JP2018157912A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily obtain uniform light emission or display light quantity over the whole of an emitting display surface while suppressing a phenomenon such as a point light of a light source, in a light emitting display panel closely arranged to a game mechanism.SOLUTION: In a configuration where a selector for determining a transport path of a token is arranged at the rear of an upper part of a bottom panel 55 of a game machine, a depth D2 with a partition wall 555B between an emitting display surface 55IL of the bottom panel 55 and the selector is rather narrowly restricted (e.g., as compared to a distance (D1) from the LED571 to the reflecting surface 5556). In such a configuration, the LED substrate 581 equipped with the LED571 is arranged so that an optical axis L may pass between the emitting display surface 55IL and the partition wall 555B. Also, a reflecting surface 5556 for making the irradiation light of the LED571 be reflected toward the emitting display surface 55IL is arranged in a portion of the partition wall 555B.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine.

  Devices such as a pachinko machine and a slot machine are known as gaming machines that perform specific games via game media such as medals and game balls. Some gaming machines of this type have a display panel arranged on the front door portion that constitutes the front surface of the apparatus. As this type of display panel, in the case of a slot machine or the like, there are known an upper panel disposed above the reel position of the front door, a lower panel disposed below the reel, and the like.

  The lower panel of the slot machine, particularly the display surface thereof, is used for displaying, for example, a gaming machine theme and related character images. Such a display image is provided by printing on the back side of the display surface of the lower panel, or by arranging a sheet provided with such a display image on the back side of the display surface. Then, the display image of the lower panel is illuminated from the back side with a light source, whereby a light emission display of the display image is performed.

  As a light source for illuminating the lower panel, a fluorescent lamp or a cold cathode ray tube is used, and in recent years, a light source device such as an LED is widely used. When an LED is used as a light source, in an illumination (display) device having a relatively wide illuminated area, such as a lower panel of a slot machine, an LED substrate on which a large number of LEDs are arranged is appropriately arranged on the back side of the panel. May be configured to emit light.

  As described above, in a configuration in which the panel is surface-lit by an illumination device that constitutes a point light source such as an LED, so-called “spot light” may be a problem. In the panel as the illuminated member, the printing of the image to be displayed or the character of the character acts as a diffusing surface. However, when the LED of the light source is too close to the panel, the light source “ There may be cases where the viewer perceives “spot”.

  For this reason, the lower panel of the slot machine is configured such that, for example, an LED light source is disposed at a position spaced apart to some extent on the back side of the panel, and the optical path reaching the panel as the illuminated member is relatively long. (For example, the following patent document 1).

JP 2014-1000016 A

  In the structure described in Patent Document 1, as shown in FIG. 26 of the publication, two LED substrates (42, 42) are provided in an illumination device accommodating portion (38) that accommodates an illumination device for the lower panel (143). 42) is housed. The lower panel (143) is illuminated obliquely from below (arrow A in the figure) by the LED substrates (42, 42) disposed on the back side thereof with a sufficient distance therebetween.

  In the configuration of Patent Document 1, the LED substrates (42, 42) are arranged at the center and lower height of the back side of the lighting device housing (38), and are arranged above the lighting device housing (38). It has not been. In the configuration of Patent Document 1, as shown in FIG. 26 and FIG. 8 of the same publication, the depth and internal volume of the upper part of the illumination device housing part (38) are extremely small compared to the central part and the lower part. This is considered to be because if the LED board (42) is arranged on the upper part of the illumination device housing portion (38) having such a shape, it may not be possible to avoid "spotting". . And in the structure of patent document 1, the depth and internal volume of the upper part of an illuminating device accommodating part (38) are restrict | limited (FIG. 26, FIG. 8 of the same gazette) One cause is the display surface of a lower panel (143). Is located close to the lower part of the medal slot (127).

  Generally, in a slot machine, a medal selector (71) for detecting inserted medals needs to be arranged below the medal slot (127). The medal selector (71) includes a sensor for detecting the authenticity of the medal, a mechanism unit for selecting a rolling destination of the medal, and the like, and requires a relatively large arrangement space. Therefore, when the display surface of the lower panel (143) is arranged in the vicinity of the lower part of the medal slot (127), the medal selector (71) or the medal selector (71) to the hopper unit (11) or the like. In order to avoid the medal chute (72) as a transport path for transporting medals, the shape of the illumination device housing portion (38) of the lower panel (143), particularly the partition wall on the back side thereof, is shown in FIG. In this way, the upper depth and the internal volume are inevitably limited.

  Due to the circumstances as described above, in the structure as disclosed in Patent Document 1, it may be difficult to dispose the LED substrate (42) on the upper part of the illumination device housing (38) from the viewpoint of avoiding “lighting” of the illumination light source. is there. In such a structure, the amount of illumination light on the upper portion of the lower panel (143) is insufficient, and the display light amount (luminance) is insufficient, so that the player may perceive the display more dimly than other parts. . On the other hand, when the LED substrate (42) is arranged on the upper part of the illumination device housing (38) in consideration of the display light quantity distribution on the front surface of the lower panel (143), the display light quantity on the upper part of the panel may be different depending on the arrangement mode. Even if it is obtained, the player may perceive the “lighting” of the light source.

