Patent Publication Number: US-7214132-B2

Title: Symbol display apparatus for game machine

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a symbol display apparatus used for a game machine, such as a slot machine, a pachinko machine, and the like. 
   2. Background Arts 
   Many game machines such as a slot machine, a pachinko machine, and the like are equipped with a symbol display apparatus. As for the known symbol display apparatus for the game machine, for example, there are a mechanical reel type using reels outer peripheries of which carry plural kinds of symbols, and a video type displaying simulative reels on a CRT or a liquid crystal display based on graphic data stored on a ROM. 
   In the slot machine, when a start button or a start lever is operated after insertion of a coin (the coin described in this specification includes a token and a medal.), symbols start rotating. Then, when the reels are stopped by operation of stop buttons provided for each of the reels, or the reels stop automatically after passing predetermined time, a win or loss is decided according to a combination of the symbols displayed on a winning line crossing display windows. When a win occurs, coins the number of which is correspondent to the combination of the symbols are paid out as a prize. 
   By the way, an ordinary symbol display apparatus has a disadvantage that a game tends to be monotonous because only one symbol combination is completed in one game. Also in the symbol display apparatus of the mechanical reel type, it is difficult to increase diversity of the symbol combinations because many kinds and a number of symbols cannot be arranged on one reel. To solve this disadvantage, are suggested various symbol display apparatuses having a double reel, which is composed of an outer reel and an inner reel rotating inside the outer reel. Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 3-60681 discloses to form an opening in a reel body of the outer reel which is made of light shielding material. In a slot machine disclosed in the document, when the outer reel stops and the opening appears in the display window the inner reel rotates again and changes the symbol, so that another chance for a win is given to a lost game. 
   However, in the symbol display apparatus with the double reel like above, inner symbols arranged on the inner reel and outer symbols arranged on the outer reel are overlapped. Therefore, there is a disadvantage that when a backlight disposed inside the inner reel illuminates the inner and outer reels, colors of the inner symbols are reflected in the outer symbols and spoil appearance of the outer symbols. Against the disadvantage, there is away that does not color the inner symbols. However, this way makes it impossible to clear and emphasize a value and a part of each inner symbol. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A main object of the present invention is to provide a symbol display apparatus for a game machine in which when an outer symbol arranged on an outer reel overlaps with an inner symbol arranged on an inner reel, emission from a backlight does not make color of the inner symbol affect the outer symbol. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a symbol display apparatus for a game machine in which when an inner symbol is displayed through a transparent portion provided in an outer reel, the inner symbol is illuminated clearly and emphatically since a backlight emits light, color of which is correspondent to the inner symbol. 
   To achieve the above and other objects, a symbol display apparatus according to the present invention includes lined up plural reel units. Each of the plural reel units is composed of an outer reel having a semitransparent outer periphery which is so colored lightly as to make the inside invisible, and outer reel which is so disposed as to be rotatable concentrically with and independently of the outer reel, and a backlight disposed inside the inner reel. On the outer periphery of the outer reel, outer symbols and at least one transparent portion are arranged. When the outer reel stops rotating, the random outer symbols can be seen through the display windows. When the transparent portion is displayed through the display window, an inner symbol is displayed through the transparent portion. 
   The backlight includes plural light emitting diodes. Each or plural of the light emitting diodes emit light simultaneously to generate plural colored light. Emission from the backlight is controlled based on kinds and combinations of symbols displayed in the display windows. When the inner symbol is displayed through the transparent portion, for example, the backlight emits the colored light corresponding to the inner symbol. Therefore, the inner symbol, which is printed with light color, is displayed emphatically and clearly. Also when the outer symbol is displayed, namely the outer symbol is overlapped with the inner symbol, the backlight emits light from behind of the inner symbol but color of the inner symbol does not affect inversely to appearance of the outer symbol because the inner symbol is printed with the light color. 
