JP2005074071A - Game apparatus and display unit therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate the maintenance for repairs, cleaning and the like in a game apparatus in which the reflection images of an image display device using a reflector such as a half mirror are displayed superimposed on a visually recognizing object on a pattern variable display device or the like with a sense of distance. <P>SOLUTION: The game apparatus has a reflector 25 which has a reflection/transmission area that enables either of the reflection and the transmission of the incident light and a unit 61 which integrally contains the image display device 24 for displaying the moving images or the still images on the display surface thereof. The unit 61 is detachable from the body of the game apparatus and the reflector 25 is disposed inclined to the horizontal plane. The image display device 24 is disposed at a position that makes the moving images or the still images displayed on the display surface of the image display device 24 visually recognizable from the eye position of the supposed players by the reflection with the reflector 25. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a game apparatus configured such that a visual target object and a display image of an image display device are combined using a reflecting plate so that they can be visually recognized with a sense of distance. In particular, the present invention relates to a technique suitably applied to a game device in which a symbol display by a reel or a reel image and an image by an image display device are combined. Typically, the present invention relates to a game device in which a game value is paid out according to a winning mode when a combination of symbols is arranged in a predetermined winning mode on a predetermined winning line.

  A so-called slot machine (sometimes called a pachislot machine or a revolving game machine, hereinafter referred to as a slot machine) has a symbol variation display device, and operates a stop button corresponding to each reel to vary the symbol. When the display is stopped and a predetermined symbol is aligned on the winning line activated according to the number of medals bet, the number of medals (game value) according to the symbol is paid out. As the symbol variation display device for variably displaying symbols, the symbols are moved and displayed in a fixed direction on a plurality of reels arranged on the circumferential surface and configured to be rotatable, or on an image display device such as a liquid crystal display device, for example. An example is one that displays a plurality of reel images.

  The basic operations of the slot machine are bet operation, start of symbol change display device (for example, reel) (start lever operation), stop rotation of each reel (stop button operation), winning (payout of game value) or confirmation of loss. If there is a symbol variation display device as the display means, there is no problem in the progress of the game. However, although the symbol variation display device displays the symbol that is most important to the game, it is not possible to effectively enhance the effect of the game. For example, when winning a prize, it is effective to energize the game by playing music or lighting a lamp. In particular, an image display device such as a liquid crystal display device has a variety of image displays that can be displayed, and is extremely effective in enhancing game effects. For example, an image display device is excellent for applications in which a character appears along with the progress of a game or the contents of a winning combination are notified using characters or symbols.

  Therefore, slot machines equipped with various image display devices have been developed. For example, a liquid crystal display device of about 5 inches is arranged on the upper part of the symbol variation display device, or a rectangular liquid crystal display device or a seven segment display device is arranged vertically or horizontally on the side or lower part of the symbol variation display device. There are known slot machines.

  However, when an image display device is arranged around these symbol variation display devices, the space in which the image display device can be arranged is limited, and there is a restriction that an image display device having a large screen cannot be arranged. The image display device is characterized in that a detailed image can be displayed as a moving image. A moving image can be effectively produced only when displayed on a large screen. Therefore, there is a request to increase the display area of the image display device.

  In addition, when the image display device is arranged around the symbol variation display device, there is also a problem that it is difficult to produce a combined effect linked with the symbol variation display device. The effect of moving images linked to the symbol variation display device is effective to display the movie superimposed on the symbol variation display device, but physically when the image display device is arranged around the symbol variation display device. Such a display cannot be performed.

  Furthermore, since the player's interest is mainly focused on the symbol variation display device, the player may not pay attention even if the effect image is displayed on the image display device. When any notification is performed on the image display device, the player needs to disperse attention to both the image display device and the symbol variation display device, which may be a factor that hinders the player's concentration on the game. Therefore, it is preferable that the player can place both the image display device and the symbol variation display device in the field of view without moving the line of sight.

  As a solution to the problem in the configuration in which the image display device is arranged around these symbol variation display devices, an example in which a transparent image display device is arranged on the image display device in a non-display state is known. A transparent EL (electroluminescence) display device is used as the image display device. According to such a configuration, the player can keep both the image display device and the symbol variation display device in the field of view without moving the line of sight, and can encourage the player to concentrate on the game.

  In addition, there is a technique using a half mirror as a technique capable of displaying an image of the image display device in an overlapping manner on the symbol variation display device. This is done by placing a half mirror on the front of the symbol variation display device, the symbol variation display device sees this through the half mirror, and the display on the image display device visually recognizes this with an image reflected on the half mirror. To do. According to such a configuration, the symbol variation display device and the image of the image display device can be displayed in an overlapping manner. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology in which an image displayed on an image display device is displayed on a half mirror and displayed on a mechanical reel. On the other hand, Patent Document 2 discloses a technique in which a symbol displayed on a mechanical reel is displayed on a half mirror and superimposed on an image displayed on an image display device. According to these techniques, the player can concentrate on the production of the game without moving the viewpoint.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a general configuration when a mechanical reel and an image display device are used in combination. In FIG. 9, the mechanical reel 51, the image display device 52, the half mirror 53, the reflected image 54 showing the display of the image display device 52 reflected by the half mirror 53 at a position where the player will recognize, mechanical An effective symbol display area 55 of the reel 51, a player's line of sight 56, and a dead space 57 are shown. The reflected image 54 overlaps the effective symbol display area 55 of the mechanical reel 51 on the player's line of sight 56.

JP2002-182150 JP2003-154047

  By arranging the transparent EL display device so as to overlap the symbol variation display device, or by displaying the image of the image display device and the symbol variation display device so as to overlap each other using a half mirror, the size of the image display area described above can be increased. It becomes possible to solve problems with limited length. However, in any case, there is a problem in that the visibility of the symbols variably displayed on the symbol variation display device is lowered. Since the transparent EL display device is disposed between the player and the symbol variation display device, the player sees the image of the transparent EL display device superimposed on the symbol of the symbol variation display device, thereby reducing the visibility of the symbol. I will let you. In addition, when the image of the image display device and the symbol variation display device are displayed in an overlapping manner using a half mirror, the reflected image 54 of the image display device 52 is displayed in the effective symbol display area of the mechanical reel 51 as shown in FIG. 55, and it is difficult to recognize both separately. This hinders the visibility of the design of the mechanical reel 51. In the case of a slot machine, regulations based on laws and the like are required to ensure the visibility of symbols while symbols are displayed in a variable manner. For this reason, the display of the transparent EL display device and the display of the reflected image 54 of the image display device 52 are limited to the period when the symbol display by the symbol variation display device or the mechanical reel 51 is stopped.

  In the case of the configuration shown in FIG. 9, the image display device 52 and the reflected image 54 are in a plane-symmetric relationship with respect to the half mirror 53, so that a dead space 57 is inevitably formed between the half mirror 53 and the reflected image 54. There is a problem in that it is done. Of course, it is preferable that the dead space is small, but especially in a slot machine, the external dimensions (especially the depth) of the device are limited by the space of the installation place (so-called “island”) in the pachinko hall. There is a request to eliminate dead space inside the apparatus as much as possible. On the other hand, in order to make it easy for the player to visually recognize the symbols, the mechanical reels need to have a certain size. In this respect, in the case of a slot machine, it is difficult to freely reduce the size of the mechanical reel, and it is difficult to realize the slot machine configured as shown in FIG. If the positional relationship between the image display device 52 and the mechanical reel 51 in FIG. 9 is switched, the problem of the depth dimension of the device can be solved, but there is a problem that the visibility of the symbol is lowered because the mechanical reel cannot be directly viewed.

