JP3411798B2 - Bowling alley display - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a bowling alley display device for displaying a bowler or an audience in a bowling alley.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in bowling alleys, an automatic bowling scoring device for automatically performing scoring is installed, and as a display device thereof, a relatively large overhead CRT is provided in the ceiling part in front of the runner, and a console A small CRT is provided in the housing. In addition to the score display, some of these CRTs also have a function of displaying an image from a pin camera that captures the pin arrangement position and displaying a bowler's pitching form.

[0003]

However, such a conventional display device in a bowling alley is displayed mainly for other bowlers that are in front of the approaching section, that is, waiting for the pitching order. However, such a display device could not give a message to a bowler standing in the run-up area. So, for example, after seeing how a pin fell after a bowler pitched, go back behind the overhead CRT or console (overhead CRT or visible position of the CRT in the console) and change the score display. Check
For example, when I took a strike, I just saw the admiration display. In addition, by throwing, it is possible to display a game other than a predetermined bowling game on the CRT and to provide some service depending on the result, but the display content of the game is also the console. It could be confirmed only from the visible position on the display screen of the internal CRT or overhead CRT.

In addition, for example, when a strike is taken by a pitch or depending on the situation of the above-mentioned game, some praise display is displayed on the CRT or overhead CR in the console.
Since it was only displayed on T, it lacked power.

Further, in a conventional display device in a bowling alley, a console is provided for every two consecutive lanes, but since a display screen is provided for each lane individually, a message requiring a large display area is displayed. It was impossible to display. Therefore, it was not possible to give a message with a large amount of information and high visibility to a spectator in a passage behind the bench or a bowler who is about to start the game.

An object of the present invention is to provide a bowling alley display device capable of displaying a bowling game and other games even for a bowler standing on the runway.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a display device for a bowling alley capable of displaying a powerful display of a bowling game and other games using a vast range.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a bowling alley display device capable of giving a message having a large amount of information and high visibility to a spectator, a bowler or the like in a passage behind the bench. To provide.

[0009]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a plurality of display devices each having a wall surface (masking) as a display surface, which covers the pinsetter above the lane of a bowling alley. Further, as described in claim 1, display control means for controlling the display of the display content on each display surface of these display devices based on a predetermined state is provided. According to this configuration, the wall surface that covers the pinsetter becomes the display surface of the display device,
For example, it will be possible to display a highly evocative image to everyone in the bowling alley, such as a bowler on the runway or an audience in the passage between the console and the front.

[0010] The display control means, the detection result of the focus state after the throw balls, bowling game score count result of, or the focus state detection result or state of the game other than the bowling game to be advanced on the basis of the score count result Control based on.

The above display device is provided, for example, in units of two lanes (every two lanes), and the display based on a predetermined state in each of the two lanes is divided and displayed on the display surface of the display device. May be. In this case, it suffices to provide a display device for each two lanes, and it is sufficient to provide only half the number of lanes.

[0012]

[0013] As the display device, the wall that covers the pin Nsetta as a transmission type screen, if to perform projection display from pinsetter side with respect to the screen, is simple structure of the wall covering the pin setter, moreover pinsetter upper The space of can be used effectively.

[0014]

[0015]

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The structure of a display device for bowling alleys according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a view showing the entire structure of the bowling alley, and FIG. 1 is a view of the whole bowling alley viewed from the front of the console. 2 in front in the figure
A console 10 is provided for each lane, a masking display 1 is provided on a wall surface (masking) portion of a distant pinsetter machine, and ceiling displays 2 are arranged from above the masking display 1 to the ceiling. The masking display 1 corresponds to the display device according to the present invention, and the ceiling display 2 corresponds to the light emitter according to the present invention. In this example, an overhead CRT 8 similar to the conventional one is also provided on the ceiling above each console.

