JP6545343B1 - Gaming machine - Google Patents

Abstract

Kind Code: A1 A gaming machine that performs a new effect using a boundary portion provided between adjacent light sources among a plurality of light sources is provided. A housing 110 of a reel unit includes a housing portion 120, upper and lower boundary portions 150 and 170, and upper, middle, and lower LEDs 111U, 111M, and 111D that illuminate specific symbols attached to the reel tape. The upper and lower boundary tip surfaces 151 and 171 of the upper and lower boundary portions 150 and 170 have a specific pattern that repeats in a direction perpendicular to the rotation direction of the reel portion. A transparent area that is continuous in an oblique direction with respect to the rotation direction, and during the rotation of the reel portion, the transparent area of a specific symbol continues between the display window and the upper and lower boundary portions 150 and 170. By passing, the specific pattern appears to move in a direction perpendicular to the rotation direction of the reel portion, thereby producing an effect. [Selected figure] Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine that illuminates a light from behind a reel tape attached to a reel unit to illuminate a symbol attached to the reel tape.

  Conventionally, in gaming machines such as pachinko machines and slot machines, gaming machines having a mechanical reel unit are known. In this mechanical reel unit, when illuminating the stop surface of the reel tape attached to the reel by the backlight, the stop surface of the reel tape is divided and illuminated (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  The mechanical reel unit of the slot machine of Patent Document 1 includes a backlight unit, and the backlight unit includes first to third LEDs and a reflector member. The reflector member has first to third bottoms formed corresponding to the installation positions of the first to third LEDs from the top to the bottom, and a first formed on the upper end of the first bottom. A partition wall, a second partition wall formed between the first bottom surface portion and the second bottom surface portion, and a third partition wall formed between the second bottom surface portion and the third bottom surface portion And a fourth partition formed at the lower end of the third bottom surface, and side walls formed on the left and right sides of the first to third bottoms and the first to fourth partitions.

  The second partition has a first wall rising from the lower end of the first bottom surface toward the inner circumferential surface of the reel tape and a second partition rising from the upper end of the second bottom surface toward the inner circumferential surface of the reel tape The distance between the first wall and the second wall decreases as it approaches the reel tape. When the reflector member is viewed from the front, the tip of the second partition has a rectangular shape having a short side in the rotational direction of the reel and a long side in the vertical direction with respect to the rotational direction of the reel. The first wall limits the lower end of the range to which the light emitted from the first LED reaches, and the second wall limits the upper end of the range to which the light emitted from the second LED reaches. As a result, the lower end of the range to which the light emitted from the first LED reaches and the upper end of the range to which the light emitted from the second LED reach are continuous, and the boundaries of these illumination areas are approximately It is not noticeable. The third partition has the same structure as the second partition, and the lower end of the range to which the light emitted from the second LED reaches and the upper end of the range to which the light emitted from the third LED reaches Are continuous so as to make the boundaries of these illumination areas less noticeable.

JP 2012-187260 A (see paragraphs 0036-0044, FIG. 7 and the like)

  However, in Patent Document 1, the boundary of the illumination range is still visible, and there is a problem that a highly transparent pattern can not be used for the reel tape in order to make the boundary less noticeable.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides new effects using boundaries provided between adjacent light sources among a plurality of light sources illuminating a design attached to a reel tape. It aims to provide a gaming machine that makes it possible.

  In order to achieve the above object, a game machine according to the present invention includes a box-like housing having an opening at the front, a front door having a display window, and capable of opening and closing the opening. A gaming machine comprising: a reel unit; and a spinning unit having a reel tape attached to the reel unit such that a specific symbol is attached to one surface and the one surface is disposed outside, A housing portion provided on an inner peripheral surface side of the reel tape so that the rotating body has an opening and the opening overlaps the display window when viewed from the front of the display window; From the one side facing the inner circumferential surface of the reel tape, the boundary portion extending toward the reel tape, the housing portion, and the region divided by the boundary portion. A light source for emitting light toward the reel tape to illuminate the specific symbol attached to the reel tape, and a surface of the boundary portion facing the reel tape is in the direction of rotation of the reel portion It has a specific pattern to be repeated in the vertical direction, and the specific pattern has a transmitting portion which is continuous in a direction oblique to the rotational direction of the reel portion, and during the rotation of the reel portion, The transmission pattern of the specific symbol passes continuously between the display window and the boundary when viewed from the front of the display window, whereby the specific pattern is perpendicular to the rotational direction of the reel unit. It is characterized by performing the production with the appearance of the movement.

  According to this configuration, the surface facing the reel tape at the boundary portion provided between the adjacent light sources among the plurality of light sources has a specific pattern repeated in the direction perpendicular to the rotation direction of the reel portion. The specific symbol attached to the reel tape has a transmitting portion which is continuous in the direction oblique to the rotational direction of the reel portion. As a result, when the transparent portion of the specific symbol passes continuously between the display window and the boundary portion while the reel portion is rotating, the specific pattern appears to move in the direction perpendicular to the rotational direction of the reel portion. The presentation is performed with this emerging vertical movement. In this manner, while the boundary portion plays a role as a partition wall, it is possible to perform new effects using the boundary portion, and it is possible to improve the interest of the game, and by using the boundary portion for the effect Even if the player sees the boundary, the player does not care about the boundary.

  Further, the interlocking effect may be performed by the pattern of the predetermined area including the specific symbol of the reel tape and the portion of the specific pattern which can be visually recognized from the transmitting portion.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to expect an increase in the content of the effect and an improvement in the fun by performing interlocking effect using the specific pattern of the boundary portion and the pattern of the predetermined area of the reel tape as the effect. It is possible to further improve the interest of the game.

  In addition, the specific pattern may be formed based on the shape of the boundary portion.

  According to this configuration, the contour of the shape of the surface facing the reel tape at the boundary portion does not become linear, and unevenness is formed on the contour, so that the light emitted from the light source is uniformly reflected. It will not be done. As a result, the specific pattern can be easily seen from the transmission part of the specific symbol.

  In the boundary portion, the specific pattern may be continuous from the surface facing the reel tape to the one surface of the housing portion.

  According to this configuration, the recessed portion is continuously formed from the surface facing the reel tape to the one surface of the housing at the boundary portion, so that the light emitted from the light source is concentrated in the recessed portion . Thereby, the specific pattern can be more easily seen from the transmission part of the specific symbol. In addition, since the surface area of the boundary portion is increased, it is possible to expect the heat generation preventing effect in the housing portion by heat exchange.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a slot machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view in the state in which the front door of the slot machine of FIG. 1 was opened. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of the slot machine of FIG. (A) is a perspective view of the left, middle and right reel units in a state in which the left, middle and right reel tapes are not omitted, and (b) is a state in which part of the left, middle and right reel tapes are omitted FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the left, middle and right reel units in FIG. (A) is a perspective view of the backlight unit of FIG.4 (b), (b) is a front view of a backlight unit. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the specific symbol of a reel tape. (A) is an explanatory view for explaining how the upper and lower boundaries of the housing are seen through the reel tape when the upper, middle and lower LEDs are lit, and (b) is for upper, middle and lower It is an explanatory view for explaining how the upper and lower boundaries of the housing are seen through the reel tape when the LED is turned off. (A)-(d) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the presentation which the slot machine of FIG. 1 performs. It is a perspective view of the slot machine concerning a 2nd embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view in the state in which the front door of the slot machine of FIG. 9 was opened. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of the slot machine of FIG. It is a perspective view of a sub reel unit. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the specific symbol of a reel tape. (A)-(d) are explanatory drawings for demonstrating the presentation which the slot machine of FIG. 10 performs. It is a front view of the backlight unit in a modification.

