JP2023014601A - Shutter apparatus and game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a shutter apparatus capable of switching, with a simple structure, visibility and invisibility of a display object.SOLUTION: A shutter apparatus has: first light sources (3-1 to 3-n) and second light sources (4-1 to 4-m); a light guide plate 2 arranged on a front surface side of a display object 8; and a control part 5 controlling light-on or light-off of the light sources. The light guide plate 2 has: a plurality of first prisms 11 reflecting on a back surface 2b light that has been emitted from the first light sources and been made incident inside the light guide plates 2 from a first incident plane 2c so as to emit it from the front surface 2a of the light guide plate 2; and a plurality of second prisms 12 reflecting on the front surface 2a of the light guide plate 2 light that has been emitted from the second light sources and been made incident in the light guide plate 2 from a second incidence plane 2d so as to emit it from the back surface 2b of the light guide plate 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The present invention relates to a shutter device that implements a visual shutter using a light guide plate, and a game machine having such a shutter device.

A technique has been proposed in which a liquid crystal panel is used as a visual shutter in order to enable a user to switch whether or not to visually recognize a predetermined object (see Patent Document 1, for example).

JP 2015-196066 A

When the liquid crystal panel is used as a visual shutter, the structures of the liquid crystal panel and the driving circuit for driving the liquid crystal panel are complicated, so the structure of the shutter itself and the control of the shutter are complicated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a shutter device capable of switching whether or not a display object is visible with a simple configuration.

A shutter device is provided as one form of the present invention. This shutter device is arranged on the front side of a first light source, a second light source, and a display object, is formed of a transparent member, and has a first incident surface and a second incident surface facing the first light source. a light guide plate having a second incident surface facing the light source; and a control unit for controlling lighting or extinguishing of the first light source and the second light source. The light guide plate includes a plurality of first prisms that reflect light emitted from the first light source and incident on the light guide plate through the first incident surface on the back surface of the light guide plate so that the light is emitted from the front surface of the light guide plate; A plurality of second prisms are provided on the front surface of the light guide plate for reflecting the light emitted from the second light source and entering the light guide plate through the second incident surface so that the light is emitted from the rear surface of the light guide plate.
By having such a configuration, the shutter device can switch whether or not the display object is visible with a simple configuration. Furthermore, since this shutter device can switch whether or not to illuminate the display object, it is possible to change the appearance of the display object in various ways.

In this shutter device, when the second light source is turned off, the brightness at the front of the light guide plate due to the light emitted from the first light source, reflected by the plurality of first prisms, and emitted from the front of the light guide plate 3, the luminous intensity of the light emitted from the first light source and the plurality of second light sources so that the brightness at the front of the light guide plate is higher than the brightness at the front of the light guide plate due to the light emitted from the display object and transmitted through the light guide plate from the back to the front Preferably, the arrangement density of one prism is set.
With such a configuration, the shutter device can more reliably prevent a display object from being viewed through the light guide plate by turning on the first light source.

Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, a game machine main body, a display object provided on the side of the game machine main body facing the player, a shutter device arranged closer to the player than the display object, A game machine having an effect control device for outputting a control signal corresponding to a game state to a shutter device is provided. In this gaming machine, the shutter device includes a first light source, a second light source, and a first light source disposed on the player side of a display object, formed of a transparent member, and opposed to the first light source. A light guide plate having an incident surface and a second incident surface facing the second light source, and a control unit that controls lighting or extinguishing of the first light source and the second light source according to the control signal received from the production control device have The light guide plate reflects the light emitted from the first light source and entering the light guide plate through the first incident surface on the display object side surface of the light guide plate so as to be emitted from the player side surface of the light guide plate. light emitted from the second light source and entering the light guide plate through the second incident surface on the player side surface of the light guide plate is emitted from the surface of the light guide plate on the display object side. and a plurality of second prisms reflecting to allow the light to pass through.
By having such a configuration, this gaming machine can switch visibility of a display object provided in the gaming machine with a simple configuration. Furthermore, since this gaming machine can switch whether or not to illuminate the display object, it is possible to variously change the way in which the display object is displayed.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a shutter device according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. It is a schematic side view of a shutter device. 4 is a schematic front view of a light guide plate included in the shutter device; FIG. 4 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of the light guide plate taken along the line indicated by arrow AA' in FIG. 3; FIG. 4 is a schematic side sectional view of the light guide plate taken along the line indicated by arrow BB' in FIG. 3; FIG. It is a schematic perspective view of a pinball game machine having a shutter device according to an embodiment or a modified example.

