JP2006039471A - Display device for gaming machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a plate type display device for a game machine which gives a stereoscopic effect when a symbol is displayed at a display part formed into a flexible EL element sheet and whose shape does not easily change. <P>SOLUTION: Disclosed is the plate type display device for the game machine which has at least one or more curved surface part enabling the flexible EL element sheet and internal and external shape holding plates between which the EL element sheet is sandwiched to function as the display part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a display device for a gaming machine mounted on a slot machine or a pachinko machine.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a display device of a flexible EL element having only one curved surface portion. One type of pixel pattern (display portion for displaying a symbol) is disclosed in the curved surface portion. However, the invention described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that it cannot be easily attached to a large window on the front surface of the gaming machine because the display device is flexible. Moreover, since it is one type of pixel pattern, there is a problem that it is not possible to add interest to the display content.

The invention described in Patent Document 2 has a problem from the viewpoint of increasing the efficiency of mounting work and reducing the manufacturing cost because a display device must be provided for each of the left and right rotating reels. The invention described in Patent Document 3 has a problem similar to that of Patent Document 2 because the band-shaped organic EL display must be wound around the outer peripheral surface of the rotating reel.
Published Patent Publication 7-1144 JP 2001-252393 A JP 2004-105379 A

  A first object of the present invention is to propose a display device for a gaming machine that can give a stereoscopic effect when symbols are displayed on a display unit, and whose shape is not easily deformed. The second object of the present invention is that it can be easily attached to a large window portion on the front surface of the gaming machine (improvement in the efficiency of attachment work). A third object of the present invention is that it can be used to display different types of information. A fourth object of the present invention is to reduce the manufacturing cost by providing a plurality of first display sections that can display a plurality of rotating reels along a symbol winning line, for example, in the longitudinal section direction. It is to plan.

  The plate-shaped display device for gaming machines according to the present invention has at least one or more flexible EL element sheets and at least one or more shape holding plates that sandwich the EL element sheets that can function as a display unit. A curved surface portion is formed.

  In the above configuration, the shape holding plate is a resin plate, and has a flat portion and a curved surface portion connected to the flat portion. In addition, the shape maintaining plate has a plurality of curved portions, and these curved portions are continuously formed with the same curvature in the longitudinal cross-sectional direction and are flat on the curved portion on the end side. It is characterized in that the parts are connected in series. In addition, the EL element sheet is provided with a first display portion having an arc cross section for displaying a plurality of rotating reels in a pseudo manner, and a flat portion for displaying contents different from those of the rotating reels. A second display portion is formed. Further, the shape holding plate has a “kamaboko-shaped” cover portion obtained by cutting a hollow cylinder in half, and the first display portion formed on the EL element sheet is covered by the cover portion. To do. The second display portion formed on the EL element sheet is covered with a flat portion formed on the shape holding plate. Furthermore, the both ends of the shape-retaining plate are provided with attachment portions that protrude outward from the EL element sheet. In addition, at least the outer shape retaining plate is transparent.

  Here, the “display device” refers to a device including what is called a panel-like EL element, a sheet-like EL element, a film-like EL element, an organic EL display, or the like. In addition, “clamping” includes a case of sandwiching and a case of wrapping the whole. Further, the “flat portion” is in a horizontal state, an inclined state, or a vertical state depending on the mounting position with respect to the gaming machine. Therefore, for example, the display device can be used in a state where the display device is rotated 90 degrees so that a plurality of curved surface portions are arranged in the vertical direction.

  (1) A plate-like display device is provided with at least one curved surface portion capable of exerting a function as a display portion on a flexible EL element sheet and an inner and outer shape holding plate sandwiching the EL element sheet. Since it is formed, when a symbol is displayed on the display unit of the display device, a stereoscopic effect is obtained and the shape of the display device is not easily deformed. In addition, since the curved surface portions are formed on both the EL element sheet and the inner and outer shape retaining plates, “wrinkles” do not occur on the surface of the EL element sheet.

  (2) Since the flexible EL element sheet is held by the inner and outer shape holding plates, it can be easily attached to the window portion of the gaming machine. Therefore, it is possible to improve the efficiency of the mounting work. In particular, the invention according to claim 7 can be easily set on the window portion of the gaming machine using the fixing tool or the adhesive because the attachment portions are provided at both ends of the shape-retaining plate.

