AU2004200861B2

AU2004200861B2 - Gaming machine

Info

Publication number: AU2004200861B2
Application number: AU2004200861A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Nobuyuki Nonaka
Original assignee: Universal Entertainment Corp
Current assignee: Universal Entertainment Corp
Priority date: 2003-03-28
Filing date: 2004-03-01
Publication date: 2008-09-25
Anticipated expiration: 2024-03-01
Also published as: ZA200401683B; AU2004200861A1; EP1463027A3; CN1591140A; EP1463027A2; JP2004298272A; US20040209679A1

Description

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION NAME OF APPLICANT(S):: Aruze Corp.

ADDRESS FOR SERVICE: DAVIES COLLISON CAVE Patent Attorneys 1 Nicholson Street, Melbourne, 3000, Australia INVENTION TITLE: Gaming machine The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- 5102 PF'0PER\KL\200&8\20D42GS6I IMpu dc913f2008 00 -1- S[0001] This invention relates to a gaming machine, such as a slot machine or a pachinko machine.

[0002] In recent years, in the market of gaming machines

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00 5 such as slot machines and pachinko machines, images are Smentioned as one of important elements which constitute game property. Conventionally, in an image of a gaming machine, Sit has become a main stream to mount a liquid crystal monitor or a dot display device whose size is seven inches or less. According to a gaming machine provided with such a display device, it becomes possible by displaying an image according to the progress of a game in the gaming machine to display stages of progress of the game clearly, to make a player's expectations arouse, or to direct a winning status effectively.

[0003] In the above-mentioned display device and the gaming machine provided with the display device, while it is possible to expect high stage effects as the display screen has a large area, it can be said that an image displayed on the display device with finer pixels has a larger amount of information which can be displayed, as well as is more beautiful.

[0004] For example, refer to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-340518.

[0005] However, in a liquid crystal monitor, there is a problem that, although a pixel also becomes large as an area of the liquid crystal monitor rises, an image becomes coarse as the pixel becomes large, and the resolution of the image is lowered. On the other hand, there arises a problem that P:OPER\KL200\2OO4200561 I spa doc-9/3208 00 -2an aperture ratio (a ratio of the gross area of one pixel to an area which a drive element effectively contributes to displaying in a display screen) of the liquid crystal drive element becomes low and the screen becomes dark and poorly

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00 5 visible. Moreover, since a player may change his/her game Sposture according to the development of a game, it becomes necessary to attain a high resolution of an image in Sconsideration of the game posture.

[0005A] It is desired to overcome or ameliorate one or more problems of prior art gaming machines, or at least provide a useful alternative.

[0006] Embodiments of the present invention provide a gaming machine such as a slot machine or a pachinko machine, comprising: a display unit, constituted by arranging in matrix a plurality of kinds of pixel electrodes that display predetermined colors respectively, wherein the display unit has pixel units, each of which is formed by arranging each kind of a plurality of kinds of pixel electrodes which display predetermined colors respectively, wherein: a pitch P between the pixel units and a distance d from the display device to a player in a normal game posture satisfy a relationship of: P tan (7r/180/35) x d.

[0007] Embodiments of the present invention also provide a gaming machine such as a slot machine or a pachinko machine, comprising: a display unit, constituted by arranging in matrix a plurality of kinds of pixel electrodes that display P:'OPER\KL\200B1200 61 Isn spladoc-9008 00 -3-

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predetermined colors respectively, wherein the display unit has pixel units, each of which is formed by arranging each kind of a plurality of kinds of pixel electrodes which display predetermined colors respectively, wherein:

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00 5 a distance d from the display device to a player in a 0 normal game posture, and a correction value a of +0.2 satisfy a relationship of: SP tan (7r/180/35) x d/2 x (1 a) [0008] According to embodiments of this invention as described above, in a display device provided in a gaming machine, since a pitch between pixel units in accordance with a player's normal game posture is set up, it is possible to make pixel lines in the display device hardly conspicuous in a necessary minimum range in the normal game posture. Hence, it is possible to attain a suitable image display with maintaining a predetermined aperture ratio.

[0009] In addition, embodiments of this invention may include a display device which is provided in a gaming machine such as a slot machine or a pachinko machine, wherein a pitch P between pixel units each of which is formed by arranging each one of a plurality of kinds of pixel electrodes which display predetermined colors respectively, a distance d from the display device concerned to a player in a normal game posture, and a correction value a satisfy a relationship of P tan (7/180/35) x d/2 x (1 Here, the correction value a is +0.2.

