gaming machines

Abstract

To improve game properties.SOLUTION: A liquid crystal display (a performance display part) 16 displays a notification image 70 on the basis of winning a shooting order bell in an AT section (on the basis of establishment of a specific condition). The notification image 70 includes a first image 70a for notifying a user of information on an operation mode of a left stop button 9, a second image 70b for notifying a user of information on an operation mode of a middle stop button 10, and a third image 70c for notifying a user of information on an operation mode of a right stop button 11. A first anchor point P1 of the first image 70a indicated in Fig. 2 coincides with the first anchor point P1 of the first image 70a indicated in Fig. 3. A second anchor point P2 of the second image 70b indicated in Fig. 2 coincides with the second anchor point P2 of the second image 70b indicated in Fig. 3. A third anchor point P3 of the third image 70c indicated in Fig. 2 coincides with the third anchor point P3 of the third image 70c indicated in Fig. 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a gaming machine. [Background technology]

[0002] Some gaming machines are equipped with a variable display device having multiple (usually three) reels with various types of symbols on the outer periphery as identification information, and each reel starts to spin when the player operates a start switch, and stops the rotation within a predetermined maximum delay time from the timing of the player operating a stop button provided corresponding to each reel. In such gaming machines, a win is determined according to the display result derived when all the reels have stopped spinning.

[0003] The types of winning combinations include, for example, small combinations, special combinations, and replay combinations. Here, when a small combination is won, the player can obtain the benefit of receiving a predetermined number of medals for each type of small combination. Furthermore, when a special combination is won, the player can obtain the benefit of transitioning to an advantageous state that is advantageous to the player, such as a regular bonus or a big bonus, from the next game. Furthermore, when a replay combination is won, the player can obtain the benefit of being able to play the next game without having to spend new medals to set the number of bets.

[0004] As such a gaming machine, a gaming machine capable of displaying, on a liquid crystal display, a notification image that notifies the operation order of stop buttons provided corresponding to each reel is known (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5863898 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Recently, various interesting effect images have been displayed on liquid crystal displays during games. In this situation, there is a demand for improving the gameplay by displaying notification images on the liquid crystal display in an easy-to-see manner.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can improve playability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a first invention is a gaming machine including a cabinet and a front door provided on a front surface of the cabinet, wherein a first reel, a second reel, and a third reel are provided within the cabinet, and the second reel is located between the first reel and the third reel, and the front door has a window portion through which each reel can be seen, a first stop button for stopping the first reel, a second stop button for stopping the second reel, and a third stop button for stopping the third reel, and an effect display unit, wherein the effect display unit displays an alert image for notifying information relating to an operation mode of each stop button based on the establishment of a specific condition, and the alert image has at least a first alert image and a second alert image, and the first alert image and the second alert image differ in information relating to the operation mode, and the first alert image displays the The display screen includes a first image that notifies information relating to the operation mode of a first stop button, a second image that notifies information relating to the operation mode of the second stop button, and a third image that notifies information relating to the operation mode of the third stop button, and the second notification image includes a fourth image that notifies information relating to the operation mode of the first stop button, a fifth image that notifies information relating to the operation mode of the second stop button, and a sixth image that notifies information relating to the operation mode of the third stop button, and the first image, the second image, the third image, the fourth image, the fifth image, and the sixth image have reference points for changing the display mode, and the first image and the fourth image have the same reference points, the second image and the fifth image have the same reference points, and the third image and the sixth image have the same reference points. The front door is rotatable between a first state, a second state, and a third state, and the first state is a state in which the front door is closed, a supported member of the front door is supported by a support member of the housing, and a dimension of a gap from a predetermined bottom edge of the front door to a placement surface of the housing is a first dimension, and the second state is a state in which the front door is open, the supported member of the front door is not in contact with the support member of the housing, and a dimension of a gap from the predetermined bottom edge of the front door to a placement surface of the housing is a second dimension smaller than the first dimension. The third state is a state in which the front door is open, the supported member of the front door is in contact with the support member of the housing, and the dimension of the gap from a predetermined lower edge of the front door to the placement surface of the housing is a third dimension that is smaller than the first dimension, the first dimension being smaller than the diameter of a gaming ball and larger than the thickness of a gaming medal, the second dimension being also smaller than the diameter of a gaming ball and larger than the thickness of a gaming medal, and the third dimension being also smaller than the diameter of a gaming ball and larger than the thickness of a gaming medal. It is characterized by:

[0009] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a second invention is a gaming machine including a cabinet and a front door provided on a front surface of the cabinet, wherein a first reel, a second reel, and a third reel are provided within the cabinet, and the second reel is located between the first reel and the third reel, and the front door has a window portion through which each reel can be seen, a first stop button for stopping the first reel, a second stop button for stopping the second reel, and a third stop button for stopping the third reel, and an effect display unit, wherein the effect display unit displays notification images that notify information relating to an operation mode of each stop button based on the establishment of a specific condition, and the notification images include a first image that notifies information relating to an operation mode of the first stop button, a second image that notifies information relating to an operation mode of the second stop button, and a third image that notifies information relating to an operation mode of the third stop button, and The second image and the third image have reference points for changing the display mode, and if the vertical line passing through the midpoint of the width of the first reel is defined as an 11th line and the vertical line passing through the midpoint of the width of the first stop button is defined as a 12th line, the reference point of the first image is positioned so that it is between the 11th line and the 12th line, if the vertical line passing through the midpoint of the width of the second reel is defined as a 21st line and the vertical line passing through the midpoint of the width of the second stop button is defined as a 22nd line, the reference point of the second image is positioned so that it overlaps the 21st line and the 22nd line, and if the vertical line passing through the midpoint of the width of the third reel is defined as a 31st line and the vertical line passing through the midpoint of the width of the third stop button is defined as a 32nd line, the reference point of the third image is positioned so that it is between the 31st line and the 32nd line. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the playability. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1]FIG. 1A is a front view of a slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a front view showing a main monitor provided on a front door of the slot machine. [Figure 2] 10(a) to 10(c) are diagrams showing how notification images are displayed on a liquid crystal display. [Figure 3] 10(a) to 10(c) are diagrams showing how notification images are displayed on a liquid crystal display. [Figure 4] 10 is an enlarged view showing a supported member provided on the right side plate of the front door. FIG. [Figure 5] 10 is an enlarged view showing a support member provided on the right side plate of the housing. FIG. [Figure 6] 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line SS in FIG. 1 when the front door is in a first state. [Figure 7] 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line SS in FIG. 1 when the front door is in a second state. [Figure 8] 1 when the front door is in a third state. FIG. [Figure 9] (a) is a diagram showing the diameter of a gaming ball, (b) is a diagram showing the thickness of a medal, and (c) is a diagram showing the diameter of a medal. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The slot machine according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0013] [Basic configuration of slot machine] The basic configuration of the slot machine will be described with reference to Figure 1. Figure 1(a) is a front view of the slot machine according to this embodiment, and (b) is a front view showing the main monitor provided on the front door of the slot machine.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1(a), a slot machine S according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a cabinet 1 and a front door 2 provided on the front surface of the cabinet 1 so as to be rotatable (movable, displaceable).

