JPH11216220A - Symbol variable display game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To arrange an illuminating device even in a narrow space inside a machine body in addition to uniform illumination in a symbol display part and to unnecessitate an excessive light quantity. SOLUTION: A reel illuminating device 21 is constituted by using a linear light emitting member such as side surface light emitting optical fibers, etc. The plural symbols of the reel are displayed so as to be visually recognized from a symbol display window 20 under the illumination by the illuminating device 21. The side surface light emitting optical fibers 22D (22A, 22B and 22C) as the linear light emitting member are arranged at the inner side positions of the symbol display window 20. The illuminating device 21 is constituted with a light source which guides light from the end surfaces of the optical fibers (22A, 22B and 22C).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a variable symbol display device, such as a slot machine or a pachinko machine, provided with a variable symbol display device for displaying a plurality of symbols in a symbol display window under illumination by a lighting device. It relates to a display game machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in a conventional slot machine,
Three symbol display windows are provided side by side on the front panel on the front. Inside the body, three reels each having a plurality of symbols on the outer peripheral surface are arranged in parallel as a variable symbol display device at a position behind each symbol display window. Each reel is individually rotatable, and from each symbol display window, a symbol in a moving state when the reel is rotated and a symbol for three frames when the reel is stopped can be visually recognized from the outside. .

[0003] The symbols are composed of numerals, designs, and the like, and a plurality of symbols are drawn by silk-screen printing on the surface of a band-shaped sheet material adhered to the outer peripheral surface of a reel frame. Inside the symbol display window, a reel lighting device such as an incandescent lamp or a fluorescent lamp is provided, and thereby the outer peripheral surface of the reel is illuminated.

As shown in FIG. 16, in the reel lighting device, a light source 103 such as an incandescent lamp or a fluorescent lamp is disposed above a symbol display window 102 inside a front panel 101 so as to be invisible from the outside. Become composed. This light source 1
Light from 03 is applied to the outer peripheral surface of the reel 104 from obliquely above.

[0005] As shown in FIG. 17, a light source 103 such as a fluorescent lamp is not visible from outside.
The light from the light source 103 is applied to the inner peripheral surface of the reel 104 to clearly indicate the symbol.

[0006]

However, when an incandescent light bulb or a fluorescent lamp is used as the light source 103 of the reel lighting device as in the above-described conventional example, a large installation space is required, and the installation place of the light source 103 is limited. There is a problem that the position is limited to a position above the symbol display window 102 inside the front panel 101 or inside the reel 104. When the light source 103 is positioned above the symbol display window 102 and the outer peripheral surface of the reel 104 is irradiated with light obliquely from above, as in the example of FIG. At the upper position, it looks bright and clear, and at the lower position, it looks darker than at the upper position because the distance from the light source 103 is far. For this reason, bright and dark steps are formed vertically on the outer peripheral surface of the reel 104.

Further, when the player rotates the reel 104, the player stares at the moving symbol and tries to stop the desired symbol. However, the symbol is difficult to see at the lower position of the symbol display window 102. It is difficult to stop aiming at the symbol, and the fun of the game is halved. Furthermore, if there is the above-mentioned difference in brightness, the eyes are easily tired, and it is difficult to continue the game for a long time.

[0008] As shown in the example of FIG.
When the light source 103 is positioned inside the reel and the light is emitted from the inside of the reel 104, the illumination is useless, and an extra light amount is required to clearly show the symbol display surface. For this reason, if a high-output light source is used as the light source 103 or the light source 103 is brought closer to the reel 104,
The reel may be heated and deformed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems. By constructing a reel lighting device using a linear light emitting member, the lighting device can be installed even in a narrow space inside the body. It is another object of the present invention to provide a symbol variable display game machine that uniformly illuminates a surface on which a symbol is displayed and does not require an extra light amount.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, a variable symbol display device for displaying a plurality of symbols in a variable manner after stopping the variable display and a symbol displayed by the variable symbol display device is provided. And a symbol display window that allows a symbol display window to be visible from the outside under illumination by the illumination device, wherein the illumination device is configured using a linear light emitting member, and the linear light emitting member is , And arranged at a position inside the symbol display window so as not to block the symbols displayed by the variable symbol display device.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the variable symbol display device includes a plurality of reels each having a plurality of symbols displayed on an outer peripheral surface thereof. The linear light-emitting member is provided.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the linear light emitting member is provided along a window frame portion of the symbol display window.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the linear light-emitting member is a side-emitting optical fiber, and the illumination device is constituted by a light source for introducing light from an end face of the optical fiber.

