JP2007244674A - Display device of game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a display device of game machine which has an accessory for carrying out performance corresponding to fluctuation of figures displayed on the display device, and which provides performance effects by vertical movement with respect to the screen of the display device, i.e., movement in a front and back direction of a game machine. <P>SOLUTION: The display device has two or more flexible displays, a positioning means for relatively positioning the displays, and the accessory arranged in the back of the displays. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a display device for a gaming machine for transmitting game information to a player, and more particularly to a display device for a gaming machine having a performance accessory.

  In a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine, a model is widely available in which a central player device arranged so as to surround a display device such as a liquid crystal panel is arranged at the center of the game board surface. Since the display device displays game content, game information, and the like of the gaming machine, it is the part that is most noticed by the player who is playing the game. In view of this, the display device and its surroundings are various portions that attract the interest of the player and are the part that most strongly reflects the characteristics of the gaming machine. For example, there is a central actor device in which a movable accessory that moves in a three-dimensional space to produce a game is arranged in the vicinity of a display device that produces a game with a two-dimensional plane image.

  In Patent Document 1, a gaming machine having a central accessory device in which a movable accessory that produces an effect in a three-dimensional space in accordance with a change in a symbol displayed on a display device such as a liquid crystal panel is arranged adjacent to the display device. Is disclosed. An electric shutter that can be switched between a transmission and a light shielding mode is provided in front of the movable accessory. In the normal gaming state, the electric shutter is in a light shielding configuration, and the movable accessory is shielded from the player's field of view. On the other hand, in a special game state such as “big hit”, a predetermined symbol is displayed on the display device, and the electric shutter is changed from the light-shielding mode to the transmission mode, so that the player can visually recognize the movable accessory behind it. Is possible.

  However, in recent years, liquid crystal panels used in display devices have become larger in size, and it has become difficult to secure a space for storing movable accessories in the central accessory device. Therefore, efforts are being made to develop gaming machines as to how to arrange movable drivers around the display device and drive them, and how to obtain a high game effect.

Under such a background, for example, in Patent Document 2, a gaming machine having a central accessory device in which a liquid crystal shutter is provided behind a display device composed of a transmissive liquid crystal panel and a movable accessory is disposed behind the display device. Is disclosed. Similar to the gaming machine disclosed in Patent Document 1, in a normal gaming state, the liquid crystal shutter is closed, and the movable accessory is shielded from the player's field of view. On the other hand, in a specific gaming state, a predetermined symbol is displayed on the display device, and the electric shutter is opened so that the movable accessory is exposed to the player through the transmissive liquid crystal panel. In such a central accessory device, since the display device and the movable accessory are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the game board surface, the movable accessory can be stored compactly in the central accessory device even if the display device becomes large. is there.
JP2004-159881A JP-A-2005-65776

  A display device made up of a liquid crystal panel or the like is a device that produces a game with a two-dimensional image along the surface of the game board, and has a drawback in that it lacks a sense of reality with respect to an effect of movement in the front-rear direction of the game board. Therefore, it is expected that the disadvantage of the effect produced by the display device can be compensated by moving the movable accessory in the front-rear direction of the game board surface in accordance with the variation of the symbols displayed on the display device. However, as described above, as the liquid crystal panel becomes larger, the space for placing the movable accessory on the display device is becoming scarce. Even when a movable accessory is provided behind the display device, there is little space for the movable accessory to move behind the display device, and it is not possible to provide a sense of realism in the direction of movement of the game board in the front-rear direction. That's enough.

  The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances as described above, and includes an accessory that produces an effect in accordance with changes in symbols displayed on the display device, and in particular, in a direction perpendicular to the display surface of the display device, that is, a gaming machine. It is an object of the present invention to provide a display device for a gaming machine that can obtain a production effect for the movement in the front-rear direction.

  A display device for a gaming machine according to the present invention is a display device disposed in a gaming board of a gaming machine, and has at least two flexible display devices, and positioning means for relatively positioning the display devices. And an accessory disposed behind the display.

  According to the present invention, at least two indicators can be relatively positioned by the positioning means, and the accessory placed behind the indicator can be freely moved in and out of the player. Therefore, a production effect can be obtained with respect to the movement in the direction perpendicular to the display surface of the display, that is, the longitudinal direction of the gaming machine.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

  One embodiment of a display device for a gaming machine according to the present invention is a display device arranged in a game board of a gaming machine, and includes an accessory that produces an effect in accordance with a change in symbols displayed on the display device. The display device of the display device is a variable display device capable of displaying one continuous moving image by combining a plurality of display panels. The display is movable between a position where it is separated from each other and arranged as a single panel, from a position where it is arranged close to and joined to each other. Such a display is made of a flexible organic EL panel that can be bent.