[0010] According to embodiments of this invention as described above, it can not only reduce the conspicuousness P: OPER\KL003QOG4200861 6spa dm-9/31200 00 -4of pixel lines with taking a change of a player's game Vposture into consideration, but also prevent an aperture ratio of a liquid crystal drive element from being lowered due to unnecessarily fine resolution of pixels, thereby

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00 5 reducing a problem that a screen becomes dark and poorly visible.

[0011] In embodiments of the above-mentioned invention, it is desirable that the pixel electrodes are arranged in matrix on an x-y plane, and that pixel electrodes of the same color are lined in a y direction and the same pattern is continuously arranged in an x direction to form a stripe.

In this case, since pixel electrodes of the same colors are lined in the y direction, it is possible to reduce the spreading of an image at the time of displaying a slant line with comparing the pixel electrodes with other arrangement forms. Hence, it becomes possible to improve the image quality.

[0012] In embodiments of the above-mentioned invention, it is preferable to constitute one pixel by a pair of adjacent pixel units, and to supply information signals for one pixel in the same timing to pixel electrodes for the same color that are contained in a pair of pixel units respectively. In this case, by displaying data for one pixel of existing image data with a pair of pixel electrodes, it becomes possible to make the pitch between pixel units about one half of the conventional one without increasing a data amount of the existing image data. Hence, it becomes possible to achieve a fine resolution of pixels with satisfying the above-mentioned relational expression, and consequently, it becomes possible to display effectively P:'OPER\KL\200S 004200861 I S1spj dC-9/32 00 )the image according to the progress of the game in the gaming machine.

[0013] Embodiments of this invention may include a gaming

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00 5 machine, such as a slot machine or a pachinko machine. The Sgaming machine may comprise a display unit that is constituted by a plurality of kinds of pixel electrodes that Sdisplay predetermined colors respectively and are arranged in matrix. In the display unit a pitch P between pixel units each of which is formed by arranging each one of a plurality of kinds of pixel electrodes which display predetermined colors respectively, and a distance d from the display device concerned to a player in a normal game posture satisfy a relationship of P tan (r/180/35) x d.

[0014] According to embodiments of this invention as described above, since a pitch between pixel units is set up in consideration of a player's normal game posture, it is possible to make pixel lines in the display device hardly conspicuous, and hence it is possible to attain a suitable image display.

[0015] Embodiments of this invention may include a gaming machine, such as a slot machine or a pachinko machine. The gaming machine may comprise a display unit that is constituted by arranging a plurality of kinds if pixel electrodes which display predetermined colors respectively, in matrix. In the display unit, a pitch P between pixel units each of which is formed by arranging each one of a plurality of kinds of pixel electrodes which display predetermined colors respectively, a distance d from the display device concerned to a player in a normal game

I

P OPER\KL2OO 04x2OO2 96 I sp, doc-9/3/l008 00 -6posture, and a correction value a satisfy a relationship of P tan (7r/180/35) x d/2 x (1 were the correction value a is +0.2.

00 5 [0016] According to embodiments of this invention as Sdescribed above, it can not only reduce the conspicuousness of pixel lines with taking a change of a player's game Sposture into consideration, but also prevent an aperture ratio of a liquid crystal drive element from being lowered due to unnecessarily fine resolution of pixels, thereby reducing a problem that a screen becomes dark and poorly visible.

[0017] In embodiments of the above-mentioned invention, it is desirable that the pixel electrodes are arranged in matrix on an x-y plane, and the pixel electrodes of the same color are arranged in a y direction and the same pattern is continuously arranged in an x direction to form a stripe.

In this case, since pixel electrodes of the same color are lined in the y direction, it is possible to reduce the spreading of an image at the time of displaying a slant line with comparing the pixel electrodes with other arrangement forms. Hence, it becomes possible to improve the image quality.

[0018] In embodiments of the above-mentioned invention, it is desirable that the display unit is a highly transmissive liquid crystal display provided on a game board. In this case, it becomes possible to make the abovementioned minute image displayed on the game board, such as a reel unit of a slot machine, or a game board of a pachinko machine, with being overlapped. Hence, it is possible to P OPER\KL\20W08 04200361 sa pa.do-9/3/20D8 00

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-7attain improvement in power of expression more effectively.

