JP3639298B1 - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a gaming machine that does not impair the beauty even when a liquid crystal panel is viewed from an oblique direction.
A gaming machine according to the present invention includes a light guide plate 174 provided on the back side of a liquid crystal panel 173 and provided with a light deflection pattern for guiding light emitted from illumination means 176a and 176b to the liquid crystal panel 173. The display device 27 is provided on the back side of the liquid crystal display device 27, and a variable display device in which a plurality of reels 3L, 3C, and 3R are arranged in parallel. The portions 40L, 40C, 40R of the light guide plate 174 facing the reels 3L, 3C, 3R are light transmission regions. The light guide plate 174 has a first light deflection pattern 174e formed around the light transmission region. A second light deflection pattern 174d is formed in a portion farther from the light transmission region than the first light deflection pattern 174e, and the first light deflection pattern 174e is denser than the second light deflection pattern 174d. It is.
[Selection] Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine in which a game ball passes through a predetermined area in the gaming area.

  For example, a pachislot machine has a mechanical variation display device configured by arranging a plurality of reels for varying display of a plurality of symbols in a front display window, or an electrical variation display device for displaying symbols on a reel on a screen. . In response to the player's start operation, the control means controls the drive of the variable display device to rotate each reel, thereby displaying the symbols in a variable manner. Each reel is automatically displayed after a certain time or by a player's stop operation. The rotation is stopped sequentially. At this time, when the symbols of the reels appearing in the display window are in a specific combination (winning symbol), a profit is given to the player by paying out a game medium such as a medal or a coin.

  In addition, in the current mainstream models, in order to establish a winning combination in which predetermined symbol combinations are arranged along an activated winning line (hereinafter referred to as an “effective line”) and medals, coins, etc. are paid out, A combination of symbols indicating that the winning combination of the winning combination (hereinafter referred to as “internal winning combination”) has been won by the internal lottery process (hereinafter referred to as “internal winning combination”) and the winning combination of the internal winning combination (hereinafter referred to as “internal winning combination”). The player is required to perform a stop operation at a timing at which the player can stop at the active line. That is, even if an internal winning is made, if the timing of the player's stop operation is not good, the winning of the internal winning combination cannot be established. That is, a gaming machine that requires a technique for performing a stop operation in a timely manner (having a high specific gravity of technical intervention called “to push”) is currently the mainstream.

  In addition, a combination of specific symbols is activated when the variable display is stopped based on the skill related to the player's eye-catching so that even a player with low skill in the game operation can play a game with interest. There is provided a gaming machine that displays a symbol or a message necessary for arranging them along a liquid crystal display device provided separately from the mechanical variation display device (see Patent Document 1).

  Such a conventional gaming machine has a front view in order to enhance the effect of the game, in addition to the mechanical variation display device that uses reels to stop and display in each row with respect to the symbol combination corresponding to the game winning form. A liquid crystal display device is provided that is disposed on the front side of the reel and that displays an image extending from the outside of the reel display window to the inside of the reel, and displays the image superimposed on the reel symbol.

In the liquid crystal display device used at this time, a reel facing portion (hereinafter referred to as a reel window portion) of the light guide plate having a light deflection pattern on the back surface is cut out in order to guide light to the liquid crystal panel. The player can visually recognize the design of the reel through the. In addition, fluorescent tubes for irradiating light to the light guide plate are arranged above and below the light guide plate.
JP 2002-143377 A (see paragraph 0053, FIG. 4)

  In the conventional gaming machine as described above, when the liquid crystal display device is increased in size from 15 inches to 20 inches, for example, a large fluorescent tube for illumination is used to increase the amount of light irradiation. The thickness of the light plate will also increase. When the thickness of the light guide plate is thus increased, the player can visually recognize the light deflection pattern formed on the back surface of the light guide plate through the reel window portion. That is, the area where the light deflection (scattering) pattern of the light guide plate is not applied (for example, the window portion) and the cut-out portion (for example, the window portion) of the diffusion sheet have the same shape. When viewed from an oblique direction, the back surface of the light guide plate can be directly observed without using a diffusion sheet. As a result, when the player can clearly recognize the presence of the light deflection pattern, for example, the appearance of the gaming machine becomes unsatisfactory, which is a factor that impairs the beauty of the gaming machine.

  In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that does not impair the appearance even when the liquid crystal panel is viewed obliquely.

  In order to achieve the above object, the first feature of the present invention is, for example, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a liquid crystal panel 173 and illumination means for the liquid crystal panel 173 provided on the back side of the liquid crystal panel 173. And a light guide plate 174 provided with a light deflection pattern (for example, a first light deflection pattern and a second light deflection pattern described later) for guiding the light emitted from 176a and 176b to the liquid crystal panel 173. And a variable display device arranged on the back side of the liquid crystal display device 27 and arranged in parallel with a plurality of reels 3L, 3C, 3R on which a plurality of identification information (for example, symbols) are arranged, and the reel of the light guide plate 174 The portions 40L, 40C, and 40R that 3L, 3C, and 3R face (for example, the window portion of the light guide plate 174) are light transmission regions through which light from the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R is transmitted. A first light deflection pattern (for example, a processed surface 174e as the first light deflection pattern) is formed around the light transmission region, and is located farther from the light transmission region than the first light deflection pattern 174e. A second light deflection pattern (for example, a processed surface 174d as a second light deflection pattern) is formed, and the first light deflection pattern 174e is denser than the second light deflection pattern 174d (for example, a processed surface). 174e is processed finer than the processed surface 174d).