  Furthermore, since the mechanical reel 51 is disposed behind the half mirror 53 when viewed from the front of the game apparatus, the half mirror is used when repairing or cleaning the mechanical reel 51 or maintaining the main control board of the apparatus main body. Must be removed. However, in order to accurately overlap the design of the mechanical reel 51 and the reflected image 54, it is necessary to precisely control the position of the image display device 52 and the half mirror 53. That is, if the removed half mirror is not accurately returned to the original position, a slight misalignment may adversely affect the display quality. For this reason, the maintenance worker is forced to perform a very nerve-intensive work for each maintenance.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a reflected image and a visual object in a game device that displays a reflected image of an image display device using a reflector such as a half mirror on a visual object such as a symbol variation display device with a sense of distance. Is to enable three-dimensional display as if they exist in a plane space that is not the same, and to improve the visibility of an object to be viewed. Another object of the game device is to reduce dead space inside the device. Further, the game device is intended to facilitate maintenance such as repair and cleaning.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the game device of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, the game device of the present invention includes a visual recognition object, an image display device that displays a moving image or a still image on its display surface, and a reflective plate having a reflective / transmissive region that can reflect and transmit incident light. The reflector is disposed between the assumed player's eye position and the surface of the visual target object so as to be inclined with respect to a horizontal plane, and the image display device includes the reflection device. It is arranged at a position where the moving image or the still image displayed on the display surface can be visually recognized from the assumed player's eye position by reflection of the board, and the visual object passes through the reflection / transmission area, and the assumption is made. It is arranged at a position where the effective display area can be visually recognized from the player's eye position, and has a unit integrally including at least the reflection plate and the image display device, and the unit is removable from the main body. To. Alternatively, the object includes a visual recognition object, an image display device that displays a moving image or a still image on a display surface thereof, and a reflection plate having a reflection / transmission region capable of both reflection and transmission of incident light, A reflection plate is disposed between the image display device and the visual recognition object so as to be inclined with respect to a horizontal plane, and includes a unit that integrally includes at least the reflection plate and the image display device. It is removable from the main body.

  According to such a game device, since the reflector is disposed between the visual recognition object and the assumed player's eye position, an image (moving image or still image) displayed on the display surface of the image display device is displayed from the reflector. The reflected image can be visually recognized by the player, and this image is recognized by being overlapped with the visually recognized object with a sense of distance. For this reason, especially when the visual recognition object is a symbol variation display device, the display area of the image display device is enlarged, the player's line-of-sight movement is not required, and the symbol of the symbol variation display device has a sense of distance. It is possible to display effect images in a superimposed manner. And in this invention, it has a unit which integrally contains at least a reflecting plate and an image display apparatus, and the unit is removable from a main body. As a result, the maintenance worker can remove the unit from the main body of the game apparatus, so there is no need to worry about the positional deviation between the image display apparatus and the reflector. That is, the burden of maintenance work is greatly reduced.

  Here, the “reflecting plate” is a flat optical member that reflects and transmits incident light at least in the reflection / transmission region. The incident light is uniformly reflected or transmitted like a glass plate or a plane mirror. The “reflection / transmission region” is a region of the reflection plate, which is a region that reflects a part of incident light and transmits a part thereof, or a region that transmits or reflects incident light in a time division manner. So-called half mirrors and liquid crystal shutters can be exemplified. Here, the intensity ratio of reflected light and the intensity ratio of transmitted light of incident light are typically 0.5 for reflected light and 0.5 for transmitted light with respect to incident light 1. However, it is not necessarily strictly 0.5, and the reflected light can be varied in the range of 0.1 to 0.9 (the transmitted light is in the range of 0.9 to 0.1). Further, when the reflecting plate has light absorption, the transmitted light intensity is reduced by an amount corresponding to the absorbed amount (the reflected light may be lowered). Here, it is assumed that there is no light absorption, and even if there is light absorption, the absorbed light is included in the transmitted light.

  The “visual object” is a symbol change display device, a light emitting display device, a doll, a model, a stuffed toy, or other visually recognized object. That is, it refers to an object that is a part for game production or a part for decoration, and is a visual recognition target of the player. The player can recognize the visual recognition object through the reflector. The visual recognition object has an effective display area. The effective display area will be described later.

  The “symbol fluctuation display device” is a display device that variably displays symbols. The “symbol” is a figure such as a predetermined character, character, picture, symbol, pattern, etc., and is used for a game or effect by displaying the symbol in a variable manner. For example, in the case of a slot machine, a game is configured such that a predetermined winning combination is combined with a predetermined winning line and a winning is achieved. Alternatively, in the case of a pachinko gaming machine, a predetermined symbol combination or a specific symbol is displayed and used for a so-called jackpot effect. “Variation display” refers to display by changing the position, shape, color, brightness, etc. of a symbol. For example, a mode in which the symbol is moved in a certain direction such as from top to bottom, a mode in which the symbol is rotated, a mode in which the shape of the symbol is changed by increasing or decreasing it, a mode in which the symbol is extinguished or generated, a color of the symbol A mode in which the color is changed from an arbitrary color to a different color, a mode in which the pattern is changed from a dark display state to a bright state, a mode in which these modes are combined, and the like can be exemplified.

  Examples of the method for realizing the variable display of symbols include a method of moving and displaying a symbol by mechanically moving a member on which the symbol is arranged, a method of displaying a symbol as a moving image on a display device, and the like. For example, a configuration (referred to as a mechanical reel) including a plurality of cylindrical reels that are configured to be rotatable by arranging a plurality of symbols on the peripheral surface, and a plurality of reel images that move and display a plurality of symbols in a predetermined direction are displayed. A reel image display device can be exemplified. The “circumferential surface” is the circumferential surface of the cylindrical reel, and “rotatable” means that it can be rotated about the rotational symmetry axis of the cylindrical reel. By providing a plurality of, for example, three cylindrical reels, the arrangement of the three symbols can be expressed by lines such as upper horizontal, middle horizontal, lower horizontal, right upward diagonal, and right downward diagonal. The “predetermined direction” is a certain direction such as a vertical direction from top to bottom and a horizontal direction from left to right. The “reel image” is an image configured such that a plurality of symbols are moved and displayed in a predetermined direction. By displaying a plurality of, for example, three reel images, the arrangement of the three symbols can be represented by lines such as upper horizontal, middle horizontal, lower horizontal, right upward diagonal, and right downward diagonal.

  The “image display device” is a device that displays an image on its display surface, and examples thereof include a liquid crystal display device and a CRT display device. The displayed image is arbitrary. In addition to letters, characters, pictures, symbols, patterns, backgrounds can also be displayed. The image is a moving image or a still image. A moving image is an image that varies with time, and a still image is an image that does not vary with time.

  The “effective display area” is an area in which a visible object can be displayed, and is a display area that is visible to the player. Specifically, in a slot machine that includes three cylindrical reels and displays a 3 × 3 symbol in an array of three symbols, this 3 × 3 symbol display area is an effective display area. However, the effective display area may also include an area in which both symbols in the variable display direction of the 3 × 3 symbol display area are partially visible (the upper and lower areas of the 3 × 3 symbol display area when the variable display is from top to bottom). it can. This is an area for displaying a part of the symbol (typically half of the symbol) that is not particularly related to the winning line, but is particularly shown to the player. The region on the upstream side of the variable display of the 3 × 3 symbol display region is particularly useful for facilitating the player's eye contact. Part of the symbol (typically half of the symbol) is to prevent the player from being confused with the symbol associated with the winning line. The effective display area may be all or a part of the displayable area of the visual target object. When the effective display area is a part of the displayable area, for example, there is an aspect in which an area other than the part corresponding to the effective display area is shielded from view. Specifically, when the visual recognition object is a symbol variation display device, a mode in which other regions are shielded from being seen by a member having an opening corresponding to the effective display region can be exemplified. Further, a backlight may be provided only in the effective display area so that the player can visually recognize only the symbols displayed in the effective display area. The effective display area may be a flat surface or a curved surface. For example, when the symbol variation display device is constituted by a mechanical reel, the effective display area is a curved surface.

