Gaming machine

• US 20040171418A1
• Filed: 10/31/2003
• Published: 09/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corporation
• Original Assignee: Aruze Corp.
• Inventors: Okada, Kazuo
• Granted Patent: US 7,220,181 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/20
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3211 Display means

Abstract

During a slot machine game, game effects are also displayed on a liquid crystal panel 39d provided in a reel display window unit 39, and thus the liquid crystal panel 39d serves as a new machine component for performing game effects. Therefore, new effects for the game can be performed on the liquid crystal panel 39d, which facilitates maintaining the novelty of game effects. Further, the openings 5b, 6b and 7b are formed corresponding to the rows of the variable displays of the symbols. Accordingly, by means of the light guiding plates 39g also located between the opening 5b and the opening 6b, and between the opening 6b and the opening 7b, the light from the cold-cathode tubes 40a is guided toward the liquid crystal panel 39d. Consequently by means of the liquid crystal panel 39d in areas between the respective display windows 5-7, light luminance can be obtained.

Claims

1. A gaming machine comprising:

variable display means for variably displaying designs in a plurality of rows; and

front display means disposed in front of the variable display means, wherein the front display means includes a transparent liquid crystal display panel through which said variable display means is able to be seen, and a light guiding plate for guiding light emitted from a light source to the entire of said liquid crystal display panel; and

in the light guiding plate, transparent areas for ensuring the visibility of the variable display of said variable display means are individually formed corresponding to said plurality of rows.

2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein said variable display means is comprised of one or more rotatable reels each having a reel band thereon, on which said designs are drawn.

3. The reel-based gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein said gaming machine is a slot machine.