U.S. patent application number 10/697237 was filed with the patent office on 2004-10-28 for gaming machine.
Invention is credited to Nonaka, Nobuyuki.
Application Number | 20040214637 10/697237 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32821166 |
Filed Date | 2004-10-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040214637 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nonaka, Nobuyuki |
October 28, 2004 |
Gaming machine
Abstract
A game result display means for providing a predetermined
display relating to a game result includes a first display means
(such as rotatory reel), a second display means (such as a liquid
crystal display device 16) disposed in front of the first display
means when a gaming machine is viewed from its front side, and a
third display means (such as a liquid crystal shutter display
device 112). The second display means has transparent display units
23a, 23b and 23c capable of transparently displaying a display of
the first display means, and the third display means has display
shielding units 113a, 113b and 113c for shielding the display of
the first display means.
Inventors: |
Nonaka, Nobuyuki; (Tokyo,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RADER FISHMAN & GRAUER PLLC
LION BUILDING
1233 20TH STREET N.W., SUITE 501
WASHINGTON
DC
20036
US
|
Family ID: |
32821166 |
Appl. No.: |
10/697237 |
Filed: |
October 31, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/31 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3211
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/031 |
International
Class: |
A63F 009/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 3, 2003 |
JP |
2003-056297 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A gaming machine comprising: game result display means for
performing a predetermined display relating to a game result; game
value providing means for providing a game value advantageous to a
player when a predetermined game result is displayed on the game
result display means; and display control means for executing
display control of the game result display means; the game result
display means comprising: first display means; second display means
disposed in front of the first display means when the gaming
machine is viewed from a front side thereof; third display means
disposed in front of the first display means when the gaming
machine is viewed from the front side; a transparent display unit
for transparently displaying the display of the first display means
on the second display means; and a display shielding unit for
shielding the display of the first display means on the third
display means; wherein the display shielding unit is controllably
switched to either a state in which the display of the first
display means is shielded or a state in which the display of the
first display means is transparently displayed.
2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the display
shielding unit of the third display means is provided at a position
corresponding to the transparent display unit of the second display
means.
3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of
the transparent display units of the second display means and a
plurality of the display shielding units of the third display means
are provided.
4. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the second
display means and the third display means are provided in one-piece
construction.
5. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein, when the
predetermined display relating to the game result is given in a
region containing the transparent display unit of the second
display means, a third display control means for controlling the
display of the third display means is controlled so that the
display shielding unit shields the display of the first display
means to cause the player to hardly view or not to view the display
of the first display means.
Description
FIELD OF THE TECHNOLOGY
[0001] The present invention relates to gaming machines and more
particularly, to a gaming machine which can provide various
displays.
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
[0002] Conventionally, gaming machines such as a pachi-slot
machine, a slot machine, a pachinko machine and a video gaming
machine provides various effects for the purpose of enhancing
player's game amusingness.
[0003] In a conventional pachi-slot gaming machine, for example, a
liquid crystal display unit is disposed in front of the machine
aside from a plurality of rotatory reels, and game images
associated with game contents are displayed on the display
unit.
[0004] In an existing technique for displaying a line which becomes
activated according to the number of inserted game medals, an
electroluminescence (EL) lamp is used in pachi-lot machine.
[0005] For example, refer to Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication
No. 11-244453.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The above pachi-slot machine, however, has a problem that,
since the plurality of rotatory reels are positioned away from the
liquid crystal display unit, a player likely misses a display based
on the liquid crystal display unit when the player concentrates his
attention on a display based on the rotatory reels, on the
contrary, the player cannot enjoy her/himself in the display of the
rotatory reels when he concentrates his attention on the display of
the display unit.
[0007] An image is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit as
associated with the display based on the rotatory reels. However,
the image on the liquid crystal display unit is not displayed as
combined with the variable display of symbols of the rotatory
reels. For this reason, in order to enhance the gaming effect, some
good contrivance is required. When the variable display of the
symbols of the rotatory reels is combined with the display of a
plurality of display units like an image on the liquid crystal
display, various displays can be provided. Thus the exciting
interest is increased and the game amusingness can be enhanced
beyond the present level.
[0008] Even the other types of conventional gaming machines have
such similar problems as mentioned above, and therefore development
of a technique for increasing the gaming effect has been
demanded.
[0009] The present invention is proposed in consideration of the
above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to
provide a gaming machine which can provide an interesting game
presentation rich in idea.
[0010] In order to accomplish the above object, the gaming machine
according to the present invention comprises game result display
means for providing a predetermined display relating to a game
result, game value providing means for providing a game value
advantageous to a player when the predetermined game result is
displayed on the game result display means, and display control
means for executing display control of the game result display
means, wherein the game result display means including first
display means, second display means provided in front of the first
display means when the gaming machine is viewed from a front side
thereof, and third display means provided in front of the first
display means when the gaming machine is viewed from the front
side, a transparent display unit for transparently displaying the
display of the first display means on the second display means, and
a display shielding unit for shielding the display of the first
display means on the third display means, and the display shielding
unit is controllably switched to either of a state in which the
display of the first display means is shielded or a state in which
the display of the first display means is transparently
displayed.
[0011] In this case, the display shielding unit of the third
display means may be provided at a position corresponding to the
transparent display unit of the second display means.
[0012] A plurality of the transparent display units in the second
display means and the display shielding units in the third display
means may be provided respectively.
[0013] Further, the second and third display means may be
integrally provided.
[0014] Furthermore, when giving a predetermined display relating to
the game result in a region including the transparent display unit
of the second display means, a third display control mean for
controlling display of the third display means may control the
display shielding unit to shield the display of the first display
means so that a player hardly or cannot view the display of the
first display means.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pachi-slot machine in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 shows schematically vertical cross-sectional views of
a rotatory reel, a liquid crystal display device and a liquid
crystal shutter display device;
[0017] FIG. 3 shows schematically a vertical cross-sectional view
of the liquid crystal display device;
[0018] FIG. 4 shows schematically a state of the liquid crystal
display device when viewed from its front;
[0019] FIG. 5 shows schematically a vertical cross-sectional view
of the liquid crystal shutter display device;
[0020] FIG. 6 shows schematically a state of the liquid crystal
shutter display device when viewed from its front;
[0021] FIG. 7 shows a example of a display of the liquid crystal
display device;
[0022] FIG. 8 shows light transmittable and shielded states of
display shielding units 113a, 113b and 113c in an ordinary and
shield mode respectively;
[0023] FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of a liquid crystal display
device and a liquid crystal shutter display device;
[0024] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a structure of a display
control device;
[0025] FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing a procedure of image
displaying operations in the display control device;
[0026] FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing a procedure of main
interrupt operations;
[0027] FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing a procedure of VDP interrupt
operations;
[0028] FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing a procedure of synchronous
interrupt operations;
[0029] FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing a procedure of timer
interrupt operations; and
[0030] FIG. 16 shows an explanatory diagram of display examples on
rotatory reels and the liquid crystal display device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0031] Explanation will be made of an embodiment of a gaming
machine according to the present invention.
[0032] [Basic Configuration of Gaming Machine]
[0033] The gaming machine according to an embodiment of the
invention comprises following constituent elements, that is, game
result display means for providing a predetermined display relating
to a game result, game value providing means for providing a game
value advantageous to a player when a predetermined game result is
displayed on the game result display means, and display control
means for controlling the display of the game result display
means.
[0034] Here, the "predetermined display" relating to the game
result means gaming effect, notification of game information,
notification of a game result, etc.
[0035] The game result display means comprises first display means,
second and third display means provided, respectively, in front of
the first display means when the gaming machine is viewed from a
front side thereof. The second display means and the third display
means are provided in one-piece construction. The first display
means is provided as a unit separated from the second and third
display means so as to be spaced by a predetermined distance from
the second and third display means other than the first display
means.
[0036] The second display means has a transparent display unit for
transparently displaying a display of the first display means, and
the third display means has a display shielding unit for shielding
the display of the first display means. Here, the number of such
transparent display units or display shielding units is not
especially limited but the units may be provided by one, two, three
or any number. Further, how to arrange these units is not
specifically restricted but various layouts of the units may be
considered, including arrangement of the units by three in a
column, by three in a row, and by three obliquely. The display
shielding unit may be provided so as to bridge over a plurality of
transparent display units. In this case, the display shielding unit
can be arranged to have a surface area larger than that of the
transparent display unit. The display shielding unit is designed to
be controllably shifted to either a state in which the display of
the first display means is shield or a state in which the display
of the first display means is transparently displayed.
[0037] In the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the
invention, the display control means comprises first display
control means for controlling the display of the first display
means, second display control means for controlling the display of
the second display means, and third display control means for
controlling the display of the third display means.
[0038] The gaming machine according to the embodiment of the
invention further comprises game start command means to be operated
by a player and game start means for starting the game on the basis
of an output of the game start command means. The gaming machine
may further comprise winning combination determination means for
determining a predetermined symbol combination as a `winning
combination` each time the game start means is operated, in which
case a game result may be displayed on the basis of the winning
combination determined by the winning combination determination
means. The gaming machine according to the embodiment of the
invention comprises game result deriving means for derive a game
result according to player's operation, in which case a display of
the game result display means is controlled by the display control
means based on an output of the game result deriving means.
[0039] The gaming machine according to the embodiment of the
invention includes winning combination selection means for
selecting one or more winning combinations from a plurality of
winning combinations on the basis of the output of the game start
command means, in which case the display control means is operated
based on an output of the winning combination selection means.
[0040] An image displayed on the first display means under control
of the first display control means may be superposed on an image
displayed on the second display means under control of the second
display control means, thereby displaying a gaming state.
[0041] Here, the first and second display means may be provided as
separated units as spaced by a predetermined distance from each
other.
[0042] In addition, the first and second display means may be
provided in one-piece construction.