The shutter device will be described below with reference to the drawings. This shutter device has a light guide plate made of a plate-shaped material transparent to light emitted from one or more light sources, and the light guide plate is arranged between a display object and an observer. One of the two surfaces of the light guide plate, which surrounds the surface facing the viewer (hereinafter referred to as the front surface), serves as the first incident surface facing the first light source. and the other one of its sides is formed as a second entrance surface facing the second light source. A plurality of first prisms are formed on the surface of the light guide plate facing the display object (hereinafter referred to as the back surface), and a plurality of second prisms are formed on the front surface of the light guide plate. be done. The plurality of first prisms reflect the light emitted from the first light source and entering the light guide plate so as to be emitted from the front of the light guide plate toward the viewer. When the first light source is turned off, the observer can visually recognize the display object through the light guide plate. On the other hand, when the first light source is turned on, light from the first light source is reflected by the plurality of first prisms and reaches the viewer. Therefore, when the first light source is lit, the light from the first light source hinders the observer from seeing the displayed object. Further, the plurality of second prisms reflect the light emitted from the second light source and incident on the light guide plate so as to be emitted from the rear surface of the light guide plate toward the display object. Therefore, when the second light source is turned on, the display object is illuminated by the light from the second light source, and the observer can easily visually recognize the display object.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a shutter device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the shutter device. The shutter device 1 includes a light guide plate 2, a plurality of first light sources 3-1 to 3-n (n is an integer of 2 or more, 5 in the illustrated example), and a plurality of second light sources 4-1 to 4-n. -m (m is an integer of 2 or more, 5 in the illustrated example), a plurality of first collimating lenses 5-1 to 5-n, a plurality of second collimating lenses 6-1 to 6-m, and a control circuit 7 .

The light guide plate 2 is transparent to the light emitted from each of the plurality of first light sources 3-1 to 3-n and the light emitted from each of the plurality of second light sources 4-1 to 4-m. It is a member formed in a shape. The light guide plate 2 is formed by molding a resin transparent to visible light, such as polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate, or cycloolefin polymer. The light guide plate 2 is arranged so that the front surface 2a of the light guide plate 2 faces the observer P and the back surface 2b of the light guide plate 2 faces the display object 8. As shown in FIG. One of the side surfaces of the light guide plate 2 is formed as a first incident surface 2c, and the plurality of first light sources 3-1 to 3-n and the first incident surface 2c are combined with collimating lenses 5-1 to 5-. The light guide plates 2 are arranged so as to face each other with n in between. Furthermore, the other one of the side surfaces of the light guide plate 2 adjacent to the first incident surface 2c is formed as a second incident surface 2d, and the plurality of second light sources 4-1 to 4-m and the second light source 4-1 to 4-m The light guide plate 2 is arranged so that the incident surface 2d of the light guide plate 2 faces the collimator lenses 6-1 to 6-m. A front surface 2a and a rear surface 2b of the light guide plate 2 are divided into a plurality of regions 21-1 to 21-n along the direction in which the plurality of first light sources 3-1 to 3-n are arranged. Each region 21-i (i=1, . . . , n) corresponds to the light source 3-i among the plurality of first light sources 3-1 to 3-n. Similarly, the front surface 2a and rear surface 2b of the light guide plate 2 are divided into a plurality of regions 22-1 to 22-m along the direction in which the plurality of second light sources 4-1 to 4-m are arranged. Each region 22-j (j=1, . . . , m) corresponds to the light source 4-j among the plurality of second light sources 4-1 to 4-m.