  With this configuration, the portion of the light guide plate facing the reel is a light transmission region that transmits light from the reel, and the light guide plate is formed with a first light deflection pattern around the light transmission region. Since the second light deflection pattern is formed in a portion farther from the light transmission region than the first light deflection pattern, and the first light deflection pattern is denser than the second light deflection pattern, the player can Even if the reel is viewed from an oblique direction, the first light deflection pattern that is visually recognized around the reel is the first light deflection pattern that is denser than the second light deflection pattern. Since it is difficult to recognize, the aesthetics of the gaming machine will not be impaired.

  Further, the second feature of the present invention is that, in the first feature of the present invention, the liquid crystal display device 27 is configured such that the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R face each other between the liquid crystal panel 173 and the light guide plate 174 (for example, The light diffusing unit 178 has a light diffusing unit 178 (for example, a light diffusing sheet 178) that transmits light through a portion of the diffusing sheet 178 where portions corresponding to the window portions 40L, 40C, and 40R are cut out. The first light deflection pattern 174e may be formed on a portion of the light guide plate 174 that can be viewed through the light transmitting region (for example, a portion around the window portion of the light guide plate 174).

  Further, a third feature of the present invention is the first feature or the second feature of the present invention, wherein the illuminating means is a cold cathode in the vicinity of the outer edge of the light guide plate 174 and arranged in the depth direction. The tubes 176a and 176b may be used.

  If comprised in this way, since an illuminating means is a cold cathode tube arranged in the depth direction of the light-guide plate, even if a liquid crystal panel becomes large sized, it can illuminate a liquid crystal panel with sufficient brightness. .

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid crystal panel, illuminating means provided on the back side of the liquid crystal panel for emitting light for the liquid crystal panel, and light emitted from the illuminating means to the liquid crystal panel. A light guide plate provided with a light deflection pattern to be guided (for example, a processed surface 174d as a second light deflection pattern), and the illuminating means is provided in the vicinity of an end of the light guide plate And a variable display device that is arranged on the back side of the liquid crystal display device and in which a plurality of reels on which a plurality of identification information are arranged are arranged side by side, and the end portion of the light guide plate (for example, the back surface of the light guide plate 174) End portion 174f) to the vicinity of the center (for example, the central vicinity portion 174g of the back surface of the light guide plate 174), of the entire region of the back surface of the light guide plate 174, for example, corresponds to the windows 40L, 40C, and 40R. Cutout part In the area excluding the processed surface 174e), as the distance from the end portion increases (for example, as the distance from the central vicinity 174g approaches), a portion of the light deflection pattern that emits light to the liquid crystal panel (hereinafter, referred to as “the center surface portion 174e”). The ratio of the size of the lattice region 174j to the size of the spacing region 174k per unit area on the processing surface 174d is high (for example, as shown in FIGS. 7, 8, and 9). The light deflection pattern is applied, and the portion of the light guide plate facing the reel is a light transmission region through which light from the reel is transmitted. An ambient light deflection pattern (for example, a processed surface 174e as a first light deflection pattern) is formed around the light transmission region, and the ambient light deflection pattern Further, the light deflection pattern (for example, the processing surface 174d as the second light deflection pattern) is formed in a portion far from the light transmission region, and the peripheral light deflection pattern is denser than the light deflection pattern. Is the gist.

  According to the present invention, the amount of light emitted from the emitting portion toward the liquid crystal panel in the region near the end of the light guide plate is suppressed, and in the region near the center of the light guide plate, It is possible to provide a light deflection pattern that can increase the amount of light emitted from the emission part toward the liquid crystal panel. By using the light deflection pattern configured as described above for the light guide plate, for example, the amount of light per unit area emitted toward the liquid crystal panel through the emission part in the region near the end portion In the region near the center, the amount of light per unit area emitted from the emission part toward the liquid crystal panel can be made substantially the same. As a result, when liquid crystal display is performed, light emission with uniform brightness is performed regardless of the location in the region where the light deflection pattern is applied.

  According to the present invention, when liquid crystal display is performed, light emission with uniform brightness is performed regardless of the location in an area where a light deflection pattern is applied, and the aesthetic appearance of the gaming machine is not impaired.

  As described above, according to the present invention, even if the player views the reel from an oblique direction, the first light deflection pattern denser than the second light deflection pattern is first visually recognized around the reel. Therefore, it is possible to provide a gaming machine that does not impair the beauty.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 to FIG. 6 are examples of embodiments for carrying out the invention. In the drawings, the same reference numerals as those in the figure denote the same or equivalent parts, and duplicate descriptions are omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a front perspective view showing an appearance of a gaming machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The gaming machine 1 is a so-called “pachislot machine”. The gaming machine 1 is a gaming machine that uses a game medium such as a card that stores information on game value given to or given to a player in addition to coins, medals, game balls, tokens, and the like. However, in the following description, medals are used.

  A panel display portion 2a as a substantially vertical surface is formed on the front surface of the cabinet 2 forming the entire gaming machine 1, and each of the vertically long rectangular display windows 4L, 4C, 4R is provided at the center thereof. Each reel display window 4L, 4C, 4R is provided with a top line 8b, a center line 8c and a bottom line 8d in the horizontal direction as winning lines, and a cross down line 8a and a cross up line 8e in the diagonal direction. These winning lines are operated by operating a 1-BET button 11, a 2-BET button 12, and a maximum BET button 13, which will be described later, or by inserting medals into the medal insertion slot 22, respectively. The book is activated. Which winning line is activated is displayed by lighting of BET lamps 9a, 9b, 9c, which will be described later. Here, the winning lines 8a to 8e relate to success / failure of the winning combination.