   In the present invention, since an outer periphery of the inner reel is so formed as to transmit only light by coloring transparent plastic lightly, the emission from the inside of the inner reel illuminates the outer symbol clearly from behind without displaying the inner symbol. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment when read in association with the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration only and thus are not limiting the present invention. In the drawings, same reference numerals designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a front view showing a front surface of a slot machine; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a reel unit; 
       FIG. 3  is a front view showing a physical relationship between display windows and backlights; 
       FIG. 4  is an expansion view of an inner symbol sheet on which inner symbols are printed; 
       FIG. 5  is an expansion view of an outer symbol sheet on which outer symbols are printed; 
       FIG. 6  is a block diagram showing electrical circuit in the slot machine; 
       FIG. 7  is a time chart showing a flow of a game; 
       FIG. 8  is a front view of a symbol display apparatus showing an example of a condition when a winning combination composed of the outer symbols is displayed; and 
       FIG. 9  is a front view of the symbol display apparatus showing an example of a condition when a winning combination composed of the outer symbol and the inner symbol is displayed. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , there are provided three display windows  3  to  5  in the middle of a front panel of a slot machine  2 . Inside these display windows  3  to  5 , is disposed a symbol display apparatus  80  (refer to  FIG. 6 ) including the first, second, and third reel units  6  to  8 . When the first, second, and third reel units  6  to  8  stop, three symbols per a reel unit are observable through the display windows  3  to  5 . Besides, it is possible to dispose the first, second, and third reel units  6  to  8  inside one large display window. 
   Below the display windows  3  to  5 , there are a spin button  15 , a one-bet button  16 , a max bet button  17 , a payout button  18 , and a coin slot  19 . One or plural coins are bet by means of operating the one-bet button  16  or the max bet button  17  after insertion of coins into the coin slot  19 . Parallel three winning lines  10  to  12  are provided across the display windows  3  to  5 , and the number of the effective winning lines increases in accordance with the number of bet coins. When one coin is bet, for instance, the middle winning line  10  becomes effective. When two coins are bet the middle and upper winning lines  10  and  11  become effective, and when the three coins are bet all winning lines  10  to  12  become effective. In operating the max bet button  17 , the three winning lines  10  to  12  become effective. Besides, the number of the winning lines themselves and the number of the winning lines becoming effective by means of betting coins are not limited to a foregoing description and changeable properly. Also coins counted by a credit counter can be used for bet, besides the coins actually inserted into the coin slot  19 . 
   When the spin button  15  is operated after the bet, the first, second, and third reel units  6  to  8  are driven simultaneously. The first, second, and third reel units  6  to  8  show symbols moving downward. Result of a game is determined depending on a combination of symbols displayed along the effective winning lines when all reel units  6  to  8  stop. When a win is obtained, prize coins are paid out the number of which is predetermined depending on the type of the combination. 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , each of the first, second, and third reel units  6  to  8  is composed of an outer reel  26  and an inner reel  25  disposed concentrically inside the outer reel  26 . Inside the inner reel  25 , there are arranged three backlights  27  to  29  in the same structure. Now structure of the reel units  6  to  8  will be described with taking the first reel unit  6  as an example, because all reel units  6  to  8  have the same structure. 
   Peripheries  25   a  and  26   a  of the inner and outer reels  25  and  26  are made of durable and transparent plastic. The exteriors of the peripheries  25   a  and  26   a  are wrapped in an inner symbol sheet  30  and an outer symbol sheet  31 , respectively. The inner symbol sheet  30  and the outer symbol sheet  31  become semitransparent by means of lightly coloring the transparent plastic. On the inner and outer symbol sheets  30  and  31 , plural types of symbols, as will hereinafter be described, are printed. Thus, even though the inner and outer reels  25  and  26  are illuminated with the backlights  27  to  29  being inside the first reel unit  6 , a player cannot distinctly see an object itself being inside the periphery  26   a  of the outer reel  26  through the display window  3  because of the light diffusion in the inner and outer symbol sheets  30  and  31 . Also there is a transparent portion  73 , which is never colored, in the outer symbol sheet  31 . When the transparent portion  73  appears in the display window  3 , the player can see an inner symbol arranged on the inner reel  25  through the transparent portion  73 . 