While any one of the plurality of first light sources 3-1 to 3-n is lit, the light guide plate 2 emits light from the lighting light source and enters the light guide plate 2 from the first incident surface 2c. Allow light to propagate inside it. The light guide plate 2 directs the light to the front side for observation by means of a plurality of first prisms (details will be described later) formed on the back surface 2b and arranged in an area corresponding to the light source being lit. It is reflected toward the person P. As a result, the area corresponding to the lighting light source appears to shine with the light from the light source, and the observer P visually recognizes the display object 8 provided on the back side of the light guide plate 2 through the area. I can't do it. On the other hand, when the light source corresponding to each of the areas 21-1 to 21-n provided on the light guide plate is turned off, the observer P looks at the display object 6 provided on the back side of the light guide plate 2 through the area. Visual recognition becomes possible.

Further, while any one of the plurality of second light sources 4-1 to 4-m is lit, the light guide plate 2 emits light from the lighting light source and enters the light guide plate 2 from the second incident surface 2d. The incident light is propagated inside it. The light guide plate 2 uses a plurality of second prisms (details will be described later) formed on the front surface 2a, and the prisms arranged in the area corresponding to the light source during lighting direct the light to the rear side. It is reflected toward the object 8 . As a result, at least part of the display object 8 is illuminated by the light from the area corresponding to the light source being lit, so that the observer P can easily visually recognize at least part of the display object 8. .
Details of the light guide plate 2 will be described later.

Each of the plurality of first light sources 3-1 to 3-n has at least one light emitting element that emits visible light. In this embodiment, each of the plurality of first light sources 3-1 to 3-n includes a first incident surface 2c formed on one side surface of the light guide plate 2 and collimator lenses 5-1 to 5-n. , and arranged in a row along the longitudinal direction of the first incident surface 2c.

Similarly, each of the plurality of second light sources 4-1 to 4-m has at least one light emitting element that emits visible light. In this embodiment, each of the plurality of second light sources 4-1 to 4-m is formed on another side surface of the light guide plate 2 adjacent to the first incident surface 2c. 2d, with the collimating lenses 6-1 to 6-m interposed therebetween, and arranged in a line along the longitudinal direction of the second incident surface 2d.

A light-emitting element included in each light source is, for example, a light-emitting diode. The luminous intensity of the light emitted from each light emitting element of each of the plurality of first light sources 3-1 to 3-n may be the same or may be different from each other. Also, the color of light emitted from each light emitting element may be the same, or may be different between light sources. Similarly, the luminous intensity of light emitted from each light emitting element of each of the plurality of second light sources 4-1 to 4-m may be the same or different. Also, the color of light emitted from each light emitting element may be the same, or may be different between light sources.

While the control circuit 7 is lighting any one of the plurality of first light sources 3-1 to 3-n, the light emitted from the lighting light source is directed to that one of the collimating lenses 5-1 to 5-n. After being collimated through a collimating lens corresponding to the light source, the light enters the light guide plate 2 through the first incident surface 2c. After the incident light propagates through the light guide plate 2, it is reflected by each of the plurality of first prisms provided on the back surface 2b of the light guide plate 2, and is provided in the region corresponding to the light source being lit. The light is emitted from the front surface 2 a of the light guide plate 2 . Therefore, from the observer P positioned on the front side of the light guide plate 2, among the regions 21-1 to 21-n provided on the light guide plate 2, the regions corresponding to the lighting light sources appear to shine. Furthermore, when all of the second light sources 4-1 to 4-m are turned off, the light from the plurality of first light sources 3-1 to 3-n viewed from the assumed position of the observer P The brightness at the front surface 2a of the light guide plate 2 due to light is higher than the brightness at the front surface 2a of the light guide plate 2 due to light emitted from the display object 8 and transmitted through the light guide plate 2 from the back surface 2b toward the front surface 2a. , in each region, the luminous intensity of the light emitted from those first light sources is set, along with the arrangement density of the first prisms. Therefore, the observer P can visually recognize the display object 8 through the area corresponding to the lighted light source by the light from the lighted light source among the plurality of first light sources 3-1 to 3-n. becomes difficult. The assumed position of the observer P can be, for example, a position about several tens of centimeters away from the center of the front surface 2a of the light guide plate 2 along the normal direction of the front surface 2a.

