the like. On the right side of the C / P switch 14, a start lever 6 for rotating the three reels 8L, 8C, and 8R by a player's operation is attached to be rotatable within a predetermined angular range.

  In FIG. 1, a stop button unit 7 is provided on the right side of the start lever 6 at the center of the front surface of the pedestal 24. The stop button unit 7 includes three stop buttons 7L, 7C, and 7R as stop operation units that can be pressed by the player to stop the rotation of the three reels 8L, 8C, and 8R. . One game (unit game) basically starts when the start lever 6 is operated, and ends when all the reels 8L, 8C, and 8R are stopped.

  In FIG. 4, the panel display unit 2 a includes a bonus game information display unit 16, three BET lamps 17 a to 17 c, a payout display unit 18, and a credit display unit 19. The bonus game information display unit 16 includes, for example, a 7-segment LED, and displays game information during a bonus (special game state). The 1-BET lamp 17a, the 2-BET lamp 17b, and the maximum BET lamp 17c are turned on corresponding to the number of medals betted to play one game (hereinafter referred to as “BET number”).

  In FIG. 4, the 1-BET lamp 17a lights up when the number of BETs is one. The 2-BET lamp 17b is lit when the BET number is two. The maximum BET lamp 17c is lit when the number of BETs is three. The payout display unit 18 and the credit display unit 19 are each composed of, for example, a 7-segment LED, and display a medal payout number and a credited medal number when a winning is established (when a winning combination is established).

  In FIG. 4, the liquid crystal display unit 2 b includes symbol display areas 21L, 21C, and 21R, window frame display areas 22L, 22C, and 22R, and an effect display area 5. The display content of the liquid crystal display unit 2b changes according to the rotation and stop modes of the reels 8L, 8C, and 8R and the operation of the liquid crystal display device 27 (see FIG. 5).

  In FIG. 4, symbol display areas 21L, 21C, and 21R are provided corresponding to the respective reels 8L, 8C, and 8R, and display symbols arranged on the reels 8L, 8C, and 8R and various effect displays. .

  In FIG. 4, the symbol display areas 21L, 21C and 21R are provided with a top line 8b, a center line 8c and a bottom line 8d in the horizontal direction, and a cross-up line 8a and a cross-down line 8e in the diagonal direction as display lines. It is done. One, three, and five of these display lines are activated when the player depresses the BET switches 11 to 13 or inserts medals into the medal insertion slot 10, respectively. Which line is activated is indicated by lighting of the BET lamps 17a, 17b, and 17c. These display lines are related to the success or failure of the role.

  In FIG. 4, the symbol display areas 21L, 21C, and 21R are at least when the corresponding reels 8L, 8C, and 8R are rotating, and when the corresponding stop buttons 7L, 7C, and 7R can be pressed. Is in a transparent state so that the symbols on the reels 8L, 8C, and 8R can be visually recognized.

  In FIG. 4, window frame display areas 22L, 22C, and 22R are provided so as to surround each of the symbol display areas 21L, 21C, and 21R, and the symbol display areas 21L, 21C, and 21R are disposed in front of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R. The window frame of 21R is represented.

  In FIG. 4, the effect display area 5 is an area other than the symbol display areas 21L, 21C, and 21R and the window frame display areas 22L, 22C, and 22R in the area of the liquid crystal display unit 2b. The effect display area 5 is necessary for the display of an image (for example, a notification lamp) that clearly notifies that a bonus can be established, the effect for increasing the fun of the game, and for the player to advance the game advantageously. Display various information. The effect display area 5 produces an image of a special game state such as a bonus or a big bonus, or a reach state in which advance notice is given for entering these states.

  In FIG. 4, the fixed display portion 2c is an area where a predetermined figure, picture, or the like is drawn. A still image or a moving image may be displayed by associating a figure, a picture, or the like drawn on the fixed display unit 2c with an image displayed in the effect display area 23.

  In FIG. 1, a laser projector 4 that is a laser illumination device is attached to a front door 2. The laser projector 4 is attached to the front door 2 for irradiating information including characters and images. The laser projector 4 is capable of various effects by a desired combination of illumination light color, brightness, illumination direction, and the like.

  2 and 3, the laser projector 4 includes a main body 41, an arm body 42 that supports both wings of the main body 41, and a stand 43 that supports the lower portion of the arm body 42. The main body 41 has a substantially cylindrical shape with both ends closed, and a laser mechanism and a scanner mechanism, character information or a design and an effector mechanism (both not shown) are arranged therein. An irradiation port 47 for irradiating projection light is provided on the front surface 41 a of the main body 41.

