Patent Grant
RE46948
More than one reissue application has been filed relative to U.S. Pat. No. 8,690,686. In addition to the instant reissue application, identified as U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/963,039, which was filed on Dec. 8, 2015, a “sibling” reissue application of U.S. Pat. No. 8,690,686, and identified as U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/963,012, was also filed on Dec. 8, 2015.
This application is based upon the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-161660, filed on Jun. 9, 2006, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to gaming machines such as a slot machine with symbols aligned in a plurality of columns variably displayed thereon.
2. Description of Related Art
A gaming machine (e.g., a slot machine) is known which rotates reels (symbol display device) having a plurality of symbols on their periphery and then stops the rotation of the reels to rearrange the symbols. As the symbol display device built in such a gaming machine rotates the reels mechanically to scroll the symbols, or rotates the reels virtually on a display device such as a liquid crystal display or a CRT to scroll the symbols.
With such types of gaming machines (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,334,612), generally, the symbol display device starts a game after insertion of at least one medal or coin (referred to as game media, hereafter) and a predefined start up operation (such as pressing a spin button). Subsequently, termination processing of the scrolling symbols is executed based on the result of lottery executed within the gaming machine. Then, predefined game media are paid out to a player based on the combination of the rearranged symbols.
In a game arcade such as a casino with such gaming machines, a plurality of gaming machines are installed by forming lines laterally. The gaming machines are disposed at predefined intervals in order to make space for opening front door which is provided on a cabinet of the gaming machine. Hence, useless spaces emerges between the cabinets of adjacent gaming machines.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine which can efficiently utilize the spaces between the cabinets of adjacent gaming machines.
A gaming machine of the present invention comprises a cabinet, a door provided on the front face of the cabinet, and an effect producing unit for producing effects to a game. The effect producing unit is disposed behind the opened door which protrudes laterally outside the side face plane of the cabinet.
The gaming machine includes an effect producing unit which produces the effects to the game. The effect producing unit is disposed behind the opened door which protrudes laterally outside the side face plane of the cabinet. Since the effect producing unit is disposed in the space between the cabinets of adjacent gaming machines, the space can be efficiently utilized. The effect producing unit, disposed behind the opened door which protrudes laterally outside the side face plane of the cabinet, does not obstruct the opening and closing of the door. At the same time, the effect producing unit can enhance the effects. Here, the term “effect producing unit” means a unit that produces effects to a game, such as a speaker, a light emitting device, a display or the like. In addition, the door may swing substantially horizontally, or slides substantially horizontally.
It is preferable that the gaming machine further comprises a display installed on the front face of the cabinet for displaying information relating to the game, an operation unit installed on the front face of the cabinet and arranged for a player to input instructions relating to the game. The display is disposed above the operation unit. The effect producing unit is disposed above the operation unit and below the display. In this manner, the effect producing unit can be disposed near the player, whereby the effects to the player can be enhanced.
Further, it is preferable that the front face of the effect producing unit and the front face of the display are parallel. As thus described, the sight line of a spectator who is paying attention to the effect producing unit can be drawn to the display too, by disposing the front face of the effect producing unit and the front face of the display in parallel. As a result, appealing effect of the gaming machine to the spectator around the gaming machine can be enhanced.
Further, it is preferable that the effect producing unit includes a sound source unit which outputs sound. With such an arrangement, the sound effects output from the sound source unit can be produced. Additionally, since the effect producing unit has the sound source unit, the player can concentrate on the game without moving his/her sight line to the sound effect device, unlike illumination effects by a light emitting device or image effects on a display.
Further, it is preferable that the effect producing unit includes a first and a second sound source units each of which outputs sound. The first sound source unit is disposed on one side face of the cabinet, whereas the second sound source unit is disposed on the other side face of the cabinet. At least one of the first and the second sound source units is disposed behind the opened door which protrudes laterally outside the side face plane of the cabinet. As thus described, an interval between the sound source units can be expanded in comparison with prior art models by disposing the sound source units on the both sides of the cabinet. As a result, sound effects (stereo effect, surround effect) by the sound source unit can be enhanced. At the same time, the spaces at both sides of the cabinet can be utilized efficiently. Here, the sounds which are output from the first and the second sound source units, may be the same or may be different from each other.
A preferred embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention will be described in detail below, referring to the drawings.
As shown in
The upper display 4A includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel for displaying a game payout table, a game rule, and a notification of a bonus game. The LCD panel is inclined forwardly in order to enhance visibility from the player's eye point positioned at the height of the center display 4B.
The center display 4B is a display panel which the player is mainly watching. The center display 4B is a transmissive LCD panel which is fixed to a front door 6 of the cabinet 3. Five transmissive display windows 7 are provided on the center display 4B. The five-column mechanical reels are disposed inside the cabinet 3. The symbols on the reels are visible from the outside through respective display windows 7. In addition, a plurality of paylines running horizontally and diagonally across the display windows 7 are set on the center display 4B. Motion picture effects are provided on the center display 4B when a winning prize is awarded. Furthermore, a payout counter 8 and a credit counter 9 are provided on the upper area of the center display 4B. The center display 4B is slightly inclined backwardly. The player can watch the screen at ease, since the screen of the center display 4B is watched slightly downward from the player's eye point which is positioned at the height of the center display 4B. Here, although mechanical reels are provided behind the center display 4B so that the symbols are displayed in scrolling or resting state through the display windows 7, the symbols may be displayed in scrolling or resting state on the LCD panel of the center display 4B. The number of reels is not limited to five.
The lower display 4C is an LCD panel for displaying points recorded on the card or game points. The numerical values on the lower display 4C are displayed based on an outcome of the game displayed on the center display 4B. If the symbols align on the center display 4B to award “a winning prize”, the game points displayed on the lower display 4C are added based on the winning prize. A ticket printer 14 is provided at the left side on the lower display 4C and a card reader 15 is provided at the right side on the lower display 4C.
An operation table (operation unit) 10 projecting from the front face of the cabinet 3 is provided beneath the lower display 4C. Operation buttons 11 (e.g., bet buttons, collect button, start button, stop button or the like) are arranged on the operation table 10 to be operated by the player. Furthermore, a coin insertion slot 12 and a bill insertion slot 13 are provided on the operation table 10.
A waist panel (effect producing unit) 17 is provided beneath the operation table 10. The waist panel 17 is a plastics panel with images relating to the game printed thereon. The waist panel 17, being fixed to a front sub-door 18, is illuminated by a cold cathode tube (lighting unit) 18b from the rear face. Furthermore, a coin tray 19 is provided beneath the waist panel 17 for storing coins that have been paid out based on the game outcome.