[0019] In embodiments of the above-mentioned invention, it is preferable to constitute one pixel by a pair of

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00 5 adjacent pixel units, and to supply information signals for 0 one pixel in the same timing to pixel electrodes for the same color that are contained in a pair of

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2004 2278 20M451 SOEI PATET LAW FIRM NO. 9101 P. 12/47 FP03-0370-00 pixel units respectively. In this case, by displaying data for one pixel of existing image data with a pair of pixel electrodes, it becomes possible to make the pitch between pixel units one half of the conventional one without increasing a data amount of the existing image data. Hence, it becomes possible to achieve a fine resolution of pixels with satisfying the abovementioned relational expression, and consequently, it becomes possible to display effectively the image according to the progress of the game in the gaming machine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a display screen of a display device according to a first embodiment; Fig. 2 is a structural diagram showing the internal configuration of the display device according to the first embodiment; Fig. 3 is a graphical representation where the vertical axis is set as the sensitivity of a player to pixels and the horizontal axis logarithmically shows the number of pixel lines per one degree of the player's viewing angle (lines/deg) in the first embodiment; Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a slot machine according to the first 2004 227 20B45 SOEI PATET LAW FIRM NO, 9101 P. 13/47 FP03-0370-00 embodiment; Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control unit provided inside the slot machine according to the first embodiment; Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a modified example of an arrangement form of pixel units according to the first embodiment; Fig. 7 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a display screen of a display device according to a second embodiment; Fig. 8 is a structural diagram schematically showing the internal configuration of the display device according to the second embodiment; Fig. 9 is a timing chart showing the application timing of information signal voltages in the display device according to the second embodiment; and Fig. 10 is a structural diagram showing the configuration of a display device according to a third embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0020] Hereafter, a display device and a slot machine gaming machine according to an embodiment of this invention will be explained in detail with referring to drawings.

[0021] [First embodiment] 4 2278 201F4 5 SOEI PATET LAW FIRM NO. 9101 P. 14/47 FP03-0370-00 (Configuration of display device) Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a display screen of a display device according to a first embodiment. Note that, in this figure, only 4 pixels in 2 x 2 are shown in an enlarged manner.

[0022] As shown in this figure, in the display screen, a plurality of kinds of pixel electrodes R, G, and B that display three colors of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) respectively are arranged in matrix on an x-y plane, and pixel electrodes of the same color are arranged in the y direction and the same pattern is continuously arranged in an x direction to form a stripe. Moreover, in this display screen, a pixel unit is formed by arranging each kind of pixel electrodes R, G, and B, and one pixel is constituted by each pixel unit.

[0023] Fig. 2 shows a concrete configuration of this display screen. As shown in this figure, in the display device concerned, gate lines GI, that are wired in a horizontal direction in this figure (corresponding to the x direction in Fig. 1) and are connected to a scanning signal driver 11, and information signal lines (source lines) DR, DG, that are wired in a vertical direction in this figure (corresponding to the y direction in Fig. 1) and are connected to an information signal driver 10 that is 20044 2127B 20A460 SOEI PATET LAW FIRM NO. 9101 P. 15/47 FP03-0370-00 drive control means are provided on a liquid crystal panel substrate so that they may be orthogonal in the condition of being insulated mutually. At each of their intersections, they are connected to each pixel electrode through a thin film transistor (TFT) which is an active element (switching element). That is, the gate lines Gl, are connected to gate electrodes of the TFTs, the information signal lines DR, DG, are connected to source electrodes of the TFTs, and the pixel electrodes are connected to drain electrodes of the TFTs.

[0024] Then, in this embodiment, a pitch P (mm) between pixel units and a distance d (mm) from the slot machine 1 concerned to a player in a normal game posture satisfy the following relationship: P tan (/180/35) x d (1) [0025] This will be explained in detail by using Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a graphical representation where the vertical axis is set as the sensitivity of a player to pixels and the horizontal axis logarithmically shows the number of pixel lines per one degree of a player's viewing angle (lines/deg) (hereafter, this is called "number of stripes") In addition, this number of stripes means the number of colored (black, blue, red) pixel lines at the time of displaying a white and an arbitrary color (for example, white and black, white 20044 2278 200$46 SOEI PATET LAW FIRM NO. 90 1 P. 16/47 FP03-0370-00 and blue, white and red, or the like) in a stripe by turns for every pixel line.

[0026] As shown in this figure, when pixel lines are blue or red, sensitivity rapidly drops at the time of the number of stripes being about 5 to 8.5, which makes the pixel lines hardly conspicuous. When pixel lines are black, sensitivity rises until the number of stripes reaches 35 making the pixel lines conspicuous, and then drops rapidly after the number of stripes reaches a peak of [0027] In this embodiment, with reflecting this property, in order that the number of stripes of pixel lines may exceed 35 (lines/deg), that is, in order that the pitch P between pixel units may become smaller than a predetermined value, the number of stripes of pixel lines is set up according to the relationship of the above-mentioned formula Here, although the distance d from the display device to a player in a normal game posture changes according to the kind of a gaming machine, its assumed value is 300 400 mm in a pachinko machine, and 400 500 mm in a slot machine.

The relationship between this assumed value and the value of the above-mentioned P is shown in Table i.

