JP4025463B2 - Slot machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a slot machine. In particular, the present invention relates to an information display panel that can be displayed in a dot pattern through a plurality of rows and columns of dots on the back side of the front panel, and a winning line, a picture, a lamp mark, and the like are displayed on the information display panel.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a typical 3-reel slot machine, when 1 to 3 medals are inserted, the start lever is operated to rotate the three rotating reels, and the stop button is operated to stop the reel rotation. A combination of stop symbols on one or a plurality of winning lines activated according to the number of medals is used to determine whether a winning or losing is awarded. When winning, the number of medals according to the type of symbol is paid out to the player. It has become. For example, in the slot machine 100 of FIG. 22, various displays, display lamps, and the like are provided so as to be seen from the front panel.
[0003]
Symbol display windows 103a to 103c are formed in the center portion of the front panel 103, and three symbols on the front side among a plurality of symbols on the outer periphery of the three rotary reels 105 to 107 on the back side of the front panel 103 are displayed. Visible from the front. Above the symbol display windows 103a to 103c are twelve bonus lamps 110 that are turned on when winning a regular bonus (winning) or a big bonus (big winning), a replay lamp 111 for instructing that replay is possible, and the like. The indicator lamp is provided. The lamps 110 and 111 are LED lamps.
[0004]
In the lower right corner and lower left corner of the front panel 103, the number of medals to be paid out as a credit when a combination of three symbols corresponding to the activated winning line wins "winning" or "big win", etc. 7-segment display 112 for displaying the two-digit 7-segment number and the 7-segment display 112 for displaying the number of stored medals by the two-digit seven-segment number.
[0005]
On the other hand, on the front side of the front panel 103, one medal in the middle stage that is effective when one medal is inserted for nine symbols of 3 columns × 3 rows displayed through the symbol display windows 103a to 103c. Winning line L1, two two-medal winning lines L2 and L3 that are additionally enabled when two medals are inserted, and three-medal winning line L4 that is additionally enabled when three medals are inserted L5 is printed. Further, on the left side of each line, there is provided a line display lamp that is turned on when a corresponding line is activated, when a symbol is aligned with the corresponding line, or the like.
[0006]
By the way, recently, various techniques for providing auxiliary display means on the front panel and displaying lines and figures via the auxiliary display means have been proposed in order to improve game playability and make it easy to determine winnings. For example, in the 3-reel slot machine described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-220276, three sets of liquid crystal shutters are arranged in a row on the front side of the symbol display window corresponding to each rotating reel, and a prize is awarded at the end of each game. While the combination symbols are displayed through the display window, only the three winning symbols on the winning line are displayed on the symbol display window by switching the liquid crystal shutters corresponding to the remaining six symbols that are not winning to opaque. .
[0007]
In the 9-reel slot machine described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-99240, the back surface of the front panel on which the symbol display window is formed is made to correspond to a total of 8 winning lines, 3 vertical, 3 horizontal, and 2 diagonal. Each of the thin strip-shaped EL tapes (electroluminescence tapes) is fixed, the winning line EL tape that is activated every time a medal is inserted is displayed, and the winning line EL tape is displayed blinking at the end of each game. I am doing so.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the slot machine disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-220276, the liquid crystal shutter can be closed to hide a symbol that has not been won, but a winning line that has not been validated is always displayed, so a large number of winning lines are always displayed. Therefore, it is difficult to see the design of each rotating reel, and various display lamps and indicators need to be provided separately, resulting in a complicated configuration.
[0009]
In the slot machine disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-99240, only the activated pay line can be displayed. However, since each winning line is divided and displayed by a partition bar of a symbol display window formed on the front panel, it cannot be displayed as a continuous winning line. There is a problem that other display lamps, 7-segment display, etc. need to be provided separately.
[0010]
As described above, although the devices that have been proposed in the past have novelty, the purpose and contents of the display are specialized, and it is easy for the player to use, and the versatility is poor. there were.
