JPH0623092A - Slot mashine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable stop lines validated and related to prize winning to be instantly judged by providing a wire rod outputting light from the total length of the front peripheral surface or over the total length of itself to make the stop line itself luminous. CONSTITUTION:A symbol display window 4 is formed in the upper panel 11 with a transparent part while provided in the transparent part with central, upper, lower and slant stop lines L1-L5. Reels 3A, 3B and 3C are located inside the symbol dispaly window 4. When the reels 3A, 3B and 3C are stopped, symbols of three frames of the reels are arranged in order on the central, upper, lower and slant stop lines L1-L5. The stop lines L1-L5 are formed of five wire rods consisting of optical fibers. The respective wire rods have a diffusing surface on the peripheral surface and photodiodes opposed to the end faces of both ends. Light radiated from the photodiode is diffused on the peripheral surface of the wire rod to make the stop lines L1-L5 luminous.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention, when a plurality of reels are simultaneously started and then the reels are individually stopped by operating a stop button switch or the like, the reels are aligned on an activated stop line. The present invention relates to a slot machine in which winning or non-winning is determined by a combination of symbols.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional slot machine has three reels each having a plurality of symbols on its peripheral surface, and a transparent portion is provided on a front panel to provide a symbol display window through which the three reels can be seen. It is of a formed structure. In this symbol display window, five stop lines for aligning and stopping the symbols for three frames of each reel in three horizontal rows and two diagonal rows are shown.

A lamp lighting portion is provided on one side of the symbol display window so as to correspond to each stop line, and when a game player inserts one medal into the medal insertion slot at the time of playing the game, the center of the medal insertion window is displayed. When the stop line is activated and the corresponding one lamp lighting part is turned on, and two medals are inserted, the three stop lines at the center and the upper and lower positions are activated and the three corresponding stop lines are activated. When the lamp lighting unit is turned on and three medals are inserted, the five stop lines at the center, the upper and lower sides, and the diagonal lines are activated, and the corresponding five lamps are turned on.

Next, when the start lever is operated, the three reels rotate in unison, and when the stop button switch for each reel is sequentially pressed, the corresponding reels stop sequentially. At this time, when a predetermined combination of symbols is established on any of the activated stop lines, the lamp lighting part corresponding to that stop line blinks to notify the player of the winning, and a predetermined number of medals are paid out. Be seen.

[0005]

However, in the case of this type of slot machine, since the lamp lighting portions are located on the side portions of the respective stop lines, when the medals are thrown and the lighting operation is performed, they are lit. It is necessary to make the lamp lighting part and the stop line correspond to each other, and the activated stop line cannot be instantaneously determined. This is also the case when any lamp lighting part blinks during winning, and it is necessary to make the blinking lamp lighting part correspond to the stop line, and the stop line related to winning cannot be instantaneously determined.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and by making the stop line itself illuminate, it is possible to instantly determine the activated stop line and the stop line related to winning. The purpose is to provide.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a plurality of reels having a plurality of symbols on a peripheral surface thereof, and the symbols of the respective reels can be seen through on the front surface of the reel. In a slot machine provided with a symbol display window in which a stop line is present, in the symbol display window,
At least the front peripheral surface outputs light over the entire length, or a wire rod that itself emits light over the entire length is provided to form the stop line, and a light emitting source is provided at an end of the wire rod.

In a slot machine according to a second aspect of the present invention, a translucent wire having at least a front peripheral surface formed as a diffusion surface is used as the wire, and the wire is provided so as to face at least one end surface of the light emitter. It is equipped with a light source.

In the slot machine according to the third aspect of the present invention, the light emitting diode which outputs different hue light is used as the light emitting source, one light emitting diode is activated when the corresponding stop line is activated, and the other light emitting diode is activated. The light emitting diode is activated when a predetermined combination of symbols is established on the stop line.

[0010]

When the medal is inserted or the winning is established, the light emission source is driven to illuminate the corresponding stop line itself, so that the activated stop line or the stop line related to winning can be instantly discriminated.

In the slot machine of the second aspect, the output light of the light emitting source is incident on the end surface of the wire, and the incident light is diffused on the diffusion surface of the wire, so that the stop line itself shines.

According to another aspect of the slot machine of the present invention, when a medal is inserted, one of the light emitting diodes emits light, the corresponding wire emits a predetermined hue of light and the stop line illuminates, and when winning, the other light emitting diode emits light. Then the corresponding wire emits different hue light and the stop line shines,
You can instantly determine the stop line for winning.

