JP4453448B2 - Information display device for gaming machines - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information display device for gaming machines that displays information relating to gaming machines.

  Conventionally, on a gaming machine island where a plurality of gaming machines (for example, pachinko gaming machines) are installed, an information display device that displays information related to gaming machines such as the number of jackpots and the number of start times to the player is usually a game. It is installed for each machine. In particular, the number of game machine islands (hereinafter referred to as “enclosed game machine islands”) in which enclosed game machines are installed, and the number of game balls (hereinafter also referred to as “departures”) that a player has acquired by playing with a game machine. On gaming machine islands that have the function of counting for each gaming machine (hereinafter referred to as individual counting gaming machine islands), the ball boxes that store the outgoing balls are not piled up on the floor near the player. The device displays the number of outgoing balls (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  The information display device described above has a main role of providing information regarding the gaming machine on which the information display device is installed to a player who is playing with the gaming machine. For this reason, the information display device is arranged so that its display surface faces the front side of the gaming machine so that a player who is playing with the gaming machine can view it.

In such an information display device, information is generally displayed by an LED or a liquid crystal display (LCD).
Japanese Patent No. 2878648 (FIG. 16)

Since information display devices are installed for each gaming machine, an increase in the amount of power consumed to drive the LEDs and LCDs of the information display device is not negligible in a game hall where hundreds of gaming machines are installed. There was a problem of getting bigger.

The present invention is state, and are made in view of these problems, and an object thereof is to provide a gaming machine information display device capable of reducing power consumption for Viewing.

An information display device for gaming machines of the present invention made to achieve the above object is an information display device for gaming machines that is installed for each gaming machine provided on a gaming machine island and displays information related to gaming machines. Electronic paper which is a non-volatile display medium, writing means for writing display information to be displayed on the electronic paper to the electronic paper, a display board on which the electronic paper is arranged , and writing on which display information is written on the electronic paper The position at which the electronic paper is arranged to present the embedded surface toward the front side of the device is the display position, and the position at which the electronic paper is arranged to present the writing surface toward the back side of the device And a rotation support means for rotatably supporting the display board between the display position and the writing position, and the writing means is provided when the display board is located at the writing position. , Electronic paper writing table Disposed opposite position to be, it is characterized.

In the gaming machine information display device configured in this way, the writing means writes the display information to be displayed by the device to the electronic paper. Further, the rotation support means supports the display board on which the electronic paper is disposed on the surface so as to be rotatable between the display position and the writing position .

That is, since the electronic paper is a display medium (nonvolatile display medium) that can hold the written content without receiving power supply, after the writing means writes the display information to the electronic paper, No power is required to hold this content. That is, no electric power is required while displaying the display information.

Therefore, according to the gaming machine information display device of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the power consumption for displaying the information.

In the information display device for gaming machines of the present invention, the position where the display board is arranged so as to present the writing surface toward the front side and the side surface of the device is the first position, and the front side of the device The position where the display board is arranged so that the writing surface is presented toward the side and the writing surface is not presented toward the side surface is defined as the second position, and the support means places the display board in the first position. If may movably so as to support and a second position.

In the information display device for gaming machines configured in this way, the writing surface is arranged so as to be presented not only on the front side but also on the side surface of the device. By moving to a position where the side can be seen, the display information written on the writing surface can be confirmed.
Accordingly, a player who is playing a game can check information on the gaming machine being played by visually recognizing the writing surface of the electronic paper from the front side of the device, and a player who is selecting a gaming machine can By being located at one end of the gaming machine island, information regarding all the gaming machines provided on the gaming machine island can be confirmed at a time.

(First embodiment)
Below, 1st Embodiment of this invention is described based on drawing.
First, the arrangement of the display device 1 to which the information display device for gaming machines of the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a front view showing the arrangement of the display device 1.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of pachinko gaming machines (hereinafter referred to as pachinko machines) 5 are installed on the gaming machine island 3, and a display device 1 is installed above each pachinko machine 5 for each pachinko machine 5. Is done.

  Note that the gaming machine island 3 has a function of counting the number of balls for each gaming machine. That is, the gaming machine island 3 is provided with a ball outlet (not shown) through which a gaming ball (ball) acquired by the player is inserted for each gaming machine. The gaming machine island 3 is configured to output a ball-out signal indicating that one ball is thrown every time one ball is thrown into the ball throw-in slot.

  In addition, the pachinko machine 5 performs a big hit lottery with a predetermined big hit probability (for example, 1/300) when a game ball wins the start winning opening 5a. Then, when this big hit lottery is won, a probability variation lottery is performed with a predetermined probability variation probability (for example, 1/2).