  Each indicator is engaged with positioning means for relatively positioning them. The positioning means includes driving means (motor, solenoid, etc.). The driving means is engaged with a support member attached along the upper end of the display, and the display is relatively positioned by moving the support. The support member is soft and flexible like the display, and is movable while being guided by guide means such as a bent guide groove or guide rail. The guide means has a parallel path extending along the surface of the game board and a vertical path extending in a direction crossing the surface of the game board, that is, a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface of the game board. In the normal gaming state, the support member is located along the parallel path of the guide means, and the indicator is in a position where the indicators are joined to each other. For example, in a special game state in which “big hit” is obtained by internal lottery, the driving means is driven to move the support member so as to be introduced from the parallel path to the vertical path. The indicator moves in a direction away from each other in conjunction with the movement of the support member. Therefore, the indicator moves while bending in a direction crossing the game board surface from a direction parallel to the game board surface. According to such a mechanism, it is possible to suppress an increase in the size of the display device in a direction parallel to the game board surface.

  A movable accessory that is movable as a whole or a part thereof is disposed behind the display. The movable accessory is shielded from the player's field of view in a state where the displays are joined to each other, and the player cannot visually recognize it. However, when the indicator moves in a direction away from each other, it is exposed toward the player from that time. Here, the accessory driving mechanism is engaged with the movable accessory, and when the display is separated from each other, the movable accessory moves toward the front of the gaming machine from that position, and is ahead of the display surface of the display. It protrudes toward. According to this, in accordance with the effect that the display does not move in the front-rear direction of the two-dimensional gaming machine, the effect by the movable accessory is made in front or rear, so there is movement in the front-rear direction of the gaming machine A production effect can be obtained.

  In addition, it is preferable that the positioning unit and the accessory driving mechanism can be driven by a common driving unit because the display device can be made compact. However, the moving direction of the movable part is different between the display driven by the positioning mechanism and the movable accessory driven by the accessory driving mechanism. Therefore, the output of the drive means is preferably distributed by a gear mechanism or the like that can change the direction of the drive shaft. For example, the rotational output from the drive motor is transmitted by appropriately changing the direction of the rotation axis by a gear mechanism including a bevel gear.

  Further, a gaming machine including the display device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  In particular, as shown in FIG. 1, the gaming machine 1 is a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine that launches a game ball toward the gaming area of the gaming board 2 by a player's handle operation. At the center of the game board 2, a central accessory device 3 with a decoration is installed. A central portion of the central accessory device 3 has a concave portion 3a having a rectangular opening toward the front, and a rear end portion of the concave portion 3a is provided with a window portion 4 which is a substantially rectangular through hole. Behind the window 4 is a set of two displays 5a1 and 5a2 that constitute a single panel, such as an organic EL panel arranged so as to be substantially parallel to the surface of the game board 2. Has been placed. On the display units 5a1 and 5a2, one continuous moving image can be displayed by the image control unit 51 that has received a signal from the CPU 50. Details of the indicators 5a1 and 5a2 will be described later.

  In the recess 3 a of the central accessory device 3, a stage 6 is provided below the window portion 4 so as to extend in a substantially horizontal plane and retain a game ball thereon. The stage 6 is wavy in the longitudinal direction along the game board 2, and a groove 6 a is formed on the top of the mountain portion at the center in the longitudinal direction so as to extend in the direction crossing this, that is, the direction perpendicular to the game board 2. Has been. There is a winning opening 7 for guiding the game ball into the recess 3 a of the central bonus device 3 at the upper part of the central bonus device 3. The winning opening 7 communicates with the opening of the side wall of the concave portion 3a of the central accessory device 3 through a game ball guide passage (not shown). That is, the game ball that has entered the winning opening 7 is guided to the inside of the recess 3a from the opening (not shown) provided on the side wall of the central bonus device 3 through the game ball guide passage and falls onto the stage 6. . A part of the game balls dropped on the stage 6 falls into the groove 6 a and falls from the central accessory device 3 in a direction perpendicular to the game board 2. A part of the game balls falls from the portion other than the groove 6a to the lower part of the central accessory device 3.

