JP4365780B2 - Display device and gaming machine having the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a symbol display device mounted on a game board surface such as a pachinko machine and a game machine equipped with the same.

  Among gaming machines such as pachinko machines and slot machines installed in game halls, there are gaming machines in which a symbol display device is arranged near the center of the gaming board surface. Since the game proceeds according to the display of the symbol display device, the symbol display device is the most watched part of the gaming machine user and is one of the important parts of the gaming machine. Furthermore, the symbol display device may also have a function as a center accessory, and is a part that determines the characteristics of the gaming machine most strongly.

  In recent years, a digital display device such as a liquid crystal is often used for such a symbol display device. The digital display device has a feature that various effects with designs rich in changes in shape, pattern, and color can be displayed instantly and easily by electronic control.

  For example, there is a symbol display device that displays a plurality of dice on a digital display device made of liquid crystal. When a ball is entered into the winning opening, a pattern in which the dice is rotated is displayed, and after a predetermined time, the dice slowly displays a predetermined outcome and stops. This simulates the appearance of rolling an actual die on a digital display device. Here, the outcome is determined in advance by the CPU inside the gaming machine, and the state of rotation of the dice is merely an effect. Since such digital display devices are generally limited to display on a two-dimensional screen, even if the design of the design of the display pattern is made with an effect, the impression that the user of the gaming machine receives is fresh. Well, it tends to be monotonous due to lack of novelty.

On the other hand, when an actual die is used as a three-dimensional symbol display device, the impact on the user of the gaming machine is great. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a gaming die composed of a regular polyhedron. Numbers or letters for specifying each surface are drawn on a plurality of surfaces of the dice, and it is described that a plurality of rolls can be simultaneously rolled to display various outcomes.
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  However, when a die made of a regular polyhedron as disclosed in Patent Document 1 is used for a three-dimensional symbol display device, it is difficult to control the rolled die so as to have a predetermined outcome. Further, if the rotation of the die is forcibly controlled, there is a problem that the rotation of the die becomes unnatural.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a display device for a gaming machine using a die for displaying a predetermined outcome and a gaming machine using the same.

Means for Solving the Invention

The display device according to the present invention, the drawing on the basis of the establishment of the game condition a display device for performing display in accordance with the lottery result, a polygonal body inscribed in and spherical having a plurality of display surfaces consisting of planes , a receptor capable of receiving said polygonal body so as to expose any one of the display surface of the polygonal body, a rotary drive mechanism for rotating the receptor around the rotation axis in the drawing, the rotary drive A rotation control unit that controls the rotation speed of the mechanism to expose the display surface determined by the lottery from the receptor, and the rotation control unit is configured so that the polyhedron engages with the receptor. It is determined whether one display surface of the polyhedron exposed when the relative speed difference between the polyhedron and the receptor disappears is a display surface according to the lottery, and according to the lottery If the display surface, the rotary drive Reducing the rotational speed, characterized by increasing the rotational speed of the rotary drive mechanism otherwise.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

  As shown in FIG. 1, a display device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a special symbol display device that is disposed at a substantially central portion of a gaming machine 2. The display device 1 may have a function as a center accessory.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the display device 1 displays special symbols D1, D2, and D3 according to the outcome of the dice 11-1, 11-2, and 11-3. The dice 11 are respectively accommodated in independent die rotating devices 21-1, 21-2, and 21-3. After the die 11 is rotated by the die rotating device 21 and given a three-dimensional rotational motion (and translational motion), a special symbol to be displayed is directed upward by a control device (not shown) inside the gaming machine. It is stopped in the state. The displayed special symbol is made visible to the player in front of the gaming machine by, for example, a mirror 3 that is inclined at the rear of the die 11. By using such a display device 1, it is possible to give a presentation effect completely different from that displayed by a digital display device such as a liquid crystal to the user of the gaming machine. In particular, according to the display device 1 of the present invention, a psychological and visual effect as if a game is progressing on the basis of a special symbol displayed by rolling a real die and stopping it naturally. Can be given to the user.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the dice 11 used in the embodiment of the present invention is a polyhedron having a plurality of display surfaces 12 formed of a plane. On each display surface 12, a special symbol (here, a number) is drawn. Since the special symbol is reflected on the mirror 3 and visually recognized by the player, the special symbol drawn on each display surface should have a mirror image relationship with the special symbol to be visually recognized by the player. Each display surface 12 is drawn with a magnetic pattern made of magnetic paint so as to be specified by a magnetic sensor 24 described later. Here, the die 11 is a regular n-hedron composed of n surfaces such as a cube composed of six planes and a regular octahedron composed of eight planes, and is a solid inscribed in a spherical surface. Further, it is preferable to chamfer the corner of the regular n-hedron so as to be inscribed in a plane or a spherical surface. For example, FIG. 3 illustrates a die 11 having 12 surfaces on a display surface obtained by cutting out the corners of a regular dodecahedron. Each display surface 12 is a regular pentagon, and the cut surface 13 surrounded by the three display surfaces 12 is a regular triangle. Since the display surfaces 12 thus provided with the special designs are separated from each other by the cut surface 13, they are not in side contact with each other. The die 11 having the shape as described above is easy to rotate. In particular, as will be described later, even when the die 11 is moved in a narrow space, the die 11 is not only rotated two-dimensionally but also three-dimensionally. It can rotate. In order to maintain a stable posture when the die 11 is placed on a plane, the area of the cut surface 13 should be smaller than the area of the display surface 12.

