GAMING MACHINE
A gaming machine is disclosed which includes a rotor (a reel or a roulette wheel) including a visible surface on which symbols are displayed. The visible surface includes a laminated structure with micro lens and dotted pattern layers, which cooperate to create an illusion of depth in a backdrop for the symbols. Preferably, the micro lens and dotted pattern layers are laminated on a sheet mounted on the visible surface. Alternatively, portions of the rotor including the micro lens layer may be molded of transparent plastic material, and the dotted pattern layer may be laminated on a sheet placed on the inner side of the visible surface. The three-dimensional appearance of the backdrop will entice persons to play games on the gaming machine. In addition, players will primarily stare at the two-dimensional symbols while playing games, and thus can avoid eye strain regardless of the three-dimensional appearance of the backdrop.
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a gaming machine, and in particular, a gaming machine that comprises one or more rotors having a surface visible to a player on which symbols are displayed.
2. Background Information
The variety in gaming machines is quite wide, and extends from large arcade game machines to home and portable video game machines. In addition, the functions of game machines have been integrated into other devices, such as a beverage vending machine having a roulette-like function.
Examples of gaming machines include slot machines, roulette machines, and combinations thereof (e.g. “Wheel of Fortune”), that are equipped with one or more rotors, such as reels and roulette wheels, which comprise surfaces visible to players on which symbols are displayed. The rotor(s) can spin in order to change the positions of the symbols relative to a player. Players may be able to win money (credits) or bonuses based upon the positions of the symbols when the rotor comes to a rest.
In some conventional gaming machines that have rotors, display devices therein comprise “3D sheets” on which symbols are displayed, such as the gaming machines disclosed in Japan Published Patent Applications 2001-000624 and 2004-215885. A typical 3D sheet has a laminated structure comprising a micro lens layer and a dotted pattern layer. The dot pitches in the dotted pattern layer slightly differ from the micro lens pitches in the micro lens layer. This creates Moiré fringe contour patterns on the visible surfaces of the rotor on which a 3D sheet is placed. In a conventional gaming machine, the Moiré patterns are created in order to represent the symbols, and thus, these symbols appear to be three-dimensional because of binocular disparities, and because the symbols appear to be slightly different when viewed from different angles. The three-dimensional appearances can raise the interests of players. However, players tend to stare at the Moiré patterns that represent the symbols, and as a result, overuse their eye muscles. This can result in eye strain in players.
In view of the above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that there exists a need for an improved gaming machine that comprises a rotor on which symbols are displayed, and which provides a three-dimensional effect thereon that will not cause eye strain in players even after long term use of the gaming machine. This invention addresses this need in the art as well as other needs, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA gaming machine according to the present invention comprises a rotor having a visible surface on which symbols are displayed. Preferably, the rotor is a reel and the visible surface is the circumferential surface of the reel, for example, when the gaming machine is a slot machine. Alternatively, the rotor may be a roulette wheel, for example, when the gaming machine is a roulette machine or a combination of a slot machine and a roulette machine.
In addition, the visible surface of the rotor has a laminated structure comprising a micro lens layer and a dotted pattern layer. The laminated structure is particularly configured to create an illusion of depth in a backdrop for symbols displayed on the visible surface. Preferably, the symbols are displayed as two-dimensional images. The three-dimensional appearance of the backdrop will catch the attention of persons before they play games on the gaming machine, and thereby entice them to play games thereon. On the other hand, the players will stare mainly at the two-dimensional symbols, and not at the three-dimensional images in the background while playing games. Thus, a three-dimensional appearance can be achieved that is gentle on the eyes, and thus, reduce eye strain.
Preferably, the micro lens layer and the dotted pattern layer are laminated on a sheet mounted on the visible surface of the rotor. In this case, a change in the symbol pattern requires only replacement of the sheet, and thereby simplifies a model change of the gaming machine.
Alternatively, portions of a rotor that includes the micro lens layer may be molded of transparent plastic material, and the dotted pattern layer may be laminated on a sheet placed on the inner side of the rotor. The sheet does not have to include a micro lens layer, and accordingly the sheet is thinner and more flexible, and thereby easy to fix to the rotor with higher degree of stability. The enhanced manageability and lower cost of the sheet will simplify a model change of the gaming machine. The high degree of stability of the sheet against rotation and vibration of the rotor will contribute to longer lasting, sharper three-dimensional images. In addition, the micro lens layer can be formed on a curved shape and have a rigid structure from the start, and thus, each micro lens will rarely become distorted during manufacturing and use. Accordingly, the three-dimensional images may remain clear and sharp during the lifetime of the rotor.