FIG. 2 is a view as seen from the side of the lane. The pinsetter 3 is provided with a pin camera 5 for picking up images of the pins 4 and a pitching form camera 7 for picking up the bowling form of the bowler. ing. A CRT type or liquid crystal type projector 1b is attached at an intermediate position between the pinsetters of two adjacent lanes, and the masking support 9 is provided with a masking display screen 1a which also serves as a wall surface which covers the pinsetter 3.
The projector 1b and the screen 1a constitute a projection type masking display 1. As will be described later, if a panel display such as a color PDP (plasma display panel), a liquid crystal display panel having a backlight or a sidelight, or an LED display panel is used as the masking display, the projector 1b is not necessary. Ceiling displays 2 such as LEDs and lamps are continuously arranged from above the masking display 1 to the ceiling, as will be described later. Further, a first ball passage sensor 6a is provided in the middle of the lane, and a second ball passage sensor 6b is provided in front of the pin arrangement position. A foul sensor 28 is provided between the approach lane and the lane, and a bowler sensor 27 for detecting that the bowler is standing on the approach lane is provided at the ball return.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the relationship with a console, a masking display, a ceiling display and the like. In the figure, 10a, 10b, ... 10n
Are consoles respectively, and these consoles,
A front management device 40 provided in the front and an office unit 41 provided in an office are connected via a LAN cable 42 as a local area network such as Ethernet. In addition, the front management device 4
0 and each of the consoles 10a, 10b, ..., 10n are connected via a sync signal cable 43. A ceiling display 2 for 2 lanes, a masking display 1 for 2 lanes, a pin camera 5 for 2 lanes, and a pitching foam camera 7 for 2 lanes are connected to each console. In this example, a masking display is provided for every two lanes, but one for each lane.
A masking display may be provided for each. Each console inputs / outputs these signals and displays a masking display and a ceiling display, which will be described later.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the structure of the console. Here, the CPU 11, the ROM 12, the RAM 13,
The LAN interface 14, the synchronization signal input interface 15, the printer interface 33, and the printer 32 are shared for two lanes, and other blocks are provided for two lanes, but they are shown only for one lane in the figure. . The CPU 11 executes a program written in advance in the ROM 12 to control score processing described later, display on the masking display, display on the ceiling display, and the like. The RAM 13 is used as a working area at that time. The RAM 13 also stores a moving image file, which will be described later. The LAN interface 14 controls data transmission with the local area network. The synchronization signal input interface 15 inputs a signal output from the front management device in order to synchronize the moving image reproduction timings of a plurality of masking displays. The ceiling display interface 16 drives the ceiling display and controls the light emission pattern based on the light emission pattern data supplied from the CPU 11. The image processing circuit 17 inputs the video signal picked up by the pin camera 5, performs predetermined image processing,
Binary image data for facilitating detection of the upright pin and the fall pin is generated. The CPU 11 reads the binarized image data and detects the upright / falling state of the pin. The display interface 19 is a circuit for displaying a score, a game screen, etc., and includes a display memory and a circuit for generating a display signal from the contents of the display memory. The overhead CRT 8 and the console CRT 18 perform display based on the video signal output from the display interface 19. The video / audio reproduction circuit 20 is an MPEG (Moving Pi).
Receiving the data of a video file in a format (standardized by the cture Experts Group) (a file that contains audio data as well as video data, but is simply referred to as "video file" below) and plays back video and audio signals . Reference numeral 24 is a switch circuit for the video signal, which corresponds to the control signal output from the I / O port 23.
A video signal from the pitching foam camera 7, the display interface 19, or the video / audio reproduction circuit 20 is selected and guided to the video signal synthesis circuit 25. The video signal synthesizing circuit 25 is provided to use one masking display 1 for two lanes, and synthesizes with one video signal of the other lane which is handled by this console. Display the video for 2 lanes. When a masking display is provided for each lane, this video signal synthesizing circuit 25 is unnecessary and the output of the switch circuit 24 may be directly applied to the masking display. As will be described later, when it is detected that the bowler is standing on the approach road, the image pickup signal of the pitching foam camera 7 is selected by switching the switch circuit 24. As a result, the pitching form of the bowler who is about to pitch is displayed on the masking display. At that time, if the pitching foam camera 7 is arranged to generate a video signal in which the horizontal scanning direction of the raster scan is horizontally reversed, the masking display 1 displays a horizontally reversed image just as when looking at the mirror. Will be done. After that, when a ball is thrown and the ball passes the first ball passage sensor, if a video signal from the pin camera 5 is selected, a pin action (a pin falling image) is displayed on the masking display 1 in real time. Further, when displaying a score or the like, the output signal of the display interface 19 is selected, and when reproducing a moving image, the signal from the moving image / audio reproducing circuit 20 is selected. 21 is an amplifier for audio signals,
The audio signal reproduced by the moving image / audio reproduction circuit 20 is amplified to drive the speaker 22. Sound reproduction circuit 26
Receives, for example, data of a MIDI data file or a waveform data file and reproduces a tone signal. Amplifier 2
1 amplifies this and drives the speaker 22. The sound reproduction circuit 26 is used to play music or voice (voice sound) as a background at the same time when an animation or a still image is displayed using the display interface 19 without using the moving image / audio reproduction circuit 20. The bowler sensor 27, the foul sensor 28, the first ball passage sensor 6a, and the second ball passage sensor 6b are connected to the I / O port 29, and the CPU 11 detects the detection states of these sensors via the I / O port 29. To read. The key interface 31 reads the key operation content of the keyboard 30. The CPU 11 performs processing according to key operation contents via the key interface 31. The printer interface 33 drives the printer 32 based on the print signal given from the CPU 11 to print a score sheet or the like.

