JP2009261575A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine provided with a liquid crystal display device which efficiently reflects light guided by a light guide plate. <P>SOLUTION: A Pachinko slot machine 1 includes a cabinet 1a for opening and closing a front door 2, the cabinet 1a includes a variable display device in the inside, and the front door 2 includes the liquid crystal display device 5 that faces the variable display device. The liquid crystal display device 5 includes a transparent liquid crystal panel 62 arranged on the back surface of a front panel, the light guide plate 64 arranged on the back surface of the transparent liquid crystal panel 62, a reflection film 68 provided on the back surface of the light guide plate 64, and a plurality of cold cathode tubes 77n which emits the light toward the plate thickness surface of the light guide plate 64. The light guide plate 64 guides the emission light of the cold cathode tubes 77n to the inside and illuminates the transparent liquid crystal panel 62 from behind. The reflection film 68 reflects visible light and infrared light guided by the light guide plate 64. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachislot machine.

  Conventionally, a gaming machine called a pachislot machine is known. This gaming machine includes a plurality of reels, a start switch, and a reel control unit. A plurality of symbols are arranged on the respective surfaces of the plurality of reels. The start switch detects that a game medal, a coin or the like (hereinafter referred to as a medal) is inserted, and that the start lever is operated by the player, and requests the start of rotation of a plurality of reels.

  The stop switch detects that a player has pressed a stop button provided corresponding to each of the plurality of reels, and outputs a signal requesting the rotation of the corresponding reel to stop. The reel control unit is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of reels, and controls the operation of the stepping motor based on a stepping motor that transmits each driving force to each reel and signals output from the start switch and the stop switch. Control and rotate and stop each reel.

  When this gaming machine detects that the start lever has been operated, it performs lottery based on the random number value, and confirms that the result of the lottery (hereinafter referred to as “internal winning combination”) and the stop button have been operated. The reel rotation is stopped based on the detected timing.

  In general, a so-called pachislot machine, which is a type of gaming machine, includes a cabinet that opens and closes a front door. For example, the cabinet has a reel unit (variable display device) that variably displays a plurality of symbol rows. The front door is provided with a liquid crystal display device provided with a display window through which a plurality of symbol rows can be observed on the front surface.

  In such a gaming machine, the liquid crystal display device includes a front panel and a transparent liquid crystal panel. The front panel has transparency. The transparent liquid crystal panel is provided on the back side of the front panel. The front panel has a transparent display window. The display window is made visible from the front side of the gaming machine by transmitting the symbols drawn on the plurality of reels (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In the liquid crystal display device provided in the gaming machine according to Patent Document 1, a front panel is constituted by a protective glass and a display plate. A light guide plate is disposed on the back surface of the transparent liquid crystal panel, and a reflective film is attached to the light guide plate. Further, a plurality of fluorescent lamps are disposed around the light guide plate, and light from these fluorescent lamps is guided to the light guide plate to illuminate the transparent liquid crystal panel. That is, the plurality of fluorescent lamps and the light guide plate function as a backlight that illuminates the transparent liquid crystal panel from behind.
JP 2007-136028 A

  The gaming machine according to Patent Document 1 uses a white polyester film or an aluminum thin film formed with a silver vapor deposition film as a reflection film. The reflective film reflects visible light introduced into the light guide plate toward the front side of the light guide plate, thereby preventing visible light transmission loss.

  However, since the conventional reflective film disclosed in Patent Document 1 mainly reflects the visible light band, the problem is that infrared light cannot pass through the reflective film to obtain high reflection efficiency. There is.

  In particular, in gaming machines such as pachislot machines, the transparent liquid crystal panel has a relatively large screen, and it is required to efficiently illuminate the transparent liquid crystal panel without transmitting infrared light to the outside. If infrared light is efficiently reflected to the outside of the gaming machine through the transparent liquid crystal panel, it is considered that the heat rays inside the cabinet can be radiated to the outside, which can contribute to reducing the internal temperature of the cabinet. The above can be said to be the subject of the present invention.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a gaming machine including a liquid crystal display device that efficiently reflects light guided to a light guide plate to illuminate a transparent liquid crystal panel. .

  The present inventor has found that the light guided to the light guide plate can be efficiently reflected by providing the light guide plate with a reflective film that reflects infrared light, and based on this, the following new gaming machine is provided. It came to invent.

  (1) A gaming machine including a cabinet having an opening on a front surface and a front door that is rotatably connected to the cabinet to open and close the opening, and the cabinet displays a plurality of symbol rows in a variable manner. And a variable display device capable of stopping these symbol rows on a predetermined winning determination line, the front door includes a liquid crystal display device facing the variable display device, and the liquid crystal display device is a protective glass. And a display panel, a transparent liquid crystal panel disposed on the back of the front panel, a light guide plate disposed on the back of the transparent liquid crystal panel, a reflective film provided on the back of the light guide plate, A plurality of light sources arranged around the light guide plate and emitting light toward the plate thickness surface of the light guide plate, and the light guide plate guides the emitted light of the plurality of light sources to the inside. Transparency It illuminates the liquid crystal panel from behind, wherein the reflective film, a game machine, characterized in that reflecting visible light and infrared light guided to the light guide plate.

  The gaming machine according to the invention of (1) includes a cabinet and a front door. The cabinet has an opening on the front surface. The front door is pivotally connected to the cabinet and opens and closes the opening of the cabinet. The cabinet has a variable display device inside. The variation display device can variably display a plurality of symbol sequences and can stop these symbol sequences on a predetermined winning determination line. The front door includes a liquid crystal display device facing the variable display device.