  The aforementioned laser mechanism includes a laser generator and a laser tube. The scanner mechanism includes a galvanometer, a mirror, and a servo amplifier that drives the galvanometer. The effector mechanism includes an effector and a beam switch. The projection direction of the laser beam emitted by the laser mechanism is controlled by the scanner mechanism. The galvanometer of the scanner mechanism detects the current and moves the mirrors of the X scanner and Y scanner of the galvanometer to control the reflection angle of the laser beam. The effector mechanism includes a beam switch for guiding the beam to the effector. The laser beam is diffused by the effector, and the laser beam can be irradiated as character information, an image, or a design. The effector can change not only the change of the character information, the image or the design, but also the speed of the change and the direction in which the laser beam is irradiated.

  The operation of these mechanisms is controlled by control means (not shown). The control means of the laser projector 4 is provided in the control circuit shown in FIG. 5, and the control means of the laser projector 4 is provided inside the housing 3. The control means can control, for example, blocking of the laser beam, color, change of the pattern of information to be irradiated, speed of the change, irradiation position, and the like. In the present invention, it is preferable that the laser projector 4 has all these mechanisms, so that the effects can be varied. However, the laser projector 4 having an appropriate mechanism may be arbitrarily selected.

  2 and 3, the arm body 42 is U-shaped, and is joined to the main body 41 by a vertical rotation mechanism 44 at one end and the other end 42a, 42a of the U-shape. The vertical rotation mechanism 44 is a fastener such as a “screw” that is inserted into a hole provided in the end portions 42 a and 42 a and joined to the main body. The vertical rotation mechanism 44 supports the main body 41 and the arm body 42 so as to be rotatable. The main body 41 is rotatable in the vertical direction (so-called tilt direction) with respect to the arm body 42.

  2 and 3, a bar-shaped stand 43 that connects the upper surface 2e of the front door 2 and the arm body 42 is connected to the U-shaped bent portion 42b. An attachment hole is formed in the bent portion 42b, and a bolt is passed through the attachment hole and screwed into a screw hole provided inside the stand 43. The bent portion 42b and the stand 43 are fixed with a bolt and a nut. In order to safely support the main body 41, the bent portion 42b and the stand 43 are preferably fixed. However, the present invention is not limited to this and may be connected to be rotatable in the horizontal direction. The stand 43 is fixed to a pedestal 46 disposed on the upper surface 2e of the front door. The arm 43 and the main body 41 connected to the arm body 42 are supported by the stand 43 fixed to the pedestal portion 46.

  Next, the configuration of the control circuit provided in the gaming machine 1 will be described. In FIG. 5, the control circuit includes a main control circuit 71 that controls game processing operations in the gaming machine 1, peripheral devices (actuators) that are electrically connected to the main control circuit 71, and controls transmitted from the main control circuit 71. A sub-control circuit 72 that controls the liquid crystal display device 27, the speakers 9L and 9R, the LEDs 101, and the lamps 102 based on the command is provided (see FIG. 1). As a substance, the main control circuit 71 is used as a main board, and the sub control circuit 72 is used as a sub board inside the housing 3 (see FIG. 1).

  In FIG. 5, the main control circuit 71 includes a microcomputer 30 disposed on a main board as a main component, and is added to a circuit for random number sampling. The microcomputer 30 includes a CPU 31 that performs a control operation according to a preset program, and a ROM 32 and a RAM 33 that are storage means.

  In FIG. 5, a CPU 31 is connected to a clock pulse generation circuit 34 and a frequency divider 35 that generate a reference clock pulse, and a random number generator 36 and a sampling circuit 37 that generate a random number to be sampled. As a means for random number sampling, random number sampling may be executed in the microcomputer 30, that is, on the operation program of the CPU 31. In that case, the random number generator 36 and the sampling circuit 37 can be omitted or left as a backup for the random number sampling operation.

  In FIG. 5, in the ROM 32 of the microcomputer 30, an internal lottery table, a stop winning combination determination table used for determination of random number sampling performed every time the start lever 6 is operated (start operation), a stop button combination, and a stop button are operated. A stop table group for determining the stop mode of the reels is stored. In addition, various control commands (commands) to be transmitted to the sub control circuit 72 are stored. The sub control circuit 72 does not input commands and information to the main control circuit 71, and communication is performed in one direction from the main control circuit 71 to the sub control circuit 72. The RAM 33 stores various information such as a control program and various tables. For example, information such as an internal winning combination, a carryover combination, and the current gaming state is stored.

  In FIG. 5, the main actuators whose operation is controlled by a control signal from the microcomputer 30 are a BET lamp (1-BET lamp 17a, 2-BET lamp 17b, maximum BET lamp 17c) and a bonus game information display section. 16, a display unit such as a payout display unit 18 and a credit display unit 19, a hopper (including a drive unit for payout) 50 that stores medals and pays out a predetermined number of medals according to a command from the hopper drive circuit 51; There are stepping motors 59L, 59C, and 59R that rotationally drive the reels 8L, 8C, and 8R (see FIG. 1).