  In the above, the lower panel of the slot machine has been described as an example, but the same problem is not limited to medal selectors and medal shoots, but is common to gaming machines having a display panel arranged close to other gaming mechanisms. To do.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to uniformly emit light over the entire light-emitting display surface while suppressing a phenomenon such as a flashing light source in a light-emitting display panel disposed close to a game mechanism. In other words, the display light quantity can be easily obtained.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, in the present invention, a gaming mechanism (561) used in a game, a light emitting display surface (55IL), and the light emitting display surface (55IL) and the gaming mechanism (561) are arranged. A partition wall (555B), a first light source (571) arranged so that an optical axis (L) passes between the light emitting display surface (55IL) and the partition wall (555B), and the partition wall (555B). And a reflecting surface (5556) that reflects the light emitted from the first light source (571) toward the light emitting display surface (55IL), the light emitting display surface (55IL) and the partition wall The distance (D2) between (555B) employ | adopted the structure shorter than the distance (D1) from the said 1st light source (571) to the said reflective surface (5556).

  Alternatively, the reflective surface (5556) has a shape in which a portion farther from the first light source (571) is closer to the light emitting display surface (55IL) than a portion closer to the first light source (571). The structure which consists of the concave surface of was adopted.

  Alternatively, the partition (555B) has a first range (5551) in which the distance from the light emitting display surface (55IL) is shorter than the distance from the first light source (571) to the reflection surface (5556). And a second range (5552-5553) extending from the first range (5551) and having a distance to the light emitting display surface (55IL) longer than the first range (5551), A configuration is adopted in which the reflective surface (5556) is disposed at the end of the first range (5551) of the partition wall (555B) on the second range (5552) side.

  Alternatively, a configuration in which a second light source (572, 573) is arranged in the second range (5552) of the partition wall (555B) so that the optical axis faces the light emitting display surface is adopted. .

  Note that the reference numerals in parentheses attached to the above constituent elements are for facilitating the correspondence between the claims and the following embodiments, and the constituent elements of the present invention are the constituent elements of the following embodiments. It is not intended to be limited to (the same applies to the next column).

  According to the above configuration, in the region where the distance (D2) between the light emitting display surface (55IL) and the partition wall (555B) is shorter than the distance (D1) from the first light source (571) to the reflective surface (5556). The first light source (571) is arranged so that the optical axis (L) passes between the light emitting display surface (55IL) and the partition wall (555B). As a result, the display light amount on the light emitting display surface (55IL) in the region where the depth of the illumination space, that is, the distance (D2) between the light emitting display surface (55IL) and the partition wall (555B) is narrowly limited by the game mechanism (561). Can be prevented from being deficient more than other parts. In addition, a reflective surface (5556) that reflects the irradiation light of the first light source (571) toward the light emitting display surface (55IL) is disposed in part of the partition wall (555B), and thus the light emitting display surface (55IL). ) Can be efficiently irradiated with the indirect illumination light reflected by the reflective surface (5556) on the region where the distance (D2) to the partition wall (555B) is small, and the upper portion of the light emitting display surface (55IL) is, for example, The possibility of being dimly perceived can be reduced. Further, the first light source (571) is mounted in such a direction that its optical axis (L) passes between the back surface of the light emitting display surface (55IL) and the partition wall (555B). The possibility of “spotting” being perceived via (55IL) can be greatly reduced.

  Further, the reflecting surface (5556) is a concave surface having a shape in which a portion farther from the first light source (571) is closer to the light emitting display surface (55IL) than a portion closer to the first light source (571), for example. It can be set as the structure which consists of. Thereby, for example, it is possible to efficiently irradiate illumination light to a region where the distance (D2) from the light emitting display surface (55IL) to the partition wall (555B) is small.

  Alternatively, in the first partition (5551), the distance between the partition wall (555B) and the light emitting display surface (55IL) is shorter than the distance from the first light source (571) to the reflective surface (5556). And a second range (5552-5553) extending from the first range (5551) and having a distance to the light emitting display surface (55IL) longer than the first range (5551), and a reflective surface (5556). ) Can be used at the end of the first range (5551) of the partition wall (555B) on the second range (5552) side. Accordingly, the distance from the partition wall (555B) to the light emitting display surface (55IL) is arranged at the end of the first range (5551), which is shorter than the distance from the first light source (571) to the reflection surface (5556). The reflected surface (5556) can efficiently irradiate the illumination light to a region where the distance (D2) from the upper rear portion of the light emitting display surface (55IL) to the partition wall (555B) is small.

  Alternatively, the second light source (572, 573) having the optical axis facing the direction of the light emitting display surface (55IL) is disposed in the second range (5552) of the partition wall (555B), thereby emitting light. In addition to the region where the distance (D2) to the partition wall (555B) at the upper rear portion of the display surface (55IL) is small, the light emitting display surface (including the regions where the distances (D3, D4) to the partition wall (555B) are larger than that) 55IL), uniform light emission or display light quantity can be obtained.

  As described above, according to the present invention, in a light-emitting display panel disposed close to the game mechanism, while suppressing a phenomenon such as a flashing light source, uniform light emission over the entire light-emitting display surface. There is an excellent effect that the amount of display light can be obtained.

It is the perspective view which showed the whole structure of the slot machine which can implement this invention. FIG. 2 is a front view showing a schematic configuration inside a housing of the slot machine of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a sectional configuration of a lower panel of the slot machine of FIG. 1 and a positional relationship of selectors. FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a configuration of a lower panel of the slot machine of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an optical configuration of a lower panel of the slot machine of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing an internal configuration of a lower panel of the slot machine of FIG. 1. It is a partially broken perspective view which showed the internal structure of the lower panel by the cross section nearer to the front door back side than FIG. FIG. 2 is a front view of a lower panel of the slot machine of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a rear view of the front door of the slot machine of FIG. 1.

  Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below. The embodiments described below do not unduly limit the contents of the present invention described in the claims. In addition, all the configurations described in the present embodiment are not necessarily essential configuration requirements of the present invention.

<Overall configuration of gaming machine>
An overall configuration of a slot machine 1 as a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described based on FIG. 1 and FIG. The slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment is a so-called spinning type gaming machine, and is a type of gaming machine that performs a game using a medal as a gaming medium. As shown in FIG. 1, the slot machine 1 includes, for example, a wooden casing 10 having a front surface facing a player in a hexahedron structure, and a front door 50 capable of opening and closing the front surface of the opened casing 10. It is configured to cover.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a reel unit 30 including a first reel R1 to a third reel R3 as a plurality of reels is housed inside the housing 10. A hopper unit 20 that also functions as a storage unit for inserted medals or a payout unit for medals is housed in the lower portion of the reel unit 30.

  Each of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 is divided into 21 regions (hereinafter, each region is referred to as “frame”) at regular intervals on the outer peripheral surface. Are arranged. The first reel R1 to the third reel R3 are pivotally supported by a first stepping motor to a third stepping motor as actuators for driving the reels, and are respectively driven to rotate around the axis of the stepping motor. By controlling the number of driving pulses, the pulse width, and the like, it is possible to stop in units of frames (predetermined rotation angle unit, predetermined rotation amount unit).

  Above the reel unit 30, a sub control board unit (not shown) disposed on the back side of the front door 50 and a main control board unit 41 constituting a control board of the gaming machine are provided. The main control board unit 41 is equipped with a control member such as a CPU, ROM (an example of an information storage medium), RAM, etc., and performs various calculations for executing the game, such as the reel unit 30 and the hopper unit 20. Control the behavior. Further, a relay board unit 42 that relays a signal output from the main control board unit 41 is disposed next to the main control board unit 41 in the width direction orthogonal to the height direction of the housing 10. The main control board unit 41 is connected to other units such as the reel unit 30 and the hopper unit 20 via the relay board unit 42.

  An upper panel 57, a center panel 52, and a lower panel 55 are arranged on the upper, upper and lower portions of the front door 50, respectively, for displaying a design pattern or payout table. The central panel 52 is provided with a display window 51 that enables observation of the rotation state and the stop state of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3. In the stopped state of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3, among the plural kinds of symbols arranged at regular intervals on the outer peripheral surfaces of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3, they are continuously arranged on the outer peripheral surface. The three symbols (the upper symbol, the middle symbol, and the lower symbol) can be observed from the front of the slot machine 1 through the display window 51.

  Further, in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the upper, middle, and lower stages are provided for each reel as display positions for observing the symbol through the display window 51, and combinations of display positions of the reels (this embodiment) In the embodiment, the effective line L1 is set by a middle row). In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the number of medals required for one game, the so-called prescribed insertion number is set to three, and when a medal corresponding to the prescribed insertion number is inserted, the first reel R1 The effective line L1 configured by the middle stage of the third reel R3 is activated.

  Further, the central panel 52 is provided with a first navigation lamp NL1 to a third navigation lamp NL3 for informing the stop order (hereinafter also referred to as a batting order) of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 above the display window 51. When the first navigation lamp NL1 to the third navigation lamp NL3 corresponding to the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 are turned on, the batting order is notified to the player. In addition, a game information display unit DS including LEDs, lamps, a 7-segment display, and the like is provided below the display window 51 of the central panel 52. The game information display unit DS includes a medal credit number, one time. Various game information such as the number of medals to be paid out or won in the game, the notification display related to the information of the winning combination in the current game, and the advantageous period are displayed.

  The lower door portion 53 of the front door 50 is configured to protrude forward (player side) from the panel surface of the central panel 52, for example. A medal slot 56 through which a player inserts medals is arranged at the upper part of the door lower part 53, and various operation means as described below are arranged in front of the door lower part 53.

  The operation means includes a single bet button BT for inserting one medal and a max bet for inserting a predetermined number of medals as an input operation means for performing an operation of inserting a credited (stored) medal. Max bet button MB to be executed, start lever SL as a game start operation means for causing the player to perform a start operation that triggers the start of the game by rotating the first reel R1 to the third reel R3, first stepping Stop buttons B1 to B1 as stop operation means for causing the player to execute a stop operation that triggers the stop of each of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 that is rotationally driven by the motor to the third stepping motor Operations such as B3 and checkout button BS for checking out credited medals Stage are included.

  As shown in FIG. 9 (or FIG. 3 to be described later), the medal inserted by the player through the medal slot 56 at the top of the lower door portion 53 reaches a selector 561 provided on the back side of the lower door portion 53.

  A lower panel 55 is disposed on the front surface of the lower door portion 53 below the medal slot 56. As shown in FIG. 1, the light emitting display surface (55IL described later) of the lower panel 55 can have a tilt shape such that the lower part protrudes toward the front of the gaming machine from the upper part, for example.

  The lower panel 55 is for displaying, for example, a gaming machine theme or an image of a related character. The display image is printed on the back side of the display surface of the lower panel, or such a display image is given. The applied sheet is provided by arranging the sheet on the back side of the display surface. The structure of the lower panel 55 in this embodiment, especially the back side of the front door 50 will be described in detail later.