[0043] The first display means includes a plurality of symbol
display units for variably displaying one or a plurality of images,
which are capable of stopping.
[0044] The second display means has a transparent display unit for
displaying a symbol displayed on the symbol display unit as
associated with an area of the symbol display unit of the first
display means. Here, the number of such symbol display units is not
specifically limited but the units may be provided by one, two,
three or a desirable any number. In addition, the number of symbols
displayed on the symbol display unit is also not limited but the
symbols may be provided by one, three in a column, three in a row,
three obliquely or by any number. The second display means may be
provided so as to bridge over a plurality of symbols. In the latter
case, the second display means can be arranged to have a surface
area larger than that of the first display means.
[0045] Also the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the
invention is provided with forward illumination means for
illuminating the first display means from the front side of the
gaming machine and backward illumination means for illuminating the
first display means from the back side of the gaming machine. Here,
the forward illumination means or backward illumination means may
be provided for each of the symbol display units.
[0046] [Specific Examples of Individual Means]
[0047] Next, explanation will be made as to specific examples of
the above respective means and the like. However, specific examples
illustrated below are merely an example of each means of the gaming
machine according to the invention, and the gaming machine of the
invention is not restricted to the specific examples.
[0048] The aforementioned gaming machine may include any type of
gaming machine such as a pachi-slot gaming machine, a pachinko
machine (Industries Classes 1, 2 and 3), an arrange ball gaming
machine, a mahjan gaming machine, a video slot gaming machine, a
video poker gaming machine or a slot machine, so long as the gaming
machine has a game result display unit to display a game result and
function of controllably shifting the current gaming state to a
state advantageous to the player when specific displays appear on
the game result display unit.
[0049] The game result display means is a display device for
displaying a game result, which includes a first, second and third
display means. The game result display means may be any type of
display device such as a CRT, an LCD, a plasma display, a 7-segment
display, a dot matrix display, a lamp, an LED, a fluorescent lamp,
an EL (electroluminescence) display, a rotatory reel, a rotatory
disk display, a flexible LED, a flexible liquid crystal display or
a liquid crystal projector.
[0050] The game result displayed on the game result display means
is that displayed according to the operation of the game start
command means or the operation of the game result deriving means,
which is displayed in the form of a still image, a motion image or
a combination thereof. Concrete examples include a display of a
specific symbol (such as "3" or "7"), a display of a combination of
specific symbols (such as "777" or "776"), a specific symbol
contained in a plurality of symbols (such as `single cherry` or
`bipartite cherry`), and character information such as `big prize`,
`bonus`, `loss`, `big prize determined`, `bonus determined` and
`loss determined`. The game result in the case of a pinball gaming
machine includes a display indicated when a game medium such as a
game ball or coin enters or passes through a predetermined win
opening.
[0051] A game value to be given by the game value providing means
includes payout of a prize media (coins, medals or game balls)
based on the winning of a predetermined symbol combination,
predetermined writing to a game result memory medium (such as a
magnetic card) based on the winning of a predetermined symbol
combination, generation of a replay game, score addition, or
generation of a state advantageous to the player based on the
winning of a predetermined symbol combination. Predetermined symbol
combinations in the pachi-slot machine or the like include a small
symbol combination for which a predetermined number of prize media
are paid out, a single bonus for which the probability of
determining a small symbol combination as a winning combination by
the winning combination determination means is set to be high only
during one game unit, a regular bonus for which the probability of
determining a small symbol combination as a winning combination by
the winning combination determination means is set to be high only
during a plurality of game units, a big bonus for which the
probability of determining a regular bonus as a winning combination
by the winning combination determination means is set to be high
only during a predetermined plurality of game units, a winning
combination navigation function of informing the player of
information about a winning combination determined by the winning
combination determination means prior to player's operation of
variable display stop command means, a push order navigation
function of informing the player of information about a stop
pattern selected by stop pattern selection means prior to player's
operation of the variable display stop command means, a so-called
CT (for example, refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
Publication No. 1989-238888) of stopping a symbol with a minimum
movement or a substantially minimum variation in response to a stop
command signal outputted by the player from the variable display
stop command means, a replay for which the player can start gaming
of one game unit without insertion of a game medium, and a replay
high probability state for which the probability of determining a
replay as a winning combination by the winning combination
determination means is set to be high over one or a plurality of
game units. And the winning combination navigation function, push
order navigation function, CT, etc. may be allowed to continue over
a plurality of game units. A winning combination discharge state in
which winning types corresponding to predetermined symbol
combinations or specific symbol combinations having been determined
as a winning combination by the winning combination determination
means and are not won yet are easily displayed, and a concentration
state in which the possibility of a predetermined (or specific)
symbol combination to be determined as a winning combination by the
winning combination determination means is set to be high only
during one or a plurality of game units, are included. A
combination of the above forms and a state in which the length of
the period of the above `plurality of game units` is set to be long
so that the player become advantageous or not, are also included.
Predetermined symbol combinations in a pachinko machine or the like
include a big winning in which big winning means provided on a game
panel to make entrance of a game medium ball eminently easier is
opened or enlarged by a plurality of times, a small or middle
winning in which the big winning means provided on a game panel is
opened or enlarged once, a big winning in which variable winning
means provided on a game panel to make entrance of a game medium
ball easier is opened or enlarged once or by a plurality of times,
and a lottery high-probability state in which a lottery probability
of whether the big winning means is opened or enlarge is set to be
high.
[0052] An advantageous state may be a state advantageous for a
player, which continues during a plurality of game units.
Advantageous states in the pachi-slot machines include a big bonus,
a single bonus, a winning combination navigation function, a push
order navigation function, a so-called CT, a replay high
probability state, a winning combination discharge state and a
concentration state. Advantageous states in the pachinko gaming
machine include a big prize and a lottery high-probability
state.
[0053] The advantageous state is sometimes referred to as
bonus.
[0054] One game unit is a period from the output of the game start
command signal from the game start command means until display of a
game result or the like, and a plurality of game units means that
the game unit is carried out by a plurality of times.
[0055] The winning means that a predetermined winning type
corresponding to a predetermined symbol combination is displayed on
the game result display means as a game result.
[0056] The game start command means refers, for example, to a start
lever, a start switch, a bet switch, or a switch for detecting an
insertion of a game medium in the pachi-slot machine. In the
pachinko gaming machine, the game start command means refers to a
predetermined symbol start port, a predetermined symbol start gate
or the like provided to the game panel.
[0057] The game start means refers, for example, to a control
device for controlling the start of a game and a program for
it.
[0058] The display control means refers, for example, to a display
control device and a control program for it. The display control
means comprises first, second and third display control means.
Here, when the first display means is a rotatory reel, for example,
the first display control means refers to a control device for
controlling the rotation and stoppage of the rotatory reel and to a
control program for it. When the second display means is a liquid
crystal display device, for example, the second display control
means refers to a control device including a video processor or the
like and to a control program for it. When the third display means
is a liquid crystal shutter display device, for example, further,
the third display control means refers to a control device
including an ON/OFF control circuit for switching the liquid
crystal shutter display device and to a control program for it.
[0059] The game result deriving means refers, for example, to a
stop switch in the pachi-slot machine. In this case, the number of
such stop switches is not specifically restricted.
[0060] The winning combination selection means refers, for example,
to a control device for selecting `winning` on the basis of random
number lottery and to a control program for it. In this case,
`winning` includes various gaming states derived as results of the
random number lottery such as `miss` or `replay`.
[0061] The first display means refers, for example, to a rotatory
reel in a pachi-slot machine. Note that, during rotation of the
rotatory reel, the stop switch sometimes fails to become valid
based on predetermined conditions.
[0062] The second display means refers, for example, to a liquid
crystal display device. In this case, a predetermined region of the
liquid crystal display device contains a transparent display unit
which can transparently display the symbol display of the rotatory
reel. That is, a region of the liquid crystal display device other
than the transparent display unit has a diffusion unit for
diffusing a light ray from backlights of the liquid crystal display
device, while the transparent display unit has no such display
unit.
[0063] The third display means refers, for example, to a liquid
crystal shutter display device.
[0064] In this case, a predetermined region of the liquid crystal
shutter display device includes a display shielding unit for
shielding the aforementioned display of the first display means,
e.g., the symbol display of the rotatory reel so as not to display
it. And the display shielding unit is configured to be shifted to
either of a state wherein the display of the first display means is
shielded or a state wherein the display of the first display device
is transparently displayed.
[0065] Note that, in addition to the first, second and third
display means, another display means may be included as the game
result display means. The other display means refers, for example,
to a bet number display unit, an effect exclusive rotatory reel,
etc. in the pachi-slot machine.
[0066] The display of each display means is not limited to only
visual display but may be realized in the form of a listening or
sound display, a display based on the sense of smell, a display
based on lamp turning on, or a combination thereof. When the
display is realized in the form of a visual display, further, the
display can be done by using color, pattern, shape or a combination
thereof. When the winning probability or the like is displayed, its
reliability can be changed. In this case, the reliability can be
changed depending on the number of game media thrown in the game.
That is, when the number of thrown game media is not smaller than a
predetermined number, or when the number of credited game media is
not smaller than a predetermined number, such effect can be given
as increasing the reliability.
[0067] The forward illumination means refers, for example, to a
lamp, an LED, etc. for illuminating the rotatory reel from the
forward side of the gaming machine in the pachi-slot machine and
pachinko gaming machine. The backward illumination means refers,
for example, to a back lamp or the like for illuminating the
rotatory reel from its inner surface side in the pachi-slot machine
and pachinko gaming machine.
[0068] The operation of each means can be constituted to be carried
out on the basis of a predetermined lottery result. Further, the
operational state of each means may be constituted to be set on the
basis of the operation of a shop employee, the operation of the
player, and the operation of a machine serviceman, etc.