[Illumination]
As shown in
As shown in
As thus described, the gaming machine 1 includes displays 4 for displaying information relating to the game, the cabinet 3 having operation buttons 11 operated by the player for game operations, and illuminants 20 surrounding the gaming region S including the displays 4 and the operation buttons 11.
Since the illuminants 20 are disposed around the periphery of the displays 4 and the gaming region S, the outer periphery of the gaming region S of the gaming machine 1 can be light-emitted. As a result, the gaming machine 1 can appeals itself to surrounding spectators. At the same time, the display units on which the contents of the currently played game are displayed and the control units at which the player's gaming operations are exposed, draw attention of the spectators most. Therefore, the illuminants 20 produce an effect to focus attentions to the gaming region S including the display units and the control units. For example, spectators may watch the game at positions shown in
Some of the illuminants 20 are provided on the inclined surfaces 21a. Each of the inclined surface 21a is inclined inwardly so that its surface faces to the player. Then, as shown in
Furthermore, as shown in
As shown in the cross section of
Furthermore, as shown in
Furthermore, the under lamps 25 are provided so that they can be seen continuously with the speaker lamps 24. The under lamps 25 thus make the waist panel 4C more outstanding.
The top lamps 26 include a pair of power lamps 26a provided on the right and left sides, and belt lamps 26b disposed horizontally in the middle. Each of the power lamps 26a generates very strong light by fisheye lens. The belt lamps 26b, composed of a plurality of horizontally disposed LEDs, generate belt-shaped light. The top lamps 26 thus composed are disposed so that they can be seen continuously with the sub-side lamps 22b.
Furthermore, a control device 28 (see
Additionally, as shown in
[Front Door]
As shown in
If the front door 6 is opened, the front sub-door 18 swings together with the front door 6, whereby a large opening 41 is revealed in the front face of the cabinet 3. Then, maintenances on the mechanical reel 42 or wiring in the cabinet 3 can be performed by opening the front door 6, and the collection box 43 within the cabinet 3 is also exposed. The collection box 43 stores the bills inserted from the bill insertion slot 13. In addition, a coin hopper (not shown) is provided in the cabinet 3 for stocking the coins inserted from the coin insertion slot 12. As shown in
The LCD (display 4B) is fixed to the upper part of the front door 6. Additionally, as shown in
As shown in
The coin tray 19 is fixed to the lower end of the front face of the front sub-door 18 which is mainly used for collecting the bills. The coin tray 19 extends across substantially the entire width of the front sub-door 18. The coins which have been paid out from the coin hopper (not shown) which is located backward from the opening 41 are stocked on the coin tray 19 after passing the chute 47 and the tray chute 19a. Even if maintenances of the gaming machine 1 or collecting the bills from the collection box 43 must be done when the coins are accumulated exceeding the upper end of the coin tray 19, the front door 6 or the front sub-door 18 can be opened. Here, the front door 6 or the front sub-door 18 can be opened smoothly since the coin tray 19 is attached to the front sub-door (second door) 18 (see
As shown in
The reinforcement 50 is formed by bending a metal plate along bending lines 52a to 52d in the direction of the bridging. Thus, rigidity of the reinforcement 50 can be enhanced with a simple structure. Specifically, the reinforcement 50 is bent along the bending lines 52a to 52d to form an S-shaped cross section. As shown in
Furthermore, a counter (protrusion) 55 is projected out horizontally toward the opening 46 from the rear face 18a of the front sub-door (second door) 18. The counter 55 is positioned above a roller 57. The counter 55 counts the coins which are inserted from the coin insertion slot 12. The front end of the counter 55 thrusts into a cavity 56 formed by the third, fourth and fifth plates 50c, 50d and 50e of the reinforcement 50, when the front sub-door 18 is closed. As a result, even if a wire is inserted through a gap 58 between the front door 6 and the front sub-door 18 for fraudulent acts, penetration of the wire can be prevented by the counter 55, whereby the fraudulent acts such as maliciously opening of the door is prevented. Furthermore, weight of the coin tray 19 and the front sub-door 18 can be supported by the entire front door 6 when the front sub-door 18 is closed, since the front sub-door 18 is supported by the reinforcement 50 via the counter 55 and the roller 57.
In addition, the fifth plate (first security plate) 50e which is bent from the upper end of the fourth plate 50d toward the front sub-door (second door) 18 is provided at the upper end of the reinforcement 50. Even if a wire is inserted through the gap 58 for fraudulent acts, penetration of the wire can be prevented by the fifth plate (first security plate) 50e, whereby the fraudulent acts such as maliciously opening of the door is prevented.
In addition, the second plate (second security plate) 50b extending in the direction of the bridging is provided at the lower end of the reinforcement 50. The second plate (second security plate) 50b is disposed substantially parallel with the patch plate 53. Even if a wire is inserted through the gap 58 for fraudulent acts, penetration of the wire can be prevented by the second plate (second security plate) 50b, whereby the fraudulent acts such as maliciously opening of the door is prevented. Furthermore, the first plate 50a is joined to the lower end 53b of the patch plate 53 to block the penetration of the wire for fraudulent acts.
A flange 53a is provided at the lower end of the patch plate 53, so that it overlaps the base surface 18b of the front sub-door 18. Even if a wire is inserted through the gap 58 for fraudulent acts, penetration of the wire can be prevented by the flange 53a, whereby the fraudulent acts such as maliciously opening of the door is prevented.
Furthermore, the roller 57 is provided beneath the counter 55 at the rear face of the front sub-door (second door) 18, so that it overlaps the reinforcement 50 at the lower part of the frame 51. In addition, the roller 57 is located behind the upper end of the coin tray 19. The roller 57 is supported by the third plate 50c of the reinforcement 50 when the front sub-door 18 is closed. It is preferable that the roller 57 is located far from the hinge 45 of the front sub-door 18 in order to support the front sub-door 18 firmly by the hinge 45 and the roller 47. Thus, the weight of the coin tray 19 and the front sub-door 18, or the weight of the coins accumulated on the coin tray 19 can be deconcentrated. Also, the fraudulent acts such as maliciously accessing to the collecting box 43 can be effectively prevented by providing the roller 57 between the lower edge of the front sub-door 18 and the collecting box 43. Furthermore, the rotatable roller 57 reduces abrasion to allow the front sub-door 18 to be opened and closed smoothly.
