Patent Publication Number: US-7717790-B2

Title: Symbol display device for game machine

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a symbol display device for use in a game machine. 
   2. Prior Art 
   A game machine, such as a slot machine, includes a reel unit having a plurality of reels supported rotatably independently, each having the peripheral surface with a plurality of peripheral symbols. When the reels stop rotating, it is determined whether or not the combination of the symbols on the reels corresponds to any one of predetermined prize patterns. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,715,756 discloses another slot machine including a symbol display device in addition to usual reels. This symbol display device is arranged above the usual reels and has a single reel with a first display portion on its side surface and with a second display portion on its periphery. When a player wins the normal slot game using the usual reels, this special symbol display device enables players to play subsidiary games. In performing a first subsidiary game, the side surface of the special single reel is so perpendicular that the first display portion may be observable. In performing a second subsidiary game, the periphery of the special single reel is so horizontal that the second display portion may be observable. 
   However, such a special symbol display device arranged at a different position from the usual reels makes players shift their attention significantly. A careless player may lose sight of the special symbol display device and will not be able to enter the subsidiary games smoothly. A player with weak eyes cannot see the special symbol display device unless he or she stands up for playing the subsidiary games after the normal slot game. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides a symbol display device having a plurality of reels for use in a game machine that can enable players to play a plurality sorts of games including a game using the plurality of reels without moving their eyes widely. 
   In accordance with the present invention, a symbol display device for a game machine comprises a reel unit and a pivoting unit that pivots the reel unit. The reel unit includes a plurality of reels each having a rotational axis and aligned in manner that the rotational axes are coincident or substantially parallel, each of the reels having a peripheral surface where a plurality of peripheral symbols are displayed, the reels including an end reel arranged at an end position of the reels, the end reel having a lateral surface where a pointer is displayed. The reel unit also includes a reel supporting member that supports the reels rotatably independently, the reel supporting member including a lateral wall having a window through which the lateral surface of the end reel is seen, the lateral wall having a plurality of lateral symbols arranged around the window, whereby any one of the lateral symbols is pointed by the pointer on the lateral surface of the end reel due to rotation of the end reel. The reel unit further includes a plurality of driving units that rotate the reels respectively. The pivoting unit pivots the reel unit to a first position where the peripheral surfaces of the reels are observable and to a second position where the pointer on the lateral surface of the end reel and the lateral symbols on the lateral wall of the reel supporting member are observable. 
   By virtue of the single reel unit according to the present invention, players can play a plurality sorts of games including a game using the plurality of reels without moving their eyes widely. When the pivoting unit pivots the reel unit to the first position, players can play a first game using the peripheral surfaces of the plurality of reels. When the pivoting unit pivots the reel unit to the second position, players can play a second game using the end reel having the rotatable pointer. 
   Preferably, the reel unit may include a second end reel arranged at a second end position of the reels opposite to the end reel, the second end reel having a second lateral surface where a second pointer is displayed. In this case, the reel supporting member may include a second lateral wall having a second window through which the second lateral surface of the second end reel is seen, the second lateral wall having a plurality of second lateral symbols arranged around the second window, whereby any one of the second lateral symbols is pointed by the second pointer on the second lateral surface of the second end reel due to rotation of the second end reel. The pivoting unit may further pivot the reel unit to a third position where the second pointer on the second lateral surface of the second end reel and the second lateral symbols on the second lateral wall of the reel supporting member are observable. When the pivoting unit pivots the reel unit to the third position, players can play a third game using the second end reel having the second rotatable pointer. 
   Preferably, the lateral symbols and/or the second lateral symbols are changeably displayed by electronic display devices. 
   In accordance another aspect of the present invention, a game machine comprises the above-described symbol display device. 