  Referring also to FIG. 2, the display device 1 according to the present embodiment is a device that uses three display bodies 12 to perform a win display or an off display according to a lottery result to be described later. The dice 11 which is a display body used here has a group of identification information (in this case, numbers from 1 to 12) described on each display surface 12 of one dice, and there are three groups of this identification information. In combination, the lottery result such as winning or losing is displayed. For example, if the display according to the lottery result is “1, 11, 8” indicating “displacement”, the first die 11-1 is “1”, and the second die 11-2 is “11”. The third die 11-3 is stopped to display “8” and the lottery result is displayed. On the other hand, if the display corresponding to the lottery result is “7, 7, 7” indicating “winning”, all of the first to third dice 11 are stopped to display “7”. Here, the group of identification information may be different for each of the plurality of dies 11. For example, a different plant design is displayed on each display surface 12 of the first dice 11-1, a different animal design is displayed on each display surface 12 of the second die 11-2, and the third die 11-3. Each display surface 12 may be provided with different celestial symbols. The win display or the off display according to the lottery result may be based on a display combining one by one from each group of plant symbols, animal symbols, and celestial symbols.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, one dice rotating device 21 of the display device 1 includes a rotating mechanism unit 22 including a motor 22 a and a gear box 22 b and a rotating cup 23. The die 11 is received in the rotating cup 23. The rotary cup 23 is fixed on the rotation fixing stage 22c of the rotation mechanism 22 so as to be freely fitted. Thereby, the rotary cup 23 is rotatable while changing the rotation speed. The rotary cup 23 has a recess 23a at the center. The concave portion 23 has a slope-shaped inner wall with a radius increasing linearly or a radius increasing curvedly toward the outside. The die 11 is received in the rotary cup 23 with one display surface 12 in contact with the bottom 23 a 1 of the recess 11. At this time, the recess 23 a of the rotary cup 23 has a shape corresponding to the shape of the die 11, that is, a shape in which the die 11 is locked in the recess 23 a and does not rotate relative to the rotary cup 23. For example, in the case of a die 11 having a dodecahedron shape as shown in FIG. 3, a regular pentagonal recess 23 a is provided to the rotating cup 23 when viewed from above. Here, assuming that the polyhedron die 11 fitted and locked in the concave portion 23a and inscribed in the spherical surface moves upward from the bottom 23a1 of the concave portion 11, the concave portion 23a having a sloped inner wall with an increased radius is formed. For this reason, the engagement with the inner wall is released, and the three-dimensional rotation can be freely performed. In addition, the die 11 having a large number of display surfaces 12 does not stabilize its posture even if it tries to stop a predetermined output on a plane, but according to one embodiment of the present invention, it can rotate. Since the concave portion 23a of the cup 23 has a shape corresponding to the shape of the die 11, the movement of the die 11 displaying a predetermined output is locked, and the posture of the die 11 after stopping is stabilized. .

  The rotation mechanism unit 22 has a magnetic sensor 24 near the center of the rotation fixed stage 22c. That is, when the rotary cup 23 is attached on the rotary fixed stage 22c, the magnetic sensor 24 is positioned in the vicinity of the bottom 23a1 of the concave portion 23a of the rotary cup 23. The magnetic sensor 24 may be directly attached to the rotating cup 23. The magnetic sensor 24 detects the magnetic pattern of the magnetic paint applied to each display surface 12 of the die 11 to determine in which direction the die 11 is oriented in the recess 23a, that is, what kind of die 11 is. At the three-dimensional angular position, it can be detected which display surface 12 is facing upward and displaying a special symbol. One or more magnetic sensors 24 may be attached to the peripheral edge 23 b of the rotary cup 23. By attaching a plurality of magnetic sensors 24, it is not necessary to form a magnetic pattern on all the display surfaces 12 of the dice 11.

