JP4525975B2 - Amusement stand - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine represented by a slot machine (pachislot) and a pachinko machine.

  In a gaming machine such as a slot machine, a plurality of LEDs are provided facing the surface of the reel so as to intersect with the rotation direction of the reel in order to make the uniform symbol display performed every game as a game result interesting. There has been proposed a game stand that performs pseudo dot matrix display by controlling the light emission of each LED during the rotation of the reel and utilizing the afterimage phenomenon of the light spot accompanying the blinking of the LED and the rotational movement of the reel ( Patent Document 1).

JP 2002-224265 A

  However, the gaming machine described in Patent Document 1 has a configuration in which a plurality of LEDs are directly provided on a reel that continuously rotates in a fixed direction, so that a method for supplying power to the LEDs becomes complicated. there were.

  In addition, since a plurality of LEDs are provided at specific positions on the reel, the weight balance of the reel is lost. When a reel whose center of gravity deviates from the center of rotation is rotated, there is a problem that uneven rotation occurs and vibration is generated. For this reason, the reel design in consideration of the weight balance is required, and there is a drawback that fine adjustment must be performed when the reel is assembled.

  In view of the above problems, the present invention has an object to provide a game stand that enables a pseudo dot matrix display by a light spot on a rotating reel surface with a simple configuration and exhibits a high effect. To do.

In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 1 is a game having a variable display device capable of moving and displaying a plurality of types of symbols behind a display window, and a control means for controlling display of the variable display device. The variable display device is an annular display band in which a plurality of types of symbols are arranged in the periphery and a plurality of transmission parts having a predetermined shape that transmit light from the back in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction are arranged in a horizontal row. body and the provided display strip body over a predetermined range facing the display window vignetting, and a lighting device capable of lighting from the transmission unit behind by the light emission source, said illumination means, said display strip body A plurality of LEDs, which are light emitting sources provided corresponding to each of the transmissive portions, a translucent material having the same thickness as the lateral width of the transmissive portion of the display strip, and a concave portion having a small diameter and a convex portion having a large diameter It is processed into a fan shape, and a small-diameter concave surface is input to allow light from the LED to enter. A plurality of light guide members arranged at positions corresponding to the respective light transmitting portions inside the display band, and a large-diameter convex surface portion as a light emitting surface that irradiates light incident from the incident surface toward the front surface side, A light shielding member that is disposed between at least adjacent light guide members and prevents light leaking from the side surfaces of each light guide member from entering from the side surfaces of the other light guide members, and the control means includes: When the transmission part passes through the display window during the movement display of the display band, the LED corresponding to the transmission part is individually controlled to emit light according to the amount of movement of the display band.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine according to the first aspect, the control means includes a stop display in which the transmissive portions of all the display strips of the variable display device are arranged in a line as a result of the game. In this case, all the display belts are rotated at the same timing and at the same speed as the next game starts .

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine according to the first or second aspect , the display strip is provided with a plurality of transmissive portion rows in which a plurality of transmissive portions are arranged in a horizontal row. In addition, the control means individually controls the light emission of the LED every time each transmissive part row passes through the display window .

The invention according to claim 4 is the gaming table according to any one of the claims 1 to 3, the light guide member of the lighting unit, by applying a light-shielding paint to the light emitting surface The dot display area that allows light transmission and the light shielding area that shields light are alternately formed in the moving direction of the display band so that each dot display area on the light emitting surface is partitioned by the light shielding area. It is characterized by .

According to the gaming machine of the first aspect, when the transmission unit passes through the display window during the movement display of the display strip, the control means sets the light emission source corresponding to the transmission unit according to the movement amount of the display strip. Since the light emission is controlled individually, a light spot is generated only at a position where the light from the light source passes through the transmission part and can be seen from the front of the game table, and a pseudo dot matrix display can be performed on the surface of the display band. it can. Moreover, since the illumination means is provided separately from the display strip, the weight balance of the display strip is not lost, stable reel rotation can be expected, and the surface side of the display strip is simulated with a simple configuration. Dot matrix display can be performed. In addition, the illuminating means includes a plurality of LEDs, which are light emission sources provided corresponding to the respective transmission portions of the display strip, and a light-transmitting material having the same thickness as the lateral width of the transmission portion of the display strip. Is processed into a fan shape having a concave surface portion and a large-diameter convex surface portion, and the small-diameter concave surface portion is used as an incident surface on which light from the LED is incident, and the large-diameter convex surface portion is irradiated with light incident from the incident surface toward the front side. A light emitting surface that is arranged between a plurality of light guide members disposed at positions corresponding to the respective light transmitting portions inside the display strip and at least adjacent light guide members, and leaks from a side surface of each light guide member And a light shielding member that prevents light from entering from the side surface of the other light guide member, so that the light from the LED, which is a point light source, can be transmitted almost over the entire area from the upper end to the lower end of the light emitting surface. It can be guided with uniform light emission intensity and prevents the occurrence of remarkable light emission spots on the light emitting surface. When the transmission portion passes through the front side of the light guide plate can be visible at approximately equal luminous intensity regardless of the moving position of the transmission portion.

Further, according to the gaming table of claim 2, when the result of the game is a stop display in which the transmission parts of all the display strips of the variable display device are arranged in a line , the control means is accompanied with the start of the next game. Since all the display strips are rotated at the same timing and at the same speed, the timing at which each transmission part of all the display strips passes through the display window can be made the same. Thus, when the control means performs the pseudo dot matrix display effect simultaneously on all the display bands, the appearance by the afterimage becomes the same on all the display bands, and the pseudo dot matrix display at different timings for each display band. Compared with the case where it did, the visibility of each symbol displayed by the pseudo dot matrix on all the display strips can be improved.

According to the gaming machine of claim 3, the display strip is provided with a plurality of transmissive part rows in which a plurality of transmissive parts are arranged in a horizontal row, and the control means displays each transmissive part row. Since each LED is controlled to emit light each time it passes through the window, the pseudo dot matrix display can be performed twice or more while the display strip rotates once, and the afterimage effect is enhanced. It becomes possible to improve visibility and perform animation display.

According to the gaming machine of claim 4, the light guide member of the illumination means has a dot display area that allows light transmission and a light shielding area that shields light by applying a light shielding paint to the light emitting surface. Since the dot bands are alternately formed in the moving direction of the display band and each dot display area on the light emitting surface is partitioned by the light-shielding area, clear dot display can be performed .

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, the specific structure of the game machine according to the present invention will be described.

<Overall configuration>
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a slot machine 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of types of symbols ("7", "Bar", "Bell", "Replay" and other characters and symbols: not shown) are arranged on the outer peripheral surface in the center of the slot machine 100 Three cylindrical reels (the left reel 110, the middle reel 111, and the right reel 112) are accommodated and can be rotated inside the main body 201.

  The front door 101 is provided with a reel display window 113. When the reels 110 to 112 are viewed from the front, three symbols applied thereto can be seen from the reel display window 113 in the vertical direction. That is, when all the reels 110 to 112 are stopped, the player can see a total of nine symbols of 3 × 3. When these reels 110 to 112 are rotated and stopped, various combinations of symbols are displayed on the reel display window 113. In the present embodiment, three reels are provided, but the number of reels and the installation position of the reels are not limited to this.

  On the back side of each of the reels 110 to 112, a backlight (not shown) for illuminating individual symbols displayed on the reel display window 113 is disposed. The backlight is capable of emitting light of, for example, seven colors (three primary colors of red, green, and bluish purple and a mixed color such as white) and includes an LED corresponding to each primary color. Is done.