  FIG. 9 shows the configuration of the back side of the front door 50, and a medal inserted from the medal slot 56 (FIG. 1) is a selector 561 disposed on the back side of the door below the medal slot 56. To select the destination. The selector 561 has a function of detecting the authenticity (true / false) via, for example, the medal size, and selecting the medal destination (rolling destination) according to the result. For example, when the inserted medal is authentic, the main control board unit 41 counts up according to the detection of the selector 561, and the selector 561 goes to the hopper unit 20 (FIG. 2) in the housing 10. The medal is passed in the direction of the conveyance path 562. On the other hand, medals different from genuine ones, medals inserted in excess of the number of medals that can be credited at present (for example, 50), medals during rotation of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3, etc. are accepted. For medals inserted during a non-period, the selector 561 passes the medals to the medal transport path 563 toward the medal payout opening 59 (see FIG. 1 for the position of the front door front side). In the middle of the medal transport path 563 toward the medal payout outlet 59, an opening 564 for allowing the medal paid out from the payout mechanism (details not shown) of the hopper unit 20 to pass therethrough is provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 8 to be described later, the selector 561 is disposed on the rear side of the lower door portion 53, particularly at a portion extending from the lower portion of the medal slot 56 to the upper portion of the lower panel 55. For this reason, the shape of the partition 555B at the rear of the lower panel 55 is limited by the arrangement space of the selector 561, for example, as shown in FIG.

  In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, when the player inserts a medal into the medal insertion slot 56 or when the medal is credited more than the predetermined insertion number, the single bet button BT is pressed as many times as the predetermined insertion number. By performing an operation or performing an operation of pressing the max bet button MB, it is set to a ready state in which the rotation control of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 can be started. Then, when the player performs a start operation of pressing the start lever SL, after the internal lottery using the random number value is performed in the main control board unit 41, the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 are driven by the stepping motor. On the condition that the rotation is started and the rotation speed of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 is increased to a predetermined speed and becomes a steady rotation, the pressing operation of the stop button B1 to the stop button B3 is permitted, that is, the stop button B1. The stop operation by the stop button B3 is validated.

  Thereafter, the player presses the stop button B1 to the stop button B3 at an arbitrary timing (hereinafter referred to as “pressing timing”), and the player releases the stop button B1 to the stop button B3 that are in the pressed state at an arbitrary timing. Then, the stop switch corresponding to each of the stop buttons B1 to B3 performs an off operation, and the reel stop signal output to the main control board unit 41 is changed from the on state to the off state.

  Then, the main control board unit 41 determines the result of the internal lottery based on the change from the OFF state to the ON state of the reel stop signal whose signal state changes according to the press timing and release timing of the stop buttons B1 to B3. The first reel R1 to the third reel R3 are stopped at a stop position corresponding to the above.

  Further, the main control board unit 41 performs various processes according to the combination of symbols stopped on the effective line L1 after stopping the first reel R1 to the third reel R3. As the various processes executed by the main control board unit 41, for example, when the combination of symbols stopped on the effective line L1 is a combination of small combinations that is a combination that involves paying out medals among a plurality of types of combinations. That is, when a small combination wins, there are a plurality of combinations of payout processing for paying out medals from the hopper unit 20 based on the payout set for the winning small combination, and symbols stopped on the active line L1. If the combination of replays is a combination of replays that allows a player to execute a single game without consuming medals, the replay that sets the prescribed number of medals in the current game to the inserted state There are processing.

  In addition, a medal payout opening 59 and a medal tray 60 are provided at the lower part of the lower door portion 53, and the number of medals according to the game result is paid out from the medal payout opening 59 to the medal tray 60. ing. Further, for example, when the settlement button BS is pressed while the credited medal is stored in the gaming machine, the number of credits (the number of credited medals) from the hopper unit 20 when the settlement button BS is pressed. The settlement process for paying out the number of medals corresponding to is executed, and the medals are paid out from the medal payout opening 59 to the medal tray 60.

  Furthermore, the front door 50 is provided with a plurality of effect devices such as an audio device (61L, 61R, 62L, 62R) and a lamp device (63, 65, 67L, 67R) to increase the game. Specifically, upper and lower speakers 61L and 61R and lower speakers 62L and 62R are provided at the upper and lower left and right ends of the front door 50, respectively, for assisting the game and boosting the game. Various sounds are output.

  In addition, an arch lamp 63 and a patrol lamp 65 are provided on the front door 50 as effects. The arch lamp 63 is disposed between the left and right upper speakers 61L and 61R, and the lens unit is curved forward. The patrol lamp 65 is provided below the arch lamp 63 and on the front surface of the upper panel 57, and is constituted by a rotating lamp device in which a rotating member rotates around the light source. Furthermore, left and right side lamps 67L and 67R are provided at the side end of the front door 50. These left and right side lamps 67L and 67R are located on the side of the upper speaker 61L and 61R from the side of the door lower portion 53. The front door 50 is extended over substantially the entire length in the vertical direction. The lamp devices such as the arch lamp 63, the patrol lamp 65, and the side lamps 67L and 67R are turned on in accordance with the game so as to function as lighting devices for effects, or function as a notification device for notifying the player of information related to the game. Can be made.