Furthermore, the front door 6 is disposed so that it is inclined backwardly, as shown in
As shown in
[Operation Table, Waist Panel, and Under Lamp]
As shown in
The lower display 100 (4C) is provided beneath the operation table 10. The lower display 100 is disposed backward than the front end 10a of the operation table 10. The lower display 100 includes the waist panel 17, a frame 101 surrounding the waist panel 17, the plurality of under lamps 25 provided on the lower frame of the frame 101, and the fluorescent lamp 103 installed behind the waist panel 17. The fluorescent lamp 103 irradiates light on the back of the waist panel 17.
The waist panel 17 is formed by laminating an image film and a transparent acrylic plate. The image film has images such as logo marks or characters indicating the name of the gaming machine 1 displayed thereon. The waist panel 17, which is disposed at the lower front face of the cabinet 3, is fixed between a fluorescent lamp box 104 provided inside the cabinet 3 and the frame 101. A pair of right and left sockets are fixed inside the fluorescent lamp box 104, pins of the fluorescent lamp 103 are inserted to the sockets. The light irradiated from the fluorescent lamp 103 transmits through the waist panel 17 and illuminates the images such as logo marks or characters. The images displayed on the waist panel 17 can easily enter the view field of a spectator A who watches the slot game from the diagonally backward of the player P (see
The outer edge of the frame 101 slightly bulges than the inner edge. The lower edge of the waist panel 17 is slightly curved downward, and the lower frame of the frame 101 is also curved downward in accordance with the shape of the waist panel 17. The under lamps 25 are disposed on the lower frame of the frame 101. Each of the under lamps 25 is a full color LED combined with three single LED elements each of which can emit red, blue, or green light (light's three primary colors). The under lamps 25 are implemented on a circuit board together with the LED driving circuit. In addition, the coin tray 19 is provided beneath the under lamps 25. The coin tray 19 stocks coins (game media) which have been paid out based on the outcome of the slot game. The under lamps 25 illuminate the waist panel 17 from below, and the coin tray 19 from above.
When seen from the side face of the cabinet 3, the line connecting the under lamps 25 and the front end 10a of the operation table 10 is denoted L1, and the line orthogonally penetrating the center point CP of the center display (variable display) 4B is denoted L2, as shown in
The gaming machine 1 can appeal to the spectator A by blinking or lighting the under lamps in various colors. At the same time, while the light from the under lamps 25 is prominent to the spectator A, the light is prevented from reaching the eyes of the player P since the light is blocked by the operation table 10. As a result, prominence to the spectator A and reduction of eye-fatigue of the player P due to the under lamps 25 can be balanced. In other words, it becomes possible to let the player P concentrate on the game with less burden while attracting the spectator A. Furthermore, the player P can play the slot game for a long time with less fatigue or less physical exhaustion, since the player P can operate the slot game with his/her hand or arm placed on the operation table 10.
Furthermore, the under lamps 25 are disposed along the lower edge of the waist panel 17 (see
Furthermore, if the position of the center display 4B which displays the game content is determined, arrangement of the under lamps 25 and the operation table 10, or dimension of the operation table 10 can be readily determined. As a result, such a layout can be readily adapted to gaming machines of other various models.
Furthermore, the light intensity around the coin tray 19 can be increased, since the under lamps 25 are disposed above the coin tray 19.
[Concealed Lighting]
As shown in
A bracket 117 is provided behind the front douser 113 in a vertical direction. A circuit board 119 is fixed to the bracket 117 in parallel with the transparent plate 115. The circuit board 119 has an LED driving circuit installed thereon and a plurality of full color LEDs (illuminants) 121 installed along the longitudinal direction. Each of the full color LED 121 is composed by combining three single LED elements each of which can emit red, blue, or green light (light's three primary colors). Some of the light emitted from the full color LEDs 121 is blocked by the front douser 113 and the side douser 114, whereas the rest of the light transmits through the transparent plate 115 after being refracted by the wave-shaped inner surface 115b of the transparent plate 115. The transmitted light further passes through the gate hole HL and is irradiated toward the side of the frame 110.
As shown in
As shown in
The reflection surface 21b and the irregular reflection surface 21f are substantially plane-symmetric with respect to the boundary plane BP between displays 4A and 4B (see
The outer edge 131a (see
The outer edge 131c of the irregular reflection surface 21f corresponds to the inner edge 131b of the reflection surface 21b. In addition, the inner edge 131d of the irregular reflection surface 21f reaches the transparent plates 115, 129. The inner edge 131d of the irregular reflection surface 21f is located further backward than the outer edge 131c. Further, the irregular reflection surface 21f is also inclined so that its surface is located more backward as the distance from the displays 4A and 4B becomes nearer.
Effects on the gaming machine 1 can be produced by blinking the full color LEDs 121 & 125 within the frames 110 & 123, or lighting them in various colors. Some of the light emitted from the full color LEDs 121 & 125 is blocked by the front douser 110 & 128 and the side douser 114 & 130 of the frames 110 & 123, and prevented from reaching the player's eyes. The rest of the light transmits through the transparent plate 115 & 129, passes through the gate holes HL, and is reflected by the reflector 131. The reflected light M1, M2 enter the view fields of the player and the spectator, and enhance the appealing effect of the gaming machine 1.
Light can be prevented from easily entering the player's view field with the gaming machine 1, since the full color LEDs 121 & 125 are disposed at further inside the cabinet 3 than the front faces 4a and 4b of the displays 4A and 4B. Furthermore, burden on the player's eyes can be reduced, since the reflected light intensity from the reflector 131 is suppressed, compared with the irradiated light intensity from the full color LEDs 121 & 125. As a result, illumination effects by the full color LEDs 121 & 125 can reduce fatigue of the player's eyes. Furthermore, the player cannot broke the full color LEDs 121 & 125, since the full color LEDs 121 & 125 are disposed inside the cabinet 3.
Furthermore, the light intensity of the reflected light M2 by the irregular reflection face 21f formed on the reflector 131 is suppressed, compared with the light intensity of the reflected light M1 by the reflection surface 21b. Therefore the dazzle that the player feels is reduced and the player can concentrate on the game.
Furthermore, the reflector 131 is disposed along the right and left edges of the displays 4A and 4B. The player and the spectator focuses their attention to the displays 4A and 4B on which game information is being presented. The illumination light near the side edges of the displays 4A and 4B is enhanced by the reflected light M1, M2 from the reflector 131. As a result, the displays 4A and 4B are emphasized so that the appealing effect to the spectator of the gaming machine 1 is enhanced, while reducing the burden on the player's eyes.
