GB2245808A

GB2245808A - Wide picture display service

Info

Publication number: GB2245808A
Application number: GB9110394A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Toshimitsu Ooishi
Original assignee: Konami Corp
Current assignee: Konami Group Corp
Priority date: 1990-06-26
Filing date: 1991-05-14
Publication date: 1992-01-08
Anticipated expiration: 2011-05-14
Also published as: JPH0458979A; GB2245808B; DE4119357A1; DE4119357C2; GB9110394D0; JPH0824767B2

Abstract

A display device for displaying a wide picture has a main screen 1a at which the wide picture is to appear. One picture generation unit 2 has a first screen 2a facing in a first direction, and an associated first picture transmission path (including 4) to the main screen. Another picture generation unit 3 has a second screen 3a facing in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and an associated second picture transmission path (including 4 and 5) to the main screen. Picture projectors for the first and second screens are alternately juxtaposed one after another. A continuous wide picture consists of a picture from the first screen and a picture from the second screen available without any joining line at the main screen (1a). Alternative embodiments are described. <IMAGE>

Description

1 :2:2 E5 0 &_5 WIDE PICTURE DISPLAY DEVICE This invention relates to a

display device, particularly to a display device.having a plurality of picture generation units to display a continuous wide picture consisting of pictures from the picture generation units.

A computerized visual game machine (hereinafter referred to as "TV game machine") has been known which has a display device using a plurality of cathode ray tubes (hereinafter referred to as "CRT") for picture generation and mirrors to a produce panoramic picture so that the player experiences a more dynamic and realistic atmosphere. Such a display device can be seen in Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication No 4825676, and Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 58-219881.

In a display device using a plurality of CRTs, if CRTs are arranged in contact with one another, joining lines appear in a combined picture, which consequently provide a less dynamic atmosphere. In the display device of the above-mentioned publications, to eliminate such a joining line, CRTs are arranged in a rearwise direction or a sidewise direction of the machine with an appropriate space being kept between one another.

However, the arrangement of CRTs in the rearwise direction gives a TV game machine a greater depth. The arrangement of CRTs in the sidewise direction gives a TV game machine a greater width. Consequently, such a TV game machine requires more space. Usually, amusement JMel30591 2 - arcades have limited space and require as many machines installed as possible. TV game machines of an increased size are also more cumbersome for transportation.

It is an object of the present invention to reduce impact of the above noted disadvantages.

A display device for displaying a wide picture of the present invention comprises a main screen at which the wide picture is to appear, one picture projector means including a picture generation unit having a first screen facing in a first direction, and a first picture transmission path for pictures from the first screen to the main screen, another picture projector means including a picture generation unit having a second screen facing in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and a second picture transmission path for pictures from the second screen to the main screen, the one picture projector means and the other picture projector means being alternately juxtaposed one after another.

A picture produced on the first screen is transmitted to the main screen by the first picture transmission, and a picture produced on the second screen is transmitted to the main screen by the second picture transmission. The two transmitted pictures are combined on the main screen to produce a continuous wide picture.

Also, the one picture projector and the other picture projector are alternately juxtaposed in the opposite directions, so that a reduced space is JMel30591 necessary to install the display device.

specific implementation for the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation view of a TV game machine embodying the present invention; Fig. 2 is a side elevation view of the TV game machine of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a first display device; Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing an overall control system for the TV game machine of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a front elevation view of an other TV game machine embodying the present invention; Fig. 6 is a side elevation view of the TV game machine of Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a second display device; Fig. 8 is a front elevation view of a TV game machine having a third display device of the present invention; Fig. 9 is a side elevation view of the TV game machine of Fig. 8; and Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the third display device.

For the first embodiment, Figs. 1 to 3 show a TV game machine 1 provided with two CRTs 2,3, and mirrors 4,5. In Figs. 1 and 2, the two CRTs 2,3 are illustrated by broken lines. An actuator lever, switches and the like which are provided on a front portion of the TV i JMel30591 game machine 1 are omitted for clarity.