   Attachment boards  34  and  35  are formed integrally with the inner and outer reels  25  and  26 , respectively. The inner and outer reels  25  and  26  are connected to stepping motors  98  and  105  (refer to  FIG. 6 ) via the attachment boards  34  and  35 , respectively. Thus, the inner and outer reels  25  and  26  are rotated independently by the stepping motors  98  and  105 . 
   The backlights  27  to  29  illuminate each of symbols on the upper, middle, and lower winning lines  11 ,  10 , and  12 . Each of the backlights  27  to  29  has one of red LEDs  36  to  38 , one of blue LEDs  39  to  41 , and one of green LEDs  42  to  44 . In each of the backlights  27  to  29 , three different colored LEDs are so arranged as to be separated each other by partitions. Also because the backlights  27  to  29  themselves are so arranged as to be separated each other by partitions, a symbol on the middle winning line  10 , for example, is illuminated only by the backlight  28 , not by the other backlights  27  and  29 . 
   In  FIG. 3 , the backlights  63  to  65  and  66  to  68  are arranged inside the second and third reel units  4  and  5 , respectively. The backlights  27 ,  63 , and  66  illuminate symbols on the winning line  11 , the backlights  28 ,  64 , and  67  illuminate symbols on the winning line  10 , and the backlights  29 ,  65 , and  68  illuminate symbols on the winning line  12 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 4 , three kinds of symbols, namely, TRIPLE  70 , DOUBLE  71 , and WILD  72  are printed at a predetermined pitch on the inner symbol sheet  30 . The color of the TRIPLE  70  is monotonous light pink, the DOUBLE  71  is monotonous light blue, and the WILD  72  is monotonous light green. Because all inner symbols are printed in colors with high lightness and low saturation like pastel colors, the colors of the inner symbols printed on the inner symbol sheet  30  are not reflected in the outer symbol sheet  31  when backlights  27  to  29  emit light. Therefore, it is possible to prevent appearance of the outer symbols from being spoiled. 
   Referring to  FIG. 5 , there are the transparent portion  73 , a blank  79  colored lightly, and five kinds of outer symbols  74  to  78  printed on the outer symbol sheet  31 . This outer symbol sheet  31  is made of a transparent plastic film on which whole surface other than the transparent portion  73  is colored lightly. The outer symbols  74  to  78  are printed on the outer symbol sheet  31  with opening a space of a blank  79  corresponding to one symbol. The blank  79 , which becomes semitransparent with coloration, is lighted up by the illumination from the backlight, but makes the inner symbols  70  to  72  being inside out of sight. 
   When three the same kind of outer symbols  74  to  78  are lined up on any of the effective winning lines  10  to  12 , the game results in a win. Also when three transparent portions  73  are lined up on any effective winning line and three the same kind of inner symbols  70  to  72  are displayed through these transparent portions  73 , the game results in a win. A prize according to this combination is higher than that according to a winning symbol combination composed of the only outer symbols  74  to  78 . When two the same kind of outer symbols  74  to  78  are lined up on any effective winning line and the rest is the transparent portion  73 , the game results in a win too. A prize according to this combination is a multiple of the prize according to the winning symbol combination composed of the only outer symbols. A multiplier is determined depending on the inner symbol displayed through the transparent portion  73 . When the inner symbol is the TRIPLE  70 , the multiplier is  3  and the prize is increased by three. In the DOUBLE  71 , the prize is doubled. In the WILD  72 , the multiplier is 1, and the prize is the same as that according to the winning symbol combination composed of the only outer symbols. 
   Referring to the  FIG. 6 , the slot machine  2  starts operating as a CPU  90  loads an executive program of the game from a ROM  91 . A coin sensor  92  provided inside the coin slot  19  outputs a coin detection signal to the CPU  90  whenever the coin sensor  92  detects proper insertion of a coin. 