  The winning line display lamp 120 is a lamp indicating a winning line 114 that is valid for each game. The effective pay line 114 changes depending on the number of game media (in this embodiment, medals are assumed) inserted into the slot machine 100. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, in the case of having five winning lines 114, when one medal is inserted, the middle horizontal winning line, when two medals are inserted, the upper horizontal winning line and the lower horizontal winning line are shown. If 3 cards are added, 3 lines are added, and 5 lines including 2 diagonal winning lines are valid. The winning combination is determined by the combination of the symbols on the effective winning line 114. It becomes. Of course, the number of winning lines is not limited to five.

  The start lamp 121 is a lamp that informs the player that the reels 110 to 112 are in a state of being able to rotate. When the replay lamp 122 wins a replay that is a winning combination (for example, when a combination of replay-replay-replay replay symbols is aligned on the winning line 114), the next game is replayed to the player. It is a lamp that informs that it is. In the case of a re-game, the medal that is a game medium is exempted in the next game.

  The notification lamp 123 is a lamp for notifying the player that a special winning combination (for example, a big bonus (BB) or a regular bonus (RB)) has been won internally. The medal insertion lamp 124 is a lamp for notifying the player that it is necessary to insert a medal at the start of the game.

  The medal insertion number display lamp 125 is a lamp for displaying the number of medals inserted by the player. In the present embodiment, since up to three medals can be inserted in one game, the number of medals inserted is displayed using three vertically arranged lamps. Of course, in addition to displaying with a lamp, the number of inserted medals may be directly displayed on a 7-segment display or the like.

  The payout number display unit 126 is a display unit that displays the number of medals to be paid out to the player when winning a winning combination with a medal payout. The game number display 127 is a display for displaying the number of general games in the big bonus game. The stored number display 128 is a display that displays the number of medals stored electronically (credited). The effect lamp 129 is a lamp used for an effect for enhancing the interest of the game.

  The medal insertion buttons 131 and 132 are insertion buttons for electronically inserting the stored medals into the slot machine 100, and are called so-called bet buttons. In the present embodiment, a three-medal insertion button 131 (a so-called max bet button that can insert the maximum number of medals) and a one-medal insertion button 132 that inserts one medal each time it is pressed are provided. When one of these buttons is pressed, 1 to 3 medals necessary for the game are electronically inserted into the slot machine 100. When inserting two medals, the one-medal insertion button 131 is pressed twice. The number of inserted medals is subtracted from the current stored number, and the remaining number is displayed on the stored number display 128.

  The medal slot block 133 has an opening through which a player directly inserts medals when starting a game. When a medal is directly inserted and a medal is clogged in a medal selector unit (not shown) immediately below the medal insertion slot, the medal cancel switch 133a is operated to eliminate the clogging of the medal. The start lever 135 is a lever-type switch that starts the rotation of the reels 110 to 112 as a game start operation.

  The stop button unit 136 is provided with three stop buttons (a left stop button 136a, a middle stop button 136b, and a right stop button 136c). Each stop button is a button type switch that stops the corresponding reels 110 to 112 when pressed. Specifically, the left reel 110 is stopped by operating the left stop button 136a, the middle reel 111 is stopped by operating the middle stop button 136b, and the right reel 112 is stopped by operating the right stop button 136c.

  Each stop button is provided with a lamp (not shown). After the start lever 135 is operated, all the lamps are turned on when the reels 110 to 112 can be stopped. Notify that the stop operation has become possible. Each stop button lamp is turned off each time the stop button is pressed. Of course, it is also possible to change the light emission color of the lamp between the stop operation enabled state and other states.

  The settlement button 138 is a button that is pressed when performing a settlement process in which the medals acquired by the player are settled and discharged.

  The key hole 139 is a hole into which a door opening / closing key is inserted. When the key is inserted and turned clockwise, the lock is released and the front door 101 of the slot machine 100 can be opened. The medal discharge port 165 is an opening for discharging medals, and medals paid out at the time of winning a prize are discharged from here. The discharged medals are accumulated in the tray 160.

  The upper lamp 190, the side lamps 151 and 152, the center lamps 153 and 154, the waist lamps 155 and 156, and the lower lamps 157 and 158 are effects lamps for exciting the game, and are turned on / off / Flashes. The title panel 140 is illuminated by a title panel lamp (not shown). In the present embodiment, the tray 160 is made of a translucent material, and is configured to exhibit the same effect as the lamp for production described above by making the lamp light incident from the tray mounting surface. In addition, the tray 160 is provided with an ashtray unit 170 configured to be detachable.

  Also, in the center of the upper part of the slot machine (above the reel display window 113), various information related to the game (game screen for displaying characters and the like to make the game live, errors in the event of an abnormality in the slot machine) An LCD 180 capable of displaying an error screen for displaying the contents is provided, and various switches (for example, a three-medal insertion button 131, a single-medal insertion button 132, and a start lever 135 are used by using the LCD 180. , Stop buttons 136a to 136c, checkout button 138, etc.) are also notified of information regarding malfunctions.

<Configuration of reel drive unit>
Next, the reel rotating device 210 accommodated in the main body 201 of the game table 1 and the three reel driving units (the first reel 220, the second reel driving unit 230, and the third reel driving unit) included in the reel rotating device 210. 240) will be described in detail.

  FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing an example of the reel rotating device 210. The reel rotating device 210 is roughly composed of first to third reel driving units 220 to 240 and a case member 212 for storing them. Yes. The first to third reel drive units 220 to 240 are structured by the same parts except for the arrangement of symbols printed on the reel band 250. The first to third reel drive units 220 to 240 are individually detachably housed in the case member 12.

  Note that the reel band 250, which is an annular display band having a plurality of types of symbols around it, functions as the reels 110 to 112 that face the reel display window 113 of the game table 1, and the first to third A plurality of transmitting portions 251 (substantially circular first to eighth transmitting portions 251a to 251h) are arranged in a direction (substantially horizontal direction) perpendicular to the reel moving direction in each reel band 250 of the reel driving units 220 to 240. When the first to eighth transmission parts 251a to 251h pass through the reel display window 113, an LED unit 260 is disposed as illumination means for irradiating light from behind.

  FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the reel drive unit. The first to third reel drive units 220 to 240 are roughly configured as a configuration for moving and displaying symbols, mounting base 271, sensor bracket 272, stepping motor 273, reel band 250, reel frame 274, detection piece 275, reinforcement The rim 276, the index sensor 277, and the LED unit 260 are included.

  The mounting base 271 is formed on a flat plate with mounting portions for mounting the sensor bracket 272, stepping motor 273, and LED unit 260, and brackets for mounting on the case member 212. The sensor bracket 272 is mounted on the mounting base 271 and an index sensor 277 for detecting the passage of the detection piece 275 is attached to the tip.

  The stepping motor 273 is, for example, a four-phase type and has a resolution of about 200 steps per rotation and is driven by the 1-2 phase excitation method. Therefore, one rotation can be controlled with 400 pulses, and the rotation angle can be controlled with 0.9 degrees / pulse. The rotation center of the reel frame 274 is attached to the rotation shaft 273a of the stepping motor 273.

  The reel frame 274 has four connections for connecting the central boss part 274a attached to the rotating shaft 273a of the stepping motor 273, the rim part 274b to which the reel band 250 is attached, and the central boss part 274a and the rim part 274b. Part 274c. With this configuration, the reel frame 274b is reduced in weight, and the load on the stepping motor 273 is reduced.

  In the reel driving units 220 to 240, the detection piece 275 is attached to one of the connecting portions 274 c of the reel frame 274 with a screw 278. The detection piece 275 is attached to the index sensor 277 as the reel frame 274 rotates. When passing through the arrangement position, for example, a reflective index sensor 277 including a light projecting unit and a light receiving unit detects the reflected light from the detection piece 275, thereby detecting the reference positions of the reels 110 to 112. This reference position information is used for stop control of the reels 110 to 112.