Furthermore, the full color LEDs 121 & 125 are disposed inside the frames 110 & 123, facing the reflector 131, at a location near the displays 4A and 4B. Wiring can be made simpler, since the full color LEDs 121 & 125 and the displays 4A and 4B are close to each other so that the displays 4A and 4B and the full color LEDs 121 & 125 can receive electric power from a common power supply. Furthermore, the full color LEDs 121 & 125 are arranged inside the frames 110 & 123, so that the appealing effect of the gaming machine 1 can be enhanced and the displays 4A and 4B can be also emphasized by the leaking light from the frames 110 & 123.
The reflection surfaces 21b of the reflector 131 are disposed on the right and left sides of the displays 4A and 4B. Furthermore, the reflection surface 21b is inclined so that its surface is located more backward as the distance from the displays 4A and 4B becomes nearer. As a result, the reflected light M1 from the reflection surface 21b can be reach the view field of a spectator positioned at the diagonally backward of the player and can enhance the appealing effect to the spectator without the burden on the player's eyes.
[Display Device]
As shown in
An LED unit 163 is fixed to the upper part of the housing 157 along the upper edge of the acrylic plate 153 (see
Circuit boards 167 (see
Circuit boards 175 are provided laterally inside the right and left side inclined plates 173 along the vertical direction respectively. The circuit board 175 is located behind the display area 160 and fixed to a bracket 176. The bracket 176, which is fixed to the inner surface of the rear cover 155, projects from the inner surface toward the front. A plurality of full color LEDs (illuminants) 177 are installed on the circuit board 175 toward the reflection surface 173a. A semitransparent opalescent plate 179 is fixed to the bracket 176 between the circuit board 175 and the reflection surface 173a. The light irradiated from the full color LEDs 177 is reflected by the reflection surface 173a after transmitting through the opalescent plate 179. The reflected light M4 from the reflection surface 173a transmits through the right and left areas 153b of the acrylic plate 153 and is irradiated forward.
With the display device 150, light emitted from the full color LEDs 177 can not easily enter the player's view field, since the full color LEDs 177 are disposed inside the housing 157. Furthermore, burden on the player's eyes can be reduced, because the light intensity of the reflected light M4 from the reflector 173a is suppressed, compared with the light intensity of the light emitted from the full color LEDs 177. As a result, illumination effects by the full color LEDs 177 can reduce fatigue of the player's eyes. Furthermore, the player cannot broke the full color LEDs 177, since the full color LEDs 177 are disposed inside the housing 157.
Furthermore, the reflection surfaces 173a are disposed along the side edges of the display area 160 which shows the game information. The player who are pondering to select which type of gaming machine to play checks not only the displays 4A and 4B, but also the display area 160 of the display device 150. The light intensity of the right and left edges of the display area 160 is reinforced by the reflected light M4 from the reflection surface 173a. As a result, the display area 160 is emphasized, whereby the appealing effect of the gaming machine 1 to the spectator is enhanced with reducing the burden on the player's eyes.
Furthermore, the reflection surface 173a is inclined as stated above. As a result, the reflected light M4 from the reflection surface 173a becomes easier to reach the view field of a spectator positioned at the diagonally backward of the player, whereby the appealing effect to the spectator is enhanced with reducing the burden on the player's eyes.
[Speaker (Sound Module)]
As shown in
The speaker 23 has a laterally projecting arch-shaped front face. As shown in
The speaker unit 202 is disposed above the operation table 10 and below the center display 4B. In addition, the speaker 23 is inclined backwardly so that the front face of the speaker unit 202 is in parallel with the front face 4b of the center display 4B (see
The speaker 23 further includes, as shown in
The frame 205, which constitutes the front periphery of the speaker 23, is disposed on the front of the sound source unit 201. In addition, the periphery surface of the frame 205 is formed as an inclined surface 205a. The inclined surface 205a is formed so that it tilts further backwardly to the edge. In other words, the inclined surface 205a faces diagonally outward of the gaming machine 1.
The inclined surface 205a has openings 205b (see
As shown in
Each of the speaker lamps 24 has a cylindrical base portion 24a as shown in
Next, how the speaker lamps 24 are seen from the spectator positioned near the gaming machine 1 will be described. As shown in
As shown in
With the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the speaker 23A is provided in the backward region of the front door 6 while the front door 6 is open. Therefore, the spaces between the adjacent gaming machines 1 can be utilized efficiently, while the sound effect is enhanced by the speaker 23. Here, the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment is disposed to include the speaker 23 as the “effect producing unit”. However, the gaming machine 1 may include another effect producing unit such a light emitting device, a display, or the like. In addition, the front door 6 may swing substantially horizontally or slides substantially horizontally.
In addition, the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment includes the center display 4B and the operation table 10, wherein the center display 4B is disposed above the operation table 10. The speaker units 202 are disposed above the operation table 10 and below the center display 4B. In this manner, the speaker units 202 can be disposed near the player, whereby the sound effect to the player is further enhanced.
In addition, the center display 4B is inclined backwardly and the front face of speaker unit 202 is parallel with the front face of the center display 4B. The player can watch the display in a comfortable position by inclining the center display 4B backwardly in this manner. Furthermore, the sound effect to the player can be further enhanced by inclining the speaker unit 202 backwardly in parallel with the center display 4B.
In addition, the sound effect can be produced by the output sound from the sound source unit 201 within the speaker 23 since the gaming machine 1 has the speaker 23 as the effect producing unit. In addition, the player can concentrate on the game without moving his/her sight line to the speaker 23, since the sound source unit 201 disposed at the side of the cabinet 3 is employed as the effect producing unit, unlike the case of illumination effects by the light emitting device or image effects on the displays.
In addition, the interval between the sound source units 201 can be expanded in comparison with prior art models since the sound source units 201 are provided on the both sides face of the cabinet 3. As a result, the sound effects such as stereo effect and surround effect by the sound source units 201 (especially speaker units 202) can be enhanced, and the spaces between the adjacent gaming machines 1 can be efficiently utilized for the sound effects.
Additionally, with the gaming machine 1, light from the speaker lamps 24 can enhance the appealing effect of the gaming machine 1 to a spectator positioned around the gaming machine 1 without interfering with the game player's play, since the center display 4B is provided on the front face of the cabinet 3 and the speaker lamps 24 are provided on the side of the cabinet 3.