[0011]
An object of the present invention is to provide a slot machine capable of displaying a light-transmitting character, picture or diagram on the information display panel in a dot pattern on the back surface of the front panel or in the vicinity of the back surface.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The slot machine of claim 1 includes a symbol display means capable of scroll-displaying symbols on a plurality of symbol display portions, and a transparent front panel disposed on the front side of the symbol display portions and the surrounding portions thereof , In the slot machine that pays out the number of medals according to the combination of stop symbols on the winning line that is activated according to the number of medals inserted, the symbol display unit and the front surface are at or near the back of the front panel. Diagrams of light-transmitting characters, pictures, and activated pay lines that change in relation to the progress of the game during the game by controlling the voltage application of multiple electrodes formed in a matrix between the panel and with superimposed in front on the symbol of the symbol display section behind, simultaneously visibly through the diagram, such as design of the symbol display section the character, graphics and the winning line dot Displayed in turn, and, during the movement of the symbols of the symbol display section, a matrix display unit light-transmitting property is an information display having a to reduce the line width of the winning line than before the movement of the symbols of the symbol display section A panel is provided. As the symbol display means, a reel-type symbol display means for displaying symbols by a plurality of reels or an LCD symbol display means for scrolling and displaying symbols on a liquid crystal display can be adopted. In addition, a plurality of information display panels may be provided in an overlapping manner.
[0013]
The information display panel provided on the back of the front panel or in the vicinity of the back is composed of a light-transmitting panel that mainly consists of a transparent EL (electroluminescence) element, etc., and can emit light in a predetermined color. Only the winning line that is activated by medal insertion is displayed on the matrix display part that can be displayed in a dot pattern via multiple rows and multiple columns of dots, or a multi-character message, picture or diagram is displayed . be able to.
[0014]
For example, in the matrix display section of the information display panel, when the game description information or messages, characters such as “winning”, “big hit”, “reach”, etc. It is possible to display information such as various pictorial diagrams and diagrams such as a winning line activated according to the number of medals inserted in a dot pattern.
[0015]
In addition, since the information display panel is light-transmitting, it is possible to see the background symbols including the symbols displayed on the symbol display section through the information display panel. That is, the information displayed on the information display panel and the background pattern can be seen superimposed.
[0016]
Here, the information display panel, in case a transparent EL (electroluminescence) panel, EL element is one that emits light by excitation light emitted when an electric field is applied to the phosphor, for example, ZnS (zinc sulfide) By applying a DC voltage or an AC voltage between both ends of the light emitting layer containing the phosphor, etc., light is emitted with a color tone corresponding to the type of the phosphor.
[0017]
Preset the characters, pictorial, the case in which a driving control means for driving and controlling the information display panel to display a pattern comprising any of the diagram in still image and / or video by the dot pattern This drive control means controls the information display panel.
[0018]
At this time, the drive control means, preset the characters, pictorial, a pattern including either of the diagram, have the preferred to display a dot pattern associated with the display symbol by the symbol display section. In this way, for example, when the symbol display unit displays a symbol “7, 7, 7” in a big win state, the information display panel causes the flash mark to blink so as to surround “7, 7, 7”. By displaying the dot pattern related to the display symbol of the symbol display unit, etc., it becomes possible to display with the cooperation with the base symbol or a synergistic effect. Further, in this case, the apparatus further includes a memory in which display data including a plurality of the dot patterns is stored in advance, and the drive control unit drives the matrix display unit to display the display data stored in the memory. If so , various display data can be easily displayed in a dot pattern.
[0019]
In addition, if the information display panel further includes a segment display unit that displays a segment by a preset segment , the segment display unit gives out a credit as a credit when a “win” or “big win” is given. Since the number of medals can be displayed as a 7-segment number with a multi-digit number, the display control for displaying the multi-digit number is simplified, and the 7-segment display that has been provided so that it can be seen from the front panel. The vessel can be omitted.
[0020]
Further, when the lamp mark as an alternative to the LED lamp can be displayed as the segment display, the lamp mark as an alternative to the LED lamp can be displayed on the matrix display portion of the information display panel. The lamp can be omitted, and the configuration can be simplified.
[0021]
Matrix display portion of the display panel, at positions corresponding to the plurality of symbol display section, the case configured to be capable of displaying a plurality of winning lines in a dot pattern, each medal, activate in response to insertion number Only the selected winning line may be displayed in a dot pattern corresponding to a plurality of symbol display parts, or the winning line that is not activated may be erased and the winning line may be kept in the erased state at the end of each game. The winning line can be displayed only when the display is necessary.