  A reel band 250 is bonded around the rim portion 274b of the reel frame 274. At the same time, a reinforcing rim 276 is bonded to the opposite end of the reel band 250 for the purpose of reinforcing the reel band 250.

  The first to eighth transmission parts 251a to 251h provided on the reel band 250 may be just round holes, but in order to improve the visibility of light irradiated from the back, for example, a lens-shaped transparent member is provided. In addition, scattering means such as squeezing was formed on the front surface. As described above, when the first to eighth transmission parts 251a to 251h are provided with scattering means, even when a point light source is used for illumination from behind, the luminance of the entire transmission part 251 can be evenly uniform. . Moreover, even if the first to eighth transmission parts 251a to 251h are formed of a semi-transmissive material, it is possible to reduce the number of high-luminance light emission parts and make the light emission state easy to see. In addition, the shape of the first to eighth transmission parts 251a to 251h is not limited to a circle, and various shapes such as a square and a rhombus may be adopted. The width of the transmission part may be increased or decreased.

  The LED unit 260 indicates that “a predetermined range in the rotation direction of the reel band 250 and facing the reel display window 113 (for example, a range corresponding to three symbols drawn on the reel band 250, the vertical direction of the reel display window 113. The function as an “illuminating means provided for each of the first to eighth transmission parts 251a to 251h and capable of illuminating from the back of the transmission part 251 by the light source” is provided for each transmission part 251. Eight illumination means respectively corresponding to the 1st-8th permeation | transmission part 251a-251h are unitized integrally without providing.

  Hereinafter, the detailed structure of the LED unit 260 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 is a partially cutaway side view of the reel drive units 220 to 240, and FIG. 5 is a schematic front view of the reel drive units 220 to 240 with the reel band 250 removed.

  With respect to each of the first to eighth transmission parts 251a to 251h, the first reel LED 261a to the eighth reel LED 261h as light emitting sources are placed at required positions (of the first to eighth transmission parts 251a to 251h) by the LED holder 262. At a position corresponding to the formation interval), and a substantially fan-shaped intermediate light-shielding plate 265 is interposed between the first end light-shielding plate 263 and the second end light-shielding plate 264, respectively. The eighth light guide plates 266a to 266h are sandwiched, and the LED guide portion 2641 extending substantially horizontally from the rear end portion of the second end light shielding plate 263 to the first end light shielding plate 263 side is By introducing the front end portions of the 1st to 8th reel LEDs 261a to 261h, the irradiation light from the 1st to 8th reel LEDs 261a to 261h is respectively applied to the rear end portions of the 1st to 8th light guide plates 266a to 266h. As is incident, accurate positioning is made.

  The first to eighth light guide plates 266a to 266h functioning as the light guide member are obtained by processing a light-transmitting material such as glass or acrylic resin into a substantially fan-shaped plate shape, and the thickness thereof is the first to eighth transmission. The widths of the portions 251a to 251h are substantially the same. The thickness of the intermediate light shielding plate 265 routed between the first to eighth light guide plates 266a to 266h is substantially the same as the separation width of the first to eighth transmission portions 251a to 251h. Therefore, for example, if the eighth light guide plate 266h is positioned so as to face the movement trajectory of the eighth transmission part 251h, the first to seventh light transmission plates 266a to 266g also move to the movement trajectories of the first to seventh transmission parts 251a to 251g. It is positioned to face.

  This positioning is appropriately performed by a spacer 279 interposed between the second end light shielding plate 264 and the mounting base 271 disposed on the mounting base 271 side of the eighth light guide plate 266h (right side as viewed from the front of the game table 100). For example, the long screw 280 is inserted into the long screws 280 penetrating through the mounting holes provided in the first and second end light shielding plates 263, 264 and the intermediate light shielding plate 265, respectively. Is fixed to the mounting base 271 so that the assembly of the LED unit 260 and the positioning based on the mounting base 271 can be performed simultaneously.

  When the LED unit 260 is assembled as described above, no mounting holes are provided in the first to eighth light guide plates 266a to 266h, so that the first and second end light shielding plates 263 and 264 and the intermediate light shielding plate 265 are not provided. In this configuration example, for example, in order to prevent the assembly work of the LED unit 260 from being complicated, the long screw 280 does not guide the assembly position to a fixed position. The lower support plate 2642 is extended to the one end light shielding plate 263 side (see FIG. 4), and the lower surfaces of the first to eighth light guide plates 266a to 266h are supported by the upper surface of the lower support plate 2642, and the second end The front positioning piece 2643 extended from the front lower part of the partial light shielding plate 263 to the side (the side where the eighth light guide plate 266h is arranged) and the front lower part of the intermediate light shielding plate 265 (side The front-side fixed positions of the first to eighth light guide plates 266a to 266h are held by the front positioning pieces 2651 extended in the same direction as the front positioning pieces 2643 of the two end light shielding plates 263 extend. . As a result, the first and second end light shielding plates 263 and 264 and the intermediate light shielding plate 265 perform appropriate positioning at the lower center of the first to eighth light guide plates 266a to 266h and at two locations below the front portion. Since the eighth light guide plates 266a to 266h can be attached to the attachment base 271 while being held in place, the assembling work of the LED unit 260 can be performed efficiently.

  Further, the incident surface 2661 which is the rear end portion of the first to eighth light guide plates 266a to 266h facing the light emitting surfaces (hemispherical surfaces) of the first to eighth reel LEDs 261a to 261h is from the reel LED 261a which is a light source. The concave shape is such that light is effectively incident, and the incident light from the incident surface 2661 spreads radially and is emitted from the light emitting surface 2662 which is the front end portion of the first to eighth light guide plates 266a to 266h. The light emitting surface 2661 has a convex shape substantially equal to the curvature of the reel band 250 fixed in an annular shape by the reel frame 274 and the reinforcing rim 276, and has a substantially equal separation distance to the inner surface of the reel band 250 over the entire area of the light emitting surface 2661. By positioning in such a manner, when the transmission part 251 passes through the front side of the light guide plate 266, the light emission state can be seen almost equal regardless of the movement position of the transmission part 251.

  Further, the light guide plate 266 is made of a homogeneous material that does not refract the light path inside and has a high transparency (transmittance in the visible light region) that can suppress the attenuation factor to be low, and light incident from the incident surface 2661 emits light. The surface 2662 functions as a light guide unit that is guided with substantially uniform light emission intensity over almost the entire region from the upper end to the lower end. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a remarkable light emission spot from being generated on the light emitting surface 2662, and to allow the light transmitting surface 251 to be seen with almost the same luminous intensity regardless of the moving position of the light transmitting portion 251 when passing through the front side of the light guide plate 266. .

  Further, both side surfaces of the first light guide plate 266a are provided by the first light shielding plate 263 and the intermediate light shielding plate 265, and both side surfaces of the second to seventh light guide plates 266b to 266g are provided by the intermediate light shielding plate 265, respectively. Since both side surfaces are respectively shielded by the intermediate light shielding plate 265 and the second light shielding plate 264, light is prevented from leaking from both side surfaces of the first to eighth light guide plates 266a to 266h. For example, the first light guide plate When the first reel LED 261a is turned on to emit light from the light emitting surface 2662 of the 266a, it is possible to avoid a problem that the light emitting surface 2662 of the adjacent second light guide plate 266b emits light.