  A dome-shaped cap 25 made of a transparent resin is fitted into the upper opening of the rotary cup 23 to close the upper opening. When the rotating cup 23 rotates at a certain number of revolutions or more, the die 11 moves along the wall to the concave portion 23a of the rotating cup 23 or its peripheral edge portion 23b by centrifugal force. Then, it moves and rotates three-dimensionally in the closed space between the rotating cup 23 and the cap 25. When the rotation speed of the rotating cup 23 falls below a certain value, the die 11 falls again into the recess 23a at the bottom of the rotating cup 23 by gravity. Since the concave portion 23a has such a shape that it can be locked so that the die 11 does not rotate in the concave portion 23a, even if the rotation of the rotary cup 23 is not completely stopped when the die 11 falls into the concave portion 23a. The relative angular position of the die 11 with respect to the rotating cup is fixed constantly. In other words, it is possible to prevent the die 11 that has displayed a predetermined output and stopped relative to the rotating cup 23 from rotating further, resulting in an output different from the detected output.

  Next, the operation of the display device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In the initial state, the three die rotating devices 21-1, 21-2, 21-3 are stopped, and the dies 11-1, 11-2, 11-3 are respectively placed in the recesses 23 of the rotating cup 23. Positioned and locked.

  For example, in the case of a pachinko machine, when a lottery that is a premise for operating the display device is performed, a game ball that has been launched into the game area of the game board has a specific start port (winning port, chucker) ), And this is detected. For example, in the case of a slot machine, a predetermined number of game medals are inserted into the game machine and a start operation is performed. When such game conditions are satisfied (in FIG. 7, an example of a pachinko machine is shown), that is, when a ball entering the starting port is detected, the CPU 31 should display the display device 1 according to the lottery result. Three display symbols D1, D2 and D3 are determined (step P1). The three display symbols D1, D2, and D3 are selected one by one from the first group, the second group, and the third group, and the combination of these three symbols constitutes a hit or miss.

  The CPU 31 sends a rotation start signal to the rotation control unit 32. In accordance with this rotation start signal, the rotation controller 32 applies current to the three die rotating devices 21 to rotate the three rotating cups 23 at the rotation speed R1 (step P2). When the rotating cup 23 starts to rotate, the engaging portion of the recess 23 a of the rotating cup 23 gives a rotational force to the die 11, and the die 11 also rotates two-dimensionally around the rotation axis of the rotating cup 23. When the rotational speed of the rotary cup 23 is increased toward R1, the die 11 that has been in the concave portion 23a of the rotary cup 23 eventually extends from the bottom 23a of the concave portion 23 along the inner wall surface of the concave portion 23 by centrifugal force. Move upward. Thereby, the engagement between the rotary cup 23 and the die 11 is released, and the die 11 moves and rotates three-dimensionally. That is, since the die 11 is a polyhedron inscribed in the spherical surface, the die 11 can rotate in three dimensions (polyaxial) even in the narrow space of the recess 23. If R1 is increased, the die 11 is further ejected outward along the concave peripheral edge 23b of the rotary cup 23. The die 11 moves while repeating multiple collisions in a closed space between the rotating cup 23 and the cap 25. Thereby, the visual effect of the user of the gaming machine can be enhanced.

  After a predetermined time has elapsed by the internal timer of the CPU 31, the CPU 31 sends a signal to the rotation control unit 32 to reduce the rotational speed of the rotary cup 23 of the first rotating device 21a to R2 (<R1). The rotational speed of the rotary cup 23 is reduced (step P3), whereby the die 11 is dropped toward the concave portion 23a of the rotary cup 23 and is fitted and locked to the inner wall of the concave portion 23a. At this time, one display surface 12 of the die 11 is in contact with the bottom surface 23 a 1 of the recess 23 a of the rotary cup 23. On the other hand, one display surface facing one display surface 12 in contact with the bottom surface 23a1 is exposed from the rotary cup 23 upward. The magnetic sensor 24 detects the magnetic pattern (magnetic information) of one display surface 12 in contact with the bottom surface 23a1, and sends a signal to the CPU 31 via the display surface detection unit 33 (step P4).

  Here, since the die 11 is a polyhedron inscribed in the spherical surface, when the die 11 is fitted in the recess 23a, its center is always at a fixed position. The surface detected by the magnetic sensor 24 is the display surface 12 closest to the sensor. The CPU 31 can specify the display surface 12 located at a predetermined angular position with respect to the center of the die 11 from the surface specified by the magnetic sensor 24. That is, the CPU 31 can specify the display surface 12 recognized by the user of the gaming machine, for example, one display surface exposed from the rotary cup 23 as described above.