FIG. 5 shows the moving picture / audio reproducing circuit 2 shown in FIG.
It is a block diagram which shows the structure of 0. In (A), the bus interface 51 interfaces this video / audio reproduction circuit with the system bus of the console. The demultiplexer 52 separates the MPEG system stream supplied from the bus interface 51 into an MPEG video stream and an MPEG audio stream,
It is given to the MPEG video decoder 54 and the audio decoder 53, respectively. The MPEG video decoder 54 uses the RAM 55 as a working area and decodes image data. The frame buffer 56 temporarily stores image data for one screen, and the video D / A converter 57 generates this as an analog video signal. Audio decoder 5
3 decodes the supplied MPEG audio stream and outputs a voice signal. FIG. 5B is a functional block diagram of the MPEG video decoder 54 in FIG. A VLD (Variable Length Decoding) unit decodes the input variable length code to obtain a quantized coefficient and a motion vector. In the Q ⁻¹ (inverse quantization) section, the DCT (Discrete Cosi) is calculated by multiplying the quantization coefficient by the value of the quantization step Q.
ne Transform) Calculate the coefficient. The IDCT (Inverse Discrete Cosine Transform) unit performs inverse DCT on this to calculate each pixel value (luminance, color difference) for each 8 × 8 pixel block.
However, the actual pixel value itself for the I picture and the difference value between the corresponding pixel values for the P picture and B picture are obtained. I in the MC (Motion Compensation) section
A block compensated by the motion vector and the difference value between the pixel values of the P picture and B picture obtained by DCT is added to decode the P picture or B picture. The post-processing unit performs interpolation processing between lines.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the front management device. The CPU 60 executes a program written in advance in the ROM 61 to perform various processes described below. The RAM 62 is used as a working area at that time. The LAN interface 63 controls data transmission with the local area network. The sync signal output interface 64 outputs a sync signal to each console in order to synchronize the moving image reproduction timings in the plurality of masking displays. The display interface 65 is composed of a display memory and a display signal generating circuit for displaying a list of the usage status of each lane and the game progress status, and displays the contents of the display memory on the CRT 66. The hard disk drive device 68 is used to store programs, movie files, etc. to be downloaded to each console,
CPU 60 is a hard disk drive interface 6
Read and write data via 7. The floppy disk drive device 70 is used for reading a moving image file created externally, and the CPU 60 reads the data via the floppy disk drive interface 69. The keyboard 72 is used when inputting a name when receiving a bowler who has visited, when designating an empty lane, or when inputting a message or the like to be displayed on the masking display device, and the CPU 60 reads the key operation content via the key interface 71. . The printer 74 is used for printing score sheets on the front management device side, and the CPU 60 controls printing via the printer interface 73. The video / audio compression circuit 75 is an LD (laser disk player) or DV
A circuit for compressing video signals and audio signals from an AV reproducing device 76 such as a D (digital video disc reproducing device), which is used when a moving image to be displayed on the masking display device is created in advance.