  The “assumed player eye position” is the eye position of the player intended by the design. The actual player's eye position is not necessarily at the assumed player's eye position. Specifically, the assumed player's eye position is in the hollow in front of the front side of the game apparatus, and the height range from the upper end to the lower end of the reflector, and the width range from the left end to the right end of the reflector, and the front side of the game apparatus It is in the range of the depth range separated from about 10 to 30 cm.

  The “horizontal plane” is a virtual plane and is not a plane constituting a specific member of the game apparatus. However, since the “horizontal plane” assumed in this specification is based on the premise that the game apparatus is horizontally arranged, the “horizontal plane” corresponds to the inclination when the game apparatus is intentionally inclined. Be inclined.

  The “unit” is a minimum unit of apparatus parts, and here refers to an assembly of a plurality of component parts. In this specification, as a part of the game apparatus, a unit part in which the reflection plate and the image display apparatus are integrated is referred to as a unit. The unit may include other components such as a control circuit in addition to the reflector and the image display device.

  In the game device described above, it is preferable that the unit includes a protrusion that protects one surface of the reflector. After the unit is removed, if the back surface of the reflection plate (the surface opposite to the reflection surface of the image displayed on the image display device) is directly placed on the floor or the like, there is a high possibility of scratching. If the scratch is made, problems such as poor visibility of the symbol variation display device and recognition of the wound by the player's eyes occur. Therefore, it is effective to provide a protrusion as a protective member for preventing the back surface of the reflecting plate from directly touching the floor or the like on a part of the unit (typically, the side portion).

  Further, in the above-described game device, either of the first configuration in which the reflecting plate has a region that reflects all incident light, or the second configuration in which the back surface has a region covered with a covering member. It can also be made to have the structure of. The “region that reflects all incident light” is a region of the reflector other than the reflection / transmission region, and is a total reflection region (mirror). In this case, a part of the reflection plate may be a total reflection region, or a total reflection member may be attached to a part of the reflection plate. The reflection / transmission area may include an area through which a transmitted light optical path that desires the effective display area from the assumed player's eye position passes. The reflection / transmission area (for example, the half mirror part) is sufficient if only the front part of the effective display area or the front part of the effective display area and the front part of the effective display area when the light emitting display device is provided on the back surface of the reflector. The portion can be made a total reflection region so that the back of the reflection plate other than the effective display region or the like cannot be seen. “Coating member” is a metal, plastic or other formable member. As will be described later, it is possible to arrange a visual recognition object such as a light-emitting display device between the covering member and the reflection plate. The portion of either the first configuration or the second configuration is a region other than the reflection / transmission region. That is, it is possible to improve the visibility of symbols and the like by preventing unnecessary light from being transmitted in a region other than the region where the symbol variation display device or the like can be visually recognized, and keeping the back side of the reflector appropriately dark.

  In the above game device, the unit may include a display control circuit of the image display device. Since there are generally a large number of signal lines to be connected between the display control circuit and the image display device, if the display control circuit is disposed on the main body side of the game apparatus, it is troublesome to disconnect the signal lines when the unit is removed. If the display control circuit is incorporated in the unit, there is no need to perform such complicated work. The control circuit incorporated in the unit is not limited to the display control circuit. In addition, it is possible to incorporate an illumination control circuit and an acoustic control circuit. When removing the unit, it is more effective from the viewpoint of preventing connection failure and improving work efficiency to disconnect the unit at a position where the number of signal lines is as small as possible. From that point of view, there are many cases where the number of connection points between the main control circuit and other control circuits is the smallest (for example, 8 to 16 signal lines and power supply lines), so they are mounted on units other than the main control circuit. It is preferable to incorporate a control circuit for controlling the electrical components into the unit.

  In the above game device, a light emitting display device can be provided between the reflector and the covering member. The light-emitting display device can be disposed on the surface of the reflector on the side facing the symbol variation display device above the symbol variation display device. Here, the “light-emitting display device” is a member such as an image display device, an element, a component, or a mechanical component that emits light and is recognized by the player. The light-emitting display device includes a light-emitting element such as an LED, a lamp, a 7-segment display device, and a component such as a doll with a built-in light source. The empty space above the symbol variation display device is utilized. Note that the light-emitting display device can also be controlled by the display control circuit. As a result, the light emitting display device can also be controlled by the display control circuit mounted on the unit, so that the number of signal lines connected when the unit is removed can be reduced.

  In the above-described game device, it is also effective to make the transmitted light optical path distance from the assumed player's eye position to the effective display area of the visual target object shorter than the reflected light optical path distance to the display surface of the image display device. In other words, the reflector is a straight line that is disposed to be inclined with respect to the display surface of the image display device and passes through the center of the effective display area of the symbol variation display device, and the center is the effective display. A point where a straight line parallel to the normal of the average surface of the region intersects the reflector is a first intersection, and a straight line extending from the first intersection and extending in the vertical direction intersects the display surface of the image display device. When the point is a second intersection, the image display is performed such that a first distance from the center of the effective display area to the first intersection is shorter than a second distance from the first intersection to the second intersection. A device and the symbol variation device are arranged. As a result, the player recognizes that the reflected image from the display surface of the image display device is located behind the object to be viewed, so that the visibility of the object to be viewed can be improved. That is, from the viewpoint of the player, the visual target object and the image have different focal lengths of the eyes and are recognized three-dimensionally with a sense of distance, so the presence of the image does not hinder recognition of the visual target object. This effect is particularly effective when the object to be viewed is the symbol variation display device and the symbol of the symbol variation display device is displayed over the reflected image. In other words, it is possible to produce an effect by displaying an image while variably displaying the symbol, and it is possible to produce a complex effect of the symbol and the effect image being variably displayed.

  The “transmitted light path distance” is a distance of an optical path from the assumed player's eye position to the center of the effective display area of the visual target object through the reflection / transmission area of the reflector. The “center of the effective display area” means the diagonal center of the effective display area. The “reflected light optical path distance” is a distance of an optical path from the assumed player's eye position to the center of the display surface of the image display device by reflecting the reflector. “The center of the display surface” means the diagonal center of the display surface.

  The “average surface of the effective display area” refers to a plane in which an average vector of unit normal vectors set on the unit surface of the effective display area becomes a normal vector. The “straight line passing through the center of the effective display area”, “normal surface normal line”, “straight line parallel to the normal line”, and “straight line extending in the vertical direction” are all imaginary lines. It is not configured as a mechanical member of the game device.

  Further, in the above-described game device, the visual recognition object can be arranged below the display surface of the image display device. In particular, when the visual recognition object is a symbol variation display device, the depth of the game device can be shortened, and the dead space inside the game device can be reduced. Further, by arranging in this way, it is possible to realize the arrangement of the visual recognition object and the image display device for making the transmitted light optical path distance shorter than the reflected light optical path distance.

  In the above game device, the closest distance between the reflecting plate and the effective display area can be set to 20 mm or less. As described above, the visual target object is disposed on the back side of the reflector. However, when the visual target object is disposed deep in the game apparatus, the player is given a sense of depth of the visual target object. Therefore, the visual recognition object is arranged as close to the reflecting plate as possible to suppress the sense of depth of the visual display object, particularly the symbol display of the symbol variation display device. Here, the “closest distance” is the length of the line segment having the shortest length among the line segments connecting any point of the reflector and any point of the effective display area.