  The liquid crystal display device has a front panel and a transparent liquid crystal panel. The liquid crystal display device has a light guide plate and a plurality of light sources. The front panel is composed of a protective glass and a display board. The transparent liquid crystal panel is disposed on the back surface of the front panel. The light guide plate is disposed on the back surface of the transparent liquid crystal panel. The reflective film is provided on the back surface of the light guide plate. The plurality of light sources are arranged around the light guide plate and emit light toward the plate thickness surface of the light guide plate.

  The light guide plate guides light emitted from the plurality of light sources to illuminate the transparent liquid crystal panel from behind. The reflective film reflects visible light and infrared light guided to the light guide plate.

  Here, the cabinet may be formed in a rectangular parallelepiped box shape, a substantially rectangular opening is provided on the front surface, and the inside is hollow. The interior of the cabinet can be inspected or maintained by opening the front door. The opening of the cabinet can be covered by closing the front door. Covering the opening of the cabinet with the front door includes visually shielding the opening of the cabinet so that the inside of the cabinet cannot be seen except for display windows, etc., and it is difficult to make electrical or physical contact with the inside of the cabinet. May include becoming.

  For example, a shelf for partitioning the upper space and the lower space may be provided inside the cabinet, and a reel unit serving as a variable display device having a plurality of symbols arranged on the outer periphery can be placed on the shelf. Each control panel including a main board (printed board) and a sub board (printed board) as entities for controlling the gaming machine may be arranged above the shelf.

  The liquid crystal display unit located in the center of the display board may be provided with three winning determination lines (center and top and bottom) on the side and two winning determination lines intersecting diagonally, which were introduced prior to the start of the game. A predetermined winning determination line is activated corresponding to the number of game media. A winning combination is determined by a combination of predetermined symbols aligned with the winning determination line.

  The panel display unit located on one wing of the display board may be provided with an effective line display lamp for displaying that the winning determination line is activated by lighting. Further, the panel display unit may be provided with a medal insertion number display lamp for displaying the number of game media inserted prior to the start of the game by lighting. In addition, the panel display unit can be provided with a display lamp for displaying information necessary for playing the game. In place of the plurality of display lamps, information necessary for playing the game can be displayed on the transparent liquid crystal panel.

  The fixed display portion located on the other wing of the display board may be a region where a predetermined picture or the like is drawn, and the picture drawn on the fixed display portion and the image displayed on the transparent liquid crystal panel are related to each other. By doing so, one still image or moving image may be displayed.

  When the liquid crystal display device faces the variable display device, it means that the liquid crystal display device and the variable display device are configured separately. When the front door is opened, the liquid crystal display device may be separated from the variable display device, and when the front door is closed, the liquid crystal display device is in close proximity to the variable display device.

  The protective glass and the display plate may be made of a light transmissive member, and the protective glass is provided for the purpose of protecting the transparent liquid crystal panel. A polarizing sheet may be disposed between the display panel and the transparent liquid crystal panel, and this polarizing sheet allows only specific linearly polarized light transmitted through the transparent liquid crystal panel to pass therethrough.

  The transparent liquid crystal panel may be a transparent electrically controlled display panel made of, for example, ITO or the like through which a plurality of symbol rows are seen, and can display a still image or a moving image in the effect display area. A diffusion sheet may be disposed on the back surface of the transparent liquid crystal panel. The diffusion sheet is made of a transparent synthetic resin sheet that transmits light, has a light distribution toward the front surface, and is emitted from the light guide plate. To make the amount of light to the entire surface of the transparent liquid crystal panel uniform.

  The light guide plate is made of a transparent synthetic resin, and may have a plurality of lens cuts formed on the surface. Light from the light source incident inside from the plate thickness surface is converted into a surface light source, and light is transmitted from the back surface of the transparent liquid crystal panel. Can be incident on the entire surface. You may print the dot pattern which a density increases toward the center part from the circumference | surroundings on the back surface of a light-guide plate.

  The reflective film reflects light emitted from a plurality of light sources to the thickness surface of the light guide plate toward the transparent liquid crystal panel. The reflective film covers the back surface of the light guide plate, returns the leaked light from the light guide plate to the light guide plate, and effectively uses the light of the light source.

  The light source may be a fluorescent tube, a cold cathode tube, or an LED, and preferably contains light of all wavelengths in a ratio that does not make a specific color conspicuous in the human eye. For example, a pair of fluorescent tubes may be disposed on both wings of the light guide plate along the longitudinal direction of the light guide plate, and light from the fluorescent tube can be incident from the plate thickness surface of the light guide plate. The periphery of the fluorescent tube may be covered with a reflective plate so that the light from the fluorescent tube can be efficiently incident on the plate thickness surface of the light guide plate.

  The reflective film may use a commercially available infrared reflective sheet that reflects visible light and infrared light, and is a commercially available thermal barrier coating that contains a pigment that reflects visible light and reflects infrared light, which will be described later. May be used.

  The gaming machine according to the invention of (1) is provided with a reflective film that guides the emitted light from a plurality of light sources and reflects visible light and infrared light on the back of the light guide plate that illuminates from behind the transparent liquid crystal panel. The light guided to the light guide plate can be efficiently reflected.

  In addition, in the gaming machine according to the invention of (1), infrared light is efficiently reflected outside the gaming machine through the transparent liquid crystal panel, so that the heat rays inside the cabinet can be radiated to the outside, and the internal temperature of the cabinet can be reduced. It is thought that it can also contribute to reduction.

  (2) The game machine according to (1), wherein the reflective film contains a pigment that reflects visible light and reflects infrared light in a thermal barrier paint.

  The thermal barrier paint may be a white paint and can reflect not only near-infrared light but also visible light. A hollow ceramic balloon is effective as a pigment that reflects visible light and reflects infrared light.

  (3) The gaming machine according to (1) or (2), wherein the reflective film is provided with a plurality of non-reflective regions in which a plurality of symbol rows can be easily viewed from the front side of the gaming machine.