[0015] The slot machine S also includes a transparent display window (window portion) 3, a left reel (first reel) 4, a center reel (second reel) 5, and a right reel (third reel) 6 arranged within the housing 1 corresponding to the display window 3, a medal insertion slot 7 located on the right side of the center of the front door 2, a start lever 8 for starting the rotation of each of the reels 4 to 6, a left stop button (left stop button) 9 for stopping the left reel 4, a center stop button (center stop button) 10 for stopping the center reel 5, and a right stop button (right stop button) 11 for stopping the right reel 6, a medal payout opening 12, and a tray 13. Note that "inside the housing" in this invention refers to the internal space formed by the housing 1 and the front door 2. The reels 4 to 6 may also be attached to the back surface of the front door 2.

[0016] Additionally, a cylinder lock 14 with a keyhole is provided to the lower right of the medal insertion slot 7. For example, when the amusement facility manager inserts a dedicated key (door key) into the keyhole and twists the cylinder lock 14 clockwise, the front door 2 becomes openable. As will be described in detail later, the front door 2 can be rotated to a first position, a second position, or a third position depending on the open state.

[0017] Furthermore, the slot machine S is equipped with a main monitor 15 that displays information (hereinafter referred to as instruction information) that enables identification of a condition device related to the instruction function of the operation mode, including the operation order (batting order) and operation timing of the left stop button 9, the center stop button 10, and the right stop button 11; a liquid crystal display (effect display unit) 16 that executes effects according to the progress of the game, a speaker 17, etc.; a MAXBET button 18 that is operated to set the maximum number of bets (3 in any game state in this embodiment) among the prescribed number of bets determined according to the game state within the range using credits (the number of medals stored as game value owned by the player); a settlement button 19 that is operated to settle the medals stored as credits and the medals used to set the number of bets (to return the medals used to set the credits and the number of bets); an effect switch 20 that accepts player operation when a predetermined effect is executed; a credit indicator 21 that displays the number of medals stored as credits; and a game auxiliary indicator 22 that displays the number of medals paid out when a win occurs and an error code indicating the content of an error when an error occurs.

[0018] As shown in Figure 1(b), the main monitor 15 is equipped with an instruction information display 15a that displays instruction information when the instruction function is activated in a favorable zone that can be controlled by AT (assist time) that enables the instruction function to be activated, and an advantageous zone display 15b that notifies the player that he or she is staying in the advantageous zone.

[0019] The instruction information display 15a is made up of a seven-segment display, and displays, for example, the number "1" as instruction information indicating batting order 1, which involves operating the left stop button 9 first, then the center stop button 10, and finally the right stop button 11. Note that batting order 2 is in the order of left stop button 9 → right stop button 11 → center stop button 10, and the instruction information display 15a displays the instruction information for batting order 2 as the number "2." Similarly, batting order 3 is center → left → right, batting order 4 is center → right → left, batting order 5 is right → left → center, and batting order 6 is right → center → left, and the instruction information display 15a displays the instruction information for batting orders 3 to 6 as the numbers "2" to "6," respectively.

[0020] The advantageous zone indicator 15b has an LED inside, and turns off the LED in non-advantageous zones that cannot be controlled by the AT, and turns on the LED in advantageous zones to indicate that the vehicle is in an advantageous zone.

[0021] The slot machine S has a power supply unit (not shown) inside the cabinet 1, and the power supply unit has a setting key and a setting change button for changing the setting value indicating the ball payout rate of the slot machine S (the ratio of the total number of medals paid out to the total number of medals inserted).

[0022] The slot machine S has six levels of payout rates, which correspond to setting values ​​1 to 6. The manager of the gaming facility can set one of multiple setting values ​​1 to 6, which have different degrees of advantage to the player, by operating a setting change button (not shown) or the like in a setting change mode in which the setting value can be changed.

[0023] The left reel 4, center reel 5, and right reel 6 are configured as a single reel unit and are each rotated by the drive of a corresponding stepping motor (not shown). When these reels 4 to 6 are stopped, three consecutive symbols (hereinafter referred to as the upper symbol, middle symbol, and lower symbol, respectively) arranged on the outer periphery of each reel 4 to 6 are displayed in the display window 3, allowing the player to view a total of nine symbols arranged in three rows and three columns. By spinning each of the reels 4 to 6, the symbols of each of the reels 4 to 6 are displayed in the display window 3 while continuously changing, and by stopping the rotation of each of the reels 4 to 6, three consecutive symbols are derived and displayed in the display window 3 as a display result.

[0024] The "first reel" constituting the present invention may be configured to include a left reel tape with various designs and a left reel frame around which the left reel tape is wound, or may be configured to consist of only the left reel tape. Similarly, the "second reel" may be configured to include a center reel tape and a center reel frame, or may be configured to consist of only the center reel tape. The "third reel" may be configured to include a right reel tape and a right reel frame, or may be configured to consist of only the right reel tape.

[0025] The display window 3 has upper, middle and lower stop positions where the upper, middle and lower symbols of each of the reels 4 to 6 stop, respectively, and as shown in Figure 1, a winning line L is set by combining the stop positions of each of the reels 4 to 6.

[0026] When playing a game on the slot machine S of this embodiment, first, medals are inserted into the medal insertion slot 7 or a bet is set using credits. To use credits, the MAXBET button 18 is operated. When a specified number of bets determined according to the game state is set, the pay line L is activated, and operation of the start lever 8 becomes valid, i.e., the game can be started. In this embodiment, the specified number of bets is set to three medals regardless of the game state, and when the specified number of bets is set, the pay line L is activated. Note that if medals are inserted in excess of the maximum number of medals determined according to the game state, the amount is added to the credits.

[0027] A winning line is a line set to determine whether the combination of symbols displayed in the display window 3 of each of the reels 4 to 6 is a winning combination. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, only the winning line L set across the symbols lined up horizontally in the middle row of the left reel 4, the middle row of the middle reel 5, and the middle row of the right reel 6 is defined as a winning line. Note that in this embodiment, only one winning line is used, but multiple winning lines may also be used.

[0028] When the start lever 8 is operated in a state where the game can be started, each of the reels 4 to 6 spins, and the symbols on each of the reels 4 to 6 change continuously. In this state, when any of the left stop button 9, center stop button 10, and right stop button 11 is operated, the rotation of the reel 4 to 6 corresponding to the operated stop button stops, and the display result is derived and displayed in the display window 3.

[0029] One game ends when all reels 4 to 6 have stopped, and if a predetermined symbol combination (hereinafter also referred to as "winning combination") stops on the pay line L as a display result on each of the reels 4 to 6, a win occurs, and a predetermined number of medals corresponding to the win are awarded to the player and added to the player's credits. When the credits reach an upper limit (50 in this embodiment), medals are paid out directly from the medal payout outlet 12. When a symbol combination that accompanies a transition to a game state stops on the pay line L as a display result on each of the reels 4 to 6, the game state transitions to a game state corresponding to the symbol combination.

[0030] In the slot machine S of this embodiment, after the game starts and the reels 4 to 6 start to rotate and the symbols start to change, when any of the stop buttons 9 to 11 is operated, the rotation of the reel corresponding to the operated stop button 9 to 11 stops and the symbol is displayed still. The maximum stop delay time from the operation of the stop button 9 to 11 to the stopping of the rotation of the corresponding reel 4 to 6 is 190 ms (milliseconds).

[0031] Reels 4 to 6 spin 80 times per minute, changing the symbols for 80 x 21 (number of symbols per reel) = 1680 symbols, so a maximum of four symbols can be drawn in 190 ms. In other words, the symbols that can be selected as stopping symbols are the symbol displayed when stop buttons 9 to 11 are operated, and the symbols four symbols ahead of that, for a total of five symbols.