  That is, the pachinko machine 5 repeats the jackpot lottery with the winning at the start winning port 5a until winning the jackpot lottery, and when the jackpot lottery is won, it opens the jackpot 5b for a long time. , Providing a jackpot game that allows a player to acquire a large number of game balls. Further, when winning the chance variation lottery, the pachinko machine 5 changes (increases) the jackpot probability (for example, 1/300 → 1/60). This increase in the jackpot probability is maintained until it is removed in the subsequent probability variation lottery.

In other words, when the big hit lottery is won, the pachinko machine 5 provides either a normal big hit game in which the big hit probability does not fluctuate or a probability variable big hit game in which the big hit probability fluctuates.
The pachinko machine 5 indicates a normal jackpot signal indicating that the normal jackpot game is provided during the normal jackpot game, and indicates that the probability variable jackpot game is provided while the probability jackpot game is provided. Outputs a probable big hit signal.

  Next, the configuration of the display device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 2A is a front view of the display device 1 in a state in which the display unit 30 is accommodated, FIG. 2B is a plan view showing an internal configuration of the display device 1 in a state in which the display unit 30 is accommodated, and FIG. ) Is a plan view showing an internal configuration of the display device 1 in a state where the display unit 30 is protruded.

  In the display device 1, a housing 11 that houses components of the device, a display unit 30 that forms a display screen for displaying information related to the pachinko machine 5, and the display unit 30 are arranged in front of the device. The display support unit 20 that supports the display unit 30, the moving unit 40 that moves the display unit 30 and the display support unit 20, and the image forming unit 60 that forms an image on the display screen.

  Among these, the display support part accommodation port 13 for accommodating the display support part 20 is formed in the front surface of the housing | casing 11. As shown in FIG. Further, guide rails 15 a and 15 b for guiding the movement of the display support unit 20 are provided along the upper edge and the lower edge of the display support storage port 13, respectively.

  Further, the display support unit 20 includes a rectangular left display support plate 21a and a right display support plate 21b. The left display support plate 21a and the right display support plate 21b are connected to each other at one end edge (hereinafter referred to as a connection end edge) so as to be bent via the upper and lower hinges 23a and 23b.

  Further, the left display support plate 21a and the right display support plate 21b are configured to be symmetrical with respect to the connection edge, and are opposed to the connection edge of the left display support plate 21a (right display support plate 21b). Guide pins 25a and 25b (25c and 25d) are respectively provided on the upper and lower sides of the end edge, and the guide pins 25a and 25b (25c and 25d) can be slid by the guide rails 15a and 15b, respectively. Supported by The left display support plate 21a (right display support plate 21b) is formed with a display unit storage port 27a (27b) for storing a left display unit 30a (right display unit 30b) described later.

That is, the display support unit 20 is supported by the housing 11 so as to be movable via the guide pins 25a, 25b, 25c, and 25d and the guide rails 15a and 15b.
Next, the display unit 30 includes a left display unit 30a that forms a left display screen and a right display unit 30b that forms a right display screen.

  The left display unit 30a (right display unit 30b) has an electronic paper 31a (31b) that can hold the written content without power supply, and a rectangular shape in which the electronic paper 31a (31b) is attached to the front surface. It is comprised from the display board 33a (33b).

  The electronic papers 31a and 31b are display media made of a photochromic material. This photochromic material changes in color depending on the color of the applied light, such as blue when irradiated with blue light, green when irradiated with green light, and returns to its original color (brown) when irradiated with ultraviolet light. Material.

  In addition, shaft pins 35a and 35b (35c and 35d) project from the upper and lower edges of the display plate 33a (33b), respectively. And the display board 33a (33b) is rotatably supported by the opening edge part of the display part storage port 27a (27b) by this axial pin 35a, 35b (35c, 35d). A worm wheel 37a (37b) that meshes with a worm 47a (47b), which will be described later, is fixed to the shaft pin 35a (35c) so as to be rotatable integrally with the shaft pin 35a (35c).

  Next, the moving unit 40 is a solenoid 41 as a drive source for moving the left display support plate 21a and the right display support plate 21b, a stepping motor 43a for rotating the display plate 33a, and a display plate 33b. Stepping motor 43b, a connecting member 45a for connecting the solenoid 41 and the left display support plate 21a, and a connecting member 45b for connecting the solenoid 41 and the right display support plate 21b.

  The solenoid 41 is disposed on the back side of the left display support plate 21a and the right display support plate 21b. When the solenoid 41 is energized, a rod-like plunger 41a that is sucked into the solenoid 41, and the plunger 41a Is provided with a biasing spring 41b that biases the plunger 41a in a direction in which it moves away from the solenoid 41 (a direction from the top to the bottom in FIG. 2B). The plunger 41a is connected to one end of the connecting member 45a (45b), and the back surface of the left display support plate 21a (right display support plate 21b) is connected to the other end via a hinge.

