Amusement device and selectively enhanced display for the same

The intensity and enjoyment of a gaming device with a rotary body structure containing one or more symbol-carrying rotary reels is enhanced by selectively highlighting special symbols on the rotary reels in unique ways. The selective highlighting of these special symbols is achieved in ways including the use of phosphorescent, fluorescent, or otherwise luminescent symbols, the use of stereoscopically processed symbols to achieve three-dimensional effects, the use of stereoscopic symbols to achieve animation effects, the use of selective backlighting for the special symbols, and the use of special control means for the selective backlighting of the symbols.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to amusement devices, and in particular to machines 
which are equipped with one or more rotary reels containing symbols 
arranged on their outer peripheral surfaces. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
A typical gaming device, such as a slot machine, has one or more rotary 
reels, each rotary reel having around its periphery a tape displaying one 
or more symbols. A player operates the gaming device, causing these rotary 
reels to be rotated and stopped. A win is determined based on whether the 
symbols are aligned on predetermined prize-winning lines when these rotary 
reels are stopped. The number of coins to be paid to the player is varied 
in accordance with the kind of aligned symbols. 
For example, ten coins would be paid if the aligned symbols are "BAR" 
symbols, and one hundred coins would be paid for the alignment of "7" 
symbols. After pulling a lever or pressing a start button for a slot 
machine, or after pressing a stop button on a slot-and-pinball machine, a 
player will focus his attention on the symbols arriving at the display 
window, desiring that alignment of symbols corresponding to a larger 
number of winning coins will appear. The different winnings for alignments 
of the different symbols enhance the amusement and excitement provided by 
the game. 
In view of the attention given by players to the aligned symbols during 
play, there have been proposed slot machines in which an illuminator is 
placed behind the rotary reels in the vicinity of the display window, with 
a purpose to illuminate only the symbols in the vicinity of the display 
window or to otherwise adorn the symbols (see U.S. Pat. No. 4,711,452, 
Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No. 4-208176, Japanese Laid-open 
Patent Application No. 4-220276, Japanese Laid-open Utility Model 
Application No. 3-58476, Japanese Laid-open Utility Model Application No. 
4-50090, Japanese Laid-open Utility Model Application No. 4-50089, 
Japanese Laid-open Utility Model Application No. 3-58475, and Japanese 
Laid-open Utility Model Application No. 61151785). By illuminating or 
embossing the symbols appearing in the display window they are made more 
conspicuous. 
In these machines, the symbols appearing in the display window are made 
more conspicuous than those in the conventional machine. However, all 
kinds of symbols appearing in the display window are made conspicuous to 
the same degree, so that there is no effect of intensifying or exciting 
the player's expectations for specific symbols for which high winning is 
made. 
As described above, the player hopes for the appearance of symbols for 
which a high winning is paid (e.g., "7"), and in particular the player is 
likely to concentrate on these specific symbols immediately before the 
reels are stopped. The player's interest and suspense would be magnified, 
and the amusement of the game improved, by making these specific symbols 
more conspicuous. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In view of the above, the object of the present invention is to intensify a 
player's expectations and improve the amusement of the gaming device by 
enhancing the visual impact of specific symbols contained on its rotary 
reels. In accordance with the present invention, a gaming device equipped 
with one or more rotary reels is characterized, whereby at least one of 
the rotary reels includes on its periphery at least one luminescent 
symbol, and whereby a light-emitting source is disposed adjacently to the 
peripheral surface of the rotary reel and serves to supply light energy to 
the luminescent symbol. The luminescent symbol may comprise a 
phosphorescent material, which absorbs light from the light source and 
emits light for a period of time. The luminescent symbol may also comprise 
a fluorescent or otherwise luminescent material. 
Further, a gaming device equipped with one or more rotary reels is 
characterized, whereby at least one of the rotary reels includes at least 
one stereoscopic image symbol. The stereoscopic image symbol comprises a 
stereoscopically processed composite picture which is obtained by 
compositing plural images which together achieve a parallax, or which 
together achieve an animation effect. The stereoscopic image symbol 
further comprises a well known lenticular sheet which stereoscopically 
displays the stereoscopically processed composite picture. The lenticular 
sheet may be placed directly on the surface of the rotary reel where the 
stereoscopically processed composite picture lies, or may be placed 
adjacent to the surface of the rotary reel between a display window and 
the surface of the rotary reel. 