  In the above game device, the upper portion of the effective display area visually recognized from the assumed player's eye position, and the lower portion of the reflected image surface in which the display surface visually recognized from the assumed player's eye position is reflected by the reflector. And can be stacked. In the case of a slot machine, the symbols are usually moved and displayed from above. Therefore, in the present invention, the reflection image is arranged to be visible on the upstream side of the effective display area (the area where the reel rotates in the case of a slot machine) so that the player's line-of-sight movement can be reduced. The “reflective image” is an image that is displayed on the display surface of the image display device and reflected by the reflecting plate and recognized by the player. From the viewpoint of the player, the image is recognized to exist behind the reflector. The “reflected image plane reflected by the reflecting plate” is a displayable area of the reflected image corresponding to the displayable area (display surface) of the image displayed on the image display device. It does not ask whether the reflected image is actually reflected on the reflected image surface. In addition, “overlap” is different from the conventional technique in which the sense of distance is overlapped and overlapped with a sense of distance.

  In the above game device, the height of the reflection point on the reflection plate of the reflected light optical path from the assumed player's eye position to the center of the display surface is higher than the center of the effective display area. can do. As a result, the center position of the reflected image from the image display device is recognized above the center position of the effective display area, and is visually recognized from the upper part of the effective display area visually recognized from the assumed player eye position and the assumed player eye position. It is possible to realize a configuration in which the lower part of the reflection image surface is overlapped with a sense of distance.

  In the above game device, the average plane of the effective display area is inclined upward with respect to the horizontal plane, and the assumed player's eye position can be higher than the center of the effective display area. Here, the “average surface of the effective display area” refers to a plane in which the average vector of the unit normal vectors set on the unit surface of the effective display area becomes the normal vector. When the reflection image from the image display device is arranged so as to be visually recognized above the effective display area, the player looks at the effective display area. In this invention, since the average surface of an effective display area | region is arrange | positioned upwards, the visibility of a player's visual recognition object can be improved.

  In the above game device, the angle α [deg] between the reflector and the horizontal plane and the angle β [deg] between the display plane and the horizontal plane are α ≦ 45, 0 ≦ β ≦ 2 × ( 45-α). By satisfying such a relationship, it is possible to suppress reflection of illumination or the like from the upper direction on the reflecting plate. At the same time, the inclination of the reflected image from the display surface of the image display device can be adjusted so that the reflected image can be viewed with an appropriate inclination.

  Further, another game device of the present invention has an object to be visually recognized, an image display device that displays a moving image or a still image on its display surface, and a reflection / transmission region capable of both reflecting and transmitting incident light. A reflection plate, wherein the reflection plate is disposed between the assumed player's eye position and the surface of the visual target object so as to be inclined with respect to a horizontal plane, and the image display device is Due to the reflection of the reflector, the moving image or the still image displayed on the display surface can be visually recognized from the assumed player's eye position, and the visual object passes through the reflective / transmissive area, It is arranged at a position where the effective symbol display area can be visually recognized from the assumed player's eye position, and the reflector is configured to be rotatable around a connection portion with the image display device, and its lower end is lifted upward. Can be configured And characterized in that. Thereby, it is possible to easily perform maintenance such as repair, replacement, and cleaning of the visual target object and the main control circuit arranged on the back side of the reflecting plate simply by lifting the lower end of the reflecting plate. Of course, such a configuration can also be applied to the game device described above.

  In addition, the present invention includes an image display device that displays a moving image or a still image on a display surface thereof, a reflection plate having a reflection / transmission region capable of reflecting and transmitting incident light, and the reflection plate And the image display device can be grasped as a display unit of a game device. Not only can it be used as a part of the game device described above, it can also be widely applied to game devices that use effects that combine image display devices and reflectors. Of course, also in this case, the reflecting plate has either the first configuration having a region that reflects all incident light or the second configuration having a region covered with a covering member on the back surface thereof. Can have. In addition, the reflecting plate may be configured to be rotatable around a connection portion with the image display device, and configured to be capable of lifting the lower end upward.

  According to the present invention, in a game device that displays a reflection image of an image display device using a reflector such as a half mirror on a visual object such as a symbol variation display device with a sense of distance, the reflected image, the visual object, and Can be displayed three-dimensionally as if they exist in a plane space that is not the same, and the visibility of the visual target can be improved. Further, in the game device, dead space inside the device can be reduced. In the game device, maintenance such as repair and cleaning can be facilitated.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention can be implemented in many different modes and should not be interpreted as being limited to the description of the present embodiment. In principle, the same number is assigned to the same element throughout the embodiment.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a game apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view in which the door of the game apparatus of FIG. 1 is opened so that a part of the internal structure can be seen. The game apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is a so-called slot machine. The game apparatus 1 has a housing part 11 and a door part 12, and has light shielding plates 13 and 14 and a protection plate 15 on the upper part of the door part 12. A medal slot 16, a medal return button 17, a start lever 18, and stop buttons 19 to 21 are provided at the center of the door portion 12. A medal payout opening 22 and a tray 23 are provided at the lower part of the door 12. An image display device 24, a reflecting plate 25, and a reel unit 26 are provided inside the housing unit 11.

  The light shielding plate 13 is an opaque member that blocks light incident from above the game apparatus 1. The light shielding plate 14 is an opaque member that blocks light incident from the side of the game apparatus 1. The light shielding plates 13 and 14 can block light from entering the inside of the game apparatus 1 and maintain the inside of the game apparatus 1 to be moderately dark, thereby improving the visibility of the reel design or effect image. The protection plate 15 is a transparent member that constitutes a door window. The protection plate 15 can visually recognize the reel design and effect image displayed inside the game apparatus 1 and prevent the player from touching the inside of the apparatus. The medal insertion slot 16 is an opening for inserting a medal that is a game value. The medal return button 17 is a button to be pressed when paying out medals stored in the game apparatus 1. The start lever 18 is a lever operated by the player to start the rotation of the reel after the betting operation. The stop buttons 19 to 21 are buttons operated by the player when stopping the rotation of the reel, and the left button corresponds to the left reel, the middle button corresponds to the middle reel, and the right button corresponds to the right reel. The medal slot 16, the start lever 18 and the stop buttons 19 to 21 operated by the player to advance these games are arranged in the lower vicinity of the reel so that the player's line-of-sight movement is reduced. The medal payout port 22 is an opening through which medals paid out from a medal payout device (hopper) provided in the game apparatus 1 are discharged. The paid-out medals are stored in the tray 23.

  The casing unit 11 and the door unit 12 of the game apparatus 1 include, as other components, a control board, a light emitting component (LED, lamp, etc.) for production or notification, a speaker for sound production or notification, and a medal payout device. (Hopper), medal storage unit, setting / power supply device, connection cable for connecting them, and the like are provided, but illustration is omitted. The control board includes a main control board that controls the main flow of the game, a sub-control board that receives a signal from the main control board and performs presentation control such as notification effects, a light-emitting component control board, an input / output control board, and sound control. A substrate for performing various controls such as a substrate is included.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the image display device 24, the reflection plate 25, and the reel unit 26 extracted from the game apparatus 1. 4 is a side view of the components shown in FIG. 3 as viewed from the side. 3 and 4 show only main parts, and other parts are omitted for the sake of simplicity.

  Here, the assumed player's eye position A will be described first. The assumed player's eye position A is the position of the player's eyes intended for the design, and is in the hollow front of the game apparatus 1. It is not the eye position of the player who is actually playing the game. A typical assumed player's eye position A is a position 430 mm ahead of the vertical plane including the upper end B of the reflector 25 and 50 mm below the horizontal plane 31 including the upper end B of the reflector 25. Located in the center of direction. However, since the actual player's eye position is not necessarily near the assumed player's eye position A, a certain allowable range is given to the assumed player's eye position A. The range of the assumed player's eye position A allowed in the present embodiment is the horizontal plane including the center C of the effective display area of the reel unit 26 from the position of the horizontal plane 31 including the upper end B of the reflector 25 in the height direction. The range is up to position 32. The reflector 25, the reel unit 26, and the effective display area will be described later. The depth direction is a range of 400 mm before and after the typical assumed player's eye position A (front 200 mm and rear 200 mm). The horizontal direction is the range of the width of the reflecting plate 25. FIG. 4 illustrates a typical assumed player's eye position A.