  That is, when the solenoid 41 is in an energized state (hereinafter referred to as an on state), the plunger 41a is attracted by the solenoid 41, so that the left display support plate 21a and the right display support plate 21b connect the connecting members 45a and 45b. Thus, it is pulled in the suction direction (the direction from the bottom to the top in FIG. 2B). Thereby, the left display support plate 21a and the right display support plate 21b are arranged in a state of being stored in the display support portion storage port 13 (see FIG. 2B). The state in which the left display support plate 21a and the right display support plate 21b are arranged when the solenoid 41 is on is hereinafter referred to as a storage state.

  On the other hand, when the solenoid 41 is in a non-energized state (hereinafter referred to as an off state), the plunger 41a is pulled out from the solenoid 41 by the biasing spring 41b, so that the left display support plate 21a and the right display support plate 21b are connected to each other. It is pushed out in the direction opposite to the suction direction via the members 45a and 45b. As a result, the left display support plate 21a and the right display support plate 21b are arranged in a state of being bent at the connection edge and projecting from the display support portion storage port 13 (see FIG. 2C). The state in which the left display support plate 21a and the right display support plate 21b are disposed when the solenoid 41 is in the off state is hereinafter referred to as a protruding state.

  A worm 47a (47b) is fixed to the output shaft of the stepping motor 43a (43b). The stepping motor 43a (43b) is disposed at a position where the worm 47a (47b) and the worm wheel 37a (37b) mesh with each other, and is fixed to the back surface of the left display support plate 21a (right display support plate 21b). .

  That is, when the stepping motor 43a (43b) is driven, this driving force is transmitted to the display plate 33a (33b) via the worm 47a (47b) and the worm wheel 37a (37b), and the display plate 33a (33b) is transmitted. The shaft pin 35a (35c) can be rotated around.

  Next, the image forming unit 60 includes an exposure unit 61 that writes an image on the electronic paper 31a and 31b, and an exposure unit horizontal movement device 71 that moves the exposure unit 61 in the horizontal direction in the housing 11.

  Among these, the exposure device 61 is disposed on the back side of the left display support plate 21a and the right display support plate 21b, and irradiates the electronic papers 31a and 31b with ultraviolet rays, red light, blue light, and green light, respectively. It comprises an irradiator 63, a red light irradiator 65, a blue light irradiator 67, and a green light irradiator 69. Then, the ultraviolet irradiator 63, the red light irradiator 65, the blue light irradiator 67, and the green light irradiator 69 respectively direct the ultraviolet light, red light, blue light, and green light toward the surface of the electronic paper 31a, 31b. Irradiation is performed while scanning from the top to the bottom (in FIG. 2 (b), the direction perpendicular to the paper surface and from the front side to the back side of the paper surface).

Next, the electrical configuration of the display device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the display device 1.
As shown in FIG. 3, the display device 1 includes a solenoid 41, stepping motors 43 a and 43 b, rotation angle sensors 49 a and 49 b that detect the rotation angles of the rotation axes of the stepping motors 43 a and 43 b, and an exposure device 61. The exposure device horizontal movement device 71 and a controller 100 for controlling the operation of the entire display device 1 are provided.

  The controller 100 includes a CPU 101 that executes processing based on a predetermined processing program, a ROM 103 that stores various control programs, a RAM 105 that stores various data, and a solenoid drive circuit that transmits a drive signal to the solenoid 41. 110, a motor drive circuit 120 that transmits a drive signal to the stepping motors 43a and 43b, rotation angle sensors 49a and 49b, an exposure device 61, an exposure device horizontal movement device 71, a solenoid drive circuit 110, and a motor drive circuit 120 are connected. An input / output unit 107 that inputs and outputs signals and data between the CPU 101 and the RAM 105 is provided. The input / output unit 107 is supplied with a ball signal from the gaming machine island 3 and a normal jackpot signal and a probabilistic jackpot signal from the pachinko machine 5.

In addition, the RAM 105 is provided with a number-of-balls counter C1 for counting the number of balls based on the number-of-balls signal, and a maximum number-of-balls storage area M1 for storing the maximum number of balls.
Then, the CPU 101 independently executes a ball exit information generation process for generating information related to the number of ball exits based on the ball exit signal and a display process for displaying the number of ball exits.

  First, the procedure of the outgoing ball information generation process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the exit ball information generation process. Note that this pitching information generation process is a process that is repeatedly executed while the CPU 101 is activated (powered on).