[0014]

Since the linear light-emitting member is arranged at a position inside the symbol display window, the distance between the linear light-emitting member and the symbol displayed by the variable symbol display device is short, and the symbol looks bright and clear. Moreover, since the linear light-emitting members are arranged so as not to block the symbols displayed by the variable symbol display device, the linear light-emitting members do not obstruct the player's view.

[0015] In the symbol variable display game machine according to the second aspect,
Since the linear light emitting member curved along the outer peripheral surface of the reel is provided at the boundary position between adjacent reels, the distance between the linear light emitting member and the outer peripheral surface of the reel is short and uniform,
The outer peripheral surface of the reel is uniformly and brightly illuminated.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a symbol variable display game machine.
Since the linear light-emitting member is provided along the window frame of the symbol display window, light emission is clearly indicated around the window frame.

In the symbol variable display amusement machine according to claim 4,
When the light of the light source is introduced from the end face of the optical fiber, the optical fiber emits side light over the entire length, and the surface on which the symbol is displayed is illuminated.

[0018]

FIG. 1 shows the appearance of a slot machine embodying the present invention. The body 1 of this slot machine has a box-shaped main body 2 and a door 3 attached to the front opening so as to be openable and closable. As shown in FIG. 2, a medal discharging machine having a circuit board 5 such as a reel block 4 and a control circuit at an upper position and a hopper 6a for accommodating a large number of medals at a lower position, as shown in FIG. 6 are incorporated respectively.

The reel block 4 comprises a metal frame 7
, Three reels 8a, 8b, 8c are integrally assembled. On the outer peripheral surface of each reel 8a, 8b, 8c, a symbol,
A plurality of types of symbols such as letters and numbers are shown, and some of the symbols constitute symbols for establishing a winning (hereinafter, referred to as “winning symbols”). The reel block 4 has stepping motors 9a, 9b, 9c for individually rotating and driving the reels 8a, 8b, 8c.
And constitutes the variable symbol display device 10 together with the reels 8a, 8b, 8c.

The front surface of the door 3 is provided with reels 8a, 8
Symbol display window 2 for displaying symbols b and 8c
0, an upper panel 12 and a lower panel 1 for displaying a model name and game information.
And 3. Each of the panels 11, 12, 13 is formed by performing silk screen printing on the surface of a transparent synthetic resin plate or tempered glass. Below the front panel 11, a start lever 14, three stop button switches 15a, 1
5b, 15c, a medal slot 16 and the like, and below the lower panel 13, a medal discharge port 17 and a medal tray 1 are provided.
8 are deployed respectively.

A single transparent symbol display window 20 surrounded by a color print layer 11A (shown in FIG. 5) is formed at the center of the plate surface of the front panel 11. This symbol display window 2
Numeral 0 denotes a horizontally long rectangular shape, and three symbol display sections 20 for displaying symbols of the respective reels 8a, 8b, 8c.
a, 20b, and 20c. Behind the symbol display sections 20a, 20b, 20c, the reels 8a, 8b, 8c of the reel block 4 are located, and when the reels are stopped, the symbols on the outer peripheral surface of the reel can be visually recognized by three frames for each reel. In this embodiment, the front panel 11
Symbol display window 20 with no partition on the plate surface
Is formed in a width corresponding to the arrangement width of the three reels 8a, 8b, 8c, and a symbol display window for each reel having a width corresponding to the width of each of the reels 8a, 8b, 8c is formed. Three may be formed side by side with intervening.

On the surface of the front panel 11, as shown in FIG.
A total of five lower and diagonal stop lines L1 to L5 are shown, and when the reels are stopped, the symbols of the reels 8a, 8b, 8c are arranged on these stop lines L1 to L5. If the number of medals inserted into the medal insertion slot 16 is one, these stop lines L1 to L5 are upper, middle, and lower if only one central stop line L1 is two. If there are three stop lines L1 to L3, all five stop lines L1 to L5 are activated respectively.

In the slot machine having the above structure, when a medal is inserted from the medal insertion slot 16, a number of stop lines corresponding to the number of inserted medals are activated. Then, when the starting lever 14 is operated, the three reels 8a, 8b, 8
c starts all at once. Thereafter, the stop button switch 15a,
Each time 15b, 15c is operated, the corresponding reel 8
a, 8b and 8c stop. At this time, when a combination of winning symbols is established on the activated stop line, a winning is achieved, and a predetermined number of medals are discharged from the medal discharge port 17 to the medal tray 18 by the operation of the medal dispensing machine 6.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, an illumination device 21 for illuminating the outer peripheral surfaces of the reels 8a, 8b and 8c is provided inside the door portion 3.

