JP2608862B2 - Liquid crystal display of gaming machine - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device which can be used for a game machine such as a pachinko machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As is well known, a game machine such as a pachinko machine is provided with various display devices. For example, when a plurality of types of symbols are variably displayed and a predetermined symbol appears, There is a variable symbol display device capable of shifting to a special state in which a player can advantageously advance a game. This variable symbol display device is roughly classified into an electric variable symbol display device such as a liquid crystal display or an LED, or a rotating disk or a driving device such as a drum type display device for rotating a drum having a plurality of types of symbols drawn on an outer peripheral surface. It is composed of mechanical variable symbol display means including a source and the like. As the electric variable symbol display means, a plurality of so-called digital displays for displaying numbers by a combination of seven LED segments for visually displaying a plurality of digits are provided. There are known ones that display patterns such as numbers and characters by arranging them, and ones that display electrodes such as numbers and characters by arranging electrodes so that the density can be changed in dot units in a liquid crystal module.

[0003]

However, each of the above-mentioned conventional electric variable symbol display means has a thickness dimension not less than a predetermined value. For this reason, it is difficult to use the display surface with a curved surface. Therefore, unlike a rotary drum type variable symbol display means, the display position of the symbol does not change so as to actually approach or separate from the player, so that the display gives the player a three-dimensional feeling or perspective. It is difficult at present, and the interest of the game has not improved much. The present invention has been proposed in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal display device of a gaming machine that can give a stereoscopic effect or perspective to a display on the liquid crystal display device.

[0004]

According to the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, a window portion is formed in a substrate to be mounted on a game board, a transparent cover body having a curved surface is provided in the window portion, and a back surface of the cover body is provided. Has a plurality of transparent films between flexible and translucent films.
A liquid crystal display having bright electrodes arranged in a matrix is fixed along the curved surface, light irradiating means for irradiating the liquid crystal display with light is provided at the rear, and driving means for driving the liquid crystal display is provided. , The driving means selects the electrode to which the voltage is applied
So that symbols are scroll-displayed on the liquid crystal display.
It was made .

[0005]

According to the present invention, a plurality of transparent electrodes are provided between a film having flexibility and translucency and a liquid crystal is sealed in a liquid crystal display. The liquid crystal display is stopped along a curved transparent cover provided in a window. At the same time as wearing , symbols are scrolled by driving means
Since the way, a scrollable display on a curved surface, together provide a stereoscopic effect or perspective to the display
Can provide dynamic visual effects .

[0006]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine 10 provided with a liquid crystal display device 1 according to the present invention, and FIGS.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the method.

In the liquid crystal display device 1, a plurality of pairs of transparent electrodes 3, 3 are provided in a matrix between a pair of synthetic resin films 2, 2 having flexibility and translucency. For example, a liquid crystal display 5 is formed by enclosing a nematic liquid crystal 4 as a liquid crystal in 3, and a flexible conductive material 6, for example, a flat cable is connected to each of the transparent electrodes 3, and a first conductive material 6 is attached to the tip of the conductive material 6. The connector part 7a is formed.
Then, the liquid crystal display 5 is fixed to a substrate 8 for protecting and attaching to the game machine, and the first connector 7a of the conductive material 6 is connected to the second connector 7b provided on the substrate 8. It is preferable that a driving substrate 9 having driving means for driving and displaying the liquid crystal display body 5 is fixed to the substrate 8, and the second connector portion 7 b is provided on the driving substrate 9.

Next, an example in which the liquid crystal display device 1 according to the present invention is applied to a variable display device 11 of a pachinko machine 10 will be described.

In the pachinko machine 10, when a hit ball fired by a player enters a starting port 13 provided in the game section 12,
The variable display device 11 starts the conversion display of the symbol based on the detection signal of the starting port switch 14 facing the starting port 13, and drives the variable winning device 15 according to the combination mode of the symbol that is stopped and displayed after a predetermined time has elapsed. The variable solenoid device 16 is excited to excite the variable winning device 15 from a first state disadvantageous to the player to a second state favorable to the player.