[0032] Therefore, for example, if the pattern displayed on the lower row of the reel corresponding to the stop switch when any of stop buttons 9 to 11 is operated is used as a reference, the patterns up to four frames ahead from that pattern can be displayed on the lower row, so on each of reels 4 to 6, when any of stop buttons 9 to 11 is operated, the patterns located within five frames including the pattern displayed on the middle row of the reel corresponding to that stop button 9 to 11 can be displayed on the winning line L.

[0033] A plurality of types of symbols are arranged at regular intervals on the outer periphery of each of the reels 4 to 6. There are a plurality of types of symbol combinations, each of which is made up of one symbol arranged on the outer periphery of the left reel 4, one symbol arranged on the outer periphery of the center reel 5, and one symbol arranged on the outer periphery of the right reel 6, and one symbol combination is pre-assigned to one winning combination.

[0034] The roles are broadly divided into an RBB role that triggers a transition to RBB operation, a replay role (REP1 to REP4) that enables the next play without inserting medals, and a minor role (NML1 to NML29) that can pay out a predetermined number of medals to the player. In the following explanation, the display of a symbol combination corresponding to an RBB role on the winning line L will be referred to as a "winning RBB role," the display of a symbol combination corresponding to a replay role on the winning line L will be referred to as a "winning replay role," and the display of a symbol combination corresponding to a minor role on the winning line L will be referred to as a "winning minor role."

[0035] Although not shown, the slot machine S has a control board including a game control board that controls the progress of the game and a performance control board that controls the performance according to the progress of the game. Note that the transmission of electrical signals between the game control board and the performance control board is limited to one direction only, from the game control board to the performance control board, in order to prevent fraud, etc.

[0036] The game control board has semiconductor integrated circuits including a main CPU (central processing unit), a main ROM (read only memory) storing programs, and a main RAM (work area), and controls the entire slot machine S. The main CPU executes programs read from the main ROM to control the progress of the game in the slot machine S. For example, the main CPU includes an internal lottery means, a determination means, and a game state transition means. The internal lottery means acquires a random number for internal lottery when the start lever 8 is operated to start a game, and performs an internal lottery to determine one of multiple winning areas based on the acquired random number and the type of current game state. The winning areas are divided into a "non-winning area," a "small winning area," a "replay winning area," and an "RBB area." For example, the "small winning area" includes a "batting order bell" that is associated with both an 8-coin role that pays out 8 medals upon winning and a 1-coin role that pays out 1 medal upon winning. The "batting order bell" includes "1st batting order bell" to "6th batting order bell", and the correct batting order for "1st batting order bell" is "batting order 1", "2nd batting order bell" is "batting order 2", "3rd batting order bell" is "batting order 3", and so on. The determination means determines whether or not a symbol combination corresponding to a winning role is displayed on the winning line L. The game state control means transitions the game state based on the result of the internal lottery.

[0037] Like the gaming control board, the effect control board has various semiconductor integrated circuits including a sub-CPU which is a central processing unit, a sub-ROM which stores programs, etc., and a sub-RAM which functions as a work area, and controls the effects in particular based on commands from the gaming control board. For example, the sub-CPU has an effect control means, etc., which controls the effects according to the gaming state. The effect control means transitions the effect state between multiple types of effect states (non-AT effect state, AT effect state) in accordance with commands sent from the main CPU, determines the effect from multiple types depending on the results of an internal lottery, the setting / cancellation of a gaming zone (non-advantageous zone, advantageous zone), the type of effect state, etc., and causes the determined effect to be executed on the LCD display 16, etc.

[0038] In this embodiment, non-advantageous zones and advantageous zones can be set as game zones that manage the control of the AT. The advantageous zones include a "non-AT zone" that is not controlled by the AT and an "AT zone" that is controlled by the AT. In the AT zone, when the batting order bell is won, information regarding the operation mode of each stop button 9-11, which is information indicating the correct batting order, is displayed on the instruction information display 15a, and a notification image notifying information regarding this operation mode is displayed on the LCD display 16. In contrast, in the non-advantageous zones and non-AT zones, when the batting order bell is won, information regarding the operation mode of each stop button 9-11 is not displayed on the instruction information display 15a, and a notification image notifying information regarding this operation mode is not displayed on the LCD display 16.

[0039] The display mode of the notification image on the liquid crystal display 16 will be described below with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Figures 2(a) to (c) are diagrams showing the display mode of the notification image when the third batting order bell, in which the correct batting order is "batting order 3" in the internal lottery, is won in the AT period, and Figures 3(a) to (c) are diagrams showing the display mode of the notification image when the sixth batting order bell, in which the correct batting order is "batting order 6" in the internal lottery, is won in the AT period.

[0040] As shown in Fig. 2(a), after the start lever 8 is turned ON (operated), based on the fact that the third batting order bell is won in the internal lottery, an annunciation image (first annunciation image) 70 that notifies information about the operation mode of each of the stop buttons 9 to 11 is displayed in a specific area 16a of the liquid crystal display 16. The specific area 16a is an area above the display window 3 that extends from one end to the other end in the longitudinal direction of the display window 3 (a rectangular area indicated by a dotted line in Fig. 2(a)).

[0041] The notification image 70 includes a first image 70a that notifies information regarding the operation mode of the left stop button 9, a second image 70b that notifies information regarding the operation mode of the center stop button 10, and a third image 70c that notifies information regarding the operation mode of the right stop button 11. The first image 70a is displayed above the left reel 4 visible through the display window 3 in the specific area 16a. In other words, the first image 70a is the image displayed on the leftmost side of the notification image 70.

[0042] Furthermore, the second image 70b is displayed above the middle reel 5 visible through the display window 3 in the specific area 16a. In other words, the second image 70b is an image displayed in the center of the notification image 70. Furthermore, the third image 70c is displayed above the right reel 6 visible through the display window 3. In other words, the third image 70c is an image displayed at the rightmost position of the notification image 70.

[0043] 2(a), the first image 70a is composed of a first number image displaying the number "2" and a circular first background image displayed behind the first number image, and notifies the player that the second step is to operate the left stop button 9. The first image 70a is displayed by superimposing the first number image on the first background image.

[0044] The second image 70b is composed of a second number image displaying the number "1," a circular second background image displayed in the background of the second number image, and an annular effect image displayed around the second background image, and emphasizes to the player that he should first operate the middle stop button 10. The second image 70b is displayed by superimposing the second number image on the second background image, and further superimposing an effect image on the second background image and second number image.

[0045] The third image 70c is composed of a third number image displaying the number "3" and a circular third background image displayed in the background of the third number image, and notifies the player that the third (last) operation should be the right stop button 11. The third image 70c is displayed by superimposing the third number image on the third background image.

[0046] In the above embodiment, only the second image 70b in FIG. 2(a) includes an effect image, but this configuration is not limited thereto. For example, not only the second image 70b but also the first image 70a and the third image 70c may be configured to include effect images. In this case, the first image may be configured to include a first number image, a first background image, and a circular effect image displayed around the first background image. The third image may be configured to include a third number image, a third background image, and a circular effect image displayed around the third background image. This emphasizes to the player that the center stop button 10 should be operated first (first), the left stop button 9 should be operated second, and the right stop button 11 should be operated third (last), thereby reducing misunderstanding of the order in which the stop buttons 9 to 11 should be pressed.