  (3) In the inventions according to claims 3, 5, and 6, the shape of the display device is strengthened.

  (4) In the invention according to claim 4, a control unit (not shown) accesses the storage unit to acquire information, and the first display unit of the curved surface portion exclusively displays a three-dimensional symbol (numbers, symbols). In addition, other information (information about the game, news information, etc.) other than symbols can be displayed on the second display portion in the flat portion. Therefore, since the display content is varied, it is possible to double the fun. In addition, since a plurality of first display portions capable of displaying a plurality of rotating reels along the symbol winning line are provided in the cross-sectional direction, it is different from manufacturing the first display portions individually. Since a plurality of first display portions are formed at a time, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  Hereinafter, the best mode (first embodiment) for carrying out the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 10 will be described.

(1) Basic component member As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the display device X for gaming machines includes a flexible EL element sheet 1 having a curved portion, and an inner side and an outer side of the EL element sheet 1. It consists of plate-shaped holding plates 2 and 3 that cover the whole. The EL element sheet 1 is desirably wrapped entirely in a pressure-bonded state with a transparent resin sealing material (a film using a transparent polymer resin material). Further, at least the outer shape retaining plate 3 is transparent in order to exhibit a function as a display unit.

(2) Structure of EL Element Sheet First, the structure of the EL element sheet 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing the relationship between the inner and outer shape holding plates 2 and 3 and the EL element sheet 1. The EL element sheet 1 in FIG. 5 shows a part (one pixel). The EL element sheet 1 is a flexible laminate having a pair of electrodes, and is laminated and sealed to the inner and outer sealing films 4 and 5 through a mold setting process, a crimping process, and the like (not shown).

  Thus, reference numeral 6 denotes a first electrode covered with the inner sealing film 4, and the first electrode 6 is transparent. Reference numeral 7 denotes an electroluminescent layer having an insulating layer 8 therein, and the electroluminescent layer 7 is a light emitting layer. Therefore, the insulating layer 8 becomes a non-light emitting portion. Reference numeral 9 denotes a second electrode facing the first electrode 6, and the second electrode 9 serves as a dielectric layer. Reference numeral 10 denotes a drawing pattern film covered with an outer sealing film 5, and this drawing pattern film 10 has a conductor 11. In addition, the EL element sheet 1 is appropriately provided with a transparent print layer (not shown), an adhesive layer, a barrier layer for blocking water vapor, a printed circuit board having lead terminals, and the like.

(3) EL element sheet 1 as an information display unit
When the EL element sheet 1 is electrically connected to a control means (not shown), the EL element sheet 1 becomes an information display unit capable of displaying the whole depending on the arrangement pattern of the image elements. In other words, the EL element sheet 1 can cause the light emitting layer to emit light corresponding to the pixel pattern by applying an alternating electric field between the first electrode and the second electrode via the lead terminal. In particular, the EL element sheet 1 of the present embodiment is provided with a first display portion having a cross-sectional arc shape for displaying a plurality of rotating reels in a pseudo manner, and the flat portion has contents different from those of the rotating reels. A second display unit for displaying is formed.

  In FIG. 1, for convenience of explanation, a portion (information area) of the information display portion is indicated by hatching. The information display unit of the present embodiment can be classified into at least two types.

  One of the information display units is a curved first display unit 15. The first display unit 15 can display a plurality of rotating reels in a pseudo manner along a winning line of a symbol (not shown) provided on the EL element sheet 1 and the shape holding plate. Of course, the winning line can be displayed on the first display unit 15 by luminance means. When operating the brightness means at the time of winning a prize, it depends on the data in the storage unit electrically connected to the control means and the display control means for processing the data.

  In the first embodiment, a plurality of (three in total) first display portions 15 are continuously formed via vertical portions 16 that are short in the vertical axis direction, with reference to FIG. . These first display portions 15a, 15b, and 15c correspond to, for example, a case where there are three rotating reels of the slot machine that are separated in a predetermined direction.

  By the way, the short vertical portion 16 described above is a third display unit that is used to display information, colors, patterns, and the like different from those of the first display unit 15 and the second display unit 17. Reference numeral 16 denotes a slender shape between the upper first display portion 15a and the lower first display portion 15c with reference to the horizontally long first display portion 15b shown in FIG.