FIG. 7 shows the moving picture / audio compression circuit 7 shown in FIG.
5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of FIG. SIF (Sourc
e Input Format) The conversion unit performs source input format conversion. That is, processing such as field thinning and band limitation of luminance / color difference signals is performed on the original image data of the input video signal. When generating the SIF signal, which part of the screen by the input video signal is subjected to the input format conversion is determined based on the block position instruction data. For example, 1280 x 720 pixels, 30 frames / s
An SIF signal of, for example, 320 × 240 pixels and 30 frames / s at a predetermined position on the input screen of is generated. ME (M
The motion estimation) section calculates the motion vector of the input image in units of 16 × 16 pixel macroblocks. DC
A T (Discrete Cosine Transform) unit performs a two-dimensional discrete cosine transform on the difference between the motion-compensated image and the input image with a block size of 8 × 8 pixels. The Q (Quantization) unit quantizes the DCT transform coefficient using a matrix table (executes an operation of dividing by the value of the quantization step Q and discarding the remainder). In a VLC (Variable Length Coding) unit, a quantized value read while performing zigzag scanning from a low frequency term to a high frequency term is subjected to variable length coding by a combination of a run length code and a Huffman code to generate an MPEG video stream. The local decoding unit performs Q ⁻¹ and IDCT processing according to the procedure shown in FIG.
It is given as a comparative image to the E part. On the other hand, the audio encoder encodes the input audio signal to generate an MPEG audio stream. Then, the multiplexer MUX multiplexes the MPEG video stream and the MPEG audio stream with other data such as data for synchronizing video and audio to generate an MPEG system stream. The interface I / F interfaces with the system bus of the front management device shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of another masking display, which is a diagram corresponding to a part of FIG. Figure 8
In the above, the masking display 1 is a panel display device attached to the masking support 9, and is, for example, a color PDP (plasma display panel), a liquid crystal display panel provided with a backlight or a sidelight, or an LE.
It consists of a D display panel and the like. In this case, if the installation space for the projector cannot be secured on the pinsetter 3 side,
Even if a sufficient optical path length cannot be obtained, masking covering the pinsetter can be used as a masking display. In addition, as shown in FIG.
May be provided on the masking support 9 side.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example of the masking display. Here, the range shown as 2i-1 lane or 2i lane is a position corresponding to each lane. For example, when i = 2, the second lane from the left in the figure,
It corresponds to the third lane and the fourth lane, respectively. As described above, since one masking display is configured in units of 2 lanes, 2i-1 lanes and 2i lanes are used in this example.
The lane is the display range of one masking display. In the figure, (A) is an example in which the score is displayed in the 2i-1 lane, and (B) is an example in which the state of a slot machine game as a game other than the bowling game is displayed.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example of a masking display in an empty lane. As shown in FIGS. 10 (A) and 10 (B), a series of decorative displays are performed over the adjacent masking displays to make a powerful impression. It becomes possible to display a certain large screen image. In addition, (C) is a display example that is performed according to the state of the pin after the pitch, the score counting result, or the result of a game other than the bowling game. It is an example of a display in which a specific pattern rotates around the center and spreads around. By performing such a display, a peculiar state in the corresponding lane can be widely notified by using a vast display area. If the range in which such a display is made is limited to the masking display in the lane used by the same group in advance, bowlers playing games in other lanes will not be bothered. That is, when accepting a plurality of bowlers coming in as a group, the host computer has such information in order to determine which lane to which lane to allocate by operating the host computer. Therefore, when the display over the plurality of lanes is performed based on these pieces of information, the range can be limited.

Such a display is performed by each console displaying a predetermined image on each masking display. That is, when the display content shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B is a still image, which data of the still image data or the still image data should be displayed on the predetermined console by the front management device is displayed. Transfer the file name etc. indicating whether to play. In the case of a moving image, a moving image file name is designated.

FIG. 11 shows an example in which some message is displayed with the image shown in FIG. 10 as a background, and a character string indicating the content of the message is used as a telop.
The masking displays are continuously moved in the left-right direction across the screens. This can call attention to the message. The display interface 19 shown in FIG. 4 is provided with a display memory for at least two screens, and a background still image as shown in FIG. 10A is written in the first display memory.
A character string is written in the second display memory, and when the video signals are generated from both display memories, the two are overlapped by a logical operation to output the video signal, thereby displaying such a display. Is possible.