<Lower panel structure>
Hereinafter, the configuration of the lower panel 55 of the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 8 and FIG. 9. 3 and 4 are sectional views showing the structure of the lower panel 55 and the lighting device housing 555 on the back side thereof. 5 to 7 show the structures of the lower panel 55 and the lighting device housing portion 555 in a partially broken perspective view.

  FIG. 8 shows the lower panel 55 from the front, and the A-A ′ line in FIG. 8 indicates the cross-sectional position in FIG. 3, and the B-B ′ line indicates the cross-sectional position in FIG. 4. 4 indicates the position of the partially broken cross section of FIG. 6, and D line indicates the position of the partially broken cross section of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when viewed from the front of the gaming machine, the lower panel 55 is formed by a lower panel frame 551 having, for example, frame-like designs 551UL, 551LL, 551UR, and 551LR at the four corners of the upper left, lower left, upper right and lower right. Surrounded. In addition, measuring plates 551L and 551R having a design made of, for example, a stripe-shaped step shape are formed on the left and right side surfaces of the lower panel frame 551 of the lower panel 55 that is arranged to protrude forward from the door lower portion 53. Yes. A light emitting display surface (hereinafter referred to as “display surface”) 55IL of the lower panel 55 is exposed in a rectangular portion surrounded by the lower panel frame 551 (551UL, 551LL, 551UR, 551LR).

  Here, in FIG. 8, the shape and arrangement position of the selector 561 described in FIG. 9 are indicated by a solid line and a broken line. By arranging the selector 561 at a position as shown in FIG. 8 (or FIG. 9) corresponding to the lower part of the medal insertion slot 56 (FIG. 1), the illumination device housing portion 555 on the back side of the lower panel 55 is changed to FIG. It is necessary to configure the shape as shown in FIG.

  For example, FIG. 3 shows a cross section taken along the line AA ′ of FIG. 8 from the right side of the figure, and particularly shows a cross sectional structure of the lower panel 55 and the illumination device accommodating portion 555 on the back side thereof. .

  The display surface 55IL of the lower panel 55 can be configured by a laminated structure of a plurality of layers (three layers in this example) including, for example, a front panel 552, a diffusion sheet 553, and a back panel 554 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). Of these, the front panel 552 is made of a resin material such as transparent or colored acrylic, and the display image can be applied to the back surface of the front panel 552 by a method such as printing. Further, the diffusion sheet 553 is, for example, a resin-made sheet material having light diffusibility, and it is conceivable to apply the display image of the diffusion sheet 553 to the surface by a technique such as printing. The back panel 554 can be made of, for example, a transparent resin material having light permeability, or a resin material having light diffusibility such as milky white acrylic.

  A display surface 55IL including the front side panel 552, the diffusion sheet 553, and the back side panel 554 is sandwiched between the lighting device housing portion 555 and the lower panel frame 551 (551UL, 551LL, 551UR, 551LR), for example, a plurality of fastening positions 5511, 5511..., The lighting device housing 555 and the lower panel frame 551 are fastened by a method such as screwing. Thereby, the display surface 55IL is fixed to the front surface of the lower panel 55.

  The illuminating device housing 555 has a box-like structure surrounding the display surface 55IL of the lower panel 55 (back side of the front door 50), and includes LEDs 571, 572, and 573 for illuminating the display surface 55IL inside. The LED boards 581, 582, and 583 mounted thereon are accommodated.

  Here, the optical axes of the LEDs 571, 572, 573 mounted on the LED boards 581, 582, 583 are assumed to have directions perpendicular to the respective LED board surfaces. For example, when observed from the direction of the optical axes. The brightness is the highest. As in the present embodiment, in an application in which the display of the display surface 55IL of the lower panel 55 is surface-emitting, in the arrangement in which the optical axis is directed to the back surface of the display surface 55IL like the LEDs 572 and 573, the display surface from the LEDs 572 and 573 If the distance to the back surface of 55IL is not sufficient (for example, a depth D3 or more in FIG. 4 described later), LED “spotting” may be perceived through the display surface 55IL.

  The partition 555B that defines the back surface of the lighting device housing 555, particularly the upper part thereof, is configured in a stepped shape as indicated by reference numerals 5551, 5552, and 5553 so as to avoid the arrangement space of the selector 561. By arranging the selector 561 (or surrounding members not shown in FIG. 3) at the position shown in the drawing, particularly in the upper part of the lighting device housing 555, a display surface 55IL which is a light emitting display surface as shown in FIG. The distance between the upper portion 5551 of the partition wall 555B and the partition 555B must be extremely narrow.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 4 or FIGS. 5 to 7, LED boards 582 and 583 are arranged at the middle stage 5552 and the lower stage 5553 of the partition wall 555 </ b> B behind the lighting device housing 555. The LED boards 582 and 583 can be mounted on, for example, a wall surface perpendicular to the middle stage 5552 and the lower stage 5553 of the partition wall 555B by a fitting structure using a plurality of fitting claws 5557, 5557.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, these LED substrates 582 and 583 illuminate the back surface of the display surface 55IL of the lower panel 55 with the main illumination optical axes of the LEDs 572 and 573 mounted obliquely upward from below. Wearing posture. As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, a plurality of LEDs 572, 572... And LEDs 573, 573.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, unlike the structure of Patent Document 1 described above, an LED substrate 581 on which a plurality of LEDs 571 are mounted is also disposed above the lighting device housing portion 555. However, if the LED substrate is disposed in the upper portion 5551 of the partition wall 555B so that the illumination optical axis of the LED faces the back surface of the display surface 55IL, the LED “spots” are accompanied via the display surface 55IL. Therefore, there is a possibility that the light emission display quality is obtained.