[0022]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. This embodiment is an example when the present invention is applied to a three-reel slot machine. As shown in FIG. 1, the slot machine rotates the three rotary reels 5, 6, and 7 by operating the start lever 13 after inserting a medal into the medal slot 10, and the stop buttons 14, 15, In this configuration, a medal is paid out to the medal discharge tray 18 in accordance with a winning combination of three symbols corresponding to the winning line when the rotary reels 5, 6 and 7 are stopped by operating the control unit 16.
[0023]
As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a transparent synthetic resin or glass made of the main body frame 1a of the slot machine 1 is immediately inside the middle frame portion 1b corresponding to the middle game body portion in the height direction. A rectangular front panel 2 is disposed vertically, and an information display panel 4 is disposed on the back side of the front panel 2.
[0024]
On the back side (rear side) of the middle frame portion 1b, three rotating reels 5 to 7 arranged on the left and right sides are arranged so as to be able to rotate independently by approaching the middle panel 3, and reel driving motors 51 to 53 (see FIG. 5), each is individually rotated in a predetermined direction.
[0025]
A plurality of 21 symbols such as “7”, “BAR”, “Watermelon”, “Plum”, “Bell”,... Printed in rows. The rotary reels 5 to 7 and a plurality of symbols on the outer peripheral surface thereof, the reel drive motors 51 to 53, and the like correspond to the symbol display means, and three symbols (symbol display windows 3a to 3a) of the front end portion of each of the rotary reels 5 to 7. The portions displaying the three symbols visible from 3c are the symbol display portions 5a to 7a. Here, the winning line is displayed on the information display panel 4 described later. There are no LED display lamps or 7-segment type indicators that display 2-digit 7-segment numbers. The display instead of the LED display lamps and 2-digit 7-segment numbers are displayed via the information display panel 4. Displayed.
[0026]
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a light-transmissive information display panel 4 having an EL element 25 is disposed on the back surface (back surface) of the front panel 2, and the front panel 2 and the information display panel 4 are integrated. Fixed.
[0027]
A matrix display portion 4a that can be displayed in a dot pattern is provided in most of the region excluding the lower end portion of the information display panel 4, and segment display portions 4b are provided at the lower right corner and the lower left corner of the information display panel 4, respectively. Is provided. The entire area of the EL element 25 is an area that can be displayed from the front surface through the frame portion 1c.
[0028]
The information display panel 4 includes a transparent glass substrate 25a having a thickness of about 1 mm and a transparent thin-film EL element 25 fixed on the back surface (back surface) of the glass substrate 25a. The EL element 25 includes, for example, a light emitting layer mainly composed of a fluorescent material such as ZnS, electrodes fixed on both surfaces thereof, and an insulating layer that covers the surfaces of these electrodes. In the EL element 25 in the matrix display section 4a, a large number of transparent scanning electrodes 21 in the horizontal direction are formed on the back surface of the light emitting layer, and a large number of transparent data electrodes 22 in the vertical direction are formed on the front surface of the light emitting layer. The surface of the scanning electrode 21 and the surface of the data electrode 22 are each covered with a transparent insulating layer. The scanning electrode 21 and the data electrode 22 are each formed of a transparent conductive film such as ITO (indium oxide / tin).
[0029]
In the matrix display section 4a, a large number of intersections (light-emitting dots) between the scanning electrodes 21 and the data electrodes 22 are formed in a matrix of many rows and many columns, for example, with a resolution of 200 dpi. When an electric field is applied to the intersection through the scanning electrode 21 and the data electrode 22, the dot-like portion of the light emitting layer emits excitation light and emits yellow-orange light.
[0030]
For example, the scanning electrode 21 is on the ground side, the data electrode 22 is on the DC pulse application side, and a number of data electrodes 22 are driven and controlled based on the display data. In this case, while a large number of scanning electrodes 21 are sequentially grounded every predetermined minute time, a DC pulse is sequentially applied to selected ones of the many data electrodes 22 every predetermined minute time in synchronization with this. By applying, it is possible to display a preset character string, picture, diagram, etc. as a dot pattern. In this way, a character string, one or a plurality of pictures, animation (moving image), winning lines L1 to L5, and the like can be displayed with a yellow-orange dot pattern.