   When the one-bet button  16  or the max bet button  17  is operated, an operation detector  93  sends an operation signal to the CPU  90 . Also when the spin button  15  is operated, a start signal is sent to the CPU  90 . The CPU  90  activates a motor controller  94  in response to the start signal. The motor controller  94  supplies drive pulses to stepping motors  98  to  100  and  105  to  107  via drivers  95  to  97  and  102  to  104 , so that the inner and outer reels  25  and  26  in the first, second, and third reel units  6  to  8  are rotated independently. 
   When the start signal is input, the CPU  90  activates a random number generator  108 . The random number generator  108  samples one random number, and the random number is input to a rank decision circuit  109 . Based on the random number, the rank decision circuit  109  decides a win or loss by lottery. When the win is decided, a rank of the win is decided by the lottery too. The rank decision circuit  109  decides a winning line to arrange the winning combination and kinds of symbols displayed on the winning line. Also the rank decision circuit  109  decides which of the backlights  27  to  29 ,  63  to  65 , and  66  to  68  are emitted during the game. After the lottery by the rank decision circuit  109 , a judgment signal corresponding to the rank of the win is sent to the CPU  90 . 
   Passing predetermined time after the lottery, the CPU  90  activates an inner reel stop signal generator  110  and an outer reel stop signal generator  111 . The inner reel stop signal generator  110  and the outer reel stop signal generator  111  output stop position signals which indicate stop positions in rotation of the stepping motors  98  to  100  and  105  to  107  to the CPU  90 , so that the symbols according to the results of the lottery stop on the winning lines  10  to  12 . The CPU  90  outputs a signal to the motor controller  94  for stopping the stepping motors  98  to  100  and  105  to  107  based on the stop position signals. 
   The drive pulses are input to and counted by counters  112  to  117  besides being sent to the stepping motors  98  to  100  and  105  to  107 . Each of the inner and outer reels  25  and  26  is so provided with a guide mark indicating a reference position as to observe its rotation by a photo interrupter. Every time the inner and outer reels  25  and  26  make one rotation, the photo interrupters output reset signals to reset values counted in counters  112  to  117 . Therefore, the values counted in the counters  112  to  117  indicate rotational positions within one rotation. Since the reference positions of the inner and outer reels  25  and  26 , and the arrangements and the kinds of the inner and outer symbols have been already known, it is possible to recognize the kinds of symbols displayed in the display windows  3  to  5  by means of observing the number of the drive pulses supplied to the stepping motors  98  to  100  and  105  to  107  by counters  112  to  117 . 
   When a symbol combination arranged on the winning line results in a win, the CPU  90  refers to a payout coin number table stored on a ROM  91 , and stores the number of paid out coins corresponding to the type of the win on a RAM  118 . In operating the payout button  18 , a hopper  119  is activated and coins the number of which is stored on the RAM  118  are paid out to an outlet  20 . The RAM  118  has an area for storing the number of bet coins, an area for storing the number of inserted coins, and the like, besides an area for storing the number of the paid out coins. Also the RAM  118  is used for a memory for temporarily storing various data obtained during the game. 
   In response to various cases in the game the CPU  90  activates an LED controller  125 . The LED controller  125  controls emission from each of the red, blue, and green LEDs  36  to  62  arranged in the backlights  27  to  29 ,  63  to  65 , and  66  to  68  through a driver  126 . Taking a case, for example, where one of the inner symbols is displayed through the transparent portion  73  in any position on the effective winning lines, the LED controller  125  makes the LED the color of which is correspondent to the displayed inner symbol emit light. Namely, when the TRIPLE  70  stops the red LED emits light. When the DOUBLE  71  stops, the blue LED emits light. When the WILD  72  stops, the green LED emits light. Therefore, it is possible to display the inner symbols clearly and emphatically in the display windows  3  to  5  even through the transparent portion  73 . 
   It is possible to compound light of plural colors into light of an unrelated color to the inner symbols arranged on the inner reel  25 , since plural colored LEDs, out of the red, blue, and green, emit light instantaneously in each of the backlights  27  to  29 ,  63  to  66 , and  66  to  68 . The compounded light can be used for an ordinary colored light in various scenes during the game. As the ordinary colored light, white light can be mentioned, for example, which is generated by the instantaneous emission of the light from the all three colored LEDs. When any of the outer symbols  74  to  78  stops on the effective winning lines, this white light is emitted. When the red, blue, and green LEDs emit the light instantaneously, it does not matter if there is a timing error in starting and stopping the emission. 