First Embodiment
A slot machine 1 which is an example of a gaming machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

(Constitution)
The outline of the configuration of the slot machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG.

  The slot machine 1 in this embodiment is based on the operation of the player on condition that a prescribed number of game media such as medals are inserted in the gaming state of any of the plurality of gaming states set in advance. One game is executed, and is configured as shown in FIG. 1, for example. That is, in the slot machine 1, the front surface of the box-like housing 3 having an opening on the front surface is closed by the front door 5 so as to be openable and closable, and the front surface of the housing 3 is closed by the front door 5 Left, middle and right reel units 6L, 6M and 6R are accommodated in the housing 3 (see FIG. 2). The operation plate 7 is disposed at a position approximately at the center height of the front door 5, and the front plate 9 is disposed above the operation plate 7.

  The front plate 9 is provided with a horizontally long rectangular display window 11. Further, inside the display window 11, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, left, middle and right reels 13L, 13M and 13R for variably displaying a plurality of types of symbols in a predetermined order are disposed. . The left, middle, and right reels 13L, 13M, and 13R rotate around the rotation axis, and the left, middle, and right reels 101L, 101M, and 101R (see FIGS. 4A and 4B) are plural types. For example, a total of 21 frames of a symbol (a symbol for one frame) are formed in a predetermined arrangement so as to be seen from one surface (hereinafter referred to as "peripheral surface") side, and the outer peripheral surface is disposed outside Thus, left, middle and right reel tapes 102L, 102M and 102R (FIGS. 4A and 4B) attached to the left, middle and right reel portions 101L, 101M and 101R (see FIGS. 4A and 4B). b) see). In addition, when the pattern of one frame forms the pattern of one pattern, the pattern of a plurality of continuous frames (for example, three frames) may be integrated to form the pattern of one pattern. However, on the left, middle, and right reels 102L, 102M, 102R, when the symbols of a plurality of continuous frames are integrated to form a pattern of one symbol, there is a gap between the symbols of adjacent frames, for example, regularly. It will be divided composition. In the case of the sub reel tape 102S of the sub reel 13S described in the second embodiment, for example, the composition may be continuous without a gap between the symbols of adjacent frames. In addition, frame numbers from 0 to 20 are sequentially assigned to each symbol (each frame). Further, when the respective reels 13L, 13M, 13R rotate, a plurality of symbols are variably displayed on the display window 11 in a predetermined order of frame numbers 20, 19, ..., 0, 20, .... When the rotation of each of the reels 13L, 13M, 13R is stopped from the display window 11, a symbol of one frame is set so that a total of three symbols, one in each of the upper stage, the middle stage and the lower stage. That is, when all three reels 13L, 13M, 13R are stopped, a total of nine symbols (9 frames) arranged in three vertical rows and three horizontal rows are stopped and displayed on the display window 11. Note that, for example, five lines of the upper line, the middle line, the lower line, the upper right line, and the lower lower line are set as the winning lines.

  Further, reel motors 14L, 14M, 14R shown in FIG. 3 configured of stepping motors are connected to the respective reels 13L, 13M, 13R so that the respective reels 13L, 13M, 13R can be driven to rotate independently. It is done.

  The reel units 6L, 6M, and 6R will be described later with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7.

  Furthermore, on the operation plate 7, there is a bet switch 15 for instructing the player to insert medals one by one from the credit medals stored inside, and the player per one game (game) from the credit medals. The maximum bet switch 17 for performing an operation to instruct the medal insertion of the maximum insertion number (set to 3) of the player, the player rotates each reel 13L, 13M, 13R to start variable display of each symbol The lever-like start switch 19 for performing an operation to cause the player to stop the rotation of the left, middle and right reels 13L, 13M and 13R respectively to perform the operation for stopping the variable display of each symbol -Right stop switch 21L, 21M, 21R, settlement switch 23 for the player to perform an operation to instruct payout of a credit medal, and medal insertion 25 is provided. Further, a plurality of variable display rows for variably displaying a plurality of types of symbols are formed by the reels 13L, 13M, 13R, and the stop switches 21L, 21M, 21R correspond to the respective reels 13L, 13M, 13R. Is provided.

  In addition, a motion picture or the like is displayed substantially at the center of the upper part of the front plate 9 to notify the player of winning or winning, and to notify the operation mode of each stop switch 21L, 21M, 21R, etc. A liquid crystal display 27 is provided. Further, immediately above the liquid crystal display 27, an explanation panel 29 on which various winning symbol patterns are displayed is provided, and on the left and right of the liquid crystal display 27 and the explanation panel 29, effects are provided by music or voice. The speakers 31L and 31R are provided respectively. As shown in FIG. 2, speakers 31L and 31R are respectively provided on the left and right of a medal payout opening 39 described later. Further, a central lamp portion 33M is disposed on the upper side of the explanation panel 29 and the speakers 31L and 31R, and left and right lamp portions 33L and 33R are disposed on the left and right thereof. A light source such as a light emitting diode is disposed in each of the lamp portions 33M, 33L, and 33R. These lamp sections 33M, 33L, 33R are integrally formed, and constitute an upper lamp section 33 for producing effects such as notifying a player of winning or winning.

  Further, below the operation plate 7, a lower panel 35 on which a decorative image or the like is displayed is provided, and on the left and right of the lower panel 35, a lower lamp section in which plural light sources are arranged in two rows, for example 37L and 37R are provided. Further, below the lower panel 35, a medal payout opening 39 and a medal receiver 41 for receiving a medal paid out from the medal payout opening 39 are provided. In the lower right corner of the front plate 9, a graphic (not shown) indicating the positions of pay lines for three reels is drawn, and in the lower left corner of the front plate 9, a credit indicator 45 for displaying the number of stored credit medals. Is provided. The credit display 45 is configured of, for example, two 7-segment LEDs, and can display the 2-digit stored number (50 sheets at the maximum).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a support frame 13 for supporting the respective reels 13 L, 13 M, 13 R is fixed to the rear wall in the housing 3. Below the support frame 13 in the housing 3, as shown in FIG. 2, a hopper unit 43 for discharging the medals to the medal payout opening 39 is disposed. In addition, on the back side near the medal insertion slot 25, as shown in FIG. 2, whether or not the medal inserted into the medal insertion slot 25 is normal is selected and only the regular medal is guided to the hopper unit 43. A medal selector 48 is provided. A medal passage is provided inside the housing 3, and medals eliminated as non-regular medals by the medal selector 48 and medals paid out from the hopper unit 43 pass through the medal passage. It is paid out from the medal payout opening 39. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, an operation box 49 is fixed to the left side wall in the housing 3 on the left side of the hopper unit 43. The operation box 49 is provided with a power switch 50 (see FIG. 3) for switching on / off of the power, and a change processing start switch 56 (FIG. 3) formed of a key cylinder for setting change start processing. And a reset switch 52 (see FIG. 3) used to switch setting values at the time of setting change. However, when the power switch 50 is turned on with the change process start switch 56 turned on, the setting change process using the reset switch 52 is started.

  Subsequently, the electrical configuration of the slot machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the slot machine.

  In FIG. 3, the insertion sensor 53 is provided in the vicinity of the medal insertion slot 25 and in the medal selector 48, and detects medals inserted into the medal insertion slot 25 one by one. The payout sensor 54 is provided at the outlet of the hopper unit 43 and detects the medals paid out to the medal payout outlet 39 one by one.

  The left, middle and right position sensors 55L, 55M and 55R are for detecting the rotational position of the left, middle and right reels 13L, 13M and 13R respectively, and for example, on the left, middle and right reels 13L, 13M and 13R The left, middle, and right reels 13 L, 13 M, and 13 R rotate, and detect the protrusions for each round, and output detection signals to the main control board 63. In this embodiment, for example, when the left, middle and right position sensors 55L, 55M and 55R detect the above-mentioned projection, the symbol of the frame No. 20 is arranged in the middle of the display window 11 respectively. .