  In addition, each inclined upper surface 2663 (surface connected from the upper end of the incident surface 2661 to the upper end of the light emitting surface 2661) and each inclined lower surface 2664 (from the lower end of the incident surface 2661 to the lower end of the light emitting surface 2661) of the first to eighth light guide plates 266a to 266h. A light shielding function is also added to the surface connected to the inclined surface 2663 and the inclined lower surface 2664 so that the amount of attenuation when the incident light passes through the light guide plate 266 is further reduced. Anyway.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of light-transmitting regions are formed at equal intervals in the vertical direction (the moving direction of the reel band 250) on each of the light emitting surfaces 2662 of the first to eighth light guide plates 266a to 266h. Thus, a light shielding area 2665 is formed by applying a light shielding paint at regular intervals, and the light emitting surface 2662 is equally divided into a plurality of light transmitting areas (for example, divided into 14 areas). That is, the 14 light-transmitting regions partitioned by the light-shielding region 2665 all function as dot display regions 2666 having the same shape and the same light emitting area, and are LED units in which the first to third light guide plates 266a to 266h are bundled. In 260, a dot matrix of 14 rows × 8 columns can be configured.

  However, in the LED unit 260, lighting control for each column is possible by individually controlling the first to eighth reel LEDs 261a to 261h, but lighting control for each row is not possible. Matrix display is not possible. Accordingly, as the first to eighth transmission parts 251a to 251h provided in a line on the reel band 250 are rotated, the front surfaces of the respective rows of the dot matrix constituted by the LED units 260 are connected to the first to eighth transmission parts 251a. When the lighting control of the first to eighth reel LEDs 261a to 261h is performed at the timing when ˜251h passes, a pseudo dot matrix display of 14 rows × 8 columns can be performed due to the visual afterimage effect.

  Even when the light shielding area 2665 is not formed on each light emitting surface 2661 of the first to eighth light guide plates 266a, the first to eighth reel LEDs 261a to 261h are synchronized with the passage timing of the first to eighth transmission parts 251a to 251h. If the blinking control is performed, pseudo dot matrix display is possible. However, if the light-blocking region 2665 is provided to clarify the vertical dot interval, the first to eighth transmission parts 251a to 251h pass. Even if the lighting time of the reel LEDs 261a to 261h in the row to be lit is set to be long, the dot display flows vertically (moving direction of the first to eighth transmitting portions 251a to 251h), and the visibility of each dot is impaired. Such a phenomenon can be suppressed, and a display with higher visibility can be realized.

  Further, the dot display area 2666 formed on each light emitting surface 2661 of the first to eighth light guide plates 266a is not limited to a square shape, and the light shielding area 2665 may be formed so as to have a round dot shape. In such a case, the first to eighth transmission parts 251a to 251h formed in the reel band 250 are not rounded, for example, a horizontally long common transmission part in which the first to eighth transmission parts 251a to 251h are continuous. However, pseudo dot matrix display is possible.

  Further, as a light shielding function between the first to eighth light guide plates 266a, a light shielding paint similar to the light shielding region 2665 may be applied without using the first and second end light shielding plates 263, 264 and the intermediate light shielding plate 265. . In such a case, the first to eighth light guide plates are formed to be slightly thick, and an attachment hole through which the long screw 280 is passed is provided so that the first to eighth light guide plates are directly bundled and fixed to the attachment base 271. That's fine. At this time, it is desirable to form a light-shielding region in the vertical direction on the light emitting surfaces of the first to eighth light guide plates so that they can be distinguished from the light-transmitting regions of the adjacent light guide plates.

<Control block>
Next, the configuration of the control unit of the slot machine 100 that controls the LED unit 260 as described above will be described in detail with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the control unit controls the entire LED unit 260 as well as the main control unit 300 that controls the LED unit 260 described above, a sub-control device 400 that performs control related to effects for exciting games, and the LCD 180. It is comprised with the LCD display control part 500 which performs display control.

<Main control unit 300>
The microprocessor (hereinafter referred to as “Main CPU”) 310 serves as a center of control in the slot machine 100, and exchanges control signals and data with peripheral units via the bus 370.

  The random number generator 311 generates a random number, and includes a plurality of counters, a clock oscillator, a frequency divider, a latch circuit, and the like. The random value generated by the random number generator 311 is stored in the random number storage area of the RAM 313 via the bus 370 and is sent to the Main CPU 310 as necessary. There are a plurality of types of random number values, and each is used according to the processing content.

  The main CPU 310 has a medal sensor 320 for detecting a medal inserted from the insertion slot of the medal insertion block 133 via the input interface 360 and the bus 370, a start lever sensor 321 for detecting an operation of the start lever 135, and stop buttons 136a to 136a. When any one of 136c is pressed, a stop button sensor 322 that detects which stop button is pressed, and when any one of the medal insertion buttons 131 and 132 is pressed, which medal insertion button is pressed is detected. Are connected to a medal insertion button sensor 323 and an index sensor 277 for detecting a rotation reference position of the reel band 250 provided in each of the first to third reel driving units 220 to 240 of the reel rotating device 210.

  A ROM (read-only memory) 312 is one of storage means for storing programs for performing various controls, various table data to be described later, and the like. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 313 has a work area for programs processed by the Main CPU 310 and is one of storage means for storing variable data and the like.

  The input / output interface 330 includes a reel motor control unit 331 that controls a reel motor that rotates and stops the reels 110 to 112 in the reel unit 250 and a hopper control unit 332 that controls a medal payout device (not shown). The main CPU 310 is connected to the main CPU 310 via the bus 370.

  The effect lamps / displays 341 include lamps such as the winning line display lamp 114 shown in FIG. 1, various displays such as the stored number display 128, the game number display 127, and the payout number display 126. These are collectively shown, and are connected to the Main CPU 310 via the output interface 340 and the bus 370. The reel LEDs 216 of the first to third reel drive units 220 to 240 are also connected to the Main CPU 310 via the output interface 340 and the bus 370.

  The output interface 350 transmits various commands to the input interface 430 of the sub-control unit 400 based on instructions from the Main CPU 310.

<Sub-control unit 400>
The microprocessor (hereinafter referred to as SubCPU) 410 receives various commands transmitted from the main control unit 300 via the input interface 430 and the bus 470, and controls the sub control unit 400 as a whole according to the contents of the received commands. To do.

  The ROM 411 is one of storage means for storing programs and data for controlling the sub-control unit 400 as a whole. The RAM 412 has a work area for programs processed by the SubCPU 410, and is one of storage means for storing variable data and the like.

  The effect light-emitting display unit 421 connected to the SubCPU 410 via the output interface 420 and the bus 470 collectively represents the side lamp 141, the waist lamp 142, the lower lamp 143, the upper lamp 144, and the like. Turns on / flashes / extinguishes.

  The sound source signal forming unit 460 forms and outputs a sound source signal based on the control signal and data delivered from the SubCPU 410. The sound source signal is amplified by the amplifier 461 and then output as sound from the speaker 462.

  The output interface 450 transmits various control data to the LCD display control unit 500 based on an instruction from the SubCPU 410. Based on this control data, the LCD display control unit 500 controls the display of the LCD 180. The LCD display control unit 500 will be described in detail below.

<LCD display control unit 500>
The SubCPU 510 receives various commands transmitted from the sub-control unit 400 via the input interface 530 and the bus 570, specifies image data according to the content of the received command, and displays image data to be displayed on the LCD 180 as a video / video. Directs the display processor (hereinafter VDP) 550.

  The ROM 511 is one of storage means for storing the control program and data of the SubCPU 510.

  The VDP 550 reads the designated image data from the externally connected ROM 552, performs drawing processing, converts the image data into RGB signals, outputs the RGB signal, and outputs the signal via the output interface 553 to display on the LCD 180.