[0069] A pachinko gaming machine as currently predominant one of
gaming machines will be complimentarily explained. The pachinko
gaming machine as the currently predominant machine includes a game
board for performing a game by shooting a game ball from a shooting
device (not shown). The game panel has a substantially circular
game section surrounded by a guide rail. Within the game section, a
plurality of obstruction members such as obstruction nails and
windmills, an image display device functioning as a special symbol
display device for variably displaying a plurality of special
symbols, an ordinary symbol display device incorporating two common
symbol indication LEDs of red and green, a plurality of scoring
slots, and an OUT port for discharging game balls not passed
through any scoring slots out of the game section, are provide.
[0070] In addition, a special symbol start port (special symbol
start gate) for starting variable display of symbols on the image
display device making it condition that a gaming ball wins the
port, and an ordinary symbol start port (ordinary symbol start
gate) for starting variable display of the ordinary symbol display
device making it condition that a gaming ball passes the port.
[0071] A big winning port is also provided, which is switched, when
the stopped display state of the symbols on the image display
device becomes a predetermined winning pattern, to a state (such as
big winning, middle winning or small winning) in which the winning
port tends to accept a game ball for a predetermined period of time
and by a predetermined number of times more easily.
[0072] When a predetermined display result appears on the ordinary
symbol display device, the special symbol start port (special
symbol start gate) is opened or enlarged (e.g., winning state).
[0073] When the special symbol is a specific symbol (probability
changing symbol), a so-called probability change game is carried
out, in which the `big winning` probability becomes high in a game
after the special game is completed.
[0074] As for a specific symbol (probability changing symbol), for
example, symbols of odd numbers among `big winning` symbols
represented by numbers "0" to "11" becomes the specific symbol
(probability changing symbol).
[0075] [Appearance of Pachi-slot Machine]
[0076] Hereafter, explanation will be made in connection with a
specific embodiment of the gaming machine according to the
invention, by referring to the attached drawings. Although
explanation will be made in connection with a pachi-slot machine as
a representative gaming machine in the following embodiment, the
present invention is not restricted to the specific gaming
machine.
[0077] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pachi-slot machine
according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0078] As shown in FIG. 1, the pachi-slot machine according to the
embodiment of the invention includes three display windows 3a, 3b
and 3c, to which each surface of three rotatory reels 2a, 2b and 2c
disposed in a cabinet 1 of the game machine faces, are provided
abreast on the cabinet 1 of the gaming machine at an upper side of
a nearly center of the front face. In the lower side of the display
windows 3a, 3b and 3c, a game medal insertion slot 4 for inserting
game medals provided for the game, a bet switch 5 for inserting
game medals provided for the game in a credited range, a
deposited-medal adjusting switch 6 for paying out the credited game
medals, a start switch 7 for starting the rotation of the rotatory
reels 2a, 2b and 2c at the same time, three stop switches 8a, 8b
and 8c for individually stopping the rotation of the rotatory reels
2a, 2b and 2c and the like, are provided.
[0079] To the three display windows 3a, 3b and 3c, five activated
line displays 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d and 9e are provided so as to traverse
the display windows 3a, 3b and 3c. The activated line displays
consist of the three transverse activated line displays 9b, 9c and
9d and the two oblique activated line displays 9a and 9e crossing
them. The number of lines made activated varies with the number of
game medals used for the game. On the left side of the display
window 3a, three activated line lamps 10a, 10b and 10c are provided
for displaying a correspondence relationship between the number of
game medals used for the game and the activated line displays 9a,
9b, 9c, 9d and 9e. In front of the activated line lamps 10a, 10b
and 10c, numerical characters such as "1", "2" or "3" are displayed
to demonstrate clearly the number of inserted game medals and the
activated line displays 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d and 9e as associated with
the turned-on activated line lamps 10a, 10b and 10c. Further, at
upper and lower sides of the activated line lamps 10a, 10b and 10c,
a plurality of display lamps 11a, 11b and 11c are provided for
displaying game information on the pachi-slot machine. The display
lamps 11a, 11b and 11c function as other display units. For
example, the display lamps can be used to indicate various displays
such as game medal insertion permission, game start permission,
internal winning of bonus game, game prohibition and game
close.
[0080] At the lower front side of the cabinet 1 of the gaming
machine, a game medal payout opening 12 for paying out game medals
and a game medal deposition tray 13 for depositing game medals
provided so as to face the game medal payout opening 12, are
provided. Also at the upper front side of the cabinet 1 of the
gaming machine, a decorative section 14 and a pair of speakers 15a
and 15b are provide.
[0081] Though not illustrated, a hopper for paying out game medals
when a predetermined winning state is established, is provided in
the cabinet 1 of the gaming machine.
[0082] [Rotatory Reel]
[0083] The rotatory reels 2a, 2b and 2c are members which function
as the first display means in the present embodiment and which are
disposed by three in a row. Each of the rotatory reels 2a, 2b and
2c is rotated by driving associated stepping motors or the like.
Each of the rotatory reels 2a, 2b and 2c is made of a light
transmitting material, and a light-transmitting reel tape (not
shown) having a plurality of symbols marked thereon is applied onto
the front surface of the reel.
[0084] Note that the number of such rotatory reels 2a, 2b and 2c
are not limited to three but any number such as 2 or 4 may be
employed. Further, the type of symbols given on the rotatory reels
2a, 2b and 2c is not specifically restricted, but various types of
symbols such as "7", "BELL", "ORANGE", "CHERRY", JAC, "BAR",
"PERSON", "ANIMAL" "FISH" or "VEHICLE" can be applied.
[0085] Referring FIG. 2, explanation will be made as to the
rotatory reels 2a, 2b and 2c. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing
vertical cross-sectional views of a rotatory reel (2a is shown as a
representative), a liquid crystal display device 16 and a liquid
crystal shutter display device 112. As shown in FIG. 2, three
backlights 17a, 17b and 17c are provided in the rotatory reel 2a to
illuminate the rotatory reel 2a from its interior side. Note that
the number of such backlights is not restricted to three but 1, 2,
4 or more backlights can be used according to the number of symbols
stop-displayed in the display window 3a. Lamps, LEDs or the like
may be used as the backlights 17a, 17b and 17c.
[0086] At upper and lower forward sides of the rotatory reels 2a,
2b and 2c, forward illuminating devices 18a and 18b are disposed
each by one to illuminate the liquid crystal display device 16 and
liquid crystal shutter display device 112 from their back sides and
illuminating the rotatory reels 2a, 2b and 2c from their front
sides. As the forward illuminating devices 18a and 18b, for
example, fluorescent lamps, lamps, LEDs or the like can be used.
One forward illuminating device may be disposed at either upper or
lower side instead of disposing a pair of 18a and 18b at both upper
and lower sides.
[0087] [Liquid Crystal Display Device and Switch Liquid Crystal
Display Device]
[0088] The liquid crystal display device 16 and switch liquid
crystal display device 112 function as the second and third display
means respectively in the present embodiment.
[0089] As shown in FIG. 2, the liquid crystal display device 16 and
liquid crystal switch display device 112 are disposed as overlapped
with each other so that they are positioned on the front side of
the rotatory reels 2a, 2b and 2c of the pachi-slot machine. In
other words, as shown in FIG. 2, the liquid crystal display device
16 as the second display means and the liquid crystal switch
display device 112 as the third display means are integrally
provided.
[0090] Explanation will first be made as to the liquid crystal
display device 16 as the second display means by referring to FIGS.
3 and 4. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a vertical
cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal display device 16, and
FIG. 4 shows schematically the liquid crystal display device 16
viewed from its front side.
[0091] As shown in FIG. 3, the liquid crystal display device 16
includes a liquid crystal panel 19, a light guiding plate 20 and a
reflecting plate 21, sequentially from the front side of the
pachi-slot machine. At upper and lower sides of the light guiding
plate 20, light sources 22a and 22b made of fluorescent lamps,
lamps, LEDs or the like are provided.
[0092] As shown in FIG. 4, areas of the liquid crystal display
device 16 corresponding to the display windows 3a, 3b and 3c of the
rotatory reels 2a, 2b and 2c constitute transparent display units
23a, 23b and 23c which transparently display symbols drawn on the
outer peripheral surfaces of the rotatory reels 2a, 2b and 2c. That
is, a non-transparent region 24 other than the transparent display
units 23a, 23b and 23c has a diffusion portion for diffusing light
rays emitted from the forward illuminating devices 18a and 18b, on
the other hand, the transparent display units 23a, 23b and 23c have
no such diffusion portion. The entire liquid crystal display device
16 is illuminated with light emitted from the light sources 22a and
22b disposed at the upper and lower sides of the light guiding
plate 20. The transparent display units 23a, 23b and 23c in the
liquid crystal display device 16 are made transparent or made by
cutting out the reflecting plate 21 so as to prevent the reflecting
plate 21 from reflecting light from the light sources 22a and
22b.
[0093] In the liquid crystal display device 16 of the present
embodiment, symbols displayed on the rotatory reels 2a, 2b and 2c
can be visibly observed through the transparent display units 23a,
23b and 23c, and an effect image can be displayed on the entire
display screen including the transparent display units 23a, 23b and
23c and non-transparent region 24.
[0094] Next, the switch liquid crystal display device 112 as the
third display means will be explained with reference to FIGS. 5 and
6. FIG. 5 shows a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of the
switch liquid crystal display device 112, and FIG. 6 shows a
schematic diagram showing a state of the switch liquid crystal
display device 112 viewed from its front side.
[0095] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the switch liquid crystal display
device 112 has display shielding units 113a, 113b and 113c formed
in an interface with the liquid crystal display device 16.
[0096] As shown in FIG. 6, the display shielding units 113a, 113b
and 113c are located at positions corresponding to the transparent
display units 23a, 23b and 23c of the liquid crystal display device
16 in the switch liquid crystal display device 112. Accordingly, in
the pachi-slot machine of the embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and
6, the transparent display units (23a, 23b and 23c) and the display
shielding units (113a, 113b and 113c) are provided respectively by
a plural number (three).