Therefore, the liquid crystal display device 1 has a substrate 8 to be mounted on a game board. The substrate 8 has a flange 18 around a window 17 and an eave 19 on the upper edge of the window 17. It is protruding. A transparent cover 20 having, for example, a curved arc-shaped curved surface is fitted into the window 17, and the liquid crystal display 5 is attached to the back of the cover 20.
And the reflection case 21 whose inner surface is plated is exposed to the rear of the liquid crystal display 5. The reflection case 21 is provided with an illuminating means 22 such as a lamp as a light irradiating means for irradiating the liquid crystal display 5 with light. The liquid crystal display 5 may be provided with a projection 5 'for positioning. Then, on the rear side of the reflection case 21, a drive board 9 constituting the drive means is provided.

The driving means forms a part of the electric control means shown in the block diagram of FIG. 7, for example, and has a liquid crystal drive circuit 23 formed therein. The electric control means controls the entire pachinko machine centering on the CPU 24, and functions according to a program stored in the ROM 25. That is, when the starting port switch 14 is turned on, the CPU 24 starts the variable display on the variable display device 11 via the starting port switch circuit 26, determines the combination of the stop symbols, and if the prize mode is formed, the CPU 24 changes. The driving solenoid 16 of the winning device 15 is excited via a solenoid driving circuit 27, and if a continuation switch 28 provided in the variable prize device 15 is turned on, a second advantageous switch for the player is provided via a continuation switch circuit 29. The driving solenoid 16 is continuously driven so as to continue the two states, or a prize ball discharging device (not shown) is driven to discharge a prize ball corresponding to a winning ball, and controls the entire pachinko machine. is there.

The electric control means controls the liquid crystal display device 1 in accordance with a pachinko game. That is,
Through the input / output device 30, the decoder converts the graphic data stored in the ROM 25 into a decode signal, and the latch circuit 32 selects the vertical and horizontal display digits of the liquid crystal display 5 according to the decode signal. Drive circuit 23
Is applied between the electrodes 3 of the liquid crystal display body 5 via. Note that, at this time, the electrodes 3 may be marked in a cycle in which the afterimage phenomenon occurs in the eyes of the player, instead of marking all the times.
Then, the liquid crystal between the applied electrodes 3 changes its molecular arrangement, for example, the molecular arrangement is disturbed and the light is scattered, so that a light-shielding property occurs, and the player eventually sees the shade of the liquid crystal. Therefore, by appropriately selecting and controlling the vertical and horizontal display digits, a desired symbol can be visually displayed. If the transparent electrode 3 to be marked is sequentially shifted vertically or horizontally for a predetermined time, scroll display can be performed vertically or horizontally. Note that the liquid crystal display 5 in this embodiment is a dot matrix of 30 × 30 in length and width, and can display a set of symbols by 10 dots in width and scrollable in the vertical direction. In FIG. 7, reference numeral 33 denotes a lamp drive circuit for driving a lamp as the illumination means 22.

According to the liquid crystal display device 1 as described above, since the thin film liquid crystal display 5 is used, the variable display device 1 is used.
1 can be made thin and lightweight, and can be controlled in the same manner as a conventional dot matrix display device using LEDs or the like. Also, by changing the light color of the backlight, it is possible to create an atmosphere of color display. Further, since the thin-film liquid crystal display 5 is fixed to the substrate 8 in a curved surface, the display is performed on the curved surface, and a three-dimensional appearance or a three-dimensional effect is obtained as if a pattern drawn on a rotating drum in a mechanical display device. Perspective and dynamic visual effects
Crawl display becomes possible. Moreover, since the liquid crystal display device 1 has no mechanically movable parts, no adjustment is required, there is no risk of failure, it can be provided at a low cost, and the weight does not increase even when the size is increased.

FIG. 8 shows another game board. This game board has a specific winning opening 34 on the side of the variable display device 11, and a ball detector 35 faces the fixed winning opening 34. On the side of the variable prize device 15, there is a movable prize tool that can be converted into a state advantageous to the player and a state disadvantageous to the player, for example, a so-called electric chilip 3.
6 is arranged. This electric tulip 36 has a structure as shown in FIGS. That is, the mounting board 37
A swing member 40 connected to a solenoid 39 as a driving source is locked to a pair of movable wings 38 pivotally attached to the movable blade 38, and the movable wing 38 is opened and closed by excitation of the solenoid 39. It is to let. The electric tulip 36 is provided with a ball detector 42, which is electrically connected to an electric control means.