  The image display device 24 is a display device capable of displaying moving images or still images such as characters, characters, pictures, symbols, patterns, and backgrounds. The image display device 24 has a display surface 24a, and the image display device 24 is arranged so that the display surface 24a faces downward. In the present embodiment, an example is shown in which the display surface 24a of the image display device 24 and the horizontal plane are inclined with respect to the horizontal plane so that the angle is β. The angle β will be described later. The image display device 24 is tilted in the direction in which the display surface 24a opens in the direction of the assumed player's eye position A, that is, in the direction in which the end on the near side of the image display device 24 is lifted. As the image display device 24, a liquid crystal display panel, an EL (electroluminescence) display panel, a dot matrix display panel, a plasma display panel, an FED (field emission display), a versatile writer (light emitting elements such as LEDs are arranged in a straight line, And a CRT display, etc., which reciprocate or rotate the light source and project a video image on the motion region by emitting a light emitter corresponding to the position.

  The reflection plate 25 is a flat plate type optical component having a reflection / transmission region 25a that reflects part of incident light and transmits part of the incident light and a total reflection region 25b that reflects all of incident light. The reflection / transmission region 25a is a so-called half mirror. The total reflection area 25b is a mirror. As is well known, the half mirror and the mirror can be manufactured by attaching a metal thin film to a glass surface by, for example, a vacuum deposition method or an electroless plating method. The light reflectance and transmittance of the reflection / transmission region 25a can be controlled by the thickness of the metal thin film. In the case of the present embodiment, the reflectance R and transmittance T (T = 1−R) of light in the reflection / transmission region 25a are typically R = 50% (T = 50%). However, as will be described later, the reflection plate 25 has a function of showing the image of the image display device 24 to the player by the reflection and showing the symbol of the reel unit 26 to the player by the transmission, so that the function is realized. As long as it is obtained, the transmittance and reflectance are arbitrary. According to the study of the present inventor, it is preferable that the reflectance R is in the range of 10% to 90% (therefore, the transmittance T is in the range of 90% to 10%).

  The reflection plate 25 is disposed at the lower part of the image display device 24, and is disposed so as to be inclined in a direction in which the end on the back side is lifted so that the angle formed with the horizontal plane is α. The angle α will be described later. With such an arrangement, the reflector 25 functions to reflect the image displayed on the display surface 24a of the image display device 24 and show it to the player. In addition, the reel unit 26 described below is arranged on the back side of the reflector 25 as viewed from the assumed player's eye position A, so that the symbols variably displayed on the reel unit 26 can be transmitted and shown to the player. . In order for a player to visually recognize a pattern through the reflector 25, it is necessary that at least the reflector 25 in front of the window 29 is a reflection / transmission region 25a. The reflection plate 25 other than the front surface of the window 29 is provided with a reflection / transmission region 25a as necessary, but the other region can be a total reflection region 25b. Thereby, unnecessary light can be prevented from being transmitted, the back side of the reflector 25 can be kept moderately dark, and only the symbols on the peripheral surface of the reel 27 can be shown to the player with good visibility.

  In the present embodiment, the upper end portion B of the reflecting plate 25 is disposed so as to be in contact with the rear end portion of the image display device 24. However, it is not necessary to arrange the upper end B of the reflector 25 and the rear end of the image display device 24 in contact with each other, and the image display device 24 is arranged on the front side of the game apparatus 1 as shown in the figure. Is also possible.

  The reel unit 26 is an aspect of a symbol variation display device that is an example of a visually recognized object. The reel unit 26 includes three reels, a right reel 27a, a middle reel 27b, and a left reel 27c. Each of the three reels (the right reel 27a, the middle reel 27b, and the left reel 27c) is individually rotated to express the symbol arrangement (the symbol combination on the winning line). However, since the mechanical configuration of each reel is substantially the same, in the following description, unless any particular notice is given, the reel 27 is simply referred to as representing one of the three reels. Here, the case where there are three reels 27 is illustrated, but it is needless to say that three or more reels may be provided. 3 and FIG. 4 and the subsequent drawings, some components such as the casing of the reel unit 26 are omitted.

  The reel 27 is a symbol variation display member that has a symbol arranged on its peripheral surface and rotates. The outer shape of the reel 27 is cylindrical as shown in the figure, and a plurality of symbols are arranged on its peripheral surface. The number of symbols arranged on the peripheral surface is 21, for example. The design is a picture designed with numbers such as “7”, “bell”, “watermelon”, “plum”, “cherry”, and characters such as “replay”, “BAR”. In consideration of game characteristics, other pictures such as animals may be applied. A winning combination occurs when the symbols are aligned on a valid winning line in a predetermined combination. That is, the symbol is a sign or an index constituting a role. For example, if three symbols “7” are arranged on the effective winning line, the BB award is often awarded. The reel 27 rotates around the rotation axis D. A rotating machine such as a stepping motor can be used for the rotation. The rotation direction of the reel 27 is normally the direction of the arrow E, and the symbol moves from the top to the bottom. By moving the three reels 27, the movement display of the three rows of symbols is realized. Note that the rotation direction of the reel 27 is arbitrary, and the reel 27 may be configured to rotate horizontally. A configuration in which the rotation shaft of the motor is arranged on the rotation shaft D can be exemplified as the rotation mechanism, but it is also possible to arrange the motor in the vicinity of the peripheral surface and rotate the reel using internal teeth and external teeth. In the case of the present embodiment, a backlight is arranged inside the peripheral surface of the reel 27, but the illustration is omitted.

  The reel unit 26 further includes a cover 28 having a window 29. The cover 28 is a shielding member that allows the player to visually recognize the design of the reel 27 only through the window 29. The material of the cover 28 is arbitrary, but is preferably black. A matte black plastic can be exemplified. The player cannot see the portion of each reel 27 covered with the cover 28, and the player can visually recognize the pattern on the peripheral surface of the reel 27 that can be seen from the window 29. Accordingly, an area opened by the window 29 of the cover 28 becomes an effective display area of the reel unit 26.

  The reel unit 26 is disposed on the back side of the reflector 25 as viewed from the assumed player's eye position A. Since the reel unit 26 is disposed in the back of the reflecting plate 25, the player can visually recognize the design of the reel 27 through the reflection / transmission region 25a of the reflecting plate 25. As described above, since the image display device 24 is arranged on the upper portion of the reflection plate 25, the player overlaps the pattern of the reel 27 through the reflection plate 25 with a sense of distance and reflects the reflection plate 25. You will see the reflection image from. Thereby, the player can see the design and the effect image at the same time without moving the line of sight almost.

  As described above, in the game apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the image display device 24, the reflection plate 25, and the reel unit 26 are main components. The game device 1 shown in the present embodiment is characterized in that it has a unit that integrally includes at least the image display device 24 and the reflection plate 25, and the unit is removable from the main body. That is, although not shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in the game apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the image display device 24 and the reflection plate 25 constitute an integrated unit. 10 and 11 are perspective views showing an example of a unit including the image display device 24 and the reflection plate 25. FIG.

  The unit 61 is means for generating a reflection image of the image displayed on the display surface of the image display device 24 using the reflection plate 25. The unit 61 includes at least the image display device 24 and the reflection plate 25. The image control means (display control circuit) 62 is a means for displaying an effect image on the image display device 24 as the game progresses. Note that the image control means 62 is not necessarily provided on the image display device 24. Further, control means other than the image control means (for example, an acoustic processing control circuit or an electrical decoration processing control circuit) may be mounted together with the image control means. In some cases, a main control circuit can be mounted. In practice, the main control circuit is often attached to the main body (housing 11) of the game apparatus. In that case, it is desirable to divide the connection between the main control circuit and the other control circuit (control means), that is, at the place where the number of signal lines to be connected is the smallest. In other words, the first control circuit integrated with the image display device and the second control circuit attached to the housing 11 (or the door 12), which is the main body of the game device, are divided by the boundary with the least number of connection points. It will be. The possibility of disconnection or poor connection can be reduced by dividing the connection with the least number of signal lines to be connected, and maintenance work efficiency can be improved.

