Unit display device and game machine with unit display device
A unit display device assembly having a plurality kinds of display devices in a revolving body, capable of changing a position of a pattern display part based on a sight line of a player, includes single or a plurality of display plates which are provided to the revolving body, having the windows corresponding to the pattern display part of the display device. Therefore, when the display position of the pattern display part of the unit display device is changed, the player can observe the pattern display part (or the part thereof) of the kind of the display device quickly.
This application is based on Japanese Patent Application 2005-311250 filed on Oct. 26, 2005, upon which priority is claimed.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a unit display device for a game machine and to a game machine with the unit display device.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Japanese registered utility model No. 3051491discloses a unit display device in which the first variable display 11 having a plurality of display windows 1 (window part) and the second variable display 12 having one window part are installed in the game machine described by the reference. This display is illustrated in
In this embodiment, the first variable display 11 is a display part (outer) of the pattern of the mechanical display means which is called “Reel (rotating body)”, on the other hand, the second variable display 12 located at the right of three reels is a display of the electronic display means which is called “Graphic (video type)”.
This game machine has a character in a controller which is not shown in a figure. In addition, the controller controls to give “Privilege (dividend) by the stopped pattern of the second variable display regardless of the combination of the pattern of the first variable display 11 (regardless of the prize mode of the first display device).
In reference to this known device, a slot machine is explained as one example of the game machine. Generally speaking, the slot machine makes the three reels, on which several patterns are arranged for instance horizontally, to rotates independently and the rotating body to stop by pushing the stop button one by one, and the dividend by tokens such as medals and coin is returned according to the combination of the patterns at a stopping state.
For the combination of this pattern, when one medal turns on, the combination of one line with three patterns located next to a line L1 of one medal at the center corresponds among patterns that appears to each display window (sign 1 of
By the way, the basis function has the problem that “Prize mode” is uniform because it is only combination of the stop pattern of the plurality of rotating body even though there is a change in a special winning-prize including a large bonus, jackpot and the like according to the combination in the game machine by the combination of the patterns of one display device (first display device) as the conventional slot machine. In this point, it is the same condition when the first variable display 11 is the electronic display means. There is an advantage that the diversity of game can be improved since the first display device 11 and second display device 12 are installed in the base plate of the game machine in parallel.
However, since the second display device 12 of the is one kind (for instance, one reel and one display) of device that is located (the position of the display is fixed) at the player side, it cannot seek the various elements of gambling to the second display device 12 in itself.
Japanese published unexamined application Nos. 2004-188159; and 2004-290221disclose a unit display device for game machines in which the unit display device 4 is composed of the revolving body which is installed in the pair of the bearing member which is not shown in the figure through the rotary shaft, the bearing member being attached fixedly to the back of the base plate 2 of the game machine and a plurality of display devices provided at the revolving body integrally. For convenience, these devices are illustrated in
In addition, in
Moreover, the 290,221 application describes the use of the unit display device 3 in a game machine described in the 188,159 application. The invention described in the 209,221 application includes the unit display device disclosed in the 188,159 application, and it also includes a display control device which controls each display device separately through each drive circuit for the first display device and second display device; means for changing from one display surface in each display device to the other display surface in each display device; and means for deciding preliminarily the contents of the variable display. The display changing means changes the position of the display surface by rotating the unit display device based on the approving the predetermined condition on the game.
However, for the unit display device disclosed in the reference applications, the specific composition of the display plate against the pattern display part (variable information), means for supporting the display device, drive source and means for transmitting to change the display device, and means for detecting for the changing position are not known. In addition, since the game machines disclosed in the reference applications are provided only the unit display device (first display device) at the casing of the game machine, it is the same as the reference utility model, above, basically when it is focused attention on the effect of the invention that diversity of the game is improved.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a unit display device and a game machine with the unit display device that the player glances at the corresponding pattern display part (or a part thereof) of the display device when the display position of the pattern display part of the unit display device is changed. It is another object of the present invention to provide a unit display device and a game machine with the unit display device that the unit display device can be downsized. It is still another object of the present invention to provide a unit display device and a game machine with the unit display device which can be installed in the casing of the game machine. It is further object of the present invention to provide a unit display device and a game machine with the unit display device that can leave a strong impression and association to the player that there are many “prize modes”. That is, various combinations of the pattern display part can be actualized.