[0047] 2(a), the diameters of the first image 70a, the second image 70b, and the third image 70c are different from one another. Specifically, the diameters increase in the order of the third image 70c, the first image 70a, and the second image 70b. In other words, the earlier the image is operated, the larger it is displayed.

[0048] In the following, the size corresponding to the diameter of the second image 70b shown in FIG. 2(a) is referred to as R MAX , the size corresponding to the diameter of the first image 70a is R MID , the size corresponding to the diameter of the third image 70c is R MIN Let's say.

[0049] The first image 70a has a first anchor point P1 at its center, which serves as a reference point when enlarging, reducing, or rotating (changing the display mode) the first image 70a. The first anchor point P1 is located near the center of the specific region 16a.

[0050] Specifically, if the vertical line passing through the midpoint of the width of the left reel 4 is defined as the first line (eleventh line) L1, and the vertical line passing through the midpoint of the width of the left stop button 9 is defined as the second line (twelfth line) L2, then the first anchor point P1 is located to the right of the first line L1 and to the left of the second line L2. In other words, the first anchor point P1 is located between the first line L1 and the second line L2 in the horizontal direction.

[0051] The second image 70b has a second anchor point P2 at its center, which serves as a reference point when enlarging, reducing, or rotating the second image 70b. The second anchor point P2 is located at the center of the specific region 16a.

[0052] Specifically, if the vertical line passing through the midpoint of the width of the center reel 5 is defined as a third line (21st line) L3, and the vertical line passing through the midpoint of the width of the center stop button 10 is defined as a fourth line (22nd line) L4, the second anchor point P2 is located on the third line L3 and also on the fourth line L4. In other words, the second anchor point P2 is located so as to overlap the third line L3 and the fourth line L4.

[0053] The third image 70c has a third anchor point P3 at its center, which serves as a reference point when enlarging, reducing, or rotating the third image 70c. The third anchor point P3 is located near the center of the specific region 16a.

[0054] Specifically, if the vertical line passing through the midpoint of the width of the right reel 6 is defined as a fifth line (31st line) L5, and the vertical line passing through the midpoint of the width of the right stop button 11 is defined as a sixth line (32nd line) L6, the third anchor point P3 is located to the left of the fifth line L5 and to the right of the sixth line L6. In other words, the third anchor point P3 is located between the fifth line L5 and the sixth line L6 in the horizontal direction.

[0055] In this way, the first anchor point P1 of the first image 70a displayed on the leftmost side of the notification image 70 and the third anchor point P3 of the third image 70c displayed on the rightmost side of the notification image 70 are positioned closer to the center of the specific area 16a of the liquid crystal display 16. Therefore, the notification image 70 as a whole is displayed closer to the center of the specific area 16a.

[0056] As shown in Figure 2(b), when the player first stops the middle stop button 10 in response to the notification of the notification image 70 (after the first stop), the middle reel 5 stops and the second image 70b disappears from the specific area 16a of the LCD display 16.

[0057] On the other hand, the first image 70a is displayed enlarged with respect to the first anchor point P1 compared to the case of FIG. 2(a). Specifically, the size of the diameter of the first image 70a is R MID From R MAX The display mode of the first image 70a is the same as the display mode of the second image 70b described in Fig. 2(a). The display mode of the third image 70c has not changed from that shown in Fig. 2(a).

[0058] As shown in Figure 2(c), when the player stops the left stop button 9 for the second time (after the second stop) in response to the notification of the notification image 70, the left reel 4 stops and the first image 70a disappears from the specific area 16a of the LCD display 16.

[0059] On the other hand, the third image 70c is displayed enlarged with respect to the third anchor point P3 compared to the case of FIG. 2(b). Specifically, the diameter of the third image 70c is R MIN From R MAX The display mode of the third image 70c is the same as the display mode of the second image 70b described with reference to FIG.

[0060] When the player finally stops the right stop button 11 in accordance with the notification of the notification image 70, the right reel 6 stops and the third image 70c disappears from the specific area 16a (not shown). Then, an eight-coin combination associated with the third batting order bell is won, and eight medals are paid out.

[0061] Next, as shown in Figure 3(a), after the start lever 8 is turned ON, an alert image (second alert image) 70 is displayed in a specific area 16a of the LCD display 16 based on the fact that the sixth batting order bell has been won in an internal lottery.

[0062] In FIG. 3(a), the first image (fourth image) 70a is composed of a first number image displaying the number "3" and a circular first background image displayed in the background of the first number image, informing the player that the left stop button 9 should be operated third (last). The second image (fifth image) 70b is composed of a second number image displaying the number "2" and a circular second background image displayed in the background of the second number image, informing the player that the middle stop button 10 should be operated second. The third image (sixth image) 70c is composed of a third number image displaying the number "1", a circular background image displayed in the background of the third number image, and an annular effect image displayed around the third background image, informing the player that the right stop button 11 should be operated first (first). The superposition of the images constituting the first image 70a, the second image 70b, and the third image 70c is the same as that described with reference to FIG. 2(a).

[0063] 2(a), the first image 70a, the second image 70b, and the third image 70c in Fig. 3(a) have different diameters. Specifically, the diameters of the first image 70a, the second image 70b, and the third image 70c increase in this order.

[0064] The first anchor point P1 of the first image 70a is located between the first line (the eleventh line) L1 and the second line (the twelfth line) L2, at the same position as in Figures 2(a) and (b). The second anchor point P2 of the second image 70b overlaps with the third line (the 21st line) L3 and the fourth line (the 22nd line) L4, at the same position as in Figure 2(a). The third anchor point P3 of the third image 70c is located between the fifth line (the 31st line) L5 ​​and the sixth line (the 32nd line) L6, at the same position as in Figures 2(a) to (c).

[0065] Thus, even in the case of Figure 3(a), the first anchor point P1 and the third anchor point P3 are positioned toward the center of the specific area 16a of the LCD display 16, so that the notification image 70 as a whole is displayed toward the center of the specific area 16a.

[0066] As shown in Figure 3(b), when the player stops the right stop button 11 for the first time in response to the notification of the notification image 70 (after the first stop), the right reel 6 stops and the third image 70c disappears from the specific area 16a of the LCD display 16.

[0067] On the other hand, the second image 70b is displayed enlarged with respect to the second anchor point P2 compared to the case of FIG. 3(a). Specifically, the size of the diameter of the second image 70b is R MID From R MAX The display mode of the second image 70b is the same as the display mode of the third image 70c described in Fig. 3(a). The display mode of the first image 70a has not changed from that shown in Fig. 3(a).

[0068] As shown in Figure 3(c), when the player stops the middle stop button 10 for the second time (after the second stop) in accordance with the notification of the notification image 70, the middle reel 5 stops and the second image 70b disappears from the specific area 16a of the LCD display 16.

[0069] On the other hand, the first image 70a is displayed enlarged from the first anchor point P1 as compared to the case of FIG. 3(b). Specifically, the diameter of the first image 70a is R MIN From R MAX The display mode of the first image 70a is the same as the display mode of the third image 70c described in FIG.

[0070] When the player finally stops the left stop button 9 in accordance with the notification of the notification image 70, the left reel stops and the first image 70a disappears from the specific area 16a. Then, an eight-coin combination associated with the sixth batting order bell is won, and eight medals are paid out.