Further, while the control circuit 7 is lighting any one of the plurality of second light sources 4-1 to 4-m, the light emitted from the lighting light source is After being collimated through a collimating lens corresponding to the light source, the light enters the light guide plate 2 through the second incident surface 2d. After the incident light propagates through the light guide plate 2, it is reflected by each of the plurality of second prisms provided in the front surface 2a of the light guide plate 2, and is provided in the region corresponding to the light source being lit. The light is emitted from the rear surface 2 b of the light guide plate 2 . Therefore, at least part of the display object 8 is illuminated by the light from the lighted light sources among the plurality of second light sources 4-1 to 4-m.

The collimating lenses 5-1 to 5-n are arranged between the first light sources 3-1 to 3-n and the first incident surface 2c of the light guide plate 2. FIG. The collimator lenses 5-i (i=1, . . . , n) collimate the light emitted from the corresponding first light source 3-i and direct it to the first incident surface 2c. The collimator lenses 5-1 to 5-n may be refractive lenses or diffractive lenses. Further, the collimator lenses 5-1 to 5-n are formed so as to collimate the light emitted from the first light sources 3-1 to 3-n only in the longitudinal direction of the first incident surface 2c. good too. In this case, the collimator lenses 5-1 to 5-n have positive refractive power in the longitudinal direction of the first incident surface 2c, while the thickness direction of the light guide plate 2, that is, from the back surface 2b to the front surface. It may be formed as a cylindrical lens having no refractive power in the direction toward 2a.

Similarly, the collimator lenses 6-1 to 6-m are arranged between the second light sources 4-1 to 4-m and the second incident surface 2d of the light guide plate 2. FIG. The collimating lens 6-j (j=1, . . . , m) collimates the light emitted from the corresponding second light source 4-j and directs it to the second incident surface 2d. The collimating lenses 6-1 to 6-m may be refractive lenses or diffractive lenses. Also, the collimating lenses 6-1 to 6-m are formed so as to collimate the light emitted from the second light sources 4-1 to 4-m only in the longitudinal direction of the second incident surface 2d. good too. In this case, the collimator lenses 6-1 to 6-m have positive refractive power in the longitudinal direction of the second incident surface 2d, while they have refractive power in the thickness direction of the light guide plate 2. It may be formed as a cylindrical lens that does not have a

The control circuit 7 is an example of a control unit, and for example, drives a processor, a memory, a plurality of first light sources 3-1 to 3-n, and a plurality of second light sources 4-1 to 4-m. and a communication interface for communicating with other devices. The control circuit 7 controls lighting and extinguishing of the plurality of first light sources 3-1 to 3-n according to light source control information received from another device or pre-stored in the memory, and controls the lighting and extinguishing of the plurality of first light sources 3-1 to 3-n. 2 light sources 4-1 to 4-m are controlled to be turned on and off.

For example, when the viewer P can see the display object 8 through any one of the regions 21-1 to 21-n provided on the light guide plate 2, the control circuit 7 selects a plurality of second Of the light sources 3-1 to 3-n of 1, the light source corresponding to the visible area is turned off, and the light source corresponding to each area other than the visible area is turned on. Further, when the entire display object 8 is to be visible to the observer P, the control circuit 7 turns off all of the plurality of first light sources 3-1 to 3-n. Further, when the entire display object 8 is to be hidden from the observer P, the control circuit 7 turns on all of the plurality of first light sources 3-1 to 3-n. According to the light source control information sequentially received from other devices, the control circuit 7 controls the combination of light sources among the plurality of first light sources 3-1 to 3-n, that is, the display object 8 is visible to the observer P. You may change the combination of the area|region which makes it disappear one by one.

Further, when the control circuit 7 wishes to illuminate the display object 8 through any one of the regions 22-1 to 22-m provided on the light guide plate 2, the plurality of second light sources 4- The light source corresponding to the area for illuminating the display object 8 among 1 to 4-m is turned on, and the light source corresponding to each other area is turned off. Also, when illuminating the entire display object 8, the control circuit 7 turns on all of the plurality of second light sources 4-1 to 4-m. Furthermore, when the display object 8 is not to be illuminated, the control circuit 7 extinguishes all of the plurality of second light sources 4-1 to 4-m.