  For example, the non-reflective area of the reflective film may be a vertically long rectangular opening corresponding to a plurality of symbol rows, and the transparent liquid crystal panel may have a normally white display mode, and a voltage is applied to the transparent liquid crystal panel. When not in use, the display is white. Therefore, the light transmitted to the display surface side and transmitted is visually recognized from the outside.

  The gaming machine according to the invention of (3) employs a transparent liquid crystal panel configured in normally white, so that even if a situation where the liquid crystal cannot be driven occurs, the opening that is a non-reflective region is seen through. The symbols arranged on the outer periphery of the reel can be visually recognized, and the game can be continued. That is, even when a situation in which the liquid crystal cannot be driven occurs, a game centered on the rotation and stop of the reel can be performed.

  The gaming machine according to the present invention provides a light guide plate by guiding a light emitted from a plurality of light sources to the inside, and providing a reflective film that reflects visible light and infrared light on the back of the light guide plate that illuminates from behind the transparent liquid crystal panel. The light guided to can be reflected efficiently.

  In addition, since the gaming machine according to the present invention efficiently reflects infrared light to the outside of the gaming machine through the transparent liquid crystal panel, it can radiate the heat rays inside the cabinet to the outside and reduce the internal temperature of the cabinet. It is thought that it can contribute to.

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

[Functional flow of pachislot]
Embodiments according to the gaming machine of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, a functional flow of the gaming machine (hereinafter referred to as a pachislot) 1 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a functional flow of the pachi-slot 1 in the present embodiment.

  When a medal is inserted by the player and the start lever 6 is operated, one value (hereinafter referred to as a random value) is extracted from random numbers in a predetermined numerical range (for example, 0 to 65535).

  The internal lottery means (including the main CPU 31 in FIG. 4) performs lottery based on the extracted random number value and determines the internal winning combination. By determining the internal winning combination, a combination of symbols that permits display along a winning determination line described later is determined. The types of symbol combinations include those related to “winning” in which merits such as paying out medals, re-games, bonuses, etc. are given to players, and other so-called “loses”. Is provided.

  Subsequently, after the plurality of reels 3L, 3C, 3R are rotated, when the player presses the stop buttons 7L, 7C, 7R, the reel stop control means (the motor drive circuit 39 and the stepping in FIG. 4). The motors 49L, 49C, and 49R) control to stop the rotation of the corresponding reels based on the internal winning combination and the timing when the stop buttons 7L, 7C, and 7R are pressed.

  Here, in the pachi-slot 1, basically, control is performed to stop the rotation of the corresponding reel within a specified time (190 msec) from when the stop button 7L, 7C, 7R is pressed. In the present embodiment, the number of symbols that move with the rotation of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R within the specified time is referred to as “the number of sliding symbols”, and the maximum number is defined as four symbols.

  The reel stop control means displays the symbol combination as much as possible along the winning determination line using the specified time when an internal winning combination permitting display of the symbol combination related to winning is determined. Then, the rotation of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R is stopped. On the other hand, combinations of symbols that are not permitted to be displayed by the internal winning combination are displayed on the reels 3L, 3C, 3R so that they are not displayed along the winning determination line using the specified time. Stop rotation.

  Thus, when the rotation of the plurality of reels 3L, 3C, 3R is all stopped, the winning determination means (including the main CPU 31 in FIG. 4) determines that the combination of symbols displayed along the winning determination line is related to winning. It is determined whether it is a thing. When it is determined that the prize is related to a prize, a bonus such as a medal payout is given to the player. A series of flows as described above is performed as one game in the pachislot 1.

  Further, in the pachislot 1, in the above-described series of flows, video display performed by the liquid crystal display device 5, light output performed by the lamp 14, sound output performed by the speakers 9L and 9R, or a combination thereof is used. Various productions are performed.

  When the start lever 6 is operated by the player, an effect random number value (hereinafter referred to as effect random number value) is extracted separately from the random number value used for determining the internal winning combination. When the effect random number is extracted, the effect content determining means (including the sub CPU 81 in FIG. 5) determines, by lottery, what is to be executed this time from among a plurality of types of effect contents associated with the internal winning combination. .

  When the effect content is determined, the effect execution means (the liquid crystal display device 5 described later, the speakers 9L and 9R described later, and the lamp 14 described later), when the reels 3L, 3C and 3R start to rotate, each reel 3L. , 3C, 3R, the execution of the performance is advanced in conjunction with each opportunity, such as when the determination of the presence or absence of a prize is made. As described above, in the pachislot 1, the player has an opportunity to know or predict the determined internal winning combination (in other words, a combination of symbols to be aimed at) by executing the production contents associated with the internal winning combination. It is provided and the player's interest is improved.

[Pachislot structure]
The functional flow of the pachislot 1 has been described above. Next, the structure of the pachislot machine 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

<External structure of pachislot>
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the external structure of the pachi-slot 1 in the present embodiment.

  The pachi-slot 1 includes a cabinet 1a that houses reels 3L, 3C, 3R, a circuit board, and the like, and a front door 2 that is attached to the cabinet 1a so as to be openable and closable. Inside the cabinet 1a, three reels 3L, 3C, 3R are provided side by side. Each of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R is configured by attaching a belt-like sheet in which a plurality of symbols (for example, 21 pieces) are continuously arranged along the rotation direction to the peripheral surface of a cylindrical frame.

  A liquid crystal display device 5 is provided at the center of the front door 2. The liquid crystal display device 5 includes a display screen 5a including symbol display areas 21L, 21C, and 21R, and is provided so as to be positioned on the near side superimposed on the three reels 3L, 3C, and 3R when viewed from the front. The symbol display areas 21L, 21C, and 21R are provided corresponding to the three reels 3L, 3C, and 3R, respectively, and have a configuration capable of transmitting through the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R provided behind them. I have.

