US 7,204,753 B2 · Pattern display device and game machine including the same

Abstract

A game machines has a back side display unit composed of reels for displaying back patterns, and a front side display unit composed of transparent EL panels for displaying overlapping patterns overlapping with the back patterns. The back side display unit and the front side display unit are disposed not to produce blind spot regions of the back patterns. The game machine can provide various overlapping patterns with good visibility and a high game selection capability to a player.

Drawings

Drawings are temporarily unavailable. Open the PDF at USPTO

Drawings

Claims39

Dependent claims

A game machine pattern display device comprising:

a pattern display unit having a display portion for displaying a plurality of different first patterns side-by-side, the pattern display unit being capable of performing a stationary display and a varying display;
a generally flat front side display unit disposed in front of the pattern display unit and having a matrix type display portion, which includes a plurality of scanning electrodes and a plurality of data electrodes, each of the plurality of scanning electrodes intersecting at least one of the plurality of data electrodes, the front side display unit being capable of displaying a plurality of any different second patterns visibly overlapping with the plurality of first patterns, respectively, wherein the matrix type display portion of the front side display unit is entirely transparent except for the plurality of second patterns;
and
a display data memory means for storing display data for displaying the second patterns on the display portion of the front side display unit.

1 more element

A game machine capable of performing various overlapping displays, comprising:

a first display unit having a first display portion that displays a first combination pattern composed of a plurality of first patterns arranged side-by-side;
a generally flat transparent second display unit disposed in front of the first display unit while defining a gap with the first display unit, and has a second display portion of a matrix type, which includes a plurality of scanning electrodes and a plurality of data electrodes, each of the plurality of scanning electrodes intersecting at least one of the plurality of data electrodes, the front side display unit being capable of displaying any second pattern overlapping with the first combination pattern in such a manner that each second pattern visibly overlaps a corresponding one of the plurality of first patterns, the second display unit being entirely transparent except for each second pattern;
a display data memory means for storing display data for displaying the second pattern on the second display portion of the second display unit;
and
a control unit for controlling a shape of the second pattern to control overlapping display of the second pattern and the first combination pattern.

2 more elements

A game machine pattern display device comprising:

a pattern display unit having a display portion for displaying a plurality of different first patterns side-by-side, the pattern display unit being capable of performing a stationary display and a varying display;
and
a generally flat front side display unit of a matrix type disposed in front of the pattern display unit and capable of displaying a plurality of different second patterns visibly overlapping the plurality of first patterns, respectively, the front side display unit being capable of performing a stationary display and a varying display, the front side display unit including a plurality of scanning electrodes and a plurality of data electrodes, each of the plurality of scanning electrodes intersecting at least one of the plurality of data electrodes, and being entirely transparent except for the plurality of second patterns, the plurality of first patterns forming a pattern combination that determines a game condition in combination with the plurality of second patterns.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description11,924 words

Summary855 words

#This application is based upon and claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Applications No. 2000-51314 filed on Feb. 28, 2000, No. 2000-65097 filed on Mar. 9, 2000, and No. 2000-68925 filed on Mar. 13, 2000, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

#1. Field of the Invention

#This invention relates to pattern display devices, and game machines including display devices.

Brief description of the drawings27 figures

#Other objects and features of the present invention will become more readily apparent from a better understanding of the preferred embodiments described below with reference to the following drawings, in which:

#FIG. 1 is a front view showing a slot machine in a first embodiment of the invention;

#FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view partially showing a middle part of the slot machine shown in FIG. 1;

Detailed description10,504 words

#First Embodiment

#A first embodiment described here is a case where the invention is materialized as a slot machine. As shown in FIG. 1, a main frame 14 is mounted on the front part of a box 12 of a slot machine 10 via a hinge (not shown), which is normally locked but can be opened like a door when it is unlocked. A receiving dish 16 is provided at the bottom of the main frame 14 and a speaker 18 is provided behind a window having several slits.

#The main frame 14 is divided into a top section 14a, a middle section 14b and a bottom section 14c, wherein the top section 14a and the bottom section 14c are provided with decorative panels 22a and 22b respectively. Although the panel 22a shows the wording “Traditional” in FIG. 1, it is simply a design of the machine and does not mean a prior art. The middle section 14b is provided with displays of patterns and many members that can be operated by a player. Specifically, the middle section 14b has a square opening 24, in which a front panel 26 is fitted.

Facts

Application

09/793,720Filed 27 Feb 2001

Priority

JP 2000-05131428 Feb 2000

Published

US 2001/0031658 A118 Oct 2001

Granted

17 Apr 2007

Term ended

27 Feb 2021

Estimated · how

20 years from earliest known nonprovisional domestic filing plus recorded patent term adjustment. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification5 codes

G07F 17/3225
For games, toys, sports, or amusements: data transfer within a gaming system, e.g. data sent between gaming machines and users
G07F 17/3206
Player-machine interfaces: player sensing means, e.g. presence detection, biometrics
G07F 17/3211
Player-machine interfaces: display means
G07F 17/3288
Type of games: betting, e.g. on live events, bookmaking

Timeline

28 Feb 2000Priority claimedJP 2000-051314
27 Feb 2001Application filedUS 09/793,720
6 Jun 2001Assigned to Denso Corporationassignment of assignor's interest
4 Sep 2001Assigned to Denso Corporation, Yamasa Co., Ltd.corrective assignment to add the second assignee, previously recorded at reel 011870 frame 0023.
18 Oct 2001PublishedUS 2001/0031658 A1
17 Apr 2007GrantedUS 7,204,753 B2
26 Apr 2012Assigned to Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.assignment of assignor's interest
27 Feb 2021Term endedEstimated

Pattern display device and game machine including the same

Life of this patent

Pattern display device and game machine including the same

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims39

Description11,924 words

Drawings

Classification5 codes

Life of this patent

Description11,924 words