  When this ball-out information generation process is executed, the CPU 101 first determines in step S10 whether or not a ball-out signal has been input. Here, when the pitching signal is not input (S10: NO), the pitching information generation process is terminated. On the other hand, if a ball signal is input (S10: YES), the ball number counter C1 is incremented in S20.

  Then, in S30, it is determined whether or not the value of the number-of-balls counter C1 (number of balls) exceeds the value (maximum number of balls) stored in the maximum number-of-balls storage area M1. Here, when the number of outgoing balls does not exceed the maximum number of outgoing balls (S30: NO), the outgoing ball information generation process ends. On the other hand, when the number of outgoing balls exceeds the maximum number of outgoing balls (S30: YES), the value of the number of outgoing balls counter C1 is stored in the maximum number of outgoing balls storage area M1 in S40. That is, the maximum number of balls is updated. Then, the said pitching information generation process is complete | finished.

  Next, the display processing procedure will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the display process. This display process is a process repeatedly executed while the CPU 101 is activated (powered on).

  When this display processing is executed, first, in S110, the CPU 101 determines the value of the number-of-balls counter C1 (number of balls), the value stored in the maximum number-of-balls storage area M1 (maximum number of balls), normal Display image data D1 is generated based on the big hit signal and the probability variation big hit signal.

  The images displayed on the electronic papers 31a and 31b based on the display image data D1 are, for example, as shown in FIG. expressed. That is, the number image I1 displayed as “currently 13,456” indicates the number of balls to be played, and the number image I2 displayed as “maximum 18,901” indicates the number of balls from 1 to 7. The seven solid line ball box images I11 to I17 each having an integer value described therein and a solid line indicate the number of outgoing balls, the values of 8, 9 are described, and the broken line ball box image whose outline is a broken line I18 and I19 represent the maximum number of balls.

  That is, the CPU 101 determines the number of solid line ball box images according to the number of balls and the number of broken line ball boxes according to the difference between the maximum ball number and the number of balls, based on the number of balls and the maximum number of balls. Display image data D1 expressing the image is generated.

  Further, the numeric images I1 and I2 are displayed in red, the ball box images I11, I12, I17, I18, and I19 are displayed in blue, and the ball box images I13 to I16 are displayed in green. In addition, the ball box image represented by blue indicates the outgoing ball obtained by the normal jackpot game, and the ball box image represented by green indicates the outgoing ball obtained by the probability big hit game. That is, the CPU 101 generates display image data D1 in which the outgoing ball added at the time of normal jackpot signal input is represented by a blue ball box image, and the outgoing ball added at the time of the probability variation jackpot signal input is expressed by a green ball box image.

  The display image data D1 is displayed in blue, as shown in FIG. 7, image data representing a portion displayed in red (hereinafter referred to as display red image data) D1r (see FIG. 7A). Image data (hereinafter referred to as display blue image data) D1b (see FIG. 7B), image data representing a portion displayed in green (hereinafter referred to as first display green image data) D1g (See FIG. 7C). That is, in S110, display red image data D1r, display blue image data D1b, and display green image data D1g are generated.

  The display red / blue / green image data D1r, D1b, and D1g each form a two-dimensional array, and X_SIZE in the horizontal direction (hereinafter also referred to as the X-axis direction) and the vertical direction (hereinafter referred to as the Y-axis). Y_SIZE pixel data are arranged in a row (also referred to as a direction) (X_SIZE: horizontal size of image data (pixels): Y_SIZE: vertical size of image data (pixels)) (see FIG. 7). That is, it is composed of X_SIZE × Y_SIZE pixel data P (X, Y). X is the horizontal coordinate value of the pixel, Y is the vertical coordinate value, 0, 1, 2,..., (X_SIZE-1) for X, 0, 1, 2,. ..., the value of (Y_SIZE-1) is given. The pixel data P (X, Y) has a value of “0” or “1” as data. That is, pixel data P (X, Y) having a value of “1” is a pixel in which dots for forming an image are arranged, and pixel data P (X, Y) having a value of “0” is , Indicates a pixel in which no dot is arranged.

Next, in S120, the content of the display image data D1 generated in S110 is compared with the content of the display image data D1 before generation.
Thereafter, in S130, as a result of the comparison in S120, it is determined whether or not the content of the display image data D1 has changed before and after the generation. Here, when there is no change (S130: NO), the display process is terminated. On the other hand, if there is a change (S130: YES), in S140, the solenoid 41 is turned on to place the left display support plate 21a and the right display support plate 21b in the stored state.