  In other words, the symbol display areas 21L, 21C, and 21R serve as display windows, and the player can visually recognize the rotation and stop operation of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R provided behind the display areas. Become. In the present embodiment, video is displayed using the entire display screen 5a including the symbol display areas 21L, 21C, and 21R, and an effect is executed.

  A plurality of symbol display areas (hereinafter referred to as display windows) 21L, 21C, 21R are arranged on the surfaces of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R when the rotation of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R provided behind them is stopped. Among the types of symbols, one symbol (three in total) is displayed in each of the upper, middle, and lower regions within the frame. In addition, a target for determining whether or not to win a pseudo line that is a combination of any one of the three areas of the upper, middle, and lower stages of the display windows 21L, 21C, and 21R. Is defined as a line (winning determination line).

  In the present embodiment, a top line 8b formed by combining the upper stages of the display windows 21L, 21C, 21R, a center line 8c formed by combining the middle stages of the display windows 21L, 21C, 21R, and the display windows 21L, 21C, 21R. The bottom line 8d formed by combining the lower stage, the upper stage of the left display window 21L, the middle stage of the middle display window 21C, and the lower stage of the right display window 21R, the cross-down line 8e, the lower stage of the left display window 21L, and the middle display window 21C Five cross-up lines 8a formed by combining the middle stage and the upper stage of the right display window 21R are provided as winning determination lines.

(Operating device)
The front door 2 is provided with various devices to be operated by the player. The medal slot 10 is provided for receiving a medal dropped from the outside by the player. The medals accepted by the medal slot 10 are inserted into one game with a predetermined number (for example, three) as an upper limit, and the amount exceeding the predetermined number can be deposited inside the pachislot machine 1. (So-called credit function).

  The bet button 11 is provided to determine the number of coins to be inserted into one game from medals deposited inside the pachislot 1. The checkout button 12 is provided to pull out medals deposited inside the pachislot 1 to the outside.

  The start lever 6 is provided to start the rotation of all the reels 3L, 3C, 3R. The stop buttons 7L, 7C, 7R are associated with the three reels 3L, 3C, 3R, respectively, and are provided to stop the rotation of the corresponding reels 3L, 3C, 3R.

(Other equipment)
The 7-segment display 13 is made up of 7-segment LEDs. The number of medals inserted in the current game (hereinafter referred to as the inserted number), the number of medals to be paid out to the player as a privilege (hereinafter referred to as the number of payouts), pachislot 1 Information such as the number of medals deposited in the inside (hereinafter referred to as the number of credits) is digitally displayed to the player.

  The lamp (LED or the like) 14 outputs light in a turn-on / off pattern according to the content of the effect. The speakers 9L and 9R output sound such as sound effects and music according to the contents of the production. The medal payout port 15 guides medals discharged by driving a medal payout device 40 (see FIG. 3) described later to the outside. The medals discharged from the medal payout opening 15 are stored in the medal tray 16.

<Internal structure of pachislot>
FIG. 3 shows the internal structure of the pachi-slot 1 in the present embodiment. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the front door 2 is opened, and the structure on the back surface side of the front door 2 and the internal structure of the cabinet 1a appear.

  A substrate (hereinafter referred to as a main substrate 71A) on which a main control circuit 71 (see FIG. 4) is formed is provided above the interior of the cabinet 1a. The main control circuit 71 is a circuit that controls the main flow of the game in the pachislot 1 such as determination of an internal winning combination, rotation and stop of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R, and determination of the presence or absence of winning. A specific configuration of the main control circuit 71 will be described later.

  Three reels 3L, 3C, and 3R are provided in the center inside the cabinet 1a. Stepping motors 49L, 49C, and 49R (see FIG. 4) are connected to the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R through gears having a predetermined reduction ratio.

  On the left side of the three reels 3L, 3C, 3R, a substrate (hereinafter referred to as sub-substrate 72A) on which a sub-control circuit 72 (see FIG. 4) is formed is provided. The sub-control circuit 72 is a circuit that controls the execution of effects by displaying images. The specific configuration of the sub control circuit 72 will be described later.

  Below the inside of the cabinet 1a, a medal payout device (hereinafter referred to as a hopper) 40 having a structure capable of storing a large amount of medals and discharging them one by one is provided. On the left side of the hopper 40, a power supply device 43 for supplying necessary power to each device included in the pachislot 1 is provided.

  A selector 42 is provided at the center of the back side of the front door 2 and below the display windows 21L, 21C, 21R. The selector 42 is a device for selecting whether or not a medal is appropriate in material, shape, and the like, and guides an appropriate medal received in the medal insertion slot 10 to the hopper 40. A medal sensor 42S (see FIG. 4), which will be described later, is provided on the path through which the medal passes in the selector 42, and detects that an appropriate medal has passed.

[Circuit configuration of pachislot]
This completes the description of the structure of the pachislot 1. Next, with reference to FIG.4 and FIG.5, the structure of the circuit with which the pachislot 1 in this Embodiment is provided is demonstrated. The pachi-slot 1 in the present embodiment includes a main control circuit 71, a sub-control circuit 72, and peripheral devices (actuators) that are electrically connected thereto.

<Main control circuit>
FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the main control circuit 71 of the pachi-slot 1 in the present embodiment.

  The main control circuit 71 includes a microcomputer 30 installed on a circuit board as a main component. The microcomputer 30 includes a CPU (hereinafter referred to as main CPU) 31, a ROM (hereinafter referred to as main ROM) 32, and a RAM (hereinafter referred to as main RAM) 33.

  The main ROM 32 has various controls for a control program executed by the main CPU 31 (for example, the main flowchart of FIG. 9), a data table such as an internal lottery table (for example, the symbol arrangement table of FIG. 8), and the sub control circuit 72. Data for transmitting a command (command) is stored. The main RAM 33 is provided with a storage area for storing various data such as an internal winning combination determined by execution of the control program.