  The fixing members 63 a and 63 b are members that support the image display device 24 and the reflection plate 25. Materials that can be processed and molded, such as metal and plastic, can be used, but it is desirable to use materials that are as light as possible in view of removal during maintenance. The fixing members 63 a and 63 b are supported so as to sandwich the reflecting plate 25 and are fixed to the image display device 24. That is, the reflecting plate 25 is integrated with the image display device 24 by the fixing members 63a and 63b. Note that the method for integrating the image display device 24 and the reflecting plate 25 is not limited to the method described in this embodiment, and other known methods may be employed. According to this configuration, by integrating the image display device 24 and the reflection plate 25, it is possible to integrally remove both, and it is possible to solve the problem of misalignment, which has been a problem in the past.

  The protection members 64a and 64b are members for avoiding damage to the back surface of the reflection plate when the reflection plate 25 is placed on the floor or the like. The protective members 64a and 64b can be made of a material that can be processed and molded, such as metal and plastic, like the fixing members 63a and 63b, but it is desirable to use a material that is as light as possible. In the present embodiment, an example in which the protection members 64a and 64b are provided along one side of the reflector 25 is shown, but dot-like or rod-like protection members may be arranged at predetermined intervals. That is, the protective member may be arranged in any way as long as the purpose of protecting the back surface of the reflector 25 can be achieved.

  In FIG. 10, portions 65 and 66 are reflection / transmission regions of the reflection plate 25. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the reflection plate 25 has a reflection / transmission area (for example, a half mirror part) 25a, and the other part is a total reflection area (mirror part) 25b. Specifically, the portion 65 corresponds to an area (effective display area) opened by the window 29 of the reel unit 26 shown in FIG. The portion 66 corresponds to a portion where the light emitting display device 33 shown in FIG. 4 is arranged. The light emitting display device 33 will be described later. Note that the entire surface of the reflection plate 25 may be a reflection / transmission region, or only one of the portions 65 or 66 of the reflection plate 25 may be a reflection / transmission region. These portions 65 and 66 are portions where the line of sight hits when the player visually recognizes the symbol variation display device, the light emitting display device, and the like disposed behind the reflector 25. By adopting such a configuration, unnecessary light transmission is prevented in a region other than the region where the symbol variation display device or the like can be visually recognized, and the visibility of symbols and the like is improved by keeping the back side of the reflector appropriately dark. be able to.

  The portion 65 may be a transparent member that transmits almost all incident light, instead of the reflection / transmission region. When the transparent member is used, the image displayed on the image display device is not reflected, so that the reflected image of the image display device and the effective display area of the symbol variation display device cannot be displayed in an overlapping manner. However, the effect of allowing the reflected image and the effective display area to be viewed at the same time and giving them a certain sense of distance is not impaired.

  The reflector 25 may be configured such that the inclination angle is variable. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing an example of a unit including the image display device 24 and the reflection plate 25. By attaching a fixture (such as a hinge) including a movable part to the upper end (side closest to the image display device) of the reflection plate 25 and connecting it to the image display device 24, the reflection plate 25 rotates around the upper end of the reflection plate 25. Possible configurations can be obtained. That is, as shown in FIG. 12, the angle between the reflecting plate 25 and the horizontal plane (corresponding to an angle α in FIG. 7 described later) by lifting the lower end (side farthest from the image display device) of the reflecting plate 25 upward. Can be made variable. Such a structure is not a game effect, but rather a reflector when performing maintenance such as repair, replacement, and cleaning of the symbol variation display device disposed behind the reflector 25, or when cleaning the back surface of the reflector 25. This structure is advantageous in that it can be dealt with only by opening and closing 25.

  Next, the description returns to FIG. In FIG. 4, a reflected image of the image display device 24 that the player will recognize from the assumed player's eye position A is shown as an image 30. Needless to say, the image 30 does not actually exist there, but is recognized by the player as if it were in that position. The reflected image obtained by reflecting the image displayed on the display surface 24a of the image display device 24 by the reflecting plate 25 is recognized at the position of the surface 30a on the player side of the image 30. This surface 30a is referred to as a reflection image surface in this specification. The image 30 is located at a symmetrical position of the image display device 24 with the reflection surface of the reflection plate 25 as a symmetry plane, and is behind the symbol that the player sees through the window 29 that is an effective display area of the reel unit 26. It is recognized to be located. For this reason, the player recognizes that the effect image displayed on the display surface 24 a of the image display device 24 exists behind the symbol of the reel 27. For example, to the player, the center in the effective display area of the reel symbol appears at the position of the point C, and the center G of the image on the display surface 24a appears at the position of the point G ′, which is the symmetrical position of the reflector 25. The distance of the optical path from the assumed player's eye position A to the center C of the effective display area (transmitted light optical path distance) is the distance of the optical path reflected by the reflector 25 from the assumed player's eye position A to the center G of the display surface 24a. (That is, the distance from the assumed player's eye position A to the center G ′ of the surface 30a: reflected light optical path distance). As a result, it is possible to suppress the player from confusingly looking at the design and the effect image. That is, the visibility of the reel design can be improved. Therefore, even if the symbol is being displayed variably, the effect image can be displayed with a sense of distance superimposed on the symbol that is variably displayed without impairing the player's visibility. It is possible to perform a performance that is not.

  Further, the reel unit 26 is disposed below the image display device 24. As a result, the depth of the game apparatus 1 can be shortened, and the dead space inside the game apparatus 1 can be reduced. Further, by arranging in this way, the distance from the display position of the symbol (typically, point C) to the assumed player's eye position A (transmitted light optical path distance) is shortened, and the reflected light optical path from the display surface 24a is reduced. The arrangement of the symbol variation display device (reel unit 26) and the image display device 24 for making the distance shorter than the distance can be realized.

  FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view showing the vicinity of the effective display area of the reel unit 26. The reel unit 26 and the reflector 25 are preferably arranged as close as possible. According to the study of the present inventor, the closest distance 40 is preferably 20 mm or less. Here, the closest distance 40 is a distance of a portion where the reflector 25 and the symbol display portion (that is, the surface of the reel 27) are closest to each other. By making the closest distance 40 equal to or less than the above distance, it is possible to suppress the sense of depth in the symbol display.

  In FIG. 5, the average surface 38 of the effective display area of the reel unit 26 which is a symbol display surface is indicated by a dotted line. The average surface 38 is a surface that represents the surface (curved surface) of the reel 27 as seen from the window 29 of the cover 28 as a plane. An average surface 38 can be defined as a plane in which an average normal vector 39 obtained by dividing a surface (curved surface) visible from the window 29 by a unit surface and averaging unit normal vectors raised on the unit surface is a normal line. In the present embodiment, the average normal vector 39 is upward, so that the surface of the reel 27 visible from the window 29 is also upward on average. As shown in FIG. 4, the assumed player's eye position A is located above the center of the effective display area, and it is assumed that the player always looks down on the effective display area. Thus, by making the average surface of the effective display area face upward, the player can easily see the symbol and contribute to improving the visibility of the symbol.