  Next, in step S150, the display plates 33a and 33b are rotated by 180 ° by driving the stepping motors 43a and 43b. That is, the surfaces of the electronic papers 31 a and 31 b are arranged so as to be able to face the exposure device 61.

  Thereafter, in S160, the images formed on the electronic papers 31a and 31b are deleted. That is, while the exposure device horizontal movement device 71 moves the exposure device 61 in the horizontal direction one pixel at a time, the ultraviolet light is applied to the ultraviolet irradiator 63 from top to bottom (in FIG. 2B, perpendicular to the paper surface, By irradiating while scanning in the direction from the front side to the back side, the entire surface of the electronic paper 31a, 31b is irradiated with ultraviolet rays to erase the image.

  Next, in S170, an image is formed on the electronic paper 31a. In other words, the exposure device horizontal movement device 71 moves the exposure device 61 in the horizontal direction one pixel at a time, while causing the red light irradiation device 65, the blue light irradiation device 67, and the green light irradiation device 69 to receive red light and blue light respectively. , Green light is irradiated toward the surface of the electronic paper 31a while scanning from the top to the bottom (in FIG. 2B, the direction perpendicular to the paper surface and from the front side to the back side of the paper surface). At this time, the red light irradiator 65, the blue light irradiator 67, and the green light irradiator 69 are respectively red light, blue light, and green according to the display red image data D1r, display blue image data D1b, and display green image data D1g. Irradiate light. That is, based on the current horizontal position of the exposure device 61, the position (irradiation position) on the surface of the electronic paper 31a where red light, blue light, and green light are irradiated is specified. Then, according to the pixel data P (X, Y) corresponding to the specified irradiation position, when the pixel data P (X, Y) = 1, red light, blue light, and green light are emitted, and the pixel data P If (X, Y) = 0, the irradiation is stopped. By performing this irradiation from one horizontal end position to the other end position of the electronic paper 31a, an image based on the display image data D1 is formed on the surface of the electronic paper 31a.

  Next, in S180, an image is formed on the electronic paper 31b in the same manner as in S170. Thereafter, in S190, the display plates 33a and 33b are rotated by 180 ° by driving the stepping motors 43a and 43b. That is, the electronic papers 31 a and 31 b are arranged so that the surfaces thereof face the front of the display device 1.

  Then, in S200, it is determined whether or not the value of the number-of-balls counter C1 (the number of balls) exceeds the predetermined display board arrangement determination number of balls (2,000 in this embodiment). Here, when the number of outgoing balls does not exceed the predetermined number of display board arrangement determination outgoing balls (S200: NO), the display processing is ended. On the other hand, when the number of balls is over the predetermined display board arrangement determination number of balls (S200: YES), the solenoid 41 is turned off in S210, thereby the left display support plate 21a and the right display support. The plate 21b is arranged in a protruding state. Thereafter, the display process is terminated.

  In the display device 1 according to the first embodiment configured as described above, the number of outgoing balls and the maximum number of outgoing balls are calculated based on the input outgoing ball signal (S10 to S40). Then, display image data D1 is generated based on the number of outgoing balls, the maximum number of outgoing balls, the normal jackpot signal, and the probability variation jackpot signal (S110). Further, when the generated display image data D1 is changed (S130: YES), images based on the display image data D1 are formed on the electronic papers 31a and 31b (S160 to S180). After that, when the number of outgoing balls exceeds 2,000 (S200: YES), the left display support plate 21a and the right display support plate 21b are arranged in a protruding state.

  That is, the image forming surface on which images are formed in the electronic papers 31a and 31b is arranged so as to be presented not only on the front side of the display device 1 but also on the side surface side. By moving to a position where the side can be seen, the information displayed on the display unit 30 can be confirmed.

  Therefore, a player who is playing a game can check the number of balls that the pachinko machine 5 is playing by visually recognizing the image forming surfaces of the electronic papers 31a and 31b from the front side of the display device 1, and the pachinko machine 5 A player who is selecting one can check the number of balls of all the pachinko machines 5 provided on the gaming machine island 3 at a time by being positioned at one end of the gaming machine island 3.

  Further, since the electronic papers 31a and 31b are display media (nonvolatile display media) that can hold the written contents without receiving power supply, the display image data D1 is written into the electronic papers 31a and 31b. After that, no power is required to maintain this content. That is, no electric power is required while displaying the display image data D1.

Therefore, it is possible to reduce time and effort for the player to check the number of balls to be played, and to reduce power consumption for displaying the number of balls to be played.
In addition, the display device 1 displays the maximum number of balls. Therefore, the player can know the number of game balls consumed from the difference between the number of balls and the maximum number of balls. That is, the player can determine whether or not to continue the game based on the number of game balls consumed.