Still further, a gaming device equipped with one or more rotary reels is 
characterized, whereby at least one of the rotary reels is a 
light-transmissible rotary reel comprising one or more symbols on its 
periphery and a light-shielding mask means on its periphery, and whereby a 
first light source is disposed at the inner side of the rotator. The 
light-shielding mask means allows light from the first light source to be 
transmitted through the symbol tape where one or more special symbols are 
drawn and prohibits the light to be transmitted through the other areas of 
the tape. In this case, the rotary body structure may be further equipped 
with control means to cause the first light source to turn on while the 
rotator is rotated and to cause the first light source to blink on and off 
when the rotator has stopped in a prize-winning combination. The rotary 
body structure may be further equipped with a second light source disposed 
at the inner side of the rotator and with a control means for controlling 
the first and second light sources. 
In the invention as described above, the specific symbols on the periphery 
of the rotary reel which are luminescent, which have been stereoscopically 
processed, or which are selectively highlighted relative to other symbols 
on the rotary reel using a light-shielding mask means have greater 
attention attracting power than other symbols, and are remarkably 
conspicuous. Therefore, the player's attention is concentrically paid to 
these symbols irrespective of the rotational or stopping state of the 
rotator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
FIG. 1 illustrates a profile of a slot machine in accordance with a first 
embodiment of this invention. This slot machine comprises a coin insert 
port 1, a start lever 2, a display unit 3, a set of selection buttons 4, a 
first rotary reel 5, a second rotary reel 6, a third rotary reel 7, and 
display windows 8, 9 and 10 for the respective rotary reels. 
Before a game is started, a player inserts a coin through the coin insert 
port 1. In the game, the effective prize-winning lines A, B and C shown in 
FIG. 1 are determined in accordance with the number of coins which are 
inserted. For example, only A is used as a prize-winning line for 
insertion of one coin, and each of A, B and C is used as a prize-winning 
line for insertion of three coins. The probability of winning a prize is 
thus increased in proportion to the number of inserted coins. The number 
of coins which have been inserted is displayed as a digital number on the 
display unit 3. The game is started by pulling the start lever 2 or 
pressing a START button, which is one of the selection buttons 4. The 
first rotary reel 5, the second rotary reel 6, and the third rotary reel 7 
are then rotated at the same time. 
The rotary reels are stopped after a predetermined time elapses. At this 
time, a win for the game and the number of coins to be paid are determined 
in accordance with a combination of symbols stopped on the prize-winning 
lines. Since the reels are rotated at a relatively high speed at an 
initial stage of rotation, each symbol cannot be identified at the initial 
stage. However, immediately before the rotary reels are stopped, their 
rotational speed is lowered, and thus each symbol can be identified. At 
this stage, the player pays attention to those symbols for which a high 
number of coins is paid. Upon alignment of the same symbols on a prize 
winning line, a predetermined number of coins are paid. These coins are 
paid to the player through a coin discharge port 11. 
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a rotary body structure which is applicable 
to the first embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a side view of a 
rotary reel contained in the rotary body structure of FIG. 2. 
The rotary body structure of FIG. 2 comprises the first rotary reel 5, the 
second rotary reel 6, the third rotary reel 7, stepping motors 22, 23, and 
24, and light sources 35, 36, and 37. The rotary reels 5, 6, and 7 are 
driven by the stepping motors 22, 23, and 24, respectively. The rotary 
reels 5, 6, and 7 each further comprise a reel tape, wound around the 
outer peripheral surface of the rotary reel, on which one or more symbols 
is drawn. 