[0097] When the switch liquid crystal display device 112 is turned
ON, all light from the backlights 17a, 17b and 17c and from the
forward illuminating devices 18a and 18b are shielded by the
display shielding units 113a, 113b and 113c. Therefore, the
transparent display units 23a, 23b and 23c of the liquid crystal
display device 16 cannot transparently display the symbols drawn on
the outer peripheral surfaces of the rotatory reels 2a, 2b and 2c
as the first display means. On the other hand, when the switch
liquid crystal display device 112 is turned OFF, all the light
emitted from the backlights 17a, 17b and 17c and from the forward
illuminating devices 18a and 18b is allowed to pass in the display
shielding units 113a, 113b and 113c. As a result, the transparent
display units 23a, 23b and 23c of the liquid crystal display device
16 can transparently display the symbols drawn on the outer
peripheral surfaces of the rotatory reels 2a, 2b and 2c as the
first display means. In this case, the switch liquid crystal
display device 112 is arranged to be turned ON and OFF in each of
the display shielding units 113a, 113b and 113c.
[0098] And when the liquid crystal display device 16 as the second
display means provides a predetermined display relating to a game
result in a region including the transparent display units 23a, 23b
and 23c, a display control device 140 (to be explained later) as
the third display control means controls the display shielding
units 113a, 113b and 113c to shield the display of the first
display means, whereby the player can hardly visibly observe the
display of the first display means or cannot visibly observe it at
all.
[0099] With such an arrangement as mentioned above, when a specific
image is displayed in the liquid crystal display device 16 as the
second display means as shown in FIG. 7 as an example, turning ON
of the switch liquid crystal display device 112 simultaneously with
it causes the display shielding units 113a, 113b and 113c to shield
light emitted from the backlights 17a, 17b and 17c and from the
forward illuminating devices 18a and 18b. As a result, the
transparent display units 23a, 23b and 23c of the liquid crystal
display device 16 cannot transparently display the symbols drawn on
the outer peripheral surfaces of the rotatory reels 2a, 2b and 2c
as the first display means. Accordingly since the specific image
can be displayed while the player cannot observe the symbols drawn
on the outer peripheral surfaces of the rotatory reels 2a, 2b and
2c through the transparent display units 23a, 23b and 23c shown by
two-dot dashed lines in FIG. 7; an effect display based on the
highly beautiful and fine image can be realized.
[0100] In this case, in areas of the transparent display units 23a,
23b and 23c shown by the two-dot dashed lines in FIG. 7 in which
the specific image is not displayed, the symbols drawn on the outer
peripheral surfaces of the rotatory reels 2a, 2b and 2c cannot be
seen and, for example, a white ground display is given to the
areas. The reason is as follows. The display shielding units 113a,
113b and 113c shield all the light emitted from the backlights 17a,
17b and 17c and from the forward illuminating devices 18a and 18b.
However, as shown in FIG. 3, since the liquid crystal display
device 16 has the light sources 22a and 22b provided at the upper
and lower sides of the light guiding plate 20, the light guiding
plate 20 and the reflecting plate 21; the player can see the white
ground based on light from the light sources 22a and 22b.
[0101] FIG. 7 shows an embodiment in which an image is displayed in
an enlarged form when start operation is carried out, a specific
symbol combination (e.g., RB) as an internal winning combination is
determined and then the machine enters into a no-gaming state while
failing to establish the RB winning.
[0102] In this example, a Don-chan 93 (character) with his arms
folded is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 16
substantially all over. In the example of FIG. 7, a liquid crystal
display device 160 as another second display means is provided at
the lower front side of the gaming machine, and an image showing a
lower body part 94 of the "Don-chan" 93 is displayed on the liquid
crystal display device 160. In other words, the image displayed on
the liquid crystal display device 16 and the image displayed on the
liquid crystal display device 160 can be combined into a single
still or motion image as a display (mutually associated images can
be displayed).
[0103] In the example of FIG. 7, the liquid crystal display device
160 as another second display means and a switch liquid crystal
display device (not shown) as another third display means are
disposed as overlapped with each other so as to be positioned in
the front side of the pachi-slot machine with respect to three
rotatory reels (not shown) as another first display means provided
at the back side of the lower front side of the gaming machine. And
the liquid crystal display device 160 as another second display
means has transparent display units 163a, 163b and 163c, and the
switch liquid crystal display device as another third display means
has display shielding units (not shown) for shielding the displays
of the three rotatory reels (not shown) at positions corresponding
to the transparent display units 163a, 163b and 163c. In this way,
an arrangement of providing the display shielding units in another
location in the gaming machine is also possible.
[0104] In order to form the display shielding units (113a, 113b,
113c, etc.), a technique similar to a liquid crystal display system
for electrically switching between two- and three-dimensional
displays based on a so-called parallax barrier system is used in
the embodiment.
[0105] The liquid crystal display system uses the parallax barrier
system known conventionally, and includes a combination of a TFT
(thin film transistor) liquid crystal display and a switch liquid
crystal. The switch liquid crystal can provide an optical parallax
barrier to control the traveling direction of light and separate
the light into different light beams each of which reaches left or
right eye. In other words, in the two-dimensional display mode, the
switch liquid crystal causes the parallax barrier to be turned OFF,
so that light passes therethrough and reaches player's left and
right eyes as the same light, whereby the player can see a
two-dimensional image. In the three-dimensional display mode, on
the other hand, the switch liquid crystal causes the parallax
barrier to be turned ON, so that light is separated into two rays
and each of the separated light rays reaches left or right eye,
whereby a three-dimensional image can be seen
(stereoscopically).
[0106] As a principle of such a liquid crystal display for
electrically switching between two- and three-dimensional displays,
it is considered, for example, to electrically control the
orientation direction of liquid crystal molecules in such a manner
that, in an ordinary mode, light is allowed to pass through all the
surfaces of the display shielding units 113a, 113b and 113c as
shown in FIG. 8(a); and that, in the shield mode, a barrier is
formed not to allow light to transmit by all the surfaces of the
display shielding units 113a, 113b and 113c, as shown in FIG.
8(b).
[0107] As has been explained above, in the aforementioned liquid
crystal display device 16, the symbols drawn on the rotatory reels
2a, 2b and 2c can be visibly seen through the transparent display
units 23a, 23b and 23c, and an effect image can be displayed on the
entire display screen including the transparent display units 23a,
23b and 23c and the non-transparent region 24. In the liquid
crystal shutter display device 112, further, the display can be
shielded by the display shielding units 113a, 113b and 113c, so
that the symbols drawn on the outer peripheral surfaces of the
rotatory reels 2a, 2b and 2c as the first display means can be
prevented from being transparently displayed.
[0108] [Other Embodiments of Liquid Crystal Display Device and
Liquid Crystal Shutter Display Device]
[0109] By referring to FIGS. 4 and 6 together with FIG. 9,
explanation will be made in connection with other embodiments of
the liquid crystal display device 16 and switch liquid crystal
display device 112. Even in the embodiment, the liquid crystal
display device 16 and the liquid crystal shutter display device 112
are located to be positioned at the front side of the pachi-slot
machine with respect to the rotatory reels 2a, 2b and 2c. Further,
the liquid crystal display device 16 as the second display means
and the liquid crystal shutter display device 112 as the third
display means are integrally formed.
[0110] FIG. 9 shows schematically an exploded view of a detailed
structure of the liquid crystal display device 16 and liquid
crystal shutter display device 112 integrally formed in the
embodiment.
[0111] Firstly, as shown in FIG. 9, to the liquid crystal display
device 16, a liquid crystal panel 19, a diffusion portion
(diffusion sheet) 29, a light guiding plate 20 and a reflecting
plate 21 are disposed sequentially from the front side of the
pachi-slot machine. Above and under the light guiding plate 20,
light sources 22a and 22b such as fluorescent lamps, lamps or LEDs
are disposed.
[0112] As shown in FIG. 4, in the liquid crystal display device 16,
portions of the rotatory reels 2a, 2b and 2c corresponding to the
display windows 3a, 3b and 3c are transparent display units 23a,
23b and 23c which can transparently display symbols drawn on the
outer peripheral surfaces of the rotatory reels 2a, 2b and 2c. In
other words, the non-transparent region 24 other than the
transparent display units 23a, 23b and 23c has the diffusion
portion (diffusion sheet) 29 for diffusing light rays emitted from
the forward illuminating devices 18a and 18b; while, the
transparent display units 23a, 23b and 23c have no such diffusion
portion (diffusion sheet) 29. Further, the entirety of the liquid
crystal display device 16 is illuminated by the light sources 22a
and 22b disposed above and under the light guiding plate 20.
[0113] In the liquid crystal display device 16 according to the
embodiment, the symbols displayed on the rotatory reels 2a, 2b and
2c can be visibly observed through the transparent display units
23a, 23b and 23c, and an effect image can be displayed all over the
entire display screen including the transparent display units 23a,
23b and 23c and non-transparent region 24.
[0114] Explanation will next be made as to the liquid crystal
shutter display device 112 as the third display means by referring
to FIGS. 6 and 9. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, the liquid crystal
shutter display device 112 has display shielding units 113a, 113b
and 113c for shielding the display of the symbols drawn on the
outer peripheral surfaces of the rotatory reels 2a, 2b and 2c as
the first display means.
[0115] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, the display shielding units 113a,
113b and 113c are provided at positions corresponding to the
transparent display units 23a, 23b and 23c of the liquid crystal
display device 16 in the liquid crystal shutter display device 112.
Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the pachi-slot machine in
accordance with the embodiment includes a plurality (three) of the
transparent display units (23a, 23b and 23c) and a plurality
(three) of the display shielding units (113a, 113b and 113c).