   
     BRIEF DISCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention will be described with reference to various embodiments of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a plurality of forms of the invention, described by way of example only. The various forms of the present invention are described by way of example only in the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a front view of a game machine including a symbol display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention having a reel unit having been stopped at a first position; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the symbol display device; 
       FIG. 3  is a front view of the symbol display device; 
       FIG. 4  is a front view of the game machine wherein the reel unit has been stopped at a second position; 
       FIG. 5  is a front view of the game machine wherein the reel unit has been stopped at a third position; 
       FIG. 6  is a block diagram of the game machine; 
       FIG. 7  is a block diagram of a game machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 8  is a front view of the game machine according to the second embodiment wherein the reel unit has been stopped at a second position; and 
       FIG. 9  is a front view of a game machine according to another embodiment wherein the reel unit has been stopped at a second position. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , a game machine  10  according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a symbol display device  12  that has a reel unit  14 . In the state shown in  FIG. 1 , the reel unit  14  has been stopped at a first position that will be described in more detail later. 
   The game machine  10  in the embodiment is a slot machine, but may be another type of game machine. The game machine  10  comprises a housing  16  including a front stage  18  on which mounted are various buttons, e.g., a cash button  20 , a bet button  22 , a spin button  24 , and a credit button  26 . This game machine  10  is an automatic-stop type wherein each reel is automatically stopped, so that no stop buttons are provided. However, this game machine  10  may be a manual-stop type having stop buttons (not shown) that are pushed by players for stopping the reels of the reel unit  14 , respectively 
   The lower front panel of the housing  16  that is below the front stage  18  has a coin slot  28  into which coins are inserted. A spin lever  30  is rotatably mounted on the right side panel of the housing  16 . 
   The symbol display device  12  is located inside the housing  16 . An opening  32  is formed at the upper front panel of the housing that is located above the front stage  18 , and a part of the symbol display device  12  can be seen through the opening  32 . 
   Details of the symbol display device  12  are shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The symbol display device  12  comprises a reel unit  14 . The reel unit  14  includes a plurality of (three) rotatable reels, namely, right-end reel  40 A, center reel  40 B, and left-end reel  40 C each having a rotational axis and aligned in manner that the rotational axes are coincident with one another. In an alternative embodiment that is not shown, the rotational axes of the reels  40 A,  40 B, and  40 C may be substantially parallel to one another. Preferably, the cylindrical reels  40 A,  40 B, and  40 C are of the same size, but it is not intended to limit the present invention to the illustrated embodiment. 
   As shown in  FIG. 2 , each of the reels  40 A,  40 B, and  40 C has a peripheral surface  42 A,  42 B, or  42 C where a plurality of peripheral symbols are displayed as similar to reels in conventional slot machines. When the reels stop rotating, it is determined whether or not the combination of the symbols on the reels corresponds to any one of predetermined prize patterns. 
   The right-end reel (first end reel)  40 A arranged at the right end position of the reels  40 A,  40 B, and  40 C has a right lateral surface  44 A where a first rotatable pointer  46 A is displayed. The first rotatable pointer  46 A is of an arrow shape and can be rotated due to rotation of the right-end reel  40 A. 
   On the other hand, the left-end reel (second end reel)  40 C arranged at the left end position of the reels  40 A,  40 B, and  40 C has a left lateral surface  44 C where a second rotatable pointer  46 C is displayed as best shown in  FIG. 5 . The second rotatable pointer  46 C is also of an arrow shape and can be rotated due to rotation of the left-end reel  40 C. The shape of the pointers  46 A and  46 C is not intended to be limited to the illustrated embodiment, and other shapes can be substituted. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the reel unit  14  also includes a reel supporting member or reel case  50  that supports the reels  40 A,  40 B, and  40 C rotatably independently. Generally, the reel case  50  is of a hollow cubic shape having four square walls (top and bottom walls and right and left lateral walls) defining a cubic inner space within the reel case  50 . As best shown in  FIG. 3 , two inner walls or supporting plates  52  and  54  that are arranged in parallel are located within the reel case  50 . The supporting plates  52  and  54  are fixed to the top and bottom walls of the reel case  50 . 