When the control circuit 7 turns on any one of the plurality of first light sources 3-1 to 3-n to make at least part of the display object 8 invisible, the plurality of second light sources 3-1 to 3-n is turned on. It is preferable to turn off all of 4-1 to 4-m so that the display object 8 is not illuminated. However, the control circuit 7 turns on any of the plurality of second light sources 4-1 to 4-m while turning on any of the plurality of first light sources 3-1 to 3-n. may In this case, the shutter device 1 makes the area corresponding to the lit light source among the plurality of first light sources 3-1 to 3-n appear to shine, and in the area that appears to shine, the observer P The display object 8 can be made faintly visible. Therefore, the control circuit 7 variously changes the combination of light sources to be lit among the plurality of first light sources 3-1 to 3-n and the plurality of second light sources 4-1 to 4-m, Various visual effects can be produced.

The display object 8 is arranged on the back side of the light guide plate 2, and when the plurality of first light sources 3-1 to 3-n are all turned off, the viewer P can see the entire display object 8 through the light guide plate 2. can be visually recognized. Further, when any one of the plurality of second light sources 4-1 to 4-m is turned on, the display object 8 is illuminated by the light from the turned-on light source through the light guide plate 2. makes it easier to visually recognize the display object 8. The display object 8 may be a stationary object such as a fixed accessory provided in the game machine, or may be an object partially movable. Furthermore, the display object 8 may be an object, such as a liquid crystal display, that can change the displayed content.

Details of the light guide plate 2 will be described below.

FIG. 3 is a schematic front view of the light guide plate 2. FIG. 4 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of the light guide plate 2 taken along the line indicated by arrow AA' in FIG. Furthermore, FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of the light guide plate 2 taken along the line indicated by arrow BB' in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, one side surface of the light guide plate 2 is formed as a first incident surface 2c facing the plurality of first light sources 3-1 to 3-n. Furthermore, the other one of the side surfaces of the light guide plate 2 adjacent to the first incident surface 2c is formed as a second incident surface 2d facing the plurality of second light sources 4-1 to 4-m. . In this manner, the first incident surface 2c and the second incident surface 2d are provided on different side surfaces of the light guide plate 2, so that light emitted from the plurality of first light sources 3-1 to 3-n is emitted from the light guide plate 2. is reflected by the second prism and emitted from the rear surface 2 b of the light guide plate 2 to illuminate the display object 8 . Further, the light emitted from the plurality of second light sources 4-1 to 4-m and incident on the inside of the light guide plate 2 is reflected by the first prism and emitted from the front surface 2a of the light guide plate 2 to form the display object 8. Obstruction of visibility is suppressed.

As described above, the light emitted from each of the plurality of first light sources 3-1 to 3-n passes through the collimating lenses 5-1 to 5-n from the first incident surface 2c to the inside of the light guide plate 2. incident on The light from each of the plurality of first light sources 3-1 to 3-n propagated inside the light guide plate 2, among the plurality of first prisms 11 formed on the back surface 2b of the light guide plate 2, After being totally reflected by each prism 11 arranged in the area corresponding to the light source, the light is emitted from the front surface 2a of the light guide plate 2 toward the observer P. FIG. For example, the light emitted from the light source 3-1, collimated by the collimating lens 5-1, and incident on the light guide plate 2 through the first incident surface 2c, is totally absorbed by the prisms 11 provided in the region 21-1. The light is reflected and emitted toward the observer P from the front surface 2 a of the light guide plate 2 .

Light emitted from each of the plurality of second light sources 4-1 to 4-m enters the light guide plate 2 through the second incident surface 2d through the collimating lenses 6-1 to 6-m. . Then, light from each of the plurality of second light sources 4-1 to 4-m propagated inside the light guide plate 2, out of the plurality of second prisms 12 formed on the front surface 2a of the light guide plate 2, After being totally reflected by each prism 12 arranged in the area corresponding to the light source, the light is emitted from the rear surface 2 b of the light guide plate 2 toward the display object 8 . For example, the light emitted from the light source 4-1, collimated by the collimating lens 6-1, and incident on the light guide plate 2 through the second incident surface 2d, is totally absorbed by the prisms 12 provided in the region 22-1. The light is reflected and emitted from the rear surface 2 b of the light guide plate 2 toward the display object 8 .