  That is, a predetermined position (for example, “cherry symbol 97” described later) corresponding to a predetermined combination (for example, “cherry pattern 97” described later) corresponding to any activated pay line (For example, if the number of BETs to be described later is “3”, the symbol is displayed in a stopped state on the left reel display window 4L), or the symbol constituting the symbol combination corresponding to the predetermined combination is activated. The winning combination of the predetermined combination is established by being stopped and displayed side by side at a predetermined position corresponding to the winning line.

  Inside the cabinet 2, three reels 3L, 3C, and 3R each having a symbol row composed of a plurality of types of symbols on each outer peripheral surface are rotatably provided in a horizontal row to form a variable display means. doing. The symbol of each reel can be observed by the player through each reel display window 4L, 4C, 4R. Each reel rotates at a constant speed of, for example, 80 rotations per minute.

  On the left side of each of the reel display windows 4L, 4C, 4R, a 1-BET lamp 9a, a 2-BET lamp 9b, a maximum BET lamp 9c, and a credit display unit 19 are provided. The 1-BET lamp 9a, the 2-BET lamp 9b, and the maximum BET lamp 9c are turned on according to the number of medals betted to play one game (hereinafter referred to as “BET number”). Here, in the present embodiment, one game ends when all reels are stopped. The 1-BET lamp 9a is turned on when the BET number is “1” and one winning line is activated. The 2-BET lamp 9b is lit when the BET number is “2” and three pay lines are activated. The maximum BET lamp 9c is lit when the number of BETs is “3” and all (5) winning lines are activated. The credit display unit 19 is composed of 7-segment LEDs and displays the number of stored medals.

  A notification lamp (so-called WIN lamp) 17 and a payout display section 18 are provided on the right side of each reel display window 4L, 4C, 4R. The notification lamp 17 basically lights up after the BB or RB winning can be established and until the BB or RB winning is established. Here, BB and RB are collectively referred to as “bonus” hereinafter. The payout display unit 18 is composed of 7-segment LEDs, and displays the payout number of medals at the time of winning.

  Here, BB and RB are as follows. Currently mainstream models have multiple types of winning modes. In particular, when a winning combination is established, a single medal is not paid out, and the gaming state is better in condition than the normal state for a predetermined period. As such a role, there are a role that can play a game that gives a relatively large profit to a player a predetermined number of times, and a role that can play a game that gives a relatively small profit to a player a predetermined number of times. The former is referred to as “big bonus” and is abbreviated as “BB” hereinafter. The latter is called “regular bonus” and is abbreviated as “RB” hereinafter.

  A bonus game information display unit 20 is provided on the upper left side of the panel display unit 2a. The bonus game information display unit 20 is composed of 7 segment LEDs, and displays the number of games in the BB general game state described later. A horizontal base 10 is formed below each reel display window 4L, 4C, 4R, and a liquid crystal display device 27 is provided between the base 10 and each reel display window 4L, 4C, 4R. . Information and the like related to the game are displayed on substantially the entire surface of the liquid crystal display device 27.

  A medal slot 22 is provided on the left side of the liquid crystal display device 27, and a 1-BET button 11, a 2-BET button 12, and a maximum BET button 13 are provided on the left side of the liquid crystal display device 27. The 1-BET button 11 bets one of the credited medals on the game by a single pressing operation, and the 2-BET button 12 displays the credited medals by a single pressing operation. Two of them are bet on the game, and the maximum BET button 13 bets the maximum number of medals that can be bet on one game. By operating these BET buttons, a predetermined winning line is activated as described above.

  A C / P switch 14 is provided on the left side of the front portion of the pedestal 10 to switch the credit / payout of medals acquired by the player in the game by a push button operation. By switching the C / P switch 14, medals are paid out from the medal payout opening 15 at the lower front, and the paid-out medals are stored in the medal receiving portion 16. On the right side of the C / P switch 14 is a start lever 6 for rotating the reels by the player's operation and starting the display of symbols in the reel display windows 4L, 4C, 4R within a predetermined angular range. It is attached so that it can rotate freely.

  Speakers 21L and 21R are provided on the left and right above the cabinet 2, and a payout table panel 23 is provided between the two speakers 21L and 21R for displaying a combination of winning symbols, a payout number of medals, and the like. ing. Three reel stop buttons (stop operation means) 7L, 7C for stopping the rotation of the three reels 3L, 3C, 3R at the center of the front surface of the pedestal 10 and below the liquid crystal display device 27, respectively. , 7R are provided.

  Note that the gaming machine 1 may be configured without the stop buttons 7L, 7C, and 7R. In such a case, the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R that start the variable display according to the operation of the start lever 6 by the player are automatically and sequentially stopped after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the variable display.

  Further, on the right side of the reel stop button 7R, a scroll switch 200 is provided as means for switching a menu screen displayed on the liquid crystal display device 27, and the menu can be switched by the up scroll switch 200a and the down scroll switch 200b.