   The reel unit  14  further includes a plurality of driving units, namely, reel motors  56 A,  56 B, and  56 C that rotate the reels  40 A,  40 B, and  40 C, respectively. A right-end reel motor  56 A is mounted on the right supporting plate  52  while a center reel motor  56 B and a left-end reel motor  56 C are mounted on the left supporting plate  54 . 
   Generally, each of the reels  40 A,  40 B, and  40 C is of a hollow cylindrical shape. In addition, each of the reels  40 A,  40 B, and  40 C has a center hub  58  located at the center of the hollow cylindrical shape and a plurality of spokes  60  radially extending outwards from the hub  58 . The outermost ends of the spokes  60  are fixed to the inner surface of the hollow cylindrical reels  40 A,  40 B, and  40 C. 
   The right-end reel motor  56 A has a rotational shaft  62 A to which the hub  58  of the right-end reel  40 A is fixed. The center reel motor  56 B has a rotational shaft  62 B to which the hub  58  of the center reel  40 B is fixed. The left-end reel motor  56 C has a rotational shaft  62 C to which the hub  58  of the left-end reel  40 C is fixed. Thus, the reel motors  56 A,  56 B, and  56 C directly rotate the corresponding reels  40 A,  40 B, and  40 C, independently. 
   Each of the reel motors  56 A,  56 B, and  56 C is a type in which the rotational angle can be controlled and stopped precisely. For example, a stepping motor may be preferably used for the reel motors. Although the reel motors  56 A,  56 B, and  56 C directly rotate the corresponding reels  40 A,  40 B, and  40 C in the illustrated embodiment, a suitable transmission mechanism, e.g., a gear transmission mechanism, a belt-pulley transmission mechanism, or a chain-sprocket mechanism may be used for transmitting the individual movement of the driving unit to the corresponding reel in an alternative embodiment (not shown). 
   The reel unit  14  further includes a plurality of sensors, namely, reel sensors  64 A,  64 B, and  64 C for estimating the rotational angle of the reels  40 A,  40 B, and  40 C, respectively. Each of the reel sensors  64 A,  64 B, and  64 C is, e.g., a photo-sensor or a proximity sensor. The right-end reel sensor  64 A mounted on the right supporting plate  62  detects a segment  66 A mounted on one of the spokes  60  of the right-end reel  40 A when the segment  66 A passes the right-end reel sensor  64 A due to rotation of the right-end reel  40 A. The center reel sensor  64 B mounted on the left supporting plate  54  detects a segment  66 B mounted on one of the spokes  60  of the center reel  40 B when the segment  66 B passes the center reel sensor  64 B due to rotation of the center reel  40 B. The left-end reel sensor  64 C mounted on the left supporting plate  54  detects a segment  66 C, mounted on one of the spokes  60  of the left-end reel  40 C when the segment  66 C passes the left-end reel sensor  64 C due to rotation of the left-end reel  40 C. The number of pulses input to the reel motor after the time of the last detection of the segment by the corresponding sensor is relevant to the rotational angle of the reel. Therefore, the control system (center processing unit) of the slot machine can estimate the rotational angle of each reel on the basis of the detection signal from the reel sensor. 
   A right lateral plate  68 A with a circular shape is attached to the right-end reel  40 A. The right lateral plate  68 A has the right lateral surface  44 A where the first rotatable pointer  46 A is printed as best shown in  FIG. 2 . On the other hand, a left lateral plate  68 C with a circular shape is attached to the left-end reel  40 C. The left lateral plate  68 C has the left lateral surface  44 C where the second rotatable pointer  46 C is printed as best shown in  FIG. 5 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 2 through 4 , the right lateral wall (first lateral wall)  70 A of the reel case  50  has a first circular window  72 A through which the right lateral surface  44 A of the right-end reel  40 A is seen. The right lateral wall  70 A has a plurality of first lateral symbols  74 A arranged around the first window  72 A, whereby any one of the first lateral symbols  74 A is pointed by the first rotatable pointer  46 A on the right lateral surface  44 A of the right-end reel  40 A due to rotation of the right-end reel  40 A. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , the left lateral wall (second lateral wall)  70 C of the reel case  50  has a second circular window  72 C through which the left lateral surface  44 C of the left-end reel  40 C is seen. The left lateral wall  70 C has a plurality of second lateral symbols  74 C arranged around the second window  72 C, whereby any one of the second lateral symbols  74 C is pointed by the second rotatable pointer  46 C on the left lateral surface  44 C of the left-end reel  40 C due to rotation of the left-end reel  40 C. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the symbol display device  12  further includes a pivoting unit or reel unit motor  80  that pivots the reel unit  14  in a horizontal plane The reel unit motor  80  has a rotational shaft  82  to which the bottom wall of the reel case  50  is fixed. Thus, the reel unit motor  80  directly rotates the reel unit  14  as a whole. 