Each of the plurality of first prisms 11 is formed, for example, as a substantially triangular groove having a predetermined length and a predetermined depth on the rear surface 2b. Each of the plurality of first prisms 11 has a reflecting surface forming a predetermined angle with respect to the back surface 2b. The predetermined angle is set so that the light from the corresponding light source that has entered the light guide plate 2 is totally reflected and directed toward the front surface 2a, for example, 40° to 50° with respect to the rear surface 2b. be. Further, the predetermined length is such that a plurality of prisms can be arranged in each of the regions 21-1 to 21-n and the observer P cannot identify the individual prisms 11. For example, about 100 μm to several mm. is set to Further, the predetermined depth is also set to a length such that the individual prisms 11 cannot be identified by the observer P, for example, several tens of micrometers to several hundreds of micrometers.

For each of the regions 21-1 to 21-n, the plurality of first prisms 11 are arranged in, for example, a grid pattern or a staggered pattern. Furthermore, each of the plurality of first prisms 11 is formed such that the reflecting surface faces the first incident surface 2c. Therefore, since each prism 11 reflects the light emitted from the corresponding first light source and propagating in the light guide plate 2 toward the front side, any one of the plurality of first light sources 3-1 to 3-n is reflected. is lit, the observer P sees that the area corresponding to the lit light source among the areas 21-1 to 21-n is shining. As a result, the shutter device 1 can make the display object 8 located on the back side of the light guide plate 2 invisible through the area corresponding to the lit light source.

Similarly, each of the plurality of second prisms 12 is formed, for example, as a substantially triangular groove having a predetermined length and a predetermined depth on the front surface 2a. Each of the plurality of second prisms 12 has a reflecting surface forming a predetermined angle with respect to the front surface 2a. The predetermined angle is set so that the light from the corresponding light source that is incident on the light guide plate 2 is totally reflected and directed toward the rear surface 2b, for example, 40° to 50° with respect to the front surface 2a. be. The predetermined length is such that a plurality of prisms can be arranged in each of the regions 22-1 to 22-m and the observer P cannot identify the individual prisms 12. For example, about 100 μm to several mm. is set to Furthermore, the predetermined depth is also set to a length such that the individual prisms 12 cannot be identified by the observer P, for example, several tens of micrometers to several hundreds of micrometers.

For each of the regions 22-1 to 22-m, the plurality of second prisms 12 are arranged, for example, in a grid pattern or in a zigzag pattern. Furthermore, each of the plurality of second prisms 12 is formed such that the reflecting surface faces the second incident surface 2d. Therefore, each prism 12 reflects the light emitted from the corresponding second light source and propagating through the light guide plate 2 toward the back side, so that any one of the plurality of second light sources 4-1 to 4-m is lit, the display object 8 is illuminated by the light from the lit light source through the area corresponding to the lit light source among the areas 22-1 to 22-m. As a result, the shutter device 1 can make it easier for the observer P to visually recognize the display object 8 located on the back side of the light guide plate 2 .

According to the modification, each of the plurality of first prisms 11 has its reflecting surface with respect to the first light source corresponding to the region in which the prism 11 is arranged, among the regions 21-1 to 21-n. They may be arranged so as to face each other. That is, the individual prisms 11 may be arranged concentrically around the first light source corresponding to the area where the prisms 11 are arranged. For example, the individual prisms 11 provided within the region 21-1 are arranged concentrically around the light source 3-1. As a result, for each of the regions 21-1 to 21-n, the light emitted from the light sources corresponding to the other regions and propagating through the light guide plate 2 is directed to the reflecting surfaces of the individual prisms 11 arranged in that region. The angle of incidence increases. Therefore, the light emitted from the first light source corresponding to the other area is reflected by the prism 11 and emitted from the front surface 2a to the outside of the light guide plate 2 with a large emission angle, and does not go to the observer P. Therefore, when the first light source corresponding to the specific region is turned on so that the display object 8 cannot be visually recognized in the specific region, the display object 8 cannot be visually recognized in regions other than the specific region. is prevented. In this case, the collimator lenses 5-1 to 5-n may be omitted.