[0071] 2 and 3, the position of the first anchor point P1 is the same between the first image 70a notified based on the winning of the third batting order bell as shown in Figures 2(a) and (b) and the first image (fourth image) 70a notified based on the winning of the sixth batting order bell as shown in Figures 3(a) to (c). Similarly, the position of the second anchor point P2 is the same between the second image 70b notified based on the winning of the third batting order bell as shown in Figure 2(a) and the second image (fifth image) 70b notified based on the winning of the sixth batting order bell as shown in Figures 3(a) and (b). Similarly, the third image 70c notified based on winning the third batting order bell as shown in Figures 2(a) to (c) and the third image (sixth image) 70c notified based on winning the sixth batting order bell as shown in Figure 3(a) are displayed at the same position as the third anchor point P3.

[0072] Specifically, in all of Figures 2(a), (b) and 3(a) to (c), the first anchor point P1 is located at a specific position between the first line L1 and the second line L2 in the specific region 16a of the liquid crystal display 16. In addition, in all of Figures 2(a) and 3(a) and (b), the second anchor point P2 is located on the third line L3 and at a specific position on the fourth line L4. Furthermore, in all of Figures 2(a) to (c) and 3(a), the third anchor point P3 is located at a specific position between the fifth line L5 and the sixth line L6.

[0073] In the above embodiment, the first image 70a shown in FIGS. 2(a) and (b) and the first image (fourth image) 70a shown in FIGS. 3(a) to (c) are displayed at the same position of the first anchor point P1. However, this configuration is not limited to this. The anchor point of the first number image included in the first image 70a shown in FIGS. 2(a) and (b) may be aligned with the anchor point of the first number image included in the first image (fourth image) 70a shown in FIGS. 3(a) to (c). The anchor point of the first background image included in the first image 70a shown in FIGS. 2(a) and (b) may be aligned with the anchor point of the first background image included in the first image (fourth image) 70a shown in FIGS. 3(a) to (c). Furthermore, the anchor point of the effect image included in the first image 70a shown in FIGS. 2(a) and (b) may be aligned with the anchor point of the effect image included in the first image (fourth image) 70a shown in FIGS. 3(a) to (c). The same applies to the second image 70b shown in Figure 2(a) and the second image (fifth image) 70b shown in Figures 3(a) and (b), as well as the third image 70c shown in Figures 2(a) to (c) and the third image (sixth image) 70c shown in Figure 3(a).

[0074] In this way, by displaying the notification image 70 closer to the center of the LCD display 16, the notification image 70 can be made easier to see, but in the slot machine S of this embodiment, the following measures have also been taken to further improve the visibility of the notification image 70.

[0075] Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2(a), (b) and 3(a) to (c), if the vertical line passing through the right end of the left reel 4 is a seventh line L7, the diameter of the first image 70a is R. MAX , R MID and R MINIn either case, the right edge of the first image 70a is not displayed to the right of the seventh straight line L7 (toward the second image 70b) in the horizontal direction. In other words, the first image 70a as a whole is displayed so as not to extend beyond the seventh straight line L7 to the right. Therefore, the distance between the first image 70a and the second image 70b is not too narrow, and is an appropriate distance that makes the first image 70a and the second image 70b easy to see.

[0076] 2(a) to (c) and 3(a), if the vertical line passing through the right end of the right reel 6 is the eighth line L8, the diameter of the third image 70c is R MAX , R MID and R MIN In either case, the left edge of the third image 70c is not displayed to the left of the eighth straight line L8 in the horizontal direction (toward the second image 70b). In other words, the third image 70c as a whole is displayed so as not to extend beyond the eighth straight line L8 to the left. Therefore, the distance between the third image 70c and the second image 70b is not too narrow, and is an appropriate distance that makes the third image 70c and the second image 70b easy to see.

[0077] In the above embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2(a), (b) and 3(a) to (c), the first image 70a is configured so that it does not extend beyond the seventh line L7 to the right. However, this configuration is not limited to this. For example, the effect image in the first image 70a may be displayed so that it extends beyond the seventh line L7 to the right, and the first background image and the first number image may be displayed so that they do not extend beyond the seventh line L7 to the right. Alternatively, the effect image and the first background image in the first image 70a may be displayed so that they extend beyond the seventh line L7 to the right, and the first number image may be displayed so that they do not extend beyond the seventh line L7 to the right. Note that even when the third image 70c includes an effect image, the above-described modified example of the first image 70a can be adopted.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 2(a) and FIG. 3(a) and (b), the diameter of the second image 70b is R MAX , R MID and R MINIn either case, the left edge of the second image 70b is not displayed to the left of the seventh line L7 (toward the first image 70a) in the horizontal direction, and the right edge of the second image 70b is not displayed to the right of the eighth line L8 (toward the third image 70c) in the horizontal direction. In other words, the second image 70b as a whole is displayed so as not to extend beyond the seventh line L7 to the left, and so as not to extend beyond the eighth line L8 to the right. Therefore, the distance between the second image 70b and the first image 70a and the distance between the second image 70b and the third image 70c are not too narrow, and are appropriate distances that make the first image 70a, the second image 70b, and the third image 70c easy to view.

[0079] In the above embodiment, as shown in Figures 2(a) and 3(b), the effect image of the second image 70b, for example, is displayed in a circular shape, but the shape is not limited to this and various shapes can be adopted depending on the content of the model, etc. Also, as shown in Figures 2(a) and 3(b), the second background image of the second image 70b, for example, is displayed in a circular shape, but the shape is not limited to this and various shapes can be adopted depending on the content of the model, etc. The same applies to the first image 70a and the third image 70c.

[0080] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, for example, in FIG. 2, the second image 70b is configured to include a second number image, a second background image, and an effect image, but is not limited to this configuration. For example, the second image 70b may be configured to include a second number image and a second background image, or may be configured to include only the second number image. The same applies to the first image 70a and the third image 70c. The same applies to the first image 70a, the second image 70b, and the third image 70c in FIG. 3.

[0081] [Effects of this embodiment] As explained above, the slot machine S according to this embodiment is a slot machine (gaming machine) S that includes a cabinet 1 and a front door 2 provided on the front surface of the cabinet 1. The cabinet 1 is provided with a left reel (first reel) 4, a center reel (second reel) 5, and a right reel (third reel) 6, and the center reel 5 is located between the left reel 4 and the right reel 6. The front door 2 is provided with a display window (window portion) 3 that allows each reel to be seen, a left stop button (first stop button) 9 that stops the left reel 4, and a center stop button (second stop button) 10 that stops the center reel 5. The display 16 displays an image 70 informing the player of information relating to the operation mode of each of the stop buttons 9 to 11 based on the winning of the batting order bell in the AT section (based on the establishment of a specific condition), and the image 70 informing the player of information relating to the operation mode of the left stop button 9, a second image 70b informing the player of information relating to the operation mode of the center stop button 10, and a third image 70c informing the player of information relating to the operation mode of the right stop button 11. The first image 70a, the second image 70b, and the third image 70c have a first anchor point (reference point) P1, a second anchor point (reference point) P2, and a third anchor point (reference point) P3 when changing the display mode. If a vertical line passing through the midpoint of the width of the left reel 4 is defined as a first line (eleventh line) L1, and a vertical line passing through the midpoint of the width of the left stop button 9 is defined as a second line (twelfth line) L2, the first anchor point P1 of the first image 70a is disposed between the first line L1 and the second line L2. If the vertical line passing through the midpoint of the width of the center reel 5 is a third line (21st line) L3 and the vertical line passing through the midpoint of the width of the center stop button 10 is a fourth line (22nd line) L4, the second anchor point P2 of the second image 70b is arranged so as to overlap the third line L3 and the fourth line L4. If the vertical line passing through the midpoint of the width of the right reel 6 is a fifth line (31st line) L5 ​​and the vertical line passing through the midpoint of the width of the right stop button 11 is a sixth line (32nd line) L6, the third anchor point P3 of the third image 70c isThe notification image 70 is characterized by being arranged between the fifth straight line L5 and the sixth straight line L6. Therefore, by narrowing the gap between the first image 70a and the second image 70b, and the gap between the third image 70c and the second image 70b, the notification image 70 can be displayed closer to the center of the liquid crystal display 16. This reduces the amount of eye movement required by the player viewing the notification image 70, making it easier to see the notification image 70. This improves gameplay.