At least one of the symbols (e.g., symbol "7") which are drawn on each reel 
tape is a luminescent symbol L. The luminescent symbol L comprises a 
phosphorescent, or a fluorescent, or an otherwise luminescent material. A 
phosphorescent material is capable of emitting light for a period of time 
upon reception of light energy. A fluorescent material is capable is 
emitting light during reception of light or other energy. The luminescent 
symbol is formed by any suitable method for printing phosphorescent, 
fluorescent, or otherwise luminescent ink, paint, or powder on the surface 
of the tape, such as described in Image Optics Handbook 268-69 (Kenji 
Hiwatari ed., Asakura Shoten pub., 1986). 
FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 include a window area W comprising display windows 8, 9 
and 10 disposed in front of the rotary reels 5, 6 and 7. In the case where 
the luminescent symbols L are phosphorescent, conventional light sources 
35, 36 and 37 for irradiating the phosphorescent symbols L are disposed in 
front of the window area W and at the upper side of the rotary reels 5, 6 
and 7, respectively. As indicated in FIG. 3, the rotation of the reels 5, 
6 and 7 is such that the phosphorescent symbols L are irradiated with 
light immediately before appearing in the window W, and thus emit light at 
least during the period in which they pass through the window W and are 
visible to the player. Accordingly, the player accurately identifies the 
phosphorescent symbols L through the display windows and becomes more 
excited by the appearance of these special symbols. The physical placement 
of the light sources 35, 36 and 37 and the spacing between the reels 5, 6 
and 7 are based on factors including the light intensity emitted by the 
light sources 35, 36 and 37, the afterglow time (decay constant) of the 
phosphorescent material contained in the phosphorescent symbols L, and the 
rotating speed of the rotary reels. 
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a control circuit K which is applicable to the 
gaming device of the first embodiment of this invention. The rotary reels 
5, 6 and 7 are driven by a microcomputer unit 32 and a driver circuit 21, 
and a stop position of each rotary reel is determined in accordance with a 
random number generated by a random number generator 13. The stop position 
of the first reel 5 is determined at the time when a coin is inserted, and 
the stop positions of the second and third rotary reels 6 and 7 are 
determined at the time when the START button of the selection buttons 4 is 
pressed or when the start lever 2 is pulled. In one example of the 
invention, a 13-bit register is used for the random number generator 13, 
which therefore generates 8192 (=2.sup.13) possible random numbers. When 
the first reel 5, the second reel 6, and the third reel 7 stop, symbols on 
the first, second and third reels 5, 6 and 7 are aligned on the 
prize-winning lines A, B and C. If a combination of symbols for winning a 
prize is realized on any prize-winning line, the appropriate number of 
coins is paid from the coin discharge port 11. The number of coins to be 
inserted and the number of coins to be paid are displayed simultaneously 
on the display unit 3, and the game is terminated. 
If a game is started after a BET button (one of the selection buttons 4 in 
FIG. 1) is pressed, no coin is paid from the coin discharge port 11 upon a 
win. Rather, a number corresponding to the number of coins to be paid is 
displayed in a CREDIT column of the display unit 3. The number displayed 
in the CREDIT column is treated as a balance of actual coins corresponding 
to the number displayed. Each press of the BET button is regarded as the 
insertion of one coin from this balance, and the number displayed in the 
CREDIT column of the display unit 3 is decremented by 1. If a MAX BET 
button (another of the selection buttons 4) is pressed, it is regarded as 
inserting a number of coins corresponding to the maximum number allowed 
for a single game, and the CREDIT column of the display unit 3 is 
decremented by this maximum number. If a PAY OUT button (another of the 
selection buttons 4) is pressed, a number of coins corresponding to the 
number displayed in the CREDIT column of the display unit 3 are paid from 
the coin discharge port 11. 
FIG. 4 also includes a microprocessor unit (MPU) 16 coupled to the light 
sources 35, 36, and 37. When a game is started, the MPU 16 allows the 
light sources 35, 36 and 37 to turn on in response to a signal input 
through an input port 14. An example in which the luminescent symbols L 
are phosphorescent is described below. Since the reels 5, 6 and 7 are 
rotated simultaneously with the start of the game, the phosphorescent 
symbols L pass in close proximity to the light sources 35, 36 and 37. At 
this time, the phosphorescent symbols L are supplied with light energy 
from the light sources 35, 36, and 37 sufficient to allow a phosphorescent 
afterglow of a duration corresponding at least to the time period in which 
the phosphorescent symbols L appear in the window W. Therefore, the 
phosphorescent symbols L are particularly conspicuous and thus attract the 
player's attention more intensely than do the other symbols appearing in 
the window W. 
