CA1215536A - Display - Google Patents
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- Publication number
- CA1215536A CA1215536A CA000436052A CA436052A CA1215536A CA 1215536 A CA1215536 A CA 1215536A CA 000436052 A CA000436052 A CA 000436052A CA 436052 A CA436052 A CA 436052A CA 1215536 A CA1215536 A CA 1215536A
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- liquid crystal
- housing
- display
- color filter
- light
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- Liquid Crystal (AREA)
- Devices For Indicating Variable Information By Combining Individual Elements (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A game apparatus for a video game has a mirror in a housing and forming a viewing surface, the housing having a light transmitting portion for the entry of light from above.
A liquid crystal plate below and close to the light transmitting portion inside the housing transmits light from the light transmitting portion to display characters on the viewing surface and has display segments which become transparent when driven, with color filters facing a surface of the plate.
The filters include regions facing the display segments, at least two of the regions of the color filters being of different colors. The mirror reflects light from the viewing surface to a viewer in an outgoing direction after transmission through the plate to the mirror.
Display control circuitry in the housing drives the liquid crystal plate for playing a game and operating devices located forward of the mirror below the light transmitted in the outgoing direction are connected to the display control circuitry for providing operation signals for the display control circuitry.
A game apparatus for a video game has a mirror in a housing and forming a viewing surface, the housing having a light transmitting portion for the entry of light from above.
A liquid crystal plate below and close to the light transmitting portion inside the housing transmits light from the light transmitting portion to display characters on the viewing surface and has display segments which become transparent when driven, with color filters facing a surface of the plate.
The filters include regions facing the display segments, at least two of the regions of the color filters being of different colors. The mirror reflects light from the viewing surface to a viewer in an outgoing direction after transmission through the plate to the mirror.
Display control circuitry in the housing drives the liquid crystal plate for playing a game and operating devices located forward of the mirror below the light transmitted in the outgoing direction are connected to the display control circuitry for providing operation signals for the display control circuitry.
Description
The present invention relates to a display and more particularly to a liquid crystal display suited for a hand-held desk-top garne apparatus.
In the accompanying drawings:-Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a hand-held type game apparatus taken as one example of a conventional liquid crystal display.
Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along the line III-III in Figure 2;
Figure 4 is similar to Figure 3 and is a sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 5 is a perspective view showing an appearance of still a further embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 6 is a plan view of -the Figure 5 embodiment;
Figure 7 is a sectional view taken along the line VII-VII in Figure 6;
Figure 8 is a right side view, partially fragmentary, of the Figure 5 embodiment;
Figure 9 is a sectional view of still a further : 25 embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 10 is a sectional view of still a further embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 11 shows a perspective view of one example of a preferred arrangement of the liquid crystal plate and the color filter for use in the embodiments shown in Figures 9 and 10;
Figure 12 is a sectional view of -the Figure 11 embodiment;
Figure 13 is a view for explaining the advantage of the color filter shown in Figure 11;
Figure 14 is a view showing one example oE a display embodied as a game apparatus;
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Figure 15 is a view showing one example of a preferred arrangement of the liquid crystal plate and the color filter for use in the Figure 5 embodimen-t, Figure 16 is a view showing an example of another preferred arrangement of the liquid crystal plate and the color filter for use in the Figure 5 embodiment;
and Figure 17 is a block diagram showing an outline of a liquid crystal display control of the Figure 2 1~ embodiment. The hand-held type game apparatus shown in Figure 1 as an example of a conventional liquid crystal display 1 may be similar to that disclosed in United Kingdom Published Application No. 2,070,810 and German Published Patent Application (OLS) No. DE 3,024,041 but such game apparatus will be described briefly to the extent required for describing the present invention.
Referring to Figure 1, a housing 2 comprises a liquid crystal display portion 3 at a portion of the upper surface of the housing 2. The housing 2 further comprises, at the other portions of the upper surface thereof, game mode switches 6 to 9 for commanding a start of a game mode and for selecting the degree of difficulty of playing a game and character moving/changing switches 4 and 5 for moving and changing a predetermined character displayed on the liquid crystal display portion 3.
Usually such liquid crystal display comprises a reflecting plate, not shown, on the rear surface of the liquid crystal display portion 3, i.e. on the surface at the side of the housing 2. A light beam incident upon the liquid crystal display portion 3 frGm outside ~he housing
In the accompanying drawings:-Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a hand-held type game apparatus taken as one example of a conventional liquid crystal display.
Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along the line III-III in Figure 2;
Figure 4 is similar to Figure 3 and is a sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 5 is a perspective view showing an appearance of still a further embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 6 is a plan view of -the Figure 5 embodiment;
Figure 7 is a sectional view taken along the line VII-VII in Figure 6;
Figure 8 is a right side view, partially fragmentary, of the Figure 5 embodiment;
Figure 9 is a sectional view of still a further : 25 embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 10 is a sectional view of still a further embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 11 shows a perspective view of one example of a preferred arrangement of the liquid crystal plate and the color filter for use in the embodiments shown in Figures 9 and 10;
Figure 12 is a sectional view of -the Figure 11 embodiment;
Figure 13 is a view for explaining the advantage of the color filter shown in Figure 11;
Figure 14 is a view showing one example oE a display embodied as a game apparatus;
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Figure 15 is a view showing one example of a preferred arrangement of the liquid crystal plate and the color filter for use in the Figure 5 embodimen-t, Figure 16 is a view showing an example of another preferred arrangement of the liquid crystal plate and the color filter for use in the Figure 5 embodiment;
and Figure 17 is a block diagram showing an outline of a liquid crystal display control of the Figure 2 1~ embodiment. The hand-held type game apparatus shown in Figure 1 as an example of a conventional liquid crystal display 1 may be similar to that disclosed in United Kingdom Published Application No. 2,070,810 and German Published Patent Application (OLS) No. DE 3,024,041 but such game apparatus will be described briefly to the extent required for describing the present invention.
Referring to Figure 1, a housing 2 comprises a liquid crystal display portion 3 at a portion of the upper surface of the housing 2. The housing 2 further comprises, at the other portions of the upper surface thereof, game mode switches 6 to 9 for commanding a start of a game mode and for selecting the degree of difficulty of playing a game and character moving/changing switches 4 and 5 for moving and changing a predetermined character displayed on the liquid crystal display portion 3.
Usually such liquid crystal display comprises a reflecting plate, not shown, on the rear surface of the liquid crystal display portion 3, i.e. on the surface at the side of the housing 2. A light beam incident upon the liquid crystal display portion 3 frGm outside ~he housing
2 is transmitted through the liquid crystal display portion 3 and then the light beam is reflected from the reflecting plate, not shown, provided on the rear surface thereof and is again led outside the liquid crystal display portion 3 after transmission thereof through the liquid crystal display portion 3. However, in the case where a segment electrode, not shown, formed in the liquid crystal display portion 3 is driven for display, the light .
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beam inciden-t upon the segment electrode portion is scattered or absorbed, depending on the nature of the liquid crystal, with the result that the light beam does not reach the reflecting plate. Accordingly, the segment electrode portion being driven for display has a low brightness as compared with that in the other portions, whereby the difference in brightness produces an image which is displayed on the liquid crystal display portion
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beam inciden-t upon the segment electrode portion is scattered or absorbed, depending on the nature of the liquid crystal, with the result that the light beam does not reach the reflecting plate. Accordingly, the segment electrode portion being driven for display has a low brightness as compared with that in the other portions, whereby the difference in brightness produces an image which is displayed on the liquid crystal display portion
3. More specifically, a user observes a light beam reflected from the liquid crystal display portion 3, thereby to recognize the information being displayed by the liquid crystal display portion 3. However, since the conventional liquid crystal display 1 has at the same side a light receiving surface where a light beam from outside is received by the liquid crystal display portion 3 and also a light image observing surface where an image is displayed by a light beam reflected from the liquid crystal display portion 3, a problem occurred in that it could happen that the image became difficult to obse.ve, depending on the surrounding brightness and the angle at which the liquid crystal display portion 3 was observed.
The reasons will be described in the Eollowing by taking a specific example.
More specifically, in the case where the surrounding brightness during observation of the liquid crystal display 1 is dark, the absolute amount of light impinging upon the liquid crystal display 3 is decreased, whereby a contrast between -the segment electrode portion driven for display and the portion other than the driven portion is decreased, and whereby discrimination therebetween therefore becomes less easy. Conversely, when the surrounding brightness in which the liquid crystal display 1 is observed is increased, an ample light beam amount is obtained and the above-described problem will be eliminated. However, in such a case the amount of light reflected from an outer glass surface of -the liquid crystal display portion 3 is correspondingly increased.
Therefore, depending on the angle at which the ~' , , ~ . ~ . ; .
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liquid crystal display portion 3 is observed, the amountof light reflected from the outer glass surface of the liquid crystal display portion 3 becomes larger than that reflected from the reflecting plate. In such a case, it S becomes difficult for a user to discern, from a background area as viewed on the outer glass surface, the image being displayed on the liquid crystal display portion 3. For example, if and when a light source per se is seen on the outer glass surface, the image being displayed becomes hardly visible. In particular, since a hand-held electronic machine, such as a game apparatus, a pocket calculator, an electronic wristwatch, or the like, having a liquid crystal display, is observed by a user while the same is held by hand, the viewing direction and the outer light beam direction are not constant and accordingly the above-described problems are caused more often.