[0082] Also, by reducing the amount of movement of the player's line of sight, eye fatigue of the player can be reduced. Furthermore, since the notification image 70 can be displayed closer to the center of the liquid crystal display 16, the background area of ​​the notification image 70 can be expanded, and various effects can be effectively executed on the liquid crystal display 16.

[0083] The slot machine S according to this embodiment is a slot machine (gaming machine) S that includes a cabinet 1 and a front door 2 provided on the front of the cabinet 1. The cabinet 1 includes a left reel (first reel) 4, a center reel (second reel) 5, and a right reel (third reel) 6. The center reel 5 is located between the left reel 4 and the right reel 6. The front door 2 includes a display window (window portion) 3 that allows the reels 4 to 6 to be seen, a left stop button (first stop button) 9 that stops the left reel 4, a center stop button (second stop button) 10 that stops the center reel 5, and a right stop button (third stop button) that stops the right reel 6. The liquid crystal display 16 displays notification images 70 that notify information about the operation mode of each stop button 9 to 11 based on winning the batting order bell in the AT section (based on the establishment of a specific condition), and the notification images 70 include at least an notification image (first notification image) 70 that is notified based on winning the third batting order bell in the internal lottery as shown in Figures 2(a) to (c), and an notification image (second notification image) 70 that is notified based on winning the sixth batting order bell in the internal lottery as shown in Figures 3(a) to (c), and these notification images 70,The notification images 70 notified based on the winning of the third batting order bell include a first image 70a notifying information about the operation mode of the left stop button 9, a second image 70b notifying information about the operation mode of the center stop button 10, and a third image 70c notifying information about the operation mode of the right stop button 11, as shown in FIG. 2, and the notification images 70 notified based on the winning of the sixth batting order bell include a first image (fourth image) 70a notifying information about the operation mode of the left stop button 9, a second image (fifth image) 70b notifying information about the operation mode of the center stop button 10, and a third image (sixth image) 70c notifying information about the operation mode of the right stop button 11, as shown in FIG. 0c, and the first image 70a, second image 70b, and third image 70c shown in FIG. 2 and the first image 70a, second image 70b, and third image 70c shown in FIG. 3 have a first anchor point (reference point) P1, a second anchor point (reference point) P2, and a third anchor point (reference point) P3 when changing the display mode. The first image 70a shown in FIG. 2 and the first image 70a shown in FIG. 3 are characterized in that the first anchor point P1 coincides with the first image 70a shown in FIG. 2, the second image 70b shown in FIG. 2 and the second image 70b shown in FIG. 3 are characterized in that the second anchor point P2 coincides with the second image 70b shown in FIG. 2, and the third image 70c shown in FIG. 2 and the third image 70c shown in FIG. 3 are characterized in that the third anchor point P3 coincides with the first image 70a shown in FIG. 2. Therefore, even if the notification content of the notification image 70 changes, the player can smoothly progress through the game without feeling uncomfortable. This improves gameplay. ,

[0084] Furthermore, in the slot machine S according to this embodiment, the diameter of the first image 70a included in the notification image 70 is R MAX , R MID and R MIN In either case, the right end of the first image 70a is not displayed to the right of the seventh straight line L7 (toward the second image 70b) in the horizontal direction. MAX , R MID and RMIN In either case, the left edge of the third image 70c is not displayed to the left of the eighth straight line L8 (toward the second image 70b) in the horizontal direction. Therefore, the distance between the second image 70b and the first image 70a, and the distance between the second image 70b and the third image 70c are not too narrow, and an appropriate distance that makes the first image 70a, the second image 70b, and the third image 70c easy to see can be secured. Therefore, the player can accurately understand the notification content of the notification image 70, and the player can be prevented from pressing the stop buttons 9 to 11 by mistake.

[0085] In the above embodiment, the first anchor point P1 is located at the center of the first image 70a, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration and may be located, for example, at a position away from the center of the first image 70a. The same applies to the second anchor point P2 and the third anchor point P3. In this case, the same effects as those of the above embodiment can be achieved.

[0086] In the above embodiment, the first anchor point P1, the second anchor point P2, and the third anchor point P3 are located at the same height in the vertical direction, but this configuration is not limited to this. For example, the height positions of the first anchor point P1 and the third anchor point P3 may be lower or higher than the height position of the second anchor point P2. In this case, the same effects as those of the above embodiment can be achieved.

[0087] In the above embodiment, the slot machine S is configured with three reels (first reel, second reel, and third reel). However, this configuration is not limited thereto. For example, the slot machine S may be configured with the first reel, second reel, third reel, and fourth reel arranged in order from left to right. In this case, the reference point of the first image may be located between the 11th line and the 12th line, and the reference point of the fourth image (an image displaying information regarding the operation mode of the fourth stop button) may be located between the 41st line (a vertical line passing through the midpoint of the width of the fourth reel) and the 42nd line (a vertical line passing through the midpoint of the width of the fourth stop button). The reference point of the second image may be located so as to overlap the 21st line and the 22nd line, and the reference point of the third image may be located so as to overlap the 31st line and the 32nd line. This configuration also achieves the same effects as the above embodiment.

[0088] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, Figures 2(a) to 2(c) explain the case where the third batting order bell is drawn, and Figures 3(a) to 3(c) explain the case where the sixth batting order bell is drawn, but even if another batting order bell is drawn by internal lottery, the positions of the first to third anchor points P1 to P3 may be the same as those explained above. For example, the positions of the first to third anchor points P1 to P3 may be the same as those explained above when the third batting order bell is drawn and when the first batting order bell is drawn.

[0089] In the above embodiment, an example was given in which the numbers "2-1-3" are displayed from left to right in the specific area 16a of the liquid crystal display 16 based on the winning of the third batting order bell in Fig. 2(a), and the numbers "3-2-1" are displayed from left to right in the specific area 16a of the liquid crystal display 16 based on the winning of the sixth batting order bell in Fig. 3(a). In this case, the number of the first number image included in the first image 70a shown in Figs. 2(a) and (b) is "2," and the number of the first number image included in the first image (fourth image) 70b shown in Figs. 3(a) to (c) is "3," and these numbers are different, but are not limited to this.

[0090] For example, as shown in Figure 2(a), the present invention can be applied to cases where the numbers "2-1-3" are displayed from left to right in the specific area 16a of the LCD display 16, and cases where the numbers "2-3-1" are displayed from left to right in the specific area 16a of the LCD display 16. The case where the numbers "2-3-1" are displayed corresponds to the case where the 5th batting order bell, for which the correct batting order is "batting order 5," is won.