The CRT 2 is disposed at an upper position at the lefthand side of the TV game machine 1 with its screen 2a facing downward. The CRT 3 is disposed at a lower position at the righthand side of the TV game machine 1 with its screen 3a facing upward. Between the two CRTs 2 and 3 there is a mirror 4 which is a semi-reflective mirror having an appropri.ate transmittance, for example 50%. Also, the mirror 4 is inclined relative to a plane parallel to the screens 2a and 3a both disposed in horizontally. The mirror 4 is in the form of a rectangle having such a size as to reflect pictures from both screens 2a and 3a.

Another mirror 5 is position behind a righthand half of the inclined mirror 4 and rearer the rear edge of the screen 3a. The mirror 5 is disposed vertical, and has a transmittance of zero or almost zero, i.e. is fully reflective, with an area greater than that of the screen 3a. Also, a smoked effect screen la is disposed at a front position of the TV game machine 1, and is made of a semi-transparent material. A wide picture, as a combination of pictures from the screens 2a and 3a, is projected onto or through the screen la by the semireflective mirror 4 and the fully reflective mirror 5. The CRTs 2,3 semi-reflective mirror 4, and fully reflective mirror 5 are disposed so that the wide picture available at the screen la has no joining line. Specifically, the CRTs 2, 3 are placed in such positions that the right edge of the screen 2a and the left edge of the screen 3a ie in a common vertical plane.

iMel30591 Light rays relevant to the wide picture of this first embodiment are described with reference to Figs. 2 and 3. Light of a picture A produced at the screen 2a of the CRT 2 is reflected by the lefthand half of the semireflective mirror 4 to the screen la, so that the picture A is available at the lefthand half of the screen la. On the other hand, light of a picture B produced at the screen 3a of the CRT 3 is reflected by the righthand half of the semi-reflective mirror 4 to the fully reflective mirror 5 which in turn reflects in full to the screen la through the semireflective mirror 4, so that the picture B is available at the righthand half of the screen la. Consequently, the pictures A and B are continuously combined over the screen la to produce a wide picture thereat.

It is to be noted that the combination of the CRT 2 and the lefthand half of the semi-reflective mirror 4 constitutes one picture projector, and the combination of the CRT 3, the righthand half of the semi-reflective mirror 4, and the fully reflective mirror 5 constitutes another picture projector.

Also, it will be apparent that the lefthand half of the semi-reflective mirror 4 could be replaced by a fully reflector mirror.

In the overall control system of Fig. 4, 10 is an input/output device for providing operational information to a main CPU 11. The operational information is input by actuator lever and switches provided on the front panel, but nt shown in the drawings.

JMel30591 Corresponding to operational information, the main CPU 11 sends a sound control signal to a sound CPU 13 and a CRT control signal to a CRT controller 14. In response to the CRT control signal from the main CPU 11, the CRT controller 14 reads out necessary picture signal from a video memory 15, and then outputs the necessary picture signal to each of frame memories 16,17. The frame memories 16,17 are respectively adapted for storing the picture signal from the CRT controller 14. Further, a frame memory 20 is provided to compensate to cope with time difference between a picture signal or the CRT 2 and a picture signal for the CRT 3, that occurs where the picture signal for the CRT 2 and the picture signal for the CRT 3 are generated alternately. Picture signals are in digital form.

Indicated at 18 is a video signal generator for the CRT 2. The video signal generator 18 receives a picture signal from the frame memory 16 and converts the picture signal into a video signal which is in the form of an analog signal. The video signal is sent to the CRT 2. Indicated at 19 is a video signal generator for the CRT 3. The video signal generator 19 receives a picture signal from the frame memory 20 and converts the picture signal into a video signal which is in turn sent to the CRT 3. Consequently, pictures are produced at the screen 2a of the CRT 2 and the screen 3a of the CRT 3 corresponding to video signals from the video signal generators 18 and 19, and are then available at the screen la by the way of the semi-reflective mirror 4 and the fully reflective mirror 5 so that a continuous wide picture is produced over the screen la without a joining line.

JMel30591 In accordance with the sound control signal from the main CPU 11, the sound CPU 13 sends a control signal and a sound signal to a saund controller 20. The sound controller 20 controls operation of amplifiers 21 and 22 in accordance with the control signal from the sound CPU 13. Also, the sound controller 20 sends the sound signal to the amplifiers 21 and 22. The amplifiers 21 and 22 amplify the sound signal in accordance with set amplification requirements, and send the amplified sound signal to speakers 23,24,25 and 26 which in turn convert the sound signal to audibility.

