JPH11299962A - Slot machine - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To provide a slot machine having significantly improved design and functionality. SOLUTION: On a main body frame of a door portion 3 of a slot machine, an inclined surface 17 inclined forward lower than a lower end of a front panel 12, and a vertical surface 1 continuous from a lower end of the inclined surface 17 are provided.
8 is formed. Symbol display window 30 on front panel 12
The window widths of a, 30b, and 30c are formed wider than before in accordance with the increase in the reel width.
Line display lamp LT ₁ ~LT _5, game progress indicator 4
Various indicators except for 5, 46 and 47 are arranged on the inclined surface 17. Various operation switches related to the progress of the game are arranged on the inclined surface 17 and the vertical surface 18.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention has a symbol display surface capable of displaying a plurality of symbol rows in a moving state or a stopped state, and a combination of symbols displayed on a predetermined line when each symbol row is stopped. Related to the slot machine that was decided to win or lose.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional slot machine, a door is openably and closably mounted on a front opening of a main body in which a reel unit, a control board, and the like are provided, and three panels of upper, middle, and lower are provided on the front of the door. Composed of boards. Each panel is formed by performing silk screen printing on the surface of a transparent synthetic resin plate or tempered glass, and a model name, game information, and the like are printed and printed on each of the upper and lower panel plates.

In the center front panel, as shown in FIG. 13, transparent symbol display windows 60a, 60b and 60c for the number of reels (usually three) are formed at the center of the plate surface. the way across, over, in, under, is depicted stop line L ₁ ~L ₅ diagonal five symbol display section 6
1 is formed. The Around the symbol display unit 61, the line indicator lamp LT of each stop line L ₁ ~L every _{5
1 to} LT ₅ , stop indication lamps 23a, 23 for each reel
In addition to b and 23c, a plurality of indicators such as a credit indicator 20, a payout indicator 21 and a bonus count indicator 22 are provided.

In recent slot machines, a plurality of medals are stored in the body prior to a game, and a predetermined number of stored medals are inserted by operating a bet button switch provided on an operation unit. The credit type that has been used is the mainstream. Also in general, the center of the stop line L ₁ by the introduction of a single medal, on the introduction of two medals, in stopping the line L ₁ of the three lower, L _2, L ₃
However, all stop lines L ₁ by the insertion of three medals
~L ₅ is activated, respectively.

Thereafter, when the start lever is operated, the reels start simultaneously and are sequentially stopped by operating the stop button switch. At this time, if a combination of winning symbols is displayed on the activated stop line, it will be a "big hit",
A predetermined number of medals are paid out. Further, when a specific symbol combination is displayed, the process shifts to a “bonus game” in which a winning is obtained with a high probability.

The line display lamps LT _{1 to} LT ₅ are:
Lights up when the corresponding stop line is activated or when a combination of winning symbols is displayed on the corresponding line after each reel stops, and the activated line or the line where the winning has been established. Is displayed. The stop display lamps 23a, 23b, and 23c are turned on in response to the operation of the corresponding reel stop button switches, and indicate the reels that have been stopped.

Each of the displays 20, 21, 22 is a numerical display, and the number-of-credits display 20 displays the total number of medals stored in the machine.
1 displays the number of medals paid out by winning. The bonus number display 22 is operated during the execution of the bonus game, and a numerical value indicating the remaining number of bonus games is digitally displayed.

[0008]

Recently, in order to present each symbol on the reel surface larger, it is necessary to increase the reel width from about 60 mm to about 70 to 75 mm. Proposed. Due to this design change, the width of the symbol display window on the front panel must necessarily be increased, but as a result, the space around the symbol display window is reduced, and the various indicators described above are densely displayed. A problem arises.

Further, if the width of the symbol display window is increased and other display devices are arranged, the empty space on the panel becomes small. Therefore, a severe restriction is imposed on the printing design of the background of the panel surface. Will be. In order to secure a panel surface large enough to cope with these problems, it is sufficient to extend the width of the entire body, but according to this method, the body becomes large and the number of holes arranged in one row decreases. Such a problem occurs.