Further, since the display device 1 forms an image on the electronic paper 31a and 31b only when the display image data D1 is changed, the power consumption can be suppressed to a necessary minimum.
Further, the display device 1 displays a number of ball box images corresponding to the number of balls to be played. For this reason, as in the case of the game hall side, it is possible to produce a feeling of exiting in the game hall as in the case of stacking ball boxes. In general, a player often expresses the number of acquired game balls by the number of ball boxes. For this reason, it is easier for the player to recognize the approximate number of game balls when the number of game balls is displayed than the number of game balls.

  In addition, the display device 1 displays the number of outgoing balls acquired in the normal jackpot game as a blue ball box image and the number of outgoing balls acquired in the probability variation jackpot game as a green ball box image. For this reason, the player can know in which of the big hit games of the normal big hit game and the probable big hit game the acquired ball is acquired.

  Further, the display device 1 displays the number of outgoing balls toward the front side and the side surface when the number of outgoing balls exceeds 2,000, and when the number of outgoing balls does not exceed 2,000. In addition, the number of outgoing balls is displayed toward the front side and the number of outgoing balls is not displayed toward the side surface. For this reason, when the player is located at one end of the gaming machine island 3, the player cannot confirm the number of balls for the pachinko machine 5 in which the number of balls to be played does not exceed 2,000.

  That is, the player can determine whether or not the number of balls is over 2,000 depending on whether or not the number of balls can be confirmed at one end of the gaming machine island 3. For this reason, for example, when there are many display devices 1 that are located at one end of the gaming machine island 3 and can check the number of balls to be played, the player has a large number of balls to be played on the gaming machine island 3. It becomes easy to grasp the ball situation.

  The electronic papers 31a and 31b are made of a photochromic material that changes color according to the color of the applied light and returns to the original color (brown) when irradiated with ultraviolet rays. Then, the display device 1 erases the image by irradiating the electronic paper 31a and 31b with ultraviolet rays (S160), and then irradiates the electronic paper 31a and 31b with red light, blue light, and green light to form an image. (S170, S180). For this reason, the display device 1 can display information in three colors of red, blue, and green.

In the first embodiment described above, the display device 1 is a gaming machine information display device according to the present invention, the pachinko machine 5 is a gaming machine according to the present invention, the processing of S160 to S180 in FIG. part 40 is a supporting hand stage in the present invention.

Further, the display information in the display image data D1 to the present invention, the electronic paper 31a when writing table surface in the image forming plane to the present invention, the left display supporting plate 21a and the right display support plates 21b are arranged in the protruding state, 31b Is the first position in the present invention, and the positions of the electronic papers 31a and 31b when the left display support plate 21a and the right display support plate 21b are stored are the second positions in the present invention.

(Second Embodiment)
Below, 2nd Embodiment of this invention is described based on drawing. In the second embodiment, only parts different from the first embodiment will be described.

  The display device 1 in the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the configuration of the electronic papers 31a and 31b, the exposure device 61 and the controller 100 is changed, and heating and cooling devices 81 and 83 described later are added. And the display process has been changed.

  First, the configuration of the electronic papers 31a and 31b, the exposure device 61, and the controller 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8A is a front view of the display device 1 in a state in which the display unit 30 is accommodated, FIG. 8B is a plan view showing the internal configuration of the display device 1 in a state in which the display unit 30 is accommodated, and FIG. ) Is a plan view showing the internal configuration of the display device 1 in a state where the display unit 30 is projected, and FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the display device 1.

  The electronic papers 31a and 31b are prepared by adding a photochromic compound to a cholesteric liquid crystalline compound having a molecular weight of 2000 or less and a glass transition temperature of 35 ° C. or more or a mixture of these liquid crystalline compounds between two substrates or films transparent at least one of them. A rewritable color image recording medium having a composition obtained by adding 5 to 10% by weight. Specifically, “eicosadioic acid dicholesteryl ester A and 4,4′-dimethylazobenzene B (5 wt% with respect to (A)) were dissolved in methylene chloride and mixed well, and then at room temperature under reduced pressure. After removing the solvent and further drying sufficiently, the mixture of (A) and 4,4′-dimethylazobenzene B was sandwiched between two quartz plates with a thickness of 0.18 mm, and the whole was heated to 130 ° C. to dissolve. The thickness of the sample portion was adjusted to about 20 microns (see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-89398).