<Example of LED Unit Control by Main Control Unit 300>
Here, the main control unit 300 performs on / off control of the first to eighth reel LEDs 261a to 261h with respect to the LED units 260 of the first to third reel drive units 220 to 240, so that "7" is simulated. A control example of displaying with a typical dot matrix will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 7, for the sake of simplicity, only one reel 250 is displayed on the reel display window 113. The display window 250 is sized so that the symbols G1, G2, and G3 can be visually recognized in the vertical direction. The vertical lengths of the first to eighth reel LEDs 261a to 261h are set so as to sufficiently cover the regions corresponding to the symbols G1 to G3, and the continuous region of the symbols G1 to G3 is used as a pseudo dot matrix display region.

  When displaying in the above-described pseudo dot matrix display area, for example, when the display control of the symbols G1 to G3 is performed every 20 steps and the pseudo dots are expressed every 4 steps, the main control unit 300 is 1. Since the on / off control of the first to eighth reel LEDs 261a to 261h is performed by interrupt processing every 785 ms, the display time for displaying once in the pseudo dot matrix display area = 20 steps × 3 symbols × 1.785 ms≈107 ms, blinking Control interval = 4 steps × 1.785 ms≈7.1 ms, dot displayable number = 107 ms ÷ 7.1 ms≈14 dots. Therefore, if lighting / flashing control of the first to eighth reel LEDs 261a to 261h is performed at the timing as described above, dot matrix display of 8 columns and 14 rows (see the dot arrangement in the reel display window 113 in FIG. 7). It can be realized in a pseudo manner.

  As specific lighting control, based on detection of the detection piece 275 by the index sensor 277, the first to eighth transmission parts 251a to 251h provided in the reel band 250 display in the pseudo dot matrix display area in the reel display window 113. The counter value is set to “60” (20 steps × 3 symbols = 60) at the timing when the starting position (in FIG. 7, the upper position of symbol G1) is reached, and the first to eighth reel LEDs 261a to 261h are set. Refer to the timing data for each step (1 interrupt time = 1.785 ms) that is the lighting / extinguishing control timing. If the corresponding bit of the timing data is “1”, the lighting pattern data is referred to to turn on the lighting pattern data. Accordingly, lighting / extinguishing of the first to eighth reel LEDs 261a to 261h is changed.

  The timing data is given as, for example, 8 counts of data for 8 bits, and when 10000001 = 81H as the timing data corresponding to the count values 60 to 53, in the count value 60, the bit of the timing data is “1”. Based on this, all the first to eighth reel LEDs 261a to 261h are extinguished from 00000000 = 00H which is the first lighting pattern data. Since the lighting control for the LED unit 260 is performed only when the first to eighth transmission parts 251a to 251h provided on the reel band 250 pass through the front surface, the first to eighth transmission parts 251a to 251h are the pseudo dot matrix. Although the first to eighth reel LEDs 261a to 261h have already been turned off before reaching the display area, in this control example, the first to eighth reel LEDs 261a to 261h are turned off as a reset operation when the display control is started. To do.

  Next, in the count value 59, since the timing data bit is “0”, the lighting pattern data is not read, and the states of the first to eighth reel LEDs 261a to 261h are held. Also in the subsequent count values 58 and 57, since the bit of the timing data is “0”, the first to eighth reel LEDs 261a to 261h are kept off.

  Since the bit of the timing data is “0” in both the count value 56 in which the first to eighth transmission parts 251a to 251h are arranged in the first row in the pseudo dot display area, and the subsequent count values 55 and 54, the first bit is “0”. The first to eighth reel LEDs 261a to 261h are kept in an extinguished state, and all the 8 dots in the first row to be exposed according to the passing timings of the first to eighth transmitting portions 251a to 251h are in an extinguished state (in FIG. The dots are shown in white.)

  In the subsequent count 53, since the bit of the timing data is “1”, the first and eighth reel LEDs 261a and 261h are turned off from the second lighting pattern data 01111110 = 7EH, and the second to seventh reel LEDs 261b to 261b. Let 261g be a lighting state (in FIG. 7, a lighting dot is shown by shading).

  Since the timing data corresponding to the count values 52 to 45 is 00001100 = 14H, in the count value 52 in which the first to eighth transmission parts 251a to 251h are arranged in the second row in the pseudo dot display area, the bits of the timing data are Since it is “0”, the lighting pattern data is not referred to, the first and eighth reel LEDs 261a and 261g are turned off, and the second to seventh reel LEDs 261b to 261g are kept on. Thereafter, since the timing data bits in the count values 51 and 50 are also “0”, the lighting pattern is not referred to, and the on / off states of the first to eighth reel LEDs 261a to 261h are held.

  Thus, in this control example, the display update is performed one step earlier than the first to eighth transmission parts 251a to 251h are positioned in the display row in the pseudo dot display region.

  Next, since the bit of the timing data corresponding to the count value 49 is “1”, the third lighting pattern data 11111111 = FFH is referred, all the first to eighth reel LEDs 261a to 261h are turned on, and the subsequent count is performed. Since the bit of the timing data at the value 48 (the timing at which the first to eighth transmission parts 251a to 251h are arranged in the third row in the pseudo dot display area) is “0”, the lighting pattern data is not referred to, and the first to first The state where all the eighth reel LEDs 261a to 261h are lit is maintained. As a result, all the dots in the first to eighth columns of the third row are turned on.

  Since the bit of the timing data corresponding to the subsequent count value 47 is “1”, the fourth lighting pattern data 11100111 = E7H is referred to, the first to third reel LEDs 261a to 261c are turned on, and the fourth and fourth reels are turned on. The 5-reel LEDs 261d and 261e are turned off, and the sixth to eighth reel LEDs 261f to 261h are turned on.

  Thus, in this control example, the display update is performed one step later after the first to eighth transmission parts 251a to 251h are positioned in the display row in the pseudo dot display region.

  That is, the first timing is one interrupt time earlier than each dot display area 2666 formed on each light emitting surface 2662 of the first to third light guide plates 266a to 266h and the first to eighth transmission parts 251a to 251h just overlapping each other. The lighting control of the eighth reel LEDs 261a to 261 is performed, and the respective dot display areas 2666 and the first to eighth transmission parts 251a to 251h formed on the respective light emitting surfaces 2662 of the first to third light guide plates 266a to 266h are exactly the same. By controlling the turn-off of the first to eighth reel LEDs 261a to 261 at the timing when one interrupt time has elapsed after overlapping, a time of 2 counts (1.785 ms × 2) is secured as a dot display time for one row. In addition, without changing the afterimage effect of dot display, each dot display It can be visible to the player a turn-on state and off state in the frequency range 2666 to clear.

  The bit of the timing data of the subsequent count value 46 is “0”, and the count value 45 (the first to eighth transmission portions 251a to 251h are controlled) is controlled according to the fourth row which is the next display row. The timing data bit of one step before) is also “0”, the first to third reel LEDs 261a to 261c and the sixth to eighth reel LEDs 261f to 261h are turned on, and the fourth and fifth reel LEDs 261d, In the fourth row in the pseudo dot display area, the first to third columns are turned on, the fourth and fifth columns are turned off, and the sixth to eighth rows are turned on.