In the second embodiment of Figs. 5 to 7, the TV game machine for the second display device is substantially the same as that described in connection with Figs. 1 to 3. Therefor, reference numerals designating corresponding parts are the same as used in Figs. 1 to 3.

Two CRTs 2,3 are provided in the TV game machine 1. The CRT 2 is disposed at an upper position at the lefthand side of the TV game machine 1 with its screen 2a facing downward. The CRT 3 is disposed at a lower position at the righthand side of the TV game machine 1 with its screen 3a facing upward. Between the two CRTs 2 and 3 is provided a semi-reflective mirror 4 inclined relative to a horizontal plane parallel to the screens 2a and 3a, typically at 45 degrees to horizontals of screens 2a,3a. The mirror 4 is rectangular and large enough to serve both of screens 2a and 3a. To eliminate a joining line, the CRTs 2,3 are disposed in such a way that the right edge of the screen 2a and the left edge of the screen 3a lie in a common vertical plane.

JMe130591 - 8 - i A mirror 6 is disposed above the righthand half of-the inclined mirror 4 and facing the screen 3a of the CRT. The mirror 6 is horizontal and has an area greater than the screen 3a. The mirror 6 is a fully reflective mirror having a transmittance of zero or almost zero. Also, a screen la of a semitransparent material is provided at the front of the TV game machine 1.

In the second embodiment, the combination of the CRT 2 and the lefthand half of the semi-reflective mirror 4 constitutes one picture projector, and the combination of the CRT 3, the righthand half of the semireflective mirror 4, and the fully reflective mirror 6 constitutes another picture projector. It will be apparent that the lefthand half of the semireflective mirror 4 could be replaced by a fully reflective mirror.

Light paths for the second embodiment are described with reference to Figs. 6 and 7. Light of picture A produced at screen 2a of the CRT 2 is reflected by the lefthand half of the semi-reflective mirror 4 for memory at the screen la, so that the picture A is projected over the lefthand half of the screen la. On the other hand, light of picture B at screen 3a of the CRT 3 is transmitted through the righthand half of the semireflective mirror 4 t the fully reflective mirror 6 which in turn reflects to the semi-reflective mirror 4, which reflect to the screen la. Consequently, the picture B is projected over the righthand half of the screen la. The pictures A and B are continuously combined over the screen la to produce t JMe130591 a wide picture thereat.

For the third embodiment of Figs. 8 to 10, the TV game machine for the third display device is again substantially the same as for Figs. 1 to 3, and like parts have like reference numerals.

Two CRTs 2,3 are provided in the TV game machine 1. The CRT 2 is disposedat an upper position at the lefthand side of the TV game machine 1 with its screen 2a facing downward. The CRT 3 is disposed at a lower position at the righthand side of the TV game machine 1 with its screen 3a facing upwards. The screens 2a,3a are substantially horizontal. Also, the right edge of the screen 2a and the left edge of the screen 3a lie in a common vertical plane to eliminate any joining line.

Under the CRT 2 is a mirror 7 inclined relative to a horizontal plane parallel to the screens 2a and 3a, typically 45 degrees, so that the reflecting surface of the mirror 7 faces the screen 2a. The mirror 7 is substantially rectangular and large enough to serve the screen 2a. On the other side, above the CRT 3 is a mirror 8 inclined relative to horizontal with its reflecting surface facing the screen 3a. The mirrors 7 and 8 have a transmittance of zero or almost zero, i.e. the mirrors 7,8 are fully reflective mirrors. The inclination of the mirror 8 is opposite to the inclination of the mirror 7. The mirror 8 is also substantially rectangular and is large enough to serve the screen 3a. Further, a screen la of a semitransparent material is provided at the front of the TV game machine 1 as before.

JMel30591 In the third embodiment, the combination of the CRT 2 and the mirror 7 constitutes one picture projector, and the combination of the CRT 3 and the mirror 8 constitutes another picture projector.