FIG. 12 shows how to hold image data for animation display on a plurality of continuous masking displays. Here, the case where a masking display continuous from the first lane to the m-th lane is used is shown. P11 is the image data of the first frame displayed on the masking display of the first lane, P21 is the image data of the first frame displayed on the masking display of the second lane, and Pm1 is the first frame displayed on the masking display of the mth lane. Image data. Further, P12 is image data of the second frame displayed on the masking display in the first lane, P22 is image data of the second frame displayed on the masking display in the second lane, and Pm2.
Is image data of the second frame displayed on the masking display in the m-th lane. Similarly, P1k is the image data of the kth frame displayed on the masking display in the first lane, P2k is the image data of the kth frame displayed on the masking display in the second lane, and Pmk is displayed on the masking display in the mth lane. This is the image data of the k-th frame.
In this way, by sequentially displaying from the first frame to the k-th frame on the masking display of the first lane to the m-th lane, a continuous (straddling) animation is displayed on the masking display of the first lane to the m-th lane. Let Which section of which animation is displayed on the masking display of which lane is performed by the front management device by instructing a predetermined console with the animation file name. In the above example, the first
Although it has been described that the animation is displayed on the masking display from the lane to the m-th lane, the data for such an animation display is of course not individually associated with each lane, but for any continuous lane. By transferring the frame data to the corresponding console, it is displayed on the masking display of any continuous lane. In addition, when the capacity of the image data of each frame is small, the front management device may transfer the image data to a predetermined console each time these images should be displayed.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing how to hold a moving image file. In the example shown in FIG. 13A, the SIF circuit in the video / audio compression circuit shown in FIG. 7 inputs a video signal of horizontal 1280 × vertical 720 pixels as a video signal,
A block of 320 horizontal x 240 vertical pixels is set as one block, and the four horizontal blocks in the center of the input image are format-converted as image files, and the video / audio compression circuit sequentially converts a series of video into four video files. create. The video signal is one image format of GA (Grand Alliance) standard, which is one of the digital broadcasting of HDTV which is being standardized in Europe and America, and is MPEG2 main profile / high level M.
It is based on P @ HL. In the example shown in FIG. 13B, for the series of first moving images, the image file to be displayed on the masking display in the first lane is MP11.
As the image file to be displayed on the masking display of the second lane as MP21,
An image file displayed on the lane masking display is created as MP31, and an image file displayed on the fourth lane masking display is created as MP41. For a series of second moving images, an image file to be displayed on the masking display on the first lane is created as MP12, an image file to be displayed on the masking display on the second lane is created as MP22, and a file for the third lane is created. An image file to be displayed on the masking display is created as MP32, and an image file to be displayed on the masking display on the fourth lane is created as MP42. Similarly, for a series of j-th moving images, an image file to be displayed on the masking display on the first lane is created as MP1j, and an image file to be displayed on the masking display on the second lane is M.
An image file displayed on the masking display in the third lane is created as P2j, and an image file displayed on the masking display in the fourth lane is created as MP3j. When displaying these moving images on the masking display, the file name of the moving image file to be played is instructed to the corresponding console. In the above-mentioned example, it is described that the moving images are displayed on the masking displays of the first to fourth lanes. However, such data for displaying the moving image is not of course individually associated with each lane. , For any consecutive lanes (four consecutive lanes in this example), by transferring the file names of the above four movie files to the console responsible for the four lanes, the movie is displayed on the masking display of the arbitrary consecutive lanes. Is displayed.

Now, FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of the ceiling display and its display pattern. (A) of the figure shows a state in which all ceiling displays are illuminated. now,
If the starting condition of the ceiling display in the i-th lane is satisfied by a bowling game or another game in a certain lane, first, as shown in FIG.
The ceiling displays on the lane are turned on, then the ceiling displays on both sides are turned on as shown in (C), and then the ceiling displays on both sides are further turned on as shown in (D), and the first ceiling display is turned on. To turn off. Similarly, the light emission patterns are sequentially moved to the left and right and displayed as in (E) → (F). This makes it possible to perform a powerful display using the vast space on the ceiling and also to clearly identify the lane that caused the display.

Such display is performed by the front management device transferring the ceiling display light emission pattern data to each console. That is, if the following data is transferred to each console as the ceiling display light emission pattern data, the console receiving the ceiling display light emission pattern data turns on / off the ceiling display at regular intervals in the blinking pattern indicated by the data. I do.

Flashing order → i-th lane 0000110 ... i-th lane 0001100 ... i-th lane 0011001 ... i-th lane 0110011 ... i-th lane 1100110 ... -I + 1th lane 0110011 ... i-th + 2nd lane 001001 ... i-th-3rd lane 0001100 ... i-th-4th lane 0000110 ...- By this, as a whole shown in FIG. Will be displayed.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the configuration of one row of the ceiling display. In (A), an LED is provided in each bead-shaped portion, and these are connected together with a lead wire to form one light emitting body. FIG. 3B is an equivalent circuit diagram thereof. In this way, a plurality of LEDs are connected in parallel at a fixed number, and the simultaneous lighting / simultaneous turning off or control of the light emission pattern is performed by turning on / off the power to these LEDs. In this example, every four LEDs are connected in common, and four LED light emission positions can be selected by a common lead wire and four power input lines.