Similarly, each of the plurality of second prisms 12 is arranged such that its reflecting surface faces the second light source corresponding to the region in which the prism 12 is arranged, among the regions 22-1 to 22-m. may be placed in That is, the individual prisms 12 may be arranged concentrically around the second light source corresponding to the area where the prisms 12 are arranged. In this case, the collimator lenses 6-1 to 6-m may be omitted.

It should be noted that the size of each prism and the thickness of the light guide plate 2 are exaggerated in FIGS.

Regarding the regions 21-1 to 21-n of the light guide plate 2, the arrangement density of the first prisms 11 and the second prisms 12 with respect to the entire region is as follows when the first light source corresponding to the region is turned off. It is preferably set so that the observer P can feel as if he/she is viewing the display object 8 located on the back side of the light guide plate 2 through a transparent member or through an empty space. For example, the haze value representing the ratio of the diffused light to the total transmitted light in the light guide plate 2 is the haze value that is felt when the display object 8 is viewed through a transparent member or through an empty space. It is preferable that the arrangement density of the first prisms 11 and the second prisms 12 in each region is determined so as to be equal to or less than the upper limit of the value. On the other hand, the lower the arrangement density of the first prisms 11 themselves, the lower the utilization efficiency of the light from each of the first light sources. Therefore, if the arrangement density of the first prisms 11 is too low, the observer P can visually recognize the display object 8 through the light guide plate 2 even if each light source is turned on, which is not preferable. Therefore, it is preferable that the arrangement density of the first prisms 11 is closer to the above upper limit of the haze value. For example, under predetermined conditions, when the arrangement density of the first prisms 11 and the second prisms 12 corresponding to the upper limit of the haze value of 28% is 30%, the arrangement density of the prisms 11 is, for example, It is preferably set between 20% and 25%.

As explained above, this shutter device has a light guide plate arranged between the viewer and the display object. A plurality of first prisms are arranged on the back surface of the light guide plate. Light emitted from any one of the first light sources and entering the light guide plate is reflected by the prisms toward the front side, thereby forming an area in which the prisms corresponding to the lit first light sources are arranged. It looks shiny. As a result, visibility of the display object arranged on the back side of the light guide plate is hindered. On the other hand, when the first light source is turned off, the observer can visually recognize the display object through the light guide plate. Furthermore, a plurality of second prisms are also arranged in front of the light guide plate. Light emitted from any one of the second light sources and entering the light guide plate is reflected by the prisms toward the rear side, thereby illuminating the display object. In this manner, this shutter device can switch whether or not the display object is visible with a simple configuration.

According to a modification, the entire light guide plate 2 may be one area and the number of first light sources may be one. By switching the first light source between off and on, the shutter device can switch between making the display object 8 visible through the entire light guide plate 2 and making the display object 8 invisible. Similarly, the number of second light sources may be one. The shutter device can switch whether to illuminate the display object 8 via the light guide plate 2 by switching the second light source between on and off.

According to another variant, in the individual regions 21-1 to 21-n of the light guide plate 2, the individual first prisms 11 may be arranged along a specific pattern. In this case, the shutter device 1 makes the shape of the region obstructing the visual recognition of the display object 8 a shape corresponding to the pattern in which the prisms 11 are arranged in the region in which the corresponding first light source is lit. can be done.

According to yet another modification, each of the plurality of second light sources 4-1 to 4-m may have a plurality of light emitting elements with different emission colors. The control circuit 7 can switch the color of the light that illuminates the display object 8 by switching the light source to be lit among the plurality of second light sources 4-1 to 4-m.

The shutter device according to the above embodiment or modification may be installed in a game machine such as a pinball game machine or a reel game machine.
FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of the pinball game machine having the shutter device according to the above-described embodiment or modification, viewed from the player side. As shown in FIG. 6, the pinball game machine 100 is provided in most of the area from the upper part to the central part, and includes a game board 101 which is the main body of the game machine and a ball receiving part arranged below the game board 101. 102, an operation unit 103 having a handle, a liquid crystal display 104 provided on the side facing the player in the approximate center of the game board 101, and a shutter device 105 arranged in front of the liquid crystal display 104. .