In addition, the speaker lamps 24 are projected from the inclined surface 205a which faces diagonally outward. Thus, light from the speaker lamps 24 appear wider when the speaker lamps 24 are seen diagonally than when the speaker lamps 24 are seen from the front of the cabinet 3. As a result, the appealing effect of the gaming machine 1 can be enhanced since the speaker lamps 24 can easily draw attention of the spectator positioned diagonally from the cabinet 3.
It becomes further more difficult for the light from the speaker lamps 24 to enter the player's view field and the appealing effect to spectators who are watching the gaming machine 1 from a distant location can be further enhanced, since the speaker lamps 24 are disposed at a predefined distance from the edge of the center display 4B.
In addition, the sight line of the spectator who is looking at the speaker lamps 24 can be directly focused on the center display 4B, since the speaker lamps 24 are disposed above the operation table 10 and below the center display 4B (i.e. the speaker lamps 24 extend from operation table 10 to the center display 4B). In addition, the sight line of the spectator who is looking at the speaker lamps 24 can be directly focused on the center display 4B by disposing the speaker lamps 24 in parallel with the center display 4B.
In addition, the speaker lamps 24 are disposed on the front face of the sound source unit 201 projecting laterally from the cabinet 3. In other words, the speaker lamps 24 are disposed at positions overlapping with the sound source unit 201 when seen from the front. This may result in space saving of the lateral width of the gaming machine 1. For example, space saving of the lateral width of the gaming machine 1 can be also achieved even if the aperture of the speaker units 202 is expanded to overcome lack of bass level and enhance sound quality.
Here, although some of the speaker lamps 24 and the speaker units 202 are disposed above the operation table 10 and below the center display 4B, the speaker lamps 24 and the speaker units 202 may be disposed at other height positions.
[Top Lamp]
The power lamps 26a of the top lamp 26 will be described in detail, referring to
A cover plate 26c is disposed on the front of the top lamp 26. The power lamps 26a are projected from the cover plate 26c. Each of the power lamp 26a emits light substantially horizontally. The power lamp 26a includes a power illuminant 300 and a barrel (light shield) 310. The barrel 310 guides the light emitted from the power illuminant 300 and outputs the light from the exit aperture 310a.
The power illuminant 300 includes a circuit board 304 having four LEDs 302 installed thereon, a base plate 306 supporting the circuit board 304, and a lens 308 through which the light from the LEDs 302 is transmitted. The circuit board 304 is disposed substantially perpendicular and its surface 304a is faced toward the exit aperture 310a of the barrel 310. Four LEDs 302 are aligned in two rows and two columns on the surface 304a of the circuit board 304. These LEDs 302 are full color LEDs whose lighting, blinking, and lighting color are controlled by a signal circuit (not shown).
The back surface 304b of the circuit board 304 is connected to the base plate 306. The base plate 306 itself is fixed to the cabinet 3. The lens 308 is a ball lens disposed just in front of the four LEDs 302. The light emitted from the LEDs 302 transmits through the lens 308 toward the exit aperture 310a. Here, the light emitted from the LEDs 302 is refracted while it transmits through the lens 308 and converged substantially horizontally as beam of light.
The barrel 310 has a cylindrical shape extending substantially horizontally. The barrel 310 is inserted into a tube-shaped lamp hole 26d provided on the cover plate 26c. The barrel 310 surrounds the lens 308 and the circuit board 304 of the power lamp illuminants 300. The light from the power illuminant 300 is emitted from the exit aperture 310a by the barrel 310.
The barrel 310 includes an outer cylinder 312 and an inner cylinder 314 which locates inside the outer cylinder 312. The outer cylinder 312 has a substantially cylindrical shape and is gradually tapered toward the front. The back end 312b of the outer cylinder 312 is fixed to the base plate 306. The inner cylinder 314 is joined with the front end 312a of the outer cylinder 312 and extends inside the outer cylinder 312. The inner cylinder 314 is funnel-shaped and tapered backward.
A pair of bosses 316 are formed between the outer cylinder 312 and the inner cylinder 314. The bosses 316 are columns extending backward from the front end 312a. The boss 316 extends between the outer cylinder 312 and the inner cylinder 314, and its back ends 316a are reached backward than the back end 314a of the inner cylinder 314. A plate 318 which is parallel with the circuit board 304 is bridged over the back ends 316a of the pair of bosses 316. The plate 318 is fixed to the back ends 316a of the bosses 316 with screws 320.
A round hole 318a is made in the center of the plate 318, and the above-mentioned lens 308 is fitted in the round hole 318a from the front. The lens 308 abuts with the back end 314a of the inner cylinder 314, and is sandwiched between the back end 314a and the plate 318.
With such a power lamp 26a, the light from the LEDs 302 is inputted into the lens 308 and refracted to the beam of light. In other words, the light from the LEDs 302 is converged by transmitting the lens 308 into the substantially horizontally beam of light with high rectilinearity. Then, the light which transmits through the lens 308 inside the inner cylinder 314 is emitted from the exit aperture 310a of the barrel 310.
In other words, only the light which transmits through the lens 308 among the light emitted from the LEDs 302 is emitted from the exit aperture 310a. And the rest of the light is blocked by the barrel 310, since the LEDs 302 and the lens 308 are surrounded by the barrel 310 in the power lamp 26a. Therefore, the irradiation region of the emitted light from the power lamp illuminants 300 is limited to the region of the substantially horizontal converging light (see dashed-dotted line of
Therefore, the player, who is playing right below the power lamp 26a and is facing the display 4 and the operation table 10, is out of the irradiation region of the power lamp 26a, so that the light from the power lamp 26a is not irradiated to the player. As a result, the light from the power lamp 26a does not enter the player's view field, whereby the player's fatigue is reduced and the player can concentrate on the game.
In addition, the emitted light from the power lamp illuminants 300 can not be easily irradiated downward compared with the spreading light, since the light from the power lamp 26a is substantially horizontally converged by the lens 308. In other words, the situation such that the light from the power lamp illuminants 300 is effectively prevented from entering the player's view field by the lens 308. Additionally, the light converged by the lens 308 can easily reach a long distance, whereby the appealing effect of the light to the spectator positioned at a distance is enhanced. Moreover, various light effects, which are impossible by single-color illuminants, can be realized and the illumination effects are enhanced, since the power lamp 26a uses full color LEDs 302 as illuminants 200.