   Now, operation of the slot machine  2  having a foregoing structure will be described in reference to a flow chart of  FIG. 7 . When a player inserts a number of coins into the coin slot  19 , and bets the coins by operating the one-bet button  16  or the max bet button  17 , the winning lines become effective in response to the number of bet coins. Then all backlights  27  to  29 ,  63  to  65 , and  66  to  68  are turned off. 
   In operating the spin button  15 , the CPU  90  activates the random number generator  108 , and the rank decision circuit  109  decides a win or loss by lottery. Then, the CPU  90  makes the inner and outer reels  25  and  26  in the first, second, and third reel units  6  to  8  start rotating instantaneously through the motor controller  94 . 
   Passing predetermined time after the inner and outer reels  25  and  26  start rotating, the CPU  90  makes the inner reels  25  in the first, second, and third reels  6  to  8  stop on the basis of the decision by the rank decision circuit  109 . Then, the inner symbols stop on the effective winning lines are decorated with the lights from the backlights. The color of each light is correspondent to the kind of the inner symbol. The player cannot see the stopping inner symbols at this time because of the rotation of the outer reels  26 , but can judge the kinds of the symbols from the colors of the backlights. Therefore, the player places more expectation on stopping conditions of the outer reels  26 , that is, where the transparent portions  73  of the outer reels  26  stop. 
   After passing the predetermined time, the CPU  90  stops the outer reels  26  in order of the outer reel  26  in the first reel unit  6 , the outer reel  26  in the second reel unit  7 , and then the outer reel  26  in the third reel unit  8 , at positions corresponding to the result of the lottery. Then, as shown in  FIG. 8 , when the three outer symbols  75  are lined up on the effective winning line, e.g. the winning line  10 , the backlights  28 ,  64 , and  67  positioned behind each of the outer symbols emit the white light. On the other hand, as shown in  FIG. 9 , when the two outer symbols  75  and a transparent portion  73  stop on the winning line  10 , the backlight  67  behind the transparent portion  73  emits light the color of which is correspondent to the inner symbol  70  displayed though the transparent portion  73 , and the backlights  28  and  64  in the position of the outer symbols emit white light. 
   As just described, the outer symbols are illuminated with the white light from behind. The inner symbol is illuminated with the light the color of which is correspondent to the kind of the inner symbol from behind, and observed through the transparent portion  73 . Each symbol is illuminated with the correspondent colored light, so the player can know the symbol combination indirectly. 
   When the transparent portion  73  stops on the winning line  10 , the backlight emitting the colored light corresponding to the inner symbol may be turned off once and turned on again, or may continue the emission. The backlights on the winning line may blink if a win occurs, and the backlights on the winning line may go off if a loss occurs, in order to inform the result of the game to the player. 
   After all of the inner and outer reels  25  and  26  stop, coins the number of which is correspondent to the type of the win are paid out in case of the win, or a process for the lost game is carried out in case of the loss, then the game ends. 
   In the above embodiment, the backlights positioned behind the outer symbols  74  to  78  emit the white light. However, it is possible to change color of the light for illuminating the outer symbols  74  to  78  properly within the colors which are not used for any of the inner symbols  70  to  72 . Also, while the backlights behind the transparent portion  73  of the outer reel  26  emit the light the color of which is correspondent to the inner symbols  70  to  72 , the backlights behind the outer symbols  74  to  78  may be turned off. 
   In the above embodiment, when the spin button  15  is operated, the inner and outer reels  25  and  26  start rotating instantaneously, but it is possible properly to change timing when each of the inner and outer reels  25  and  26  starts rotating. For example, the inner reel  25  may start rotating, after the outer reel  26  starts rotating and predetermined time is passed. 