[0028] 2004~ M2713 2OBM 6 SOEI PATET LAW FIRM NO. 9101 P. 17/47 FP03-0370-00 Table 1 N.OF STRIPES§ ta I_ ___DISTANCEd[mm) (LINESIDEG) 1 1 150 1 200 1 300 I 400 I 500 I 800 0.0017451 0.262 0.349 0524 0.69 D.873 1.396 0.000873 0.131 0.1751.0262 0.349 0.436 0.698 10.000,582. 0.087 0.116 0,175 0.233 0.291 0.465 0.000436 0.065 0.*087 j 0.131 -0.175 0.218 0.349 10.000388, 0.058 10.078 0,116 0.155 0.194 0.310 10.0003491 0.052 10.070 J_0.105_1 0.140 0.175 0.279 VALUES IN THIS TABLE ARE VALUES OF THE PITCH P (mm) OBTAINED FROM tan AND DISTANCE d.

In addition, in Table 1, a range enclosed with dotted lines shows values of the pitch P corresponding to the above-mentioned number of stripes of pixel lines equal to 35. Values satisfying the above-mentioned formula are in a range lower than a hatched portion in Table 1, a range where the number of stripes becomes 40 or more.

[0029] (Configuration of gaming machine) A gaming machine that is provided with the abovementioned display will be explained. This embodiment will be explained by way of example where the display device is applied to a slot machine as a gaming machine.

Fig. 4 shows a perspective view and a front view that show the slot machine 1 according to this embodiment.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 4, a game' board 2 is provided in the front of a main part in the slot machine 1, and on this game board 2, a transparent liquid crystal display 3 which is the display device 2004 227B8 20A4B6 SOEI PATET LAW FIRM NO, 9101 P. 18/47 FP03-0370-00 mentioned above is provided in an area shown by dotted lines in the figure. In order to allow designs drawn on the outer periphery of reels provided in the main part of the slot machine 1 to be visible, reel display windows 3a are formed in this transparent liquid crystal display 3. In addition, various display units, such as lamps and segment indicators, are provided also in areas other than the transparent liquid crystal display 3 on the game board 2. Moreover, the slot machine 1 comprises a speaker 4, a lamp 5, an operation switch unit 6, and a medal receiving tray la in the front of the main part. The transparent liquid crystal display 3 is a highly transmissive liquid crystal display, and electrodes which apply voltages to liquid crystal are formed with electroconductive substances (for example, adaptive oxide of indium and tin, etc.) in transparent thin films.

[0031] Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control unit 7 provided inside the slot machine i. As shown in this figure, the slot machine 1 comprises a main control circuit 71 for controlling game processing operation in the slot machine i, peripheral devices (actuator etc.) electrically connected to the main control circuit 71, and a sub-control circuit 72 for controlling the transparent liquid crystal display 3 and speaker 4 on 2004 2278 20A 417 SOEI PATET LAW FIRM NO. 9101 P, 19/47 FP03-0370-00 the basis of a control instruction transmitted from the main control circuit 71.

[0032] The main control circuit 71 mainly comprises a CPU arranged on a circuit board, and in addition to this, comprises a circuit performing random sampling at the time of performing the probability lottery processing of determining a winning. The CPU serves as internal winning combination determination means and winning judgment means to perform control operation according to a program set up beforehand, and also comprises ROM and RAM served as memory means.

This memory means (ROM and RAM) stores the data used for the judgment of random sampling performed every start operation, and various control instructions (conmmands) for transmission to the sub-control circuit 72.

[0033] As the main actuators whose operation is controlled by control signals from the above-mentioned main control circuit 71, there are a lamp 5, various display units on the game board 2, a hopper (including a drive unit for payout) that contains coins and pays out the predetermined number of coins to the medal receiving tray la, which are shown in Fig. 4, and stepping motors for rotating reels. Each of these actuators is connected to an output unit of the abovementioned main control circuit 71 through a drive 2004$ 2a278 201,I47 SOEI PATET LAW FIRM NO, 9101 P. 20/47 FP03-0370-00 circuit provided for each, and its operation is controlled in response to a control signal, such as a drive instruction outputted from the CPU.

[0034] Moreover, as main input signal generation means generating an input signal required for the main control circuit 71 to generate a control command, the operation switch unit 6 provided in the front of the slot machine 1, and an inserted coin sensor, and various sensors detecting operating statuses of reels are provided. The operation switch unit 6 detects the start of a game, and a stop operation of each reel, and the inserted coin sensor detects a coin inserted into a coin insertion slot. The various sensors for each reel supply signals for identifying respective reel positions to the main control circuit 71.