Here, the barrel (light shield) 310 need not surround the power lamp illuminants 300, but it suffices to be placed between the power lamp illuminants 300 and the player so as to block at least some of the light toward the player. However, it is preferable that the light shield surrounds the power lamp illuminants 300, because the light from the power lamp illuminants 300 is prevented from entering the player's view field.
Next, the belt lamp 26b of the top lamp 26 will be described in detail, referring to
Cavities 330 are provided between the above-mentioned power lamps 26a which are disposed at both sides of the top lamp 26. The cavity 330 is provided across substantially the full length between the power lamps 26a behind the cover plate 26c. The cavity 330 is a recessed space on the front face of the cabinet 3 and its cross section is substantially rectangular.
The cavity 330 is divided into a left cavity 330A and a right cavity 330B by three walls 332 which are perpendicular to the cover plate 26c. Illuminant units 340 and reflection plates 350 are accommodated inside the left cavity 330A and the right cavity 330B. The reflection plates 350 reflect the light from the illuminant units 340. The belt lamp (illuminant) 26b includes the cavity 330, the illuminant units 340, and the reflection plates 350.
The illuminant unit 340 is disposed laterally at the substantial middle level of respective cavities 330A and 330B. The illuminant unit 340 includes a reed-shaped circuit board 342 and six LEDs 344 which are installed on the circuit board 342 at regular intervals. The circuit board 342 is provided slightly inclined and its surface faces diagonally upward. Each of the LEDs 344 on the circuit board 342 is a white LED, for example, and its lighting or blinking is controlled by a signal circuit (not shown). As shown in
The reflection plate 350 is fabricated by bending a stainless plate. The reflection plate 350 includes a base plate 352 supporting the illuminant unit 340 and a reflection plate 354 located above the base plate 352. The base plate 352 is erected from the base 330b of the cavity 330 and holds the circuit board 342. The reflection plate 354 extends from the upper end 352a of the base plate 352 diagonally upward to the front. The reflection plate 354 is bent along an bending line 354c near the middle between its lower edge 354a and upper edge 354b. The reflection plate 354 is divided into a first reflection plate 354A below the bending line 354c and a second reflection plate 354B above the bending line 354c.
Here, mirror finished reflection surfaces 356A and 356B are formed on respective surfaces of the first reflection plate 354A and the second reflection plate 354B. The reflection plane 356A of the first reflection plate 354A is inclined against the horizontal plane H with a first inclination angle β. And the reflection surface 356B of the second reflection plate 354B is inclined against the horizontal plane H with a second inclination angle γ. Additionally, as stated above, the reflection plate 354 is bent along the bending line 354c, and then the second inclination angle γ is smaller than the first inclination angle β.
Some of the light from the LEDs 344 is reflected by the reflection surfaces 356A and 356B and proceeds to the opening (exit aperture of the belt lamps 26b) of the cavity 330. In this occasion, the second reflection plate 354B is further from the LEDs 344 than the first reflection plate 354A and the second inclination angle γ is smaller than the first inclination angle β. Therefore, the reflected light from the reflection surface 356A and the reflected light from the reflection surface 356B are off-set to be reflected in a substantially parallel manner.
Next, how the light from the belt lamp 26b appears will be described.
As shown in
Therefore, the spectator can view three-tiered beams of light shown by arrows N1 to N3, as shown in
On the other hand, the height level of the sitting player's eyes E2 who is facing the gaming machine 1 is below the belt lamp 26b by several dozen centimeters and positioned slightly above the straight line N connecting the LEDs 344 and the lower edge 330a of the cavity 330, as shown in
Therefore, as shown in
As thus described, the belt lamp 26b of the gaming machine 1 appears to the spectator as the three-tiered belt-shaped beams of light but as the one-tiered beam of light to the player. Therefore, the light intensity of the belt lamp 26b toward the player is smaller than the light intensity toward the spectator. In other words, the light intensity from the belt lamp 26b which enters the player's view field is reduced, whereby the player's fatigue is reduced.
In addition, the reflected light of the LEDs 344 proceeds to the spectator along two paths N2, N3, since the reflection plate 354 has the first reflection plate 354A and the second reflection plate 354B. Therefore, the appealing effect to the spectator by the belt lamp 26b is enhanced compared with the case in which the light from the LEDs 344 proceeds to the spectator along a single path, since the light intensity can be increased and the light emitting region of the belt lamp 26b can be expanded. Additionally, the viewable number of illuminants increases due to the mirror image of the LEDs 344 by the reflection plate 354, whereby the number of actual LEDs 344 can be reduced to one-third and then number of parts and energy consumption can be reduced.
Furthermore, most of the light proceeding downward the LEDs 344 is blocked by the lower edge 330a since the LEDs 344 are provided so that the straight line N intersects the perpendicular line of the front face of the cabinet 3 with the angle δ (acute angle), whereby the light intensity to the player is effectively reduced.
Here, as shown in
Here, as shown in
In the reflection plate 354, an upper part than a bending line 354c is a first reflection plate 354A having a reflection surface 356A with an inclination angle β. And the lower part than the bending line 354c is a second reflection plate 354B having a reflection surface 356B with an inclination angle γ. In other words, as with the embodiment mentioned-above, the second reflection plate 354B is more distant from the LEDs 344 than the first reflection plate 354A, and the inclination angle γ being smaller than the inclination angle β.
Similarly in the above-mentioned belt lamps 26b, the spectator can view the three-tiered beams of light shown by the arrows N1 to N3. The player can only view the light emitted from the LEDs 344. The reflected light by the reflection plate 354 is not reflected toward the player's eyes E2 which are positioned slightly above the straight line N connecting the LEDs 344 and the lower edge 330a of the cavity 330.
In other words, with the belt lamp 26b of
Another embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below, referring to the drawings.
As shown in
The center display 404B which displays gaming progress includes a transmissive LCD panel 405B fixed to the front door of the cabinet 403. The player can view the symbols on the three-column reels R1 to R3 disposed inside the cabinet 403 through the LCD panel 405B from outside. In the region corresponding to the reels R1 to R3 on the center display 404B, a plurality of paylines running horizontally and diagonally are printed. Furthermore, a payout counter 408 and a credit counter 409 are displayed on the upper area of the center display 404B. Also, the center display 404B is slightly inclined backwardly, so that the player can play the game at ease.
The operation table 410 projecting from the front face of the cabinet 403 is provided between the lower display 404C and the waist panel 417. Operation buttons 411 (e.g., bet buttons, collect button, start button, stop button or the like) are arranged on the operation table 410 as the controller in which instructions relating to the game are input. A coin insertion slot 412 and a bill insertion slot 413 are provided on the operation table 410. A ticket printer 414 and a card reader 415 are provided between the operation table 410 and the center display 404B. Furthermore, a coin tray 419 is provided at the bottom of the cabinet 403.