Briefly described, the present invention provides a game apparatus for playing a video type game, comprising, housing means made of an opaque material, a mirror mounted in a recessed position in the housing means for forming at least a viewing surface, a light transmitting portion in the housing means for introducing light in an incoming direction from above into the housing means, the light transmitting portion having light scattering means for scattering the light into the housing means, a liquid crystal plate located below and close to the light transmitting portion inside the housing means for receiving the light from the light transmitting portion and for selectively transmitting light for displaying a plurality of characters in an outgoing direction on the viewing surface, the liquid crystal plate having a plurality of display segments which become transparent when driven, color filter means located in a face-to-face manner relative to at least one surface of the liquid crystal plate, the color filter means including a plurality of color filter regions each facing a respective one of the display segments of the liquid crystal plate so that a color filter region and the ~i 12~5~36 respective display segment form members of a pair, one of the members of a pair being shaped as the respective character of the characters and the other of the members of a pair having a size covering the character, at least two of the plurality of color regions of the color Eilter means being of different colors, the mirror bein~ arranged to reflect from the viewing surface to a viewer light in an outgoing direction transmitted through the liquid crystal plate to the mirror, display control means located inside the housing means and responsive to internal programs or operation signals provided thereto for selectively driving the display segments of the liquid crystal plate for playing a game, and operating means located in or on the housing means forward of the mirror in the outgoing direction and at a position below the light transmitted in the outgoing direction, the operating means being operatively connected to the display control means for providing the operation signals for the display control means.
Preferably, the housing means include window means for allowing the light to pass from the housing means to the viewer after reflection by the mirror, and the mirror is spaced sufficiently from the window means that the opaque material of the housing means screens out external light, other than the light passing through the light transmitting portion, to increase the contrast of an image on the viewing surface.
In an embodiment of the invention, the mirror, the light transmitting portion and the liquid crystal plate are located between a pair of side walls and in front of a rear wall, the side and rear walls being formed by the opaque material and shielding the mirror from extraneous light.
The invention further provides a display for displaying at least two characters in different colors, comprising, a liquid crystal plate including a laminated structure of a transparent electrode layer having at least two segment electrodes associated with at least two . ' ' , ~
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- 6 _ 1 Z~ ~ S 3 6 characters, and a liquid crystal layer substantially transparent in a portion corresponding to the segment electrodes for displaying the characters, the liquid crystal plate being adapted for receiving light on one surface of the liquid crystal plate and for emitting light from the other surface of the liquid crystal plate, and color filter means located to Eace one surface of the liquid crystal plate, the color filter means including at least two colored regions of different colors respectively opposite at least two segment electrodes.
The advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with Figures 2 to 17 of the accompanying drawings.
Referring firstly to Figures 2 and 3, it will be apparent that Figure 3 shows only a structure of a portion of interest to the present invention for facility of description and that a scheme for driving a liquid crystal display has been omitted. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, a housing 10 is formed at the top thereof with a light transmitting portion 11 for transmitting a light beam from the outside into the inside of the housing 10. The light transmitting portion 11 comprises a ground glass 20 serving as means for scattering a light beam. By the provision of the ground glass 20, a light beam 25 from the outside is uniformly scattered into the housing 10. A
polyethylene sheet having a rough surface may be used in place of the ground glass 20. In such a case, a transparent glass is first mounted on the light transmitting portion 11 and then the above-described polyethylene sheet may be mounted thereon.
The front surface 12 of the housing 10 is formed as a curved surface. A window 13 is formed at a portion of the front surface of the housing 10. The housing 10 is further provided at the other portions of the fron-t surface 12 with mode switches 17 to 19 and character ~`
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_ 7 _ ~ Zl S S 3 6 moving/changing switches 15 and 16, as in the case of the apparatus of Figure 1.
On the other hand, a liquid crystal plate 30 and a mirror 14 are held inside the housing 10 at a predetermined ~ositional relation. More specifically, the liquid crystal plate 30 is disposed below the light transmitting portion 11 so that the light beam 25 coming from the outside through the ground glass 20 is directly fed thereto. The liquid crystal plate 30 compxises a twisted nematic type liquid crystal layer 22 and polarized filters 23 and 24 formed on both surfaces thereoE.
However, in the case where another type of liquid crystal layer is employed, a polarized filter may be provided on only one surface thereof or may be omitted.
The mirror 14 is disposed further below the liquid crystal plate 30 at a predetermined angle. More specifically, the mirror 14 is disposed so that light beams transmitted through the liquid crystal plate 30 are reflected from the mirror 14 in the direction toward the window 13. Accordingly, a user can observe through the window 13 an image being displayed on the liquid crystal plate 30 and projected onto the mirror 14. The mirror 14 is preferably disposed at the angle of approximately 45 with respect to the liquid crystal plate 30. It has been observed by experimentation of the present inventors that, by doing so, the displayed image of the liquid crystal plate becomes most clearly visible.
Figure 17 is a block diagram showing an outline structure of a liquid crystal display control of the Figure 2 embodiment. Basically the liquid crystal display control comprises a game control circuit 300. The display 30 is connected to be driven by a decoder/driver 600 for receiving a signal from the game control circuit 300 and for displaying a figure, and a decoder/driver 700 for receiving a signal from the game control circuit 300 and for displaying a numerical value. The game control circuit 300 is connected to the various switches 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 described in conjunction with Figure 2. The .., :
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, ~.ZlSS36 game control circuit 300 is responsive to operation of or an operational state of, the character moving/changing switches 15 and 16 to supply the data for driving for display the segment electrodes formed on the display 30 through data buses 306a, 307a and 308a. The game control circuit 300 is further responsive to operation of the mode switches 17, 18 and 19 to supp:Ly the data for selecting a game start or a game mode to the decoder/driver 600 through a data bus 309a. At the same time the game control circuit 300 provides score point data attained by a player through operation of the character moving/changing switches 15 and 16 through a bus 315a to the decoder/driver 700. Accordingly, the display 30 displays the score point data at the numerical value display portion 30a.
Since the Figure 2 embodiment is structured in the above described manner, the angle at which the image displayed of the liquid crystal plate 30 is observed becomes substantially constant and as a result easiness of observation can be always secured. Furthermore, since the side where the user observes the displayed image of the liquid crystal plate 30 and the side where the light beam 25 from the outside enters into the liquid crystal plate 30 are different, an image being displayed can be clearly observed without being influenced by the surrounding brightness.
Figure 4 is similar to Figure 3 but shows a sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figure 4, the mirror 14 is disposed below the light transmitting portion 11 of the housing 10 so that the light beam 25 from the outside, transmitted through the ground glass 20, may be directly received. The mirror 14 is held in the housing 10 at the angle selected such that the received light beam may be reflected thereby in the direction toward the window 13.
The liquid crystal plate 30 is held in the housing 10 50 as to be positioned between the window 13 and the mirror 14. Accordingly, in the Figure 4 embodiment a viewer .
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_ 9 _ directly observes the liquid crystal plate 30 through the window 13, unlike the Figure 2 embodiment. The light transmitting portion 11 is not provided above the liquid crystal plate 30. As a result, the light beam 25 coming Erom the outside through the light transmitting portion 11 does not directly impinge upon the liquid crystal plate 30 to be reflected therefrom, whereby an image being displayed of the liquid crystal plate 30 can be more clearly observed. More preferably, a light shielding plate 27 may be provided as shown by the dotted line in Figure 4.
As in the case of the embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3, the Figure 4 embodiment also separates the side where the liquid crystal plate 30 is observed by a viewer and the side where the light beams 25 coming from the outside enter onto the liquid crystal plate 30 and accordingly makes it possible to observe an image being displayed clearly without being influenced by the surrounding brightness.
Meanwhile, by providing a light source 26 to be energized by a battery, not shown, for example as shown by dotted lines in Figures 3 and 4, an image being displayed of the liquid crystal plate 30 can be clearly observed even in dark surroundings. Since it would be seldom that an image being displayed is observed using such light source 26, power consumption by the light source 26 may be small. Since usually an external incident light beam is available from upward, the light transmitting portion 11 is provided on the top of the housing 10 in the embodiments shown in Figures 2 to 4, so that the best light receiving condition may be attained. However, depending on the positional situation between the liquid crystal plate 30 and the mirror 14, the light transmitting portion 11 may be provided at the side or the rear of the housing 10.
Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a hand-held type game apparatus in accordance with still a further embodiment of the present ,.~
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invention and particularly showing the appearance of the same when in use. Figure 6 is a plan view of the Figure 5 embodiment. The liquid crystal display of Figures 5 and 6 comprises a base 101, a first housing portion 103 and a second housing portion 102. The base 101 is provided with character moving/changing switches 113, 114a, 115 and 116 and game mode switches 117 to 119, as in the case of -the Figure 1 game apparatus. The second housing portion 102 is rotatably supported at one end thereof by the base 101.