The illumination device 21 of this embodiment comprises four side-emission optical fibers 2 arranged in parallel at equal intervals at a position facing the symbol display window 20 inside the front panel 11.
2A, 22B, 22C and 22D, and a light source 23 for introducing light from the lower end face 220 of each of the optical fibers 22A, 22B, 22C and 22D.

Each of the optical fibers 22A, 22B, 22C,
22D are held by the metal frame 7 of the reel block 4. The respective lower ends 22a are bundled in an assembled state, and the respective lower ends 220 are light sources disposed upward in the main body 2. 23 is optically coupled via a socket 25.

Each of the optical fibers 22A, 22B, 22C,
22D penetrates the partition wall 24 in the main body 2, and an upper half extending upward constitutes a reel lighting unit 22b. The two optical fibers 22A and 22D located on both sides are curved so that the reel illuminating portions 22b are respectively located on both side edges of the symbol display window 20 and substantially along the front half of the outer peripheral surface of the reels 8a, 8b and 8c. Let me do it. Intermediate position 2
The two optical fibers 22B and 22C are provided on the reels 8a and 8 on which the reel lighting unit 22b of one optical fiber 22B is adjacent.
The reel illuminating portion 22b of the other optical fiber 22C corresponds to the boundary position of the adjacent reels 8b and 8c at the boundary position of the other optical fiber 22C, and substantially along the front half of the outer peripheral surface of the reels 8a, 8b and 8c. It is curved.

Each optical fiber 22A, 22B, 22C
Has a structure in which the outer periphery of a core with excellent light transmission is covered with a flexible pipe-shaped cladding, and the materials of the core and the cladding are selected and the refractive index between the two is adjusted. Light introduced from the end surface is emitted from the outer peripheral surface, and the outer peripheral surface emits light over the entire length. Acrylic resin is used as the core, and Teflon is used as the cladding, but each material is not limited to this.

The optical fibers 22A, 22B, 22
C and 22D are not limited to those having the above-described configuration. For example, an AC voltage is applied between a core electrode and a transparent pipe-shaped electrode on the outer periphery of the core electrode to cause a pipe-shaped light-emitting layer interposed between the electrodes to emit light. An electroluminescent optical fiber or the like as described above may be used.

If the illumination device 21 of the present invention is formed using a small-diameter and linear light-emitting member such as an optical fiber, the linear light-emitting member may be a cold-cathode tube lamp, a neon tube, or the like. May be used. Regardless of which linear light-emitting member is used, the linear light-emitting member is located at a position inside the symbol display window 20 and does not block the symbols of three frames visually recognized from the symbol display window 20 when the reel is stopped. Is placed. In particular, one symbol display window 20 without a partition portion is connected to three reels 8a, 8
When the linear light-emitting members are formed at a width corresponding to the arrangement width of b and 8c, the linear light-emitting member is located at a position visible from the outside inside the symbol display window 20 and at a boundary position between the adjacent reels, whereby the partition is formed. Even if there is no portion, the symbols of the reels 8a, 8b, 8c can be easily seen by the linear light emitting members.

As the light source 23 constituting the illumination device 21 of this embodiment, a halogen bulb, a metal highland bulb, a light emitting diode, a semiconductor laser, or the like is used. Light source 23
Can be arbitrarily selected, but as shown in this embodiment, the light source 2
If 3 is provided, the space can be effectively used.

When the light source 23 is turned on by turning on the power,
Light is introduced from the lower end surfaces 220 of the four optical fibers 22A, 22B, 22C, 22D. As a result, each of the optical fibers 22A, 22B, 22C, and 22D emits side light over the entire length, and each of the reel lighting units 22b illuminates the outer peripheral surface of each of the reels 8a, 8b, and 8c.

Each of the optical fibers 22A, 22B, 22C,
22D reel lighting unit 22b is connected to reels 8a, 8b, 8c.
Of the reels 8a and 8b.
Since the outer surfaces of b and 8c are equally illuminated from the same distance,
There is no upper and lower light / dark step.

Optical fibers 22A, 22B, 22C, 2
Since 2D generates almost no heat during light emission, the optical fibers 22A, 22B, 22C, and 22D are connected to the reels 8a,
Even if they are arranged close to 8b and 8c, a uniform illumination state is ensured without any trouble due to heat.