In one embodiment of the invention, the MPU 16 may control the light 
sources 35, 36 and 37 such that light is applied to the phosphorescent 
symbols L several rotations before the rotary reels 5, 6, and 7 are 
stopped, or such that light is applied several rotations before a period 
during which phosphorescent symbols L would otherwise be emitting light. 
Such alterations to the lighting of the phosphorescent symbols may be 
realized in either hardware or software. This type of lighting operation 
may be effective, for example, in a case where a special payout is applied 
only during the lighting of the symbols, or in a case where some other 
game variation is to be represented. In addition, the lighting time can be 
shortened, and thus it is economical. 
By controlling the emission of light by the phosphorescent symbols L to 
represent game variations on a dynamic basis as described above, player 
excitation and game amusement are further promoted. 
FIG. 4 also illustrates a coin detector 12, a coin payout counter 29 and 
tray 30, various output displays and registers 3, 28, 31, 18, an output 
port 17, memories 19, 20, and position sensors 25, 26, 27. 
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a rotary body structure in accordance with 
a second embodiment of the invention. FIG. 6 is a side view of a rotary 
reel contained in the rotary body structure of FIG. 5. 
The light sources 35, 36 and 37 used in the second embodiment are different 
from those of the first embodiment in that they are disposed within the 
circumference of the rotary reels 5, 6, and 7 and opposite the display 
window W with respect to displayed surfaces of the reels 5, 6 and 7. The 
rotary reels 5, 6 and 7 are designed such their inner peripheral surfaces 
are translucent at the locations in which the luminescent symbols L are 
placed so as to pass light from the light sources 35, 36 and 37 at these 
locations. As shown in FIG. 6, the peripheries of the rotary reels 5, 6 
and 7 are formed with openings H to achieve this purpose. 
Accordingly, when the luminescent symbols L appear through the window W, 
they are irradiated with light from the light sources 35, 36, and 37, and 
thus will emit light. In this case, since the light is directly irradiated 
onto the luminescent symbols, the light-emission intensity of this 
embodiment is greater than the first embodiment described above. In this 
case, in order to heighten contrast between the luminescent symbols and 
the other symbols, the back surfaces of the symbols other than the 
luminescent symbols may be subjected to a mask treatment through which the 
light transmission is prevented. 
In this embodiment of the invention, light energy is applied to the symbols 
L as they appear in the window W. As a result, the phosphorescent or 
fluorescent nature of the symbols L is not a critical factor. As an 
option, then, if light transmissible material is used for the special 
symbols on the reel tape and the back surfaces of the non-highlighted 
symbols are provided with masks through which no light is transmissible, 
the light emission can be performed without phosphorescent paint, 
fluorescent paint, or otherwise luminous paint. Therefore, a product 
according to the second embodiment of the invention can have a low price. 
The control circuit K of the first embodiment of this invention, shown in 
FIG. 4, is directly applicable to the second embodiment and is not 
discussed further. 
FIG. 7 is a side view of a rotary reel contained in a rotary body structure 
in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention. FIG. 8 illustrates 
the principle of stereoscopic imaging applied in the third embodiment of 
the invention. 
In the gaming device of this embodiment, at least one stereoscopic image 
symbol T which has been subjected to a conventional stereoscopic imaging 
process is formed on the surface of the reel tape affixed around the 
periphery of the rotary reel. The stereoscopic image symbol T comprises a 
lenticular sheet T1 which is placed on a stereoscopically processed 
composite picture T2. One surface of the lenticular sheet T1 is 
corrugated, each corrugation serving as a one-dimensional convex lens 
which bends light along one axis. The one-dimensional corrugations thus 
give the lenticular sheet a columnar appearance. A side view of the 
lenticular sheet T1, taken along a cross-section perpendicular to the 
column directions, is shown in FIG. 8. 