A mirror 114 is housed in the second housing portion 102.
A window 105 is formed in the second housing portion 102, so that the mirror 114 may be exposed. On the other hand, the first housing portion 103 is rotatably supported at one end thereof by the other end of the second housing portion 102.
As to be fully described subsequently, a liquid crystal plate is housed in the first housing portion 103~
A light transmitting portion 111 for transmitting a light beam 125 from the outside into the inside of the housing 103 is provided on the top surface of the first housing portion 103. A ground glass 120 is mounted on the light transmitting portion 111 by way of a light scattering means. Provision of the ground glass 120 makes it possible to scatter the light beam 125 from the outside uniformly onto the surface of the liquid crystal plate housed in the first housing portion 103. A polyethylene sheet having a rough surface may be utilized in place of the ground glass 120.
Meanwhile, although not shown in Figure 5, a light transmitting window (see Figure 8) is formed on the lower surface of the first housing portion 103.
Accordingly, the light beam 125 from the outside is introduced through the ground glass 120 into the inside of the first housing portion 103 and impinges upon the mirror 114 after tlle same is transmitted through the liquid crys-tal plate (see Figures 7 and 8) housed inside the first housinq portion 103. The light beam reflected from the mirror 114 is observed by a viewer, for example. More ~i :
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specifically, the viewer observes an image being displayed of the liquid crystal plate as projected onto the mirror 114.
Referring to Figures 7 and 8, the structure of the liquid crystal display 100 will be described in more detail.
As shown in Figure 7, the base 101 is provided with a switch base plate 141. The switch base plate 141 is connected to one end of a connection line 142. The connection line 142 is introduced through the inside of the second housing portion 102 into the first housing portion 103. A liquid crystal display base plate 143 is provided inside the first housing portion 103 and the other end of the connection line 142 is connected to a liquid crystal driving means, not shown, formed on the liquid crystal display base plate 143. The liquid crystal plate 130 is provided on the portions in the liquid crystal display base plate 143 facing the light transmitting portion 111 and the light transmitting window 20 106. The liquid crystal plate 130 is driven by the liquid crystal display driver provided on the liquid crystal display base plate 143. Batteries 146 and 147 are housed in the base plate 101 so that an electric power required for driving the liquid crystal plate 130 is supplied from 25 these batteries 146 and 147. A color filter 131 for enabling multicolored display is provided on the liquid crystal plate 130. The color filter 131 will be described subsequently.
The second housing portion 102 is pivoted by a 30 shaft 148 supported at both ends thereof by the base 101, whereby the same is mounted onto the base 101. The second housing portion 102 is bent in the vicinity of one end ther-eof, so that an end surface 149 of the bent portion is formed to extend on an arcuate portion with the shaft 148 as the center thereof. A plurality of recesses are formed at the end surface 149 of the bent portion. Accordingly, the bent end surface 149 is formed in a corrugated fashion in section. On the other hand, a leaf spring 151 fixed by . .
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means of a screw 150 is provided inside the base 101. The leaf spring 151 is provided to extend in the direction of one end surface 149 of the second housing portion 102. A
protruding portion 152 fitted into the recess formed at the end surface 149 of the bent portion is provided in the vicinity of the end thereof. More specifically, with the protruding portion 152 fitted into the recess of the end surface 149 of the bent portion, the second housing portion 102 is supported with respect to the base 101. If and when the second housing portion 102 is raised or turned down against the spring force of the leaf spring 151, the protruding portion 152 can be fitted into any of the recesses. Accordingly, the second housing portion 102 is held at an angle as selected with respect to the base One end of the first housing portion 103 is journaled by the shaft 153 supported by the second housing portion 102 at both ends thereof, so that the same is rotatably supported with respect to the second housing 20 portion 102. The second housing portion 102 has the other end bent in the direc-tion opposite to the bending direction in the vicinity of one end described previously.
The bent portion is formed in a fan shape in the shaft 153 as the center. Furthermore, recesses 155 and 156 are formed on the arcuate surface 154 of the bent portion. On the other hand, a cylinder 157 having a notch formed in the width direction of the liquid crystal display 100 is formed on the sealing portion of the first housing portion 103. A spring 158 is mounted inside the cylinder 157. A
shaft 160 is mounted extending in the width direction of the liquid crystal display 100 so as to be fitted into the notches of the cylinder 157. Accordingly, the shaft 160 is normally urged to be in pressure contact with the arcuate surface 154 at the end of the second housing portion 102. Therefore, with the liquid crystal display 10Q folded, the shaft 160 is fitted into the recess 156, whereby a ~olded state is maintained. Conversely, when the liquid crystal display 100 is expanded as shown in -~ZlSS3~
Figure 8, the shaft 160 is fitted into the recess 155, whereby the first housing portion 103 is maintained with the same expanded with respect to the second housing portion 102. Thus, the shaft 160 serving as a supporting S member of the first housing portion 103 is simply mounted into the notch oE the cylinder 157, without any necessity for any tiresome step of screwing. Therefore, the assembling process is simplified and the number of components can be decreased.
It has been found by experimentation that a displayed image of the liquid crystal plate 130 can be most readily viewed when the surfaces of the liquid crystal plate 130 and the mirror 114 subtend an angle of approximately 45. Therefore, the apparatus is structured such that the angle subtended by the first housing portion 103 and the second housing portion 102 is approximately 45 with the shaft 160 fitted into the recess 155.
As is clear from the above described structure, since the Figure 5 embodiment has the side where the liquid crystal plate 130 is viewed by a viewer and the side where the light beam 125 from the outside is introduced onto the liquid crystal plate 130 at different sides, an image being displayed can be viewed very clearly without being influenced by the surrounding brightness.
Furthermore, since the housing portion where the liquid crystal plate 130 is housed and the housing portion where the mirror 114 is fixed are separate, while being rotatably coupled, these housing portions are foldable and as a result a very compact liquid crystal display can be provided. In addition, since the base 101 and the second housing 102 are structured so that the angle therebetween may be selectable, the light receiving direction and the reflecting direction from the mirror can be adjusted depending upon the surrounding conditions, with the result that the best display state can always be attained.
The Figure 9 embodiment is similar to the Figure 3 embodiment, except that a color filter 31 for displaying characters in multiple colors is provided in the vicinity , . . . ~, . . . ~
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' ' ~ ' 3L;2~LSS36 of the liquid crystal plate 30 and a smoked plate 32 is provided in the vicinity of the window 13. Since those portions of the Figure 9 embodiment other than that described above are substantially the same as those of the Figure 3 embodiment, the same portions are denoted by the same reference characters and a detailed description thereoE is omitted.
As to be described subsequently, the color filter 31 comprises a plurality of color regions, whereby the characters being displayed can be displayed in multiple colors. The smoked plate 32 may be made of an acrylic resin plate of a natural gray. Provision of the smoked plate 32 in the vicinity of the window 13 can prevent the surface of the liquid crystal plate (the surface at the side of the polarized filter 24) from becoming too light due to the light beam incident from the window 13, which could otherwise make the display unclear.
The Figure 10 embodiment is similar to the Figure 4 embodiment but is different in that a color filter 31 for displaying characters being displayed in multiple colors is provided in the vicinity of the liquid crystal plate 30 and a smoked plate 32 is provided in the vicinity of the window 13. Since the remaining portions of the Figure 10 embodiment are substantially the same as those of the Figure 4 embodiment, the same portions are denoted by the same reference characters and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The effects brought about by provision of the color filter 31 and the smoked plate 32 are also the same as those in the case of the Figure 9 embodiment.
Figure 11 is a view showing a preferred example of the liquid crystal plate 30 and the color filter 31 for use in the embodiments depicted in conjunction with Figures 9 and 10. Display segments 22a, 22b, 22c and 22d are formed on the liquid crystal layer 22. The liquid crystal layer 22 is of a twisted nematic type, as described previously and the polarized filters 23 and 2 are formed on both surfaces. The polarization axes of ..
:' '' 12~15~36 these polarized filters 23 and 24 are selected in a predetermined relation, so that the light beam incident upon the portion other than the display segments 22a to 22d selectively driven for display is not transmitted therethrough. More specifically, the liquid crystal plate 30 comprising the liquid crystal layer 22 and the polarized filters 23 and 24 can transmit light beams only at the display segment portions which are selectively driven for display.
Meanwhile, it goes without saying that such struc-ture may be implemented using a liquid crystal layer of a type other than a twisted nematic type. However, employment of a twisted nematic type of a liquid crystal layer makes it possible to provide the above-described liquid crystal plate 30 with a simple structure.