  FIG. 2 shows a symbol row in which 21 types of symbols represented on the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R used in the present embodiment are arranged. Each symbol is assigned a code number from “00” to “20”, and is stored (stored) in a ROM 32 (see FIG. 3) described later as a data table. On each of the reels 3L, 3C and 3R, "Red 7 symbol 91", "Blue 7 symbol 92", "BAR symbol 93", "Bell symbol 94", "Plum symbol 95", "Replay symbol 96" and " A symbol row composed of symbols of cherry symbol 97 ″ is represented. Each reel 3L, 3C, 3R is rotationally driven so that the symbol row moves in the direction of the downward arrow shown on the left in the drawing.

  Next, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the liquid crystal display device 27. In the liquid crystal display device 27, a second-layer display plate 172 is disposed on the back surface of the first-layer protective glass 171 provided on the front surface, and a third-layer liquid crystal panel 173 is disposed on the back surface of the display plate 172. And a fourth-layer light guide plate 174 is disposed on the back surface of the liquid crystal panel 173, and a fifth-layer reflective film 175 is disposed on the back surface of the light guide plate 174. Has been. Further, the liquid crystal display device 27 is composed of a table carrier package (TCP) on which an IC for driving the liquid crystal panel is mounted, and includes a flexible substrate (not shown) connected to the terminal portion of the liquid crystal panel 173, and the like. The liquid crystal display device 27 is disposed on the front surface of each of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R at a predetermined interval separately from the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R.

  The protective glass 171 and the display board 172 are comprised by the translucent member. The protective glass 171 is provided for the purpose of protecting the liquid crystal panel 173, and the display plate 172 has an image drawn in an area corresponding to the panel display unit 2a (see FIG. 1). In this figure, various display units arranged behind the area of the display plate 172 corresponding to the panel display unit 2a and electric circuits for operating the medal insertion display lamps 9a to 9c are omitted.

  The liquid crystal panel 173 is formed by sealing 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 liquid crystal panel 173 is set to normally white. The normally white is a configuration in which white display is performed in a state where the liquid crystal is not driven, that is, light is transmitted to the display surface side and the transmitted light is visually recognized from the outside. By adopting the normally white liquid crystal panel 173, even when a situation in which the liquid crystal cannot be driven occurs, each of the variable display or stop display is performed through the reel display windows 4L, 4C, and 4R. The symbols arranged on the reels 3L, 3C, 3R can be visually recognized, and the game can be continued. The liquid crystal panel 173 also displays an image such as an effect image.

  A diffusion sheet 178 is further disposed between the liquid crystal panel 173 and the light guide plate 174. The diffusion sheet 178 has a portion corresponding to the reel window portions 40L, 40C, and 40R cut out or formed of a transparent member so as not to lower the transparency of the reel window portions 40L, 40C, and 40R. That is, the visibility of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R located at the rear is enhanced. Here, even if the light deflection pattern on the back surface of the light guide plate, which will be described later, is in a mesh state (in addition, a satin pattern), the diffusion sheet 178 appears as if the light guide plate 174 emits light entirely. Is used only in a portion corresponding to the portion where the light deflection pattern is applied, and the liquid crystal panel 173 is different from the entire surface.

  By the way, the window portions of the diffusion sheet 178 corresponding to the reel window portions 40L, 40C, and 40R of the light guide plate have the same shape as the reel window portions 40L, 40C, and 40R of the light guide plate, and light deflection between the diffusion sheet and the back surface of the light guide plate is performed. The pattern is separated by the thickness of the light guide plate. Therefore, when the player looks at the liquid crystal panel 173 from an oblique direction, for example, around the reel window portion on the back surface of the light guide plate 174 without passing through the diffusion sheet 178 from the window portion as a transmission region where the diffusion sheet 178 is not disposed. Although the applied light deflection pattern can be visually observed and a visual point that can be recognized as the light deflection pattern of the light guide plate 174 is generated, the generation of this visual point can be eliminated in this embodiment.

  The light guide plate 174 is disposed on the back side of the liquid crystal panel 173 in order to illuminate the liquid crystal panel 173 by guiding the light emitted from the cold cathode tubes 176a and 176b disposed on the end face to the liquid crystal panel 173. It is made of a translucent member having a light guiding function such as an acrylic resin having a thickness of about 2 cm. A fluorescent lamp can be used instead of the cold cathode tube.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective back view of the light guide plate 174 observed from the reel side (the back side when viewed from the front of the gaming machine). As shown in the drawing, the light guide plate 174 is cut out at portions 40L, 40C, and 40R facing the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R, and a cold cathode tube 176a, A light deflection pattern for guiding the light from 176b to the liquid crystal panel 173 is formed. This light deflection pattern is a first light deflection pattern formed so as to surround the cut out portions (each corresponding to the reel window portions 40R, 40C, and 40L, hereinafter, the reel window portions are simply referred to as window portions). And a processed surface 174d as a second light deflection pattern formed outside the processed surface 174e. The processed surface 174e and the processed surface 174d are formed on the surface of the light guide plate 174 on the reel side. That is, the same plane is divided into two regions and formed in each region. The processed surface 174d is, for example, a lattice-shaped pattern having a pitch of about 2 mm as a light guide pattern (light deflection pattern) for uniformly emitting light on the entire surface of the light guide plate, while the processed surface 174e is finer than the processed surface 174d. A light deflection pattern, for example, a lattice pattern with a pitch of about 0.5 mm is formed. Further, in the present embodiment, a structure in which portions corresponding to the window portions 40R, 40C, and 40L are cut out is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a concave portion is formed without cutting out a transmission region, or light deflection is performed. Of course, it is possible to form a transmissive region by not providing a pattern so that the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R can be easily seen by the player.