[0035] Then, in the main control circuit 71, in order to associate a rotational position of a reel with a design drawn on the outer periphery of the reel, a design table is stored in ROM. In this design table, each code number given one by one for every fixed rotation pitch of each reel is associated with each design code showing a kind of a design provided correspondingly for the code number. Furthermore, a winning design combination table is also stored in the ROM. On this winning design combination table, combinations of the designs showing winnings, coin 2004 2276 20A47 SOEI PATET LAW FIRM NO. 9101 P. 21/47 FP03-0370-00 payoff amounts of winnings, and winning judgment code showing those winnings are associated with each other.

The above-described winning design combination table will be referred to when performing winning identification at the time of the stop of all reels.

[0036] The sub-control circuit 72 performs the display control of the transparent liquid crystal display 3, and the output control of sound from the speaker 4 on the basis of control instructions (commands) from the main control circuit 71. This subcontrol circuit 72 is configured on a circuit board other than the circuit board where the main control circuit 71 is configured. This mainly comprises a microcomputer (hereafter, this is called "submicrocomputer") 73, and is constituted by an image control circuit 81 as display control means for the transparent liquid crystal display 3, a sound source IC 78 controlling the sound outputted by the speaker 4, and a power amplifier 79 as an amplifier.

[0037] The above-mentioned sub-microcomputer 73 includes a sub-CPU 74 performing control operation according to a control instruction transmitted from the main control circuit 71, a program ROM 75 as memory means, and a work RAM 76. The sub-control circuit 72 is configured so as to execute random sampling on an operating program in the sub-CPU 74. The program ROM 2M4$ 2278 20W47N SOEI PATET LAW FIRM NO,9101 P. 22/47 FP03-0370-00 stores a control program executed by the sub-CPU 74.

The work RAM 76 functions as temporary storage means when the sub-CPU 74 executes the above-mentioned control program.

[0038] The image control circuit 81 is constituted by an image control CPU 82, an image control work RAM 83, an image control program ROM 84, an image ROM 86, a video RAM 87, and an image control IC 88. The image control CPU 82 determines the contents of display in the transparent liquid crystal display 3 according to the image control program stored in the image control program ROM 84 on the basis of parameters set up by the sub-microcomputer 73. The image control program ROM 84 stores the image control program and various selection tables that relateto the display in the transparent liquid crystal display 3.

[0039] The image control work RAM 83 functions as temporary storage means when the image control CPU 82 executes the above-mentioned image control program.

The image control IC 88 forms an image according to the contents of display determined by the image control CPU 82, and outputs it to the transparent liquid crystal display 3. The image ROM 86 stores dot data for forming an image. The video RAM 87 functions as temporary storage means when the image control IC 88 forms an image.

2004$ 28270 20484 SOEI PATET LAW FIRM NO. 9101 P. 23/47 FP03-0370-00 [0040] Then, in the slot machine 1 having such a configuration, the operation switch unit 6 detects a player's operation. According to an operation signal from the operation switch unit 6, the control unit 7 drives each actuator to start a game. Subsequently, according to the stop operation of a player, each reel is stopped by turns. Then, when all reels stop, the main control circuit 71 refers to the winning design combination table in ROM to judge whether there is any winning design combination among combinations of designs currently displayed on the reel display window 3a. When there is a design combination which is a winning, the main control circuit 71 pays off the payoff amount of medals corresponding to the winning to the medal saucer la out of a hopper. Moreover, the main control circuit 71 outputs suitably to the subcontrol circuit 72 a control instruction according to internal winning combination obtained as a result of the probability lottery processing, a player's stop operation, a kind of the winning, and the like.

[0041] The sub-control circuit 72 performs the display control of the transparent liquid crystal display 3, and the output control of sound from the speaker 4 on the basis of the control instruction from the main control circuit 71. That is, the image control CPU 82 of the image control circuit 81 20044 227B 20A48H SOEI PATET LAW FIRM NO. 9101 P. 24/47 FP03-0370-00 determines the contents of display in the transparent liquid crystal display 3 according to the image control program stored in the image control program ROM 84 on the basis of parameters set up by the sub-microcomputer 73. The image control IC 88 forms image data according to the contents of display determined by the image control CPU 82, and outputs it to the transparent liquid crystal display 3.

[0042] In the transparent liquid crystal display 3, according to the image data formed by the image control CPU 82, the scanning signal driver 11 makes scanning selection of the gate lines Gi, by turns to supply gate voltages. In synchronization with this scanning selection of the gate lines, the information signal driver 10 applies information signal voltages for one pixel to each of pixel electrodes R, G, and B included in a pair of pixel units. Consequently, the image is displayed on the game board 2 so as to overlap with a design of each reel visually checked from the reel display window 3a.