   The reel unit motor  80  is a type in which the rotational angle can be controlled and stopped precisely. For example, a stepping motor may be preferably used for the reel unit motor. Although the reel unit motor  80  directly rotates the reel case  50  in the illustrated embodiment, a suitable transmission mechanism, e.g., a gear transmission mechanism, a belt-pulley transmission mechanism, or a chain-sprocket mechanism may be used for transmitting the movement of the pivoting unit to the reel unit in an alternative embodiment (not shown). 
   The reel unit motor  80  pivots the reel unit  14  to a first position where the peripheral surfaces  42 A,  42 B, and  42 C of the reels  40 A,  40 B, and  40 C are observable through the opening  32  of the housing  16  as shown in  FIG. 1 . After the reel unit motor  80  pivots the reel unit  14  to the first position and stops the reel unit  14  at the first position, players can play a first game, i.e., a normal slot game using the peripheral surfaces  42 A,  42 B, and  42 C of the plurality of reels  40 A,  40 B, and  40 C. 
   An upper blindfold plate  90  and a lower blindfold plate  92  may be attached to the reel ease  50 , so as to locate at the upper and lower parts of the front opening of the reel case  50 . By virtue of the blindfold plates  90  and  92 , players can see only a middle level part of the reel unit  14  as shown in  FIG. 1  when the reel unit  14  is at the first position. 
   The reel unit motor  80  pivots the reel unit  14  to a second position that is different from the first position by 90 degrees. In the second position, the first rotatable pointer  46 A on the right lateral surface  44 A of the right-end reel  40 A and the first lateral symbols  74 A on the right lateral wall  70 A of the reel case  50  are observable through the opening  32  of the housing  16  as shown in  FIG. 4 . After the reel unit motor  80  pivots the reel unit  14  to the second position and stops the reel unit  14  at the second position, players can play a second game using the right-end reel  40 A having the first rotatable pointer  46 A. 
   The reel unit motor  80  further pivots the reel unit  14  to a third position that is different from the second position by 180 degrees. In the third position, the second rotatable pointer  46 C on the left lateral surface  44 C of the left-end reel  40 C and the second lateral symbols  74 C on the left lateral wall  70 C of the reel case  50  are observable through the opening  32  of the housing  16  as shown in  FIG. 5 . After the reel unit motor  80  pivots the reel unit  14  to the third position and stops the reel unit  14  at the third position, players can play a third game using the left-end reel  40 C having the second rotatable pointer. 
   By virtue of the single reel unit  14  according to the first embodiment of the present invention, players can play a plurality sorts of games including a game using the plurality of reels  40 A,  40 B, and  40 C without moving their eyes widely. 
   As shown in  FIG. 6 , the game machine  10  includes a center processing unit (CPU)  100  that controls operations of the game machine  10  on the basis of a program. Various signals are supplied to the CPU  100  from the buttons  20 ,  22 ,  24 , and  26 , the spin lever  30 , and reel sensors  64 A,  64 B, and  64 C. 