The color filter 31 is disposed in the vicinity of and to facing the above-described liquid crystal plate 30. The color filter 31 comprises a transparent film such as a polyester film. The transparent film includes filter portions 31a to 31d and an opaque portion 31e, shown hatched in Figure 11 and formed through a screening process. The filter portions 31a to 31d are formed to cover at least the display segments 22a to 22d at the positions facing the display segments 22a to 22d, respectively. These filter portions 31a to 31d are each formed as a filter allowing for transmission of only a light beam of a color in which display of the display segments 22a to 22d is desired. For example, in the case where it is desired that the display segment 22a is displayed in red, the display segment 22b is displayed in yellow, the display segment 22c is displayed in blue and the display segment 22d is displayed in green, the filter portion 31a is formed as a red color filter, the filter portion 31b is formed as a yellow color filter, the filter portion 22c is formed as a blue color filter, and the filter portion 22d is formed as a green color filter. The color filter 31 may be implemented by forming the filter portions 31a to 31d and the opaque portion 31e separately, .
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lSS3~i these members then being combined to consti-tute the color filter 31.
As shown in Figure 12, the light beam transmitted through the color filter 31 is introduced to impinge upon the liquid crystal plate 30. The light beam incident upon the liquid crystal plate 30 is allowed to transmit only the display segment portion being selectively driven Eor display. The reason is that only the polarization axis of the light beam transmitting through the display segment being selectively driven for display comes to coincide with the polarization axis of the polarization filter 24, whereas the light beam transmitted through the other portion comes to deviate by 90 from the polarization axis of the polarization filter 24.
Since the filter portions 31a to 31d are disposed to face the display segments 22a to 22d, respectively, the display segments 22a to 22d can be displayed in desired colors.
As shown in Figure 13, the liquid crystal layer 22 is formed with a common electrode 34 shown by a dotted line and a plurality of segment electrodes 33a to 33d.
The overlapping portions, as hatched, between the segment electrodes 33a to 33d and the common electrode 34 constitute the display segments 22a to 22d, respectively, shown in Figure 11. In the case where it is desired to display the display segment 22a, for example, using the above-described liquid crystal layer 22, a voltage is applied between the segment electrode 33a and the common electrode 34 by means of a display driving means, not shown. In forming an image in the liquid crystal layer 22, it is necessary that the segment electrode and the common electrode coincide with each other. However, depending on the arrangement or the number of the display segments 22a to 22d, it could happen that an overlapping portion X of the electrodes is formed at a portion other than the display segments 22a to 22d, as shown in Figure 13. If and when the display segment 22c is to be 'A~
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~Z~S536 displayed in the case of the Figure 13 embodiment, for example, the overlapping portion X of the electrodes can also be displayed, whereby an image could appear in an undesired portion. Therefore, in drafting an image being displayed on the liquid crystal layer 22, the portion for extension of the common electrode and the segment electrodes was restricted in order to avoid such undesired display of an image. However, by employing the color filter 31 shown in Figure 11, such overlapping portion X
of the electrodes can be concealed by an opaque portion 31e of the color filter 31 and therefore an advantage is brought about that the common electrode and the segment electrodes 33a to 33d can be extended as desired.
However, if such advantage is not desired, alternatively the color filter may be implemented without forming such opaque portion 31e.
Figure 14 is a view showing one example of a display in the case where the present invention is applied in a game apparatus.
The liquid crystal plate 30 is formed with a variety of display segments such as numeral characters for displaying the current time and a score point, a ball character for displaying a ball symbol, a person character for displaying a person symbol, and other decorating characters for displaying various characters and figures.
A color filter 31 is disposed facing the liquid crystal plate 30. The color filter 31 is formed with a filter portion 41 so as to cover the numeral characters.
Likewise the color filter 31 is further formed with filter 30 portions 42, 43 and 44 and 45 to cover the ball character, the person character, and the decorating characters, respectively. Accordingly, in the case of the Figure 14 embodiment the numeral character, the ball character and the person character and the decorating characters can be displayed in different colors, respectively. Meanwhile, an opaque portion is formed, as described above, in the portion, as hatched, other than the filter portions 41 to 45 in the color filter 31.
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By thus implementing a game apparatus employing a liquid crystal display capable of displaying game patterns in multiple colors, color changes are added to such game apparatus employing a liquid crystal display and as a result the interest of a game player is greatly increased.
Figure 15 i5 a view showing a preferred example of the liquid crystal plate 130 and the color filter 131 for use in the Figure 5 embodiment. As in the case of the 10 Figure 11 embodiment, display segments 122a, 122b, 122c and 122d of the character configurations heing displayed are formed in the liquid crystal layer 122. The liquid crystal layer 122 may be a liquid crystal layer of a twisted nematic type having polarization filters 123 and 124 formed on both surfaces thereof. The polarization axes of these polarization filters 123 and 124 are selected to be in a predetermined relation, so that a light beam incident upon portions other than tbe display segments 122a to 122d being selectively driven for display may not transmit therethrough. More specifically, the liquid crystal layer 122 and the polarization filters 123 and 124 are structured such that a light beam is allowed to transmit only the display segment portions being selectively driven for display.
A color filter 131 is arranged to face the liquid crystal plate 130. The color filter 131 comprises a transparent film, e.g. a polyester film as in the case of the Figure 11 embodiment. The transparent film is formed with the filter portions 131a to 131d and the opaque portion 131e, as hatched, through a screening process. These filter portions 131a to 131d are formed at the positions facing the respective display segments 122a to 122d so as to cover the respective display segments.
These Eilter portions 131a to 131d are structured as filters for allowing for transmission of light beams of colors in which it is desired to display the display segments 122a to 122d.
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:-- lg - 1;~ 36 Since the Figure 15 embodimen-t is structured such that the filter portions 131a to :L31d are disposed to cover at least the display segments 122a to 122d having the character conEigurations being displayed, the display segments 122a to 122d can be displayed in desired colors as in the case of the Figure 11 embodiment.
Figure 16 is a view showing another preferred example oE the liquid crystal plate 130 and the color filter 131 for use in the Figure 5 embodiment. Contrary to the Figure 15 embodiment, the Figure 16 embodiment is adapted such that the filter portions 131a to 131d of the color filter 131 are formed in the shape of characters being displayed. The display segments 122a to 122d of the liquid crystal layer 122 are formed to be large enough to 15 cover the filter portions 131a to 131d, respectively. The remaining portions may be substantially the same as those of the Figure 15 embodiment. With such structure, when a given display segment of the liquid crystal plate 130 is driven for display to be made transparen-t, a light beam is allowed to transmit through only the color filter portion facing the above-described display segment. Therefore, an image of the conEiguration of the color filter portion, i.e. the character configuration being displayed can be displayed in color. Accordingly, the Figure 16 liquid crystal display plate also performs substantially the same effect as that of the Figure 15 liquid crystal display plate.
Meanwhile, in the foregoing a liquid crystal display as embodied in a game apparatus was mainly described; however, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied also to other types of electronic apparatuses such as a timepiece, a calculator and the like.
Although embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated in detail, it is clearly understood that the same are given by way of illustration and example only and are not to be taken by way of limitation, the spirit ~nd scope of the present - 12~SS3~i invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims.
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The reasons will be described in the Eollowing by taking a specific example.
More specifically, in the case where the surrounding brightness during observation of the liquid crystal display 1 is dark, the absolute amount of light impinging upon the liquid crystal display 3 is decreased, whereby a contrast between -the segment electrode portion driven for display and the portion other than the driven portion is decreased, and whereby discrimination therebetween therefore becomes less easy. Conversely, when the surrounding brightness in which the liquid crystal display 1 is observed is increased, an ample light beam amount is obtained and the above-described problem will be eliminated. However, in such a case the amount of light reflected from an outer glass surface of -the liquid crystal display portion 3 is correspondingly increased.
Therefore, depending on the angle at which the ~' , , ~ . ~ . ; .
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liquid crystal display portion 3 is observed, the amountof light reflected from the outer glass surface of the liquid crystal display portion 3 becomes larger than that reflected from the reflecting plate. In such a case, it S becomes difficult for a user to discern, from a background area as viewed on the outer glass surface, the image being displayed on the liquid crystal display portion 3. For example, if and when a light source per se is seen on the outer glass surface, the image being displayed becomes hardly visible. In particular, since a hand-held electronic machine, such as a game apparatus, a pocket calculator, an electronic wristwatch, or the like, having a liquid crystal display, is observed by a user while the same is held by hand, the viewing direction and the outer light beam direction are not constant and accordingly the above-described problems are caused more often.
Briefly described, the present invention provides a game apparatus for playing a video type game, comprising, housing means made of an opaque material, a mirror mounted in a recessed position in the housing means for forming at least a viewing surface, a light transmitting portion in the housing means for introducing light in an incoming direction from above into the housing means, the light transmitting portion having light scattering means for scattering the light into the housing means, a liquid crystal plate located below and close to the light transmitting portion inside the housing means for receiving the light from the light transmitting portion and for selectively transmitting light for displaying a plurality of characters in an outgoing direction on the viewing surface, the liquid crystal plate having a plurality of display segments which become transparent when driven, color filter means located in a face-to-face manner relative to at least one surface of the liquid crystal plate, the color filter means including a plurality of color filter regions each facing a respective one of the display segments of the liquid crystal plate so that a color filter region and the ~i 12~5~36 respective display segment form members of a pair, one of the members of a pair being shaped as the respective character of the characters and the other of the members of a pair having a size covering the character, at least two of the plurality of color regions of the color Eilter means being of different colors, the mirror bein~ arranged to reflect from the viewing surface to a viewer light in an outgoing direction transmitted through the liquid crystal plate to the mirror, display control means located inside the housing means and responsive to internal programs or operation signals provided thereto for selectively driving the display segments of the liquid crystal plate for playing a game, and operating means located in or on the housing means forward of the mirror in the outgoing direction and at a position below the light transmitted in the outgoing direction, the operating means being operatively connected to the display control means for providing the operation signals for the display control means.