  As described above, in the present invention, the transmitted light optical path distance from the assumed player's eye position A to the center C of the effective display area is determined from the reflected light optical path distance from the assumed player's eye position A to the center G of the display surface 24a. It can be shortened. This can be grasped from another viewpoint. That is, a point that is a straight line passing through the center C of the effective display area and parallel to the normal of the average surface 38 (average normal vector 39) intersects the reflector 25 as a point J, and is subtracted from the point J. When the point where the vertical straight line intersects the display surface 24a of the image display device 24 is a point K, the distance (first distance) between the center C and the point J of the effective display area is the point J and the point It can be grasped as being shorter than the distance between K (second distance). By arranging the image display device 24, the reflecting plate 25, and the reel unit 26 (design variation display device) satisfying such a relationship between the first distance and the second distance, an image display viewed from the player is provided. The reflection image of the image on the display surface 24a of the device 24 by the reflecting plate 25 is recognized as if it is far from the symbol displayed in the effective display area of the reel unit 26, and the symbol is felt as if it is raised, and the reflected image And the design can be seen with a sense of distance.

  FIG. 6 shows a reflected image surface 35 reflected by the reflector 25 corresponding to the three reels 27 (reels 27 a to 27 c) and the display surface 24 a of the image display device 24 in the effective display area viewed from the assumed player's eye position A. It is the image figure which showed an example. As described above, the image (reflected image) of the reflected image surface 35 is recognized as if it is located on the player side surface 30a of the image 30. A symbol 36 is displayed on each of the reels 27, and only the effective display area of the symbol 36 is recognized by the player through the window 29 of the cover 28. A reflected image 37 is displayed on the reflected image surface 35, and the reflected image 37 is recognized behind the symbol 36. The symbol 36 and the reflection image 37 are examples, and both can be displayed in a variable manner.

  In the case of the present embodiment, the reflection image surface 35 corresponding to the display surface 24a of the image display device 24 reflected by the reflection plate 25 has an upper portion of the symbol (effective display of the reel unit 26) at the lower portion thereof as shown in FIG. The upper part of the area is overlaid. Here, “overlap” is not only overlaid but also overlaid with a sense of distance. In the game apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the symbol 36 is moved and displayed from the top to the bottom. By arranging the reflection image surface 35 and the reflection image 37 displayed on the upstream side of the symbol displayed in the effective display area, it is possible to reduce the movement of the player who recognizes the symbol 36 and the reflection image 37. . Further, in such a configuration, the optical path to the point F (the center of the display surface 24a of the image display device 24) is higher than the point C (the center of the effective display area of the reel unit 26) shown in FIG. This is realized by disposing the image display device 24, the reflecting plate 25, and the reel unit 26 so that there is a point reflected by the light source.

  In the present embodiment, for example, 39 degrees is exemplified as the angle α between the reflecting plate 25 and the horizontal plane. However, the angle α can be any angle of 45 degrees or less. By setting the angle α to 45 degrees or less, the reflection of the ceiling surface on the reflection plate 25 can be prevented, and the arrangement of the pattern 36 and the reflection image 37 viewed from the assumed player's eye position A as described above can be achieved. realizable. If the angle α is smaller than 45 degrees, it works more advantageously on the reflection from the ceiling surface. However, if the angle α is too small, visual recognition of the display surface 24a of the image display device 24 (visual recognition by reflection of the reflecting plate 25) is hindered. . Specifically, the lower limit of the angle α is limited by a preferable viewing angle range included in the image display device 24. When the image display device 24 is a liquid crystal display device, for example, assuming that the viewing angle of the liquid crystal display device is 30 degrees (± 15 degrees), the lower limit of the angle α is 45-15 degrees, that is, 30 degrees. When the viewing angle is 45 degrees, the lower limit of α is 22.5 degrees. In the case where the image display device 24 is a CRT display, there is no viewing angle in principle, but a preferable viewing angle considering the visibility of the screen is about 120 degrees. When the viewing angle of the display surface 24a is 90 degrees or more, the lower limit of α is 0 (that is, a horizontal plane), but this is not realistic. In this case, it is realistic to be limited by the size in the depth direction of the reflection plate 25 arranged at the angle α. According to the study by the present inventor, the lower limit of α is preferably about 30 degrees. Therefore, α is preferably set in the range of 45 degrees to 30 degrees.

  When the angle α is 45 degrees, for example, in order for the reflected image surface 35 recognized at the position of the surface 30a of the image 30 to stand upright, the angle β formed between the display surface 24a of the image display device 24 and the horizontal plane. Requires 0 degrees. In the present embodiment, since α is 39 degrees, β needs to be 2 × (45−α) = 12 degrees in order to make the reflected image surface 35 (surface 30a) stand upright. That is, the angle formed between the reflecting plate 25 and the display surface 24a is α + β = 51 degrees. However, the reflection image surface 35 (surface 30a) does not necessarily stand upright, but rather, when the effective display area of the reel unit 26 is viewed from the assumed player's eye position A as in the present embodiment. The reflected image surface 35 (surface 30a) may be easier to be visually recognized by the player if it is shown at an angle γ with respect to the vertical surface as shown in FIG. The reflection image surface 35 (surface 30a) can be viewed in an inclined manner by adjusting the angle β formed with the horizontal surface of the display surface 24a of the image display device 24. In the case shown in FIG. 7, α = 39 and β = 0, and γ = 12 degrees. Since it is not preferable to make β negative, since it obstructs the overall viewing of the reflector 25 as viewed from the assumed player's eye position A, β is preferably 0 or more. In addition, it is not preferable to adopt a view in which the reflected image surface 35 (surface 30a) is displayed downward (that is, to make γ smaller than 0) in consideration of the player's downward line of sight. Therefore, the range of β is preferably 0 or more and 2 × (45−α) or less. Therefore, the ranges of α and β are preferably α ≦ 45, 0 ≦ β ≦ 2 × (45−α), and the unit is deg.

  In the game apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a light emitting display device 33 is provided at the upper part of the reel unit 26 and on the back side surface of the reflection plate 25. The light emitting display device 33 is covered with a cover member 34 so that light does not leak outside the cover member 34. The light emitting display device 33 may be any component as long as it emits light. Examples include lamps, LEDs, versatile writers, 7-segment display devices, dolls with built-in light sources, models, stuffed animals, and other objects. Further, in addition to the light emitting display device 33 described above, a doll, a model, a stuffed animal, and other objects can be arranged. For example, by illuminating a doll, a model, or a stuffed toy with a light source such as a lamp, it is possible to make the outline or outline of the figure visible. The inner surface of the cover member 34 is preferably black. By making it black, it is possible to effectively prevent the player from seeing through the reflector 25 when the light emitting display device 33 is turned off. When the light emitting display device 33 is lit, the player recognizes the light emission through the reflection / transmission region 25a of the reflection plate 25. Since the player visually recognizes the light emission of the light emitting display device 33 and the reflected image 37 of the display surface 24a reflected from the reflecting plate 25 at the same time, the player can recognize the light emission of the light emitting display device 33 with a floating feeling. The light emission of the light emitting display device 33 can be used for production and notification. Needless to say, the reflection plate 25 on the front surface of the light emitting display device 33 needs to be a reflection / transmission region 25a.

  In the game apparatus 1 of the present embodiment described above, the effect image is displayed on the upper side, and the lever and button operated on the lower side are arranged around the reel (symbol display) that is the center of the game progress. For this reason, the movement of the line of sight of the player as a whole can be extremely reduced. In addition, the display of the effect image is located almost in front of the player, and the player moves his / her line of sight in a diagonal direction from the front (not up or down). The game can be progressed only by it. For this reason, concentration on the game can be promoted without giving the player unnecessary fatigue (line of sight or upward movement). It can be said that this is a particularly suitable configuration in a slot machine that is often played for a long time.

  As mentioned above, the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the embodiments of the invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. It is possible.