  The hopper motor 57 is disposed in the hopper unit 43, and is driven to discharge medals toward the medal payout opening 39.

  Further, in the slot machine 1, a predetermined effect (for example, based on information transmitted from the main control board 63 on which the main CPU 61 for performing control regarding the progression of the game is mounted and the main CPU 61 mounted on the main control board 63) The sub control board 73 on which the sub CPU 71 for performing control related to effects corresponding to the progress of the game is mounted is separately provided, and various game information is unidirectionally transmitted from the main control board 63 to the sub control board 73. Sent by Each of the main control board 63 and the sub control board 73 is housed in the board case so that it is difficult to gain unauthorized access from the outside, and it is difficult for the board case to be opened without leaving a trace. It is strictly sealed. In addition, various measures have been taken for these substrate cases so that they can be visually recognized that they have been opened illegally. The board case housing the main control board 63 is installed at a position higher than the support frame 13 on the rear side wall in the housing 3 as shown in FIG. 2, and the board case housing the sub control board 73 is shown in FIG. As shown, it is installed at a position substantially the same height as the board case accommodating the main control board 63 in the left side wall in the housing 3.

  The RAM 65 of the main control board 63 temporarily stores data relating to the game such as the gaming state of the slot machine 1, and various storage areas for storing various data are formed.

  Further, the ROM 67 of the main control board 63 stores a game machine program (program for the slot machine 1) including data set in advance.

  Further, the main CPU 61 of the main control board 63 has an interrupt function such as timer interrupt, and executes the game machine program stored in the ROM 67 to perform processing regarding the progress of the game. In addition, the main CPU 61 controls various game information such as information on the lottery result, information on the operation of the operation devices operated by the player such as the stop switches 21L, 21M, 21R, the start switch 19 etc. It transmits to the board | substrate 73 (sub CPU71).

  Further, the memory 75 of the sub control board 73 is provided with a RAM unit for temporarily storing various data, and a ROM unit for storing various programs for effect and the like. Further, the sub CPU 71 of the sub control board 73 has an interrupt function such as timer interrupt, and the sub CPU 71 is stored in the memory 75 based on various game information etc. regarding the slot machine 1 transmitted from the main CPU 61 By executing the program, the contents of the presentation related to the game to the player are determined. In addition, the sub CPU 71 of the sub control board 73 controls the display devices such as the liquid crystal display 27 and the speakers 31 L and 31 R via the I / O port of the sub control board 73 based on the determined contents of the effect. I do.

(Main control board)
Next, the main control board 63 will be described.

  The main control board 63 has various functions realized by executing the program stored in the ROM 67 and various functions realized by controlling the hardware.

  The main CPU 61 selects any one of a plurality of gaming states provided in the slot machine 1 according to the type of the winning combination group (having one or more combinations as a component combination) and winning / non-winning of the combination etc. Control the gaming of the slot machine 1 in a state.

  Further, the main CPU 61 adjusts the payout rate (the number of obtained medals ÷ the number of inserted medals × 100 [%]) based on predetermined setting change operations on the power switch 50, the change process start switch 56, and the reset switch 52. Change settings (settings 1 to 6) for setting.

  Further, the main CPU 61 selects one combination lottery table from the plurality of combination lottery tables based on the type of the gaming state controlled and the set value (setting 1 to setting 6) set. In the combination lottery table, for each of a plurality of predetermined combination winning combinations, a combination of winning combinations and a range of lottery values in which the selected combination wins in the combination lottery is stored.

  Further, when the start switch 19 is operated by the player, the main CPU 61 generates a random number for the winning combination within a predetermined range, and the generated random number is used as the lottery value at the timing when the start switch 19 is operated. Extract. Then, the main CPU 61 determines which winning combination group has been won using the selected combination lottery value table and the extracted lottery value.

  Further, when the start switch 19 is operated by the player, the main CPU 61 starts rotation of the respective reels 13L, 13M, 13R, and detection signals of the left, middle, right position sensors 55L, 55M, 55R, The rotational positions of the left, middle and right reels 13L, 13M and 13R are respectively detected based on the number of pulses supplied to the reel motors 14L, 14M and 14R which drive the middle and right reels 13L, 13M and 13R. After all the reels 13L, 13M, 13R rotate at a constant speed, the main CPU 61 receives the operation of the stop switches 21L, 21M, 21R as a valid operation. In this state, when the player operates the respective stop switches 21L, 21M and 21R, the main CPU 61 detects the rotational positions of the detected left, middle and right reels 13L, 13M and 13R and the respective stop switches by the player. Each reel within the range of the pre-set number of sliding symbols (retractable range: usually up to 4 frames) based on the operation mode (for example, pushing order and operation timing) of 21L, 21M, 21R and the result of lottery for winning combination Stop control is performed so that 13L, 13M and 13R are stopped.

  After the rotation of all the reels 13L, 13M, 13R is stopped, the main CPU 61 causes the symbol combination of the pay lines of the reels 13L, 13M, 13R to be the symbol combination corresponding to the combination constituting the winning combination group won by the combination lottery. It is determined whether the symbol combination is the symbol combination, and if the symbol combination of the winning line is the symbol combination corresponding to the combination, it is determined that the combination is won, otherwise it is determined that the player has lost. When the main CPU 61 determines that the combination of winning combinations that have been won by the combination lottery has been won, if it is a combination of winning combinations of medal payouts, the hopper unit 43 is operated to obtain a combination The payout control is performed to pay out the medals for the number of payouts corresponding to. However, when the number of stored credit medals has not reached the upper limit (for example, 50 in this embodiment), the main CPU 61 increases the number of credit medals by the number of payouts until the upper limit is reached.

  Further, the main CPU 61 switches between medal acceptance and non-acceptance by controlling the operation of the medal selector 48.

  In addition, the main CPU 61 controls the setting value, the gaming state, information on the lottery result, information on the symbol determination result, rotation / stop states of the respective reels 13L, 13M, 13R, medal payout states, opening or closing of the front door 5 Data representing the state of the slot machine 1, such as the state and error state of the slot machine 1, and various information such as information on the operation of the operating devices operated by the player such as the stop switches 21L, 21M, 21R, and the start switch 19 A command for transmission to the sub control board 73 (sub CPU 71) is generated, and the generated command is transmitted to the sub CPU 71 of the sub control board 73. The command is transmitted from the main control board 63 to the sub control board 73 in one way.

(Sub control board)
Next, the sub control board 73 will be described. The sub control board 73 receives a command transmitted from the main control board 63, and performs effects according to the operation and state of the main control board 63. The sub control board 73 has various functions realized by executing a program stored in the memory 75 and various functions realized by hardware.

  The sub CPU 71 receives a command including various data transmitted by the main control board 63 (main CPU 61). Then, the sub CPU 71 determines the content of the effect according to the received command, and performs, for example, display control for displaying an image such as a moving image on the liquid crystal display 27 according to the content of the determined effect Control of outputting voice from 31L and 31R is performed, and control is performed to blink the light sources of the upper lamp portion 33 and the lower lamp portions 37L and 37R all at once or individually. Further, for example, when the start switch 17 is operated, the sub CPU 71 drives the LED drive circuit 16 so that the upper and middle portions of the reel units 6L, 6M and 6R (see FIGS. 4A and 4B). The lower LEDs 111U, 111M, 111D (see FIGS. 5A and 5B) are lighted.