(Random number generator etc.)
The main CPU 31 is connected to a clock pulse generation circuit 34, a frequency divider 35, a random number generator 36, and a sampling circuit 37. The clock pulse generation circuit 34 and the frequency divider 35 generate clock pulses. The main CPU 31 executes a control program based on the generated clock pulse. The random number generator 36 generates a random number within a predetermined range (for example, 0 to 65535). The sampling circuit 37 extracts one value from the generated random numbers.

(Switch etc.)
A switch or the like is connected to the input port of the microcomputer 30. The main CPU 31 receives input from a switch or the like and controls the operation of peripheral devices such as stepping motors 49L, 49C, and 49R. The stop switch 7S detects that each of the three stop buttons 7L, 7C, 7R has been pressed (stop operation) by the player. The start switch 6S detects that the start lever 6 has been operated by the player (start operation).

  The medal sensor 42S detects that the medal received at the medal slot 10 has passed through the selector 42. The bet switch 11S detects that the bet button 11 has been pressed by the player. Further, the settlement switch 12S detects that the settlement button 12 has been pressed by the player.

(Peripheral devices and circuits)
Peripheral devices whose operations are controlled by the microcomputer 30 include stepping motors 49L, 49C, 49R, a 7-segment display 13 and a hopper 40. A circuit for controlling the operation of each peripheral device is connected to the output port of the microcomputer 30.

  The motor drive circuit 39 controls driving of stepping motors 49L, 49C, 49R provided corresponding to the reels 3L, 3C, 3R. The reel position detection circuit 50 detects a reel index indicating that the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R have made one rotation by an optical sensor having a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion in accordance with each reel 3L, 3C, and 3R.

  The stepping motors 49L, 49C, and 49R have a configuration in which the momentum is proportional to the number of output pulses and the rotation axis can be stopped at a specified angle. The driving force of the stepping motors 49L, 49C, 49R is transmitted to the reels 3L, 3C, 3R via a gear having a predetermined reduction ratio. Each time one pulse is output to the stepping motors 49L, 49C, 49R, the reels 3L, 3C, 3R rotate at a constant angle.

  The main CPU 31 counts the number of times the pulses are output to the stepping motors 49L, 49C, 49R after detecting the reel index, thereby rotating the rotation angles of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R (mainly the reels 3L, 3C, The number of symbols 3R has rotated) is managed, and the positions of the symbols arranged on the surfaces of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R are managed.

  The display unit drive circuit 48 controls the operation of the 7-segment display 13. The hopper drive circuit 41 controls the operation of the hopper 40. The payout completion signal circuit 51 manages the detection of medals performed by the medal detection unit 40S provided in the hopper 40, and checks whether or not the medals discharged from the hopper 40 have reached the payout number.

<Sub control circuit>
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the sub-control circuit 72 of the pachislot 1 in the present embodiment.

  The sub control circuit 72 is electrically connected to the main control circuit 71 and performs processing such as determination and execution of effect contents based on a command transmitted from the main control circuit 71. The sub-control circuit 72 basically includes a CPU (hereinafter referred to as sub-CPU) 81, a ROM (hereinafter referred to as sub-ROM) 82, a RAM (hereinafter referred to as sub-RAM) 83, a rendering processor 84, a drawing RAM 85, and a driver 87. , A DSP (digital signal processor) 88, an audio RAM 89, an A / D converter 90, and an amplifier 91.

  The sub CPU 81 controls the output of video, sound, and light according to the control program stored in the sub ROM 82 in accordance with the command transmitted from the main control circuit 71. The sub-RAM 83 is provided with a storage area for registering the determined contents and effects data, and a storage area for storing various data such as an internal winning combination transmitted from the main control circuit 71. The sub ROM 82 basically includes a program storage area and a data storage area.

  A control program executed by the sub CPU 81 is stored in the program storage area. For example, in the control program, a main board communication task for controlling communication with the main control circuit 71 and an effect registration task for extracting effect random numbers and determining and registering effect contents (effect data) , A drawing control task for controlling the display of the video by the liquid crystal display device 5 based on the determined production content, a lamp control task for controlling the light output by the lamp 14, and a voice control task for controlling the sound output by the speakers 9L and 9R Etc. are included.

  The data storage area stores a storage area for storing various data tables, a storage area for storing effect data constituting each effect content, a storage area for storing animation data related to creation of video, and a sound data related to BGM and sound effects. A storage area, a storage area for storing lamp data related to the light on / off pattern, and the like are included.

  The sub-control circuit 72 is connected with a liquid crystal display device 5, speakers 9L and 9R, and a lamp 14 as peripheral devices whose operations are controlled.

  The sub CPU 81, the rendering processor 84, the drawing RAM 85 (including the frame buffer 86), and the driver 87 create a video according to the animation data designated by the contents of the presentation, and display the created video on the liquid crystal display device 5.

  The sub CPU 81, DSP 88, audio RAM 89, A / D converter 90, and amplifier 91 output sounds such as BGM from the speakers 9L and 9R according to the sound data specified by the contents of the effects. Further, the sub CPU 81 turns on and off the lamp 14 according to the lamp data designated by the contents of the effect.

[Design arrangement table, etc.]
This completes the description of the circuit configuration of the pachislot machine 1. Next, the symbol arrangement table will be described with reference to FIG.

  The symbol arrangement table defines the position of each symbol in the rotation direction of each reel 3L, 3C, 3R and data (hereinafter, symbol code) specifying the type of symbol arranged at each position.

  In the symbol arrangement table, when the reel index is detected, the symbol position in the middle stage in the display windows 21L, 21C, 21R is set to “0”, and the symbols are arranged in the order of advance in the rotation direction of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R. “0” to “20” are assigned to the positions of symbols, respectively. Therefore, by managing how many symbols have been rotated since the reel index was detected, by referring to the symbol arrangement table, the positions of symbols existing mainly in the middle stages of the display windows 21L, 21C, and 21R and It is possible to always manage the type of the symbol.