[0031]
In each of the segment display portions 4b, as shown in FIG. 4, 14 transparent ground electrodes 23 corresponding to two-digit 7-segment numbers are fixed on the back surface of the same light emitting layer, and the other light emitting layer is connected to the other light emitting layer. Fourteen transparent data electrodes 24 opposite to the fourteen ground electrodes 23 are fixed on the surface, and the surfaces of the electrodes 23 and 24 are covered with a transparent insulating layer. By applying a direct current pulse, a two-digit number can be displayed in yellow-orange with a 7-segment number.
[0032]
Next, the display drive circuit 26 (corresponding to drive control means) of the matrix display unit 4a and the segment display unit 4b will be described. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the ends of a large number of scanning electrodes 21 are connected to a scanning line driver 28, and the ends of a large number of data electrodes 22 are connected to a data line driver 27. A data signal is supplied from the device 35, and a clock signal for synchronization is supplied to the data line driver 27 and the scanning line driver 28. Segment drivers 29 and 30 are connected to the ground electrode 23 and the data electrode 24 of each segment display unit 4b, respectively, and a segment display signal is supplied from the control device 35 to each segment driver 29 and 30.
[0033]
Next, a control system of the slot machine 1 will be described. As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 5, the control device 35 includes a microcomputer including a CPU 36, a ROM 37, and a RAM 38, an input interface 39, an output interface 40, drive circuits 41 to 45, and the like. The input interface 39 includes a medal insertion sensor 50, a bet switch 11a that operates in conjunction with the bet button 11, a start switch 13a that is interlocked with the start lever 13, and stop switches 14a to 16a that are interlocked with stop buttons 14 to 16, respectively. A settlement switch 12a linked to the settlement button 12 is connected.
[0034]
The output interface 40 includes a display drive circuit 26 for driving and controlling the information display panel 4, drive circuits 41 to 43 for driving the reel drive motors 51 to 53, a drive circuit 44 for the dispensing device 54, and a fluorescent lamp 8. A driving circuit 8a for driving, a driving circuit 45 for a speaker 19 for outputting various sounds, and the like are connected.
[0035]
The ROM 37 stores a plurality of control programs for controlling the apparatus so as to achieve functions as various means 60 to 69 described later. The display data memory 37a of the ROM 37 stores various display data shown in FIG. Stored. These display data are game description display data (see FIG. 9) for displaying a game description explaining how to play before starting the game as a character string, and winning lines L1 to L5 that are activated according to the number of inserted medals. The winning line display data (see FIG. 7) for displaying the lamp mark, lamp marks M1 to M3 indicating the lighting state instead of the LED lamps, and the lamp mark display for displaying the lamp mark M1a (see FIG. 19) indicating the unlit state. Data (see FIG. 7), numeric display data (see FIG. 7) for displaying two digits of 7 segments, reach mark display data (see FIG. 15) for displaying a reach mark indicating a reach state, and a jackpot mark indicating a jackpot Jackpot mark display data to be displayed (see FIG. 19), animation display data for a plurality of screens displaying animation (moving images). (See FIG. 18), include message display data for displaying the other necessary messages, it is stored in the display data memory 37a.
[0036]
Next, various functions achieved through a plurality of control programs stored in advance in the control device 35 will be described with reference to the functional block diagram of FIG. The control device 35 includes, as functional blocks, random number generation means 60, random number lottery means 61, lottery result determination means 62, stop symbol selection means 63, symbol stop control means 64, stop symbol determination means 65, and display information storage. Means 66, display information selection means 67, and information display control means 68 are provided.
[0037]
The random number generating means 60 generates random numbers for lottery when the three rotary reels 5 to 7 start to rotate by operating the start lever 13.
[0038]
The random number lottery means 61 performs a lottery based on the signal from the start switch 13 a and the random number generated by the random number generator means 60. The lottery result determination unit 62 determines the lottery result in the random number lottery unit 61, and determines whether to suggest a win, suggest a shift to a big bonus, or suggest a loss. The stop symbol selection means 63 selects a combination of symbols to be stopped and displayed on the symbol display windows 3a to 3c when the rotary reels 5 to 7 are stopped based on the determination result in the lottery result determination means 62.
[0039]
For example, “diamond, diamond, diamond”, “watermelon, watermelon, watermelon”, “cherry, −, −” (the “cherry” symbol is stopped and displayed on the rotating reel 5 at the left end, and the other rotating reels 6 to 7 are displayed. Select a combination of symbols (such as stopping any symbol). When suggesting the shift to the big bonus, for example, a combination of symbols “7, 7, 7” is selected. In order to suggest the transition to the regular bonus, for example, a combination of symbols “BAR, BAR, BAR” is selected. This regular bonus is a game mode in which a game in which a player can acquire more medals than in a normal game can be played until a predetermined condition is achieved.