The entire micro lens layer is preferably molded in one piece. A micro lens layer having a seamless structure will improve the strength and appearance of the visible surface of the rotor. Alternatively, portions of the rotor formed to have the micro lens layer may be separately molded. This can improve the manufacturing yields of the rotor.
These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of this original disclosure:
Selected embodiments of the present invention will now be explained with reference to the drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the following descriptions of the embodiments of the present invention are provided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
EMBODIMENT 1A gaming machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is, preferably, a stepper-reel slot machine installed in an amusement arcade or a casino as shown in
The three display units 3A, 3B, and 3C each receive external image data, and reproduce images which correspond to the image data. The images include, for example, images for use in decoration, such as the image of the logo of the company that developed the game, images for use in advertisements, images for use in visual effects in games, and the display of information about games, such as pay tables, illustrations of game content, bets, and the number of credits available. The three display units 3A, 3B, and 3C preferably include flat panel displays such as LCD, PDP, OLED, and electronic paper, or alternatively boards on which the above-described images are painted.
The operation buttons 6 and the spin button 7 shown in
A player inserts coins in the coin inlet 8 shown in
Three display windows 4 are openings provided in front of the cabinet 1, as shown in
A lighting device 2 shown in
Three dimensional (3D) images 53 serve as a backdrop for the symbols 52 on the circumferential surfaces 51 of the reels 5, as shown in
The 3D images 53 are created because the circumferential surface 51 show in
A gaming machine according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention is similar to the gaming machine according to Embodiment 1 (cf.
The reel 5 of Embodiment 2 is preferably a transparent plastic material (preferably PET) that is molded in one piece. Such a seamless structure of the reel 5 improves the strength and appearance of the circumferential surface 51 thereof. Alternatively, portions of the reel 5 may be separately molded, and assembled into a finished form. This can improve the manufacturing yields of the reel 5.
In particular, the circumferential surface 51 of the reel 5 has a different laminated structure that is shown in
The inner sheet 13 does not have to include a micro lens layer, in contrast to the 3D sheet 11 (cf
The bulges 51A can be formed on a curved shape and have a rigid structure from the start, in contrast to the bulges 11C of the 3D sheet 11 (cf.
Since the circumferential surface 51 of the reel 5 is molded of plastic, it can be formed in various shapes. In particular, bumps or dips much larger than the bulges 51A may be formed on the circumferential surface 51, and change the depth of the 3D images 53 or distort the arrangement of them. This can further raise the interest of players.
EMBODIMENT 3A gaming machine according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention is a combination of a roulette machine and a stepper-reel slot machine, such as “Wheel of Fortune”, shown in
The gaming machine of Embodiment 3 in particular comprises a roulette wheel 21 (shown in
Three dimensional (3D) images 21B serve as a backdrop for the numbers 21A on the front surface of the wheel 21, as shown in
The 3D images 21B result from a laminated structure on the front surface of the wheel 21, which is similar to the laminated structure of the circumferential surface 51 shown in
Alternatively, as show in
In understanding the scope of the present invention, the term “configured” as used herein to describe a component, section or part of a device includes hardware and/or software that is constructed and/or programmed to carry out the desired function. In understanding the scope of the present invention, the term “comprising” and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended to be open ended terms that specify the presence of the stated features, elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps, but do not exclude the presence of other unstated features, elements, components, groups, integers and/or steps. The foregoing also applies to words having similar meanings such as the terms, “including”, “having” and their derivatives. Also, the terms “part,” “section,” “portion,” “member” or “element” when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of a single part or a plurality of parts. Finally, terms of degree such as “substantially”, “about” and “approximately” as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modified term such that the end result is not significantly changed. For example, these terms can be construed as including a deviation of at least ±5% of the modified term if this deviation would not negate the meaning of the word it modifies.
While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Furthermore, the foregoing descriptions of the embodiments according to the present invention are provided for illustration only, and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A gaming machine comprising:
- a rotor comprising a laminated structure having a micro lens layer and a dotted pattern layer, the laminated structure configured to create an illusion of depth in a backdrop of symbols that are displayed on a visible surface of the laminated structure.
2. A gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the rotor comprises a reel, and the visible surface comprises the circumferential surface of the reel.
3. A gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the rotor is a roulette wheel.
4. A gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the micro lens layer and the dotted pattern layer are laminated on the visible surface of the rotor.
5. A gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the rotor is integral with the micro lens layer, and the dotted pattern layer is arranged on an inner side of the rotor.
6. A gaming machine according to claim 5, wherein the entire micro lens layer is integral with the rotor.
Type: Application
Filed: May 16, 2006
Publication Date: Dec 6, 2007
Applicant: KONAMI GAMING INCORPORATED (Las Vegas, NV)
Inventor: Eiji Aida (Zama city)
Application Number: 11/383,495
International Classification: A63F 9/24 (20060101);