The two optical fibers 22B, 2 at the intermediate position
2C, the symbol display window 20 is divided into two parts at the center by these optical fibers 22B and 22C, and thus, the three reels 8a, 8b and 8c are arranged at mutually adjacent boundary positions. Symbol display section 20
a, 20b, and 20c appear to be divided into three.

The two optical fibers 22 on both sides are
Since A and 22D are provided corresponding to both side edges of the symbol display window 20, respectively, the symbol display window 20 is formed by both optical fibers 22A and 22D when viewed from the outside.
It appears that the left and right window frame portions 20d and 20e are formed.

As described in the above embodiment, the optical fiber 22
By arranging A, 22B, 22C, and 22D, the outer peripheral surfaces of the reels 8a, 8b, and 8c are clearly illuminated in the symbol display window 20, so that the illumination effect is enhanced and the visibility of the symbols can be further clarified.

The two optical fibers 22 at the intermediate position
B and 22C can also be made invisible from the outside. In this case, the above-described partition is formed by forming a band-shaped color print layer 11A in the corresponding position in the symbol display window 20 on the front panel 11 in the vertical direction. What is necessary is just to form a part.

The optical fibers 22A, 22B, 22
Generally, a light reflecting portion exists on the upper end surfaces of the C and 22D, and the reflected light of the light from the light source 23 is also effectively used for illumination. Is returned to the light source 23 so as to face the light source 23, so that the light from the light source 23 can be more effectively used.

The optical fibers 22A, 22B, 22
The side emission colors of C and 22D are not limited to a single color, but can be changed to two or more colors. When a halogen bulb or a metal halide bulb is used as the light source 23, for example, a color filter is switchably provided in front of the light source 23. When a light emitting diode is used as the light source 23, as shown in FIG. 6, a composite element 32 having a plurality of light emitting diode chips 31 having different emission colors is used. Is used to control the switching.

Each of the optical fibers 22A, 22B, 22C,
By making the emission color of 22D variable, the illumination effect is improved, and various colors can be displayed according to the progress of the game, and the player's mood for the game can be increased.

The illuminating device 21 is not limited to the use of the combination of the four optical fibers 22A, 22B, 22C, 22D and the light source 23, but may be a combination of a fluorescent lamp and a light emitting diode.

The optical fiber is, as shown in the figure,
It is not always necessary to use four optical fibers. For example, as shown by a chain line in FIG. 4, one optical fiber can be formed into a series by bending it.

7 to 9 show other application examples of the optical fiber. In the illustrated example, the reel illuminating unit 22b is formed by using one optical fiber 22A for side emission. The reel lighting unit 22b has upper and lower horizontal sides 22c and 22d parallel to each other and formed in a folded shape.
The two horizontal sides 22c and 22d are connected to the symbol display window 20.
Are arranged along the upper and lower window frame portions 20f and 20g, respectively.

In this embodiment, one optical fiber 22
The outer peripheral surfaces of the reels 8a, 8b, 8c can be respectively illuminated from upper and lower directions by the upper and lower horizontal sides 22c, 22d formed with A, and the upper and lower window frame portions 20f, 20g of the symbol display window 20 can be clearly illuminated. , The visibility of the symbol is enhanced.

FIGS. 10 to 12 show still another application example of the optical fiber. In the illustrated example, two reel light-emitting portions 22b are formed using two side-emitting optical fibers 22A and 22B. The reel illuminating part 22b of one optical fiber 22A has four folded vertical sides 22c, 22d,
22e, 22f, and the vertical sides 22c, 2 on both sides.
2f, the window frame portions 20 on both the left and right sides of the symbol display window 20.
The vertical sides 22d and 22e at the intermediate position are arranged corresponding to the positions adjacent to each other on the reels 8a, 8b and 8c.

The reel illuminating portion 22b of the other optical fiber 22B has upper and lower horizontal sides 22g and 22h which are formed in a folded shape and are parallel to each other.
22h, upper and lower window frame portions 20f, 20f of the symbol display window 20.
Each is arranged along 20g.

In this embodiment, one of the optical fibers 22
Each vertical side 22c, 22d, 22 formed with A
e, 22f and the other side 22g, 22h formed by the other optical fiber 22B emit light from the side surface, so that the outer peripheral surface of each of the reels 8a, 8b, 8c is illuminated without a vertical light-dark step. The window frame portions 20d and 20e on both side edges of the symbol display window 20 and the window frame portions 20f and 20g on the upper and lower edges are clearly illuminated in a rectangular shape.