[0040]
The big bonus is a game mode in which the regular bonus can be performed until a predetermined condition is achieved, and more medals can be obtained by performing the regular bonus a plurality of times.
[0041]
The symbol stop control means 64 controls the reel drive motors 51 to 53 based on the combination of symbols selected by the stop symbol selection means 63 and the stop signals from the stop switches 14a to 16a, and the symbol display window. The rotary reels 5 to 7 are stopped so that the combination of symbols that are stopped and displayed in 3a to 3c becomes a winning mode or a lost mode.
[0042]
The stop symbol determination means 65 determines whether or not all the rotating reels 5 to 7 are stopped, and the combination of symbols that are stopped and displayed on the valid pay lines L1 to L5 constitutes a winning mode. In this case, the number of stored credit medals is increased according to the number of payout medals based on the combination of the stopped symbols, or the payout device 54 is driven to pay out medals.
[0043]
The display information storage means 66 includes a display data memory 37a and the like, and stores various display data shown in FIG. 6 as described above. The display information selection means 67 receives an insertion signal from the medal insertion sensor 50, receives a bet signal from the bet switch 11a, receives a determination result signal indicating whether or not a winning mode is received from the stop symbol determination means 65, and displays it on the information display panel 4. Display data to be displayed is selectively read from the display information storage unit 66 and output to the information display control unit 68. Because even the information display control means 68 outputs the display data to the display driving circuit 26, the information display panel 4, Various pattern corresponding to the signal received from the display driving circuit 26 is displayed in a dot pattern.
[0044]
Next, the operation of the slot machine 1 described above will be described. In the standby state before the game starts, game explanation display data is read and displayed on the information display panel 4. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, in the matrix display portion 4a of the information display panel 4, 1) 1 to 3 medals are inserted, 2) the start lever is operated, 3) the stop button is operated in sequence, etc. Operation explanation information is displayed. At this time, since there is no unnecessary display such as the winning lines L1 to L5 and the lamp marks M1 to M3 and M1a, the player can quickly and clearly see the operation explanation information.
[0045]
Alternatively, a standby state animation may be prepared and switched to display the game explanation display data.
[0046]
When the player inserts the first medal into the medal slot 10, as shown in FIG. 10, the 1-medal winning line L1 is displayed thick with a line width of, for example, 4 dots. At this time, since the game can be started, a message “Start OK!” Is displayed at the same time. When the player inserts the second medal, as shown in FIG. 11, two two-medal winning lines L2 and L3 are added, and are highlighted with a line width of, for example, 4 dots.
[0047]
Further, when the third medal is inserted, as shown in FIG. 12, pay lines L4 and L5 for 3 medals are added, and are displayed with a thick line with emphasis, for example, with a line width of 4 dots. Next, when the start lever 13 is operated, the reel drive motors 51 to 53 are simultaneously driven, and the rotary reels 5 to 7 are simultaneously rotated in a predetermined rotation direction as shown in FIG. In the symbol display portions 5a to 7a (rotary reels 5 to 7), a long downward arrow indicates the rotation state of the reel. At this time, if the line width of the winning lines L1 to L5 is reduced to, for example, 2 dots, the display contrast of the winning lines L1 to L5 becomes thin (illustrated by thin dotted lines), and the symbols that move the symbol display portions 5a to 7a, etc. It becomes easy to see the groundwork.
[0048]
Next, when the left stop button 14 is operated, the three symbols displayed on the symbol display portion 5a of the rotary reel 5 can be confirmed through the symbol display window 3a as shown in FIG. At this time, when there is a specific symbol related to winning (for example, “7”) among the three display symbols, only the winning line L1 related to the specific symbol is displayed. Next, when the stop button 15 is operated at a desired timing, as shown in FIG. 15, when the reach state where “7, 7” is aligned corresponding to the pay line L1, the character string and the diagram are formed. The reach mark M5 is displayed blinking.