  On the left side of the central accessory device 3 is a winning opening 8a having an opening provided so as to receive a game ball falling on the game board. Further, a start winning opening (chucker) 8 having an upward opening is provided below the groove 6 a of the stage 6 of the central accessory device 3. The game ball discharged from the groove 6a of the stage 6 of the central accessory device 3 in the direction perpendicular to the game board 2 falls on the start winning opening 8 with a high probability. When a game ball enters the start winning opening 8, a sensor (not shown) detects this and a lottery is performed inside the CPU 50. As a result of the lottery, when a “hit” is obtained, a message to that effect is displayed on the indicators 5a1 and 5a2, and a special prize opening device 9, which will be described later, is opened to shift to a special game state. The start winning opening 8 is provided with a movable member. Normally, the two movable members are close to each other and close the start winning opening 8. On the other hand, when a game ball enters the winning opening 8 a, the upper end of the movable member is separated in conjunction with this, and the gaming ball easily enters the start winning opening 8. Furthermore, when the game ball enters the winning opening 8a, the movable member of the starting winning opening 8 is closed again. Opening and closing of the movable member of the start winning opening 8 is repeated every time a game ball enters the winning opening 8a.

  Below the start winning opening 8, there is provided a large winning opening apparatus 9 that is elongated in the horizontal direction. The special winning opening device 9 closes the special winning opening 9a provided in the game board 2 with a lid in the normal gaming state. On the other hand, as a result of the internal lottery performed by the CPU 50 when the game ball enters the start winning opening 8 and a “big hit” is obtained and the state shifts to the special gaming state, the lid body rotates toward the front and the big winning opening. 9a is opened for a predetermined time. Since the big prize opening device 9 is elongated in the horizontal direction, most of the game balls falling on the game board 2 are taken into the big prize opening 9a. When a game ball passes through the big prize opening 9a, a certain number of prize balls are paid back to the player.

  At the bottom of the game area of the game board 2, there is provided a discharge port 10 for collecting the game balls launched into the game area as a final “detachment” inside the game machine 1. Note that nails (not shown) are appropriately planted on the game board 2 to define the movement path of the game balls.

  Further, the display device of the central accessory device 3 will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the indicators 5 a 1 and 5 a 2 are arranged behind the window 4 of the central accessory device 3. On the display units 5a1 and 5a2, one continuous moving image can be displayed by the image control unit 51 that has received a signal from the CPU 50. As shown in FIG. 2, in the normal gaming state, the indicators 5a1 and 5a2 are arranged like one panel with their one end portions close to and joined to each other. In this state, the window portion 4 is completely closed. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, in the special game state, the indicators 5a1 and 5a2 are separated from each other in the direction in which they are separated from each other and are arranged as divided panels. Further, in this state, the movable body 41 that is shielded behind the indicators 5a1 and 5a2 in the normal gaming state appears and disappears from between the indicators 5a1 and 5a2. The display devices 5a1 and 5a2 can display one continuous moving image even if they are separated from each other.

  In particular, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, the display device includes a set of two base members 21a and 21b, which are arranged so as to face each other while being spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction. The base member 21a is a slide comprising a parallel path 22a extending along the window 4 of the central player device 3 in parallel with the game board 2, and a vertical path 22b extending backward from both ends of the parallel path 22a. A dynamic through groove 22 is provided. A connecting portion 22c of the parallel path 22a and the vertical path 22b has R which is a part of a circle, and smoothly connects the parallel path 22a and the vertical path 22b. Similarly, the base member 21 b also has a sliding through groove 22.

  The indicators 5a1 and 5a2 are bendable organic EL panels having a substantially rectangular flexible flexibility. The lower ends of the indicators 5a1 and 5a2 are located in the sliding through groove 22 of the base member 21b. The upper ends of the indicators 5a1 and 5a2 are inserted into the sliding through grooves 22 of the base member 21a. Accordingly, the indicators 5a1 and 5a2 are movable along the sliding through grooves 22 of the base members 21a and 21b. That is, the indicators 5a1 and 5a2 are in a plane parallel to the game board 2 when in the parallel path 22a of the sliding through groove 22 and are in the vertical path 22b of the sliding through groove 22 Located in the direction of crossing. The parallel path 22a is larger than the horizontal length of the window portion 4 extending in parallel, and shorter than the total length of the two horizontal lengths of the indicators 5a1 and 5a2. That is, when the display devices 5a1 and 5a2 are positioned at the center of the window portion 4 with their one end portions aligned with each other (see FIG. 2), the window portion 4 is closed by the display devices 5a1 and 5a2. Further, the end of the indicators 5a1 and 5a2 opposite to the contact end is located in the connection portion 22c or in the vertical path 22b.

  In particular, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the guide member 23 is a bendable rubber belt-like member that is soft and flexible. The guide member 23 is attached along the upper ends of the indicators 5a1 and 5a2 so as to partially penetrate the base member 21a and the sliding through groove 22. On the surface of the guide member 23 facing rearward, a rack gear 23a in which gears continuous in the longitudinal direction are carved is provided.