[0091] In the above case, the number of the first number image included in the first image 70a shown in Figures 2(a) and (b) is "2", and the number of the first number image included in the first image (fourth image) displayed when the batting order bell 5 is won is "2", and these numbers are the same. In other words, the numbers in the "first image" and "fourth image" constituting the present invention may be different or the same. The same is true for the "second image" and "fifth image", and the "third image" and "sixth image" constituting the present invention.

[0092] [About the support members of the housing and the supported members of the front door] Next, the configuration of the cabinet 1 and the front door 2 will be described with reference to Figures 4 to 9. Figure 4 is an enlarged view showing a supported member provided on the right side plate of the front door 2 of the slot machine S, and Figure 5 is an enlarged view showing a supporting member provided on the right side plate of the cabinet 1 of the slot machine S. In the following, the front, back, left, and right directions are defined based on the player facing the slot machine S.

[0093] As shown in Fig. 4, a right side plate 2a extending in the vertical direction is provided on the lower right side of the rear side of the front door 2, and a supported member 40 is provided adjacent to the inside of the right side plate 2a. The supported member 40 protrudes rearward (toward the housing 1) and is supported by a support member 50 (see Fig. 5) of the housing 1, which will be described later, when the front door 2 is closed.

[0094] The supported member 40 of the front door 2 has a flat plate portion 41 and a roller portion 42. The flat plate portion 41 is provided so as to protrude rearward from the inside of the right side plate 2a of the front door 2. The flat plate portion 41 is also bent inward so as to form a gap between it and the right side plate 2a, and the roller portion 42 is disposed in this gap.

[0095] The roller portion 42 is pivotally supported on the tip of the flat plate portion 41 via the shaft portion 43 and is rotatable around the shaft portion 43. The roller portion 42 also protrudes rearward in the front-to-rear direction beyond the right side plate 2a, so that when the front door 2 is closed, the roller portion 42 comes into contact with the housing 1 before the right side plate 2a does.

[0096] 5, a support member 50 is provided on the right side plate 1a of the housing 1 at a position facing the supported member 40 of the front door 2. The support member 50 is attached to the right side plate 1a via a base plate 51.

[0097] The support member 50 has a guide portion 52, a support portion 53, and a blocking portion 54. The guide portion 52 is formed so as to incline forward, and its rear end side is connected to the front end side of the support portion 53. The guide portion 52 is capable of coming into contact with the roller portion 42 of the supported member 40 when the front door 2 is closed. When the amusement facility manager pushes the front door 2 rearward with the roller portion 42 in contact with the guide portion 52, the roller portion 42 moves on the guide portion 52 and is guided onto the support portion 53.

[0098] The support portion 53 supports the roller portion 42 from below. The support portion 53 is formed to be inclined backward, and its rear end side is connected to the blocking portion 54. Therefore, the roller portion 42 can easily move on the support portion 53 toward the blocking portion 54.

[0099] The blocking portion 54 is erected perpendicular to the support portion 53 and functions as a stopper that prevents the roller portion 42 from moving backward.

[0100] The front door 2 is rotatable to a first state, a second state, and a third state depending on whether it is open or closed. The first to third states of the front door 2 will be described below with reference to Figs. 6 to 8. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the front door taken along line SS in FIG. 1 when the front door is in a first state, FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the front door taken along line SS in FIG. 1 when the front door is in a second state, and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the front door taken along line SS in FIG. 1 when the front door is in a third state.

[0101] The cross section along line SS shown in Figures 6 to 8 is a cross section taken perpendicularly to the placement surface Z of the cabinet 1 at a position about one or two medals inward from the right side of the cabinet 1 or the front door 2. In addition, near the rear of this position, a supported member 40 of the front door 2 and a supporting member 50 of the cabinet 1 are provided.

[0102] 6, the first state of the front door 2 is a state in which the front door 2 is closed and the roller portion 42 of the supported member 40 of the front door 2 is placed on the support portion 53 in contact with the blocking portion 54 of the support member 50 of the housing 1. In the first state, a first gap G1 is formed between the bottom edge portion 2b of the front door 2 and the placement surface Z of the housing 1.

[0103] The vertical dimension of the first gap G1 is set to a first dimension D1 (approximately 3 mm to 5 mm). The first dimension D1 is smaller than the diameter of the game ball B (approximately 11 mm) as shown in Figure 9(a) and larger than the thickness of the medal M (approximately 1.6 mm to 1.7 mm) as shown in Figure 9(b).

[0104] 7, the second state of the front door 2 is a state in which the front door 2 is open and the roller portion 42 of the supported member 40 of the front door 2 is not in contact with the support member (guide portion 52) of the housing 1. In the second state, a second gap G2 is formed between the lower side portion 2b of the front door 2 and the placement surface Z of the housing 1.

[0105] The vertical dimension of the second gap G2 is set to a second dimension D2 (approximately 2 to 3 mm). Similar to the first dimension D1 (see FIG. 6), the second dimension D2 is smaller than the diameter of the game ball B (see FIG. 9(a)) and larger than the thickness of the medal M (see FIG. 9(b)). In addition, in the second state, the opening angle (rotation angle) of the front door 2 is 10 degrees or less, and the second dimension is a generally constant value within this range of opening angle.

[0106] 8, the third state of the front door 2 is a state in which the front door 2 is closed and the roller portion 42 of the supported member 40 of the front door 2 abuts against (the guide portion 52 of) the support member 50 of the housing 1. In the third state, a third gap G3 is formed between the lower side portion 2b of the front door 2 and the placement surface Z of the housing 1.

[0107] The vertical dimension of the third gap G3 is set to a third dimension D3 (approximately 2 mm to 3 mm). Similar to the first dimension D1 (see FIG. 6) and the second dimension D2 (see FIG. 7), the third dimension D3 is smaller than the diameter of the game ball B (see FIG. 9(a)) and larger than the thickness of the medal M (see FIG. 9(b)).

[0108] Although not shown, when the front door 2 is in the third state, the dimension from the right edge of the front door 2 to the right edge of the housing 1 in a front view is set to a fourth dimension D4 (approximately 33 mm). The fourth dimension D4 is larger than the diameter of the medal M (approximately 25 mm or approximately 30 mm) as shown in FIG. 9(c). In addition, in the third state, the opening angle (rotation angle) of the front door 2 is less than the opening angle of the front door 2 in the second state.

[0109] In this way, depending on the open / closed state of the front door 2, gaps G1 to G3 of different sizes are formed between the bottom edge 2b of the front door 2 and the placement surface Z of the housing 1. That is, when the front door 2 is in the first state, a first gap G1 of a first dimension D1 is formed, when the front door 2 is in the second state, a second gap G2 of a second dimension D2 is formed, and when the front door 2 is in the third state, a third gap G3 of a third dimension D3 is formed. The magnitude relationship between the first to third dimensions D1, D2, and D3 is D3 ≈ D2 ≦ D1.

[0110] [Effects of this embodiment] As described above, in the slot machine S according to this embodiment, whether the front door 2 is in the first state or the second state, the dimensions (first dimension D1, second dimension D2) of the gap (first gap G1, second gap G2) formed between the lower edge portion 2b of the front door 2 and the placement surface Z of the cabinet 1 are larger than the thickness of the game medal. Therefore, even when the front door 2 is rotated from the second state to the first state or from the first state to the second state, the rotation can be prevented from being blocked by the medal.