[0049]
In this way, the reach state can be clearly understood through the display of the reach mark M5, the game can be enlivened, and it can be confirmed which winning line is related (L1 in FIG. 15). Here, as shown in FIG. 16, the flash mark M6 extending from the leftmost symbol “7” and the central symbol “7” in the reach state may be blinked. By producing in this way, it is possible to dynamically express the symbols on the reel that are originally still images. Also, as shown in FIG. 17, a female animation A1 that winks while waving may be displayed so as to correspond to the right symbol display window 3c that has not yet been determined. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 18, an animation A2 in which an animal “puppy” runs from right to left may be displayed.
[0050]
Finally, when the stop button 16 at the right end is operated, as shown in FIG. 19, when a big hit state where “7, 7, 7” is aligned on the pay line L1, it indicates that a shift to the big bonus has been made. Therefore, twelve big bonus lamp marks M1a (lamp marks indicating non-lighting) and lamp marks M1 (lamp marks indicating lighting) are displayed, and a big hit mark M7 is displayed blinking.
[0051]
In this way, the big hit state can be clearly understood from the big hit mark M7, the game can be made interesting, and the gameability can be improved. Also, it can be clearly seen which winning line is related (L1 in FIG. 19). As shown in FIG. 20, the flash mark M8 may be blinked so as to surround the three symbols “7, 7, 7” in the big hit state.
[0052]
By the way, when the three stop buttons 14 to 16 are operated, even if the combination of symbols on the pay lines L1 to L5 is lost, when reaching the reach, the reach becomes as shown in FIG. The winning line L4 is displayed. When replay is possible, the winning lines L1 to L5 that have been replayed and the lamp mark M2 instructing replay may be turned on.
[0053]
As described above, the information display panel 4 having light transmission is provided near the front surface of the middle panel 3 in front of the three symbol display portions 5a to 7a in the vicinity of the back surface of the front panel 2, and the information display panel 4 Since the matrix display unit 4a capable of displaying in a dot pattern through the dots of many rows and many columns that can emit light is provided, the winning lines L1 to L5 that are activated by inserting medals are displayed on the matrix display unit 4a. Various animations A1, A2, explanation information and messages, reach marks M5, jackpot marks M7, and the like can be displayed, the game can be made interesting and exciting, and the performance of the slot machine 1 can be improved.
[0054]
In addition to the above-described various information, the matrix display unit 4a can display information such as preset picture diagrams, character strings, and line diagrams in a dot pattern, which is excellent in versatility and flexibility.
[0055]
Moreover, since the information display panel 4 is light transmissive, even if the information display panel 4 is displaying, the information display panel 4 is used to mark the symbols of the symbol display portions 5a to 7a and the front of the middle panel 3 through the information display panel 4. The display information by the information display panel 4 and the information on the background can be superimposed and viewed without obscuring the background of other pictures or characters that have been displayed. Since only necessary information can be displayed on the matrix display portion 4a, the player can easily confirm the display information. Further, in order to display the lamp marks M1 to M3 and M1a in place of the LED-type display lamp provided on the middle panel 3 on the matrix display portion 4a of the information display panel 4, a plurality of LED display lamps are omitted. It can be simplified.
[0056]
A segment display unit 4b is provided on the information display panel 4, and the number of credit medals to be paid out as a credit in the case of "winning" or "big win" is displayed on the segment display unit 4b. Since it is configured to display instead of the 7-segment type numerical display, the configuration can be simplified and display control for displaying numbers can also be simplified.
[0057]
Since the information display panel 4 has a configuration in which the EL element 25 is fixed to the transparent glass substrate 25a, the information display panel 4 can be configured to be thin, and a pulse voltage corresponding to display data is applied to the EL element 25. Therefore, display control can be simplified. Further, since the information display panel 4 is disposed on the back side of the front panel 2, the information display panel 4 can be protected by the front panel 2.
[0058]
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
1) Although the case where the lamp marks M1 to M3 and M1a instead of the display lamps are displayed in the dot pattern on the matrix display unit 4a has been described as an example, one or more lamp marks instead of the display lamps are displayed on the segment display unit It is also possible to provide each lamp mark with a segment display.
[0059]
2) In place of the rotary reels 5 to 7 and the reel drive motors 51 to 53, three liquid crystal displays corresponding to the symbol display portions 5a to 7a are provided, and the symbols can be scroll-displayed on the liquid crystal displays. Control means may be provided. However, the three liquid crystal displays may be configured as one liquid crystal display with a large width, and three display units corresponding to the symbol display units 5a to 7a may be provided on the screen.