(Reel unit)
Subsequently, the left, middle and right reel units 6L, 6M and 6R will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As described above, the slot machine 1 is provided with the left, middle and right reel units 6L, 6M and 6R. The left, middle, and right reel units 6L, 6M, and 6R are attached to the support frame 13 so as to be substantially aligned in a row when viewed from the front (see FIGS. 2, 4A, and 4B). In the present embodiment, the left, middle and right reel units 6L, 6M and 6R respectively correspond to the "rolling body" of the present invention.

  The left, middle and right reel units 6L, 6M and 6R have the left, middle and right reels 13L, 13M and 13R as described above. As described above, the left, middle, and right reels 13L, 13M, and 13R rotate around the rotation axis, and the left, middle, and right reels 101L, 101M, and 101R, and a plurality of types of symbols (symbols for one frame) Are formed in a predetermined arrangement, for example, 21 frames in total so as to be viewed from the outer peripheral surface side, and the left and middle attached to the left, middle and right reel portions 101L, 101M and 101R so that the outer peripheral surface is disposed outside The right reel tapes 102L, 102M, and 102R are provided (see FIGS. 4A and 4B). The symbols are as described above.

  The left, middle and right reel units 6L, 6M, 6R are supported by the support frame 13 by the housing 3 and the front door 5 is closed at the front of the housing 3 with the front door 5 closed. From the display window 11, part of the left, middle and right reel tapes 102L, 102M and 102R (for example, a pattern for three frames, a part of an upper one frame, and a lower side A part of the design for one frame) is designed to be worn.

  In the present embodiment, the left, middle and right reels 101L, 101M and 101R respectively correspond to the "reel" of the present invention, and the left, middle and right reel tapes 102L, 102M and 102R respectively correspond to "reel" of the present invention. It corresponds to "reel tape".

  The left, middle and right reels 13L, 13M and 13R are generally used in slot machines except that the left, middle and right reel tapes 102L, 102M and 102R have specific symbols to be described later. It has the same structure as the left, middle and right reels 13L, 13M and 13R. Therefore, the structure of the left, middle and right reels 13L, 13M and 13R will be described briefly. In addition, the detail of a specific symbol is later mentioned using FIG.

  The left, middle, and right reels 101L, 101M, and 101R have a base bracket to which left, middle, and right reel motors (stepping motors) 14L, 14M, and 14R are attached, and left, middle, and right reel motors (stepping motors) 14L. , 14M, 14R, a cylindrical shaft attached to the rotary shaft, a predetermined number of radial frames of a predetermined pitch extending from the circumferential surface of the shaft, and a ring frame pair mounted at the tip of the radial frame One ring frame and the other ring frame of the ring frame pair coaxially arranged with the one ring frame are provided. The left, middle and right reel tapes 102L, 102M and 102R are attached to the outer peripheral surface of one ring frame and the other ring frame in the ring frame pair of the left, middle and right reel parts 101L, 101M and 101R. Are connected by In the left, middle and right reel tapes 102L, 102M and 102R, light is emitted from the inner peripheral surface side by the upper, middle and lower LEDs 111U, 111M and 111D.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, left, middle and right backlight units 103L, 103M and 103R are provided in the left, middle and right reel units 6L, 6M and 6R, respectively. The left, middle and right backlight units 103L, 103M and 103R are, as shown in FIG. 4B, of the left, middle and right reel tapes 102L, 102M and 102R of the left, middle and right reels 13L, 13M and 13R. It is disposed on the inner circumferential surface side. Since the backlight units 103L, 103M, and 103R have substantially the same structure, the left, middle, and right backlight units 103L, 103M, and 103R are not individually described below, and the left, middle, and right back are not described. The light units 103L, 103M, and 103R will be collectively described as the backlight unit 103 with reference to FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b).

  The backlight unit 103 includes an electric decoration substrate 111 and a housing 110 installed on the front side (display window 11 side) of the electric decoration substrate 111.

  While the upper, middle, and lower LEDs 111U, 111M, and 111D are mounted on the electric decoration substrate 111, the LED drive circuit 16 (see FIG. 3) for lighting and driving the upper, middle, and lower LEDs 111U, 111M, and 111D is formed. ing. Although FIGS. 5A and 5B show three upper LEDs 111U, three middle LEDs 111M, and three lower LEDs 111D, the number of LEDs is not limited thereto, and The number of the LEDs 111U, the middle LEDs 111M, and the lower LEDs 111D is not limited to the same number. In this embodiment, the upper, middle and lower LEDs 111U, 111M and 111D respectively correspond to the "light source" of the present invention.

  The housing 110 is configured to reflect light emitted from the upper LED 111U, the middle LED 111M, and the lower LED 111D into the housing 110.

  The housing 110 has a housing portion 120, an upper boundary 150, and a lower boundary 170, as shown in FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b). For example, the housing 110 may be formed by integrally forming the housing portion 120, the upper boundary portion 150, and the lower boundary portion 170. The housing portion 120, the upper boundary portion 150, and the lower boundary portion 170 are formed of separate members. It may be assembled. The housing portion 120 corresponds to the "housing portion" of the present invention, and the upper boundary portion 150 and the lower boundary portion 170 correspond to the "boundary portion" of the present invention.

  The housing portion 120 has a frame shape in which the size of the rectangle decreases continuously as it goes from the display window 11 side to the opposite side of the display window 11, and the left side surface portion 122, the right side surface portion 123, and the upper side surface It has a portion 124 and a lower side portion 125, and is formed such that an opening 126 is formed. An electric decoration substrate 111 is disposed on the opposite side of the display window 11 of the housing portion 120. The display is performed in a state where the reel unit (left, middle, right reel unit 6L, 6M, 6R) is supported by the support frame 13 on the housing 3 and the front door 5 closes the opening provided on the front surface of the housing 3 When viewed from the front of the window 11, the housing 110 is a reel tape of the reel unit (left, middle, right reel unit 13L, 13M, 13R) so that the opening 126 formed in the housing portion 120 overlaps the display window 11. Are disposed on the inner peripheral surface side of the left, middle and right reel tapes 102L, 102M and 102R) (see FIG. 4B).

  Here, as an example of the case where the opening 126 of the housing part 120 overlaps the display window 11 when viewed from the front of the display window 11, a case where the entire opening 126 is included in a part of the display window 11 can be mentioned.

  The upper boundary portion 150 is a surface on the opposite side of the display window 11 of the housing portion 120 from the left side surface portion 122 to the right side surface portion 123 (in this embodiment, a surface on the side where the electric decoration substrate 111 is arranged It is not a virtual surface, but corresponds to the “one surface facing the inner peripheral surface of the reel tape in the housing portion” of the present invention: “the boundary portion formation” It is a shape extending toward the reel tape (left, middle and right reel tapes 102L, 102M, 102R). The shape of the upper boundary 150 will be described later.

  The lower boundary portion 170 has a shape extending from the boundary portion forming surface of the bottom surface portion 121 to the reel tapes (left, middle and right reel tapes 102L, 102M, 102R) from the left side surface portion 122 to the right side surface portion 123. In the state where the reel units (left, middle and right reel units 6 L, 6 M, 6 R) are supported by the support frame 13 by the housing 3, the lower boundary portion 170 is lower than the upper boundary portion 150. The shape of the lower boundary portion 170 will be described later.

  Inside the housing portion 120, three regions 121U, 121M, and 121R are formed by the housing portion 120 (left side surface portion 122, right side surface portion 123, upper side surface portion 124, lower side surface portion 125), upper boundary portion 150, and lower boundary portion 170. It is divided into 121D. In the following, the three regions 121U, 121M, and 121D are appropriately positioned on the upper side in a state where the reel unit (left, middle, and right reel units 6L, 6M, and 6R) is supported by the support frame 13 by the support frame 13. The upper area 121U, the middle area 121M, and the lower area 121D are described in this order from the top.