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, while maintaining the size of the conventional aircraft,
By arranging various display means in a well-balanced manner and by arranging operation means for performing operations related to the progress of the game in accordance with the arrangement state of the display means, both design and functionality have been greatly improved. A technical task is to provide a slot machine.

[0011]

To solve the above-mentioned problems, a slot machine according to the present invention has a symbol display surface capable of displaying a plurality of symbol rows in a moving state and a stopped state. A lower surface of the symbol display surface and a vertically inclined surface that is continuously formed at the lower end of the inclined surface, and the symbol display surface and the inclined surface. In addition, display means for displaying information related to the progress of the game are allocated and arranged, and operating means for performing operations related to the progress of the game are allocated and arranged on the inclined surface and the vertical surface. .

[0012] In the invention according to claim 2, the display means includes a luminous element display section for displaying information relating to the progress of the game by an operation of the luminous element, and a character display section for displaying information relating to the progress of the game in characters. And the character display unit is disposed on the inclined surface.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the symbol display surface is set so as to be surrounded by an outer peripheral frame and to be located behind an opening surface of the outer peripheral frame.

[0014]

According to the present invention, display means for displaying information relating to the progress of a game are separately arranged on a symbol display surface and an inclined surface connected to the lower end thereof. You do not need to change the size of. In addition, since operating means for performing operations related to the progress of the game are allocated and arranged on the inclined surface and a vertical surface continuous with the lower end thereof, the operation means which is frequently used is arranged on the inclined surface. Performance can be improved. Further, with such a distributing arrangement, the display means and the operation means are arranged in close contact with each other, and both can be visually recognized simultaneously.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the character display portion for displaying information relating to the progress of the game in characters is arranged on the inclined surface, characters such as the number of stored medals or the number of paid-out medals are not closely watched during the game. Is separated from the symbol display surface and arranged. Further, by arranging the character display portion on the inclined surface, it is possible to arrange the illuminant display portion on the side of the symbol display surface to effectively produce the symbol display surface. In addition, simplification of the internal structure and wiring is realized by collecting display units of the same type on the same plane.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the symbol display surface is located behind the opening surface of the peripheral frame around the symbol display surface, so that the inclined surface and the vertical surface do not protrude further forward than the peripheral frame of the conventional body. can do.

[0017]

1 and 2 show the appearance of a slot machine to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 3 shows the internal structure of the machine. 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. In the hollow interior of the main body 2, a reel block 4 and a circuit board 5 on which a control circuit and the like are arranged are incorporated in an upper position, and a medal discharger having a hopper 6a for accommodating a large number of medals is installed in a lower position. The machine 6 is incorporated.

The reel block 4 comprises a metal frame 7
And three reels 8a, 8b, 8c and each reel 8
Stepping motors 9a, 9b, 9c for individually rotating the motors a, 8b, 8c are assembled. Each reel 8
A plurality of symbols such as symbols, characters, and numbers are displayed on the outer peripheral surfaces of a, 8b, and 8c, and some of the symbols constitute symbols for establishing a winning.

The main body of the door portion 3 is formed of a metal frame having a predetermined thickness, and three panels 11, 12, and 13 are provided on the front opening of the metal frame to cover various indicators and operation switches described later on the rear surface. A wiring board (not shown) and the like are assembled.

Each of the panels 11, 12, and 13 is formed by performing silk screen printing on the surface of a transparent synthetic resin plate or tempered glass, and the central front panel 12 has a position corresponding to each reel. Transparent symbol display windows 30a, 30b, 30c are respectively formed. In addition, a model name, game information, and the like are drawn on the upper panel 11 and the lower panel 13. In a frame portion between the front panel 12 and the lower panel 13, various indicators and operation switches, which will be described later, and a medal slot 19 are provided. Below the lower panel 13, a medal payout port 24, a medal tray, and the like are provided. 25 and the like are provided.