In addition, the pinball game machine 100 has an accessory 106 arranged below the game board 101 or around the shutter device 105 on the front surface of the game board 101 for game presentation. A rail 107 is arranged on the side of the game board 101 . A large number of obstacle nails (not shown) and at least one winning device 108 are provided on the game board 101 .

The operation unit 103 shoots a game ball with a predetermined force from a shooting device (not shown) according to the amount of rotation of the handle by the player's operation. The shot game ball moves upward along the rail 107 and falls between many obstacle nails. When a sensor (not shown) detects that a game ball has entered one of the winning devices 108, a main control circuit (not shown) provided on the back of the game board 101 detects that the game ball has entered the winning device 108. A predetermined number of game balls are put out to the ball receiver 102 through a ball put-out device (not shown). Further, the main control circuit drives the liquid crystal display 104 and the shutter device 105 via a performance CPU (not shown) provided on the back of the game board 101 . The performance CPU is an example of a performance control device, and outputs a control signal including light source control information according to the game state to the shutter device 105 .

The shutter device 105 is an example of the shutter device according to the above-described embodiment or modification. It is attached to the game board 101 on the front side, that is, on the player side. The control circuit of the shutter device 105 switches between lighting and extinguishing of the first light source and the second light source according to the light source control information included in the control signal from the performance CPU, so that the player can control the shutter device 105. The visibility of the image displayed on the liquid crystal display 104 provided on the back side and the presence or absence of lighting for the liquid crystal display 104 are switched. Note that the liquid crystal display 104 is an example of a display object.

Thus, a person skilled in the art can make various modifications within the scope of the present invention according to the embodiment.

1 shutter device 2 light guide plate 2a front surface 2b rear surface 2c first incident surface 2d second incident surface 3-1 to 3-n first light source 4-1 to 4-m second light source 5-1 to 5- n, 6-1 to 6-m collimating lens 11 first prism 12 second prism 21-1 to 21-n, 22-1 to 22-m area 7 control circuit 100 pinball game machine 101 game board 102 ball Receiving part 103 Operation part 104 Liquid crystal display (display object)
105 shutter device 106 accessory 107 rail 108 winning device

Claims (3)

a first light source;
a second light source;
a light guide plate disposed on the front side of a display object, formed of a transparent member, and having a first incident surface facing the first light source and a second incident surface facing the second light source; ,
a control unit that controls lighting or extinguishing of the first light source and the second light source;
has
The light guide plate is
a plurality of first prisms on the back surface of the light guide plate that reflect light emitted from the first light source and incident on the light guide plate through the first incident surface so that the light is emitted from the front surface of the light guide plate; ,
A plurality of second light guide plates that reflect light emitted from the second light source and incident on the light guide plate through the second incident surface on the front surface of the light guide plate so as to be emitted from the back surface of the light guide plate. a prism;
shutter device. Luminance at the front surface of the light guide plate due to light emitted from the first light source, reflected by the plurality of first prisms, and emitted from the front surface of the light guide plate is reduced when the second light source is turned off. In the case where the first 2. The shutter device according to claim 1, wherein the luminous intensity of light emitted from the light source and the arrangement density of the plurality of first prisms are set. a gaming machine body;
a display object provided on the side facing the player of the gaming machine main body;
a shutter device arranged closer to the player than the display object;
a performance control device that outputs a control signal corresponding to the state of the game to the shutter device;
The shutter device
a first light source;
a second light source;
It is arranged closer to the player than the display object, is made of a transparent member, and has a first incident surface facing the first light source and a second incident surface facing the second light source. a light guide plate;
A control unit that controls lighting or extinguishing of the first light source and the second light source according to the control signal received from the production control device;
has
The light guide plate is
On the display object side surface of the light guide plate, the light emitted from the first light source and entering the light guide plate through the first incident surface is emitted from the player side surface of the light guide plate. a plurality of reflective first prisms;
On the player side surface of the light guide plate, the light emitted from the second light source and incident on the light guide plate through the second incident surface is directed to the display object side surface of the light guide plate. and a plurality of second prisms that reflect to emit from
game machine.

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