  For this reason, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 4, or FIG. 7, the LED substrate 581 on which the LED 571 is mounted is disposed at the upper end of the illumination space surrounded by the upper stage 5551 of the partition wall 555B. In that case, the LED substrate 581 is mounted so that the optical axis (L in FIG. 4) of the mounted LED 571 passes between the back surface of the display surface 55IL and the upper stage 5551 of the partition wall 555B. For mounting the LED board 581, as in the case of the LED boards 582 and 583, for example, a fitting structure using fitting claws 5557, 5557... Can be used as shown in FIG.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 4, the optical structure of the lower panel 55, especially the illuminating device accommodating part 555 is demonstrated in detail.

  FIG. 4 corresponds to a cross-sectional structure taken along line BB ′ of FIG. 8. In FIG. 4, with the lower panel frame 551 removed, the rear surface of the lower panel 55, particularly the illumination device housing 555. 1 shows a cross-sectional structure, particularly an optical structure of an illumination system.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the LED substrate 581 is disposed so that the optical axis L of the LED 571 to be mounted does not directly face the back surface of the display surface 55IL. In other words, the LED substrate 581 is mounted on the inner surface of the upper end portion of the lighting device housing portion 555 in such an orientation that the optical axis L of the LED 571 passes between the display surface 55IL (the back surface) and the upper stage 5551 of the partition wall 555B. . In the range of the height of the upper stage 5551 of the partition wall 555B, the distance between the back surface of the display surface 551L and the upper stage 5551 is substantially the depth D2. Hereinafter, in the present embodiment, for the sake of simplicity, the “distance” between the back surface of the display surface 551L and the partition 555B behind the display surface 551L is expressed as “depth” (the same applies to the depths D2, D3, and D4). ).

  The depth D2 of the upper part of the lighting device housing 555 is limited to be considerably smaller than the height of the upper stage 5551 of the partition wall 555B (for example, the distance D1 in the optical axis L direction below) due to the arrangement space of the selector 561 described above. .

  Assuming that the narrow range of the depth D2 above the lighting device housing 555 is the first range, the second range below the middle level 5552 defined by the middle stage 5552 or the lower stage 5553 of the partition wall 555B at the lower part of the first range. The depths D3 and D4 in the range can be made larger than the depth D2 in the first range (upper part) because the restriction is relaxed by the selector 561 described above.

  The depth D3 or the depth D4 in the second range does not cause “striking” even when the optical axis perpendicular to the respective substrate surfaces is directed toward the back surface of the display surface 55IL like the LEDs 572 and 573 of the LED substrates 582 and 583. Or sufficiently large (in this example, distance D3 or more) that can be significantly reduced.

  In the present embodiment, the depth D3 and D4 of the middle stage 5552 and the lower stage 5553 of the partition wall 555B are larger in the lower depth D4 as shown in FIG. If the arrangement space of the selector 561 and the medal transport paths 562 and 563 is allowed, a configuration in which the larger depth D4 is adopted as the depth of the middle stage 5552 and the lower stage 5553 of the partition wall 555B can be considered. However, according to such a dimension setting, the difference between the depth D2 of the upper stage 5551 corresponding to the first range and the lower depth D4 corresponding to the second range becomes too large, and the display surface It may be difficult to balance the display light amount distribution of the upper part of 55IL and other parts. Therefore, as in the present embodiment, a step-shaped partition wall configuration in which the depth D3 of the middle stage 5552 of the partition wall 555B is an intermediate distance between the depth D2 of the upper stage 5551 and the depth D4 of the lower stage 5553 is displayed. There is a high possibility that a substantially uniform display light amount distribution can be easily obtained in the upper, middle, and lower portions of the surface 55IL.

  In the configuration shown in FIG. 4, the optical axis of the LED 571 of the LED substrate 581 is disposed on the back surface of the display surface 55 </ b> IL of the lower panel 55 in the first range where the depth D <b> 2 at the top of the lighting device housing 555 is narrow. The peripheral luminous flux having an irradiation direction different from L is irradiated directly or reflected by the inner surface of the upper stage 5551 of the partition wall 555B.

  Further, in the present embodiment, in order to obtain a sufficient amount of display illumination light while preventing perception of “spotlight” in the first range having a narrow depth D2 at the top of the lighting device housing 555, the partition wall A reflective surface 5556 is arranged at a part of the inner surface of the upper stage 5551 of 555B, particularly at the position of the lower end of the first range adjacent to the second range.

  The reflection surface 5556 is, for example, a curved surface having a shape in which the lower portion far from the LED 571 is closer to the display surface 55IL of the lower panel 55 than the upper portion near the LED 571 of the LED substrate 581 that is an illumination light source (for example, FIGS. 3 and 4). (Concave surface). Preferably, the reflecting surface 5556 has a shape curved toward the display surface 55IL with an inclination that crosses the optical axis L of the LED 571 of the LED substrate 581 as shown in FIG. Such a reflective surface 5556 can be constituted by, for example, a cylindrical (inner) surface as shown in FIGS. Note that the shape of the surface that contributes to the reflection of the reflection surface 5556 may be another shape such as a flat plate shape or a convex surface. However, by configuring the reflecting surface 5556 with the concave surface or the cylindrical (inner) surface as described above, it is possible to efficiently irradiate the illumination light to the narrow portion of the depth D2 above the display surface 55IL.