   In the above embodiment, the outer reel  26  stops after the inner reel  25  stops, but it is possible properly to change timing when each of the inner and outer reels  25  and  26  stops. For example, the outer reel  26  may stop before the inner reel  25 . In that case, because the light colored for the inner symbols  70  to  72  does not affect the outer symbols  74  to  78 , the backlights can emit various colored light during the rotation of the inner reel  25  for boosting a mood. And when the inner reel  25  stops, the backlights behind the transparent portion  73  may emit the light the color of which is correspondent to the inner symbol  70  to  72 , and the other backlights emit the ordinary colored light. 
   In the above embodiment, the inner symbols  70  to  72  are more valuable than the outer symbols  74  to  78 . However, it is possible to properly change kinds of inner and outer symbols, a way to arrange, types of winning symbol combinations, prizes, and the like. In the above embodiment, the colors of the inner symbols are light pink, light blue, and light green, but the colors are changeable. Any proper color is usable provided the color does not affect the outer symbols. 
   In the above embodiment, the transparent portion  73  is formed out of the colorless and transparent plastic. However it is possible to color the transparent portion  73 , and to change optical transmittance of the plastic in such a range that the player can see the inner symbols  70  to  72  through it. The inner and outer reels  25  and  26  may become light diffusive by means of making an inner surface of each of the inner and outer reels  25  and  26  rough or forming the both inner and outer reels  25  and  26  out of milky-white plastic. In that case, the transparent portion  73  is an opening, and the symbol sheets  30  and  31  are transparent plastic sheets on which symbols are printed. 
   In the above embodiment, red, blue, and green LEDs are used as light sources of the backlights  27  to  29 ,  63  to  65 , and  66  to  68 , but another illuminator like a lamp may be used as the light sources, provided the illuminator emits light the color of which is correspondent to the inner symbols. Also a way to arrange the light sources and colors of the light for the inner symbols are properly changeable. 
   In the above embodiment, three symbols are observed through each of the display windows  3  to  5 , but the number is properly changeable. According to the number of the observable symbols, it is possible to change the number and positions of the winning lines properly. 
   In the above embodiment, the rotations of the inner and outer reels  25  and  26  are started by the operation of the spin button  15 . However, when the max bet button  17  is operated, the inner and outer reels  25  and  26  may start rotating automatically before the operation of the spin button  15 . 
   In the above embodiment, the rotations of the inner and outer reels  25  and  26  stop automatically after passing predetermined time, but it may be possible that operation of a button like a stop button makes the inner and outer reels  25  and  26  stop. 
   In the above embodiment, every reel unit has a double reel. However, one or two reel units may have a double reel, and the other may have a single reel. Also the number of the reel units may be four or five besides three. The symbol display apparatus according to the present invention can be used for a pachinko machine, and other game machines, in addition to the slot machine, too. 
   In the above embodiment, the win is decided based on the sampled random number, and then every reel is so controlled as to display the symbol combination corresponding to the result of the decision. However, it may be possible that symbols displayed by each reel including the inner and outer reels  25  and  26  are decided according to the sampled random number, and then a win is decided by combination of the symbols. 
   The number and the size of the transparent portions  73  provided in the outer reels  26  are not limited. The transparent portion  73  may be formed as large as the two or three inner symbols can be observed. In that case, the backlights behind the transparent portion  73  may emit light the colors of which are correspondent to the displayed plural inner symbols alternatively or in order. Also the whole of the transparent portion  73  does not need to be transparent. For example, a decorating portion being opaque or semitransparent may be disposed around a periphery or in a part of the transparent portion  73 . 
   In the above embodiment, the periphery of the outer reel  26  is formed semitransparently with leaving the transparent portion  73 . However, a transparent part may be provided in the periphery of the outer reel  26  or a part of the outer symbol so that the inner reel  25  can be seen slightly. In that case, it is preferable to form the transparent portion  73  smaller in order to curb the influence of the backlight. Also an opaque part, which does not transmit light, may be provided partly. 
   Although the present invention has been described with respect to the preferred embodiment, the present invention is not to be limited to the above embodiment but, on the contrary, various modifications will be possible to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of claims appended hereto.