  Similarly, every time the count is subtracted, the first row to eighth reel LEDs 261a to 261h are controlled to be turned on / off based on the lighting pattern data on the basis of the timing data reference, so that the fifth row in the pseudo dot display region. The first, second and fifth to eighth columns are lit, the sixth row is lit with the fifth to seventh columns, the seventh row is lit with the fourth to sixth columns, and the eighth to thirteenth rows. Is controlled to turn on the 3rd to 5th columns, turn off all the 1st to 8th columns in the 14th column, and the number "7" is displayed on the 1st to 8th reels by the pseudo-dot matrix display of 14 rows x 8 columns. It is expressed as a light spot of the LEDs 261a to 261h. Since timing data is referenced for 60 steps from count 60 to count 1, when timing data is determined every 8 steps, the 8th timing data requires only 4 bits, so the 8th timing The last 4 bits in the data are unused.

  If the lighting control of the first to eighth reel LEDs 261a to 261g is performed by the lighting pattern data only in the step in which the lighting pattern change is instructed with reference to the timing data as in this control example, the lighting pattern is changed. Since it is only necessary to hold the same lighting pattern until an instruction is given, it is possible to avoid an extremely short flashing cycle and to simplify the control of the LED unit 260.

  Of course, not limited to this control, lighting control of the first to eighth reel LEDs 261a to 261h is performed only while the first to eighth transmission parts 251a to 251h pass the dot display part, and the first to eighth reels 261a to 261h pass the dot display part. The turn-off control of the eighth reel LEDs 261a to 261h may be performed. When such control is employed, the first to eighth reel LEDs 261a to 261h are not lit except for the dot display portion, so that the light shielding area 2665 is formed on each light emitting surface 2661 of the first to eighth light guide plates 266a. Even without forming, the dot display area can be clearly seen.

<Game execution processing>
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the game execution process of the slot machine 100.

  In step S101, medal acceptance processing is performed. In the medal acceptance process, whether or not a medal is inserted into the medal slot 133 is determined based on a detection signal from the medal sensor 320. When the insertion of medals is detected, the winning line display lamp 120 on the left side of the reel display window 113 is lit / flashed corresponding to the number of medals inserted.

  In step S <b> 102, whether or not the player has operated the start lever 135 is determined based on a detection signal from the start lever sensor 321. If the operation of the start lever 135 is not detected, the operation waits until the start lever 135 is operated. When the main control unit 300 detects the operation of the start lever 135 by a signal from the start lever sensor 321, a start lever reception command is transmitted to the sub control unit 400. The sub-control unit 400 performs an effect of generating a start sound or the like based on the start lever reception command.

  If the start lever 135 is operated, the process proceeds to step S103, and the Main CPU 310 acquires a random number from the random number generator 311. Random lottery is performed based on the acquired random numbers. Here, the internal lottery of each winning combination is mainly performed. A reel stop preparation process is performed so that the reel can be stopped according to the lottery result (step S104), and then an effect lottery process for determining an effect to be performed in the game is performed (step S105).

  In the effect lottery process in step S105, the presence / absence of a pseudo dot matrix display effect realized by LED control on the LED unit 260 is also determined. If there is a dot matrix display effect, the determined pseudo dot matrix display effect is determined. Corresponding effect data (timing data and lighting pattern data) is read from the ROM 312, developed in a work area on the RAM 313, and sequentially referred to when controlling the LED unit 260.

  In step S106, the rotation of the reels 110 to 112 is started. In this reel rotation start process, a drive pulse is supplied to the stepping motor 273 that is a drive source of each reel 110 to 112 in the reel rotation device 210 at an appropriate timing, and all the reels 110 to 112 are rotated simultaneously or randomly.

  Thereafter, when a predetermined time has elapsed and all the reels have been rotated at a constant speed, the process proceeds to step S107, and a stop button receiving process for receiving an operation of the stop buttons 133 to 135 by the player is performed. In the stop button reception process, the stop button sensor 322 detects which stop button 136a to 136c is the stop button operated by the player.

  In step S108, one of the reels 110 to 112 corresponding to the stop buttons 136a to 136c operated by the player is stopped.

  In step S109, it is determined whether or not all of the reels 110 to 112 have been stopped. If there are still reels that have not been stopped, the process returns to step S107 to perform stop button reception processing.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S109 that all the reels 110 to 112 have stopped, the process proceeds to a winning determination process in step S110, and an internal winning winning combination is displayed on the activated winning line 114 on the reel display window 113. Correspondingly, the winning combination of the winning combination is determined based on whether or not the combination of predetermined symbols is stopped. A winning effect command corresponding to the winning determination result is transmitted to the sub-control unit 400 to perform an effect operation corresponding to the winning situation. Note that the winning effect command includes commands such as BB, RB, a small part, an accessory, a replay, and a loss depending on the winning combination.

  If it is determined that there is a winning as a result of the winning determination, a medal payout process in step S111 is performed to pay out a medal having a predetermined number of dividends corresponding to the winning winning combination from the medal payout outlet 165 to the tray 160. Do.

  In the game state update process in step S113, the game state is updated based on the winning determination result. If the BB is won as a result of the winning determination, a BB game is set and the BB game is executed from the next game. When winning an RB and when winning an accessory game during the BB game, an accessory game state is set and executed from the next game.

  By executing the above-described series of processing steps, one game is completed, and thereafter the same procedure is repeated.

<Timer interrupt processing>
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing timer interrupt processing executed every predetermined time (for example, 1.785 ms) during processing of the main control unit 300 of the slot machine 100.

  First, data acquisition is performed on input ports to which detection signals from the medal sensor 320, the start lever sensor 321, the stop button sensor 322, the medal insertion button sensor 323, the index sensor 277, and the like are input (step S202).

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the setting value changing process is being performed (step S202). If the setting value changing process is being performed, the setting value updating process is performed (step S203). If it is determined in step S202 that the setting value changing process is not in progress, it is determined whether or not a medal insertion process is in progress (step S204). If the medal insertion process is in progress, a medal insertion acceptance process is performed (step S205). If it is determined in step S204 that a medal is not being inserted, it is determined whether or not a payout process is in progress (step S206). If a payout process is in progress, a medal payout process is performed (step S207).

  If it is determined in step S206 that the payout process is not in progress, a reel rotation control process is performed (step S208). This reel rotation control process performs rotation / stop control for the three reel drive units (first reel 220, second reel drive unit 230, and third reel drive unit 240), as will be described in detail later. In this embodiment, the LED units 260 provided in the first to third reel drive units 220 to 240 are also controlled in the reel rotation control process. However, the LED unit 260 is temporarily driven by one reel. When the LED unit 260 is provided only in the unit, it is not necessary to control the LED unit 260 in the reel rotation control process. For example, the LED unit control process (the process indicated by the broken line in FIG. 9) after the reel rotation control process in step S208. May be performed.

  After performing any of the processes of step S203, step S205, step S207, or step S208, panel lamp update processing is performed (step S209), and output port data output processing for outputting data set in the output port is performed. (Step S210), and a command output process for outputting a command to the sub-control unit 400 or the like is performed (step S211).

<Reel rotation control processing>
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing details of the reel rotation control process performed in step S208 of the timer interrupt process.

  First, in order to supply drive pulses to the stepping motors 273 of all reels, a reel stop process for turning off the pulse pattern set in the output address is performed (step S301), and then the index sensor 277 detects the passage of the detection piece 275. The reel that checks whether or not it has been set is set to the left reel 210 (step S302), and the number of repetitions for repeating the subsequent processing for three reels is set to "3" (step S303).

  In step S304, a reference sensor passage check is performed to determine whether the index sensor 277 has detected the passage of the detection piece 275. If the left reel 110 is in the reference position, the reel drive pulse is corrected to a pulse output timing corresponding to the reel rotation reference position. A setting process is performed (step S305), and it is determined whether the left reel 110 is in a stopped state (step S306), in an accelerated state (step S307), or in a constant speed state (step S308). If it is in the state, a pulse pattern corresponding to the pulse control data based on the determined reel driving state is acquired (step S309), and the pulse pattern is set as an output adrail (step S310). If it is determined that the left reel 110 is in a stopped state, a pulse pattern corresponding to the pulse control data is not acquired. Therefore, no pulse pattern is set in the drive pulse output address, and the stepping motor 273 is driven. Since no pulse is supplied, the stopped state is maintained.