In the present invention, the unit display device including a plurality kinds of display devices in a revolving body, capable of changing a position of a pattern display part based on a sight line of a player, further includes a plurality of display plates which are provided to the revolving body by the intersection each other, having windows corresponding to the pattern display part of the display device.
In addition, the unit display device including a plurality kinds of display devices in a revolving body, capable of changing a position of a pattern display part based on a sight line of a player, further includes the singular display plate which is provided at said revolving body and surrounds the plurality kinds of said display devices, said display plate having a plurality of windows corresponding to said pattern display part of said display device.
Furthermore, the game machine having an input part, first display device and second display device including a memory part and pattern display part which can see from a player and a display control device which can decide a prize mode includes a unit display device which is at least either the first display device or second display device; the unit display device having a revolving body, the revolving body forming display plates having windows corresponding to the pattern display part of the display devices; and the display control device which controls to perform a game as being related to the first display device and second display device.
As used herein, the term “pattern display part” is a part which displays the information on a number, a character, a sign, a pattern, a character illustration, a photograph, and so on. For example, a “pattern display part” is the perimeter of the reel by which the number for dividend determination is displayed.
In addition, as used herein, the term “cross shape” is intended to include crossing at right angle or at a slant, regardless of whether the display plate (surface) and display plate (surface) have a space or not.
The present invention is understood to encompass embodiments which include all or only a portion of the above objects, features and advantages which, unless recited in claims defining the invention, are understood not to limit interpretation of such claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe above, and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
The reference numeral 21 is a casing of the game machine 20, having generally rectangular vertical walls. The reference numeral 22 is a first panel which is provided at a center portion of a front surface of the casing 21, and the first panel 22 (for example, glass plate, synthetic resin) is formed in the shape of a rectangle and is located in the front side of a first display device 23. The first display device 23 may be an electronic display means (for example, liquid crystal screen) in this embodiment. Of course, the first display device 23 may be a mechanical display means with a plurality of reels in place of the electronic display means although it is not shown. When the first display device 23 is the mechanical display means, the first display device 23 is installed so as to approach the reel in the opening of the first base plate (not shown) which is located at the back side of the first panel 22.
For example, the first display device 23 sees a pattern display part 25 (changeable information) from a matrix-shaped display plate 24. In addition, the first display device 23 has a plurality of the pattern display parts 25 that can be checked visually from the player side through the display plate 24. When the first display device 23 is a mechanical display means like the above-mentioned, the pattern display part 25 includes pictures, numbers, figures, signs and so on provided at an outer circumferential part of the reel (rotating body). In addition, the detailed matter such as effective lines, lighting and the distribution display parts omits the explanation since it is similar to the well-known matter described to the above utility model. However, the effective line may be a movable member.
The reference numeral 26 is a second panel which is provided at an upper part of the casing 21. The edge of the second panel 26 (for instance, glass board) is formed in the shape of an arc. The second panel 26 is inclined toward the near side (side of the player) when the lower first panel 22 is based. A second base plate 27 having an opening 28 is installed at a backside of the second panel 26.
A unit-shaped second display device 35 is attached to the back part of the second base plate 27 through a supporting case 36 so as to locate the display plate of the revolving body 37, capable of changing.
The reference numeral 30 is a control panel formed in the shape of an incline and positioned under the first panel 22. Means 31 for operating with a plurality of buttons is provided to the operation panel 30. The operation button 31 includes a bet button for one coin, a bet button for several coins, a button for credit, a button for payoff, a button for starting the main game, a button for starting the sub game, a button for stopping the game and the like.