  Accordingly, since the fine light deflection pattern is a high-density light deflection pattern (fine light deflection pattern), the following effects can be obtained. A player visually observes the liquid crystal panel 173 from an oblique direction, and a light deflection pattern (for example, applied to the back surface of the light guide plate 174 from the window portion as a transmission region where the diffusion sheet 178 is not disposed via the diffusion sheet 178. Even if the light deflection pattern provided around the windows 40R, 40C, and 40L on the back surface of the light guide plate 174 is visible, the visible light deflection pattern is a fine pattern. Since it does not feel that it is a light deflection pattern, there is no visual point at which the light deflection pattern can be recognized as the light deflection pattern, and there is an advantage that the aesthetics of the gaming machine is not impaired. In addition, the diffusion sheet is applied to the processed surfaces by performing processing for diffusing light (for example, processing performed by a technique typified by blast processing) on the end surfaces 174a, 174b, and 174c of the window portions 40R, 40C, and 40L. It is also possible to have a diffusion effect similar to.

  At this time, the fine processed surface 174e and the fine blasted surface of the end surface exhibit a synergistic effect, and the light deflection pattern on the back surface of the light guide plate 174 can be further prevented from being recognized.

  The reason why the light deflection patterns around the window portions 40L, 40C, and 40R are made dense (finely processed surface) is to make it difficult for the player to see the light deflection patterns, and the light deflection patterns are roughened. Compared to the case, the player can concentrate on the game without being aware of the presence of the light deflection pattern.

  The processed surface 174d and the processed surface 174e are preferably formed by printing with high productivity. Here, what corresponds to the ink may be, for example, the same material as the light guide plate or a transparent powder of a similar material. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the processed surface 174d and the processed surface 174e may be formed by carving a lattice-shaped groove on the light guide plate by machining, or may be formed by injection molding, for example. In this case, a pattern is formed by grooves arranged in a grid pattern on the mold, or fine processing such as cone cutting is performed, and the light deflection pattern is transferred to the surface of the light guide plate 174 by injection molding, thereby forming the processed surface 174d and The processed surface 174e is formed. At this time, blasting may be performed.

  Here, the blasting means that particles such as an abrasive are collided with an end face at a high speed to perform uneven processing or deburring.

  When the blasted light deflection pattern is transferred to the end faces 174a, 174b, 174c (see FIG. 5), this acts as a backlight for the windows 40L, 40C, 40R, and the liquid crystal panel 173 is colored. The light emission unevenness of the RGB-LED of the reel backlight can be canceled. Further, the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R, which tend to be dark, are also illuminated, and the colors of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R are vividly expressed. Further, since the pattern can be formed at a time together with the light deflection pattern formed on the processed surfaces 174d and 174e, the number of processes is reduced.

  In addition, it is difficult to perform printing or mold processing on the end faces 174a, 174b, and 174c of the window portions 40R, 40C, and 40L of the light guide plate 174, but it is easy to perform blast processing. Further, since auxiliary light for reel illumination is not required, the manufacturing cost of the gaming machine can be reduced correspondingly, and noise is not generated by the auxiliary light driving circuit.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the positional relationship for arranging the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R and the light guide plate 174. As shown in FIG. When the liquid crystal screen is enlarged and the screen capacity is increased from 15 inches to 20 inches, for example, a plurality of cold cathode tubes 176a and 176b as light emitting means may be provided in the depth direction in order to maintain the light quantity (see FIG. 3). . For example, increase from one to three. In addition, the light guide plate 174 is made thicker by the number of additional cold cathode tubes. When the light guide plate 174 is thickened, the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R have an impression of being recessed with respect to the liquid crystal screen, but the front portions of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R are placed in the cut-out portions of the light guide plate 174. When inserted and placed close to the end faces (blasted surfaces 174a, 174b, 174c in FIG. 4), the liquid crystal screen and all the reels 3L, 3C, 3R are close to each other. (The reels 3L, 3C, and 3R are not in the back of the liquid crystal screen).

  In this embodiment, the portion where the light guide plate 174 is cut out is illustrated. However, the light guide plate 174 is cut or molded from the respective reels 3L, 3C, and 3R to provide a recess, and each reel is provided in the recess. A part of 3L, 3C, 3R may be inserted.

  Returning to FIG. The cold cathode fluorescent lamps 176a and 176b (arranged in the depth direction when the screen capacity is large) are configured as white light sources including light of all wavelengths at a ratio in which a specific color is not conspicuous in human eyes, The cold cathode tube 176a is disposed along the upper end portion of the light guide plate 174 in the drawing (arranged vertically), and 176b is disposed along the lower end portion of the light guide plate 174 in the drawing. Both ends of the tubes 176a and 176b are supported by a lamp holder (not shown). The cold cathode fluorescent lamps 176a and 176b mainly function as illumination means for the area corresponding to the effect display area in the liquid crystal panel 173. That is, the cold cathode fluorescent lamps 176a and 176b generate light to be introduced into the light guide plate 174.

  The reflection film 175 is, for example, a white polyester film or aluminum thin film formed by sputtering a silver vapor deposition film, and the light introduced into the light guide plate 174 is directed to the front side of the light guide plate 174, that is, toward the liquid crystal panel 173. To reflect. The reflective film 175 is composed of a reflective area 177 and reel display windows 4L, 4C, 4R as non-reflective areas.