[0043] (Action and advantageous effect) According to the display device 3 and slot machine 1 in accordance with this embodiment explained above, it is possible to make pixel lines in the display device hardly conspicuous by setting a pitch 2004 2278 2 O48 SOEI PATET LAW FIRM NO. 9101 P. 25/47 FP03-0370-00 between pixel units in consideration of a player's normal game posture. Hence, it is possible to achieve a suitable image display.

[0044] (Modified example) In addition, the value of the pitch P between pixel units is set up in this embodiment so that the above-mentioned formula may be satisfied.

Nevertheless, the value of the above-mentioned P may be set so that the pitch P (mm) and distance d (mm) may satisfy the following relationship: P tan (n/180/35) x d/2 x (1 a) (2) where the correction value a is ±0.1 0.2.

[0045] Going in detail of this, the distance d under normal use is 300 500 mm as mentioned above.

Nevertheless, since a player's game posture changes every player or by a game status, it can be considered that a player approaches a gaming machine to about one half of the assumed distance d. Therefore, since pixels become conspicuous when a player approaches the gaming machine, the assumed distance d is set at one half in this modified example as shown in the above formula (2) [0046] In addition, a pixel line becomes not conspicuous if the number of stripes is set to 35 or more. Nevertheless, even if the value of the pitch P 20044 2 278 20H48 SOEI PATET LAW FIRM NO.9101 P 26/47 FP03-0370-00 is made small beyond necessity, it becomes impossible to visually recognize difference with human eyes when the pitch P becomes below some extent. Hence, it is not reasonable in view of a manufacturing cost etc. to make the number of stripes large beyond necessity.

Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 3, pixel lines are not conspicuous so long as the number of stripes is equal to or larger than the peak value (about 5- 8) for blue or red pixel lines even if it is 35 or less. Therefore, in this modified example, by using the correction value a, the number of stripes is made within a hatched range in Fig. 3.

[0047] According to the display device and gaming machine in accordance with such a modified example, it is possible not only to reduce the conspicuousness of pixel lines with taking a change of a player's game posture into consideration, but also to prevent an aperture ratio of a liquid crystal drive element from being lowered due to unnecessarily fine resolution of pixels, thereby reducing a problem that a screen becomes dark and poorly visible.

[0048] Moreover, in this embodiment, although the case that pixels each formed by a pair of pixel units are arranged in a stripe is explained as an example, this invention is not limited to this. As shown in Fig.

6, this invention is applicable also to a mosaic 204$ 2278 20A494 SOEI PATET LAW FIRM NO. 9101 P. 27/47 FP03-0370-00 arrangement (Fig. a delta arrangement (Fig.

or a 2G square arrangement (Fig. In these cases, information signals for one pixel are supplied in the same timing to respective pixel electrodes for the same color included in a pair of pixel units a and b.

[0049] [Second embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of this invention will be explained. This embodiment is characterized in that, in the display device explained in the first embodiment mentioned above, an output for one pixel from the information signal driver 10 which is drive control means, and each of pixel electrodes R, G, and B included in a pair of above-mentioned pixel units a and b (hereafter referred to as Ra, Ga, Ba, Rb, Gb, and Bb suitably) are connected in a one-to-one relationship.

[00.50] Going in detail, as shown in Fig. 7, in the display device according to this embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment mentioned above, a plurality of kinds of pixel electrodes R, G, and B that display three colors of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) respectively are arranged in matrix on an x-y plane, and pixel electrodes of the same color are arranged in the y direction and the same pattern is continuously arranged in the x direction to form a stripe. Then, in 2004 227B 20O49 SOEI PATET LAW FIRM NO, 9101 P. 28/47 FP03-0370-00 this display screen, pixel units a and b are formed by arranging each kind of pixel electrodes R, G, and B, and one pixel is constituted by one pair of adjacent pixel units. Going in detail, a pixel unit a is formed by adjacently arranging the pixel electrodes Ra, Ga, and Ba, a pixel unit b is formed by adjacently arranging the pixel electrodes Rb, Gb, and Bb, and one pixel data is displayed by these adjacent pixel units a and b.

[0051] Fig. 8 shows a concrete configuration of this display screen. As shown in this figure, in the display device, gate lines Gl, that are wired in a horizontal direction in this figure and are connected to the scanning signal driver 11, and information signal lines (source lines) DRa, DGa, that are wired in a vertical direction in this figure and are connected to the information signal driver 10 that is drive control means are provided on a liquid crystal panel substrate so that they may be orthogonal in the condition of being insulated mutually. At each of their intersections, they are connected to each pixel electrode through a thin film transistor (TFT) which is an active element (switching element). That is, the gate lines Gi, are connected to gate electrodes of the TFTs, the information signal lines DRa, DGa,...

are connected to source electrodes of the TFTs, and the

I

20044 2278 20q49H SOEI PATET LAW FIRM NO. 9101 P. 29/47 FP03-0370-00 pixel electrodes are connected to drain electrodes of the TFTs.