Preferably, the housing means include window means for allowing the light to pass from the housing means to the viewer after reflection by the mirror, and the mirror is spaced sufficiently from the window means that the opaque material of the housing means screens out external light, other than the light passing through the light transmitting portion, to increase the contrast of an image on the viewing surface.
In an embodiment of the invention, the mirror, the light transmitting portion and the liquid crystal plate are located between a pair of side walls and in front of a rear wall, the side and rear walls being formed by the opaque material and shielding the mirror from extraneous light.
The invention further provides a display for displaying at least two characters in different colors, comprising, a liquid crystal plate including a laminated structure of a transparent electrode layer having at least two segment electrodes associated with at least two . ' ' , ~
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- 6 _ 1 Z~ ~ S 3 6 characters, and a liquid crystal layer substantially transparent in a portion corresponding to the segment electrodes for displaying the characters, the liquid crystal plate being adapted for receiving light on one surface of the liquid crystal plate and for emitting light from the other surface of the liquid crystal plate, and color filter means located to Eace one surface of the liquid crystal plate, the color filter means including at least two colored regions of different colors respectively opposite at least two segment electrodes.
The advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with Figures 2 to 17 of the accompanying drawings.
Referring firstly to Figures 2 and 3, it will be apparent that Figure 3 shows only a structure of a portion of interest to the present invention for facility of description and that a scheme for driving a liquid crystal display has been omitted. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, a housing 10 is formed at the top thereof with a light transmitting portion 11 for transmitting a light beam from the outside into the inside of the housing 10. The light transmitting portion 11 comprises a ground glass 20 serving as means for scattering a light beam. By the provision of the ground glass 20, a light beam 25 from the outside is uniformly scattered into the housing 10. A
polyethylene sheet having a rough surface may be used in place of the ground glass 20. In such a case, a transparent glass is first mounted on the light transmitting portion 11 and then the above-described polyethylene sheet may be mounted thereon.
The front surface 12 of the housing 10 is formed as a curved surface. A window 13 is formed at a portion of the front surface of the housing 10. The housing 10 is further provided at the other portions of the fron-t surface 12 with mode switches 17 to 19 and character ~`
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_ 7 _ ~ Zl S S 3 6 moving/changing switches 15 and 16, as in the case of the apparatus of Figure 1.
On the other hand, a liquid crystal plate 30 and a mirror 14 are held inside the housing 10 at a predetermined ~ositional relation. More specifically, the liquid crystal plate 30 is disposed below the light transmitting portion 11 so that the light beam 25 coming from the outside through the ground glass 20 is directly fed thereto. The liquid crystal plate 30 compxises a twisted nematic type liquid crystal layer 22 and polarized filters 23 and 24 formed on both surfaces thereoE.
However, in the case where another type of liquid crystal layer is employed, a polarized filter may be provided on only one surface thereof or may be omitted.
The mirror 14 is disposed further below the liquid crystal plate 30 at a predetermined angle. More specifically, the mirror 14 is disposed so that light beams transmitted through the liquid crystal plate 30 are reflected from the mirror 14 in the direction toward the window 13. Accordingly, a user can observe through the window 13 an image being displayed on the liquid crystal plate 30 and projected onto the mirror 14. The mirror 14 is preferably disposed at the angle of approximately 45 with respect to the liquid crystal plate 30. It has been observed by experimentation of the present inventors that, by doing so, the displayed image of the liquid crystal plate becomes most clearly visible.
Figure 17 is a block diagram showing an outline structure of a liquid crystal display control of the Figure 2 embodiment. Basically the liquid crystal display control comprises a game control circuit 300. The display 30 is connected to be driven by a decoder/driver 600 for receiving a signal from the game control circuit 300 and for displaying a figure, and a decoder/driver 700 for receiving a signal from the game control circuit 300 and for displaying a numerical value. The game control circuit 300 is connected to the various switches 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 described in conjunction with Figure 2. The .., :
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, ~.ZlSS36 game control circuit 300 is responsive to operation of or an operational state of, the character moving/changing switches 15 and 16 to supply the data for driving for display the segment electrodes formed on the display 30 through data buses 306a, 307a and 308a. The game control circuit 300 is further responsive to operation of the mode switches 17, 18 and 19 to supp:Ly the data for selecting a game start or a game mode to the decoder/driver 600 through a data bus 309a. At the same time the game control circuit 300 provides score point data attained by a player through operation of the character moving/changing switches 15 and 16 through a bus 315a to the decoder/driver 700. Accordingly, the display 30 displays the score point data at the numerical value display portion 30a.
Since the Figure 2 embodiment is structured in the above described manner, the angle at which the image displayed of the liquid crystal plate 30 is observed becomes substantially constant and as a result easiness of observation can be always secured. Furthermore, since the side where the user observes the displayed image of the liquid crystal plate 30 and the side where the light beam 25 from the outside enters into the liquid crystal plate 30 are different, an image being displayed can be clearly observed without being influenced by the surrounding brightness.
Figure 4 is similar to Figure 3 but shows a sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figure 4, the mirror 14 is disposed below the light transmitting portion 11 of the housing 10 so that the light beam 25 from the outside, transmitted through the ground glass 20, may be directly received. The mirror 14 is held in the housing 10 at the angle selected such that the received light beam may be reflected thereby in the direction toward the window 13.
The liquid crystal plate 30 is held in the housing 10 50 as to be positioned between the window 13 and the mirror 14. Accordingly, in the Figure 4 embodiment a viewer .
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_ 9 _ directly observes the liquid crystal plate 30 through the window 13, unlike the Figure 2 embodiment. The light transmitting portion 11 is not provided above the liquid crystal plate 30. As a result, the light beam 25 coming Erom the outside through the light transmitting portion 11 does not directly impinge upon the liquid crystal plate 30 to be reflected therefrom, whereby an image being displayed of the liquid crystal plate 30 can be more clearly observed. More preferably, a light shielding plate 27 may be provided as shown by the dotted line in Figure 4.
As in the case of the embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3, the Figure 4 embodiment also separates the side where the liquid crystal plate 30 is observed by a viewer and the side where the light beams 25 coming from the outside enter onto the liquid crystal plate 30 and accordingly makes it possible to observe an image being displayed clearly without being influenced by the surrounding brightness.
Meanwhile, by providing a light source 26 to be energized by a battery, not shown, for example as shown by dotted lines in Figures 3 and 4, an image being displayed of the liquid crystal plate 30 can be clearly observed even in dark surroundings. Since it would be seldom that an image being displayed is observed using such light source 26, power consumption by the light source 26 may be small. Since usually an external incident light beam is available from upward, the light transmitting portion 11 is provided on the top of the housing 10 in the embodiments shown in Figures 2 to 4, so that the best light receiving condition may be attained. However, depending on the positional situation between the liquid crystal plate 30 and the mirror 14, the light transmitting portion 11 may be provided at the side or the rear of the housing 10.
Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a hand-held type game apparatus in accordance with still a further embodiment of the present ,.~
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invention and particularly showing the appearance of the same when in use. Figure 6 is a plan view of the Figure 5 embodiment. The liquid crystal display of Figures 5 and 6 comprises a base 101, a first housing portion 103 and a second housing portion 102. The base 101 is provided with character moving/changing switches 113, 114a, 115 and 116 and game mode switches 117 to 119, as in the case of -the Figure 1 game apparatus. The second housing portion 102 is rotatably supported at one end thereof by the base 101.
A mirror 114 is housed in the second housing portion 102.
A window 105 is formed in the second housing portion 102, so that the mirror 114 may be exposed. On the other hand, the first housing portion 103 is rotatably supported at one end thereof by the other end of the second housing portion 102.
As to be fully described subsequently, a liquid crystal plate is housed in the first housing portion 103~
A light transmitting portion 111 for transmitting a light beam 125 from the outside into the inside of the housing 103 is provided on the top surface of the first housing portion 103. A ground glass 120 is mounted on the light transmitting portion 111 by way of a light scattering means. Provision of the ground glass 120 makes it possible to scatter the light beam 125 from the outside uniformly onto the surface of the liquid crystal plate housed in the first housing portion 103. A polyethylene sheet having a rough surface may be utilized in place of the ground glass 120.
Meanwhile, although not shown in Figure 5, a light transmitting window (see Figure 8) is formed on the lower surface of the first housing portion 103.
Accordingly, the light beam 125 from the outside is introduced through the ground glass 120 into the inside of the first housing portion 103 and impinges upon the mirror 114 after tlle same is transmitted through the liquid crys-tal plate (see Figures 7 and 8) housed inside the first housinq portion 103. The light beam reflected from the mirror 114 is observed by a viewer, for example. More ~i :
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specifically, the viewer observes an image being displayed of the liquid crystal plate as projected onto the mirror 114.