  An upper LED 111U, a middle LED 111M, and a lower LED 111D are provided corresponding to the upper region 121U, the middle region 121M, and the lower region 121D, respectively.

  Each upper LED 111U provided corresponding to the upper area 121U emits light toward the reel tape (left, middle and right reel tapes 102L, 102M, 102R), and the symbol area of one frame of the reel tape Light up.

  Each middle LED 111M provided corresponding to the middle side area 121M emits light toward the reel tape (left, middle and right reel tapes 102L, 102M, 102R), and a symbol area for one frame of the reel tape Shine.

  Each lower LED 111D provided corresponding to the lower area 121D emits light toward the reel tape (left, middle and right reel tapes 102L, 102M, 102R), and the symbol area of one frame of the reel tape Shine.

  The upper boundary 150 and the lower boundary 170 will be described below.

  In the upper boundary portion 150, the surface facing the reel tape (left, middle and right reel tapes 102L, 102M, 102R) (surface farthest from the electric decoration substrate 111: hereinafter referred to as "upper boundary front surface"). 151 has a specific pattern repeated in a direction (direction parallel to the dotted line 190 in FIG. 5B) perpendicular to the rotation direction of the reel unit (left, middle and right reel units 101L, 101M, 101R) doing.

  In this embodiment, in the specific pattern of the upper boundary tip surface 151, the outline on the upper side surface portion 124 side is a wavy line, and each wave or height of each wave excluding the vicinity of both ends (dotted line 190 in FIG. Distance is the same, the outline on the lower side surface 125 side is a wavy line, and each wave or height of each wave excluding both ends (distance from dotted line 190 in FIG. 5B) is the same. .

  In the upper boundary portion 150, a surface (hereinafter, referred to as “upper wall surface”) 152 facing the upper side surface portion 124 has a wavefront that approaches the upper side surface portion 124 as it goes from the upper boundary tip surface 151 to the electric decoration substrate 111. It has become. Further, in the upper boundary portion 150, the surface 153 (hereinafter referred to as “lower wall surface”) facing the lower boundary portion 170 approaches the lower boundary portion 170 as it goes from the upper boundary tip surface 151 to the electric decoration substrate 111. It is a wave front like this.

  Due to the shape of the upper boundary 150, the specific pattern of the upper boundary front end surface 151 is perpendicular to the rotational direction of the reels (left, middle and right reels 101L, 101M, 101R) (FIG. 5 (b And the direction parallel to the dotted line 190) is formed based on the shape of the upper boundary portion 150.

  In the lower boundary portion 170, the surface facing the reel tape (left, middle and right reel tapes 102L, 102M, 102R) (the surface farthest from the electric decoration substrate 111: hereinafter referred to as "lower boundary tip surface"). 171 has a specific pattern repeated in a direction (direction parallel to the dotted line 195 in FIG. 5B) perpendicular to the rotational direction of the reel unit (left, middle and right reel units 101L, 101M, 101R) doing.

  In this embodiment, in the specific pattern of the lower boundary tip surface 171, the outline on the upper side surface portion 124 side is a wavy line, and each wave or height of each wave excluding the vicinity of both ends (dotted line 195 in FIG. Distance is the same, the outline on the lower side surface 125 side is a wavy line, and the height of each wave or each wave excluding both ends (the distance from the dotted line 195 in FIG. 5B) is the same. .

  In the lower boundary portion 170, a surface facing the upper boundary portion 150 (hereinafter, referred to as "upper wall surface") 172 is a wavefront that approaches the upper boundary portion 150 as it goes from the lower boundary tip surface 171 to the electric decoration substrate 111. It has become. In the lower boundary portion 170, the surface (hereinafter referred to as the “lower wall surface”) 173 facing the lower side surface portion 125 approaches the lower side surface portion 125 as it goes from the lower boundary tip surface 171 to the electric decoration substrate 111. It is a wave front like this.

  Because of the shape of the lower boundary portion 170, the specific pattern of the lower boundary end surface 171 is perpendicular to the rotational direction of the reel portions (left, middle and right reel portions 101L, 101M, 101R) (FIG. 5 (b And the direction parallel to the dotted line 195) is formed based on the shape of the lower boundary portion 170.

In addition, as another example of the specific pattern which the upper boundary tip surface 151 or the lower boundary tip surface 171 has,
(1) The contour on the upper side surface 124 side or the upper boundary 150 side is a wavy line, and the height of each wave except for the vicinity of each wave or both ends is the same. Pattern whose outline is parallel to dotted line 190 or dotted line 195 in FIG. 5 (b),
(2) The lower boundary 170 side or the lower side surface 125 side has a wavy outline and the height of each wave except the vicinity of both ends is the same, and the upper side surface 124 side or the upper boundary 150 side The outline of the pattern is parallel to the dotted line 190 or dotted line 195 in FIG. 5B (3) The outline on the side of the upper side 124 or the side of the upper boundary 150 is wavy and extends from the left side 122 to the right side 123 The wave of height H11, height H12, height H13 is repeated in the range except the whole range or both ends, and the outline by the side of lower boundary part 170 or lower side part 125 is wavy and has left side part 122 The wave of height H21, height H22, height H23 is repeated in the range excluding the whole range or both ends from the right side surface part 123, and H11, H12, H13 are different, H21, H13 differ Pattern 2, H23 are different,
(4) There is a pattern in which the wavy line is replaced by a triangular wave or a sawtooth wave.

  Here, the specific pattern repeated in the direction perpendicular to the rotation direction of the reel portion (the direction parallel to the dotted line 190 in FIG. 5B) which the upper boundary tip surface 151 of the upper boundary portion 150 has is the following It should be something like that. At least one of the contour on the upper side surface portion 124 side of the upper boundary tip surface 151 and the contour on the lower boundary portion 170 side has a tangential portion which does not coincide with the direction perpendicular to the rotational direction of the reel portion. A portion including a tangential direction portion which does not coincide with the direction perpendicular to the rotational direction of the reel portion is repeated in the direction perpendicular to the rotational direction of the reel portion.

  Here, the specific pattern repeated on the lower boundary tip surface 171 of the lower boundary portion 170 in the direction perpendicular to the rotation direction of the reel portion (the direction parallel to the dotted line 195 in FIG. 5B) is the following It should be something like that. At least one of the outline on the upper boundary 150 side of the lower boundary tip surface 171 and the outline on the lower side 125 is a tangential part of the outline that does not match the direction perpendicular to the rotational direction of the reel unit. , And a portion including a tangential direction portion which does not coincide with the direction perpendicular to the rotational direction of the reel portion is repeated in the direction perpendicular to the rotational direction of the reel portion.

  In this embodiment, the specific pattern of the upper boundary tip surface 151 of the upper boundary 150 and the specific pattern of the lower boundary tip surface 171 of the lower boundary 170 correspond to the “specific pattern” in the present invention.

(Specific symbol of reel tape)
Subsequently, specific symbols of the left, middle and right reel tapes 102L, 102M and 102R will be described with reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. In addition, since the specific symbols of the left, middle and right reel tapes 102L, 102M and 102R have substantially the same structure, the specific symbols of the left, middle and right reel tapes 102L, 102M and 102R will be individually described below. The specific symbols of the left, middle, and right reel tapes 102L, 102M, 102R will be collectively described as the specific symbols of the reel tape 200 without being described.

  In the reel tape 200, as shown in FIG. 6, the specific symbol 210 is formed to be viewed from the outer peripheral surface 201 of the reel tape 200 (the surface on the side where the reel tape 200 can be seen from the display window 11). In this embodiment, the specific symbol 210 is the character "7" and is formed in an area of three frames. In addition, although a symbol is formed also in each frame other than three pieces in which the specific symbol 210 is formed, this symbol assumes that it has the same structure as a general thing, and detailed explanation is omitted. In addition, although the specific symbol 210 is explained taking the case where symbols for a plurality of frames (three frames in this embodiment) are formed as an example, it may be formed from symbols for one frame .