[0013]

1 shows the appearance of a slot machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. This slot machine 1 has three reels 3A, 3B and 3C on which a plurality of symbols are respectively displayed on the peripheral surface, and on the front surface of the machine body 2, a symbol display window 4, a deposit number display 5, a medal insertion. A mouth 6, a start lever 7, stop button switches 8a, 8b, 8c, a game button switch 9, a settlement button switch 10, a medal discharge port 12, a medal tray 13 and the like are provided.

The symbol display window 4 is formed by forming a transparent portion on the upper panel 11 of the front surface and providing central, vertical and diagonal stop lines L _{1 to} L ₅ on the transparent portion. Three reels 3A, 3B, 3C are located inside the symbol display window 4, and the rotation states of the three reels 3A, 3B, 3C can be seen through the symbol display window 4, and When reels 3A, 3B, 3C are stopped, the symbols for the three frames on each reel are in the center,
Vertical, so that the arrayed in a line on each stop line L ₁ ~L ₅ diagonal.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each of the stop lines L _{1 to} L ₅ is formed by arranging _five wire rods d _{1 to} d 5 made of optical fibers on the back surface of the panel 11. to each wire d ₁ to d ₃ of the central and vertical position, the oblique wire rods d _4, d ₅ are cross.

[0016] All Shumen of each wire d ₁ to d _5, as shown in FIG. 4, Yes formed on the diffusion surface 40 over the entire length, the light 42 incident from the end surface 41 of each wire d ₁ to d ₅ are Diffusion surface 4
It is spread by 0 and goes out. The diffusing surface 40 does not necessarily have to be formed on the entire peripheral surface, and may be formed only within a predetermined angular range θ of the front peripheral surface, as shown in FIG.

The positions of both ends of each wire rod d _{1 to} d ₅ are shown in FIG.
, The first and second light emitting diodes 43, 4
4 is provided so as to face the end faces 41, 41. Each light emitting diode 43, 44 is located inside the non-transparent portion of the symbol display window 4, and in this embodiment, the first light emitting diode 43 is a light emitting diode that outputs green light and the second light emitting diode 44 is a light emitting diode. Is a light emitting diode that outputs red light.

In this embodiment, each light emitting diode 4
While the light emitted from the 3,44 and flashing the stop line L ₁ ~L ₅ by the output from the peripheral surface of each wire d ₁ to d _5, not limited thereto, the total length is the wire d ₁ to d ₅ itself It is also possible to have a structure that emits light throughout, for example, a structure in which a thin heating wire is enclosed in a hollow glass tube and the heating wire shines when energized.

Returning to FIG. 1, the starting lever 7 is for simultaneously starting the three reels 3A, 3B, 3C, and the three stop button switches 8a, 8b, 8c are corresponding reels 3A, 3B. , 3C are individually stopped.

The medal insertion slot 6 is a portion for inserting a large number of medals prior to the execution of the game, and the medal receiving tray 13 accommodates the medals ejected from the medal ejection opening 12 when the medals are settled.

The deposit number display 5 is for digitally displaying the number of medals continuously inserted from the medal slot 6 prior to the game, that is, the number of medals deposited in the machine. It is updated according to the number of coins inserted or the dividend at the time of winning.

The game button switch 9 is for setting the number of inserted medals (betting number) for each game, and when the game button switch 9 is pressed once, the inserted number becomes "1" and twice. The number of inserted sheets is set to "2" when pressed, and the number of inserted sheets is set to "3" when pressed three times.

Each of the stop lines L _{1 to} L ₅ is the center stop line L ₁ when the number of inserted medals is set to “1”, and the upper and middle stop lines L ₁ are set to “2”. , The lower stop lines L ₂ , L ₁ , L ₃ are further set to “3”, the upper, middle, lower and diagonal stop lines L ₂ , L
₁ , L ₃ , L ₄ , L ₅ are activated respectively, and a predetermined symbol combination is generated on any activated stop line, whereby the display value of the deposit number display 5 is paid. Is incremented according to.

The settlement button switch 10 is used to settle the number of medals deposited in the machine and request the return of medals. When the settlement button switch 10 is pressed, the deposit number display 5 is displayed. The number of medals is the medal tray 13
Is released to.