FIG. 16 shows a display example in the case where the control unit shown in FIG. 15 (B) is switched so that the light emission pattern moves. That is, as shown in (A), two LEDs
It is lit every time, and this is (B) → (C) → (D) → (A)
The light emitting pattern has a flow by sequentially switching the two lighting positions to the forward position. This control is performed by the control unit shown in FIG. 15B according to the control data (control command) from the console. Such display may be performed only for the ceiling display on the lane that satisfies the activation condition of the ceiling display.

FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing the procedure of score-related processing in each console. First, the bowling score is displayed, and if the bowler sensor 27 detects that the bowler is standing on the approach lane, the video signal from the pitching foam camera 7 is given to the masking display. As a result, the mirror image of the bowler who is about to throw is displayed on the masking display in front.
When it is detected by the first ball passage sensor 6a that the pitching has been performed, the signal given to the masking display is switched from the pitching form camera to the pin camera. As a result, the appearance of the pin falling on the masking display is displayed as it is. Then, 1-2 seconds after the second ball passage sensor 6b detects the passage of the ball, the pin falls or stands up is detected by processing the image captured by the pin camera, and the score processing is performed accordingly. To do. Then, the current pitching and the score information of the result are transferred to the host computer. Subsequently, it is determined whether or not it is a condition for starting another game (a game other than the bowling game) due to the current pitch. For example, whether the pin state is a predetermined state such as strike, whether the score pattern is a specific pattern, the score total is a predetermined value, or whether the score state is a predetermined state. Whether or not the activation condition is set as the activation condition. When this condition is satisfied, for example, a slot machine game (slot machine simulation) is performed, and the display as shown in FIG. 9B is displayed on the masking display. When the result of this another game reaches a predetermined state, addition or subtraction of service points is performed.
This "service point" represents the service provided to the customer (bowler) with a score. For example, after the bowling game is over, at the time of payment at the front desk, a gift or a service ticket according to the service point is given to the customer. Will be given.
After that, the result of the another game and the service point information are transferred to the front management device. As will be described later, when the result of this other game reaches a predetermined state, for example, when 777 (three seven) is output in the slot machine game, etc., the predetermined masking display activation condition is satisfied. For example, a predetermined display is performed on the masking display and the ceiling display. In this example, the different game is started only when the predetermined starting condition is satisfied, but the different game may be started each time a pitch is made, for example.

FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing the procedure of data reception processing in each console. First, a signal placed on the local area network is received, and if the received data is data from the front management device to its own console, it is taken in, and thereafter processing according to the data is performed. For example, various files such as a moving image file, a still image file, an animation file, a sound file, a ceiling display light emission pattern file, etc. are stored at a predetermined address on the RAM so that they can be extracted by file names. If the data received from the front management device is a still image file name, the still image file name is temporarily stored. After that, as will be described later, the synchronization signal cable 4 shown in FIG.
If a synchronization signal is input from 3, the data of the corresponding still image file already stored is read and the still image data is written in the display memory in the display interface 19 shown in FIG. Is displayed on the masking display. If the data received from the front management device is a video file name, the video file name is temporarily stored and the received data is an animation /
If it is a sound file name, it is temporarily stored. If the data received from the front management device is the ceiling display light emission pattern file name, the file name is temporarily stored. After that, as will be described later, if a synchronization signal is input from the synchronization signal cable 43, the corresponding console will display the ceiling display based on the ceiling display emission pattern file name and the moving image file name or animation / sound file name, respectively. Start playing video or animation and sound with blink control. If the data received from the front management device is message display data, the data is temporarily stored. After that, when a sync signal is input from the sync signal cable 43, the message display data is written in the display memory for message display in the display interface 19 shown in FIG.
The message as shown in 1 is displayed as a telop.