   Operations of the game machine  10  will be described briefly. Before starting operations, the reel unit motor  80  has pivoted the reel unit  14  to the first position and stopped the reel unit  14  at the first position, so that the peripheral surfaces  42 A,  42 B, and  42 C of the reels  40 A,  40 B, and  40 C have been observable by through the opening  32  of the housing  16  as shown in  FIG. 1 . A player can play a first game, i.e., a normal slot game using the visible peripheral surfaces  42 A,  42 B, and  42 C of the plurality of reels  40 A,  40 B, and  40 C. Once the player pushes the spin button  24  or turns the spin lever  30 , a start signal is supplied from the spin button  24  or the spin lever  30  to the CPU  100 . Then, the CPU  100  starts supplying drive-pulses to the reel motors  56 A,  56 B, and  56 C for rotating the reel motors  56 A,  56 B, and  56 C, and then stops the individual rotations of the reel motors  56 A,  56 B, and  56 C at different random times. For example, the CPU  100  stops the left-end reel motor  56 C first, the center reel motor  56 B next, and then the right-end reel motor  56 A. 
   Upon stopping all the reel motors  56 A,  56 B, and  56 C, the CPU  100  estimates the rotational angle of each of the reels  40 A,  40 B, and  40 C on the basis of signals received to the CPU from reel sensors  64 A,  64 B, and  64 C and the number of pulses supplied to the respective reel motors from the CPU  100 . For example, the CPU  100  estimates the rotational angle of the reel  40 A on the basis of the number of pulses input to the reel motor  56 A after the time of the last detection signal supplied from the reel sensor  64 A that indicates the last detection of the segment  66 A by the sensor  64 A. 
   Next, the CPU  100  determines whether or not the combination of the symbols on the reels  40 A,  40 B, and  40 C (i.e., the rotational angles of the reels  40 A,  40 B, and  40 C) corresponds to any one of predetermined prize patterns including a special pattern. If the combination of the symbols does not coincide with any prize pattern, the player loses the game. If the combination of the symbols coincides with a prize pattern that is not the special pattern, the CPU  100  supplies a command to a payment device (not shown) for paying a prize amount corresponding to the prize pattern in coin, and stands ready to perform the normal slot game. 
   If the combination of the symbols coincides with the special pattern, the CPU  100  supplies a command to the reel unit motor  80  for pivoting the reel unit  14  by 90 degrees to the second position as shown in  FIG. 4 . In the second position, the first rotatable pointer  46 A on the right lateral surface  44 A of the right-end reel  40 A and the first lateral symbols  74 A on the right lateral wall  70 A of the reel case  50  are observable by the player through the opening  32  of the housing  16 . After the reel unit motor  80  stops the reel unit  14  at the second position, the player can play the second game using the visible right-end reel  40 A having the first rotatable pointer  46 A and the visible first lateral symbols  74 A on the right lateral wall  70 A of the reel case  50 . Each of the first lateral symbols  74 A represents a prize amount to be given to the player. Accordingly, the second game is a subsidiary game (prize-amount-determining game) for determining the prize amount that the player can acquire. 
   In the second game, once the player pushes the spin button  24  or turns the spin lever  30 , a start signal is supplied from the spin button  24  or the spin lever  30  to the CPU  100 . Then, the CPU  100  starts supplying drive-pulses to the right-end reel motor  66 A for rotating the right-end reel motor  65 A, and then stops the rotation of the reel motor  56 A at a random time. 
   Upon stopping the reel motor  56 A, the CPU  100  estimates the rotational angle of the right-end reel  40 A on the basis of the number of pulses input to the corresponding reel motor  56 A after the time of the last detection signal supplied from the corresponding reel sensor  64 A that indicates the last detection of the segment  66 A by the sensor  64 A. The rotational angle of the right-end reel  40 A signifies the angle of the first rotatable pointer  46 A that has been stopped. Therefore, the CPU  100  determines the first lateral symbol  74 A (indicating a prize amount) pointed by the first rotatable pointer  46 A At this stage, by means of the first lateral symbol  74 A pointed by the first rotatable pointer  46 A, the player also knows the prize amount that the player can acquire. 