FIG. 7 shows a circuit configuration example of the slot machine having the above configuration. In the figure, a control unit 15 composed of a microprocessor or the like has a configuration in which a CPU 16 is connected via a bus 19 to a ROM 17 for storing programs and fixed data and a RAM 18 used as a work area.

The RAM 18 is provided with an area for storing the number of medals deposited, an area for registering the number of inserted medals set for each game, and the like. The CPU 16 is the main body of control / calculation, and the ROM 17
The program is decoded and executed to read / write data from / to the RAM 18, and the operation of each input / output device is controlled in series through the I / O ports 20 and 21.

The I / O ports 20 and 21 have a medal detector 22, a starting lever switch 23, as input / output devices,
Stop button switches 8a, 8b, 8c, game button switch 9, settlement button switch 10, medal ejector 24, reel drive mechanism 25, lighting display circuits 26 to 30, number display circuit 3
2 etc. are connected.

The medal detector 22 detects a medal inserted into the medal insertion slot 6 and outputs a medal detection signal. The starting lever switch 23 outputs a starting lever switch signal by operating the starting lever 7. The stop button switches 8a, 8b, 8c, the game button switch 9, and the settlement button switch 10 are as described above, and their respective switch signals are output by pressing them.

The medal ejecting machine 24 is provided inside the machine body 2 and is provided with a hopper for accommodating the medals inserted through the medal insertion slot 6. The medal ejecting machine 24 is driven at the time of payment so that the number of medals deposited in the machine is supplied from the hopper. Send out and release medal 1
Release to 2.

The reel drive mechanism 25 is for each reel 3A, 3
It has three stepping motors connected to B and 3C, and the stepping motors of the reels 3A, 3B and 3C are started simultaneously in response to the operation of the starting lever 7, and the corresponding stop button switches are pressed. Stop individually in response to an operation.

The lighting display circuits 26 to 30 have the first and second light emitting diodes 43 and 4 for the respective stop lines L _{1 to} L _5.
4 is for lighting or blinking, and the numeral display circuit 32 is for causing the deposit number display 5 to display an arbitrary numeral.

8 and 9 show the procedure of control by the control section 15 from step 1 (indicated by "ST1" in the figure) to step 26. Hereinafter, the operation of the slot machine will be described in accordance with the procedure shown in FIG. Will be explained.

First, in step 1 of the figure, the CPU 16 determines whether to insert a medal from the medal insertion slot 6 or to insert a deposit medal by the game button switch 9,
When one medal is inserted, the determination is “YES”, and 1 is added as the number of inserted medals n in a predetermined area of the RAM 18 (step 2).

In the next step 3, it is judged whether or not the number n of inserted medals is "1". If the judgment is "YES", in step 4, the first stop line L ₁ for the central stop line is determined. The light emitting diode 43 is turned on to drive the wire d.
_A green light is emitted from the peripheral surface of ₁ to make the stop line L ₁ shine green to inform the player that the central stop line L ₁ has been activated.

When the second medal is inserted, the determination in step 5 is "NO", and the determination in step 1 is "YE".
S ”, and 1 is added as the number of inserted medals n in the area of the RAM 18 (step 2). In this case, n = 2
Therefore, the determination in step 3 is “NO”, step 6
Is YES, the process proceeds to step 7, and the first light emitting diode 43 for the upper and lower stop lines L ₂ and L ₃ is turned on to make each stop line L ₂ and L ₃ illuminate in green, The player is informed that the stop lines L ₂ and L _{3 of 1} are also activated.

When the third medal is inserted, the determination in step 5 is "NO", and the determination in step 1 is "YE".
S ”, and 1 is added to the area of the RAM 18 as the number n of inserted medals (step 2). in this case,
Since n = 3, the determination in step 3 is “NO”, the determination in step 6 is “NO”, and the determination in step 8 is “YE”.
S ”, the process proceeds to step 9, where the first light emitting diode 43 for the diagonal stop lines L ₄ and L ₅ is turned on to cause the respective stop lines L ₄ and L ₅ to emit green light, and the diagonal stop lines L ₄ and L ₅ are illuminated. Notify the player that ₄ , ₄ and ₅ are also activated.

If the fourth medal is inserted, the determination in step 5 is "NO", and the determination in step 1 is "YE".
S ”, and 1 is added to the area of the RAM 18 as the number n of inserted medals (step 2). in this case,
Since n = 4, each determination in steps 3, 6 and 8 is “N
When it becomes "O" and proceeds to step 10, the CPU 16 operates the medal ejector 24 to return one medal, and then subtracts 1 from the number of inserted medals n (step 11).