The stereoscopically processed composite picture T2 is fixed to the back 
surface of the lenticular sheet T1, and comprises plural picture segments 
A, B alternately arranged, as illustrated in FIG. 8. Each picture is taken 
from a different perspective of a three-dimensional object or symbol. Such 
composite pictures can be easily formed using a camera having a 
stereoscopic photographing function, one such camera being the Nishika 
N8000, which is manufactured in the United States. Such pictures, however, 
may also be formed using a single eye camera such as a studio camera, a 
portable camera, or a large aperture camera or the like. Additionally, a 
multi-eye camera such as a one-shot camera may be used. See Print 
Engineering Manual 1117-19 (Nippon Print Association eds.). 
In this embodiment of the invention, the plural images contained in the 
composite picture are taken from different horizontal angles, a parallax 
in the horizontal direction (herein termed "horizontal parallax") being 
achieved. The composite picture contains images for the right and left 
eyes and, when viewed through the lenticular sheet T1 placed such that its 
columns are vertical, the images enter the right and left eyes 
independently of each other, and a stereoscopic effect in the form of a 
horizontal parallax is observed. 
FIG. 9 is a side view of a rotary reel contained in a rotary body structure 
in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention. FIG. 10 
illustrates the principle of stereoscopic imaging applied in the fourth 
embodiment of the invention. 
In the fourth embodiment of the invention the lenticular sheet T1 and the 
stereoscopically processed composite picture T2 which together constitute 
a stereoscopic image symbol T are separated from each other. The 
stereoscopically processed composite picture T2 is attached to the reel 
tape, whereas the lenticular sheet T1 is at a fixed position between the 
window W and the rotary reels 5, 6 and 7. The lenticular sheet T1 is 
curved so as to be adjacent to the surface of the rotary reels 5, 6, and 
7, as shown in FIG. 9. The lenticular sheet T1 may be of a width 
sufficient to cover the area covered by the window W, or may be sized so 
that only a part of the area covered by window W is covered. In a case 
where this embodiment of the invention is applied to a slot machine to 
create ghost-like images, the composite picture T2 may cover the whole of 
the reel tape which surrounds the periphery of rotary reels 5, 6, and 7. 
In this case, the reel tape may be blank except for the stereoscopic image 
symbol T. 
FIG. 11 is a side view of a rotary reel contained in a rotary body 
structure in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the invention. FIGS. 
12A and 12B illustrate the principle of stereoscopic imaging applied in 
the fifth embodiment of the invention. 
In the fifth embodiment of the invention the columns or corrugations of the 
lenticular sheet T1 are oriented horizontally, as opposed to the vertical 
orientation of the columns or corrugations in the previous embodiments. 
Further, the stereoscopically processed composite picture T2 is processed 
so as to achieve a stereoscopic effect in the form of a vertical parallax 
when placed behind the lenticular sheet T1. Even further, the 
stereoscopically processed composite picture T2 comprises plural images of 
entirely distinct scenes, unlike the previous embodiments in which the 
composite picture comprised views of an identical scene as viewed from 
different angles. Combining this physical configuration with the rotation 
of the rotary reels 5, 6, and 7, an animation effect is achieved because 
the stereoscopically processed composite picture T2 can comprise images 
which vary in accordance with the variation of their vertical visual 
angle. 
FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate the principle that underlies this resulting 
animation effect. When the stereoscopically processed composite picture T2 
arrives at the upper position of the lenticular sheet T1, for example, the 
player views a first image A by the action of the lenticular sheet T1 as 
shown in FIG. 12A. Following the rotation of the rotary reel, the visual 
angle at which the player views the stereoscopically processed composite 
picture T2 changes. When the stereoscopically processed composite picture 
T2 arrives at the lower position of the lenticular sheet T1, the player 
can view a second image B as shown in FIG. 12B. If the first and second 
images have a continuous relationship, an animation effect is achieved. 
For example, the first image might be a view of a rose bud, while the 
second image is a view of a rose in full bloom. The number of continuous 
images in this embodiment of the invention is not limited to two. The 
stereoscopically processed composite picture T2 may comprise more than two 
such continuous images such that an even finer animation is achieved. The 
multiple images may be views of a rose in gradual stages of bloom, for 
example, or may be of a volcano in stages of eruption. 