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, in the specific symbol 210, symbols for three frames are integrated to form a pattern of one symbol. However, in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, in order to simplify the illustration, the specific symbol 210 is drawn so that the symbols for three frames are continuous, but in this embodiment, the specific symbol 210 is the symbol of the adjacent frame There is a gap between them and it has a separate structure. In this embodiment, the specific symbol 210 corresponds to the "specific symbol" of the present invention.

  The specific symbol 210 includes a transmission area 211 through which light is transmitted and a non-transmission area 212 through which light is not transmitted. In addition, an area 215 of the reel tape 200 other than the specific symbol 210 is also an area through which light does not pass, and is hereinafter described as an opaque area 215. That is, in the reel tape 200, the area through which light is transmitted is only the transmission area 211 in the specific symbol 210.

  When the upper, middle, and lower LEDs 111U, 111M, and 111D are on when viewed from the outer peripheral surface 201 side of the reel tape 200, as shown in FIG. 7A, the upper boundary tip surface of the upper boundary 150 Of the portion 151, the portion on the back side of the transmission area 211 of the specific symbol 210 is visible, but the portion on the back side of the non-transmission areas 212 and 215 other than the transmission area 211 is not visible. Similarly, when the upper, middle, and lower LEDs 111U, 111M, and 111D are on when viewed from the outer peripheral surface 201 side of the reel tape 200, as shown in FIG. 7A, the lower boundary 170 is below. A portion of the boundary tip surface 171 on the back side of the transmission area 211 of the specific symbol 210 is visible, but a portion on the back side of the opaque areas 212 and 215 other than the transmission area 211 is not visible.

  On the other hand, when viewed from the outer peripheral surface 201 side of the reel tape 200, when the upper, middle, and lower LEDs 111U, 111M, and 111D are extinguished, the upper boundary of the upper boundary portion 150 as shown in FIG. In addition to the portion on the back side of the opaque regions 212 and 215 of the specific symbol 210 in the tip surface 151, the portion on the back side of the transmission region 211 (the portion indicated by reference numeral 155 in FIG. 7B) is also visible It becomes difficult. Similarly, when viewed from the outer peripheral surface 201 side of the reel tape 200, when the upper, middle and lower LEDs 111U, 111M, 111D are extinguished, as shown in FIG. 7B, the lower boundary 170 is below. In addition to the portion on the back side of the non-transmissive region 212, 215 of the specific symbol 210 in the boundary tip surface 171, the portion on the back side of the transmissive region 211 (the portion indicated by reference numeral 175 in FIG. 7B) It becomes difficult to see.

  The transmission area 211 is shaped so as to be continuous in the oblique direction (the direction of the dotted line 202 in FIG. 6) with respect to the rotational direction of the reels (left, middle and right reels 101L, 101M, 101R). In the example of FIG. 6, the transmission area 211 is shaped such that the width in the direction perpendicular to the rotational direction of the reel portion is constant, and moves toward the left as it proceeds in the rotational direction of the reel portion . As another example of the shape of the transmission region 211, the width in the direction perpendicular to the rotation direction of the reel portion is constant, and the head portion moves toward the left as it proceeds in the rotation direction of the reel portion. The shape may be such as moving toward the right as it travels in the direction. In addition, the width in the direction perpendicular to the rotational direction of the reel portion in the transmission region 211 may not be constant.

  The shape of the transmission region 211 which is continuous in the oblique direction with respect to the rotational direction of the reel portion may be as follows. With the upper, middle, and lower LEDs 111U, 111M, and 111D lit, the transmissive region 211 of the specific symbol 210 is viewed from the front of the display window 11 while the reel unit is rotating. By passing between the lower boundary portion 170 and the upper boundary end surface 151 of the upper boundary portion 150, the lower boundary end surface 171 of a portion or lower boundary portion 170 visible through the transmission region 211 in the specific pattern. The portion of the specific pattern which is visible through the transmission area 211 may have the shape of the transmission area 211 such that movement in the direction perpendicular to the rotational direction of the reel portion appears.

  Subsequently, an effect using the specific pattern formed on the upper boundary tip surface 151 of the upper boundary 150 and the specific pattern 210 attached to the reel tape 200 will be described with reference to FIG. The content of the effect using the specific pattern formed on the lower boundary end surface 171 of the lower boundary 150 and the specific pattern 210 attached to the reel tape 200 is the upper boundary end surface 151 of the upper boundary 150. The content is the same as the contents of the effect using the formed specific pattern and the specific pattern 210 attached to the reel tape 200, and thus the description will be omitted.

  For example, when the start switch 19 is operated, the rotation of the reel unit is started by the control of the main CPU 61, and the upper, middle, and lower LEDs 111U, 111M, 111D of the backlight unit 103 are lit by the control of the sub CPU 71.

  The upper boundary of the upper boundary 150 from the display window 11 until the transparent area 211 of the specific symbol 210 passes between the display window 11 and the upper boundary tip surface 151 of the upper boundary 150 while the reel unit is rotating. The specific pattern of the end face 151 is hardly visible. Then, as the reel portion rotates, as shown in FIG. 8A, the transparent area 211 of the specific symbol 210 starts to pass between the display window 11 and the upper boundary tip surface 151 of the upper boundary 150, From the lower end portion of the transparent area 211 of the specific symbol 210, a part of the specific pattern (hereinafter, referred to as "visible specific pattern part") 151A begins to be visible.

  Then, as the rotation of the reel unit progresses, the visible specific pattern portion 151A is perpendicular to the rotational direction of the reel unit as shown in FIGS. 8 (a), (b), (c) and (d). The specific pattern seen from the display window 11 through the transparent area 211 of the specific symbol 210 appears to be moving to the right.

  Then, when the transparent region 211 of the specific symbol 210 passes between the display window 11 and the upper boundary tip surface 151 of the upper boundary 150 during rotation of the reel unit, the specific pattern is almost visible from the display window 11 It will be gone.

  As described above, in the state where the upper, middle, and lower LEDs 111U, 111M, and 111D are on, the transmissive region 211 of the specific symbol 210 is a boundary with the display window 11 as viewed from the front of the display window 11 during rotation of the reel portion. The effect is performed by causing the specific pattern to appear a movement in the direction perpendicular to the rotational direction of the reel portion by continuously passing between the portions (upper boundary portion 150, lower boundary portion 170). Becomes possible.

  Therefore, according to the first embodiment described above, the surface (upper boundary front end surface) 151 facing the reel tape 200 in the upper boundary portion 150 provided between the upper LED 111U and the middle LED 111M, and between the middle LED 111M and the lower LED 111D. The surface (lower boundary tip surface) 171 facing the reel tape 200 at the lower boundary portion 170 provided at the bottom has a specific pattern repeated in the direction perpendicular to the rotational direction of the reel portion. The particular symbol 210 thus formed has a transmission area 211 which is continuous in a direction oblique to the rotational direction of the reel portion. Thereby, in a state in which the upper, middle and lower LEDs 111U, 111M and 111D are lit, the transmission area 211 of the specific symbol 210 is between the display window 11 and the upper and lower boundaries 150 and 170 while the reel portion is rotating. The specific pattern of the upper and lower boundary tip surfaces 151 and 171 appears vertical motion relative to the rotational direction of the reel section by continuously passing through the vertical direction. With the movement of, production is performed. Thus, while the upper and lower boundaries 150 and 170 play a role as a partition, it becomes possible to perform new effects using the upper and lower boundaries 150 and 170, thereby improving the interest of the game. By using the upper and lower boundaries 150 and 170 for the effect, the player will not notice the upper and lower boundaries 150 and 170 even though the upper and lower boundaries 150 and 170 can be seen.