  Another information display unit is the second display unit 17. In the present embodiment, the second display portion 17 means a flat portion connected to the upper end portion of the first display portion 15a and a flat portion connected to the lower end portion of the first display portion 15c (total 2). Pieces).

  By the way, in this embodiment, the information display unit has at least two types of pixel patterns. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the pixel pattern 18 of the first display unit 15 includes a plurality of (for example, three) individual patterns (for example, individual areas such as a square, a rectangle, and a circle) arranged side by side. ). Therefore, the individual pixel pattern 18 is suitable for displaying one number, a symbol, a design, and the like. That is, it is suitable for displaying one symbol of the rotating reel.

  On the other hand, the end pixel pattern 19 of the second display unit 17 is a horizontal series pattern as shown in FIG. Therefore, this end pixel pattern 19 is suitable for displaying a descriptive document. That is, it is suitable for displaying different information other than symbols such as game information, table replacement information, and table maintenance information.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the first display unit 15 has a “kamaboko shape” in which a hollow cylinder is cut in half so as to fit between the shape holding plates 2 and 3 (so as not to cause wrinkles). ing. The inner and outer sealing films 4 and 5 are not limited to resin materials as long as they have flexibility and are high polymers. For example, it is made of fluororesin, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride or the like.

(4) Shape holding plate The inner and outer shape holding plates 2 and 3 are transparent resin plates that cover the flexible EL element sheet 1 as a whole. As shown in FIG. 2, the cross-sectional shape of the inner and outer shape holding plates 2 and 3 is the same as that of the EL element sheet 1. Therefore, the shape holding plates 2 and 3 have flat portions 2a and 3a, respectively, and curved surface portions 2b and 3b connected to these flat portions, respectively. Further, the curved surface portions 2b and 3b are “kamaboko-shaped” cover parts obtained by cutting a hollow cylinder in half, and the first display part 15 having an arc-shaped cross section of the EL element sheet covers the cover parts 2b and 3b. Is done.

  If spread, the first display portion 15 of the EL element sheet 1 is sandwiched between the curved surface portions 2b and 3b of the shape holding plates 2 and 3, while the second display portion 17 of the EL element sheet 1 is sandwiched between the shape holding plates 2 and 2b. 3 between the flat portions 2a and 3a.

  Furthermore, the shape holding plates 2 and 3 of the present embodiment have mounting portions 2c and 3c that protrude outward from the information display portions 15, 16, and 17 of the EL element sheet 1. The display device X is fixedly disposed on the window portion 21 of the gaming machine Y through these attachment portions 2c and 3c.

(5) Application Example The gaming machine display device X can be applied to a slot machine Y, which is an example of a gaming machine, as shown in FIGS. The slot machine Y includes, for example, a total of nine mechanical rotating reels 22 arranged in a matrix on the large window portion 21 on the front surface. As shown in FIG. 10, the display device X is attached to the window portion 21 through fixing means 23 such as an adhesive layer and screws. At this time, the display device X is connected to an electric circuit including an input unit, a control unit, a storage unit, a power source, an operation unit, and the like of the slot machine Y.

As described above, since the display device X can perform its own display function, it is not an essential requirement that the slot machine Y includes the rotary reel 22.
However, as shown in FIG. 10, when the slot machine Y has a plurality of rotating reels 22, the display device X is mounted on the front surface of each rotating reel 22 with a slight gap. Then, one “kamaboko-shaped” cover portions 2b and 3b are configured to wrap all three rotating reels 22 arranged in parallel in the lateral direction. The display device X of the present embodiment is configured to wrap all the rotating reels 22 at a time.

  As is clear from FIG. 2, the display device X of the first embodiment has the shape of the longitudinal section of the EL element sheet 1 and the shape holding plates 2 and 3, the length dimension of the plane portion (vertical portion) and the curved portion ( The arc-shaped portion) has the same curvature, and the flat surface portion and the curved surface portion are alternately continued from the upper end portion to the lower end portion.

  However, as described above, the shape of the longitudinal section of the shape holding plates 2 and 3 corresponds to the curvature of the curved surface portion as the first display portion of the EL element sheet 1 and holds the form of the EL element sheet 1. It can be changed arbitrarily within the possible range.