  In the present embodiment, when the symbol combination displayed by the reels 3L, 3C, 3R along the winning determination line matches the symbol combination defined by the symbol combination table, it is determined to be a prize, Benefits such as paying out medals, re-game operations, and bonus game operations are given to the player.

  The symbol combination table defines a symbol combination, a display combination, and a payout number that are predetermined according to the type of privilege. The display combination is data for identifying a combination of symbols displayed along the winning determination line.

[Main flowchart by control of main CPU of main control circuit]
Next, with reference to FIG. 7, the main flowchart by control of the main CPU 31 of the main control circuit 71 will be described.

  When power is turned on to the pachi-slot 1, first, the main CPU 31 performs an initialization process (S1). Next, the main CPU 31 clears the designated storage area in the main RAM 33 (S2). For example, data stored in a storage area that needs to be erased for each game, such as an internal winning combination storage area or a display combination storage area, is cleared.

  Next, the main CPU 31 performs medal acceptance / start check processing (S3). In this process, input checks of the medal sensor 42S and the start switch 6S are performed (see FIG. 4).

  Next, the main CPU 31 extracts a random value and stores it in a random value storage area provided in the main RAM 33 (S4). Next, the main CPU 31 performs an internal lottery process (S5). In this process, the internal winning combination is determined by lottery based on a random value. Next, the main CPU 31 transmits a start command to the sub-control circuit 72 (S6). The start command includes a parameter for specifying an internal winning combination.

  Next, the main CPU 31 requests the start of rotation of all the reels 3L, 3C, 3R (S7). When the start of rotation of all the reels 3L, 3C, 3R is requested, the driving of the stepping motors 49L, 49C, 49R is controlled by an interrupt process executed at a constant cycle (1.1173 msec), and each reel 3L , 3C, 3R starts to rotate.

  Next, the main CPU 31 performs a reel stop control process (S8). In this process, the input of the stop switch 7S is checked, and the rotation of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R is stopped based on the timing when the stop buttons 7L, 7C, 7R are pressed and the internal winning combination.

  Next, the main CPU 31 searches for a combination of symbols displayed along the winning determination line, and determines a payout number or the like based on the result (S9). As a result of the search, if the symbol combination displayed along the winning determination line matches the symbol combination defined by the symbol combination table, the corresponding display combination and the number of payouts are determined. Next, the main CPU 31 transmits a display command to the sub control circuit 72 (S10). The display command includes parameters that specify the display combination, the number of payouts, and the like.

  Next, the main CPU 31 performs a medal payout process (S11). In this process, the hopper 40 is driven and the number of credits is updated based on the determined payout number. Next, the main CPU 31 updates the bonus end number counter based on the payout number (S12). In this process, the numerical value determined as the payout number is subtracted from the bonus end number counter.

  Next, the main CPU 31 determines whether or not the bonus operating flag is on (S13). When determining that the bonus operating flag is on, the main CPU 31 performs a bonus end check process (S14). In this process, it is checked whether or not to end the operation of the bonus with reference to various counters for managing the end timing of the bonus.

  The main CPU 31 performs a bonus operation check process after S14 or when it is determined in S13 that the bonus operating flag is not on (S15). In this process, it is checked whether or not the bonus operation is started. When this process ends, the process proceeds to S2.

  As described above, the main CPU 31 of the main control circuit 71 executes the program of the main flowchart.

[Configuration of liquid crystal display device]
Next, the configuration of the liquid crystal display device 5 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the liquid crystal display device 5 according to the present embodiment as viewed from the back. First, the internal structure of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R will be described. Inside the reels 3L, 3C, 3R, when the rotation of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R is stopped, on the back side of the vertical 3 rows of symbols (9 symbols in total) appearing in the symbol display areas 21L, 21C, 21R. An LED housing circuit board is installed. Each of the LED storage circuit boards has three (that is, nine in total) LED storage portions, and a plurality of LED lamps 79 (see FIG. 9) are provided therein.

  Each LED lamp 79 illuminates the rear surface side of the belt-like sheet mounted along the outer peripheral surface of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R with white light. More specifically, each LED lamp 79 illuminates an area corresponding to the symbol display area 21L, 21C, 21R. The belt-like sheet is configured to have translucency, and light emitted from the LED lamp 79 is transmitted to the front side.

  Next, the configuration of the transmissive liquid crystal display device 5 will be described. The liquid crystal display device 5 includes a protective glass 60a, a display plate 60, a transparent liquid crystal panel 62, a light guide plate 64, a reflective film 68, a white light source (for example, light of all wavelengths in a proportion that a specific color is not conspicuous in human eyes). And a pair of fluorescent lamps 77, 77 and 78, 78, lamp holders 77a to 77d and 78a to 78d, and a flexible connected to a terminal portion of a transparent liquid crystal panel 62 including a table carrier package on which an IC for driving the liquid crystal panel is mounted. It is comprised by a board | substrate (not shown) etc.

  The liquid crystal display device 5 is provided on the front side from the display area of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R as viewed from the front (that is, on the front side of the display surface). Further, these reels 3L, 3C, 3R and the liquid crystal display device 5 are arranged separately with a predetermined interval.

  The protective glass 60a and the display board 60 are comprised with the translucent member. The protective glass 60 a is provided for the purpose of protecting the transparent liquid crystal panel 62. In the display panel 60, a figure, a picture, and the like are drawn in a panel display area where the 7-segment display 13 (see FIG. 2) and the like are arranged. The protective glass 60a and the display board 60 constitute a front panel.