  Each of the reel display windows 4L, 4C, and 4R corresponds to the reel display window 4L corresponding to the reel 3L, the reel display window 4C corresponding to the reel 3C, and the reel display window 4R corresponding to the reel 3R, respectively. Alternatively, it is formed of a transparent material and is formed as a light transmissive display portion that transmits incident light without reflecting it. In addition, the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R are positioned in front of the symbols displayed when the rotation of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R is stopped, and the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R are aligned with the upper, middle, and lower stages when the stop is displayed. It is provided in a size that can display three types of symbols. The reflection region 177 of the reflection film 175 reflects incident light and functions as one of illumination means mainly for the region corresponding to the effect display region among the regions of the liquid crystal panel 173 disposed on the front surface. According to this configuration, the player can visually recognize the change display and the stop display of each reel 3L, 3C, 3R through the light transmissive display portion of the reflecting means, so that the reels 3L, 3C, 3R and the liquid crystal display device 27 A game can be enjoyed by the display mode.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the effect aspect of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. The display mode of the stop notification informing the player of the stop order of each reel is shown. The liquid crystal display device 27 of the gaming machine can be configured by a panel having a structure in which a protective glass, a display plate, a liquid crystal panel, a light diffusion film, a light guide plate, and a reflection film are arranged in order from the front as described above.

  As shown in FIG. 6, virtual light sources 43L, 43C, and 43R are arranged on the bottom of the liquid crystal display device 27 in order from the left in the drawing. The virtual light sources 43L, 43C, and 43R are formed as images on the liquid crystal panel 173 (see FIG. 3). From the virtual light source 43L, a searchlight image 44 as a light transmission display unit is disposed. This searchlight image 44 is an image that irradiates the reel 3L disposed above the virtual light source 43L. It is configured. The searchlight image 44 is an image that extends from the outside of the reel display window 4L of the reel 3L to the inside of the area. The display of the portion in the display area is transparently displayed on the reel design so that the reel 3L is displayed. The design is displayed transparently. Thus, the player is notified of the stop order of the reels, and the player is prompted to operate the buttons.

  In addition, the non-transparent display area 45 which is an image area other than the searchlight image 44 of the liquid crystal display device 27 and the display areas of the reel display windows of the reel 3C and the reel 3R are overlapped, so that The reel 3R is configured so that it cannot be visually recognized.

  At this time, the reel 3L can be seen from the portion where the searchlight image 44 and the reel display window 4L overlap. According to the configuration of the present embodiment, even when the reel 3L is viewed obliquely from the side, the light deflection pattern 174e is formed on the surface of the light guide plate 174 on the reel side. The dense light deflection pattern 174e is visible around the reel, and this is not a problem from the viewpoint of aesthetics. Similarly, when a dense light deflection pattern 174a is formed on the end face of the window portion of the light guide plate 174, it is the dense light deflection pattern 174a that appears around the reel, and this is not a problem from the viewpoint of aesthetics. Needless to say.

  In this embodiment, the portion where the searchlight image 44 and each reel display window 4L, 4R, 4C overlap moves to, for example, left, right, and center. Normally, the player is at the center of the gaming machine and operates the gaming machine. At that time, the left and right reels 3L and 3R are viewed from a slightly oblique side. Even in such a case, since the dense light deflection pattern 174e is formed on the surface of the light guide plate 174 on the reel side, it is the dense light deflection pattern 174e that is visible around the reel, which may impair the beauty. Absent.

  Furthermore, the present invention can be applied to other gaming machines such as pachinko gaming machines as well as the pachislot machines as in the present embodiment.

  The gaming machine according to the present embodiment has a mechanical variation display device that stops and displays in each column using reels with respect to a symbol combination corresponding to a game winning pattern, and a light deflection pattern that guides light from a light emitter to a liquid crystal panel. A light transmission region is provided in a portion of the light guide plate formed on the back surface facing the reel, and the light deflection pattern formed around the light transmission region is processed more densely than other light deflection patterns (fine processing). ), So that even if the light deflection pattern is viewed through the light transmission region, it is difficult to recognize the light deflection pattern, so that the aesthetic appearance is not impaired. Can be provided.

  In addition, when producing the light guide plate by molding, it is possible to form light deflection patterns having different densities such as a fine pattern on the end face of the window portions 40R, 40C, and 40L and a surrounding dense pattern at a time, This leads to process reduction, and the amount of light emitted from the end faces of the window portions 40R, 40C, and 40L to the reel portion also increases.

  Further, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the light guide plate to which the light deflection pattern for guiding the light from the light emitter to the liquid crystal panel is transferred, the portion located facing the reel is cut out or a recess is formed to transmit light. And a liquid crystal display device in which the light deflection pattern transferred around the light transmission region is transferred as a denser pattern than the other light deflection patterns. It is possible to form a front space in which the reel is brought closer to the player without damaging the reel, and the distance between the reel and the player can be made closer, so that it is possible to provide a powerful gaming machine it can.

  As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, even if the player can visually observe the light deflection pattern formed directly on the back surface of the light guide plate without using the diffusion sheet, It is not a rough light deflection pattern, but a fine light deflection pattern, and since it is difficult for the player to recognize the presence of the light deflection pattern, it is prevented that the appearance of the gaming machine is not beautiful and the aesthetic appearance is not impaired. A gaming machine can be provided.