  In FIG. 5, a motor driving circuit 39 for driving and controlling the stepping motors 59L, 59C and 59R, a hopper driving circuit 51 for driving and controlling the hopper 50, a lamp driving circuit 55 for driving and controlling the BET lamps 17a, 17b and 17c, and a bonus game A display unit drive circuit 58 that drives and controls display units such as the information display unit 16, the payout display unit 18, and the credit display unit 19 is connected to the output unit of the CPU 31. Each of these drive circuits receives a control signal such as a drive command output from the CPU 31 and controls the operation of each actuator.

  In FIG. 5, main input signal generating means for generating an input signal necessary for the microcomputer 30 to generate a control command includes a start switch 6s, a reel stop signal circuit 70, a 1-BET switch 11, and a 2-BET. There are a switch 12, a maximum BET switch 13, a C / P switch 14, a medal sensor 10s, a reel position detection circuit 60, and a payout completion signal circuit 61 (see FIG. 1).

  In FIG. 5, a start switch 6s (game start command means) detects the operation of the start lever 6 and outputs a game start command signal. The medal sensor 10s detects a medal inserted into the medal slot 10 (see FIG. 1).

  In FIG. 5, a reel stop signal circuit 70 is a stop signal as a stop command signal for instructing to stop the change of the symbols of the reels 8L, 8C, and 8R in accordance with the pressing operation of the stop buttons 7L, 7C, and 7R by the player. Is supplied to the microcomputer 30. For example, the reel stop signal circuit 70 may be provided with an A / D converter 7a, whereby 16 gradations corresponding to the magnitude of the pressing force applied by the player pressing the stop buttons 7L, 7C, 7R. This signal can be output as a stop signal (see FIG. 1).

  The reel position detection circuit 60 receives the pulse signal from the reel rotation sensor and supplies a signal for detecting the position of each reel 8L, 8C, 8R to the CPU 31. The payout completion signal circuit 61 generates a signal for detecting completion of the medal payout when the count value (the number of medals paid out from the hopper 40) of the medal detection unit 50s reaches the designated number data.

  In FIG. 5, a random number generator 36 generates a random number belonging to a certain numerical range, and a sampling circuit 37 samples one random number at an appropriate timing after the start lever 6 is operated. By using the random numbers sampled in this way, an internal winning combination is determined based on an internal lottery table stored in the ROM 32, for example.

  In FIG. 5, after the rotation of the reels 8L, 8C, and 8R is started, the number of drive pulses supplied to each of the stepping motors 59L, 59C, and 59R is counted, and the counted value is written in a predetermined area of the RAM 33. . From the reels 8L, 8C, and 8R, reset pulses are obtained for each rotation, and these pulses are input to the CPU 31 via the reel position detection circuit 60. The count value of the drive pulse counted in the RAM 33 is cleared to “0” by the reset pulse thus obtained. As a result, the RAM 33 stores a count value corresponding to the rotational position within one rotation range for each of the reels 8L, 8C, and 8R.

  In FIG. 5, a symbol table (not shown) is stored in the ROM 32 in order to associate the rotational positions of the reels 8L, 8C, and 8R with the symbols drawn on the outer peripheral surface of the reel. In this symbol table, the code numbers sequentially given for each fixed rotation pitch of each reel 8L, 8C, and 8R with reference to the rotation position where the reset pulse is generated as described above are provided corresponding to each code number. Is associated with a symbol code indicating the displayed symbol.

  In FIG. 5, a symbol combination table (not shown) is stored in the ROM 32. In this symbol combination table, a symbol combination for winning a combination (winning, etc.), a medal payout number for winning, and a winning determination code (establishment determining code) representing the winning (establishment) are associated with each other. In the above symbol combination table, when the left reel 8L, the center reel 8C, and the right reel 8R are controlled to stop, and when winning is confirmed after all the reels 8L, 8C, and 8R are stopped (display combination confirmation). To be referenced. The display combination (display combination data) is basically a combination (established combination) corresponding to the symbol combination arranged along the effective line. The player is given a profit corresponding to the display combination.

  In FIG. 5, when an internal winning combination or a stop winning combination is determined by lottery processing (such as internal lottery processing) based on the random number sampling, the CPU 31 determines when the player operates the stop buttons 7L, 7C, and 7R. Then, based on the stop signal sent from the reel stop signal circuit 70 and the determined stop table, a signal for controlling the stop of the reels 8L, 8C and 8R is sent to the motor drive circuit 39.

  If it becomes a stop mode (that is, a winning mode) indicating a winning combination, the CPU 31 supplies a payout command signal to the hopper driving circuit 51 and pays out a predetermined number of medals from the hopper 50. At this time, the medal detection unit 50s counts the number of medals to be paid out from the hopper 50, and when the count value reaches a designated number, a medal payout completion signal is input to the CPU 31. Thereby, CPU31 stops the drive of the hopper 50 via the hopper drive circuit 51, and complete | finishes a medal payout process.