In addition, illuminants 420 are disposed on the cabinet 403 such that they surround a gaming region which includes displays 404A to 404C and the operation table 410. The illuminants 420 also surround a region which includes the waist panel 417. The illuminants 420 include side lamps 422, speaker lamps 424, under lamps 425, and top lamps 426. The side lamps 422, located at the right and left sides of the cabinet 403, are provided on laterally projecting recurved-bow-shaped limbs (illuminating unit) 421. The speaker lamps 424, located at the right and left sides of the cabinet 403, are arranged along the edges of laterally projecting arc-shaped speakers 423. The under lamps 425 are arranged along the lower edge of the waist panel 417. The top lamps 426 are provided above the upper display 404A. The top lamps 426 include power lamps 426a provided at both sides, and belt lamps 426b provided between the power lamps 426a (see
Appealing effect by the light from the gaming machine 401 to the spectator can be enhanced remarkably by supplementing the light of the display 404 or the operation buttons 411 on the operation table 410 with the light from the illuminants 420 surrounding the gaming region. Furthermore, the gaming machine 401 can be differentiate from other models by the illumination suitably such as changing the lighting or blinking of the illuminants 420. In this manner, an attractive gaming machine is created.
The gaming machine 401 further includes a display device 428 (topper effect producing unit) mounted on the cabinet 403. The display device 428 has a rectangular board shape. The display device 428 is provided to be substantially parallel to the LCD panel 405A of the upper display 404A.
A plastics panel 428a having images printed thereon is fitted into the front of the display device 428. The plastics panel 428a is illuminated by a back light 498 (see
Next, the internal configuration of the gaming machine 401 will be described, referring to
The micro computer 431 includes a main CPU 432, a RAM 433, and a ROM 434. The main CPU 432 operates in accordance with programs stored in the ROM 434, and communicates signals with other components via an I/O port 439 to control the operation of the entire gaming machine 401. The RAM 433 stores data or programs used by the main CPU 432. For example, the RAM 433 temporarily keeps the random number values sampled by the sampling circuit 436 during the game, and stores the code numbers or symbol numbers of the reels R1 to R3. The ROM 434 stores programs executed by the CPU 432 and permanent data.
The RNG 435 operates in accordance with instructions of the main CPU 432 to generate random numbers within a predefined range. The sampling circuit 436 extracts an arbitrary random number from the random numbers generated by the RNG 435 in accordance with the instructions of the main CPU 432, and outputs the extracted random number to the main CPU 432. The clock pulse generating circuit 437 generates a reference clock for operating the main CPU 432. The clock divider 438 outputs a signal generated by dividing the reference clock by a constant cycle to the main CPU 432.
In addition, a reel drive unit 450 is connected to the main control circuit board 471. The reel drive unit 450 includes a reel position detecting circuit 451 for detecting respective rotation positions of reels R1 to R3, and a motor driving circuit 452 for outputting drive signals to the motors M1 to M3 that rotate the reels R1 to R3. The motors M1 to M3 are actuated to rotate the reels R1 to R3 upon input of the drive signals from the motor driving circuit 452.
Furthermore, the operation buttons 411 (a stop button to which a stop instruction for the reels R1 to R3 is input, a start button, a collect button, bet buttons, or the like) are connected to the main control circuit board 471. A signal is input to the main CPU 432 via the I/O port 439 in response to pressing-down any of the operation buttons 411.
The illumination control circuit 461 outputs an effect signal for illuminating the illuminant 420 and the display device 428. The illuminant 420 includes, as shown in
The hopper driving circuit 463 (see
Furthermore, as shown in
The sub-micro computer 473 includes a sub-CPU 474, a program ROM 475, a work RAM 476, and I/O ports 477 and 480. The sub-CPU 474 executes controls in accordance with the control command transmitted from the main control circuit board 471. The program ROM 475 and the work RAM 476 function as storage units. Although the sub-control circuit board 472 does not have a clock pulse generator, a clock divider, an RNG, and a sampling circuit, it can executes random number sampling by the program running on the sub-CPU 474. The program ROM 475 stores the control programs executed by the sub-CPU 474. The work RAM 476 functions as a temporary storage unit when executing the control programs on the sub-CPU 474.
The image control circuit 481 includes an image control CPU 482, an image control work RAM 483, an image control program ROM 484, an image ROM 486, a video RAM 487, and an image control IC 488. The image control CPU 482 determines, based on the parameters set in the sub-micro computer 473, the images to be displayed on the LCD panels 405A and 405B in accordance with the image control programs stored in the image control program ROM 484.
The image control program ROM 484 stores the image control programs and various selection tables relating to presentation on the LCD panels 405A and 405B. The image control work RAM 483 functions as the temporary storage unit when the image control programs is executes by the image control CPU 482. The image control IC 488 generates the image in accordance with the content determined by the image control CPU 482 and outputs the image signals to the LCD panels 405A and 405B.
The image ROM 486 stores dot data for generating images. The video RAM 487 functions as the temporary storage unit when the image is generated by the image control IC 488.
The IN port 490 is serially connected to the illumination control circuit 461 of the main control circuit board 471 via the illuminant 420, as stated above. The IN port 490 is an effect information receiving unit, which receives effect information (referred to as the first effect information, hereafter) relating to illumination (lighting effects) of the display device 428 from the illumination control circuit 461. The first effect information includes effect content information such as lighting pattern of respective LEDs 428b. Thus, the LEDs 428b, which constitute the effect producing unit, performs illumination in accordance with the effect content information included in the first effect information, when the first effect information is output as the effect signals from the OUT port 493. Here, the first effect information received by the IN port 490 is output in parallel to the CPU 491 and the selector 492.
The ROM 494 and RAM 495, which are the effect information storage units, are connected to the CPU 491. Effect information (referred to as the second effect information, hereafter) relating to illumination (lighting effect) of the display device 428 is stored in the ROM 494. The second effect information includes, as with the first effect information, effect content information such as lighting pattern of respective LEDs 428b. However, the effect content information included in the second effect information is different from the effect content information included in the first effect information.