When the solenoid 39 is in a demagnetized state, the electric tulip 36 is disadvantageous to a player who cannot enter the inlet 41 by aligning the tips of the movable wing pieces 38 and excites the solenoid 39. Sometimes movable wings 38
Of the movable wing piece 38 can be passed through the tip of the movable wing piece 38 when the solenoid 39 is demagnetized. When the solenoid 39 is excited, the movable blade piece 38 may be opened further. In addition, the movable prize tool provided on the game board is not limited to a so-called electric tulip, and may have any configuration as long as it can be converted into a state disadvantageous to a player and an advantageous state.

The game in the pachinko machine 10 having the game board having the above-described configuration is such that, in addition to the above-described game, when a hit ball shot by the player enters the specific winning opening 34 and the ball detector 35 is turned on. This detection signal is sent to the electric control means via the specific winning opening switch circuit 43. Upon receiving this detection signal, the electrical control unit excites the solenoid 39 for a predetermined time, for example, 6 seconds, via the tulip solenoid drive circuit 44. Therefore, when a hit ball wins in the specific winning opening 34, the electric tulip 36 is opened for 6 seconds to be in an advantageous state for the player.

By arranging the special winning opening 34 and the electric tulip 36 on the game board as described above, the playability of the pachinko machine can be further increased, and the interest of the pachinko game can be remarkably improved.

Further, a symbol display device 45 comprising, for example, a liquid crystal display having electrodes arranged in segments or a 7-segment light-emitting diode may be provided on the above-mentioned game board. In the gaming board provided with the symbol display device 45, for example, when a hit ball wins in the specific winning opening 34,
The movable winning tool (the electric tulip 36) may be released for a predetermined time based on the symbol displayed by the symbol display device 4 or the combination of the symbols.

Alternatively, when a hit ball flows into the above-mentioned variable winning device 15 and this ball operates the continuation switch 28 facing the variable winning device 15, a symbol displayed by the symbol display device 45, or The electric tulip 36 may be released for a predetermined time based on the combination of the symbols.

In any case, it is possible to increase the playability of the pachinko game, and to provide a pachinko machine which is rich in interest and which is not tired by the player.

As described above, the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiment shown in the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately implemented without changing the configuration described in the claims. For example, by arranging the electrodes of a liquid crystal display in a segment shape or an appropriate shape, applying this liquid crystal display to a symbol display device, various numerical information during a game,
That is, digital display of 10 counts and continuation times,
Alternatively, it is also possible to obtain a novel display and decoration effect that has not been provided conventionally by arranging it as a decorative member on a game board. Further, the present invention can be applied not only to a pachinko machine but also to a slot machine as a gaming machine.

[0022]

In summary, according to the present invention, a window is formed in a substrate to be mounted on a game board, a transparent cover having a curved surface is provided in the window, and a flexible and transparent light is provided on the back of the cover. Sex
Multiple transparent electrodes are arranged in a matrix between
The liquid crystal display is fixed along the curved surface, light irradiating means for irradiating the liquid crystal display with light is provided at the rear , and driving means for driving the liquid crystal display is provided .
By selecting the electrode to be applied,
Since the pattern is scrolled , it is possible to scroll the pattern on a curved surface, giving the display a three-dimensional effect or perspective, and a dynamic visual effect.
This can provide a novel display means that has not existed conventionally. Further, the display means in the gaming machine can be configured to be thin and lightweight, and since there is no mechanically movable part, no trouble is required for assembly adjustment and the durability is good. Further, the liquid crystal display device of the present invention can be widely applied not only to a variable display device but also to other game means in a game machine or various display means, and has a very high practical value.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a pachinko machine.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a liquid crystal display.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the liquid crystal display device.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the liquid crystal display device.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the liquid crystal display device.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a liquid crystal display.

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of an electric control unit.

FIG. 8 is a front view of another example of the game board.

FIG. 9 is a front view of an electric tulip as a movable winning tool.

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of the electric tulip.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 liquid crystal display device 2 film 3 electrode 4 liquid crystal 5 liquid crystal display 8 substrate 17 window 20 cover body 22 lighting means

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A window portion is formed on a substrate to be mounted on a game board, a curved transparent cover body is provided on the window portion, and a flexible and translucent film is provided on a back surface of the cover body. Duplicate
A liquid crystal display having a number of transparent electrodes provided in a matrix is fixed along the curved surface, and light irradiating means for irradiating the liquid crystal display with light is provided at the rear, and driving means for driving the liquid crystal display is provided. And the driving means selects an electrode to which a voltage is applied.
To scroll the pattern on the liquid crystal display.
The liquid crystal display device of the gaming machine, characterized in that the so that.