JP2005224455A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine not obstructing a highly interesting image performance on a display panel by preventing bright openings from being seen in all faces of a display part position from the outside even if the bright openings are placed on the back of the display panel such as a liquid crystal panel. <P>SOLUTION: The game machine is provided with a light shutter 120 disposed between reels 26L, 26C and 26R on the back of the liquid crystal panel 100. The light shutter 120 changes states of diffusion and transmission of light through on and off of an applied voltage. The shutter 120 has an applied voltage with a square wave changed from an alternating-current waveform from a commercial power source 140 via an inverter circuit 130. In the panel 100, recess parts of the surface of the panel 100 are plugged with a film member 150 being labeled on across all face of a side provided with an antiglare layer. The antiglare treatment corrects a decreased state of transmissibility of the panel 100 to increase transparency. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to gaming machines such as pachinko and pachislot machines.

  In recent years, various game machines such as pachinko machines and pachislot machines have been developed and put on the market. In these, the image display device provided on the board changes its display contents according to changes in game contents and game situation. A lot of things.

  In such a gaming machine, a display panel such as a liquid crystal display is used, and a game effect notification such as a jackpot notice or an effect such as a jackpot game effect is performed. In particular, an image display device using an LCD has a high display capability and enables various image effects. The display panel is formed with a transmissive part that transmits light and a display part that performs image effects. The display part is arranged so as to surround a rotating reel or the like provided on the back side of the transmissive part. It is configured so that image control can be performed according to the above.

  Therefore, a thin flat display panel such as a liquid crystal panel is arranged on the front surface of a variable display device capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information images necessary for a game so that image control according to the behavior of the variable display device is possible. A configured gaming machine has been proposed. That is, a gaming machine including a variable display device that variably displays a plurality of types of identification information images necessary for a game, and a display panel having a display surface capable of producing an image, on the back side of the display panel, It consists of a transmissive part consisting of an aperture that partially transmits light, and a non-transmissive part around it. The transmissive part is arranged so that the variable display device can be seen from the front, and the display panel can be changed according to the behavior of the variable display device. A gaming machine configured to control an image has been proposed.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a slot gaming machine 10 which is an example of the gaming machine as described above. In the figure, 12 is a housing of the slot gaming machine 10 and 14 is a display unit. The display unit 14 includes a liquid crystal panel 100 and a frame 110. In the state shown in the figure, the liquid crystal panel 100 is made transparent so that nothing is displayed. The frame 110 includes an opening window 16 and a frame 18, and the frame 18 surrounds the opening window 16. Three reels 26L, 26C, and 26R are rotatably provided in the casing 12, and a plurality of types of identification information images (not shown) are drawn on the outer peripheral surfaces thereof. 110 faces the opening window 16 and can be viewed from the outside through the liquid crystal panel 100. In the figure, 28 is a substantially horizontal base, 31 is a coin slot, 20, 22 and 24 are switches operated by the player, 32 is a start lever, 34L, 34C and 34R are reel stop buttons, 36 is a payout button, 38 Is a coin payout exit, 40 is a coin receiving portion for storing paid-out coins, 42 is a sound transmission port of a speaker, 44 is an electric lamp, and 50 is a front housing.

  FIG. 2 is a conceptual cross-sectional view showing the arrangement of the display unit 14 and the like of the gaming machine of FIG. The liquid crystal panel 100 is arranged on the foreground, the sheet-like lens body 101 for brightening the display content of the display unit 14 in the line-of-sight direction is arranged on the back side, and the frame body 110 and the like are arranged on the back side. It is arranged. The surface of the frame 110 has excellent reflection and diffusive properties such as white, and as shown in FIG. 3, it has three opening windows 16 corresponding to the three reels 26L, 26C, and 26R. Acts as a light guide plate.

JP 2004-8705 A

  According to the above-described technique, the display panel and the display device are integrated to enable a deep effect, but at a portion corresponding to the opening window 16 of the display unit 14, the liquid crystal panel 100. There is a problem that display contents are difficult to see. That is, in order to make it easy to see the designs and pictures drawn on the surfaces of the reels 26L, 26C, and 26R, the illumination system must be set so that the reels 26L, 26C, and 26R become bright at the opening window portion 16. However, even if the display content of the liquid crystal panel 100 can be seen, there is a problem that the way of viewing is considerably different depending on the brightness of the image constituting the display content. In particular, the display image on the liquid crystal panel 100 may not appear to be broken when it covers the opening window 16.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems and to provide a gaming machine that can switch a state where an image display on a display panel is visible or invisible on the entire display area.

  In order to achieve the above object, a gaming machine according to claim 1 of the present invention is capable of providing an image effect by being located on the front side of a variable display device that variably displays a plurality of types of identification information images necessary for a game. A display panel having a display surface, wherein the display panel covers at least a portion of the display panel corresponding to the display surface and an applied voltage between the variable display device and the display panel. It is characterized in that an optical shutter is provided in which the light diffusion and transmission state changes depending on whether the light is on or off.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine of the first aspect, the game machine further comprises waveform converting means for making the voltage applied to the optical shutter a rectangular wave.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine of the second aspect, the waveform converting means makes the duty ratio of the rectangular wave variable.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine according to any one of the first to third aspects, a transparent film material is adhered to at least one surface of the display panel.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine of the fourth aspect, the display panel is a liquid crystal display panel, and the transparent film material is adhered to a surface of the liquid crystal display panel having a surface recess. It is characterized by that.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine according to the fourth aspect, the display panel is a liquid crystal display panel, and the transparent film material is adhered to both surfaces of the liquid crystal display panel.

  The gaming machine according to the present invention makes it possible to hide a bright opening or the like on the back side of a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel from the outside on the entire display portion, and to provide an interesting image effect of the display panel. There is an effect of not hindering.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings.