When a predefined effect producing condition is satisfied, the CPU 491 outputs the effect signal to the selector 492, in accordance with the effect content information included in the second effect information stored in the ROM 494. The CPU 491 also sends a switching command for outputting the above-mentioned effect signal in place of the first effect information to the selector 492. Here, the predefined effect producing condition in the present embodiment assumes that there is no input of the first effect information from the IN port 490 to the CPU 491. In other words, if there is no input of the first effect information from the IN port 490 to the CPU 491, the effect signal corresponding to the second effect information and the switching command are output to the selector 492. Here, without being limited to the above-mentioned condition, the effect producing condition may include elapse of a predefined time period, arrival of predefined time, reception of specific signals from the illumination control circuit 461, or the like.
Based on the signals from the CPU 491, the selector 492 outputs either the effect signal in accordance with the first effect information from the IN port 490 or the effect signal in accordance with the second effect information from the CPU 491 to the LEDs 428b via the OUT port 493. In other words, an effect signal output unit is constituted with the CPU 491, the selector 492 and the OUT port 493 as mentioned above. Based on the predefined effect producing condition, the effect signal output unit outputs either the effect signal based on the first effect information received by the IN port 490 or the effect signal based on the second effect information stored in the ROM 494 to the LEDs 428b.
Furthermore, the CPU 491 is connected with a brightness adjustment switch 496, a lighting pattern switch 497, and a back light 498. The brightness adjustment switch 496 is a DIP switch for setting the ON/OFF time interval of the duty control to adjust the brightness of the LEDs 428b. The brightness adjustment switch 496 provides multistage (e.g., four stages) brightness adjustment settings. The lighting pattern switch 497 is used for setting the lighting pattern of the LEDs 428b as the after-mentioned effect change condition. In the exemplary control described below, settings by the lighting pattern switch 497 will be the effect change condition. The lighting pattern switch 497 sets various lighting patterns. The current setting of the lighting pattern can be confirmed by checking the lighting/blinking of the specific LED(s) 428b. The back light 498 is a lighting unit which illuminates the plastics panel 428a of the display device 428 in accordance with signals from the CPU 491. For example, a cold cathode tube or the like may be employed as the back light 498.
Next, a procedure of effect processing in the display device 428 will be described, referring to
The CPU 491 determines whether or not the IN port 490 has received the first effect information, by monitoring the first effect information from the IN port 490 constantly or intermittently (step S1). Here, if the IN port 490 has not received the first effect information (NO in step S1), the above-mentioned predefined effect producing condition is met. If, otherwise, reception of the first effect information from the IN port 490 has been detected (YES in step S1), the CPU 491 outputs the effect signal in accordance with the first effect information to the selector 492. The effect signal in accordance with the first effect information is output from the selector 492 to the LED 428b via the OUT port 493 (step S2).
On the other hand, if reception of the first effect information from the IN port 490 has not been detected (NO in step S1), the CPU 491 extracts the second effect information from the ROM 494 (step S3). And then, the CPU 491 outputs the effect signal in accordance with the second effect information and the switch command to the selector 492. The switch command is the command the selector 492 to output the effect signal including the second effect information to the LEDs 428a as mentioned above. The effect signal in accordance with the second effect information is output from the selector 492 to the LEDs 428b via the OUT port 493 (step S4).
The LEDs 428b then produce the effect in accordance with the effect signal from the OUT port 493 (step S5). The above-mentioned steps S1 to S5 are repeated as the effect processing on the display device 428. Thus, the LEDs 428b produces illumination in accordance with the effect signal including the first effect information as shown by the arrow A1 in
In other words, with the display device 428, the LEDs 428b can not only illuminate in accordance with the effect signal including the first effect information from external, but also illuminate in accordance with the effect signal including the second effect information stored in the ROM 494. Therefore, more variations of the effect can be enabled and more abundant attractive effects can be produced. Furthermore, the effects by the second effect information can be continued, even if the first effect information from the illumination control circuit 461 has not been input to the display device 428 due to disconnection of signal lines or the like.
Additionally, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the display device 428 need not store the effect content information since the effect content information of the LEDs 428b is included in the first effect information. In other words, the display device 428 need not newly provide a storage unit or allocate a recording area in the ROM 494 for the above-mentioned effect content information, whereby the recording area of the display device 428 can be utilized efficiently.
However, it is also possible to store at least some of the effect content information in the ROM 494. In this case, the CPU 491 extracts the stored effect content information when the first effect information has been input to the IN port 490, and then outputs it to the LEDs 428b. For example, the effect content information with regard to the lighting pattern of the LEDs 428b is stored in the ROM 494. On the other hand, the first effect information includes only the lighting timing as the effect content information. In this case, the CPU 491 extracts the effect content information relating to the lighting pattern from the ROM 494 when the first effect information has been input to the IN port 490, and then outputs it to the LEDs 428b. The LEDs 428b illuminates based on the lighting pattern from the CPU 491 and the lighting timing from the IN port 490.
Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the display device 428 is serially connected to the illumination control circuit 461 of the main control circuit board 471 via the illuminants 420 (see
Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, one set of the second effect information is stored in the ROM 494. However, a plurality of sets of the second effect information including different effect content may be stored in the ROM 494. In this case, the CPU 491 selects and extracts one set among the plurality of sets of the second effect information in step S3 of the above-mentioned effect processing (see
Additionally, in the case wherein the plurality of the second effect information is stored in the ROM 494, the CPU 491 may change the second effect information to be extracted from the ROM 494 in step S3, each time the effect change condition is met (NO in step S1). Here, the effect change condition may be elapse of a predefined time period or arrival of a predefined time, whether or not a change signal has been received from the illumination control circuit 461, setting content of the lighting pattern switch 497, or the like. With case wherein the second effect information is changed in accordance with the setting content of the lighting pattern switch 497, the second effect information can be arbitrarily selectable in accordance with the setting operation of the lighting pattern switch 497.
As thus described, the display device 428 can produce a variety of effects in accordance with the effect change condition by changing the second effect information to be extracted from the ROM 494 in accordance with the effect change condition. However, it is not always necessary to change the second effect information to be extracted from the ROM 494, and a variety of effects can be produced only by extracting the second effect information at random whenever the effect change condition is met.
In the above-mentioned description, an example has been described in which the effect producing unit is the display device 428. However, the entire gaming machine 401 including the display device 428 can also be the effect producing unit. In this case, the gaming machine 401 includes a system equivalent to that of the block diagram of the display device 428 shown in
Various modifications are possible to the present invention, which is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. For example, the effect producing unit is not limited to the LEDs 428b which performs illuminations (lighting effect), and may be devices producing sound effects or image effects.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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| P2006-161660 | Jun 2006 | JP | national |
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