  Next, the operation of the gaming machine according to the present invention will be described. In FIG. 1, the laser projector 4 is attached to the upper part of the front door 2. The upper portion may be either the upper portion 2d on the front surface side of the front door or the upper surface 2e of the front door. It is preferable to attach to the upper surface 2e of the front door because the gravity applied from the laser projector 4 can be supported by a surface extending in the horizontal direction with respect to the gravity and can be stably supported. The laser projector 4 in the housing 3 is connected to a control circuit and a power supply circuit arranged inside the housing 3. In FIG. 1, the laser projector 4 is attached to the upper surface 2 e of the front door 2. Thus, in the gaming machine according to the present invention, the laser projector 4 is arranged so as not to disturb the observation of a plurality of symbols drawn on the reels 8L, 8C, and 8R.

  In FIG. 1, the laser projector 4 has the irradiation port 47 facing upward, and can project light toward the ceiling of the hall. The wall surface of the hole may be projected by rotating the main body 41 up and down. A power cable 45 (see FIG. 3) is drawn from the pedestal 46 of the laser projector 4, and the power cable 45 is connected to a power terminal provided inside the housing 3. Similarly, a signal cable (not shown) for controlling the laser projector 4 is also connected to an output terminal provided inside the housing 3. In the present invention, the laser projector 4 can be directly connected to the gaming machine without attaching the laser projector 4 to the ceiling of the hall, so that lighting can be produced. Moreover, wiring work to the ceiling can be eliminated.

  Next, as an operation of the present invention, a method for controlling illumination by the laser projector 4 will be described. In the present invention, when the gaming machine 1 is in a special gaming state advantageous to the player, the information irradiation of the laser projector 4 is controlled to change. For example, when the gaming machine 1 is in a bonus or big bonus game state, the gaming machine ceilings character information such as “bonus” or “big bonus” or an image or design related to “bonus” or “big bonus”. Irradiate the wall. Further, when the gaming machine 1 is in the reach state, character information indicating “reach” or an image or design associated with “reach” may be irradiated.

  Furthermore, the laser projector 4 may irradiate information regarding a hall or a gaming machine in the hall. The irradiation of these character information and design is performed by the control means of the laser projector 4 provided in each gaming machine 1. The control means of the laser projector 4 can write a program in the ROM 32 of FIG. 7, and the CPU 31 can read and execute this program.

  The control means for controlling the laser projector 4 can control the laser projector 4 according to the effect displayed in the effect display area 5 (see FIG. 4). For example, when the gaming machine 1 becomes a bonus or a big bonus, or when the gaming machine 1 reaches a reach state in which the gaming machine 1 is informed, the effect display area 5 may display the effect using information such as characters, images, designs, etc. Good. In conjunction with this display effect, the laser projector 4 irradiates the ceiling or wall surface of the hall with information such as characters and images, or illumination such as bright colors and flashes. The player can further enjoy the game by irradiating the characters, images, and designs. The control means of the laser projector 4 in this case can also write a program in the ROM 32 of FIG.

  In the present invention, the image display device provided in the front door 2 corresponds to the liquid crystal display device 27. The control means controls the lighting effect of the laser projector 4 corresponding to a predetermined effect displayed in the effect display area 5 provided in the liquid crystal display device 27.

  Regarding the laser irradiation apparatus according to the present invention, the output intensity of the laser beam, the type of laser, etc. are appropriately selected depending on the distance and arrangement between the surface that irradiates characters, images, and designs such as the ceiling and wall surface in the hall and the gaming machine. May be.

It is a perspective appearance figure showing one embodiment of a gaming machine by the present invention, and shows the example which fixed the laser lighting device to the upper part of the front door. It is a front view of the laser illuminating device with which the game machine by the said embodiment is equipped. It is a side view of the laser illuminating device with which the game machine by the said embodiment is equipped. It is a front view of the image display apparatus with which the game machine by the said embodiment is equipped. It is a block diagram of a control circuit provided in the gaming machine according to the embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Game machine 2 Front door 3 Case 4 Laser projector (laser illumination device)
71 Main control circuit (control means)
72 Sub-control circuit (control means)

Claims (3)

A gaming machine having a housing whose front door opens and closes,
The front door includes a laser irradiation device disposed on an upper portion thereof and radiating information toward the outside.
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the casing includes a control unit that controls the information irradiated by the laser irradiation device. The information includes characters or images,
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the information of the laser irradiation device in a special gaming state advantageous to the player. The front door further includes an image display device,
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the information of characters or images of the laser irradiation device in response to a predetermined effect displayed on the image display device.

Images