In addition, the operating means 31 includes an operation handle 32 which is provided at a side wall of the casing 21. The operating means 31, 32 are defined as the input part of the present invention. Additionally, the game machine 20 includes optional matter including a coin return, payoff return and the like.
The basic constructional element of the unit display device 35 (second display device) for the game machine is explained with reference in
In
The revolving body 37 is installed with a part thereof (about half of the revolving body) or full part thereof in the supporting case 36 through the slots 36b with a horizontal, vertical, inclined state of the right and left rotary shafts 38 and supporting case 36. In addition, a plurality of small attachment-holes are formed in the supporting case 36.
The revolving body 37 includes the rotary shaft 38 and is comprised of a pair of facing plates 37a, a connecting plate 37b which is attached fixedly to a center portion of an inner wall surface of the facing plates 37a and being at right angles to the facing plates 37a; and support plates 37c and 37d for the display device 40 and 41 which are fixed to both sides of the connecting plate 37b at a back-to back state. The display plate described later is provided to the facing plates 37a by the intersection of each other.
In addition, an opening is formed at the center portion of the wide support plate 37c, and the wheel or a drive source 48 (motor) of the reel-shaped display device 41 is arranged through an attachment frame 47 for the drive motor. The motor 48 is a special drive source to vary the pattern display part of the display device 41.
In addition, means 49 for detecting is provided at an outer wall surface of the support plate 37c, the detecting means detecting the rotational position of the wheel 41 (display member) of the display device 41. In addition, the reference numeral 50 is an output shaft of the drive motor 48; the reference numeral 52 is an index member including a fixing plate which is formed in the shape of a disc, the index member being fixed to the inner wall surface of the output shaft or the wheel 41a.
And now, the wheel 41a includes two pattern display parts P1 and P2. One is defined as the pattern display part P1 as a disc part of the wheel 41, another is defined as the pattern display part P2 as a belt-shaped outer circumferential part which crosses to the disc part P1.
As shown in
On the other hand, a plurality of drive motors which are not shown in the figure for the reel-shaped display device 40 are attached to the support plates 37d which are located at the back side of the connecting plate 37d. The outer circumferential part of each reel 40 of the reel-shaped display device 40 corresponds to the pattern display part P. In addition, the detecting means for the position which is not shown in the figure are arranged at each drive motor as is well known.
In addition, each detecting means is composed of a sensor board, a light-emitting diode, a phototransistor and index member which is attached to the movable member, single or a plurality of the detecting means are used according to the kind of the display device. The details of the detecting means for the position are omitted.
And now, the plurality of the display devices 40 and 41 are arranged in the facing plates 37a through the connecting plate 37b and support plates 37c, 37d in this embodiment. Therefore, the display devices 40, 41 can rotate in the supporting case 36.
In this embodiment, as shown in
In addition, since the belt-shaped outer circumferential part P2 of the wheel-shaped display device 41 is formed in the shape of a curved surface, one or more small liquid crystal screens corresponds to the third display device which is not shown in the figure are arranged at spaces of the belt-shaped outer circumferential part P2. In this case, a window part which can see the liquid crystal screen is formed at a display plate 55.
The drive source 43 is defined as the drive motor in this embodiment. In addition, power transmission means 44 having a function of speed reduction in this embodiment is comprised of a small pulley 44a which is fixed to the output shaft of the drive motor 43, a large pulley 44b which is provided at a side of the rotary shaft 38 of the revolving body 37 and a transmission belt 44c which is bridged over the small pulley 44a and the large pulley 44b. In addition, an index member 51, which is formed in the shape of a ring, is fixed to the outer wall surface of the large pulley 44b through suitable fixing means. The index member 51 has a plurality of radial projections 51a (three projections, for example), the projections capable of passing through the detected position (spaces 1 for example) of the detecting means 45.