Referring to Figures 7 and 8, the structure of the liquid crystal display 100 will be described in more detail.
As shown in Figure 7, the base 101 is provided with a switch base plate 141. The switch base plate 141 is connected to one end of a connection line 142. The connection line 142 is introduced through the inside of the second housing portion 102 into the first housing portion 103. A liquid crystal display base plate 143 is provided inside the first housing portion 103 and the other end of the connection line 142 is connected to a liquid crystal driving means, not shown, formed on the liquid crystal display base plate 143. The liquid crystal plate 130 is provided on the portions in the liquid crystal display base plate 143 facing the light transmitting portion 111 and the light transmitting window 20 106. The liquid crystal plate 130 is driven by the liquid crystal display driver provided on the liquid crystal display base plate 143. Batteries 146 and 147 are housed in the base plate 101 so that an electric power required for driving the liquid crystal plate 130 is supplied from 25 these batteries 146 and 147. A color filter 131 for enabling multicolored display is provided on the liquid crystal plate 130. The color filter 131 will be described subsequently.
The second housing portion 102 is pivoted by a 30 shaft 148 supported at both ends thereof by the base 101, whereby the same is mounted onto the base 101. The second housing portion 102 is bent in the vicinity of one end ther-eof, so that an end surface 149 of the bent portion is formed to extend on an arcuate portion with the shaft 148 as the center thereof. A plurality of recesses are formed at the end surface 149 of the bent portion. Accordingly, the bent end surface 149 is formed in a corrugated fashion in section. On the other hand, a leaf spring 151 fixed by . .
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means of a screw 150 is provided inside the base 101. The leaf spring 151 is provided to extend in the direction of one end surface 149 of the second housing portion 102. A
protruding portion 152 fitted into the recess formed at the end surface 149 of the bent portion is provided in the vicinity of the end thereof. More specifically, with the protruding portion 152 fitted into the recess of the end surface 149 of the bent portion, the second housing portion 102 is supported with respect to the base 101. If and when the second housing portion 102 is raised or turned down against the spring force of the leaf spring 151, the protruding portion 152 can be fitted into any of the recesses. Accordingly, the second housing portion 102 is held at an angle as selected with respect to the base One end of the first housing portion 103 is journaled by the shaft 153 supported by the second housing portion 102 at both ends thereof, so that the same is rotatably supported with respect to the second housing 20 portion 102. The second housing portion 102 has the other end bent in the direc-tion opposite to the bending direction in the vicinity of one end described previously.
The bent portion is formed in a fan shape in the shaft 153 as the center. Furthermore, recesses 155 and 156 are formed on the arcuate surface 154 of the bent portion. On the other hand, a cylinder 157 having a notch formed in the width direction of the liquid crystal display 100 is formed on the sealing portion of the first housing portion 103. A spring 158 is mounted inside the cylinder 157. A
shaft 160 is mounted extending in the width direction of the liquid crystal display 100 so as to be fitted into the notches of the cylinder 157. Accordingly, the shaft 160 is normally urged to be in pressure contact with the arcuate surface 154 at the end of the second housing portion 102. Therefore, with the liquid crystal display 10Q folded, the shaft 160 is fitted into the recess 156, whereby a ~olded state is maintained. Conversely, when the liquid crystal display 100 is expanded as shown in -~ZlSS3~
Figure 8, the shaft 160 is fitted into the recess 155, whereby the first housing portion 103 is maintained with the same expanded with respect to the second housing portion 102. Thus, the shaft 160 serving as a supporting S member of the first housing portion 103 is simply mounted into the notch oE the cylinder 157, without any necessity for any tiresome step of screwing. Therefore, the assembling process is simplified and the number of components can be decreased.
It has been found by experimentation that a displayed image of the liquid crystal plate 130 can be most readily viewed when the surfaces of the liquid crystal plate 130 and the mirror 114 subtend an angle of approximately 45. Therefore, the apparatus is structured such that the angle subtended by the first housing portion 103 and the second housing portion 102 is approximately 45 with the shaft 160 fitted into the recess 155.
As is clear from the above described structure, since the Figure 5 embodiment has the side where the liquid crystal plate 130 is viewed by a viewer and the side where the light beam 125 from the outside is introduced onto the liquid crystal plate 130 at different sides, an image being displayed can be viewed very clearly without being influenced by the surrounding brightness.
Furthermore, since the housing portion where the liquid crystal plate 130 is housed and the housing portion where the mirror 114 is fixed are separate, while being rotatably coupled, these housing portions are foldable and as a result a very compact liquid crystal display can be provided. In addition, since the base 101 and the second housing 102 are structured so that the angle therebetween may be selectable, the light receiving direction and the reflecting direction from the mirror can be adjusted depending upon the surrounding conditions, with the result that the best display state can always be attained.
The Figure 9 embodiment is similar to the Figure 3 embodiment, except that a color filter 31 for displaying characters in multiple colors is provided in the vicinity , . . . ~, . . . ~
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' ' ~ ' 3L;2~LSS36 of the liquid crystal plate 30 and a smoked plate 32 is provided in the vicinity of the window 13. Since those portions of the Figure 9 embodiment other than that described above are substantially the same as those of the Figure 3 embodiment, the same portions are denoted by the same reference characters and a detailed description thereoE is omitted.
As to be described subsequently, the color filter 31 comprises a plurality of color regions, whereby the characters being displayed can be displayed in multiple colors. The smoked plate 32 may be made of an acrylic resin plate of a natural gray. Provision of the smoked plate 32 in the vicinity of the window 13 can prevent the surface of the liquid crystal plate (the surface at the side of the polarized filter 24) from becoming too light due to the light beam incident from the window 13, which could otherwise make the display unclear.
The Figure 10 embodiment is similar to the Figure 4 embodiment but is different in that a color filter 31 for displaying characters being displayed in multiple colors is provided in the vicinity of the liquid crystal plate 30 and a smoked plate 32 is provided in the vicinity of the window 13. Since the remaining portions of the Figure 10 embodiment are substantially the same as those of the Figure 4 embodiment, the same portions are denoted by the same reference characters and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The effects brought about by provision of the color filter 31 and the smoked plate 32 are also the same as those in the case of the Figure 9 embodiment.
Figure 11 is a view showing a preferred example of the liquid crystal plate 30 and the color filter 31 for use in the embodiments depicted in conjunction with Figures 9 and 10. Display segments 22a, 22b, 22c and 22d are formed on the liquid crystal layer 22. The liquid crystal layer 22 is of a twisted nematic type, as described previously and the polarized filters 23 and 2 are formed on both surfaces. The polarization axes of ..
:' '' 12~15~36 these polarized filters 23 and 24 are selected in a predetermined relation, so that the light beam incident upon the portion other than the display segments 22a to 22d selectively driven for display is not transmitted therethrough. More specifically, the liquid crystal plate 30 comprising the liquid crystal layer 22 and the polarized filters 23 and 24 can transmit light beams only at the display segment portions which are selectively driven for display.
Meanwhile, it goes without saying that such struc-ture may be implemented using a liquid crystal layer of a type other than a twisted nematic type. However, employment of a twisted nematic type of a liquid crystal layer makes it possible to provide the above-described liquid crystal plate 30 with a simple structure.
The color filter 31 is disposed in the vicinity of and to facing the above-described liquid crystal plate 30. The color filter 31 comprises a transparent film such as a polyester film. The transparent film includes filter portions 31a to 31d and an opaque portion 31e, shown hatched in Figure 11 and formed through a screening process. The filter portions 31a to 31d are formed to cover at least the display segments 22a to 22d at the positions facing the display segments 22a to 22d, respectively. These filter portions 31a to 31d are each formed as a filter allowing for transmission of only a light beam of a color in which display of the display segments 22a to 22d is desired. For example, in the case where it is desired that the display segment 22a is displayed in red, the display segment 22b is displayed in yellow, the display segment 22c is displayed in blue and the display segment 22d is displayed in green, the filter portion 31a is formed as a red color filter, the filter portion 31b is formed as a yellow color filter, the filter portion 22c is formed as a blue color filter, and the filter portion 22d is formed as a green color filter. The color filter 31 may be implemented by forming the filter portions 31a to 31d and the opaque portion 31e separately, .
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lSS3~i these members then being combined to consti-tute the color filter 31.
As shown in Figure 12, the light beam transmitted through the color filter 31 is introduced to impinge upon the liquid crystal plate 30. The light beam incident upon the liquid crystal plate 30 is allowed to transmit only the display segment portion being selectively driven Eor display. The reason is that only the polarization axis of the light beam transmitting through the display segment being selectively driven for display comes to coincide with the polarization axis of the polarization filter 24, whereas the light beam transmitted through the other portion comes to deviate by 90 from the polarization axis of the polarization filter 24.
Since the filter portions 31a to 31d are disposed to face the display segments 22a to 22d, respectively, the display segments 22a to 22d can be displayed in desired colors.