  For example, in the embodiment, the reel unit 26 is illustrated as an example of the symbol variation display device. However, as shown in FIG. 8, an image display device 41 may be used instead of the reel unit 26. It is possible to variably display symbols on the display surface of the image display device 41. Even if such a symbol variation display device is used, the symbols are displayed in front of the reflected image 37 from the image display device 24 as described above. It is possible to make it appear floating. Examples of the image display device 41 include a liquid crystal display device and a CRT display. When the image display device 41 is used, the effective display area 42 can be the entire display surface of the image display device 41, and a cover member having a window is used as in the above embodiment. An area viewed from the lever window can be used as the effective display area 42. Alternatively, the effective display area 42 may be defined using the reflection / transmission area of the reflector 25.

  In the said embodiment, the half mirror was illustrated as the reflection transmissive area | region 25a of the reflecting plate 25. FIG. A beam splitter (for example, a polarizing beam splitter that reflects or transmits only specific polarized light) has a similar function in that it has a function of reflecting a part of an incident light beam and transmitting the remaining light beam. In addition, it is possible to reflect or transmit the light beam incident by the liquid crystal shutter in a time-sharing manner to generate a similar effect. A beam splitter or a liquid crystal shutter may be used instead of the reflection plate 25 of the above embodiment.

  In the above embodiment, the example in which the effective display area of the reel unit 26 is defined by the window 29 of the cover 28 has been described. However, the cover 28 is not provided, and the range in which the design of the reel 27 can be seen is limited by the reflection / transmission area 25a of the reflection plate 25, and this can be used as an effective display area.

  In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the upper part of the effective display area where the symbol is displayed is overlapped with the lower part of the reflection image surface 35 from the image display device 24 is shown. However, the entire effective display area may be displayed so as to overlap the reflection image surface 35, or a part of the reflection image surface 35 may be displayed below the effective display area. When the entire effective display area is overlaid on the reflection image plane 35, the player's line-of-sight movement can be extremely reduced, and the composite image is more strongly associated with the reflection image 37 displayed on the reflection image plane 35. Directing becomes possible. Here, “superimpose” is not only superimposing, but of course superimposing with a sense of distance.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the symbol fluctuation display apparatus and the light emission display apparatus were illustrated as a visual recognition target object, component parts, such as an image display apparatus or a doll, a model, a stuffed animal, etc., are arrange | positioned with these alone. It is also possible to do. The player can see these components through the reflector 25.

  Further, all of the configurations described in the above-described embodiments are not essential to the present invention, and the configurations can be omitted as appropriate without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the light emitting display device 33 and the cover member 34 associated therewith are not essential components. When the light emitting display device 33 is not provided, the reflection plate 25 on the front surface thereof can be a total reflection region 25b. Further, it is not always necessary to provide the total reflection region 25b on the reflection plate 25. Further, the cover 28 is not necessarily provided. When the cover 28 is not provided, the reflection plate 25 needs a reflection / transmission area 25a and a total reflection area 25b for defining an effective display area of the symbol.

  In addition, when a medal inserted from the medal inserter passes the medal chucker, the symbol of the symbol variation display device is displayed in a variable manner. The invention can be applied.

It is the perspective view which showed an example of the game device which is one embodiment of this invention. It is the perspective view which opened the door of the game device of FIG. 1, and was able to see a part of its internal structure. 3 is a perspective view showing the image display device 24, the reflection plate 25, and the reel unit 26 extracted from the game apparatus 1. FIG. It is the side view which looked at each component of FIG. 3 from the side. 3 is an enlarged side view showing the vicinity of an effective display area of a reel unit 26. FIG. It is the image figure which showed an example at the time of seeing a game device from the front and a display image. It is the side view which showed the other example of this Embodiment. It is the side view which showed the further another example of this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the general structure at the time of using together a mechanical reel and an image display apparatus. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of a unit including an image display device 24 and a reflecting plate 25. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of a unit including an image display device 24 and a reflecting plate 25. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of a unit including an image display device 24 and a reflecting plate 25. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Game device, 11 ... Case part, 12 ... Door part, 13 ... Light-shielding plate, 14 ... Light-shielding plate, 15 ... Protection board, 16 ... Medal insertion slot, 17 ... Medal return button, 18 ... Start lever, 19- DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 ... Stop button, 22 ... Medal payout port, 23 ... Receptacle, 24 ... Image display apparatus, 24a ... Display surface, 25 ... Reflecting plate, 25a ... Reflection transmission area, 25b ... Total reflection area, 26 ... Reel unit, 27 ... Reel, 27a ... right reel, 27b ... middle reel, 27c ... left reel, 28 ... cover, 29 ... window, 30 ... image, 30a ... surface, 31 ... horizontal plane, 32 ... horizontal plane, 33 ... light emitting display device, 34 ... cover 35, reflection image plane, 36 ... design, 37 ... reflection image, 38 ... average plane, 39 ... average normal vector, 40 ... closest distance, 41 ... image display device, 42 ... effective display area, 51 ... mechanical reel 52 ... Image display device, 53 ... Half mirror, 54 ... Reflected image, 55 ... Effective symbol display area, 56 ... Line of sight, 57 ... Dead space, A ... Assumed player eye position, 61 ... Unit, 62 ... Image control means, 63a and 63b ... fixing members, 64a and 64b ... protective members, 65 and 66 ... reflecting plate portions.

Claims (10)

A game device having a visual recognition object, an image display device that displays a moving image or a still image on a display surface thereof, and a reflection plate having a reflection / transmission region capable of reflecting and transmitting incident light. ,
The reflector is disposed between the assumed player's eye position and the surface of the visual target object and inclined with respect to a horizontal plane,
The image display device is disposed at a position where the moving image or the still image displayed on the display surface can be visually recognized from the assumed player's eye position by reflection of the reflector,
The visual recognition object is disposed at a position where the effective display area can be visually recognized from the assumed player's eye position through the reflection / transmission area,
A game apparatus comprising: a unit integrally including at least the reflection plate and the image display device, wherein the unit is removable from the main body. A visual recognition object, an image display device that displays a moving image or a still image on its display surface, and a reflection plate having a reflection / transmission region capable of both reflecting and transmitting incident light,
The reflector is disposed between the image display device and the visual target object so as to be inclined with respect to a horizontal plane,
A game apparatus comprising: a unit integrally including at least the reflection plate and the image display device, wherein the unit is removable from the main body. The game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the unit includes a protrusion that protects one surface of the reflecting plate. The game device according to claim 1, wherein the unit includes a display control circuit of the image display device. 5. The reflection plate according to claim 1, wherein the reflection plate is configured to be rotatable around a connection portion with the image display device, and is configured to be capable of lifting the lower end thereof upward. A game device according to claim 1. A game device having a visual recognition object, an image display device that displays a moving image or a still image on a display surface thereof, and a reflection plate having a reflection / transmission region capable of reflecting and transmitting incident light. ,
The reflector is disposed between the assumed player's eye position and the surface of the visual target object and inclined with respect to a horizontal plane,
The image display device is disposed at a position where the moving image or the still image displayed on the display surface can be visually recognized from the assumed player's eye position by reflection of the reflector,
The visual recognition object is disposed at a position where the effective display area can be visually recognized from the assumed player's eye position through the partial reflection area,
The game apparatus, wherein the reflection plate is configured to be rotatable around a connection portion with the image display device, and is configured to be capable of lifting the lower end thereof upward. The reflector has either a first configuration having a region that reflects all incident light or a second configuration having a region covered with a covering member on the back surface thereof. The game device according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The game device according to claim 7, further comprising a light emitting display device between the reflecting plate and the covering member. The game device according to claim 8, wherein the light emitting display device is controlled by the display control circuit. An image display device for displaying a moving image or a still image on the display surface; a reflection plate having a reflection / transmission region capable of reflecting and transmitting incident light; and the reflection plate and the image display device. A display unit of a game device, characterized in that is integrated.

Images