An outer peripheral frame 14 for the upper panel 11 is formed at an upper position on the front surface of the main body frame of the door portion 3 with an opening surface vertical, and an outer peripheral frame 15 for the front panel 12 is formed at a lower end thereof. Are continuously formed with the opening surface inclined forward and low. The front panel 12 is attached at a position retracted from the front surface of the opening of the outer peripheral frame 15 as compared with the upper panel 11 and the lower panel 13, and has a lower end provided with an inclined surface 17 that is further inclined forward and downward. Extending vertical surfaces 18 are continuously formed. Lower panel 1
The outer peripheral frame 16 for the third is formed with the opening surface vertical below the vertical surface 18, and further below the vertical surface 18, through the inclined surface 41 that is inclined backward and low, the medal discharge port 24 is formed.
And a vertical surface 42 for the medal payout tray 25 is continuously formed.

The slot machine of this embodiment can carry out a so-called credit-type game in which a large number of medals are stored in the body and the game is performed by consuming the stored medals. A predetermined number of stop lines are activated by inserting medals from 19 or pressing one of the bet button switches 35A, 35B, 38 described later. Then, after the three reels 8a, 8b, 8c are started simultaneously by operating the start lever 31,
Each time the stop button switch 32a, 32b, 32c is operated, the corresponding reel 8a, 8b, 8c stops. When a combination of winning symbols is established on the activated stop line at this time, a winning is achieved, and a predetermined number of medals are released to the medal tray 25 or added as stored medals.

Further, in the slot machine of this embodiment, the width of each of the reels 8a, 8b, 8c is formed larger than that of the related art, and each symbol is drawn larger. The width of each of the symbol display windows 30a, 30b, 30c of the panel 12 is formed wide. Also, the symbol display windows 30a, 30b, 30c
With the expansion of the window width, various indicators for displaying information related to the progress of the game are distributed to the front panel 12 and the inclined surface 17 continuously formed at the lower end thereof. In order to further improve the convenience of the game operation, some operation switches are provided on the inclined surface 17.

[0024] The front panel 12, each symbol display windows 30a, 30b, 30c, stop line LT ₁ to LT ₅
In addition to the symbol display section 40 is formed by the line display lamp LT ₁ to LT _5, and three of the game progress indicator 45, 46, 47 are deployed. As shown in FIG. 4, each of the game progress indicators 45, 46, and 47 has a light source 45a, 46a, and 47a formed by a point light source such as an LED.
The characters "START", which represent the information shown on the display,
"REPLAY" and "GAME OVER" are printed and printed.

The first game progress display 45 lights up when the start lever 31 is operated to notify the start of the game, and
The game progress indicator 46 of each reel 8a, 8b, 8c
When the predetermined draw condition is satisfied by stopping the game, the light is turned on to notify the start of the re-game. The third game progress indicator 47 lights up when each of the reels 8a, 8b, 8c stops, and notifies that one game is over. Note that the game progress indicators 45, 46, and 47 are not limited to those that individually emit light for each piece of information as described above.
Each piece of information may be appropriately displayed on the display surface of a single liquid crystal plate.

On the vertical surface 18, the starting levers 31, 3
A plurality of stop button switches 32a, 32b, 32c, bet button switches 35A, 35B, a settlement switch 36, a changeover switch 37, and the like are provided. First bet button switch 3
5A indicates that one medal is to be inserted and the second bet button switch 3
5B is for instructing the insertion of two medals, respectively. The settlement switch 36 is for performing a settlement process on medals stored in the body of the aircraft, and a changeover switch 37.
Is a game using stored medals, or a medal slot 19
This is for switching the game mode to one of the games in which medals are inserted more.