  A belt drive gear 30 formed of a bevel gear is pivotally supported so as to be rotatable in a horizontal plane on the R inner side of the connection portion 22c of the sliding through groove 22 of the base member 21a. The belt drive gear 30 has its tooth tip positioned on the connection portion 22 c of the sliding through groove 22 and meshes with the rack gear 23 a of the guide member 23. As a result, when the belt drive gear 30 rotates to the left and right, the indicators 5 a 1 and 5 a 2 move along the sliding through groove 22 together with the guide member 23.

  The shaft 31 is rotatably supported by a stay (not shown) standing on the base member 21a so as to be parallel to the window 4 and parallel to the base member 21a. Drive gears 32 each consisting of a bevel gear are attached to both ends of the shaft 31 and mesh with the belt drive gear 30. In the vicinity of the center of the shaft 31, a first distribution gear 33 made up of a bevel gear with the shaft 31 as a rotation shaft is fixed to rotate the shaft 31.

  The motor 35 is fixed to a stay (not shown) erected on the base member 21 a so that its output shaft is disposed perpendicular to the base member 21. An output gear 34, which is a bevel gear that rotates in a plane parallel to the base member 21a, is fixed to the tip of the output shaft. The output gear 34 meshes with the first distribution gear 33. Accordingly, the rotational driving force from the motor 35 is transmitted to the two driving gears 32 by the first distribution gear 33, and the belt driving gear 30 rotates at the same speed and in the opposite direction. The rotation of the motor 35 is controlled by a motor control unit 52 that receives a signal from the CPU 50.

  Furthermore, the movable body 41 and its drive mechanism included in the display device of the central accessory device 3 will be described.

  In particular, as shown in FIG. 9, the movable body 41 simulating the shape of a dog's head is on a support rail (not shown) and is supported so as to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the game board 2, that is, in the front-rear direction of the game machine 1. . On the other hand, the movable body 41 is urged rearward by a spring 43 attached to a stay 42 fixed on the base member 21 b, and a part of the movable body 41 is placed on the stopper 42 a at the tip of the stay 42. When it comes into contact, no further movement is possible.

  In particular, as shown in FIGS. 5, 8, and 9, the shaft 44 'is rotatable by a stay (not shown) standing on the base member 21a so as to be perpendicular to the window 4 and parallel to the base member 21a. It is supported by. Bevel gears are attached to both ends of the shaft 44 '. The second distribution gear 44 at one end meshes with the output gear 34 to rotate the shaft 44 ′ and rotate the first connection gear 45 at the other end.

  The shaft 46 is rotatably supported by a stay (not shown) standing on the base member 21a so as to be parallel to the window 4 and parallel to the base member 21a. A second connection gear 47 made of a bevel gear is fixed to one end portion of the shaft 46 and meshes with the first connection gear 45. A pulley 48 is fixed to the other end of the shaft 46.

  The shaft 61 is rotatably supported by a stay (not shown) standing on the base member 21b so as to be perpendicular to the window 4 and parallel to the base member 21b. A pulley 62 is fixed to one end of the shaft 61. A belt 63 is wound between the pulley 62 and the pulley 48 fixed to the shaft 46. The belt 63 is movable between the upper and lower portions of the base member 21a through a through hole 63 'provided in the base member 21a. A cam 64 is fixed to the end of the shaft 61 opposite to the end to which the pulley 62 is fixed so as to rotate eccentrically. The cam 64 rotates in a plane perpendicular to the game board 2 and perpendicular to the base member 21a.

  Next, the operation of the display device in the central accessory device 3 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In particular, referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, in the normal gaming state, the indicators 5 a 1 and 5 a 2 are stopped in a state where one end thereof is in contact with the center of the window portion 4 in the horizontal direction. At this time, the other end portions of the indicators 5a1 and 5a2 are at least closer to the vertical path 22b than the connection portion 22c of the sliding through groove 22, and the rack gear 23a of the guide member 23 is engaged with the belt drive gear 30. . Further, since the indicators 5a1 and 5a2 completely close the window part 4, the player cannot visually recognize the movable body 41 accommodated behind the window part 4 through the window part 4. Further, in this state, the cam 64 is not in contact with the movable body 41, and the rear end portion of the movable body 41 is in contact with the stopper 42 a at the tip end portion of the stay 42 by the spring 43. Is stopped.

  By the way, as a result of the internal lottery of the CPU 50, when “big hit” is obtained, the CPU 50 sends a command to display an image indicating this to the image control unit 51. Upon receiving this signal, the image control unit 51 sends image signals to the displays 5a1 and 5a2, respectively, to display a series of images. At the same time, the CPU 50 sends a signal to the motor control unit 52 to start the rotation of the motor 35.