[0116] Note that a single display shielding unit may be provided at
a position corresponding to the plurality of transparent display
units. For example, the first display means can have three rotatory
reels, three transparent display units may be provided as
associated with the respective rotatory reels, and a single display
shielding unit may be provided as associated with the three
transparent display units. And the display shielding unit may be
controllably switched to either a state in which a region of the
single display shielding unit corresponding to the specific
transparent display unit shields the display of the rotatory reels
or a state in which the display of the rotatory reels is made
transparent for display.
[0117] At this time, the display shielding unit may further include
a non-transparent region of the second display means. In such
cases, since the single display shielding unit may be provided for
the plurality of transparent display units, works such as assembly
and exchange may be reduced in some cases.
[0118] Referring again to FIG. 9, explanation will be made as to
the detailed structure of the liquid crystal display device 16 and
liquid crystal shutter display device 112.
[0119] As has been explained above, in the liquid crystal display
device 16, the liquid crystal panel 19, diffusion portion
(diffusion sheet) 29, light guiding plate 20 and reflecting plate
21 are arranged sequentially from the forward side of the
pachi-slot machine; and the light sources 22a and 22b such as
fluorescent lamps, lamps or LEDs are disposed above and under the
light guiding plate 20. That is, the liquid crystal display device
16 is configured so as to evenly guide light from the light sources
22a and 22b via the light guiding plate 20 and reflecting plate 21
to the diffusion portion (diffusion sheet) 29. In this case, even
light emitted from the backlights 17a, 17b and 17c or from forward
illuminating devices 18a and 18b is evenly guided to the liquid
crystal panel 19 via the diffusion portion (diffusion sheet)
29.
[0120] In the liquid crystal display device 16, portions of the
rotatory reels 2a, 2b and 2c corresponding to the display windows
3a, 3b and 3c are the transparent display units 23a, 23b and 23c
which can transparently display the symbols drawn on the outer
peripheral surfaces of the rotatory reels 2a, 2b and 2c. In other
words, the non-transparent region 24 other than the transparent
display units 23a, 23b and 23c has the diffusion portion (diffusion
sheet) 29 for diffusing light rays emitted from the forward
illuminating devices 18a and 18b or the like; on the other hand,
the transparent display units 23a, 23b and 23c have no such a
diffusion portion (diffusion sheet) 29 (are made transparent or
made by cutting out the diffusion portion (diffusion sheet) 29).
Further, the transparent display units 23a, 23b and 23c in the
liquid crystal display device 16 are made transparent or by cutting
out the reflecting plate so that the reflecting plate 21 is
prevented from reflecting light emitted from the light sources 22a
and 22b.
[0121] In the example shown in FIG. 9, further, the liquid crystal
shutter display device 112 is provided between the diffusion
portion (diffusion sheet) 29 and the liquid crystal panel 19. The
liquid crystal shutter display device 112 has the display shielding
units 113a, 113b and 113c. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, in the liquid
crystal shutter display device 112, the display shielding units
113a, 113b and 113c are designed to be located at positions
corresponding to the transparent display units 23a, 23b and 23c of
the liquid crystal display device 16 and to have sizes
corresponding thereto. In the example of FIG. 9, the display
shielding units 113a, 113b and 113c are provided in a part of the
liquid crystal shutter display device 112 and have sizes
corresponding to the transparent display units 23a, 23b and 23c.
However, the liquid crystal shutter display device 112 can have
substantially the.same size as the transparent display units 23a,
23b and 23c.
[0122] In the example of FIG. 9, the liquid crystal shutter display
device 112 is provided between the diffusion portion (diffusion
sheet) 29 and the liquid crystal panel 19 in the liquid crystal
display device 16. The reason why the liquid crystal shutter
display device 112 is provided in such a position is that the
liquid crystal shutter display device 112 can sometimes play a role
of the diffusion means. In such a case, also due to the liquid
crystal shutter display device 112, light from the light sources
22a and 22b, forward illuminating devices 18a and 18b and
backlights 17a, 17b and 17c can be regularly guided to the liquid
crystal panel 19. Note that the liquid crystal shutter display
device 112 may be provided between the diffusion portion (diffusion
sheet) 29 and the light guiding plate 20 in the liquid crystal
display device 16. Even with such an arrangement, the liquid
crystal shutter display device 112 can play a role of the diffusion
means in some cases. The liquid crystal shutter display device 112
further may be provided only between the reflecting plate 21 and
light guiding plate 20 in the liquid crystal display device 16.
With such an arrangement, sometimes the player is prevented from
visibly seeing the display at a backward (deep) position of the
reflecting plate 21 when viewed from the player, the situation
being preferable. That is, the reason why the liquid crystal
shutter display device 112 is disposed at such a position is that
the liquid crystal shutter display device 112 may sometimes
compensate the role of the reflecting plate, or compensate the role
of the light guiding plate. For example, in the case where the
display of the symbols drawn on the outer peripheral surfaces of
the rotatory reels 2a, 2b and 2c as the first display means are
shielded by the display shielding units 113a, 113b and 113c of the
liquid crystal shutter display device 112, when the entirety of the
liquid crystal shutter display device 112 including the display
shielding units 113a, 113b and 113c are made white, the player can
clearly recognize the effect image of the liquid crystal display
device 16 as the second display means in some cases. Furthermore,
the liquid crystal shutter display device 112 may be provided both
between the liquid crystal panel 19 and light guiding plate 20 and
between the reflecting plate 21 and light guiding plate 20. The
liquid crystal shutter display device 112 may be provided to any
one or ones of the light guiding plate 20, reflecting plate 21,
diffusion portion (diffusion sheet) 29 and liquid crystal panel
19.
[0123] When the liquid crystal shutter display device 112 is turned
ON, all light from the backlights 17a, 17b and 17c and from the
forward illuminating devices 18a and 18b is shielded in the display
shielding units 113a, 113b and 113c, and the transparent display
units 23a, 23b and 23c of the liquid crystal display device 16
cannot transparently display the symbols drawn on the outer
peripheral surfaces of the rotatory reels 2a, 2b and 2c as the
first display means. When the liquid crystal shutter display device
112 is turned OFF, on the other hand, all the light from the
backlights 17a, 17b and 17c and from the forward illuminating
devices 18a and 18b is allowed to transparently pass in the display
shielding units 113a, 113b and 113c, and the transparent display
units 23a, 23b and 23c of the liquid crystal display device 16 can
transparently display the symbols drawn on the outer peripheral
surfaces of the rotatory reels 2a, 2b and 2c as the first display
means. In this connection, the liquid crystal shutter display
device 112 is designed capable of turning ON or OFF for each of the
display shielding units 113a, 113b and 113c. That is, each of the
display shielding units 113a, 113b and 113c is designed to be
controllably switched to either a state in which the display of the
symbols drawn on the outer peripheral surfaces of the rotatory
reels 2a, 2b and 2c is shielded or a state in which the symbols
drawn on the outer peripheral surfaces of the rotatory reels 2a, 2b
and 2c are transparently displayed.
[0124] And when the liquid crystal display device 16 as the second
display means gives a predetermined display relating to a game
result in a region including the transparent display units 23a, 23b
and 23c, a display control device 140 (to be explained later) as
the third display means controls the display shielding units 113a,
113b and 113c so that the display of the first display means is
shielded to become hardly visible or never visible by a player.
[0125] "ON" of the liquid crystal shutter display device 112 may be
any state in which the liquid crystal shutter display device 112 is
driven so as not to allow light behind (on the side of the rotatory
reels 2a, 2b and 2c) the liquid crystal shutter display device 112
to pass to the front side (player side) of the liquid crystal
shutter display device 112. For example, in the case of a normally
white liquid crystal, it refers to a state in which the liquid
crystal is driven (a voltage is applied to two glass substrates).
On the contrary, "OFF" of the liquid crystal shutter display device
112 may be any state in which the liquid crystal shutter display
device 112 is driven so as to allow light behind (on the side of
the rotatory reels 2a, 2b and 2c) the liquid crystal shutter
display device 112 to pass to the front side (player side) of the
liquid crystal shutter display device 112. For example, in the case
of a normally white liquid crystal, it refers to a state in which
the liquid crystal is not driven (a voltage is not applied to two
glass substrates).
[0126] [Main Control Board and Display Control Device]
[0127] Referring to FIG. 10, explanation will be made as to a main
control board for controlling the display of the rotatory reels 2a,
2b and 2c, a display control device 50 for controlling a display on
the screen of the liquid crystal display device 16, and a display
control device 140 for controlling the display of the liquid
crystal shutter display device 112. FIG. 10 is a block diagram
showing structures of the main control board 60, display control
device 50 and display control device 140.
[0128] A control device for controlling the pachi-slot machine in
accordance with the embodiment comprises the main control board 60;
the display control device 50 for controlling a display on the
screen of the liquid crystal display device 16, sound generation
from the speakers 15a and 15b, turning ON and OFF of a lamp 70 and
the like under the control of the main control board 60; and the
display control device 140 for controlling the display of the
liquid crystal shutter display device 112, i.e., the shielding by
the display shielding units 113a, 113b and 113c. In this case, the
main control board 60 functions as a first display control means,
the display control device 50 functions as a second display control
means, and the display control device 140 functions as a third
display control means.
[0129] As shown in FIG. 10, the display control device 50 is a
device controlled by a sub-CPU 51 connected to the main control
board 60, and comprises a ROM 52 storing a control program and the
like, and a RAM 53 which is a temporal store region. The display
control device 50 further comprises a VDP (video processor) 54, a
VRAM (video RAM) 55 and a CROM (character ROM) 56 as a section for
controlling a display on the screen of the liquid crystal display
device 16; and controls the display on the screen of the liquid
crystal display device 16 by operating the VDP 54 under control of
the sub-CPU 51. The display control device 50 also comprises, as
its section for controlling sound produced from the speakers 15a
and 15b, a sound source IC 57 and an SRAM (sound RAM) 58. When the
sound source IC 57 is operated under control of the sub-CPU 51, an
effect sound or the like is produced from the speakers 15a and 15b.