[0060]
3) The light emitting layer of the EL element 25 may be composed of a phosphor other than ZnS (zinc sulfide) so as to be able to emit light in a light emission color peculiar to the phosphor such as green, red, and blue.
Further, it is possible to incorporate three EL elements capable of emitting light in three primary colors (RGB) into the information display panel so that a color image can be displayed.
4) Of course, the present invention can be applied to various slot machines such as a 9-reel slot machine.
[0061]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, as described above, between the symbol display unit and the front panel between the front panel and the front panel, the light transmission is related to the progress of the game during the game. Dot pattern that overlays the characters, pictures, and activated winning lines, etc. on the design on the background design display, and allows the design on the design display to be simultaneously visible through the characters, pictures, and diagrams And a light-transmissive information display panel comprising a matrix display unit that reduces the line width of the winning line during movement of the symbol of the symbol display unit as compared with that before the symbol of the symbol display unit is moved. since the provided, of the display or to display a message or pictorial diagrams and diagrams of various multiple characters enliven the game in a dot pattern, only activated pay line in the medal insertion of a plurality of winning lines to Or can. Therefore, the player can view the reel design and various information simultaneously and clearly without moving his / her line of sight, and can concentrate more on the game. In addition, for example, the line width of the winning line is reduced during the movement of the symbol on the symbol display unit, so that the display contrast of the winning line is reduced, and the symbol moving on the symbol display unit is easy to see.
[0062]
For example, in the matrix display section of the information display panel, when the game description information or messages, characters such as “winning”, “big hit”, “reach”, etc. Information such as various picture diagrams, diagrams such as a winning line activated according to the number of inserted medals, and the like can be displayed superimposed on the reel design. As a result, the player can see the reel design and various types of information simultaneously and clearly without moving his / her line of sight, greatly improving the versatility and flexibility of information display, and making the slot machine fun. Can improve the thickness and performance.
[0063]
Moreover, since the information display panel is light-transmitting, it is possible to see the background design including the design displayed on the design display section. In other words, the information displayed on the information display panel and the background pattern can be superimposed and viewed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional side view of a main part of the slot machine.
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a front panel, an information display panel, and a middle panel.
FIG. 4 is a rear view of the information display panel.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a control system of the slot machine.
FIG. 6 is a chart showing display data stored in a display data memory.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a display example displayed on the information display panel.
FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of a control system of the slot machine.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example of explanatory information displayed on the information display panel.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example in which one pay line and explanatory information are displayed.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a display example in which three pay lines and explanation information are displayed.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a display example in which five pay lines and explanatory information are displayed.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a display example when the rotating reel is rotating.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a display example when only the leftmost rotating reel is stopped.
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a display example in a reach state.
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a modification of the display example in the reach state.
FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a modification of the display example in the reach state.
FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a modification of the display example in the reach state.
FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a display example of jackpot.
FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a modification of the display example in jackpot.
FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a display example in reach eyes.
22 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 according to the prior art.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Slot machine 2 Front panel 3 Middle panel 4 Information display panel 4a Matrix display part 4b Segment display part 5 Rotating reel 5a Symbol display part 6 Rotating reel 6a Symbol display part 7 Rotating reel 7a Symbol display part 25 EL element (electroluminescence element)
26 display drive circuit 35 control device 36 CPU
37 ROM
38 RAM
M1 to M3, M1a Lamp mark

Claims (1)

Equipped with a symbol display means capable of scrolling symbols on a plurality of symbol display sections, and a transparent front panel disposed on the front side of these symbol display sections and their surroundings , and activated according to the number of medals inserted In the slot machine that pays out the number of medals according to the combination of stop symbols on the winning line ,
Changes in relation to the progress of the game during the game by controlling the voltage application of a plurality of electrodes formed in a matrix between the symbol display portion and the front panel, in the vicinity of the back surface of the front panel. A light-transmitting character, a picture, an activated winning line, or the like is overlaid on the front of the symbol display unit behind, and the symbol on the symbol display unit is the character, picture, or winning line. A matrix display that displays a dot pattern so that it can be viewed simultaneously through a line diagram such as a line, and that the line width of the winning line is smaller than before the symbol of the symbol display unit is moved during movement of the symbol of the symbol display unit A slot machine comprising a light-transmissive information display panel provided with a portion.

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