  In the above-described embodiment, the light guide pattern (light deflection pattern) on the processed surface 174d is, for example, a deflection pattern in a portion close to the cold cathode tubes 176a and 176b in order to make the light emission of the light guide plate 174 more uniform. Is applied roughly (for example, so that the interval between lattice regions 174j to be described later is widened), and a light deflection pattern is approached as it approaches a portion (region) far from the cold cathode tubes 176a and 176b, that is, near the center of the light guide plate 174. For example, the roughness of the light deflection pattern may be varied depending on the part, for example, by narrowing (for example, narrowing the interval between lattice regions 174j described later).

  7, FIG. 8, and FIG. 9 are views showing the state of the back surface of the light guide plate 174 of this modification. On the back surface of the light guide plate 174, in a predetermined region from the end 174f to the central vicinity 174g of the light guide plate 174, the second light formed on the processing surface 174d increases as the distance from the end 174f increases. The second light deflection pattern is applied so that the proportion of the portion that emits light to the liquid crystal panel 173 in the deflection pattern (hereinafter simply referred to as the second light deflection pattern) is increased. A specific description is as follows.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state where the region X (lower region X) in the vicinity of the end portion 174f of the light guide plate in FIG. 7 is enlarged, and FIG. 9 is a diagram of the central vicinity portion 174g of the light guide plate in FIG. It is a figure which shows a mode that the area | region Y was expanded.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the second light deflection pattern includes a plurality of lattice-shaped regions (hereinafter referred to as lattice regions 174j) for emitting light from the cold cathode tubes 176a and 176b to the liquid crystal panel 173. , And a region between the lattice regions 174j (hereinafter, a space region 174k). When the light emitted from the cold cathode tubes 176a and 176b hits the lattice region 174j, the light is emitted from the lattice region 174j toward the liquid crystal panel 173. On the other hand, when the light emitted from the cold cathode fluorescent lamps 176a and 176b hits the interval region 174k, the light is not emitted toward the liquid crystal panel 173, but is reflected and stays in the light guide plate.

  In the second light deflection pattern provided on the back surface of the light guide plate 174, when the ratio of the size of the lattice region 174j to the size of the interval region 174k in the unit area is the same in all regions, In the region near the end portion 174f, a lot of light emitted from the cold cathode fluorescent lamps 176a and 176b is emitted toward the liquid crystal panel 173 via the lattice region 174j, and enters the region near the center portion 174g. As a result, less light is emitted toward the liquid crystal panel 173 via the lattice region 174j. In this case, although the player visually recognizes that the light guide plate 174 is shining entirely, the player can visually recognize the end portion 174f and the central vicinity portion 174g when the light emission conditions are different. You will feel uneven brightness. In this modified example, the above inconvenience is solved as follows.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, in the second light deflection pattern, the ratio of the size of the lattice region 174j to the size of the spacing region 174k in the unit area in the region near the end 174f is the central vicinity. It is smaller than the ratio of the size of the lattice region 174j to the size of the interval region 174k in the unit area in the region near 174g. In other words, in FIG. 9, the size of the lattice region 174j is large and the size and width of the spacing region 174k are small, whereas in FIG. 8, the size of the lattice region 174j is small and the size and width of the spacing region 174k. Is getting bigger.

  Therefore, according to the present modification, the amount of light emitted toward the liquid crystal panel 173 via the lattice region 174j is suppressed in the region near the end 174f, and the region in the central vicinity 174g Thus, the amount of light emitted toward the liquid crystal panel 173 can be increased through the lattice region 174j. By using the second light deflection pattern configured as described above for the light guide plate 174, per unit area emitted toward the liquid crystal panel 173 via the lattice region 174j in the region near the end 174f. And the amount of light per unit area emitted toward the liquid crystal panel 173 through the lattice region 174j in the region of the central vicinity 174g. It becomes possible. As a result, for example, when liquid crystal display is performed, light emission with uniform brightness is performed regardless of the location in regions other than the regions corresponding to the window portions 40L, 40C, and 40R. In areas other than the areas corresponding to 40L, 40C, and 40R, the user feels that there is no unevenness in brightness.

  Further, in the above-described light guide plate 174, the portions where the light deflection patterns (the first light deflection pattern and the second light deflection pattern) are not provided are provided corresponding to the three reels as described above. Without limitation, for example, one portion corresponding to three reels and not subjected to the light deflection pattern may be provided. 10 to 12 are diagrams showing another light guide plate 174 of this modification example.

  As shown in FIG. 10, in the light guide plate 174, a portion inside the processed surface 174e is cut out, and the light deflection pattern is applied only to the end surface 174a of the cut out portion. May not be applied. In this case, the light deflection pattern may not be applied to the end face 174a.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 11, in the light guide plate 174, a portion inside the processed surface 174 e may not be cut out, and a light deflection pattern may not be applied to that portion.

  Further, the light guide plate shown in FIG. 10 may be changed as shown in FIG. The first light deflection pattern may not be applied to the portion 174x provided between the three hollow portions 40L, 40R, and 40C.

  In the present modified example, the light guide plate 174 is also formed with the first light deflection pattern around the light transmission regions 40L, 40R, and 40C, and from the light transmission region more than the first light deflection pattern. A second light deflection pattern may be formed at a distant portion, and the first light deflection pattern may be denser than the second light deflection pattern.

  In this case, when liquid crystal display is performed, light emission with uniform brightness is performed in an area other than the area corresponding to the window portions 40L, 40C, and 40R regardless of the location, and the aesthetic appearance is not impaired. A gaming machine can be provided.