Next, when the starting lever 7 is operated, the determination in step 5 becomes "YES" and the process proceeds to step 12,
The CPU 16 simultaneously starts the three reels 3A, 3B, 3C. Next, step 13 is for each reel 3A, 3B, 3
For C, it is determined whether the corresponding stop button switches 8a, 8b, 8c have been pressed, and if the determination is "YE
If "S", the CPU 16 stops the reel corresponding to the pressed stop button switch. Similarly, when the stop button switches 8a, 8b, 8c for all reels are pressed, the determination in step 15 is "YES", and the CPU 1
6 turns off the first light emitting diodes 43 for all the stop lines L _{1 to} L ₅ and then determines whether or not a combination of winning symbols has been generated on the activated stop lines (steps). 17).

If the determination in step 17 is "YES", it is determined which of the stop lines validated in the following steps 18 to 20 has generated the winning symbol combination. If I is if a combination of symbols relating to winning the center of the upper stop line L ₁ is generated, the determination becomes "YES" in step 18, the second light emitting diodes 44 blink operation for the center stop line L ₁ A red light is output from the peripheral surface of the wire rod d ₁ to inform the player of the position of the winning stop line (step 21).

[0040] If my combination of symbols according to winning over stop line L ₂ of the upper position is generated, the determination becomes "YES" in step 19, the second light emitting diode for stopping the line L ₂ in the upper position 44 is made to blink, and its stop line L ₂ is illuminated in red (step 2
2).

Similarly, if a combination of symbols for winning is generated on the stop line L ₃ at the lower position,
The second light-emitting diodes 4 of the stop line L ₃
4 is made to blink, and if a combination of winning symbols is generated on the diagonal stop line L ₄ , the determination in step 20 becomes “YES”, and the diagonal stop line L 4
A second light emitting diodes 44 blink operation for ₄ illuminate the stop line L ₄ to the red (Step 2
3). If a combination of winning symbols has been generated on another diagonal stop line L ₅ , the determination in step 20 becomes “NO”, and the diagonal stop line L
A second light emitting diodes 44 blink operation for ₅ illuminate the stop line L ₅ in red (Step 2
4).

Thereafter, the CPU 16 pays out a predetermined number of medals according to the combination of symbols for winning, counts up the number of medals deposited in the machine by the payout number, and then stores the medals stored in the RAM. The number n of inserted sheets is cleared (steps 25 and 26).

[0043]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the front peripheral surface is provided with a wire rod that outputs light over the entire length or itself emits light over the entire length, and the stop line itself is illuminated, the player is effective. It is possible to instantly determine the stop line that has been turned into a single line or the stop line for winning a prize.

Further, in the invention according to claim 3, since the light emitting diode which emits different hue light is used as the light emitting source, the activated stop line and the stop line for winning are configured to emit different hue light. The player can instantly distinguish between the activated stop line and the winning stop line.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is an enlarged front view showing each stop line of the symbol display window.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an arrangement state of each wire rod.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a diffusion state of light.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the diffusion surface.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an arrangement of light emitting diodes with respect to a wire.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration example of a slot machine.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a control procedure by a control unit.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a control procedure by the control unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 slot machine 3A, 3B, 3C reel 4 symbol display window 41 end face 43, 44 light emitting diode 15 control unit 16 CPU 17 ROM 18 RAM L ₁ , L ₂ , L ₃ , L ₄ , L ₅ stop line d ₁ , d ₂ , D ₃ , d ₄ , d ₅ wire rod

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A symbol display window having a plurality of reels having a plurality of symbols on its peripheral surface, the symbols of each reel being transparent and having at least one stop line provided on the front surface. In the slot machine, in the symbol display window, at least the front peripheral surface outputs light over the entire length, or itself deploys a wire that emits light over the entire length to form the stop line,
A slot machine in which a light emitting source is provided at an end of the wire. 2. The wire rod is a translucent wire rod having at least a front peripheral surface formed as a diffusion surface, and a light emitting source made of a light emitting body is provided so as to face at least one end surface of the wire rod. The slot machine according to claim 1, which comprises: 3. The light-emitting source is a light-emitting diode that outputs different hue light, one light-emitting diode is activated when the corresponding stop line is activated, and the other light-emitting diode is on the stop line. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the slot machine is activated when a predetermined combination of symbols is established.