  Thereby, in the first range where the depth D2 of the upper part of the illumination device housing 555 is narrow, the illumination light having a relatively large luminance in the direction of the optical axis L of the LED 571 of the LED substrate 581 is directed toward the back surface of the display surface 55IL. Can be reflected or diffused. The illumination light reflected by the reflection surface 5556 and irradiated in the direction of the display surface 55IL is indirect illumination light. If the part of the reflection surface 5556 is a reflective material such as (milk) white acrylic as described below, display is performed. “Brightness” which is a problem in quality hardly occurs.

  Note that the partition 555B includes an upper stage 5551, a middle stage 5552, and a lower stage 5553 in a shape as illustrated including a reflective surface 5556 disposed at a part of the upper stage 5551 of the partition 555B, for example, from a resin such as milky white acrylic. It can be configured by integral molding. However, the reflection surface 5556 has a reflection (or diffusion) characteristic different from that of the other inner surface of the partition 555B in order to balance the optical reflection (or diffusion) property with the inner surface of the other partition 555B. You may perform the surface processing and the painting to realize. Alternatively, the partition wall 555B can impart different reflection (or diffusion) characteristics to the upper stage 5551, the middle stage 5552, and the lower stage 5553 depending on the surface processing or painting. Thereby, the distribution of the display light amount of the display surface 55IL can be adjusted in a desired state, for example, the distribution of the display light amount so as to be substantially uniform over the entire display surface 55IL. Adjustment of the reflection (or diffusion) characteristics of the inner surface of the partition wall 555B as described above includes mirror surface processing, application of a mirror surface sheet, rough surface processing by sandblasting, painting with paints having different reflection (or diffusion) characteristics of the painted surface, etc. It is conceivable to perform surface processing or painting.

  The height at which the LED substrate 581 is disposed is preferably substantially equal to or higher than the upper edge of the rectangular display surface 55IL surrounded by the lower panel frame 551 (FIGS. 3 and 7). reference). Thereby, the possibility that “spotlight” is perceived through the display surface 55IL of the lower panel 55 can be greatly reduced.

  On the other hand, as shown in partially broken perspective views in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, the LED boards 582 and 583 are fitted with claws 5557 and 5557 with respect to the vertical inner wall surface of the middle stage 5552 or the lower stage 5553 of the partition wall 555B. It is supported diagonally by ... In that case, as described above, the LED boards 582 and 583 are mounted so that the illumination light along the optical axes of the plurality of LEDs 572 and the LEDs 573 respectively illuminate the back surface of the display surface 55IL from obliquely below. As shown in the figure, they are disposed obliquely upward.

  In addition, the left and right sides of the lighting device housing portion 555 are defined by side wall surfaces 555L and 555R, respectively. The portions of the side wall surfaces 555L and 555R can be formed of a material such as milky white acrylic, for example, similarly to the partition wall 555B on the back side of the lighting device housing portion 555.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the LED boards 582 and 583 are each one circuit board extending in the width direction of the lighting device housing portion 555, but the LED board 581 is a left and right divided LED board. 581L and 581R are configured. In addition, as shown in the figure, the LED boards 582 and 583 are each mounted with eight LEDs 572 and LED 573 at approximately equal distances, while the LED boards 581L and 581R are respectively provided with four LEDs 571 at approximately equal distances. It is equipped with. In this configuration, the number of LEDs 571, 572, 573 of the illumination light source mounted on the LED boards 581 (581L, 581R), 582, 583 of the upper stage 5551, the middle stage 5552, and the lower stage 5553 of the partition wall 555B of the lighting device housing 555 are the same. This is the configuration. However, the number of LEDs 571, 572, and 573 arranged on the LED boards 581 (581L, 581R), 582, and 583 at different positions in the lighting device housing portion 555 for the purpose of obtaining an intended illumination light quantity distribution and the like. May be different for each substrate.

  6 and 7, two mounting seats 5558 and 5558 for screwing, for example, are shown on the left side of the upper stage 5551 of the partition wall 555B. These mounting seats 5558 and 5558 should be mounted on the back side of the partition wall 555B (for example, a terminal plate) in the region on the right side in the figure (left side in the figure in FIG. 9) where the selector 561 is arranged as shown in FIG. Can be used to fix components such as circuit boards.

  In the above-described configuration, the LED 571 of the LED board 581 (581L, 581R) and the LEDs 572 and 573 of the LED boards 582 and 583 can be controlled to be constantly lit during the operation period of the gaming machine, for example. The on / off control of these LEDs 571, 572, 573,... May be performed by either the main control board unit 41 or the sub control board unit (not shown), or indicates the on / off state of the main power supply. If it is used like a pilot lamp, it may be configured to be directly controlled by a power supply unit (not shown).

  According to the above-described configuration, unlike the above-described conventional configuration, the LED board 581 (or 581L, 581R) is also provided on the upper portion of the illumination device housing portion 555 at the rear of the lower panel 55, particularly in the first range where the depth D2 of the illumination space is narrow. ), LEDs 571, 571,... Are arranged as the first light source. In that case, the LED board 581 is mounted in such an orientation that the illumination optical axis (L) of the LED 571 to be mounted passes between the display surface 55IL (the back surface thereof) and the upper stage 5551 of the partition wall 555B. In this case, the depth D2 of the illumination space in the first range depends on the arrangement space of the selector 561 on the rear side of the illumination device housing 555, and the depth D2 of the illumination space is the height of the first range, for example, the light of the LED 571. It is considerably smaller (narrower) than the height (distance) D1 along the direction of the axis L.