  Subsequently, an LED unit control process for controlling the turning on / off of the first to eighth reel LEDs 261a to 261h of the LED unit 260 provided corresponding to the left reel 110 is performed (step S311), and the number of repetitions is decremented by one. The middle reel 111 is set as the next reference sensor passage check reel (step S312), the number of repetitions set in step S303 becomes zero, and the reference sensor passage check and the LED unit control for the three reels 110 to 112 are completed. (Step S313), and if the number of repetitions is not yet 0, steps S304 to S312 are executed. When the reference sensor passage check for the right reel 112 and the LED unit control are completed, the number of repetitions is zero, and the next reference sensor passage check reel is not set, so the reel rotation control process is terminated.

<LED unit control processing>
FIG. 11 shows the LED unit control process performed in step S311 of the reel rotation control process. The first to first LED units 260 provided for the first to third reel drive units 220 to 240 are shown in FIG. Control of turning on / off the 8-reel LEDs 261a to 261h is performed for each of the reel drive units 220 to 240, and pseudo dot matrix display can be performed on the left reel 110, the middle reel 111, and the right reel 112, respectively.

  First, it is determined whether or not effect data has been acquired in order to perform a pseudo dot matrix display effect (step S401), and if there is no effect data, the process ends. If it is determined in step S401 that there is presentation data, whether or not it is a start symbol position for starting control of the LED unit 260 (the first to eighth transmission parts 251a to 251h are the display start positions of the first row) (Step S402), if it is determined that the control start symbol position has not been reached, it is determined whether the count value of the counter is greater than 0 (Step S403). If the count value of the counter is 0, the process is terminated as it is.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S402 that the symbol position is the starting symbol position of the reel unit control, the count value of the counter is set to an initial value (for example, 60) (step S404), and then the counter value is determined in step S403. When it is determined that the count value is greater than 0, 1 is subtracted from the count value of the counter (step S405), timing data is acquired (step S406), and if there is no data in the acquired timing data (corresponding bit) If 1 is not set), the process ends.

  In step S407, if there is data in the acquired timing data (if 1 is set in the corresponding bit), lighting pattern data is acquired (step S408), and the first to eighth reels according to the lighting pattern. The lighting data of the LEDs 261a to 261h is set in the output port (step S409).

  As described above, after the LED unit control is started, the processing of step S403 to step S409 is repeated until the count value of the counter becomes 0, and the pseudo dots of 14 rows × 8 columns are displayed in the pseudo dot matrix display area. A matrix display effect is executed. The pseudo dot matrix display is performed every time the first to eighth transmission parts 251a to 251h reach the start symbol position as the reel rotates, and the reel having the transmission part 251 provided only at one position of the reel band 250. A pseudo dot matrix display effect is executed once for each rotation of 110 to 112.

<Example of pseudo dot matrix display effect control>
The pseudo dot matrix display effect realized as described above may be individually performed on the left reel 110, the middle reel 111, and the right reel 112. For example, the pseudo dot matrix displayed on the reels 110 to 112 is linked. Therefore, it is possible to produce an effective production.

  For example, as illustrated in FIG. 12, the transmissive portions 251 are formed on the reels 110 to 112 so as to be at the same position with reference to “???” which is a specific symbol. That is, in the left reel 110 in which the specific symbol “???” is drawn as the 17th symbol, the transmission part 251 is formed between the eighth symbol and the seventh symbol, and the specific symbol “???” is designated as the ninth symbol. In the middle reel on which the symbol is drawn, a transmission part 251 is formed between the 21st and 20th symbols, and on the right reel 112 on which the specific symbol “???” is drawn as the 14th symbol, the 5th and 4th symbols are drawn. When the transmission part 251 is formed between the symbols, in any of the reels 110 to 112, the transmission part 251 reaches the start symbol position when the reel is rotated by 9 symbols from the specific symbol.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13 (a), when the game results in a stop display in which the specific symbols of all the reels 110 to 112 are arranged in the horizontal direction, all the reels 110 to 112 are displayed as the next game starts. When rotated at the same timing and at the same speed, the transmission portions 251 of the reels 110 to 112 pass through the reel display window 113 in a state of being aligned in a horizontal row (see FIG. 13B).

  In this way, the timings at which the transmission parts 251 of all the reels 110 to 112 pass through the reel display window 113 are made the same, and the main controller 300 sets the LED units 260 of the first to third reel drive units 220 to 240 to each other. When the pseudo dot matrix display effect is performed simultaneously on each reel 110 to 112 by performing the control, the appearance by the afterimage becomes the same on all the reels 110 to 112, and the pseudo dot matrix at different timings on each reel 110 to 112. Compared with the display, the visibility of each symbol displayed in the pseudo dot matrix on all of the reels 110 to 112 can be improved.

  As a pseudo dot matrix display effect performed using the three reels 110 to 112, for example, as shown in FIG. 13C, "B" is set for the left reel 110, "I" is set for the middle reel 111, and the right Each of the reels 112 can display “G” so that the character “BIG” drawn as a light spot can be seen by the player, and it can be impressed that the big bonus is starting or big bonus is in progress.

  In addition, the start condition of the pseudo dot matrix display effect is not limited to the internal winning by a random number or the like, and a predetermined effect activation symbol such as a specific symbol “???” is aligned on the horizontal line in all reels 110 to 112. You may make it perform on the condition. In addition, it is assumed that there will be no payout even if the production activation symbols are aligned, and regardless of the internal lottery result, the main control is performed so that the production activation symbols are preferentially stopped on the active line within the drawing range of the reel stop position. The part 300 is involved in the stop control of the reel rotating device 210, so that the effect activation condition can be easily achieved and the execution frequency of the pseudo dot matrix display effect can be adjusted.

  In addition, the transmission part 251 is not limited to being provided one place on each of the reels 110 to 112, and is provided at a plurality of places, and by performing the pseudo dot matrix display twice or more while the reel band 250 rotates once, The afterimage effect may be enhanced to improve the visibility of the display pattern. Alternatively, an animation display may be performed by displaying a different pattern every time the transmission unit 250 passes through a pseudo dot matrix display. For example, as shown in the left reel 110 of FIG. 12, if the transmission portions 2511 to 2517 are arranged at equal intervals every three symbols, pseudo dot matrix display for seven frames can be performed while the reel 110 makes one rotation.

<Second configuration example of LED unit>
FIG. 14 shows an LED unit 260 ′ according to the second configuration example, in which a fan-shaped LED holder 262 ′ is interposed between fan-shaped light shielding plates 263 ′, for example, eight LED holders 262 ′ are arranged in parallel. For example, 14 reel LEDs 261 ′ are evenly arranged in the vertical direction on the arc-shaped front end surface of each LED holder 262 ′, so that the display band body 250 rotates in a predetermined range facing the reel display window 113. It functions as an illuminating means for illuminating from behind the transmission part 251. In the LED unit 260 ′ of this configuration example, the spacers 279 are inserted into the long screws 280 that pass through the mounting holes provided in the light shielding plate 263 ′, and the long screws 280 are fixed to the mounting base 271. The assembly of the LED unit 260 and the positioning based on the mounting base 271 can be performed simultaneously.