  In addition, the contour of the specific pattern of the upper and lower boundary tip surfaces 151 and 171 of the upper and lower boundaries 150 and 170 is not linear, and asperities are formed on the contour, the upper, middle, lower The light emitted from the LEDs 111U, 111M, and 111D is not reflected uniformly, so that the specific pattern can be easily seen from the transmission area 211 of the specific pattern 210.

  In the upper and lower boundaries 150 and 170, the upper and lower boundaries front end surfaces 151 and 171 to the boundary forming surface of the bottom surface 121 of the housing portion 120 (a surface viewed from the opening 126 of the surfaces of the bottom surface 121). By forming the recess continuously to the above, the light emitted from the upper, middle, and lower LEDs 111U, 111M, 111D is concentrated in the recess. As a result, the specific pattern can be more easily seen from the transmission area 211 of the specific symbol 210 and the surface area of the upper and lower boundaries 150 and 170 is increased, so that heat generation preventing effect in the housing portion 120 is expected by heat exchange. Can.

Second Embodiment
A slot machine 1A which is an example of a gaming machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. However, in the slot machine 1 according to the first embodiment, effects are performed using the transmission area 211 of the specific symbol 210 and the specific pattern of the upper and lower boundary tip surfaces 151 and 171 of the upper and lower boundaries 150 and 170. It is a thing. On the other hand, the slot machine 1A in the second embodiment has the pattern 213 attached to the non-transparent area 211 of the specific symbol 210A, the transparent area 211 of the specific symbol 210A, and the upper and lower boundaries 150 and 170. An effect is performed using the specific pattern of the lower boundary tip surfaces 151 and 171. In the second embodiment, the same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof can be applied. Therefore, the description of the second embodiment is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 10, in the slot machine 1A of the second embodiment, a sub reel unit 6S not provided in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment is provided. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the sub reel unit 6S has a sub reel 13S. As shown in FIG. 12, the sub-reel 13S is formed so that the sub-reel portion 101S rotating around the rotation axis and the specific symbol 210A formed from symbols for a plurality of frames are seen from the outer peripheral surface side, and the outer peripheral surface is outside And a sub reel tape 102S attached to the sub reel portion 101S so as to be disposed in In the present embodiment, the sub reel unit 6S corresponds to the "rolling body" of the present invention, the sub reel portion 101S corresponds to the "reel portion" of the present invention, and the sub reel tape 102S corresponds to the "reel tape" of the present invention. Equivalent to.

  When the display window 11 is viewed from the front in a state where the sub reel unit 6S is supported on the housing 3 by the support frame 13 and the front door 5 closes the opening provided on the front surface of the housing 3, the display window 11 From this, a part of the sub reel tape 102S (for example, a pattern for three frames, a part of a symbol for one upper frame, and a part of a symbol for lower one frame) is worn.

  The sub reel 13S has the same structure as the left, middle and right reels 13L, 13M and 13R generally used in slot machines except that a specific symbol to be described later is attached to the sub reel tape 102S. . Therefore, the description of the structure of the sub reel 13S is omitted here. In addition, the detail of a specific symbol is later mentioned using FIG.

  In addition, the sub reel unit 6S is provided with a backlight unit (not shown). The backlight unit provided in the sub reel unit 6S is disposed on the inner peripheral surface side of the sub reel tape 102S of the sub reel 13S, and installed on the electric decoration substrate and the front side (display window 11 side) of the electric decoration substrate Has a housing that is The backlight unit provided in the sub reel unit 6S has the same structure as the backlight unit 103 described with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B as far as the portion related to the present invention. In the following, each part of the backlight unit provided in the sub reel unit 6S will be described with the same name and the same reference numeral as each part of the backlight unit 103.

  The sub CPU 71A mounted on the sub control board 73A shown in FIG. 11 receives a command including various data transmitted by the main control board 63 (main CPU 61). Then, the sub CPU 71A determines the content of the effect according to the received command, and performs, for example, display control for displaying an image such as a moving image on the liquid crystal display 27 according to the content of the determined effect Control of outputting voice from 31L and 31R is performed, and control is performed to blink the light sources of the upper lamp portion 33 and the lower lamp portions 37L and 37R all at once or individually. When the sub CPU 71A performs interlocking effects to be described later, it starts rotation of the sub reel 13S or drives the LED drive circuit 16 to set the upper, middle, and lower LEDs 111U, 111M, and 111D of the sub reel unit 6S (FIG. a) and (b) are turned on, and the rotational position of the sub reel 13S is detected based on the detection signal of the sub position sensor 55S and the number of pulses supplied to the sub reel motor 14S for driving the sub reel 13S. Based on the detected rotational position of the sub reel 13S, stop control of the sub reel 13S is performed.

  The specific symbol 210A is formed on the sub reel tape 102S so as to be seen from the outer peripheral surface 201 (surface of the sub reel tape 102S seen from the display window 11) side of the sub reel tape 102S. In this embodiment, the specific symbol 210A is the character "7" and is formed in an area of three frames. In this embodiment, in the specific symbol 210A, symbols for three frames are integrated to form a pattern of one symbol. In this embodiment, the specific symbol 210A corresponds to the "specific symbol" of the present invention.

  In the specific symbol 210A, as shown in FIG. 13, there are the transparent area 211 and the opaque area 212 described in the first embodiment. The upper boundary tip surface 151 of the upper boundary portion 150 has when the upper, middle, and lower LEDs 111 U, 111 M, and 111 D are on, or when the upper, middle, and lower LEDs 111 U, 111 M, and 111 D are not on. The appearance of the specific pattern or the specific pattern of the lower boundary tip surface 171 of the lower boundary portion 170 is the same as the contents described with reference to FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b).

  And unlike the specific symbol 210 of the first embodiment, the interlocking effect is interlocked with the specific pattern of the upper boundary tip surface 151 of the upper boundary 150 and the specific pattern of the lower boundary tip surface 171 of the lower boundary 170. A pattern to be performed (hereinafter, referred to as “interlocking effect pattern”) 213 is formed in the opaque region 212 as viewed from the outer peripheral surface 201 side of the sub reel tape 102S. In this embodiment, when the interlocking effect pattern 213 comes between the display window 11 and the upper boundary front end surface 151 or the lower boundary front end surface 171, the interlocking effect design pattern 213 has the upper boundary front end surface 151 of the upper boundary portion 150. It is a pattern which is continuous with a portion visible from the transmission region 211 in the specific pattern and a portion visible from the transmission region 211 in the specific pattern of the lower boundary tip surface 171 of the lower boundary portion 170.

  The interlocking effect pattern 213 may be formed in a predetermined area including the specific pattern 210A of the reel tape 200 by a pattern capable of performing an interlocking effect with the specific pattern.

(Linked production)
Subsequently, the interlocking effect using the interlocking effect pattern 213 formed on the sub reel tape 102S and the specific pattern of the upper boundary front end surface 151 of the upper boundary portion 150 will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, in order to simplify illustration in FIG. 14, illustration of the specific pattern which the lower boundary front end surface 171 of the lower boundary part 170 has is abbreviate | omitted.

  In this explanation, in the slot machine 1, when the bonus combination and the rare combination are simultaneously won (hereinafter referred to as "bonus simultaneous winning") and the rare combination is simultaneously won without being simultaneously winning the bonus combination. (Hereafter, it is described as "bonus non-simultaneous winning"). The main CPU 61 decides to perform interlocking rendering with a probability of, for example, 50% in the case of bonus simultaneous winning, and decides to perform interlocking rendering with, for example, a probability of 10% in the case of bonus nonsimultaneous winning. Do. In addition, the opportunity of interlocking production is not limited to this.