As shown in Figure 13, the liquid crystal layer 22 is formed with a common electrode 34 shown by a dotted line and a plurality of segment electrodes 33a to 33d.
The overlapping portions, as hatched, between the segment electrodes 33a to 33d and the common electrode 34 constitute the display segments 22a to 22d, respectively, shown in Figure 11. In the case where it is desired to display the display segment 22a, for example, using the above-described liquid crystal layer 22, a voltage is applied between the segment electrode 33a and the common electrode 34 by means of a display driving means, not shown. In forming an image in the liquid crystal layer 22, it is necessary that the segment electrode and the common electrode coincide with each other. However, depending on the arrangement or the number of the display segments 22a to 22d, it could happen that an overlapping portion X of the electrodes is formed at a portion other than the display segments 22a to 22d, as shown in Figure 13. If and when the display segment 22c is to be 'A~
, .
~Z~S536 displayed in the case of the Figure 13 embodiment, for example, the overlapping portion X of the electrodes can also be displayed, whereby an image could appear in an undesired portion. Therefore, in drafting an image being displayed on the liquid crystal layer 22, the portion for extension of the common electrode and the segment electrodes was restricted in order to avoid such undesired display of an image. However, by employing the color filter 31 shown in Figure 11, such overlapping portion X
of the electrodes can be concealed by an opaque portion 31e of the color filter 31 and therefore an advantage is brought about that the common electrode and the segment electrodes 33a to 33d can be extended as desired.
However, if such advantage is not desired, alternatively the color filter may be implemented without forming such opaque portion 31e.
Figure 14 is a view showing one example of a display in the case where the present invention is applied in a game apparatus.
The liquid crystal plate 30 is formed with a variety of display segments such as numeral characters for displaying the current time and a score point, a ball character for displaying a ball symbol, a person character for displaying a person symbol, and other decorating characters for displaying various characters and figures.
A color filter 31 is disposed facing the liquid crystal plate 30. The color filter 31 is formed with a filter portion 41 so as to cover the numeral characters.
Likewise the color filter 31 is further formed with filter 30 portions 42, 43 and 44 and 45 to cover the ball character, the person character, and the decorating characters, respectively. Accordingly, in the case of the Figure 14 embodiment the numeral character, the ball character and the person character and the decorating characters can be displayed in different colors, respectively. Meanwhile, an opaque portion is formed, as described above, in the portion, as hatched, other than the filter portions 41 to 45 in the color filter 31.
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By thus implementing a game apparatus employing a liquid crystal display capable of displaying game patterns in multiple colors, color changes are added to such game apparatus employing a liquid crystal display and as a result the interest of a game player is greatly increased.
Figure 15 i5 a view showing a preferred example of the liquid crystal plate 130 and the color filter 131 for use in the Figure 5 embodiment. As in the case of the 10 Figure 11 embodiment, display segments 122a, 122b, 122c and 122d of the character configurations heing displayed are formed in the liquid crystal layer 122. The liquid crystal layer 122 may be a liquid crystal layer of a twisted nematic type having polarization filters 123 and 124 formed on both surfaces thereof. The polarization axes of these polarization filters 123 and 124 are selected to be in a predetermined relation, so that a light beam incident upon portions other than tbe display segments 122a to 122d being selectively driven for display may not transmit therethrough. More specifically, the liquid crystal layer 122 and the polarization filters 123 and 124 are structured such that a light beam is allowed to transmit only the display segment portions being selectively driven for display.
A color filter 131 is arranged to face the liquid crystal plate 130. The color filter 131 comprises a transparent film, e.g. a polyester film as in the case of the Figure 11 embodiment. The transparent film is formed with the filter portions 131a to 131d and the opaque portion 131e, as hatched, through a screening process. These filter portions 131a to 131d are formed at the positions facing the respective display segments 122a to 122d so as to cover the respective display segments.
These Eilter portions 131a to 131d are structured as filters for allowing for transmission of light beams of colors in which it is desired to display the display segments 122a to 122d.
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:-- lg - 1;~ 36 Since the Figure 15 embodimen-t is structured such that the filter portions 131a to :L31d are disposed to cover at least the display segments 122a to 122d having the character conEigurations being displayed, the display segments 122a to 122d can be displayed in desired colors as in the case of the Figure 11 embodiment.
Figure 16 is a view showing another preferred example oE the liquid crystal plate 130 and the color filter 131 for use in the Figure 5 embodiment. Contrary to the Figure 15 embodiment, the Figure 16 embodiment is adapted such that the filter portions 131a to 131d of the color filter 131 are formed in the shape of characters being displayed. The display segments 122a to 122d of the liquid crystal layer 122 are formed to be large enough to 15 cover the filter portions 131a to 131d, respectively. The remaining portions may be substantially the same as those of the Figure 15 embodiment. With such structure, when a given display segment of the liquid crystal plate 130 is driven for display to be made transparen-t, a light beam is allowed to transmit through only the color filter portion facing the above-described display segment. Therefore, an image of the conEiguration of the color filter portion, i.e. the character configuration being displayed can be displayed in color. Accordingly, the Figure 16 liquid crystal display plate also performs substantially the same effect as that of the Figure 15 liquid crystal display plate.
Meanwhile, in the foregoing a liquid crystal display as embodied in a game apparatus was mainly described; however, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied also to other types of electronic apparatuses such as a timepiece, a calculator and the like.
Although embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated in detail, it is clearly understood that the same are given by way of illustration and example only and are not to be taken by way of limitation, the spirit ~nd scope of the present - 12~SS3~i invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims.
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Claims (36)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A game apparatus for playing a video type game, comprising:
housing means made of an opaque material;
a mirror mounted in a recessed position in said housing means for forming at least a viewing surface;
a light transmitting portion in said housing means for introducing light in an incoming direction from above into said housing means, said light transmitting portion having light scattering means for scattering said light into said housing means;
a liquid crystal plate located below and close to said light transmitting portion inside said housing means for receiving said light from said light transmitting portion and for selectively transmitting light for displaying a plurality of characters in an outgoing direction on said viewing surface;
said liquid crystal plate having a plurality of display segments which become transparent when driven;
color filter means located in a face-to-face manner relative to at least one surface of said liquid crystal plate;
said color filter means including a plurality of color filter regions each facing a respective one of said display segments of said liquid crystal plate so that a color filter region and the respective display segment form members of a pair, one of said members of a pair being shaped as the respective character of said characters and the other of said members of a pair having a size covering said character;
at least two of said plurality of color regions of said color filter means being of different colors;
said mirror being arranged to reflect from said viewing surface to a viewer light in an outgoing direction transmitted through said liquid crystal plate to said mirror;
display control means located inside said housing means and responsive to internal programs or operation signals provided thereto for selectively driving said display segments of said liquid crystal plate for playing a game; and operating means located in or on said housing means forward of said mirror in said outgoing direction and at a position below the light transmitted in said outgoing direction, said operating means being operatively connected to said display control means for providing said operation signals for said display control means.
housing means made of an opaque material;
a mirror mounted in a recessed position in said housing means for forming at least a viewing surface;
a light transmitting portion in said housing means for introducing light in an incoming direction from above into said housing means, said light transmitting portion having light scattering means for scattering said light into said housing means;
a liquid crystal plate located below and close to said light transmitting portion inside said housing means for receiving said light from said light transmitting portion and for selectively transmitting light for displaying a plurality of characters in an outgoing direction on said viewing surface;
said liquid crystal plate having a plurality of display segments which become transparent when driven;
color filter means located in a face-to-face manner relative to at least one surface of said liquid crystal plate;
said color filter means including a plurality of color filter regions each facing a respective one of said display segments of said liquid crystal plate so that a color filter region and the respective display segment form members of a pair, one of said members of a pair being shaped as the respective character of said characters and the other of said members of a pair having a size covering said character;
at least two of said plurality of color regions of said color filter means being of different colors;
said mirror being arranged to reflect from said viewing surface to a viewer light in an outgoing direction transmitted through said liquid crystal plate to said mirror;
display control means located inside said housing means and responsive to internal programs or operation signals provided thereto for selectively driving said display segments of said liquid crystal plate for playing a game; and operating means located in or on said housing means forward of said mirror in said outgoing direction and at a position below the light transmitted in said outgoing direction, said operating means being operatively connected to said display control means for providing said operation signals for said display control means.
2. A game apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said housing means include window means for allowing the light to pass from said housing means to the viewer after reflection by said mirror, and said mirror is spaced sufficiently from said window means that said opaque material of said housing means screens out external light, other than said light passing through said light transmitting portion, to increase the contrast of an image on said viewing surface.
3. A game apparatus as claimed in Claim 2, wherein said mirror, said light transmitting portion and said liquid crystal plate are located between a pair of side walls and in front of a rear wall, said side and rear walls being formed by said opaque material and shielding said mirror from extraneous light.
4. A game apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said mirror is spaced from said liquid crystal plate.
5. A game apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said liquid crystal plate and a reflecting surface of said mirror are oriented in said housing means with a predetermined opposing angle relative to each other.