  In the region from the region near the end 174f of the light guide plate 174 (the region closest to the end 174f of the processing surface 174e) to the central vicinity 174g, the processing surface 174e increases as the distance from the end 174f increases. The first light deflection pattern may be applied so that the ratio of the portion that emits light to the liquid crystal panel 173 in the first light deflection pattern formed in the above is increased. In this case, when liquid crystal display is performed, light emission with a uniform brightness is performed in an area other than the area corresponding to the window portions 40L, 40C, and 40R, regardless of the location, and the appearance is impaired. It is possible to provide a gaming machine that does not have any.

  Further, on the back surface of the light guide plate 174, the first light deflection pattern is not applied around the windows 40L, 40R, and 40C, and the second light deflection pattern can be applied.

  The fact that the first light deflection pattern is denser than the second light deflection pattern may mean, for example, as follows. The ratio of the amount of the portion (the lattice region 174j) that emits light to the liquid crystal panel 173 per unit area in the first light deflection pattern is that light is emitted to the liquid crystal panel 173 per unit area in the second light deflection pattern. It may be larger than the ratio of the amount of the portion (the lattice region 174j). That is, the density of the light deflection pattern may be the amount of the lattice region 174j per unit area.

  For example, the fact that the first light deflection pattern is denser than the second light deflection pattern means that the size of the grating region 174j in the first light deflection pattern on the processing surface 174e is the second value on the processing surface 174d. It may mean that it is smaller than the size of the grating region 174j in the light deflection pattern.

  Further, for example, the fact that the first light deflection pattern is denser than the second light deflection pattern means that the size of the lattice region 174j in the first light deflection pattern of the processing surface 174e and the second of the processing surface 174d. Means that the number of grating regions 174j in the first light deflection pattern is greater than the number of grating regions 174j in the second light deflection pattern. Also good.

  As mentioned above, although an example of the embodiment of the present invention and the example of the change have been described, only the specific example is illustrated, and the present invention is not particularly limited. It is. Further, the actions and effects described in the embodiments of the invention and the modifications thereof are merely a list of the most preferable actions and effects resulting from the present invention, and the actions and effects according to the present invention are not limited to the implementation of the present invention. It is not limited to what was described in the form or its modification.

It is a front perspective view of the slot machine of the present embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the symbol arranged on the reel. It is a disassembled perspective view of a liquid crystal display device. It is a perspective back view of the light-guide plate seen from the reel side. It is the figure which showed arrangement | positioning of a light-guide plate and a reel by cross-sectional shape. It is a schematic diagram which shows the effect of this Embodiment. It is a back view of the light-guide plate of this example of a change. It is a figure which shows a mode that a part of back surface of the light-guide plate of this example of a change was expanded. It is a figure which shows a mode that a part of back surface of the light-guide plate of this example of a change was expanded. It is a rear view of the other light-guide plate of this example of a change. It is a rear view of the other light-guide plate of this example of a change. It is a rear view of the other light-guide plate of this example of a change.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Game machine 3L, 3C, 3R ... Reel 4L, 4C, 4R ... Reel display window 6 ... Start lever 7L, 7C, 7R ... Reel stop button 11 ... 1-BET button 12 ... 2-BET button l3 ... Maximum BET button 17 ... Notification lamp 22 ... Medal slot 27 ... Liquid crystal display device 174 ... Light guide plate 174d ... Second light deflection pattern 174e ... First light deflection pattern 174f ... End portion 174g ... Center neighborhood 174j ... Lattice region 174k ... Spacing region.

Claims (4)

A liquid crystal display device comprising: a liquid crystal panel; and a light guide plate provided on a back side of the liquid crystal panel and provided with a light deflection pattern for guiding light emitted from the illumination means for the liquid crystal panel to the liquid crystal panel;
A variable display device arranged on the back side of the liquid crystal display device and arranged in parallel with a plurality of reels on which a plurality of identification information are arranged;
The portion of the light guide plate facing the reel is a light transmission region through which light from the reel is transmitted, and the light guide plate has a first light deflection pattern formed around the light transmission region. The second light deflection pattern is formed in a portion farther from the light transmission region than the first light deflection pattern, and the first light deflection pattern is denser than the second light deflection pattern. A gaming machine characterized by The liquid crystal display device includes a light diffusing unit between the liquid crystal panel and the light guide plate, the light diffusing means for transmitting light through a portion facing the reel.
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the first light deflection pattern is formed in a portion of the light guide plate that can be visually recognized through a light transmitting region of the light diffusing means.   3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the illuminating means is a cold cathode tube arranged in the vicinity of the outer end face of the light guide plate and in the depth direction. 4. A liquid crystal panel; an illuminating means provided on the back side of the liquid crystal panel for emitting light for the liquid crystal panel; and a light guide plate provided with a light deflection pattern for guiding the light emitted from the illuminating means to the liquid crystal panel; A liquid crystal display device in which the illumination means is provided in the vicinity of an end of the light guide plate;
A variable display device arranged on the back side of the liquid crystal display device and arranged in parallel with a plurality of reels on which a plurality of identification information is arranged;
In a predetermined region from the end of the light guide plate to the vicinity of the center, as the distance from the end increases, the ratio of the portion that emits light to the liquid crystal panel in the light deflection pattern increases. The light deflection pattern is applied,
The portion of the light guide plate facing the reel is a light transmission region through which light from the reel is transmitted, and the light guide plate has a peripheral light deflection pattern formed around the light transmission region, and The gaming machine, wherein the light deflection pattern is formed in a portion farther from the light transmission region than the ambient light deflection pattern, and the ambient light deflection pattern is denser than the light deflection pattern.