  When it is determined that the sub CPU 71 performs interlocking rendering, first, the drive of the LED drive circuit 16 is controlled to light up the upper, middle and lower LEDs 111U, 111M, 111D of the backlight unit provided in the sub reel unit 6S. . At the same time, the sub reel portion 101S of the sub reel unit 6S is rotated, and the rotational speed is reduced when the lower end portion of the specific symbol 210A approaches the upper boundary portion 150 while the sub reel portion 101S is rotating. Until the transparent region 211 of the specific symbol 210A passes between the display window 11 and the upper boundary tip surface 151 of the upper boundary 150 while the sub reel portion 101S is rotating, the upper boundary 150 from the display window 11 is The specific pattern of the boundary tip surface 151 is hardly visible. Then, as the sub reel portion 101S rotates, as shown in FIG. 14A, the transparent area 211 of the specific symbol 210A starts to pass between the display window 11 and the upper boundary tip surface 151 of the upper boundary portion 150. Part of the specific pattern (visible specific pattern part) 151A starts to be visible from the lower end of the transparent area 211 of the specific pattern 210A. Then, the interlocking effect design pattern 213 of the specific symbol 210A approaches the visible specific pattern portion 151A (see FIGS. 14 (b) and (c)). Furthermore, during the rotation of the sub reel portion 101S, the interlocking effect design pattern 213 of the specific symbol 210A approaches the visible specific pattern portion 151A, and in the case of simultaneous winning with the bonus combination, the interlocking effect pattern 213 and the visual identification specified The rotation of the sub reel portion 101S is stopped at a position where the pattern portion 151A is continuous (see FIG. 14D).

  In the case of not winning simultaneously with the bonus combination, the rotation of the sub reel portion 101S is stopped passing the position where the interlocking effect pattern 213 and the visible specific pattern portion 151A continue.

  In this manner, interlocking rendering is performed using the interlocking effect design pattern 213 formed on the reel tape 200 and the specific pattern of the upper boundary tip surface 151 of the upper boundary portion 150.

  In the interlocking effect described with reference to FIG. 14, in the case of simultaneous winning with a bonus, the rotation of the sub reel portion 101S is stopped at a position where the interlocking effect pattern 213 and the visible specific pattern portion 151A continue. It is described that the sub reel section 101S stops rotating beyond the position where the interlocking production pattern 213 and the visible specific pattern portion 151A continue when the bonus is not won simultaneously, for example as follows. May be

  When the reel is won simultaneously with the bonus, the ratio at which the rotation of the sub reel portion 13S stops at the position beyond the position of FIG. 14 (d) <the ratio at which the rotation is stopped at the position of FIG. The stop position ratio is drawn so that the stop ratio at the position <FIG. 14 (c) stop ratio <the stop ratio at the position shown in FIG. 14 (d). 14 is the rate at which the rotation of the sub reel portion 13S stops at the position of FIG. 14 (d) <rate at which the rotation of the sub reel portion 13 S stops at the position of FIG. 14 (c) The lottery of the stop position is performed so that the stop ratio at the position of <the stop ratio at the position beyond the position in FIG. Stop control of the sub reel portion 13S is performed based on the stop position determined by the lottery. In this way, as the rotation of the sub reel portion 13S proceeds to FIGS. 14 (a), (b), (c) and (d), the expectation of bonus winning increases, and the stop position of FIG. 14 (d) The expectation of bonus winning is lowered and the interest of the game is improved.

  Therefore, according to the second embodiment described above, the interlocking effect pattern of a predetermined area (in the embodiment, the opaque area 212 in the embodiment) of the specific pattern of the upper and lower boundary portions 150 and 170 and the sub reel tape 102S as effect is further provided. By performing interlocking production using 213 and the like, it is possible to expect an increase in the contents of the production and an improvement in the interest thereof, and it is possible to further improve the interest of the game. For example, the interlocking effect pattern drawn in a predetermined area of the sub reel tape 102S is actually an upper and lower boundary front end surface 151 of the upper and lower boundaries 150 and 170 in the opaque region 212 continuous to the transparent region 211. It forms by drawing the pattern relevant to the specific pattern which 171 has.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made other than the above without departing from the scope of the invention.

  For example, in the first and second embodiments described above, the upper and lower boundaries 150 and 170 have normal directions viewed from the display window 11 from the upper and lower boundary tip surfaces 151 and 171 to the boundary forming surface. Although the cross-sectional area in each plane to become large becomes large, it is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, the upper and lower boundaries 150A and 170A are planes extending from the upper and lower boundaries front end surfaces 151A and 171A to the boundary forming surface with the direction viewed from the display window 11 as a normal. The cross-sectional area of may be the same.

  Further, in the first and second embodiments described above, the specific pattern is formed based on the shapes of the upper and lower boundary tip surfaces 151 and 171 of the upper and lower boundaries 150 and 170, but the invention is limited thereto. For example, the following may be used. For example, the upper boundary or lower boundary is formed in a flat plate, and the upper boundary or lower boundary faces the reel tape 200 (upper boundary front surface or lower boundary front surface, the shape is viewed from the display window 11 A specific pattern may be formed on the rectangle). For example, it can be realized by sticking a tape with a specific pattern on the upper boundary tip surface or lower boundary tip surface, or drawing a specific pattern directly on the upper boundary tip surface or lower boundary tip surface.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, the slot machine has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the reel unit described above is also applicable to other gaming machines such as a pachinko machine and a casino machine. can do.

  Further, the contents of the above-described embodiment, the above-described modification, and the like can be appropriately combined.

  The present invention can be applied to a gaming machine which illuminates a light from behind a reel tape attached to a reel section to illuminate a pattern attached to the reel tape.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Slot machine 3 Casing 5 Front door 101L, 101M, 101R Left, middle, right reel parts 102L, 102M, 102R: Left, middle, right reel tapes 101S Sub reel part 102 S Sub reel tape 120 Housing part 150 ... upper boundary portion 170 ... lower boundary portion 200 ... reel tape 210, 210A ... specific symbol 211 ... transmission region 212 ... non-transmission region 213 ... interlocking effect pattern

Claims (4)

A box-like housing having an opening at the front,
A front door having a display window and capable of opening and closing the opening;
A gaming machine comprising: a reel unit; and a spinning unit having a reel tape attached to the reel unit such that a specific symbol is attached to one surface and the one surface is disposed on the outer side,
The said trunk is
A housing portion provided on the inner peripheral surface side of the reel tape so that an opening is formed and the opening overlaps the display window when viewed from the front of the display window;
A boundary portion extending toward the reel tape from a surface of the housing portion facing the inner circumferential surface of the reel tape;
And a light source provided corresponding to the area divided by the housing portion and the boundary portion, irradiating light from the housing portion toward the reel tape, and illuminating the specific symbol attached to the reel tape Equipped with
The surface facing the reel tape at the boundary has a specific pattern repeated in a direction perpendicular to the rotational direction of the reel unit,
The specific symbol has a transmitting portion which is continuous in a direction oblique to the rotational direction of the reel portion,
The transparent part of the specific symbol passes continuously between the display window and the boundary part as seen from the front of the display window while the reel part is rotating, whereby the specific pattern is made of the reel part. A game machine characterized by producing effects by producing a movement in a direction perpendicular to the direction of rotation.   The interlocking effect is performed by a pattern of a predetermined area including the specific symbol of the reel tape and a portion of the specific pattern which can be visually recognized from the transmission part. Gaming machine.   The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the specific pattern is formed based on a shape of the boundary portion.   The gaming machine according to claim 3, wherein the specific pattern is continuous from the surface facing the reel tape to the one surface of the housing portion at the boundary portion.

Images