   The player can select to play the third game or to get the prize amount pointed by the first rotatable pointer  46 A. If the player pushes the cash button  20  to get the prize amount, the CPU  100  supplies a command to the above-mentioned payment device (not shown) for paying the prize amount in coin, and supplies a command to the reel unit motor  80  for pivoting the reel unit  14  by 90 degrees to the first position for standing ready to perform the first game as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
   On the other hand, if the player pushes a button (not shown) to play the third game, the CPU  100  supplies a command to the reel unit motor  80  for pivoting the reel unit  14  by 180 degrees to the third position as shown in  FIG. 5 . In the third position, the second rotatable pointer  46 C on the left lateral surface  44 C of the left-end reel  40 C and the second lateral symbols  74 C on the second lateral wall  70 C of the reel case  50  are observable by the player through the opening  32  of the housing  16 . After the reel unit motor  80  stops the reel unit  14  at the third position, the player can play the third game using the left-end reel  40 C having the second rotatable pointer  46 C and the second lateral symbols  74 C on the second lateral wall  70 C of the reel case  50 . Each of the second lateral symbols  74 C represents a multiplier that should be multiplied to the prize amount to be given to the player. As a result of the third game, the player can obtain the product of the multiplier and the prize amount in coin. However, the symbol “LOSS” means that the player can obtain nothing. Accordingly, the third game is another subsidiary game (multiplier-determining game) for determining the multiplier that should be multiplied to the prize amount, and for determining the product (total amount) that the player can acquire. 
   In the third game, once the player pushes the spin button  24  or turns the spin lever  30 , a start signal is supplied from the spin button  24  or the spin lever  30  to the CPU  100 . Then, the CPU  100  starts supplying drive-pulses to the left-end reel motor  56 C for rotating the left-end reel motor  56 C, and then stops the rotation of the left-end reel motor  56 C at a random time. 
   Upon stopping the reel motor  56 C, the CPU  100  estimates the rotational angle of the left-end reel  40 C on the basis of the number of pulses input to the corresponding reel motor  56 C after the time of the last detection signal supplied from the corresponding reel sensor  64 C that indicates the last detection of the segment  66 C by the sensor  64 C. The rotational angle of the left-end reel  40 C signifies the angle of the second rotatable pointer  46 C that has been stopped. Therefore, the CPU  100  determines the second lateral symbol  74 C (indicating a multiplier) pointed by the second rotatable pointer  46 C. At this stage, by means of the second lateral symbol  74 C pointed by the second rotatable pointer  46 C, the player also knows the multiplier. 
   The player can select to replay the third game or to get the total amount that is the product of the prize amount and the multiplier pointed by the second rotatable pointer  46 C. If the player pushes the cash button  20  to get the total amount, the CPU  100  supplies a command to the above-mentioned payment device (not shown) for paying the total amount in coin, and supplies a command to the reel unit motor  80  for pivoting the reel unit  14  by 90 degrees to the first position for standing ready to perform the first game as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
   If the player pushes the spin button  24  or turns the spin lever  30  to replay the third game, a start signal is supplied to the CPU  100 , again. Then, the CPU  100  starts supplying drive-pulses to the left-end reel motor  56 C for rotating the left-end reel motor  56 C, and then stops the rotation of the left-end reel motor  56 C, again. The multiplier pointed by the second rotatable pointer  46 C at this stage will be multiplied to the last total amount resulting from the last third game. 
   In the first embodiment, the first and second lateral symbols  74 A and  74 C can be printed or written on the right and left lateral walls  70 A and  70 C of the reel case  50 . However, in a second embodiment, the first lateral symbols  74 A and/or the second lateral symbols  74 C are changeably displayed by electronic display devices. This feature will be descried next with reference to  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
     FIG. 7  is a block diagram of another game machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention The second embodiment is based on the first embodiment, and the same reference symbols are used in  FIG. 7  for identifying elements that are also used in the first embodiment. 