The sub-CPU 51 also controls turning ON and OFF of the lamp 70 and
the like. In this connection, the lamp 70 shown in FIG. 10 refers
to a general term given to any light source for use in decoration
and effect, such as various lamps or LED mounted on a pachi-slot
gaming machine.
[0130] As shown in FIG. 10, the display control device 140 includes
an ON/OFF control circuit 142 which receives a signal from the
sub-CPU 51 to control the ON and OFF control of the liquid crystal
shutter display device 112, that is, shielding by the display
shielding units 113a, 113b and 113c. When the ON/OFF control
circuit 142 causes the liquid crystal shutter display device 112 to
be turned ON, in the display shielding units 113a, 113b and 113c,
all light emitted from the backlights 17a, 17b and 17c and from the
forward illuminating devices 18a and 18b is shielded, so that the
transparent display units 23a, 23b and 23c of the liquid crystal
display device 16 cannot transparently display symbols drawn on the
outer peripheral surfaces of the rotatory reels 2a, 2b and 2c as
the first display means. When the ON/OFF control circuit 142 causes
the liquid crystal shutter display device 112 to be turned OFF, on
the other hand, in the display shielding units 113a, 113b and 113c,
all the light emitted from the backlights 17a, 17b and 17c and from
the forward illuminating devices 18a and 18b is allowed to pass
therethrough, so that the transparent display units 23a, 23b and
23c of the liquid crystal display device 16 can transparently
display the symbols drawn on the outer peripheral surfaces of the
rotatory reels 2a, 2b and 2c as the first display means.
[0131] The main control board 60 is connected with a motor drive
circuit 80 for controlling the rotation of the rotatory reels 2a,
2b and 2c, a rotatory reel position detecting circuit 90 and a
rotatory reel stop signal circuit 100.
[0132] The motor drive circuit 80 is a circuit used to control
stepping motors 110a, 110b and 110c for driving the rotatory reels
2a, 2b and 2c respectively. The rotatory reel position detecting
circuit 90 is a circuit used to detect the rotatory position of the
rotatory reels 2a, 2b and 2c. The rotatory reel stop signal circuit
100 is connected with stop switches 8a, 8b and 8c, so that, when
the stop switch 8a, 8b or 8c are operated, the rotatory reel stop
signal circuit 100 transmits a rotatory reel stop signal to the
main control board 60.
[0133] The main control board 60 controls the motor drive circuit
80 and rotation and stoppage of the rotatory reels 2a, 2b and 2c,
on the basis of rotatory position of the rotatory reels 2a, 2b and
2c detected by the rotatory reel position detecting circuit 90. And
the main control board 60, when receiving the rotatory reel stop
signal from the rotatory reel stop signal circuit 100, controls the
motor drive circuit 80 and rotatory reel position detecting circuit
90 and stops the rotatory reels 2a, 2b and 2c at their desired
positions.
[0134] In this case, the stop control of the rotatory reels 2a, 2b
and 2c is carried out based on a predetermined lottery result or
based on only the operation of the stop switches 8a, 8b and 8c by
the player regardless of the lottery result. Though not shown, the
main control board 60 is connected with a plurality of switches or
the like for performing various types of control.
[0135] A circuit as the third display control means for driving the
liquid crystal shutter display device 112 may be provided on a
board separately from the main control board, separately from the
display control board, or separately from the main control board
and display control board; or may be provided on the main control
board or display control board. In the above case of the separate
provision, the load of each control means may be reduced in some
cases; on the contrast, in the integral provision case, some
electronic components on the board may be commonly used in some
cases.
[0136] [Control Procedure in Display Control Device]
[0137] Explanation will be made as to a procedure of operations in
an image display process in the display control device 50 with
reference to FIGS. 11 to 15. FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing a
procedure of operations in an image display process in the display
control device 50, FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing a procedure of
operations in a main interrupt process, FIG. 13 is flow chart
showing a procedure of operations in a VDP interrupt process, FIG.
14 is a flow chart showing a procedure of operations in a
synchronous interrupt process, and FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing
a procedure of operations in a timer interrupt process.
[0138] As shown in FIG. 11, in the image display process of the
display control device 50, initialization of the sub-CPU 51, RAM 53
and so on is performed (S1), calculation of a check sum for a
buffer for backup is performed (S2) and, when the check sum is
incorrect, the backuped buffer is returned (S3). Subsequently,
command process is performed (S4) and whether or not the buffer has
been completed is judged (S5). When the buffer is not completed,
data updating process is performed (S6) and the acquired data is
stored as a buffer (S7).
[0139] When the buffer has been completed, whether or not a timer
flag is set at ON is judged (S8) and, when the timer flag is set at
ON and screen updating gets ready, whether or not a VDP flag is set
at ON is judged (S9). If the VDP flag is set at ON to get ready for
drawing, then the timer flag and VDP flag are reset (S10 and S11),
the buffer is transmitted to the VDP 54 (S13), and then the buffer
is cleared (S14). When the timer flag is not set at ON, the process
of the step S9 is not executed and, when the VDP flag is not set at
ON, processes of the steps S10 to S14 are not executed. Thereafter,
a check sum for the buffer is calculated to be backuped (S15), and
the process returns to the step S3 to repeat the subsequent
processes.
[0140] For the image display process, various sorts of interrupt
processes are carried out.
[0141] The main interrupt process from the main control board 60 is
an interrupt process to transmit a control command to the display
control device 50, in which the command is stored (S21) as shown in
FIG. 12. In the case of the pachi-slot machine, since a strobe
signal is as relatively long as 20 msec, a signal from the main
control board 60 may be imported at the command process (S4) in the
image display process without performing the main interrupt
process.
[0142] The VDP interrupt process is an interrupt process to inform
that the VDP 54 gets ready for drawing. As sown in FIG. 13, the VDP
flag is set (S31). In the image display control process, judgment
process at the step S9 is performed on the basis of the VDP
flag.
[0143] The synchronous interrupt process is an interrupt process to
control drawing timing on the screen of the liquid crystal display
device 16, in which the timer flag is set at intervals of 1,000/60
ms (S41) as shown in FIG. 14. In the image display control process,
judgment is made in the step S8 on the basis of the timer flag. In
the embodiment, an image is drawn and varied at intervals of
1,000/30 ms on the display screen of the liquid crystal display
device 16. The timer interrupt process is an interrupt process to
update the timer by software, in which a counter is updated at
intervals of 2 ms (S51) as shown in FIG. 15. Note that the timing
of the timer interrupt is not limited to 2 ms but may be set at a
value in a range of 2 ms-10 ms.
[0144] In the embodiment, as a procedure of display operations in
the display control device 140, it is constituted such that, when
drawing is carried out including the region of the transparent
display units 23a, 23b and 23 in the liquid crystal display device
16, the ON/OFF control circuit 142 is turned ON by receiving a
signal from the sub-CPU 51 to shield all light emitted from the
backlights 17a, 17b and 17c and from the forward illuminating
devices 18a and 18b in the display shielding units 113a, 113b and
113c, thereby the transparent display units 23a, 23b and 23c of the
liquid crystal display device 16 being prevented from transparently
displaying symbols drawn on the outer peripheral surfaces of the
rotatory reels 2a, 2b and 2c as the first display means.
[0145] Even when drawing is carried out without containing the
region of the transparent display units 23a, 23b and 23c in the
liquid crystal display device 16, the liquid crystal shutter
display device 112 may be turned ON so that the display shielding
units 113a, 113b and 113c cause the symbols drawn on the outer
peripheral surfaces of the rotatory reels 2a, 2b and 2c not to be
transparently displayed.
[0146] [Display Examples of Rotatory Reels and Liquid Crystal
Display Device]
[0147] Explanation will be made in connection with specific display
examples of the rotatory reels 2a, 2b and 2c as the first display
means and of the display screen of the liquid crystal display
device 16 as the second display means, by referring to FIG. 16.
FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of display examples of the
rotatory reels 2a, 2b and 2c and liquid crystal display device
16.
[0148] In FIG. 16, down arrows in the drawing indicate that the
rotatory reels 2a, 2b and 2c are rotating and corresponding symbols
are changing, the stop switches 8a, 8b and 8c denoted by black
circles indicate that the switches are not subjected to their stop
operations, and the stop switches 8a, 8b and 8c denoted by white
circles indicate that the switches have been subjected to their
stop operations.
[0149] The display example of FIG. 16 illustrates a case where, in
the pachi-slot machine wherein control of whether or not a winning
combination is established is carried out by operational order of
the stop switches 8a, 8b and 8c, the operational order of the stop
switches 8a, 8b and 8c is informed (so-called push order assist
type).
[0150] That is, in the display example of FIG. 16, when a game
start condition is established by insertion of a game medal for the
game or the like and then the start switch 7 is operated in a state
in which the rotatory reels 2a, 2b and 2c are stopping, then the
three rotatory reels 2a, 2b and 2c starts their rotation and a
plurality of symbols are variably displayed in the vertical
direction (see FIG. 16(a)). At this time, in the main control board
60, a lottery of a winning combination is carried out (a lottery
including the operational order of the stop switches 8a, 8b and
8c).
[0151] And when an internal winning as a predetermined winning
combination is established, the display shielding units 113a, 113b
and 113c of the liquid crystal shutter display device 112
corresponding to the rotatory reels not to be operated next are
shielded, and the display shielding units 113a, 113b and 113c
corresponding to the rotatory reels to be next operated are not
shielded.
[0152] More specifically, assume that it has been decided that the
rotatory reels 2a, 2b and 2c will be controlled in such a manner
that, when the rotations of the rotatory reel 2b in the middle, the
rotatory reel 2c in the right side and the rotatory reel 2a in the
left side are stopped in this order, a winning combination
internally won is established always or with a high probability.