In Figs. 9 and 10, light of picture A at screen 2a of the CRT 2 is reflected by the mirror 7 to the screen la to appear at the lefthand half of the screen la. Light of picture B at screen 3a of the CRT 3 is reflected by the mirror 8 to the screen la, so that the picture B appears at the righthand half portion of the screen la. The pictures A and B are continuously at the screen la to produce a continuous wide picture thereat.

Effectively, of course, pictures of the screens 2a,3a themselves each at least marginally touch a common plane perpendicular to both of the screens, specifically following the dashed line to which the reference numeral 'Cl is directed.

It is to be noted that screens la of suitable semitransparent material can have advantageous effects in diffusing light from the screens 2a,3a to render the qualities of the pictures A and B uniform, and helps in giving the player only a wide picture without sight the inside of the TV machine 1.

Also, although two picture projectors are described for the abovementioned embodiments, three or more picture projectors may be provided. Then, picture projectors are alternately disposed in upper portions and lower positions. Further, although picture projectors are alternately juxtaposed in a vertical 1 JMel30591 plane in the above embodiments, picture projectors could be alternately juxtaposed in a horizontal plane.

Moreover, a display device hereof can be used for flight simulator apparatus, navigation simulator apparatus or the like.

JMel30591 - 12 -

Claims

1. A display device for displaying a wide picture comprising: a main screen at which the wide picture is to appear; one picture projector means including a picture generation unit having a first screen facing in a first direction, and a first picture transmission path for pictures from the first screen to the main screen; another picture projector means including a picture generation unit having a second screen facing in second direction opposite to the first direction, and second picture transmission path for pictures from the second screen to the main screen; the one picture projector means and the other picture projector means being alternately juxtaposed one after another.

2. A display device according to Claim 1, wherein: the first picture transmission path includes a mirror inclined with respect to the first direction so as to reflect light from the first screen to the main screen; and the second picture transmission path includes a semi-reflective mirror inclined with respect to the second direction so as to reflect light from the second screen in a direction opposite to the main mirror, and a full reflective mirror provided in such a position as to reflect the light from the semi-reflective mirror to the main screen.

3. A display device according to Claim 1, wherein:

Y 1 i JMel30591 the first picture transmission path includes a mirror inclined with respect ot the first direction so as to reflect light from the first screen to the main screen; and the second picture transmission path includes a semi-reflective mirror and a fully reflective mirror, the fully reflective mirror being provided in such a position as to reflect light transmitted through the semi-reflective mirror from the second screen back to the semi-reflector mirror again, the semi-reflective mirror being inclined with respect to the second direction so as to reflect the light from the fully reflective mirror to the main screen.

4. A display device according to Claim 2 or 3, wherein the mirror of the first picture transmission path and the semi-reflective mirror of the second picture transmission path are inclined at 45 degrees.

5. A display device according to Claim 4, wherein the mirror of the first picture transmission path is integral with the semi-reflective mirror of the second picture transmission path.

6. A display device according to Claim 1, wherein: the first picture transmission path includes a mirror inclined with respect to the first direction so as to reflect light from the first screen to the main screen; and the second picture transmission path includes a mirror inclined with respect to the second direction so as to reflect light from the second screen to the main screen.

k JMel30591 - 14

7. A display device according to Claim 6, wherein the mirror of the first picture transmission path and the mirror of the second picture transmission path are fully reflective mirrors.

8. A display device according to Claim 7, wherein the mirror of the first picture transmission path and the mirror of the second picture transmission path are inclined at 45 degrees.

9. A display device according to any preceding claim, wherein the picture generation unit of the one picture projector means and the picture generation uni of the another picture projector are cathode ray tubes.

10. A display device according to any preceding claim wherein the first and second screens each have a margin only lying on a common plane extending at right angles to them both.

11. A display device according to any preceding claim, wherein the main screen is of a semitransparent material.

12. Wide screen display device arranged and adapted to operate substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

Published 1991 at The Patent Office. Concept House. Cardiff Road. Newport. Gwent NP9 1RH. Further copies may be obtained from Sales Branch, Unit 6. Nine Mile Point, Cwinfelinfach, Cross Keys. Newport. NP1 7HZ. Printed by Multiplex techniques ltd. St Mary Cray. Kent.