In this embodiment of the invention the player's expectation is intensified 
and the amusement of the game is improved through the appearance of the 
specially processed symbols T during the rotation of the rotary reel. 
Since these symbols are more conspicuous than the other symbols, the 
player is impressed with the apparent existence of a much larger number of 
symbols than are actually spatially contained on the periphery of the 
rotary reel. Further, a near-miss effect can be attained according to this 
embodiment of the invention, and the player feels optimistic even if the 
symbols ultimately appear as a part of a non-prize-winning combination. 
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a rotary body structure in accordance with 
a sixth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a side view of a 
rotary reel contained in the rotary body structure of FIG. 13. FIG. 15 
illustrates a block diagram of a control circuit K1 which is applicable to 
the gaming device of the sixth embodiment of this invention. The invention 
according to the sixth embodiment is similar to the invention according to 
the second embodiment with some differences. 
As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the rotary reel structure is such that a mask 
member M formed of a light shielding material is disposed at the back side 
of a semi-transparent reel tape R. The mask member M is partially provided 
with an opening H, and the reel tape R is affixed around the rotary reel. 
The openings H are provided in order to back-light the special symbols L. 
The reel tape R is a transparent reel tape which has been subjected to a 
light-transmissible print treatment. This reel tape can be formed at low 
cost by first printing symbols on the back surface of transparent tape 
material with a light-transmissible color ink, then printing a background 
with a light-transmissible white ink, and finally removing a special 
symbol area to conduct a light-shielding mask process using a silver 
print. 
FIGS. 13 and 14 include a window area W disposed in front of the rotary 
reels 5, 6 and 7, along with light-emitting sources 40 disposed on the 
inside of the rotary reels 5, 6, and 7 opposite the window W with respect 
to the reel tape symbols. The light-emitting sources 40 irradiate light to 
the special symbols L described above. When the special symbols L appear 
at the window W, the player can view these symbols as back-lighted by the 
light-emitting sources 40. Therefore, the player views the symbols as if 
only these symbols emit light. Accordingly, the player recognizes the 
light-emitting symbols L through the display windows and is impressed with 
these symbols. 
FIG. 15 illustrates a block diagram of a control circuit K1 which is 
applicable to the gaming device of the sixth embodiment of this invention. 
FIG. 15 includes an MPU 16 which is coupled to the light-emitting sources 
40. The MPU 16 contains a control circuit for controlling the 
light-emitting sources 40 and a memory in which a program for controlling 
the light-emitting sources 40 is stored. In this embodiment of the 
invention, when the game is started the MPU 16 allows the light-emitting 
sources 40 to turn on in response to a signal input through an input port 
14. The light-emitting sources 40 are on continuously during the game. 
Since the player views the special symbols L as backlighted by the light 
sources 40 every time the special symbols L pass through the window W, the 
special symbols L are more conspicuous than the other symbols. 
In a modified embodiment of the invention, the MPU 16 may so control the 
light-emitting sources 40 such that, upon the occurrence of a 
prize-winning combination, the light-emitting sources 40 will be on 
continuously while the rotary reels 5, 6 and 7 are rotated, and then will 
be flashed on and off for a period of time. This period of time may 
correspond, for example, to the period of time necessary for the winning 
of coins to be completed. Such a modification can be simply realized by a 
hardware control circuit or a software program. As a result of the 
lighting of the special symbols L as described above, the special symbols 
L are made more conspicuous and the game is more exciting. 
FIG. 16 is a table showing the operation of a rotary body structure and the 
corresponding light source control states in accordance with a seventh 
embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment of the invention, a second 
set of light sources is provided in addition to the light sources 40 
described above. The second set of light sources emit a different color of 
light than the light sources 40 emit. The second set of light sources is 
positioned such that their light can radiate through the special symbols L 
to the window W. For example, the second set of light sources may be 
adjacent to the respective light sources 40. The second set of light 
sources are controlled by a control means built in the MPU 16. 