   As shown in  FIG. 7 , the game machine  10  includes a right lateral wall display  102 A and a left lateral wall display  102 C that are controlled by the CPU  100 . The right lateral wall display  100 A is partially embedded in the right lateral wall  70 A of the reel case  50 , so as to display the first lateral symbols  74 A. The left lateral wall display  102 C is partially embedded in the left lateral wall  70 C of the reel case  50 , so as to display the second lateral symbols  74 C. 
   Each of the displays  102 A and  102 C may be a liquid crystal display, a plasma display, an organic electroluminescent display, a light emitting diode display, an electrophoresis display, or any another suitable electronic display device. The first lateral symbols  74 A as a whole is displayed on the single right lateral wall display  102 A in the second embodiment, but the first lateral symbols  74 A may be individually displayed on a plurality of small display devices, respectively in an alternative embodiment that is not shown. The second lateral symbols  74 C as a whole is displayed on the single left lateral wall display  102 C in the second embodiment, but the second lateral symbols  74 C may be individually displayed on a plurality of small display devices, respectively in an alternative embodiment that is not shown. 
   When the reel unit motor  80  pivots the reel unit  14  to the second position and stops the reel unit  14  at the second position, the CPU  100  turns on the right lateral wall display  102 A, so as to show the first lateral symbols  74 A as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . When the reel unit motor  80  pivots the reel unit  14  to the third position and stops the reel unit  14  at the third position, the CPU  100  turns on the left lateral wall display  102 C, so as to show the second lateral symbols  74 C as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
   By virtue of the lateral wall displays  102 A and  102 B each comprising one or more electronic display devices, a wide variety of symbols can be shown. For example, the lateral wall display  102 A can show the first lateral symbols  74 A illustrated in  FIG. 8  in addition to those illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
   Furthermore, the game machine according to the second embodiment can provide more kinds of games. When the reel unit motor  80  is pivoted to the first position as shown in  FIG. 1 , players can play a first game, i.e., a normal slot game using the peripheral surfaces  42 A,  42 B, and  42 C of the plurality of reels  40 A,  40 B, and  40 C. Thereafter, when the reel unit motor  80  is pivoted to the second position as shown in  FIG. 4 , players can play a second game using the right-end reel  40 A having the first rotatable pointer  46 A and the first lateral symbols  74 A displayed by the right lateral wall display  102 A Thereafter, when the reel unit motor  80  is pivoted to the third position as shown in  FIG. 5 , players can play a third game using the left-end reel  40 C having the second rotatable pointer  46 C and the second lateral symbols  74 C displayed by the left lateral wall display  102 C. Thereafter, when the reel unit motor  80  is pivoted to the second position again, the CPU  100  causes the right lateral wall display  102 A to present another pattern of the first lateral symbols  74 A as shown in  FIG. 8  and players can play a fourth game using the right-end reel  40 A having the first rotatable pointer  46 A and the new first lateral symbols  74 A. Thereafter, when the reel unit motor  80  is pivoted to the third position, the CPU  100  causes the left lateral wall display  102 C to present another pattern of the second lateral symbols  74 C and players can play a fifth game using the left-end reel  40 C having the second rotatable pointer  46 C and the new second lateral symbols  74 C. 
   In the above described embodiments, the lateral symbols  74 A and  74 C are numerals and/or marks. However, another sorts of symbols including alphabetical or other letters or pictures may be used as the lateral symbols in an alternative embodiment that is not shown. 
   In the above-described embodiments, the right lateral surface  44 A of the right-end reel  40 A has the single first rotatable pointer  46 A and the left lateral surface  44 C of the left-end reel  40 C has the single second rotatable pointer  46 C. However, the right lateral surface  44 A may have a plurality of first rotatable pointers  47 A in an alternative embodiment as shown in  FIG. 9 . The left lateral surface  44 C may have a plurality of second rotatable pointers in another alternative embodiment that is not shown. In these cases, more various kinds of games may be presented. 
   It will be appreciated that the present invention has been described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, and that improvements and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the scope or spirit thereof.