[0052] Then, in such a configuration, the scanning signal driver 11 makes the scanning selection of the gate lines GI, by turns to supply gate voltages.

In synchronization with this scanning selection of the gate lines, the information signal driver 10 supplies information signal voltages, corresponding to respective pixel data, to information signal lines DRa, DGa, and applies them to respective pixel electrodes through the TFTs. At this time, the information signal voltages for one pixel are supplied in the same timing and at the same level to pixel electrodes for the same color included in each pixel unit.

[0053] Fig. 9 shows the application timing of these information signal voltages. In addition, this figure shows levels of the voltages in a positive field and a negative field that are applied to the gate lines and information signal lines in the case that one frame is scanned by shuttling.

[0054] As shown in this figure, in this embodiment, the information signal voltages for one pixel are supplied in the same timing to pixel electrodes for the same color included in a pair of pixel units. Namely, the scanning selection of the gate lines GI, is

I

2004 2 278 20W49 SOEI PATET LAW FIRM NO. 9101 P. 30/47 FP03-0370-00 made by turns, the voltages are applied, and in synchronization with this timing of application to respective gate lines, information signal voltages at the same level are applied through the information signal lines DRa, to respective pixel electrodes Ra, Ga, Ba, Rb, Gb, and Bb.

[0055] According to the display device 3 and slot machine 1 in accordance with this embodiment explained above, the information signals for one pixel are supplied to each of the pixel electrodes Ra, Ga, Ba, Rb, Gb, and Bb for the same color included in the adjacent pixel units a and b respectively. Hence, it becomes possible to display one pixel by pairs of pixel electrodes (Ra, Rb), (Ga, Gb), and (Ba, Bb). In consequence, according to the display device 3 and slot machine 1 in accordance with this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1, it becomes possible to make the pitch P between pixel units about one half of the conventional one without increasing the data amount of existing image data. Hence, it is possible to achieve a fine resolution of pixels with maintaining the relationship of the relational expressions and explained in the first embodiment.

[0056] Moreover, according to the display device 3 and slot machine 1 in accordance with this embodiment, the pixel electrodes Ra, Ga, Ba, Rb, Gb, and Bb are

I

2004 2M278 20950O SOEI PATET LAW FIRM NO. 9101 P. 31/47 FP03-0370-00 arranged in a stripe on the x-y plane. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the spreading of an image at the time of displaying a slant line in comparison with the case where pixel electrodes are arranged in another form, such as a delta arrangement, a mosaic arrangement, or the like. Hence, it becomes possible to improve the image quality.

[0057] [Third embodiment] Next, a third embodiment of this invention will be explained. This embodiment is characterized in that, in the display devices explained in the first and second embodiments, an output for one pixel from the information signal driver 10 which is drive control means, and respective pixel electrodes Ra, Ga, Ba, Rb, Gb, and Bb included in a pair of the above-mentioned pixel units a and b are connected in a one-to-many relationship.

[0058] Moreover, in the display device in accordance with this embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment mentioned above, a plurality of kinds of pixel electrodes R, G, and B that display three colors of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) respectively are arranged in matrix on an x-y plane, and pixel electrodes of the same color are arranged in the y direction and the same pattern is continuously arranged 20044 227B 20 A50H SOEI PATET LAW FIRM NO. 9101 P. 32/47 FP03-0370-00 in the x direction to form a stripe (see Fig. Then, in this display screen, pixel units a and b are formed by arranging each kind of pixel electrodes R, G, and B, and one pixel is constituted by one pair of adjacent pixel units. Going in detail, a pixel unit a is formed by adjacently arranging the pixel electrodes Ra, Ga, and Ba, a pixel unit b is formed by adjacently arranging the pixel electrodes Rb, Gb, and Bb, and one pixel data is displayed by these adjacent pixel units a and b.

[0059] Fig. 10 shows a concrete configuration of this display screen. As shown in this figure, gate lines Gi, that are wired in the horizontal direction in this figure and are connected to the scanning signal driver 11, and information signal lines (source lines) DR, DG, that are wired in the vertical direction in this figure and are connected to the information signal driver 10 that is drive control means are provided on a liquid crystal panel substrate so that they may be orthogonal in the condition of being insulated mutually. At each of their intersections, they are connected to each pixel electrode through a thin film transistor (TFT) which is an active element (switching element).