  CPU31 discriminate | determines whether the specified display surface 12 is the symbol D1 which should be displayed (step P5).

  When the specified display surface 12 does not match the symbol D1, the CPU 31 sends a signal to the rotation control unit 32 to increase the rotation speed of the rotary cup 23 to R1 again (step P6). The die 11 is guided upward along the inner wall surface in the recess 23a of the rotary cup 23 in the same manner as described above, and again rotates three-dimensionally. After the elapse of a predetermined time, the rotational speed of the rotary cup 23 is again reduced to R2. Thus, the above steps P4 and P5 are repeated.

  On the other hand, when the specified display surface 12 and the symbol D1 coincide with each other, the CPU 31 sends a signal to the rotation control unit 32 to gradually stop the rotation of the rotary cup 23 (step P7).

  Here, the rotary cup 23 may have a mechanism for pressing and fixing the die 11 to the rotary cup 23. For example, the material attracted to the magnet is embedded in the die 11 and an electromagnet is installed below the rotating cup 23, and the rotation speed of the rotating cup is reduced from R1 to R2, or the specified display When the surface 12 and the pattern D1 coincide with each other, a current is passed through the electromagnet to press and fix the die 11 to the recess 23a of the rotary cup 23. Thereby, it is possible to reliably prevent the specified display surface 12 from changing due to the dice 11 rolling until the rotation of the rotary cup 23 is completely stopped. In particular, by pressing the dice 11 against the rotating cup 23 after the specified display surface 12 and the design D1 coincide, it is possible to prevent unnatural movement of the dice 11 from stopping.

  Further, the means for pressing and fixing the die 11 to the rotating cup 23 may be an air suction machine incorporated under the rotating cup 23. In this case, since it is not necessary to incorporate the material attracted by the magnet into the die 11, it is easy to create the die 11.

  The above-described operation is sequentially performed for the rotating devices 21-2 and 21-3. When the three dice 11 are stopped, the display process of one cycle is completed. At this time, the symbols displayed on the display device 1 are D1, D2, and D3. You may display this further by the liquid crystal display device incorporated in the display device by this invention which is not illustrated, or another liquid crystal display device.

  In the apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, since the rotation angle of the die is intentionally controlled and the die is not forcibly rotated / stopped so as to display a predetermined display symbol, the display symbol seems to be natural. It is possible to give the user of the gaming machine a feeling as if it has been exposed.

It is a figure which shows the external appearance of a gaming machine. 1 is a diagram of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure of the die | dye used for the Example of this invention. It is a figure of the principal part of the display apparatus by the Example of this invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a control diagram of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a flowchart of the operation of the display device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Display apparatus 2 Game machine 3 Mirror 11 Dice 12 Display surface 13 Cutting surface 21 Die rotating apparatus 23 Rotating cup 24 Magnetic sensor 31 CPU
32 Rotation control unit 33 Display surface detection unit

Claims (8)

A display device that performs a lottery based on the establishment of gaming conditions and performs a display according to the lottery result,
A polygonal body and inscribed in the spherical having a plurality of display surfaces composed of planes,
A receptor capable of receiving said polygonal body so as to expose any one of the display surface of the polygonal body,
A rotation drive mechanism for rotating the receptor around a rotation axis in the lottery ;
A rotation control unit that controls the rotation speed of the rotation driving mechanism to expose the display surface determined by the lottery from the receptor;
The rotation control unit is configured such that one display surface of the polyhedron exposed when the polyhedron engages with the receptor and a relative speed difference between the polyhedron and the receptor disappears is the lottery. If the display surface according to the lottery is determined, the rotational speed of the rotational drive mechanism is decreased, and if not, the rotational speed of the rotational drive mechanism is increased. Display device. Which one of the plurality of display surfaces is one display surface of the polyhedron exposed when the relative speed difference disappears is determined by which part of the polyhedron is engaged with the receptor. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the display device is determined based on whether or not it is present. The receptors display of claim 1, wherein the inner wall surface of and the recess has a recess for engaging at least a portion of said polygonal body has a shape for engaging a portion of said polygonal body apparatus. When the relative speed difference has disappeared, the display device according to claim 1, further comprising a pressing means for pressing said polygonal body to the receptor. A magnetic pattern provided on the display surface, the magnetic pattern is a La a sensing means comprising an identification sensor for identifying the pattern of engagement by the detection means, in which part the receptors of the polyhedron The display device according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether the two match .   The display device according to claim 5, wherein the identification sensor is attached to a bottom portion of the receptor.   The display device according to claim 5, wherein the identification sensor is attached to a side surface of the receptor.   A gaming machine comprising the display device according to claim 1.

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