FIGS. 19 and 20 are flow charts showing the processing procedure started when the above synchronizing signal is input.
As shown in FIG. 19, if a sync signal is input from the sync signal cable 43, first, the file name or the like to be reproduced is read. If the moving image file name is stored as the data to be reproduced, the corresponding file data is read from the already stored RAM and the data is output to the moving image / audio reproduction circuit 20 shown in FIG. This process is repeated until the data is completed. In this way, a series of moving images are reproduced and audio signals are output. At the same time, the ceiling display light emission pattern data is read from the RAM and sequentially output to the ceiling display interface 16 shown in FIG. 4 to control the blinking of the ceiling display. If the file name to be played is an animation file name or sound file name,
Read the corresponding animation file from the already stored RAM, display the first frame,
Wait for a fixed time and read the next data. Animation is displayed by repeating this processing at a cycle of 1/30 second, for example. In parallel with this, the sound is reproduced by reading the corresponding sound file from the RAM and repeating the process of outputting the data to the sound reproducing circuit 26 shown in FIG. Further, in parallel with this, the ceiling display light emission pattern data is read from the RAM and sequentially output to the ceiling display interface 16 shown in FIG. 4 to control the blinking of the ceiling display. Further, as shown in FIG. 20, if the still image file name is stored, the content of the corresponding still image file is read from the RAM, and the still image data is written in the display memory in the display interface 19 shown in FIG. By doing so, the specified still image is displayed on the masking display. If the message display data is stored, the message as shown in FIG. 11 is displayed as a telop by writing it in the display memory for message display in the display interface 19 shown in FIG.

FIG. 21 is a flow chart showing a normal processing procedure on the side of the front management device. First, transfer the video file, animation file, sound file, still image file, and ceiling display emission pattern file to all consoles. Each console sequentially stores these files in a predetermined area of the RAM. Then, the front management device instructs (transfers) the file name of the still image to be displayed on the masking display in the empty lane state to the corresponding console. As a result, the display as shown in FIG. 10A or 10B is displayed on the masking display on the empty lane. Note that in the example shown in FIG. 10A, the still image is completed in multiple lanes.
If more lanes than the number of lanes are in a vacant lane state continuously, an instruction of the still image file name to be played is given to each console so that a series of these still images are displayed as a repeating pattern. I do. Further, in the example as shown in FIG. 10B, even if any one of these three types of still images is selected for each lane, the display content on the masking display between adjacent lanes is displayed. Since the continuity is not impaired, the still image file name may be designated at random so that one of the three types of still images is displayed on the masking display in the empty lane.

Returning to the explanation of FIG. 21, after that, data is received from each console and the corresponding processing is performed. For example, reading the data from each console,
The state of each console is monitored, but if a predetermined activation condition of the masking display is satisfied, such as when 777 (three-seven) is played in a slot machine game in a certain lane, a predetermined console (for example, When all ceiling displays are used as shown in FIG. 14, the file names of the ceiling display light emission pattern files are transferred to all consoles). Then, the video file name or animation file name and sound file name are instructed to the console corresponding to the lane in which the video or animation is to be displayed. Then, the sync signal is output through the sync signal cable 43. As a result, the corresponding console inputs the synchronization signal, controls the light emission of the ceiling display in accordance with the already-instructed ceiling display light emission pattern file name, and simultaneously displays the instructed moving image or animation. In the example above, the masking display activation condition was that the result of a game different from the bowling game was a predetermined state, such as a slot machine game, but other conditions such as when a strike occurred The activation condition may be whether or not the pin state is in the specific state, or whether or not the score count result is in the specific state such as when the score pattern becomes the specific pattern. Further, the front management device inputs a message from the keyboard, transfers the message display data to a predetermined console in response to the message, and then outputs a sync signal through the sync signal cable 43. As a result, the message as shown in FIG. 11 is simultaneously displayed on the predetermined masking display. In addition, the front management device creates a moving image file offline. FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the procedure. First, as shown in FIG.
Specify how the input image should be divided and which block should be the area to be displayed on the masking display.
Then, the first block is instructed to the moving image / audio compression circuit and the AV reproducing device 76 shown in FIG. 6 is activated.
As a result, the moving picture / audio compression circuit 75 generates an MPEG system stream, which is sequentially stored as a moving picture file. By repeating this process for a plurality of blocks, a moving image file capable of displaying a series of moving images on a continuous masking display is created.