[0060] Then, each of the information signal lines DR, DG, DB, is branched on the way. Outputs for one

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2004 2!27B 20A50H SOEI PATET LAW FIRM NO, 9101 P. 33/47 FP03-0370-00 pixel from the information signal driver 10, and pixel electrodes for the same color included in a pair of pixel units a and b respectively are connected in a one-to-two relationship. That is, also in this embodiment, one pixel is constituted by one pair of adjacent pixel units a and b, and the information signal line DR is connected to the pixel electrodes Ra and Rb, the information signal line DG is to the pixel electrodes Ga and Gb, and the information signal line DB is to the pixel electrodes Ba and Bb.

[0061] Then, in such a configuration, the scanning signal driver 11 makes the scanning selection of the gate lines GI, G2, by turns, and gate voltages are supplied. In synchronization with this scanning selection of the gate lines, the information signal driver 10 supplies information signal voltages, corresponding to respective pixel data, to the information signal lines DRa, DGa, and applies them to respective pixel electrodes through the TFTs.

At this time, outputs for one pixel from the information signal driver 10, and pixel electrodes for the same color included in the pixel units a and b respectively are connected in the one-to-two relationship. Hence, the information signal voltages for one pixel are supplied in the same timing and at the same level to pixel electrodes for the same color 2004 22718 2050 SOEI PATET LAW FIRM NO. 9101 P. 34/47 FP03-0370-00 included in each pixel unit.

[0062] According to the display device 3 and slot machine 1 in accordance with this embodiment as described above, information signals for one pixel are supplied to the pixel electrodes Ra, Ga, Ba, Rb, Gb, and Bb for the same color included in the adjacent pixel units a and b respectively. Hence, it becomes possible to display one pixel by pairs of _pixel electrodes (Ra, Rb), (Ga, Gb), and (Ba, Bb).

[0063] In particular, in this embodiment, by the information signal lines DR, DG, outputs for one pixel from the information signal driver 10 and the pixel electrodes (Ra, Rb), (Ga, Gb), and (Ba, Bb) for the same colors included in a pair of pixel units a and b respectively are connected in the one-to-many relationship. Therefore, it becomes possible to make the pitch P between pixel units about one half of the conventional one without requiring improvement such as increasing output terminals of the drive control means such as an existing information signal driver, and increasing a data amount of the existing image data.

Hence, it is possible to achieve a fine resolution of pixels with maintaining the relationship of the relational expressions and explained in the first embodiment.

[0064] Moreover, according to the display device 3 P:WPER\KLOO8\2004200S61 I ip doc-9/3/208 00 -31and slot machine 1 in accordance with this embodiment, the pixel electrodes Ra, Ga, Ba, Rb, Gb, and Bb are arranged in a stripe on the x-y plane. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the spreading of an image at the time of displaying a

\O

00 5 slant line in comparison with the case where pixel Selectrodes are arranged in another form, such as a delta arrangement, a mosaic arrangement, or the like. Hence, it Sbecomes possible to improve the image quality.

[0065] As mentioned above, according to an image display device and a gaming machine in accordance with embodiments of this invention, it is possible in a display device provided in a gaming machine such as a slot machine or a pachinko machine to make pixels of the display device fine and to achieve improvement in image quality with taking a change of a player's game posture into consideration.

[0066] Although only some exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia.

Claims

1. A gaming machine such as a slot machine or a pachinko machine, comprising: 00 5 a display unit, constituted by arranging in matrix a O plurality of kinds of pixel electrodes that display predetermined colors respectively, wherein the display unit Shas pixel units, each of which is formed by arranging each kind of a plurality of kinds of pixel electrodes which display predetermined colors respectively, wherein: a pitch P between the pixel units and a distance d from the display device to a player in a normal game posture satisfy a relationship of: P tan (7/180/35) x d.

2. A gaming machine such as a slot machine or a pachinko machine, comprising: a display unit, constituted by arranging in matrix a plurality of kinds of pixel electrodes that display predetermined colors respectively, wherein the display unit has pixel units, each of which is formed by arranging each kind of a plurality of kinds of pixel electrodes which display predetermined colors respectively, wherein: a distance d from the display device to a player in a normal game posture, and a correction value a of ±0.2 satisfy a relationship of: P tan (7/180/35) x d/2 x (1 a).

3. The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pixel electrodes are arranged in matrix on an x-y plane, and the pixel electrodes of the same color are arranged in a P:)PER\KL2008U200420061 It pa doc-9/37200 00 D -34- y direction and the same pattern is continuously arranged in V an x directly to form a stripe.

4. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to \O 00 5 3, wherein the display unit is a highly transmissive liquid O crystal display provided in a game board. O

5. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein one pixel is constituted by a pair of the pixel units that are adjacent, and information signals for one pixel are supplied in the same timing to pixel electrodes for the same color that are contained in the pair of pixel units respectively.

6. A gaming machine substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings and/or examples.