On the inclined surface 17, as shown in FIG.
Numerical indicators such as the number-of-credits display 20, the number-of-payouts display 21, and the number-of-bonus display 22 are arranged in a horizontal row at a position behind the inclined surface 17. These indicators 20 to
The stop display lamps 23a, 23b, 23 for the respective reels are located adjacent to the reel 22 and corresponding to the respective reels.
c is arranged. Note that the functions of these indicators are as shown in FIG.
This is the same as described in the third conventional example, and the description is omitted here by assigning the same reference numerals to those in FIG.

In front of the inclined surface 17, a maximum bet button switch 38 for consuming the maximum number of cards from the stored number and playing the game is provided with the start lever 31 and the stop button switch 32a at the left end. It is deployed corresponding to the position between.

According to the above configuration, the conventional front panel 12
Since the various indicators disposed on the front panel 12 are arranged on the inclined surface 17 continuing to the lower end of the front panel 12, the widths of the symbol display windows 30a, 30b, 30c are widened and the space around them is narrowed. Also, various display devices can be arranged in a well-balanced and easily-visible position, and the display function can be ensured. By arranging each of the indicators on the inclined surface 17, it is possible to secure an area for arranging the line display lamps and a printing area such as a background pattern on the front panel 12, so that the restrictions in terms of design are eased. Is done. Furthermore, it is also possible to arrange decoration lamps and LEDs on the front panel 12 to perform an effective effect during a game.

Further, three bet button switches 35A, 3
5B and 38, the most frequently used maximum bet button switch 38 is arranged on the inclined surface 17 and is arranged corresponding to the position between the start lever 31 and the stop button switch 32a. Performance can be greatly improved.

Further, in terms of manufacturing the body, since the same type of display is arranged on the same surface, there is an advantage that the internal structure and wiring can be simplified. By arranging various indicators and operation switches as described above, it is not necessary to change the width of the body, and
By adjusting the inclination of the vertical plane 18 and the size of the vertical surface 18, the thickness of the door body 3 can be formed in the same manner as in the related art. .

FIG. 6 shows an appearance of a slot machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 shows details of an inclined surface 17 thereof. In this embodiment, three game progress indicators 45, 46 and 47 arranged on the front panel 12 in the first embodiment are shifted to the inclined surface 17 side. 45, 46 and 47 are inclined surfaces 1
7 are arranged vertically on the left side. The other arrangements of the display and the operation switches are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the description is omitted.

[0033] In addition the front panel 12 on, using the free space caused by the movement of the game progress indicator 45, 46, 47, respectively line display lamp LT ₁ to LT ₅ to the left and right of the symbol display section 40 Be deployed. As a result, only the information related to the symbols and the effective lines is displayed on the entire front panel 12, and the symbol display effect is greatly enhanced. In addition, the player determines whether the direction of the line of sight is on the front panel 12 or the inclined surface 17, depending on the information related to the essence of the game, that is, the symbol display state,
Additional information to be checked between games can be separated and recognized.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show a third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the starting lever 31 disposed on the vertical surface 18 in the first and second embodiments is replaced with the inclined surface 1.
By moving the button to the position next to the maximum bet button switch 38 on 7, the hand movement related to the medal insertion operation and the reel start operation is performed more quickly and smoothly. The arrangement of the indicators on the front panel 12 and the inclined surface 17 is the same as in the second embodiment.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show the appearance of a slot machine according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the length of the vertical surface 18 is made smaller than that of each of the embodiments shown in FIGS.
7 is expanded, and various indicators and main operation switches are arranged on the inclined surface 17. Also in this embodiment, it is desirable to consider the inclination of the inclined surface 17 and the size of the vertical surface 18 so that the thickness of the door body 3 can be maintained as it is in the related art.

FIG. 12 shows the structure of the inclined surface 17 of the fourth slot machine, and
0, the number-of-payouts display 21, the bonus count display 22, the stop display lamps 23a, 23b, 23c, and the game progress display 45, 46, 47 are the same as those in the first to third embodiments. It is arranged in the state of. Further, at the front position of these indicators, the maximum bet button switch 38, the start lever 31, the stop button switches 32a, 32b, 32c, and the bet button switches 35A, 35B are arranged from the left hand to the right hand in the figure. They are arranged in a row. It should be noted that only the checkout switch and the changeover switch which are used less frequently are arranged on the vertical plane 18.