[0111] In particular, the front door 2 is fitted with heavy devices such as various performance devices, and when the front door 2 is opened, the front door 2 sags slightly downward due to its own weight. As a result, the vertical dimension of the gap formed between the lower edge 2b of the front door 2 and the placement surface Z of the cabinet 1 may become smaller than the thickness of the medal. In this case, when the front door 2 is opened or closed, the medal may get caught in the gap, making it impossible to open or close the front door 2, or the front door 2 itself may be damaged.

[0112] However, in this embodiment, the front door 2 is designed so that medals will not get caught in the gap between the bottom edge 2b of the front door 2 and the placement surface Z of the housing 1 when the front door 2 is in the first state or the second state. Specifically, the size of the gap is set so that even if a medal gets into the gap, the medal will not come into contact with the bottom edge 2b of the front door 2. Therefore, when the front door 2 is rotated from the second state to the first state or from the first state to the second state, the rotation can be performed smoothly without being blocked by a medal, and further, damage to the front door 2 itself can be prevented.

[0113] Furthermore, even when the front door 2 is in the third state, the dimension (third dimension D3) of the gap (third gap G3) formed between the lower edge 2b of the front door 2 and the placement surface Z of the cabinet 1 is larger than the thickness of the game medal. Therefore, when the front door 2 is rotated from the third state to the second state or from the second state to the third state, the rotation can be performed smoothly without being obstructed by the medal, and further, damage to the front door 2 itself can be prevented.

[0114] Furthermore, whether the front door 2 is in the first, second, or third state, the vertical dimensions (first, second, or third dimensions D1, D3) of the gaps (first, second, or third gaps G1, G3) formed between the bottom edge 2b of the front door 2 and the placement surface Z of the cabinet 1 are smaller than the diameter of a gaming ball. Therefore, even if a pachinko machine is placed near the slot machine S and a gaming ball used in the pachinko machine rolls onto the slot machine S, the design prevents the gaming ball from getting into the gap between the bottom edge 2b of the front door 2 and the placement surface Z of the cabinet 1. This prevents the front door 2 from being unable to rotate smoothly due to a gaming ball getting into the gap between the bottom edge 2b of the front door 2 and the placement surface Z of the cabinet 1, and also prevents damage to the front door 2 itself.

[0115] As described above, the slot machine S according to this embodiment is a gaming machine (slot machine S in this example) capable of playing a game, and includes a cabinet (cabinet 1 in this example) and a front door (front door 2 in this example) provided on the front of the cabinet, and the front door has a first state (the state shown in FIG. 6 in this example) and a second state (the state shown in FIG. 7 in this example). In the first state, the front door is closed, a supported member of the front door (supported member 40 in FIG. 4 in this example) is supported by a support member of the cabinet (support member 50 in FIG. 5 in this example), and a predetermined lower edge portion of the front door (lower edge portion 2b in FIG. 6 in this example) is supported by a support surface of the cabinet (support surface 50 in FIG. 6 in this example). The second state is a state in which the dimension of the gap (in this example, the first gap G1 in Figure 6) from the front door to the support surface (plane Z) of the housing is a first dimension (in this example, the first dimension D1 in Figure 6), and the second state is a state in which the front door is open, the supported member of the front door is not abutting the support member of the housing, and the dimension of the gap (in this example, the second gap G2 in Figure 7) from a predetermined lower edge of the front door to the support surface of the housing is a second dimension (in this example, the second dimension D2 in Figure 7) that is smaller than the first dimension, and the first dimension is smaller than the diameter of a gaming ball and larger than the thickness of a gaming medal, and the second dimension is also smaller than the diameter of a gaming ball and larger than the thickness of a gaming medal.

[0116] In the above embodiment, the front door 2 has an upper door and a lower door, and the upper door and the lower door may be configured to be pivotally supported separately on the housing 1 so as to be openable and closable, or may be configured to be detachable and attachable so as to be openable and closable. Also, either the upper door or the lower door may be pivotally supported on the housing 1 so as to be openable and closable, or may be configured to be detachable and attachable so as to be openable and closable. In this case, if the configuration of the supported member of the front door 2 is applied to the lower door, the same effect as above can be achieved.

[0117] In addition, in the above embodiment, a slot machine S equipped with an AT was described as an advantageous state, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can also be applied to a slot machine equipped with a so-called real bonus in which the probability of winning a small prize is set to a high probability, or a slot machine equipped with a so-called ART that is controlled by both an AT and an RT. [Explanation of symbols]

[0118] S Slot Machine 1 chassis 2 Front door 4 Left reel (1st reel) 5 Middle reel (second reel) 6 Right reel (third reel) 9 Left stop button (first stop button) 10 Middle stop button (second stop button) 11 Right stop button (third stop button) 16 Liquid crystal display (performance display section) 70 Notification Image 70a Image 1 70b 2nd image 70c 3rd image P1 First anchor point (reference point) P2 Second anchor point (reference point) P3 Third anchor point (reference point) L1 1st line (11th line) L2 2nd line (12th line) L3 3rd line (21st line) L4 4th line (22nd line) L5 5th line (31st line) L6 6th line (32nd line)

Claims

[Claim 1] A gaming machine comprising a cabinet and a front door provided on the front surface of the cabinet, A first reel, a second reel, and a third reel are provided in the housing, the second reel is located between the first reel and the third reel, the front door has a window portion through which each reel can be seen, a first stop button for stopping the first reel, a second stop button for stopping the second reel, and a third stop button for stopping the third reel, and an effect display portion; the effect display unit displays a notification image that notifies information regarding an operation mode of each stop button based on the establishment of a specific condition; The notification image includes at least a first notification image and a second notification image, The first notification image and the second notification image have different information about the operation mode, the first notification image includes a first image that notifies information related to an operation mode of the first stop button, a second image that notifies information related to an operation mode of the second stop button, and a third image that notifies information related to an operation mode of the third stop button, the second notification image includes a fourth image that notifies information related to an operation mode of the first stop button, a fifth image that notifies information related to an operation mode of the second stop button, and a sixth image that notifies information related to an operation mode of the third stop button, the first image, the second image, the third image, the fourth image, the fifth image, and the sixth image have a reference point for changing a display mode; The first image and the fourth image are configured so that the reference points coincide with each other, The second image and the fifth image are configured so that the reference points coincide with each other, The third image and the sixth image are configured so that the reference points coincide with each other, The front door is rotatable between a first state, a second state, and a third state, the first state is a state in which the front door is closed, a supported member of the front door is supported by a support member of the housing, and a dimension of a gap from a predetermined lower edge portion of the front door to a placement surface of the housing is a first dimension; the second state is a state in which the front door is open, the supported member of the front door is not in contact with the support member of the housing, and a dimension of a gap from a predetermined lower edge portion of the front door to a placement surface of the housing is a second dimension that is smaller than the first dimension; the third state is a state in which the front door is open, the supported member of the front door is in contact with the support member of the housing, and a dimension of a gap from a predetermined lower edge portion of the front door to a placement surface of the housing is a third dimension that is smaller than the first dimension; The first dimension is smaller than the diameter of the gaming ball and larger than the thickness of the gaming medal, The second dimension is also smaller than the diameter of the gaming ball and larger than the thickness of the gaming medal, The gaming machine is characterized in that the third dimension is also smaller than the diameter of the gaming ball and larger than the thickness of the gaming medal.

Images