  Referring to FIG. 6 in particular, the motor 35 rotates the output gear 34 counterclockwise as shown in the figure, so that the two belt drive gears 30 are opposite to each other, specifically, the right-hand belt drive gear 30 is counterclockwise. Further, the belt driving gear 30 of the left hand is rotated clockwise. The belt drive gear 30 causes the guide member 23 to move the indicators 5a1 and 5a2 along the sliding through groove 22 from the parallel path 22a to the vertical path 22b. At this time, the contact ends of the indicators 5a1 and 5a2 move so as to be separated from each other, so that the movable body 41 is exposed to the outside. The player can visually recognize this through the window 4.

  In particular, referring to FIG. 9, when the motor 35 rotates the output gear 34, the cam 64 is connected via the second distribution gear 44, the first connection gear 45, the second connection gear 47, and the pulleys 48 and 62. It rotates around. When the cam 64 contacts the rear end of the movable body 41, the movable body 41 is pushed forward against the contraction force of the spring 43. The end of the cam 64 farthest from the shaft 61 contacts the rear end of the movable body 41, and the motor 35 stops in a state where the movable body 41 protrudes most forward from the window portion 4. In this state, the indicators 5a1 and 5a2 are separated from each other in the window 4 so as not to collide with the movable body 41. When the motor 35 is stopped, the one ends of the indicators 5a1 and 5a2 are at least closer to the horizontal path 22a than the connecting portion 22c of the sliding through groove 22, and the rack gear 23a of the guide member 23 is the belt drive gear 30. Is engaged.

  On the other hand, by reversely performing the above-described operation, the movable body 41 is moved backward again by the spring 43, and the display devices 5a1 and 5a2 are brought into contact with one end portion in the horizontal center portion of the window portion 4 for the first time. It returns to the state.

  As described above, in the special game state, the displays 5a1 and 5a2 are repeatedly opened and closed.

1 is a front view of a gaming machine including a display device according to the present invention. It is a perspective view of the principal part of the game machine containing the display apparatus by this invention. It is a perspective view of the principal part of the game machine containing the display apparatus by this invention. It is the front view which decomposed | disassembled the principal part of the game machine containing the display apparatus by this invention. It is an elevation view of the principal part of the gaming machine including the display device according to the present invention. It is an elevation view of the principal part of the gaming machine including the display device according to the present invention. It is an elevational view of the main part of the display device according to the present invention. It is a perspective view of the principal part of the display apparatus by this invention. It is a perspective view of the principal part of the display apparatus by this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Game machine 2 Game board 3 Central player apparatus 4 Window part 5a1, 5a2 Indicator 6 Stages 7, 8 Winning opening 9 Large winning opening apparatus 10 Outlet 41 Movable accessory 22 Sliding through groove 22a Parallel path 22b Vertical path 22c Connection portion 23 Guide member 23a Rack gear 30 (belt drive) gears 31, 44 ', 46, 61 Shaft 32 Drive gear 33 First distribution gear 34 Output gear 35 Motor 42 Stay 42a Stopper 44 Second distribution gear 45 First connection gear 47 Second connecting gear 48, 62 Pulley 50 CPU
51 Image Control Unit 52 Motor Control Unit 63 Belt 64 Cam

Claims (9)

A display device arranged in a gaming board of a gaming machine,
At least two flexible indicators;
Positioning means for relatively positioning the indicator;
A display device for a gaming machine, comprising: an accessory disposed behind the display. The positioning means includes
A flexible support member for supporting the display;
Guiding means for guiding the support member, which includes a parallel path in which the support member moves along the surface of the game board and a vertical path in a direction crossing the surface of the game board;
2. A display device for a gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising driving means for introducing the support members into the vertical path when the support members are separated from each other.   3. The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the support member includes a rack gear, and the driving means includes a gear that is provided inside R of a connection position of the parallel path and the vertical path and meshes with the rack gear. Display device.   The display device for a gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the display device shields the accessory in a state of being joined to each other.   5. The display device for a gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein all or a part of the accessory is movable.   6. The display device for a gaming machine according to claim 5, further comprising an accessory driving means for moving the accessory toward the front of the game board when the indicators are separated from each other.   7. The display device for a gaming machine according to claim 6, wherein the accessory is driven by the accessory driving means, and at least a part of the accessory can be positioned in front of the display.   8. A display device for a gaming machine according to claim 6, wherein the positioning means and the accessory driving means are driven by a common driving source. The display device for a gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the display device comprises an organic EL panel.