In addition, the bearing member 46 is composed of a fixing plate 46a which fixed to the outer wall surface of the supporting case 36 so as to cover the horizontal slot 36b, forming in the shape of a circle or polygon and ball bearing 46b which is installed in the fixing plate 46a.
In addition, the drive source 43 may be replaced by a plunger (operating rod which moves forward and backward in the cylinder) using electric solenoid or pressure medium. Therefore, the power transmission means may also be replaced from a deceleration gear mechanism or power control mechanism including a control cum, control lever, crank and the like.
The plurality of display plates of the second display device 35 are fixed to the edge portions of the facing plate 37a of the revolving body 37 at a cross state. With reference in
The display plate of the second display device 35 has three plates even though the display devices 40, 41 which compose the second display device 35 have two kinds of devices. That is, the number of the plate is larger than that of the display device 40, 41. The reason comes from the fact that the part of the pattern display parts P1, P2 of the display devices 40, 41 can not be seen from one display plate (here, it is called “first display plate 55”) of the revolving body 37 depending on the exchanging position of the revolving body 37 as shown in
In other words, with reference in
In addition, in
In addition, in
Therefore, in this embodiment the openings of the first, second and third display plates, windows including the transparent sheets in this embodiment are formed with the different shape and numbers according to the kind of the pattern display part.
with reference in
The explanation of the obvious element for functions of each part is omitted. The relativity of the games of the first display device 23 and second display device 35 is explained simply.
Then the display control device 60 receives the game-start signal from the input part (31, 32) for example, the main game is carried out based on the program b of the memory part 61. In this embodiment, the main game is carried out by the first display device 23. Then, the display control device 60 causes the random number generating circuit 62 to activate at the same time that the game starts. The part between the starting point 62a and stop point 62b of the random number generating circuit 62 is defined as the variable time of the pattern display part 25 of the first display device 23. Then, when one of the prize mode (big game with relatively large amount of dividend) wins a prize by the “flag” in the computer and the drive source (drive motor or drive circuit) of the first display device 23 stops, the drive signal (trigger) is given to the drive source 43 for moving the display position (changing the unit) of the second display device 35. Then, the fact that the player wins a prize is announced to the player through the informing means and/or lighting system which are not shown in the figure.
Then, the display control device 60 controls so as to exchange from the position of one of display plates of the revolving body 37 of the second display device 35 to the other display plate of the revolving body according to the “prize mode” which is decided by the first display device 23. For each pattern display part P, P1, P2 of the plurality of the display devices 40, 41 of the second display device 35, the revolving body 37 rotates (includes inversion) at a predetermined angle (90 degrees, for example) by one drive source 43 and power transmission means 44 which are provided at the outer wall surface of the supporting case 36.
Then, the pattern display part appears from the player side at a visible state through the display plates 55, 56 and 57 individually installed in the revolving body 37 against the pattern display part P. P1, and P2 of each display devices 40, 41.
In other words, even though the display positions of the units (37, 40, 41) change, the pattern display part can be seen definitely from the window of either of the display plates 55, 56, 57 at a divided state.
FIGS. 10 to 12 show the illustrative examples of the relativity of the game between the first display device and second display device.
In addition,
In addition,
According to one of the embodiments of “prize mode” shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the display mode of the second display device 35 changes by changing the display control device 60. In particular, for the display mode show in
Then, the explanation of “prize mode” is added. “Prize mode” shown in FIGS. 10 to 12 is only one example. Therefore, “prize mode” is described as follows:
- (a) For example, “7”, “7” and “7” line on the effective line.
- (b) For example, “7” segment blinks.
- (c) Specific pattern appears the specific place.
- (d) The plurality of the specific pattern appears the specific place in parallel.
- (e) It increases the fun of the game that the odds to win a prize are high compared with the regular game.
- (f) For a bonus, it provides the regular bonus which is relatively small profit.
- (g) For the bonus, it provides the big bonus which is relatively large profit.