  The transparent liquid crystal panel 62 is formed by sealing a liquid crystal in a gap between a transparent substrate such as a glass plate on which a thin film transistor layer is formed and a transparent substrate facing the transparent substrate. The display mode of the transparent liquid crystal panel 62 is set to normally white. “Normally white” is a configuration in which white display is performed in a state where the liquid crystal is not driven (that is, a state where no voltage is applied to the transparent liquid crystal panel 62). That is, light goes to the display surface side, and thus transmitted light is visually recognized from the outside.

  Accordingly, by adopting the transparent liquid crystal panel 62 configured in normally white, even if a situation where the liquid crystal cannot be driven occurs, the reels 3L, 3C, The symbols arranged on 3R can be visually recognized, and the game can be continued. That is, even when a situation in which the liquid crystal cannot be driven occurs, it is possible to play a game centering on the rotation and stop of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R.

  The light guide plate 64 is disposed on the back surface of the transparent liquid crystal panel 62 in order to introduce light from the pair of fluorescent lamps 77 and 77 into the transparent liquid crystal panel 62 (illuminate the transparent liquid crystal panel 62). It is comprised by translucent members (namely, member which has a light guide function), such as acrylic resin which has thickness.

  The reflective film 68 is provided on the back surface of the light guide plate 64 and reflects the light introduced from the plate thickness surface of the light guide plate 64 toward the front side. Thereby, the transparent liquid crystal panel 62 is illuminated. The reflective film 68 is partitioned into a reflective region 68A and a non-reflective region (that is, a transmissive region) 68BL, 68BC, 68BR. The non-reflective regions 68BL, 68BC, and 68BR are formed as light transmitting portions that transmit incident light without reflecting it.

  Further, the non-reflective areas 68BL, 68BC, 68BR are provided at positions in front of the symbols to be displayed when the rotation of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R is stopped. The sizes and positions of the non-reflective areas 68BL, 68BC, 68BR are formed so as to substantially coincide with the symbol display areas 21L, 21C, 21R (see FIG. 2). On the other hand, the reflective film 68 uses a region other than the non-reflective regions 68BL, 68BC, 68BR as a reflective region 68A, and reflects the light introduced into the light guide plate 64 toward the front side by the reflective region 68A.

  The pair of fluorescent lamps 77, 77 are arranged along the longitudinal direction so as to face the upper end surface and the lower end surface of the light guide plate 64. Each fluorescent lamp 77 is supported at both ends by lamp holders 77a to 77d. The pair of fluorescent lamps 77 and 77 generate light introduced into the light guide plate 64.

  The pair of fluorescent lamps 78 and 78 are disposed on the back side of the reflective film 68. The pair of fluorescent lamps 78 and 78 are arranged a predetermined distance apart from each other in the vertical direction. The light emitted from the pair of fluorescent lamps 78 and 78 is reflected by the surfaces of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R and enters the non-reflective areas 68BL, 68BC, and 68BR. The incident light passes through the non-reflective areas 68BL, 68BC, 68BR and illuminates the transparent liquid crystal panel 62.

[Function of fluorescent lamp]
Next, the operation of the LED lamp 79 (see FIG. 9) and the pair of fluorescent lamps 77, 77 and 78, 78 will be described.

  First, the operation when the liquid crystal in the symbol display areas 21L, 21C, and 21R is not driven (that is, when no voltage is applied to the portions corresponding to the symbol display areas 21L, 21C, and 21R of the transparent liquid crystal panel 62) will be described. .

  Part of the light emitted from the pair of fluorescent lamps 78, 78 is reflected by a sheet provided on the outer periphery of the reel. A part of the light emitted from the LED lamp 79 passes through this sheet. Since these lights are transmitted through the non-reflective areas 68BL, 68BC, 68BR, the light guide plate 64 and the transparent liquid crystal panel 62 constituting the liquid crystal display device 5, the player can visually recognize the symbols arranged on the reel. it can.

  The light emitted from the pair of fluorescent lamps 77 and 77 and introduced toward the light guide plate 64 passes through the transparent liquid crystal panel 62 and enters the player's eyes. That is, the pair of fluorescent lamps 77 and 77 illuminate the window frame display areas 22L, 22C and 22R and the area of the transparent liquid crystal panel 62 corresponding to the effect display area.

  Next, the operation when the liquid crystal in the symbol display areas 21L, 21C, and 21R is driven (that is, when a voltage is applied to portions corresponding to the symbol display areas 21L, 21C, and 21R of the transparent liquid crystal panel 62) will be described. .

  Part of the light emitted from the pair of fluorescent lamps 78, 78 is reflected by a sheet provided on the outer periphery of the reel. A part of the light emitted from the LED lamp 79 passes through this sheet. Among the areas of the transparent liquid crystal panel 62, in the area where the liquid crystal is driven, a part of the light is reflected, absorbed, or transmitted, so that the player is displayed in the symbol display areas 21L, 21C, 21R. It is possible to visually recognize a production image or the like.

[Operation of liquid crystal display]
Next, the operation of the liquid crystal display device 5 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal display device 5 according to the embodiment of the present invention, and shows many components separately.

  The liquid crystal display device 5 includes a display plate 60, a deflection sheet 61, a transparent liquid crystal panel 62, a pair of diffusion sheets 63, a light guide plate 64, a sheet-like reflection film 68, a heat dissipation plate 69, a rear frame 74, and the like from the front side of the device. An antistatic sheet 75 is arranged. A pair of cold cathode fluorescent lamps 77n and 77n are provided on the upper end surface and the lower end surface of the light guide plate 39e, respectively, and are covered with the pair of lamp reflectors 76 and 76.

  The liquid crystal display device 5 shown in FIG. 9 does not show the protective glass 60a (see FIG. 8). In the liquid crystal display device 5 shown in FIG. 9, the pair of fluorescent lamps 78 and 78 and lamp holders 78a to 78d (see FIG. 8) are not shown. On the other hand, in FIG. 8, the structure of the heat sink 69, the rear frame 74, the antistatic sheet 75, and the pair of lamp reflectors 76, 76 is omitted.