  In the electronic papers 31a and 31b configured as described above, when the composition composed of the cholesteric liquid crystalline compound and the photochromic compound is heated to a temperature at which the composition becomes a liquid crystal state (98 ° C. in this embodiment) and further irradiated with ultraviolet rays. The irradiated portion changes from green to blue, and the color is fixed when rapidly cooled to 0 ° C. after the ultraviolet irradiation (cooling rate is 1 ° C./second or more). That is, an image can be written by heating, cooling, and ultraviolet irradiation. Further, when the composition composed of the cholesteric liquid crystalline compound and the photochromic compound is heated to a temperature at which it is in a molten state (130 ° C. in this embodiment), the written image is erased.

  That is, the electronic papers 31a and 31b are formed of a material whose structure reversibly changes by heating and light irradiation, and whose absorption wavelength or reflection wavelength changes according to the change of the structure.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the exposure device 61 omits the red light irradiator 65, the blue light irradiator 67, and the green light irradiator 69. That is, the exposure device 61 is composed only of the ultraviolet irradiator 63.

  Further, the heating / cooling device 81 (83) is disposed inside the display plate 33a (33b) (see FIG. 8B), and the entire electronic paper 31a (31b) is in a temperature range of 0 to 130 ° C. A heating / cooling unit 81a (83a) capable of heating and cooling and a wireless communication unit 81b (83b) that performs wireless communication with the controller 100 are configured (see FIG. 9). When the wireless communication unit 81b (83b) receives a temperature setting command for instructing the heating / cooling temperature of the electronic paper 31a (31b) from the controller 100, the heating / cooling unit 81a (83a) is instructed by the temperature setting command. The electronic paper 31a (31b) is heated and cooled so that the temperature is set to the desired temperature.

  In addition, a wireless communication unit 109 that performs wireless communication with the wireless communication units 81b and 83b is added to the controller 100, and the controller 100 supplies the temperature to the wireless communication unit 81b (83b) via the wireless communication unit 109. Send a setting command.

  Next, display processing in the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The difference between the display process in the second embodiment and the first embodiment is that the processes in S160, S170, and S180 are changed.

  That is, in S160, the temperature setting command is transmitted to the wireless communication units 81b and 83b via the wireless communication unit 109, thereby operating the heating / cooling device 81 (83) and setting the electronic paper 31a (31b) to 130 ° C. Heat. As a result, the image written in the electronic paper 31a (31b) is erased.

  Thereafter, in S170, the temperature setting command is transmitted to the wireless communication unit 81b via the wireless communication unit 109, whereby the heating / cooling device 81 is operated to heat the electronic paper 31a to 98 ° C. Then, by moving the exposure device 61 in the horizontal direction by one pixel by the exposure device horizontal movement device 71, the ultraviolet light is applied to the ultraviolet irradiator 63 from top to bottom (in FIG. 8B, perpendicular to the paper surface, Irradiate while scanning in the direction from the near side to the far side. As a result, a blue image is formed on the surface of the electronic paper 31a. The ultraviolet irradiator 63 emits ultraviolet rays according to image data in which the display red image data D1r, the display blue image data D1b, and the display green image data D1g are collected as one image. Thereafter, the heating / cooling device 81 is operated to cool the electronic paper 31a to 0 ° C. (the cooling rate is 2 ° C./second, for example). As a result, the formed blue image is fixed.

  Next, in S180, similarly to S170, the heating / cooling device 83, the exposure device horizontal movement device 71, and the exposure device 61 are operated to form and fix a blue image on the surface of the electronic paper 31b.

  In the display device 1 according to the second embodiment configured as described above, the electronic papers 31a and 31b are display media (nonvolatile display media) that can hold written contents without receiving power supply. Therefore, after an image is written on the electronic papers 31a and 31b, no power is required to hold the contents. That is, no electric power is required while displaying an image. Accordingly, power consumption for display can be reduced.

In the second embodiment described above, the processes of S160 to S180 in FIG. 5 are writing means in the present invention.
As mentioned above, although one Example of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the said Example, As long as it belongs to the technical scope of this invention, a various form can be taken.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the display device 1 displays the “number of balls”, but may display other information on the pachinko machine 5. The other information is, for example, “start count”, “big hit count” of the pachinko machine 5 and the like.

  In the above embodiment, the electronic paper 31a, 31b made of photochromic material is applied. However, other types of electronic paper may be applied. For example, a microcapsule containing white particles that are positively charged and black particles that are negatively charged is placed between a transparent electrode and a back electrode, and a voltage is applied between the electrodes to dispose the particles in the microcapsule. An electrophoretic electronic paper that displays images by electrophoresis may be applied. Further, as disclosed in JP-A-5-224341, JP-A-7-199401, JP-A-2000-44592, and JP-A-2002-341485, it is reversibly caused by heating or light irradiation. A full-color photochromic material in which the structure changes and the absorption wavelength or the reflection wavelength changes according to the structure change to change to a desired color may be applied.

