Reel apparatus of game machine

Abstract

A reel apparatus includes: a plurality of display panels which are fixedly disposed at predetermined positions; a plurality of reels respectively having reel strips which are installed to independently rotate with respect to a single axis in a state of respectively covering a front surface of the display panels; a plurality of driving motors for respectively rotating the reels; and a controller for controlling image display operation of the display panel based on a signal representing rotation speed of the reel strips such that images of the display panels rotate respectively in response to a rotation speed of the reel strips. Instead of providing a plurality of display panels for each reel, one fixed display panel is provided for each reel and image displayed on the display panel rotates, so each reel requires only one display panel and thereby a manufacturing cost can be reduced.

1 . A reel apparatus of a game machine, comprising:
 a plurality of display panels which are fixedly disposed at predetermined positions;   a plurality of reels respectively having reel strips which are installed to independently rotate with respect to a single axis in a state of respectively covering a front surface of the plurality of the display panels;   a plurality of driving motors for respectively rotating the plurality of the reels; and   a controller for controlling image display operation of the display panel based on a signal representing rotation speed of the reel strips such that images of the plurality of the display panels rotate respectively in response to a rotation speed of the plurality of the reel strips.   
     
     
         2 . The reel apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the controller controls the image display operation of the display panel based on a motor driving signal for operating the driving motor. 
     
     
         3 . The reel apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a plurality of slot members which are respectively mounted to the plurality of the reels so as to rotate together with the plurality of the reels and are arranged along a circumferential direction;   a plurality of light generators which emit respectively light selectively passing through the slots depending on rotation position of the slot member; and   a plurality of light receivers which are respectively disposed opposite to the light generators so as to receive light emitted from the light generator and having passed through the slots,   wherein the controller receives the motor driving signal and a signal representing the number of detection of light detected by the light receiver and controls the image display operation of the display panels based on the received signals.   
     
     
         4 . The reel apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of slot members which are respectively mounted to the plurality of the reels so as to rotate together with the plurality of the reels and are arranged along a circumferential direction;   a plurality of light generators which emit respectively light selectively passing through the slots depending on rotation position of the slot member; and   a plurality of light receivers which are respectively disposed opposite to the light generators so as to receive light emitted from the light generator and having passed through the slots,   wherein the controller receives a signal representing the number of detection of light detected by the light receiver and controls the image display operation of the display panels based on the received signal.   
     
     
         5 . The reel apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the display panel has a curved shaped responding to a shape of the reel strip.