  In FIG. 9, a cold cathode tube 77n is used instead of the fluorescent lamp 77 of FIG. That is, the light source incident on the plate thickness surface of the light guide plate 64 may be a fluorescent tube, a cold cathode tube, or an LED. This light source preferably includes light of all wavelengths at a ratio at which a specific color is not conspicuous in the human eye.

  The deflection sheet 61 can change the direction of light transmitted from the cold cathode tube 77n through the diffusion sheet 63 and the transparent liquid crystal panel 62 to linear light. The diffusion sheet 63 is made of a light-transmitting resin sheet, has a light distribution property on the surface in the player direction, makes the light emitted from the light guide plate 64 uniform, and makes the entire transparent liquid crystal panel 62 uniform. Make the light intensity uniform. In the present embodiment, since the effect of increasing the luminance of light is obtained, the two diffusion sheets 63 are used. However, two sheets are not necessarily required. The use method of the diffusion sheet 63 can be changed depending on the design and application, and is not necessarily provided.

  The light guide plate 64 has a lens cut formed on the front surface, and a transparent resin that converts linear light generated from the cold cathode tubes 77n provided on the upper and lower end surfaces into a surface light source for entering the transparent liquid crystal panel 62. It is a board.

  A dot printing unit 65 is provided on the back surface of the light guide plate 64. A dot pattern is printed on the dot printing unit 65. The density of the dots constituting the dot pattern is higher on the center side than on the upper and lower ends of the dot printing unit 65. The dot printing unit 65 can be divided into a central portion 65a having a high dot density and a peripheral portion 65b having a low dot density. The back surface of the light guide plate 64 may be grooved instead of dot printed.

  The reflection film 68 causes the light emitted from the cold cathode fluorescent lamp 77 n to the light guide plate 64 to enter the transparent liquid crystal panel 62. The reflective film 68 covers the cold cathode tube 77n and the light guide plate 64, returns light leaked from the cold cathode tube 77n and the light guide plate 64 to the light guide plate 64, and reuses the light. The heat sink 69 is a metal plate used for heat dissipation. Used to cool parts that may malfunction due to heat generation.

  The rear frame 74 is made of a white resin plate, constitutes the rearmost surface of the liquid crystal display device 5, and also serves as a protection and reflection sheet for the liquid crystal display device 5. The antistatic sheet 75 is transparent and is adhered to the back surface of the rear frame 74 with a double-sided tape to prevent static electricity. The pair of lamp reflectors 76 and 76 prevents light from the cold cathode fluorescent lamp 77n from escaping to the outside.

  Here, the reflective film 68 includes visible light and infrared light guided to the light guide plate 64 so that the liquid crystal display device 5 according to the embodiment of the present invention can efficiently reflect the light guided to the light guide plate 64. Is configured to reflect.

  For example, the reflective film 68 may use a commercially available infrared reflective sheet that reflects visible light and infrared light, and contains a pigment that reflects visible light and reflects infrared light. May be used.

  The above-described thermal barrier paint may be a white paint and can reflect not only near-infrared light but also visible light. A hollow ceramic balloon is effective as a pigment that reflects visible light and reflects infrared light.

  As described above, the pachislo 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention guides the light emitted from the plurality of light sources to the inside, and illuminates the reflective film 68 that reflects visible light and infrared light from behind the transparent liquid crystal panel 62. By providing on the back surface of the light plate 64, the light guided to the light guide plate 64 can be efficiently reflected.

  The pachislot machine 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention efficiently reflects infrared light to the outside of the pachislot machine 1 through the transparent liquid crystal panel 62, so that the heat rays inside the cabinet 1a can be radiated to the outside. It is thought that it can also contribute to reducing the internal temperature of 1a.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the function flow of the game machine in one embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the external structure of the game machine in the said embodiment. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of the game machine in the said embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the main control circuit of the game machine in the said embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the sub control circuit of the game machine in the said embodiment. It is a figure which shows the symbol arrangement | positioning table of the game machine in the said embodiment. It is a main flowchart by control of main CPU of the main control circuit in the said embodiment. It is the perspective view which looked at the liquid crystal display device by the above-mentioned embodiment from the back. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal display device by the said embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 pachislot machine
1a cabinet 2 front door 3L, 3C, 3R reel (variable display device)
5 Liquid crystal display device 60 Display panel (front panel)
60a Protective glass (front panel)
62 Transparent liquid crystal panel 64 Light guide plate 68 Reflective film 77 Fluorescent lamp (light source)
77n Cold cathode tube (light source)

Claims (3)

A gaming machine comprising: a cabinet having an opening on the front surface; and a front door that is pivotably connected to the cabinet to open and close the opening,
The cabinet includes a variable display device that can display a plurality of symbol rows in a variable manner and stop the symbol rows on a predetermined winning determination line.
The front door includes a liquid crystal display device facing the variable display device,
The liquid crystal display device includes a front panel composed of a protective glass and a display plate, a transparent liquid crystal panel disposed on the back surface of the front panel, a light guide plate disposed on the back surface of the transparent liquid crystal panel, and the light guide plate. A plurality of light sources arranged around the light guide plate and emitting light toward the plate thickness surface of the light guide plate,
The light guide plate guides light emitted from the plurality of light sources to illuminate the transparent liquid crystal panel from behind,
The gaming machine, wherein the reflective film reflects visible light and infrared light guided to the light guide plate.   The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the reflective film contains a pigment that reflects visible light and reflects infrared light in a thermal barrier coating.   The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the reflective film is provided with a plurality of non-reflective areas in which a plurality of symbol rows can be easily viewed from the front side of the gaming machine.

Images