  For example, FIG.11 and FIG.12 is the modification (2nd Example). The display device X1 of the second embodiment is similar to the display device X of the first embodiment in that the EL element sheet 1A and the shape holding plates 2A and 3A are provided with curved surface portions 15A, 3b and 3b and a flat surface connected thereto. It has portions 17A, 3a, 2a. However, the curvature of the first display portion 15A of the EL element sheet 1A of the display device X1 of the second embodiment is that all of the rotary reels 22 arranged in a matrix in the window portion 21 of the gaming machine Y (9 pieces). Is different in that the shape of the longitudinal section is formed in one arc shape. Another difference is that the upper and lower second display portions 17A, 17A are connected to both ends of the first display portion 15A.

  As described above, the cross-sectional shape of the curved surface (arc-shaped) portion corresponds to each rotating reel of the slot machine individually (first embodiment), or corresponds to each rotating reel as a whole. It depends on the case (second embodiment). Further, the length of the cross section of the curved surface (arc-shaped) portion varies depending on the radius, position, number, etc. of the rotating reel.

  Therefore, even if a person skilled in the art appropriately changes the design of the curved surface (arc-shaped) portion, it is an equivalent matter as long as the object of the present invention can be achieved.

  The present invention is used in the industry of gaming machines mounted on slot machines and pachinko machines.

1 to 10 are each explanatory views showing the best embodiment of the present invention. 11 and 12 show a second embodiment of the present invention.
The schematic explanatory drawing of the notch seen from the front of 1st Example. The schematic longitudinal cross-section explanatory drawing which isolate | separated each member. The exploded perspective view of each member. Schematic explanatory drawing of EL element sheet | seat 1. FIG. The conceptual diagram which shows the relationship between an inner and outer shape holding | maintenance board and an EL element sheet | seat. Explanatory drawing of the pixel pattern of a 1st display part. Explanatory drawing of the pixel pattern of a 2nd display part. Explanatory drawing from the perspective at the time of mounting | wearing on the window part of a game machine. Explanatory drawing from the front when it is mounted on the window of the gaming machine. Explanatory drawing from the longitudinal cross-section at the time of attaching to the window part of a gaming machine. The schematic explanatory drawing of the notch seen from the front of 2nd Example (same figure as FIG. 1). Explanatory drawing from the longitudinal cross-section at the time of attaching to the window part of a game machine (similar figure to FIG. 10).

Explanation of symbols

X, X1 ... display device, Y ... gaming machine, 1, 1A ... EL element sheet, 2, 2A ... inner shape holding plate, 3, 3A ... outer shape holding plate, 2a, 3a ... flat portion, 2b, 3b ... curved surface portion, 2c, 3c ... attached portion, 15, 15A ... curved surface portion, first display portion, 16 ... third display portion, 17, 17A ... flat portion, second display portion, 18 ... individual pixel pattern, 19 ... Horizontal continuous pixel pattern.

Claims (8)

Flexible EL element sheet and plate-shaped display device for game machine in which at least one curved surface portion capable of exhibiting a function as a display portion is formed on the inner and outer shape holding plates sandwiching the EL element sheet . 2. The display device for a gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the shape holding plate is a resin plate, and has a flat portion and a curved surface portion connected to the flat portion. In claim 1 or claim 2, a plurality of curved surface portions are formed on the shape-retaining plate, and these curved surface portions are continuously formed with the same curvature in the longitudinal sectional direction, A display device for a gaming machine, wherein a flat portion is connected to a curved surface portion on an end side. 2. The EL element sheet according to claim 1, wherein the EL element sheet is formed with a first display portion having an arc cross section for displaying a plurality of rotating reels in a pseudo manner, and the flat portion has a different content from the rotating reels. A display device for gaming machines, wherein a second display portion for displaying is formed. 5. The shape holding plate according to claim 1, wherein the shape holding plate has a “kamaboko-shaped” cover portion obtained by cutting a hollow cylinder in half, and the first display portion formed on the EL element sheet includes: A display device for a gaming machine, which is covered by the cover portion. 6. The display for gaming machines according to claim 1, wherein the second display portion formed on the EL element sheet is covered with a flat portion formed on the shape holding plate. apparatus. 2. A display device for a gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein attachment portions projecting outward from the EL element sheet are provided at both ends of the shape holding plate. The display device for a gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein at least the outer shape retaining plate is transparent.

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