FIGS. 13 to 15 show still another application example of the optical fiber. In the illustrated example, the upper and lower horizontal sides 22c, 2c are respectively composed of two optical fibers 22A, 22B.
2d, and these horizontal sides 22c, 22d are arranged along the window frame portions 20f, 20g on the upper and lower edges of the symbol display window 20,
They are arranged corresponding to each other. Also, the reels 8a, 8
b, 8c adjacent position and symbol display window 2
Four optical fibers 22C to 22F are arranged at positions corresponding to the window frame portions 20d and 20e on both side edges of 0, and their upper and lower ends are connected to upper and lower horizontal sides 22c and 22d.

In this embodiment, the reels 8a, 8b, 8c
Of the optical fiber 22 can be uniformly illuminated.
The total length of A to 22F is reduced, and the symbol display window 2
The light emission of the window frame portions 20d and 20e on both side edges and the window frame portions 20f and 20g on the upper and lower edges can be specified. According to this embodiment, optical fibers 22A to 22A to 22
The total length of 22F can be reduced.

The present invention is not limited to a slot machine having three reels 8a, 8b and 8c as a variable symbol display device, but can also be applied to a pachinko machine having a variable symbol display device. Instead of 8c, the present invention can be applied to a game machine using another symbol display medium such as a disk.

[0052]

According to the present invention, as described above, the lighting device is constituted by using the linear light-emitting members, and the linear light-emitting members are displayed by the variable symbol display device at a position inside the symbol display window. Since the symbols are arranged so as not to block, the lighting device can be installed even in a narrow space inside the body. In addition, since the distance between the linear light emitting member and the symbol displayed by the symbol variable display device is short, the symbol looks bright and clear, and the linear light emitting member does not hinder the player's view. As a result, the player's eyes are not tired and the symbols are clearly visible,
The player can easily aim at a desired symbol, and can play the game in a comfortable manner.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the linear light emitting member curved along the outer peripheral surface of the reel is provided at the boundary position of the reel constituting the variable symbol display device, the space between the reels is effectively used. can do. Further, since the outer peripheral surface of the reel is illuminated from the same distance, there is no difference in brightness. In addition, even if there is no partition in the symbol display window, the linear light-emitting member functions as a partition, and the symbols on each reel are easy to see.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the linear light-emitting member is disposed along the window frame portion of the symbol display window, it is possible to make the window frame portion clearly emit light without complicated wiring.
The visibility of the symbol is improved.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the lighting device is constituted by the side-emitting optical fiber provided inside the symbol display window and the light source for introducing light from the end face of the optical fiber. The optical fiber can be installed in a desired position in any desired form by utilizing the characteristics of the optical fiber without causing any trouble, and the symbols can be illuminated effectively and uniformly.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing the internal configuration of the slot machine.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing a front panel of the slot machine.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the inside of a slot machine showing an application example of an optical fiber.

FIG. 5 is a right side view of the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of an embodiment in which a composite element having a plurality of light emitting diode chips having different emission colors is used as a light source.

FIG. 7 is a front view of a front panel showing another application example of the optical fiber.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the inside of the slot machine showing the embodiment of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a right side view of the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a front view of a front panel showing another application example of the optical fiber.

FIG. 11 is a front view of the inside of the slot machine showing the embodiment in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a right side view of the embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 13 is a front view of a front panel showing another application example of the optical fiber.

FIG. 14 is a front view of the inside of the slot machine showing the embodiment in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a right side view of the embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a conventional lighting device.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of another conventional lighting device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 8a, 8b, 8c Reel 20 Symbol display window 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g Window frame 21 Lighting device 22A, 22B, 22C, 22D Optical fiber 23 Light source

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A variable symbol display device for displaying a plurality of symbols by variably displaying the plurality of symbols and then stopping the variable display, and displaying the symbols displayed by the variable symbol display device under illumination by an illumination device. A symbol display window having a symbol display window that makes the symbol display window more visible, wherein the lighting device is configured using a linear light-emitting member, and the linear light-emitting member is positioned inside the symbol display window. And a symbol variable display game machine arranged so as not to block the symbols displayed by the variable symbol display device. 2. The variable symbol display device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of reels have a plurality of symbols displayed on an outer peripheral surface thereof, and the linear light-emitting device is provided at a boundary position between adjacent reels and curved along the outer peripheral surface of the reel. The variable symbol display game machine according to claim 1, wherein a member is provided. 3. The variable symbol display game machine according to claim 1, wherein the linear light emitting member is provided along a window frame portion of the symbol display window. 4. The illumination device according to claim 1, wherein the linear light-emitting member is a side-emitting optical fiber, and a light source for introducing light from an end face of the optical fiber.
The symbol variable display game machine described in any one of the above.