  In the first embodiment, ultraviolet rays are irradiated to erase images written on the electronic papers 31a and 31b. However, the photochromic material disclosed in JP-A-2002-341485 as the electronic papers 31a and 31b. (That is, a photochromic compound having a maximum absorption wavelength in the range of 400 to 500 nm in the colored state, a photochromic compound having a maximum absorption wavelength in the range of 500 to 600 nm in the colored state, and a maximum absorption wavelength in the colored state of 600 to 700 nm. In the case of applying a photochromic compound in the range), light having a wavelength in the range of 400 to 500 nm (for example, 420 nm), 500 in order to erase images written on the electronic papers 31a and 31b, 500 Light in the range of ~ 600 nm (eg If 530 nm) and three types may be irradiated light (e.g. 665 nm) in the range of 600 to 700 nm.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, what showed the outgoing ball acquired by the normal jackpot game and the probability variation jackpot game by the ball box image of a different color was shown. However, the shape and pattern of the ball box may be changed and displayed.

  In the above embodiment, the left display support plate 21a and the right display support plate 21b are bent at the connection edge and arranged in a state of protruding from the display support portion storage port 13 (projection state). The image forming surfaces 31 a and 31 b are presented toward the front side and the side surface side of the display device 1. However, any form may be used as long as information is displayed toward the front side and the side surface of the display device 1.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the display device 1 is applied to the gaming machine island where the pachinko machine is installed. However, the display device 1 may be applied to a gaming machine island where other types of gaming machines such as slot gaming machines are installed. .

FIG. 3 is a front view showing the arrangement of the display device 1. FIG. 6 illustrates a configuration of a display device 1. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control system of the display device 1. The flowchart which shows a pitching information generation process procedure. The flowchart which shows a display processing procedure. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display screen of the display device 1. The figure which shows the display image data D1. FIG. 6 illustrates a configuration of a display device 1. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control system of the display device 1.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Display apparatus, 3 ... Game machine island, 5 ... Pachinko machine, 5a ... Start winning opening, 5b ... Large winning opening, 11 ... Housing | casing, 13 ... Display support part accommodation opening, 15a, 15b ... Guide rail, 20 ... Display support part, 21a ... Left display support plate, 21b ... Right display support plate, 23a, 23b ... Hinge, 25a, 25b, 25c, 25d ... Guide pins, 27a, 27b ... Display part storage port, 30 ... Display part, 30a ... Left display unit, 30b ... Right display unit, 31a, 31b ... Electronic paper, 33a, 33b ... Display board, 35a, 35b, 35c, 35d ... Axle pin, 37a, 37b ... Worm wheel, 40 ... Moving unit, 41 ... Solenoid, 41a ... Plunger, 41b ... Biasing spring, 43a, 43b ... Stepping motor, 45a, 45b ... Connecting member, 47a, 47b ... Worm, 49a, 49b ... Rotation angle set 60, image forming unit, 61, exposure device, 63, ultraviolet irradiation device, 65, red light irradiation device, 67, blue light irradiation device, 69, green light irradiation device, 71, exposure device horizontal movement device, 81, 83 ... heating / cooling device, 81a, 83a ... heating / cooling unit, 81b, 83b ... wireless communication unit, 100 ... controller, 101 ... CPU, 103 ... ROM, 105 ... RAM, 107 ... input / output unit, 109 ... wireless communication 110, solenoid drive circuit, 120 ... motor drive circuit.

Claims (2)

An information display device for gaming machines that is installed for each gaming machine provided on a gaming machine island and displays information related to the gaming machine,
Electronic paper which is a non-volatile display medium;
Writing means for writing display information to be displayed on the electronic paper by the device;
A display board on which the electronic paper is disposed;
In the electronic paper, the writing position on which the display information is written is presented to the front side of the apparatus as a display position, and the writing is performed on the back side of the apparatus. A position where the electronic paper is arranged so as to present a surface as a writing position, and rotation support means for rotatably supporting the display board between the display position and the writing position;
The writing means is disposed at a position facing the writing surface of the electronic paper when the display board is positioned at the writing position.
An information display device for gaming machines characterized by the above. The position where the display board is arranged so as to present the writing surface toward the front side and the side side of the apparatus is a first position,
Presenting the writing surface toward the front side of the device, and the second position is a position where the display board is arranged so as not to present the writing surface toward the side surface,
The information display device for gaming machines according to claim 1, further comprising support means for supporting the display board so as to be movable between the first position and the second position .

Images