FIG. 23 is an overall block diagram according to another embodiment. In the above-described embodiment, the front management device indicates to each console a file name such as a still image, a moving image, or an animation to be displayed on each masking display, so that continuous images are displayed on adjacent masking displays. However, as shown in FIG. 23, the front management device individually generates the display contents for each masking display and gives them to each masking display. That is, in FIG. 23, the switcher 80
Is a matrix switcher, and the front management device 40
A video signal for a plurality of screens is input from and a video signal is given to a predetermined masking display among the plurality of masking displays. The front management device 40 simultaneously outputs video signals via the switcher 80 to, for example, several consecutive masking displays. As a result, the display as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 is performed. 81n are switch circuits, and consoles 10a, 10b, ...
Depending on the switching signal from 0n, either the video signal from the switcher 80 or the video signal from the console is selected and the masking displays 1a, 1b ...
・ Output to 1n. In addition, the switcher 80 has an LD or DV
An AV playback device such as D is connected and the playback signal is displayed on the masking display selected by the front management device 40. In the figure, the controller 82 includes ceiling displays 2a, 2b ...
The front management device 40 is a circuit that controls 2n.
By giving a lane number or the like to the controller 82, the light emission control of the ceiling display on the lane or the blinking control so that the light emission pattern spreads in the left and right direction around the lane as in the above embodiment. I do.

[0042]

The present invention has the following effects. (1) The wall surface that covers the pinsetter serves as the display surface of the display device, and is an image that is highly arousing to all people in the bowling alley, such as the bowler in the runway and the spectator in the passage between the console and the front. Can be displayed.

[0043]

(2) If the wall surface that covers the pinsetter is a transmissive screen and the screen is projected from the pinsetter side, the structure of the wall surface that covers the pinsetter becomes simple and the space above the pinsetter is effective. Can be used for

[0045]

[0046]

(3) Since the display device or the light-emitting body is controlled based on the detection result of the pin state after the pitch, for example, a powerful praise display can be performed when a strike occurs.

(4) Since the display device or the luminous body is controlled based on the score counting result of the bowling game, for example, the score pattern becomes a specific pattern,
A powerful praise display can be performed when the state of the score becomes a predetermined state such as the total score becomes a predetermined value.

(5) Since the state of the game other than the bowling game is displayed on the wall surface covering the pinsetter, it is possible to perform a powerful game display.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration in a bowling alley to which a display device for a bowling alley according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration in a bowling alley viewed from a side of a lane.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a relationship among a console, a masking display, a ceiling display, and the like.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a console.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a video / audio reproduction circuit.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a front management device.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a moving image / audio compression circuit.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another configuration example of a masking display.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example of a masking display.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another display example of the masking display.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another display example of the masking display.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a configuration example of animation data.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a moving image file.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a configuration of a ceiling display and a display example thereof.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a configuration of a ceiling display.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing another display example using the ceiling display.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a procedure of score-related processing of the console.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a data reception process of the console.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a process of reproducing a moving image or the like on the console.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a procedure of reproduction processing of a moving image or the like on the console.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the front management device.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a procedure of moving image file creation processing of the front management device.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a bowling alley display device according to another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1-masking display 1a-screen 1b-projector 2- Ceiling display 3-pin setter 4-pin 5-pin camera 6a-first ball passage sensor 6b-second ball passage sensor 7-Throwing form camera 8-overhead CRT 9-Masking support 10-console 24-switch circuit 27-Bowler sensor 42-LAN cable 43-sync signal cable

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A 61-179180 (JP, A) JP-A 4-138180 (JP, A) JP-A 10-151236 (JP, A) JP-B 5- 87266 (JP, B2) J. Kohei 6-14794 (JP, Y2) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) A63D 1/00 A63D 5/00

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] And 1. A bowling alleys plurality of display devices respectively display surface wall which covers the pin setter of each lane top of, set an image storage means for storing the still or moving, the bowling pin state as strike advance When the state of the score is in a predetermined state such as when the bowling score pattern becomes a specific pattern or when the total score reaches a predetermined value, or when the bowling game is not started When the game is in the prescribed state, the lane in which each of those states occurred
Display contents of the display surface corresponding to successive lane including the one
A display device for a bowling alley, which is provided with display control means for reading and controlling the still image or the moving image so as to obtain a continuous display content . 2. The display device for a bowling alley according to claim 1, wherein the display device includes a transmissive screen that constitutes the display surface, and projection means that projects the display content onto the screen. .