  FIG. 4 is a conceptual cross-sectional view showing the main part of one embodiment of the gaming machine according to the present invention. In this embodiment, an optical shutter 120 is used in place of the frame 110 of the conventional example shown in FIG. 1, and is arranged between the rear side of the liquid crystal panel 100, that is, between the reels 26L, 26C, and 26R.

  The optical shutter 120 changes its light diffusion and transmission state depending on whether the applied voltage is on or off. For example, as shown in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-43478. Such an optical shutter uses, for example, a liquid crystal cell (for example, a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal cell) that can exhibit a light diffusion state and a light transmission state in which light is not transmitted, and at least an image that can exhibit a light transmission state. A liquid crystal cell for display (for example, a TN liquid crystal cell, a GH liquid crystal cell, etc .: in this example, the liquid crystal panel 100) is overlaid, and a liquid crystal cell for image display is arranged on the viewpoint side. The light transmission state referred to in this specification means a transparent or translucent state where light is transmitted so that the background can be visually recognized. In addition, arrangement | positioning of a board | substrate, a drive electrode, a polarizing plate, a color filter, a phase difference film, the protective film (or protective plate) which protects a cell, and other cell components as needed is arbitrary.

  As shown in the figure, an AC waveform from a commercial power source (or a power adapter for a commercial power source) 140 is converted into a rectangular wave and applied to the optical shutter 120 via an inverter circuit 130. According to the study by the inventors of the present application, the object behind the reels 26L, 26C, and 26R in the transmissive state is several percent when applied as a rectangular wave, rather than applying a waveform voltage such as a sine curve, The visibility of the scenery and the like is improved, and if the symbol is a symbol, the edge of the symbol is clearly visible, or the degree of the symbol becoming dull is reduced, and the symbol appears to be glossy.

  In the conventional example, the size of the object behind the reels 26L, 26C, 26R, etc. is limited to the size of the window opening. However, in the present invention, such a limitation is eliminated, and the entire display area of the liquid crystal panel 100 is behind. Even if an object exists, there is no problem.

  The optical shutter 120 may be divided into any number corresponding to the arrangement form of the reels 26L, 26C, 26R, etc., and may be individually turned on and off. By doing so, it is necessary to clearly show the image display by the liquid crystal panel 110, and when it is desired to hide the object behind, the optical shutter at the corresponding location is turned on, and otherwise it can be controlled to be turned off, It will be possible to display and produce more interesting images.

  Further, the duty ratio of the rectangular wave formed by the inverter circuit 130 may be 50%, for example, but may be other values, and may be variable depending on the driving status of the apparatus. A known device may be used for such an inverter circuit and a control circuit. Of course, other circuits and means may be used instead of the inverter circuit.

  Further, a film material 150 is attached to the entire surface of the liquid crystal panel 100 on the side on which the antiglare layer is provided (the frontmost surface in the figure). The film material 150 is made of a thin and transparent synthetic resin whose one surface is smoothed. For example, it is made of an acrylic resin having a thickness of about 50 μm, PET (POLYETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE) resin, or the like. It is desirable that the transparency of the film material 150 is higher, and that the viewer-side surface has higher smoothness.

  The film material 150 or the adhesive material on the back surface of the liquid crystal panel 100 fills the recesses on the surface of the liquid crystal panel 100 and enters the irregularities of the material constituting the antiglare layer without any gaps, and the liquid crystal panel 100 has a reduced transparency due to the antiglare treatment. Fix and increase transparency.

  That is, the incident light to the film material 150 located on the outermost surface is transmitted with high efficiency without being irregularly reflected at the boundary between the antiglare layer and the adhesive material, and the display of the internal reels 26L, 26C, 26R is clearly displayed. The Rukoto. Note that the refractive index of the adhesive material of the film material 150 is preferably substantially equal to the refractive index of the antiglare layer of the liquid crystal panel 100.

  In the illustrated example, the film material 150 is attached only to the outermost surface of the liquid crystal panel 100, that is, the front surface. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and only the back surface of the liquid crystal panel 100 may be used. Either of them may be provided. The film material 150 does not need to be applied over the entire area of the liquid crystal panel 100, and may be applied partially to a desired portion.

The perspective view which shows the outline of the slot gaming machine which is an example of a gaming machine FIG. 1 is a conceptual cross-sectional view showing the arrangement of display units and the like of the gaming machine of FIG. The front view which shows the shape of the light-guide plate shown in FIG. Sectional drawing which shows one Example of the gaming machine which concerns on this invention

Explanation of symbols

10: Slot gaming machine 12: Slot gaming machine casing 14: Display units 26L, 26C, 26R: Reel 100: Liquid crystal panel 120: Optical shutter 130: Inverter circuit 140: Commercial power supply 150: Film material

Claims (6)

A gaming machine comprising a variable display device that variably displays a plurality of types of identification information images necessary for a game, and a display panel that is located on the front side thereof and has a display surface capable of producing an image.
An optical shutter between the variable display device and the display panel, which covers at least a portion of the display panel corresponding to the display surface and whose light scattering / transmission state changes when the applied voltage is turned on / off. A gaming machine characterized by being arranged. 2. A gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising waveform converting means for making a voltage applied to the optical shutter a rectangular wave. 3. A gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the waveform converting means makes the duty ratio of the rectangular wave variable. 4. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein a transparent film material is attached to at least one surface of the display panel. 5. The gaming machine according to claim 4, wherein the display panel is a liquid crystal display panel, and the transparent film material is bonded to a surface of the liquid crystal display panel having a surface recess. 5. A gaming machine according to claim 4, wherein the display panel is a liquid crystal display panel, and the transparent film material is adhered to both surfaces of the liquid crystal display panel.

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