Then the display shielding unit 113b in the middle is not shielded
to set the visibility of the rotatory reel 2b in the middle to be
high, the display shielding unit 113ain the left side and the
display shielding unit 113c in the right side are shielded to set
the visibility of the rotatory reel 2a in the left side and the
rotatory reel 2c in the right side to be low (see FIG. 16(b)).
[0153] Subsequently, when the stop switch 8a in the middle is
operated, the rotatory reel 2b in the middle is stopped, while the
display shielding unit 113c in the right side corresponding to the
stop switch 8c to be next operated is not shielded to set the
visibility of the rotatory reel 2c in the right side to be high,
and the display shielding unit 113ain the left side is shielded to
set the visibility of the rotatory reel 2a in the left side to be
low (see FIG. 16(c)).
[0154] When the stop switch 8c in the right side is next operated,
the rotatory reel 2c in the right side is stopped, and the
shielding of the display shielding unit 113ain the left side
corresponding to the stop switch 8a to be next operated is released
to set the visibility of the rotatory reel 2a in the left side to
be high (see FIG. 16(d)).
[0155] And eventually all the display shielding units 113a, 113b
and 113c are not shielded, and the stop display of the symbols is
carried out with the high visibility of respective rotatory reels
2a, 2b and 2c (see FIG. 16(e)). In the example of FIG. 16(e), since
the three symbols corresponding to the winning combination are
stopped and displayed as arranged in a row on a central horizontal
line, a predetermined number of game medals are paid out.
[0156] The shielding of each of the display shielding units 113a,
113b and 113c can be arbitrarily set, so long as the display
shielding units 113a, 113b and 113c can be identified. That is, in
the example of FIG. 16, all the regions of each of the display
shielding units 113a, 113b and 113c are set to be shielded.
However, only a part of the regions of each of the display
shielding units 113a, 113b and 113c may be set to be shielded.
Further, when a part of each of the display shielding units 113a,
113b and 113c is shielded, such an arrangement may be also possible
that continual picture elements to be shielded and not shielded
form a specific letter, figure, character, etc. to specify the
display shielding units 113a, 113b or 113c.
[0157] Though different from the explanation of the above display
example, it may be arranged such that the above described display
is performed not only in the case where the predetermined winning
combinations (including special winning combinations such as big
bonus and regular bonus) are internally won but also in the case
where the predetermined winning combination has not been won. In
this case, the reliability of establishment of the winning
combinations can be set to be different by shielding the display
shielding units 113a, 113b and 113c to notify. For example, it may
be arranged such that, when all the display shielding units 113a,
113b and 113c are shielded, that is, when any of the rotatory reels
(2a, 2b, 2c) not to be operated is fully invisibly displayed, a
winning combination can be established with a reliability of 100%,
and, as the shielding of any of the display shielding units (113a,
113b, 113c) is released, the reliability can be lowered.
[0158] With such an arrangement, player's expectation toward
establishment of a winning combination can be enhanced, thus
increasing the game amusement. Further, the aforementioned effect
display may be arranged to be carried out only when a specific
interest state is established. In particular, by performing the
above effect display during AT (assist time) (here, AT (assist
time) means a time period during which stop operation assist is
performed), even an inexperienced player can be avoided from
wrongly pushing the stop switches 8a, 8b and 8c in an unintended
order, thereby interest justice between game players can be
realized and game amusement can be further enhanced.
[0159] The above effect display may be designed to be carried out
according to player's choice. That is, an experienced game player
sometimes requires no assist to the pushing order, intentional
stopping depending on the visual sense, etc., in which case the
aforementioned effect display may be troublesome. On the other
hand, an inexperienced player generally wants an assist to the
pushing order, intentional stopping, etc. In such a case, by
performing the above effect display depending on player's choice,
the effect can be given according to player's taste and game
amusement can be enhanced. In this case, it is required to provide
a selection switch for selecting the necessity or non-necessity of
the effect display. The selection switch is not necessarily
provided separately but the start switch 7 can be designed so that
it also has the function of the selection switch; downward
operation of the start switch 7 causes the ordinary game start
operation, and upward operation of the start switch 7 causes the
operation of the selection switch.
[0160] Further, the above effect display may be carried out over a
plurality of times of game. For example, the period during which
the effect display is provided may be a so-called morning service
period when a door of a game shop is opened, a period from winning
of a small symbol combination until a predetermined number of times
of the game are ended, a period from winning of a replay game until
a predetermined number of times of the game are ended, a period
from winning of a free game until a predetermined number of times
of the game are ended, a period of a high-probability replay
lottery game, a big bonus period, a regular bonus period, single
bonus period, a challenge time period, or the like.
[0161] As explained above, the pachi-slot machine of the embodiment
comprises the transparent display units 23a, 23b and 23c and the
display shielding units 113a, 113b and 113c by a plural number
(three) respectively. With such a configuration, a plurality of
display states can be employed in the transparent display unit,
further, a predetermined display state can be selected from a
plurality of display states under predetermined conditions
including a random number lottery, and various displays can be
realized depending on a stage of the game or in identical or
similar stages. For this reason, the display can be avoided from
becoming one pattern which makes the player feel monotonous. Thus
effects rich in varieties can be realized.
[0162] When the liquid crystal display device 16 as the second
display means gives a predetermined display relating to a game
result in the region including the transparent display units 23a,
23b and 23c, the control device having an ON/OFF control circuit,
etc. as the third display means and a control program thereof are
designed so that the display shielding units 113a, 113b and 113c
cause the player to hardly visibly or not to visibly see the
display of the rotatory reels 2a, 2b and 2c as the second display
means. With such a configuration, since an identical, similar or
different display states can be selected in the plurality of
transparent display units, the display can be avoided from becoming
one pattern which makes the player feel monotonous, and thus
effects rich in varieties can be realized.
[0163] Since a transparent display unit which is to be especially
visibly seen by the player, or a first display section, can be
expressed with a different display state, depth can be added to the
game. For example, when there are a transparent display unit for
displaying a predetermined symbol and a transparent display unit
having no display symbol, the player sometimes closely observe only
one of the transparent display units. When applied to such a
situation, excellent effects can be exhibited.
[0164] Further, since the first display section intended to cause
the player to especially observe it can be expressed with different
display states, depth can be added to the game. For example, when a
shielded first display section and a not-shielded first display
section are present, the player tends to closely observe only one
of such display sections. When applied to such a situation,
excellent effects can be exhibited.
[0165] The predetermined displays relating to the game result
include a game result itself, a form of announcing the probability
that a predetermined winning combination or a specific winning
combination has been determined is possible or high to the player,
a form of announcing a miss, a form of notifying that a
predetermined or specific winning combination has been determined
to the player, and a form of notifying that a predetermined or
specific winning combination has not been determined to the player.
The forms include one or a plurality of symbol (motion/still)
images, one or a plurality of character (motion/still) images, one
or a plurality of background (motion/still) images, one or a
plurality of balloon (motion/still) images, one or a plurality of
letter or figures, predetermined actions, etc. of one or a
plurality of movable matters, one or a plurality of lamp ONs/OFFs,
or one or a plurality of speaker sounds.
[0166] In the foregoing embodiment, although the transparent
display unit and display shielding unit have been provided for each
of the rotatory reels for rotatingly displaying a plurality of
symbols, the invention is not limited to the embodiment. For
example, with regard to the third display means, a single display
shielding unit may be provided for a single, a plurality of or all
of the plurality of rotatory reels for rotatingly displaying the
plurality of symbols (plural variable display units). The entire
third display means may form the display shielding unit. The size
of the display shielding unit may be varied.
[0167] Further, the display shielding unit may be any unit so long
as it can shield the display of the first display means, including
a unit having no liquid crystal section and provided only with a
material having a shieldable property (opaque glass, opaque resin,
etc.). In addition, the third display means may be provided in
front of or on the front side of the second display means. In this
case, it goes without saying that a reflection type liquid crystal
display device is required to be employed as the second display
means.
[0168] An opaque region for blocking the visible observation of the
display means provided on the back side of the second display means
when viewed from the front side of the gaming machine may be
provided in the second display means, a display window may be
provided around a region including the transparent display unit and
the opaque region, or the display window may be provided inside of
the contour of the transparent display unit.
[0169] The display window is sufficient to indicate a notification
thereon, meaning that, when player's eye is directed to the inside
of the display window, the player can see the display of the
display means provided in the back side of the second display means
in some cases. At least a part or whole of the display window may
be provided to the transparent display unit, and the light
transparent property of at least a part or whole of the display
window provided to the transparent display unit may be arranged for
variable display (temporarily, at least a part or whole of the
display window provided to the transparent display unit will be
referred to as a specific display window). The specific display
window may be designed to be capable of giving a variable display
such as magnification, reduction or shape change.
[0170] Further, such an arrangement may be employed that the
display of a plurality of variable display forms are can be
controlled; one or more of variable display forms are selected from
the plurality of variable display forms according to the winning
combination selected by the winning combination deciding means, the
winning combination hit but not won yet, the number of the winning
combinations not won yet, or random number lottery; and the
specific display window is variably displayed based on the selected
variable display form. In this case, the player can visibly observe
the first display means by various specific display windows
themselves or through the specific display windows. In this way,
various effect displays can be realized, which leads to improved
game playability. With respect to the variable display of the
specific display window, even the light transparent property (a
degree of easy-to-see of the first display means) may be
varied.
[0171] Further, an identical light transparent property may be
given to the entire specific display window, or a plurality of
steps of light transparent properties may be given thereto. More in
detail, the specific display window is arranged to have a high
light transparent property (enabling easy observation of the first
display means) nearly in the center thereof and, as it goes away
from the center, the specific display window is arranged to have
lower light transparent properties (enabling hard observation of
the first display means). In such a case also, various effect
displays can be realized.