  According to the LED unit 260 ′ of this configuration example, each reel LED 261 ′ is positioned immediately on the back side of the transmissive portion 251, so that it can emit light with high brightness, and 14 rows for every eight LED holders 262 ′. Since the minute reel LED 261 'is provided, the dot display location in the pseudo dot matrix display can be clearly identified, and the visibility due to the afterimage phenomenon is enhanced even when the rotation speed of the reels 110 to 112 is relatively slow. Can do. Moreover, since each reel LED 261 ′ itself functions as a dot display area, it is not necessary to form the light shielding area 2665 on the light emitting surface 2661 like the light guide plate 266 of the LED unit 260 described above.

  Further, if each reel LED 261 ′ provided for each LED holder 262 ′ is configured so that the main control unit 300 can individually turn on / off the light, the reel LED 261 ′ is turned on so as to display a pseudo dot matrix display. Since the pseudo dot matrix display can be performed simply by keeping the display in the state, the control for changing the display for each row in synchronization with the movement amount of the transmission unit 251 is not required, and the control performed by the main control unit 300 is simplified. Thus, a pseudo dot matrix display effect can be performed.

<Third configuration example of LED unit>
FIG. 15 shows an LED unit 290 according to a third configuration example, in which LED holders 292 that hold first to eighth reel LEDs 291a to 291h in a horizontal row at equal intervals are provided with first to eighth optical fibers 293a. The first to eighth LEDs 291a to 291h are first to first from the back side of the LED introduction opening 294a formed in the upper holding member 293 by being attached to the back side of the upper holding member 294 that holds the upper end portion of ˜293h. The eight optical fibers 293a to 293h are held in a state facing the rear end face. The other ends of the first to eighth optical fibers 293a to 293h are fitted and held in the fiber holding recess 295a of the lower holding member 295.

  The first to eighth optical fibers 293a to 293h use peripheral surface light emitting type optical fibers (so-called fiber tubes), and the first to eighth light LEDs 291a to 291h are turned on and off to turn on the first to eighth lights. The entire peripheral surfaces of the fibers 293a to 293h emit light with substantially equal brightness. In other words, in the cylindrical optical fiber 293, the end face on the side held by the upper holding member 294 functions as an incident end face for entering light from the light source, and the peripheral wall connected to the edge of the incident end face serves as the light emitting face. Function.

  The first to eighth optical fibers 293a to 293h are made to face the reel display window 113 from the rear surface of the reel band 250 in accordance with the movement trajectories of the first to eighth transmission parts 251a to 251h provided on the reel band 250, respectively. To place. At that time, the peripheral surfaces of the first to eighth optical fibers 293a to 293h are bent along the inner periphery of each of the reels 110 to 112, and the first to eighth transmission parts 251a to 251h are the first to eighth. When the light passes through the front side of the optical fibers 293a to 293h, the brightness of the light spot visually recognized by the player through the first to eighth transmission parts 251a to 251h is made constant.

  Since the first to eighth optical fibers 293a to 293h emit light on the entire peripheral surface, the amount of light transmitted to the front side of the slot machine 100 via the first to eighth transmission parts 251a to 251h is relative. Therefore, for example, a reflecting portion (a reflective film such as a silver film) is formed at the bottom of the fiber holding recess 295a of the lower holding member 295, or the rear side of the first to eighth optical fibers 293a to 293h (reel band 250). The luminous efficiency of the peripheral surface may be increased by covering the half peripheral surface with a non-transmissive film or a reflective film. In addition, a non-transmission region is formed with a non-transmission film or a reflection film on the front circumferential surface of the first to eighth optical fibers 293a to 293h (side facing the inner surface of the reel band 250). Only the dot light emission location in the display may be a transmission region.

  In the LED unit 290 described above, an optical fiber having a circular cross section is used. However, the shape is not limited to this, and the shape of the incident end surface on which light from the reel LED 291 is incident may be a polygon such as a square, and the peripheral surface connected to the incident end surface is If it functions as a light emitting surface, it can be used as illumination means. Further, the cold cathode tube may have a curved shape along the inner periphery of the reels 110 to 112 to serve as an illumination unit.

  As described above, the gaming machine according to the present invention has been described based on various embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and the game machine is not limited to the configuration described in the claims. It can be implemented.

It is a perspective view showing the appearance of a slot machine which is an example of a game table. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the external appearance of the reel rotation apparatus of a game stand. It is a disassembled perspective view of a reel drive unit. It is a partially broken side view of a reel drive unit. It is a schematic front view of the reel drive unit with the reel band removed. It is a schematic block diagram of the control function in a slot machine. It is explanatory drawing of the example of 1 control of the LED unit which a main control part performs. It is a flowchart which shows a game execution process. It is a flowchart which shows a timer interruption process. It is a flowchart which shows a reel rotation control process. It is a flowchart which shows a LED unit control process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the arrangement structure of the specific symbol on a reel, and a permeation | transmission part. (A) is an image diagram in which specific symbols are arranged in a horizontal row on all reels in the reel display window. (B) is an image diagram of a state where all the reels are rotating with the transmissive portions being aligned. (C) is an image diagram of a state in which the pseudo dot matrix display effect is OK simultaneously using all reels. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the LED unit which concerns on a 2nd structural example. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the LED unit which concerns on a 3rd structural example.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Slot machine 110 Left reel 111 Middle reel 112 Right reel 210 Reel rotating device 220 1st reel drive unit 230 2nd reel drive unit 240 3rd reel drive unit 250 Reel belt body 251a-251h 1st-8th permeation | transmission part 260 LED Units 261a to 261h 1st to 8th reel LED
266a-266h 1st-8th light-guide plate 2661 Incident surface 2662 Light-emitting surface 300 Main control part

Claims (4)

A game machine having a variable display device capable of moving and displaying a plurality of types of symbols behind a display window, and a control means for controlling display of the variable display device,
The variable display device includes:
An annular display band in which a plurality of types of transmission parts arranged in a row are arranged around a plurality of types of symbols around and transmit light from the back in the direction orthogonal to the movement direction,
Setting vignetting over a predetermined range in which the display band body face the display window, a lighting unit capable of illumination from the transmission unit behind by the light emission source,
With
The illumination means includes
A plurality of LEDs which are light emitting sources provided in correspondence with the respective transmission portions of the display strip,
Incidence in which a translucent material having the same thickness as the width of the transmissive portion of the display strip is processed into a fan shape having a small-diameter concave portion and a large-diameter convex portion, and the small-diameter concave portion is incident with light from an LED. A plurality of light guide members arranged at positions corresponding to the respective light transmitting portions inside the display band, and a large-diameter convex surface portion as a light emitting surface that irradiates light incident from the incident surface toward the front surface side,
At least a light shielding member that is disposed between adjacent light guide members and prevents light leaking from the side surfaces of each light guide member from entering from the side surfaces of other light guide members;
Consisting of
The control means includes
A gaming table characterized by individually controlling light emission of LEDs corresponding to a transmissive portion in accordance with the amount of movement of the display strip when the transmissive portion passes through the display window during movement display of the display strip. The control means includes
As a result of the game, when the transmissive portions of all the display strips of the variable display device are stopped in a line, all the display strips are rotated at the same timing and at the same speed as the next game starts . The game table according to claim 1. The display strip is provided with a plurality of transmission part rows in which a plurality of transmission parts are arranged in a horizontal row,
The game machine according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the control means individually controls the light emission of the LED every time each transmissive part row passes through the display window . The light guide member of the illuminating means is formed by alternately applying a light-shielding paint to the light emitting surface, thereby forming dot display areas that allow light transmission and light-shielding areas that shield light in the moving direction of the display strip. , amusement machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3 in which each dot display region on the light emitting surface, characterized in that it has to be partitioned by the light shielding region.

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