The MPU 16 may be put into one or more modes, the operation according to 
each mode being shown in FIG. 16. The controlling of the light sources 40 
(denoted "Light Sources #1" in FIG. 16 and "first light source" herein) 
and the second set of light sources (denoted "Light Sources #2" in FIG. 16 
and "second light source" herein) is further made dependent on whether the 
associated rotary reel is rotating or whether it is stopped. As shown in 
FIG. 16, according to a first mode, only the first light source turns on 
while during rotation, and only the second light source turns on when the 
rotation stops. If the color of the first light source is, for example, 
white, and the color of the second light source is, for example, red, the 
special symbols L appear white during rotation and red when the rotation 
stops. According to a second mode, only the second light source is on 
during rotation, and the first light source turns on when the rotation 
stops, so that the intensity of the light is heightened when the rotation 
stops. According to a third mode, only the first light source is on during 
rotation, and when the rotation stops, the first light source is turned 
off and the second light source flashes on and off (denoted by "flash" in 
FIG. 16). According to a fourth mode, the first light source and the 
second light source are both on during rotation, whereas the first light 
source is turned off and the second light source flashes on and off when 
the rotation stops. Therefore, when the special symbols L are stopped 
within the window W, the special symbols L flash and blink, so that 
player's attention is attracted. According to a fifth mode, only the first 
light source flashes on and off during rotation, and the second light 
source flashes on and off when the rotation stops. A great effectiveness 
of the special lighting is achieved where white light flashes from the 
first light source and red light flashes from the second light source. 
According to a sixth mode, only the second light source flashes on and off 
during rotation, but the first light source and second light source both 
flash on and off when the rotation stops. Since the intensity of the light 
is heightened, the stopped special symbols are more exciting. 
Other than as described above, the remainder of the device in accordance 
with this embodiment of the invention is substantially similar to the 
previous embodiment, and the description therefore is omitted. 
Using the embodiments of the invention described above, the results yielded 
by a gaming device can be improved, and thus the results obtained by the 
establishment in which it is placed can be improved, and the results of 
the establishment which manufactures the gaming device can be improved. It 
is further noted that the manufacturing cost is low and no special 
facilities are required. 
This invention is not limited to the embodiments as described above. For 
example, in the third, fourth, and fifth embodiments of the invention as 
described above, a holography technique may be used as a method for 
displaying a stereoscopic image. See Print Engineering Manual 1119-25, 
Nippon Print Association eds. 
Further, in the seventh embodiment of the invention, in modes in which the 
first and/or second light sources turn on and off, the MPU 16 may be so 
controlled that the rotational speed of the rotary reel is detected and 
the light sources flash on and off in synchronicity with the period of 
rotation of the rotary reel. In this case, the special symbols L are 
viewed by the player as being continuously on during rotation at a 
constant speed, and are viewed as flashing on and off when the rotation 
stops. 
Further, in the sixth and seventh embodiments as described above, a 
light-scattering member may be disposed at the back surface side of the 
reel tape on which the special symbols are displayed, so that an area of 
the reel tape in the vicinity of the special symbols L is vaguely 
brilliant. 
Further, the above embodiments are described for a gaming device which 
accepts coins from the user, but this invention is not so limited. In 
place of coins, a credit card or other credit system may be used. Such a 
credit system may credit up and give points for replay, may pay out by 
converting credit points to money, or the like. The device may be a 
pinball machine which gives extra balls for play. Therefore, a coin 
insertion device and/or a coin output device or the like is not 
necessarily required. 
This invention is applicable to any gaming machine equipped with one or 
more rotary reels which contain symbols on their outer periphery to be 
viewed the player, such as slot machines, pinball machines, 
slot-and-pinball machines, and other devices. It is further noted that the 
descriptive term "gaming device" or "gaming machine" is not intended to 
limit the scope of the invention to devices used for playing games for 
stakes. 
It is further noted that the above embodiments describe a slot machine 
equipped with three rotary reels which are rotated around a horizontal 
axis. This invention is not limited to such a slot machine. For example, 
the number of reels of the slot machine is not limited to three, and the 
rotary reels may be rotated around a vertical axis or axis of other 
orientation.