For the first embodiment, the outer appearance of the side wall of the supporting case for the unit is a plane, and the side wall which faces the display plate may be formed in the shape of a arc. Accordingly, the shape of the supporting case is not limited by the embodiment and examples. In addition, the quality of material, thickness and shapes (flat, curved, waved surfaces and the like) of the display plate are not limited. In addition, after the display plate is formed in the shape of a sheet, the window may be formed at that display plate.
One display plate 58 of the second embodiment includes at least the first display plate 55, second display plate SE and third display plate of the first embodiment.
The unit display device 35A for the game machine includes the plurality of the display devices which are provided at the revolving body 37, capable of changing the position of the pattern display part based on the sight of the player. This is the same as the first embodiment.
However, as shown in
As mentioned above, when one display plate 58 is bent suitably and at least one window is formed at the part corresponding to each pattern display part of the plurality of the display devices 40, 41, the present invention described in the second embodiment has similar advantages to that according to the first embodiment.
For the first embodiment, the unit display device for the game machine is defined by either the first display device 23 or second display device 35. However, both the first display device 23 and second display device 35 may be used in the unit display device for the game machine.
In addition, obvious matter and replacement matter for one skilled in the art, including the relation with the main game according the prize mode of the sub game, change from the mechanical rotation reel to the visual mode, addition to the video-type display device and display plates thereof and the like includes the description of the present invention.
The foregoing relates to a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention, it being understood that other variants and embodiments thereof are possible within the spirit and scope of the invention, the latter being defined by the appended claims.
Claims
1-10. (canceled)
11. In a unit display device assembly having a plurality of separate display devices ma revolving body, capable of changing a position of a pattern display part based on a sight line of a player, the device further comprising:
- a plurality of display plates which are provided on said revolving body and intersecting each other, the display plates having windows corresponding to said pattern display part of said display device.
12. The unit display device according to claim 11, wherein said windows of said display plate are formed in different shapes and numbers, respectively, according to the kinds of said pattern display part.
13. The unit display device according to claim 11, wherein parts of said pattern display part of said different display devices each other are appeared at one time from one window of one of said display plates in said display plates of said revolving body.
14. The unit display device according to claim 11, further including:
- a supporting case which supports said revolving body; and detection means for detecting the changing position of a drive source, power transmission means and said revolving body, each detection means installed in a side of an outer wall surface of said supporting case respectively.
15. The unit display device according to claim 14, wherein said revolving body has a part thereof or whole body thereof installed in said supporting case through a slot part which is formed at said supporting case.
16. In a game machine having an input part, first display device and second display device including a memory part and pattern display part which can be seen by a player, and a display control device which can decide a prize mode, the machine including:
- a unit display device which is at least either said first display device or second display device;
- said unit display device having a revolving body, said revolving body forming display plates having windows corresponding to said pattern display part of said the display devices; and
- said display control device which controls the machine to perform a game related to said first display device and second display device.
17. The game machine according to claim 16, wherein said display control device controls to exchange from the position of the one of said display plates of said revolving body to another said display plate of said revolving body according to a prize mode which is decided by said first display device
18. The game machine according to claim 16, wherein said display control device controls to actuate said first display device according to a prize mode which is decided by said display device provided at a side of said revolving body.
19. The game machine according to claim 16, wherein said unit display device further comprises:
- a supporting case which is provided at a back of a base plate of said game machine;
- a rotary shaft pivotably supporting said revolving body in the supporting case; and
- different display devices provided at a first face and second face of a connecting plate which crosses to a center part at an inner face of said facing support plate of said revolving body.
20. In a unit display device assembly having a plurality kinds of display devices in a revolving body, capable of changing a position of a pattern display part based on a sight line of a player, the unit further comprising:
- a singular display plate at said revolving body and surrounding the plurality kinds of said display devices, said display plate having a plurality of windows corresponding to said pattern display part of said display device.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 23, 2006
Publication Date: Apr 26, 2007
Inventor: Haruo Inoue (Tokyo)
Application Number: 11/473,367
International Classification: A63F 9/24 (20060101);