  On the other hand, in the second range where the depths D3 and D4 are larger than the first range, LED boards 582 and 583 on which a plurality of LEDs 572 and 573 are mounted as the second light source are arranged. Further, particularly at the position of the lower end portion adjacent to the second range in the first range, the irradiation light of the LEDs 571, 571, etc. of the LED substrate 581 (or 581L, 581R), particularly illumination close to the optical axis thereof. A curved (eg concave) reflecting surface 5556 is arranged to reflect the light beam.

  With the configuration as described above, the selector 561 causes the display surface 55IL to display less light than other parts in the upper portion of the illumination device housing 555 at the rear of the lower panel 55, particularly in the first range where the depth D2 of the illumination space is narrow. Can be prevented. Moreover, according to the said structure, since the reflective surface 5556 is arrange | positioned in the position of the lower end part adjacent to the said 2nd range of the 1st range, the indirect illumination light reflected by the reflective surface 5556 is illuminated. It is possible to efficiently irradiate the upper region of the display surface 55IL having a narrow depth D2 of the illumination space of the device housing portion 555, and the possibility that the upper portion of the display surface 55IL is perceived dimly by, for example, a player can be reduced. . In this case, the LED 571 of the LED board 581 is mounted in such a direction that the optical axis L passes between the display surface 55IL (the back surface thereof) and the upper stage 5551 of the partition wall 555B. The possibility of “spotting” being perceived through the display surface 55IL of the display device can be greatly reduced.

  In addition, the second light source (572, 573) arranged so that the optical axis faces the direction of the light-emitting display surface is arranged in the second range (5552) of the partition wall (555B), so that the light-emitting display surface ( 55IL) A uniform light emission or display light quantity can be obtained over the entire light emitting display surface (55IL) including not only the region where the depth D2 of the upper rear part is narrow but also the regions where the depths D3 and D4 are wider.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, in a light emitting display panel (lower panel 55) disposed in the vicinity of a gaming mechanism such as a selector (561) of a slot machine, a phenomenon such as a flashing light source. There is an excellent effect that uniform light emission or display light quantity can be obtained over the entire display surface (55IL).

  In the slot machine 1 shown in the above-described embodiment, the front door 50 has an integral structure that cannot be separated. However, the upper door unit and the lower door unit are separated into upper and lower parts. You may comprise a door unit so that opening and closing is possible separately. The casing 10 of the slot machine is not necessarily made of wood, and may be made of, for example, a resin material. Further, in the present embodiment, the control board of the gaming machine is separated into the main control board unit 41 and the sub control board unit that controls the effect device, for example, only unidirectional communication from the main control board unit 41 to the sub control board unit. However, the main control board unit and the sub control board unit may be integrally formed.

  In the above-described embodiment, the light-emitting display surface of the lower panel has been exemplified. However, the same configuration as described above is arranged in the vicinity of a game mechanism for some game operation and propagates illumination light behind the display surface. It can be implemented with respect to any light-emitting display surface with a narrow depth of space, and the light-emitting display surface does not necessarily have to be arranged at the lower part of the front door, but is arranged at any other part of the gaming machine It may be.

  In the above-described embodiment, the slot machine is exemplified as the gaming machine. However, the configuration of the present invention is a space that is disposed in the vicinity of a gaming mechanism for some gaming operation and propagates illumination light behind the display surface. If the gaming machine has a light emitting display surface with a narrow depth, it can be implemented in any other gaming machine such as a so-called pachinko machine in which a pachinko ball rolls on the gaming board.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Slot machine, R1-R3 ... Reel, 50 ... Front door, 51 ... Display window, 52 ... Center panel, 55 ... Lower panel, 56 ... Medal slot, 59 ... Medal payout port, 55IL ... Light emission display surface, 555 ... Lighting device housing part, 555B ... Bulk, 561 ... Selector (game mechanism), 562,563 ... Medal conveyance path, 564 ... Opening part, 571,572,573 ... LED (light source), 581,582,583 ... LED substrate

Claims (4)

A gaming mechanism used for gaming,
A luminous display surface;
A partition wall disposed between the light emitting display surface and the game mechanism;
A first light source disposed so that an optical axis passes between the light emitting display surface and the partition;
A reflective surface that is disposed in a part of the partition wall and reflects the irradiation light of the first light source toward the light-emitting display surface,
A gaming machine, wherein a distance between the light emitting display surface and the partition wall is shorter than a distance from the first light source to the reflecting surface.   2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the reflecting surface is configured by a concave surface in a shape in which a portion farther from the first light source is closer to the light emitting display surface than a portion closer to the first light source. A gaming machine characterized by that. In the gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2,
The partition is
A first range in which a distance to the light emitting display surface is shorter than a distance from the first light source to the reflection surface;
A second range extending from the first range and having a distance to the light emitting display surface longer than the first range,
The gaming machine, wherein the reflecting surface is disposed at an end of the first range of the partition wall on the second range side.   4. The gaming machine according to claim 3, further comprising a second light source disposed in the second range of the partition so that an optical axis faces a direction of the light emitting display surface.

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