According to the above arrangement, various indicators indicating the progress of the game and the main operation switches are collected on the inclined surface 17, so that the player can operate the inclined surface such as when starting the game. When the gaze is pointed at 17, various information can be naturally checked, and the user can concentrate on the game without turning his / her gaze in various directions. The maximum bet button switch 38 and the starting lever 3 are placed on the inclined surface 17.
1, since the stop button switches 32a, 32b, 32c are arranged in the order of operation, the operability is further improved. In addition, since the indicators and switches are arranged and arranged in each row, a model excellent in both design and function can be provided.

[0038]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the display means for displaying information relating to the progress of the game is separately arranged on the symbol display surface of the slot machine and the inclined surface connected to the lower end thereof. Even if the width of the symbol display window is increased as the width is increased, various display means can be arranged in a well-balanced manner without changing the size of the symbol display surface. In addition, since operating means for performing operations related to the progress of the game are allocated and arranged on the inclined surface and a vertical surface connected to the lower end thereof, by arranging frequently used operating means on the inclined surface. Operability can be improved. Moreover, since the operation means and the display means are arranged in close contact with each other, it is possible to visually recognize both of them at the same time, and by arranging the arrangement positions of the respective means, both the functionality and the design are excellent. Models can be provided.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, a character display portion for displaying information relating to the progress of the game in characters is arranged on the inclined surface, so that characters such as the number of stored medals and the number of paid out medals to be confirmed between games can be determined. Since the information is arranged on the inclined surface, the player can easily recognize various character information by turning his or her eyes on the inclined surface. In addition, by arranging the character information portion on the inclined surface, the illuminant display portion can be sufficiently arranged on the symbol display surface, so that an effective effect can be performed, and the same type of display portion can be arranged on the same plane. The centralized arrangement can simplify the internal structure and wiring.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the symbol display surface is located behind the opening surface of the peripheral frame around the symbol display surface, so that the inclined surface and the vertical surface do not protrude further forward than the peripheral frame of the conventional body. It is possible to do. Therefore, the width and the width in the front-rear direction of the airframe can be maintained in the same manner as in the related art, so that there is no possibility that any trouble will be caused when the conventional machine is replaced in the game arcade.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of a slot machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing a shape of a door of the slot machine of FIG.

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

FIG. 4 is a front view showing a detailed configuration of a game progress display.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a state where the inclined surface of the slot machine of FIG. 1 is viewed from above.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing a slot machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a state where the inclined surface of the slot machine of FIG. 6 is viewed from above.

FIG. 8 is a front view showing a slot machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a view showing a state where the inclined surface of the slot machine of FIG. 8 is viewed from above.

FIG. 10 is a front view showing a slot machine according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a side view showing the shape of the door of the slot machine of FIG.

FIG. 12 is a view showing a state where the inclined surface of the slot machine of FIG. 10 is viewed from above.

FIG. 13 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of a front panel of a conventional slot machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Airframe 3 Door part 12 Front panel 17 Inclined surface 18 Vertical surface

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A symbol display surface capable of displaying a plurality of symbol rows in a moving state and a stopped state, an inclined surface which is continuously formed at a lower end of the symbol display surface and which is inclined forward and low, and an inclined surface. A vertical surface continuously formed at a lower end of the inclined surface; display means for displaying information relating to the progress of the game are separately arranged on the symbol display surface and the inclined surface; A slot machine in which operation means for performing operations related to the progress of a game are separately arranged on a plane and a vertical plane. 2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the display unit includes a luminous body display unit that displays information related to the progress of the game by an operation of the luminous body, and a character display unit that displays information related to the progress of the game in characters. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein a display unit is disposed on the inclined surface. 3. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the symbol display surface is surrounded by an outer peripheral frame, and is located behind an opening surface of the outer peripheral frame.