[0172] The light transparent property of the specific display
window may be varied in a time series manner. In this case, the
varying rate of the light transparent property may also be varied.
As a result, deeper effects can be added to the game.
[0173] The light transparent property of the specific display
window may be varied depending on the winning combination selected
by the winning combination determination means, the winning
combination hit but not won yet, or a random number lottery.
Further, nearly at the same time the location and size of it may be
varied. With it, the player can expect generation of an interest
state and can observe the variable display of the specific display
window, thus enhancing both the effect and playability.
[0174] The display window may be changeably arranged so that the
display can be performed around the transparent display unit
changed as associated with a change in the size, magnification,
reduction, movement, number or contour shape of the transparent
display unit. Such an arrangement allows the play to expect that he
could visibly observe the first display region through the
transparent display unit when his eyes are directed toward the
display window. Thereby various effect displays can be realized.
Further, this can be also utilized for guiding player's eyes also
to contribute to an enhancement in the game performance.
[0175] The display window may be allowed not to display around the
transparent display unit in some cases. A specific example of the
case is when the above is utilized for a so-called assist game, in
which the first display means may be controlled so that, the
winning combination determination means determines an internal
winning combination on the basis of a plurality of stop switches, a
plurality of display windows corresponding in number to the stop
switches, and the output of the game start command means, and that
the internal winning combination is won when the operational
sequence of stop buttons previously set by the control means of the
gaming machine prior to the operation by a player coincides with
the player's operational sequence of the stop buttons; and the
display forms of the plurality of display windows may be varied in
an order corresponding to the operational sequence of the plural
stop buttons previously determined by the control means of the
gaming machine.
[0176] In this case, when the player operates the stop switches
corresponding to the display windows changed in the display form,
the internal winning combination can be obtained inevitably or with
a high probability, thus leading to contribution to the easily
understandable game and enhanced game performance.
[0177] The transparent display unit is sufficient so long as the
first display means can be visibly seen via the region. The
transparent display unit may be arranged to be capable of variably
displaying the magnification, reduction, shape change, etc.
[0178] Such an arrangement is also possible that a plurality of
variable display forms are arranged to be controllably displayed;
one or more of the plurality of variable display forms are selected
from the plurality of variable display forms according to the
winning combination determined by the winning combination
determination means or the winning combination hit but not won yet,
the number of winning combinations not won yet, or a random number
lottery, and that the transparent display unit is variably
displayed based on the selected variable display form. In this
case, the player can visibly observe various transparent display
units themselves or the first display means via the transparent
display units. In this way, various effect displays can be realized
and the game performance can be correspondingly enhanced.
[0179] With regard to the variable display of the transparent
display unit, the light transparent property (a degree of easy
observation of the first display means) of it may also be varied.
Further, an identical light transparent property may be given to
all over the transparent display unit, or a plurality of steps of
light transparent properties may be given. More specifically, a
high light transparent property (a high degree of ease in the
observation of the first display means) may be given to nearly the
center of the transparent display unit and, as it goes away from
the center, lower light transparent properties (lower degrees of
ease in the observation of the first display means) may be given.
Even in this case, various effect displays can be realized.
[0180] Such an arrangement is also possible as to change the light
transparent property of the transparent display unit in a time
series manner. In this case, deeper effects can be added to the
game.
[0181] It is also possible to change the light transparent property
of the transparent display unit depending on the winning
combination selected by the winning combination determination
means, the winning combination hit but not won yet, a random number
lottery or the like. Further, nearly at the same time the location
and size of it may be varied. With it, the player can expect
generation of an interest state and can observe the variable
display of the specific display window, thus enhancing both the
effect and playability.
[0182] The variable display of the transparent display unit may be
linked with the shielded display of the display shielding unit. For
example, when the transparent properties of the transparent display
unit is low (the first display means is less visible), the display
shielding unit may be arranged to shield the first display means;
and when transparent properties of the transparent display unit is
high (the first display means is more visible), the display
shielding unit may be arranged to shield the first display means.
In any case, it is only required that the display of the first or
second display means becomes more visible to the player, or the
display shielding unit be driven according to the game
progress.
[0183] Although embodiments of the invention have been explained,
they are given merely as a concrete example and the invention is
not limited particularly to them. That is, the invention is
characterized in that the display shielding unit can be
controllably switched to either of the state wherein the display of
the first display means is shielded or the state wherein the
display of the first display means is transparently displayed. The
specific structure of each means including the game result display
means and the first to third display means may be suitably
modified.
[0184] The gaming machine in accordance with the invention
comprises a game result display means for performing a
predetermined display about the game result, a game value providing
means for providing a game value advantageous to a player when the
predetermined game result is displayed on the game result display
means, and a display control means for performing display control
over the game result display means. The game result display means
has a first display means, a second display means disposed on the
player side of the first display means when the gaming machine is
viewed from its front side, a third display means disposed on the
player side of the first display means when the gaming machine is
viewed from its front side, a transparent display unit capable of
transparently displaying the display of the first display means on
the second display means and a display shielding unit for shielding
the display of the first display means from the third display
means. Since the display shielding unit can be controllably
switched to either the state wherein the display of the first
display means is shielded or the state wherein the display of the
first display means is transparently displayed, the display of the
first display means and the display of the second display means are
allowed to be clearly visible to a player, the state being highly
preferable. Further, when it is desired to cause the player to
strongly recognize either the display of the first display means or
the display of the second display means, an effect display or the
like to be recognized strongly by the player can be made clearly
visible in some cases, the state being highly suitable.
[0185] In the gaming machine in accordance with the invention,
since the display shielding unit in the third display means is
provided at a position corresponding to the transparent display
unit in the second display means, the display of the first display
means and the display of the second display means can be made
reliably visible to the player, the state being highly suitable.
When the display shielding unit is provided only at the position
corresponding to the transparent display unit, the surface area of
the display shielding unit can sometimes be decreased, resulting in
expectation of various advantage such as cost reduction, or
reduction of load of the control system by decreasing time period
necessary for switching control. Of course, though it is suitable
that the display shielding unit is provided only at the position
exactly corresponding to the transparent display unit when the
gaming machine is viewed from its front side, the display shielding
unit may be provided only at the position approximately
corresponding to the transparent display unit when the gaming
machine is viewed from its front side, upon the condition that
aforementioned advantages are obtained even if there exists some
gaps due to design restrictions.
[0186] Similarly, the display shielding unit also can suitably have
exactly the same size as the transparent display unit as mentioned
above. However, even when the sizes are somewhat different due to
design restrictions, the display shielding unit may have
approximately the same size as the transparent display unit, upon
the condition that aforementioned advantages are obtained.
[0187] In the gaming machine of the invention, in addition, the
transparent display unit in the second display means and the
display shielding unit in the third display means are provided
respectively by a plural number. Thus, when the location which can
prompt the player to focus on is provided by a plural number,
various effect displays can be realized and can prompt the player
to do some action (to turn his eyes and so on), which may increase
his interest in it. In this connection, the word "plural" means
that a plurality of display shielding units may be provided for the
single third display means or a plurality of separated display
shielding units may form the third display means.
[0188] In the gaming machine of the invention, further, the second
display means and the third display means are integrally provided.
Thus, when the exchanging work is required as upon fault
generation, the exchange can be conducted in the form of a unit and
therefore the maintenance may be highly improved. Of course, the
similar work can be simplified even upon assembly in some cases.
Furthermore, the integral arrangement may produce a cost advantage,
which is highly desirable.
[0189] In the gaming machine of the invention, furthermore, when
the predetermined display relating to the game result is given in
the region including the transparent display unit of the second
display means, the third display control means for controlling the
display of the third display means is controlled so that the
display shielding unit causes the player to hardly view or not to
view the display of the first display means. Thus, the player can
be prevented with a high probability from observing the
predetermined display about the game result and the display behind
it as overlapped, which may allow the player to view the
predetermined display about the game result.
[0190] The operation and working-effect explained in the embodiment
of the invention have been given merely as the most suitable
exemplary operation and working-effect caused by the invention, and
the operation and working-effect of the invention is not restricted
to those explained in the embodiment of the invention.
[0191] The gaming machine in accordance with the invention
comprises a game result display means for performing a
predetermined display about the game result, a game value providing
means for providing a game value advantageous to a player when the
predetermined game result is displayed on the game result display
means, and a display control means for performing display control
over the game result display means. The game result display means
has a first display means, a second display means disposed on the
player side of the first display means when the gaming machine is
viewed from its front side, a third display means disposed on the
player side of the first display means when the gaming machine is
viewed from its front side, a transparent display unit capable of
transparently displaying the display of the first display means on
the second display means and a display shielding unit for shielding
the display of the first display means from the third display
means. Since the display shielding unit can be controllably
switched to either the state wherein the display of the first
display means is shielded or the state wherein the display of the
first display means is transparently displayed, an interesting
effect display rich in idea can be realized.
[0192] Although only some exemplary embodiments of this invention
have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will
readily appreciated that many modifications are possible in the
exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel
teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such
modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this
invention.
[0193] This application is related to co-pending U.S. patent
applications entitled "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0019, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0020, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0021, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No, SHO-0022, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0023, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0024, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0025, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0026, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0027, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0028, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0029, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0030, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0031, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0032, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0033, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0034, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0035, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0036, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0037, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0038, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0039, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0040, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0041, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0042, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0043, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0044, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No, SHO-0045, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0046, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0047, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0048, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0049, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0050, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0051, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0052, "MOTOR STOP CONTROL DEVICE" referred to as
Attorney Docket No. SHO-0053, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as
Attorney Docket No. SHO-0054, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as
Attorney Docket No. SHO-0055, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as
Attorney Docket No. SHO-0056and "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as
Attorney Docket No. SHO-0057, respectively, all the applications
being filed on Oct. 31, 2003 herewith. The co-pending applications
including specifications, drawings and claims are expressly
incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
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