6. A game apparatus as claimed in Claim 5, wherein said predetermined opposing angle is approximately 45°.
7. A game apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said housing means comprise first and second housing sections, said light transmitting portion being located in said first housing section, said liquid crystal plate being fixedly held in a light path from said light transmitting portion in said first housing section, said mirror being held in a predetermined position in said second housing section, said game apparatus further comprising means for connecting said first and second housing sections to each other so that said liquid crystal plate and said mirror may be opposed to each other with a given opposing angle.
8. A game apparatus as claimed in Claim 7, wherein said connecting means comprises first position adjustment means for fixing said first housing section and said second housing section in such a position relative to each other that the angle therebetween may be adjusted.
9. A game apparatus as claimed in Claim 8, wherein said first adjustment means comprises means for holding said first housing section and said second housing section in a folded manner.
10. A game apparatus as claimed in Claim 8, wherein said first adjustment means comprises at least one engageable member formed on at least one end of said first housing section and on one end of said second housing section, at least one engaging member formed on at least the other end of said first housing section and on said second housing section, said first and second housing sections being fixed through engagement of said engaging member with said engageable member.
11. A game apparatus as claimed in Claim 8, wherein said housing means comprises a base, and second connecting means for connecting said base to the other end of said second housing section.
12. A game apparatus as claimed in Claim 8, wherein said second connecting means comprises second position adjustment means for fixing the position of said first housing section, of said second housing section and of said base so that the angle therebetween may be adjusted.
13. A game apparatus as claimed in Claim 9, wherein said first position adjustment means comprises means for holding said first housing section and said second housing section in a folded manner, and wherein said second position adjustment means comprise means for holding said second housing section and said base in a folded manner.
14. A game apparatus as claimed in Claim 9, wherein said second position adjustment means comprise position determining means on said first housing section and on said base, said position determining means cooperating with each other for adjustably holding said housing sections and said base in predetermined positions relative to each other.
15. A game apparatus as claimed in Claim 11, wherein said operating means are disposed at a predetermined position on said base.
16. A game apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said liquid crystal plate comprises a liquid crystal layer of a twisted nematic type, and at least one polarized filter laminated to at least one surface of said liquid crystal layer.
17. A game apparatus as claimed in Claim 7, wherein said housing further comprises a base, and second connecting means for connecting said base to the other end of said second housing section.
18. A game apparatus as claimed in Claim 17, wherein said first and second connecting means comprise means for holding said first and second housing sections alternatively in a folded or open position.
19. A game apparatus as claimed in Claim 18, wherein said first and second connecting means comprise position determining means for holding said housing sections and said base in a predetermined open or folded position relative to each other.
20. A game apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said housing means comprise first and second housing sections, said light transmitting portion, said liquid crystal plate, and said color filter means being located in said first housing section, wherein said mirror is mounted in said second housing section and forms a display screen in said second housing section, and connecting means operatively interconnecting said first and second housing sections in different positions relative to each other, whereby light passes through said first housing section onto said mirror in said second housing section when the two housing sections are held in a predetermined open position relative to each other by said connecting means, and wherein said first housing section forms a closure and cover for said display screen when said first and second housing sections are held in a closed position relative to each other by said connecting means.
21. A display for displaying at least two characters in different colors, comprising:
a liquid crystal plate including a laminated structure of a transparent electrode layer having at least two segment electrodes associated with said at least two characters, and a liquid crystal layer substantially transparent in a portion corresponding to said segment electrodes for displaying said characters, said liquid crystal plate being adapted for receiving light on one surface of said liquid crystal plate and for emitting light from the other surface of said liquid crystal plate, and color filter means located to face one surface of said liquid crystal plate, said color filter means including at least two colored regions of different colors respectively opposite said at least two segment electrodes.
a liquid crystal plate including a laminated structure of a transparent electrode layer having at least two segment electrodes associated with said at least two characters, and a liquid crystal layer substantially transparent in a portion corresponding to said segment electrodes for displaying said characters, said liquid crystal plate being adapted for receiving light on one surface of said liquid crystal plate and for emitting light from the other surface of said liquid crystal plate, and color filter means located to face one surface of said liquid crystal plate, said color filter means including at least two colored regions of different colors respectively opposite said at least two segment electrodes.
22. The display in accordance with Claim 21, wherein one of said segment electrodes of said transparent electrode layer and the respective colored region of said color filter means located opposite said one segment electrode are formed in a character shape, and wherein the other of said segment electrodes and the respective one of said colored regions located opposite each other are selected to have a size covering said character shape.
23. The display in accordance with Claim 21, wherein said color filter means comprises at least two color filter plates, whereby one color filter plate is provided for each of said colored regions.
24. The display in accordance with Claim 21 r wherein said color filter means comprises a single color filter plate which is opaque at a portion other than said at least two colored regions.
25. The display in accordance with Claim 21, wherein said liquid crystal layer is formed as a twisted nematic type, and wherein said liquid crystal plate comprises a polarized filter provided in a laminated manner on said liquid crystal layer.
26. The display of Claim 21, wherein one of said segment electrodes is formed in a character shape, and wherein the respective colored region of said color filter means opposite to said one segment electrode is shaped to at least cover the character shape.
27. The display of Claim 21, wherein one of said colored regions of said color filter means is formed in a character shape, and wherein the respective segment electrode opposite to said one colored region is shaped to at least cover the character shape.
28. The display of Claim 21, wherein said color filter means are located to face that surface of the liquid crystal plate which receives the light.
29. A display apparatus, comprising:
a housing having wall means including at least a top wall and a side wall which adjoin each other, said top wall having a light transmitting portion for transmission of light therethrough, a liquid crystal plate held in said housing in a position for receiving light through said light transmitting portion for forming an image to be displayed, a mirror mounted in said housing in a predetermined positional relation relative to said liquid crystal plate, and window means formed in said side wall of said housing in a position corresponding to a reflecting path of said mirror, whereby said image is displayed through said window means upon transmission of light through said light transmitting portion, and wherein said liquid crystal plate comprises a laminated structure including a transparent electrode layer having at least two segment electrodes of a pattern associated with a character to be displayed and a liquid crystal layer being substantially transparent at a portion corresponding to said segment electrode when said character is to be displayed, and which further comprises color filter means located to face one surface of said liquid crystal plate, said color filter means including at least two colored regions facing said segment electrodes, respectively, and one of said segment electrodes of said transparent electrode layer and that one of said colored regions of said color filter means which are facing each other being shaped so as to display said character being displayed, and the other of said segment electrodes and the other of said colored regions which are facing each other being shaped so as to display the respective character.
a housing having wall means including at least a top wall and a side wall which adjoin each other, said top wall having a light transmitting portion for transmission of light therethrough, a liquid crystal plate held in said housing in a position for receiving light through said light transmitting portion for forming an image to be displayed, a mirror mounted in said housing in a predetermined positional relation relative to said liquid crystal plate, and window means formed in said side wall of said housing in a position corresponding to a reflecting path of said mirror, whereby said image is displayed through said window means upon transmission of light through said light transmitting portion, and wherein said liquid crystal plate comprises a laminated structure including a transparent electrode layer having at least two segment electrodes of a pattern associated with a character to be displayed and a liquid crystal layer being substantially transparent at a portion corresponding to said segment electrode when said character is to be displayed, and which further comprises color filter means located to face one surface of said liquid crystal plate, said color filter means including at least two colored regions facing said segment electrodes, respectively, and one of said segment electrodes of said transparent electrode layer and that one of said colored regions of said color filter means which are facing each other being shaped so as to display said character being displayed, and the other of said segment electrodes and the other of said colored regions which are facing each other being shaped so as to display the respective character.
30. The display in accordance with Claim 29, wherein said at least two colored regions of said color filter means have different colors.
31. The display in accordance with Claim 30, wherein said color filter means comprises at least two color filter plates each plate providing one of said colored regions.
32. The display in accordance with Claim 30, wherein said color filter means comprises a single color filter plate which is opaque at a potion other than said at least two colored regions.
33. The display in accordance with Claim 29, wherein said liquid crystal layer is formed as a twisted nematic type, and wherein said liquid crystal plate comprises a polarized filter provided in a laminated manner on said liquid crystal layer.
34. The display of Claim 29, wherein one of said segment electrodes is formed in a character shape, and wherein the respective colored region of said color filter means facing said one segment electrode is shaped to at least cover the character shape.
35. The display of Claim 29, wherein one of said colored regions of said color filter means is formed in a character shape, and wherein the respective segment electrode facing said one colored region is, shaped to at least cover the character shape.
36. The display of Claim 29, wherein said color filter means are located to face that surface of the liquid crystal plate which receives the light.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000436052A CA1215536A (en) | 1983-09-02 | 1983-09-02 | Display |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000436052A CA1215536A (en) | 1983-09-02 | 1983-09-02 | Display |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1215536A true CA1215536A (en) | 1986-12-23 |
Family
ID=4126016
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000436052A Expired CA1215536A (en) | 1983-09-02 | 1983-09-02 | Display |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1215536A (en) |
-
1983
- 1983-09-02 CA CA000436052A patent/CA1215536A/en not_active Expired
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| MKEX | Expiry |