JP2007215983A - Liquid crystal shutter device for game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid crystal shutter device for a game machine, which prevents the reflection of various colors of reel patterns on a screen when the liquid crystal shutter is closed and the reel is in the dark, and thus which causes no degradation of the quality of images such as overlapping by other colors on original images. <P>SOLUTION: A game machine having a rotating reel and center winning patterns is equipped with a liquid crystal panel 5 and a liquid crystal shutter device placed behind and to be used with the panel 5. Different light sources are used for the illumination of a symbol reel 1 and the liquid crystal panel from its rear side, depending on whether the liquid crystal shutter 2 is open or closed. The opening or closing of the shutter is synchronized with the turning ON or OFF of those lights. When the liquid crystal shutter is closed to show video images, various colors of reel symbols on the unilluminated reel are not reflected on the screen, causing no image quality degradation by color overlapping. Using different light sources for different tasks also contributes to power saving and the reduction in temperature inside the machine. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a novel structure of a liquid crystal shutter device for gaming machines.

  The light source of the liquid crystal shutter used in combination with the liquid crystal display panel in the gaming machine is a set of light sources that simultaneously turn on the functions of both the reel illumination and the liquid crystal display panel backlight.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first example of the prior art. Between the symbol reel 1 and the liquid crystal shutter 2, a common light source 3 (for example, a cold cathode tube) and a light diffusion plate 4 that illuminate both are placed. In the figure, reference numeral 5 denotes a liquid crystal display panel. In the figure, reference numeral 6 denotes an in-reel light source (lamp) which may be arranged.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a second example of the prior art. A shared light source 3 that illuminates both is placed between the design reel 1 and the liquid crystal shutter 2, and a light source 7 (for example, a cold cathode tube) is also placed between the liquid crystal shutter 2 and the liquid crystal display panel 5.

  In conventional liquid crystal shutter devices for gaming machines such as these, in the scene where the liquid crystal shutter 2 is closed and the image developed on the liquid crystal screen is viewed, the backlight is required to be white for the color image, but on the design reel 1 Colors other than white were also dissipated due to the colorful design of, resulting in image quality degradation.

  In addition, when the in-reel light source 6 is disposed inside the symbol reel 1 for symbol illumination, the influence of various colors on the symbol on the video screen is significant.

  Also, when viewing the design of the design reel 1 with the liquid crystal shutter open, the light that acted as the backlight is diffusely reflected on the surface of the liquid crystal shutter 2 and so on, making it brighter. The design of the design reel 1 was lacking in clarity.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems. When the liquid crystal shutter is opened, the reel can be clearly seen, and when the liquid crystal shutter is closed, the various colors of the reel pattern do not appear on the screen. An object of the present invention is to provide a display device with a liquid crystal shutter for gaming machines in which the image quality does not deteriorate such that another color overlaps the original video.

  A display device with a liquid crystal shutter for a gaming machine according to claim 1 of the present invention is a display device with a liquid crystal shutter for a gaming machine that uses a liquid crystal display panel and a liquid crystal shutter in an overlapping manner in a gaming machine having a rotating reel or a center yak. Lighting for the rotating reel and the liquid crystal backlight is installed separately for when the liquid crystal shutter is opened and when it is closed, and these lights are used separately in synchronization with the opening and closing of the liquid crystal shutter. It is characterized by being turned off.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the display device with a liquid crystal shutter for a gaming machine according to the first aspect, when there is a lamp for illuminating the rotating reel symbol in the rotary reel, the lamp is turned on and the liquid crystal shutter is opened and closed. It is characterized in that it is turned on and off in synchronization with.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, in the display device with a liquid crystal shutter for a gaming machine according to the first or second aspect, the liquid crystal shutter is transparent when the voltage is applied (shutter is open), and when not applied, the glass glass is opaque (shutter is closed) It is a film sheet-like member which becomes).

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in the display device with a liquid crystal shutter for gaming machines according to any one of the first to third aspects, the liquid crystal display panel does not include a light guide plate, a diffusion plate, a reflection plate, or the like. It is characterized by.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in the display device with a liquid crystal shutter for gaming machines according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the arrangement position of the liquid crystal display panel and the liquid crystal shutter is entirely or substantially entirely in the line-of-sight direction. It is characterized by overlapping.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in the display device with a liquid crystal shutter for gaming machines according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the arrangement position of the liquid crystal display panel and the liquid crystal shutter is entirely or substantially entirely in the line-of-sight direction. The liquid crystal shutters do not overlap, and the liquid crystal shutter is disposed at a position corresponding to a part of the liquid crystal display panel.

  In the present invention, when the shutter for viewing the reel is opened, there is no unnecessary scattered light by illuminating the shutter from the back, so the reel can be clearly seen, and when the liquid crystal shutter for viewing images is closed, the reel is dark. Various colors of the reel symbol are not reflected on the screen, and there is an effect that the image quality deterioration that another color overlaps with the original image does not occur. Conventionally, the reel illumination and the liquid crystal backlight are illuminated at the same time. However, by using each light source properly, there is an effect that power can be saved and heat generation in the apparatus can be reduced.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. In the following description, portions common to the conventional example are denoted by common reference numerals.

  FIG. 3 is a conceptual cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a liquid crystal shutter device for gaming machines according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which a liquid crystal display panel is superimposed on a liquid crystal shutter and a reel design is visible. In gaming machines with rotating reels and center yaks, the lighting for the rotating reel and LCD backlight is separate for when the shutter is opened and when it is closed. Install the one and synchronize with the shutter opening and closing to use both.

  In the liquid crystal shutter device for gaming machine shown in the figure, when there is a lamp 6 for illuminating the reel symbol in the symbol reel 1, the lighting of the lamp 6 is also synchronized with the opening and closing of the liquid crystal shutter 2.

  In the liquid crystal shutter device for gaming machines of this example, the liquid crystal display panel 5 is only a liquid crystal panel and does not include a light guide plate, a reflection plate, a diffusion plate, or the like.

  Further, in this liquid crystal shutter device for gaming machines, a film sheet-like member is used that is transparent (shutter is open) when a voltage is applied and becomes opaque (shutter is closed) when not applied.

  The operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the control block shown in FIG.

  A liquid crystal display panel 5 and a liquid crystal shutter 2 are arranged in pairs, and a symbol reel 1 is arranged behind the viewing direction as shown in the drawing. When the reel is viewed in the state of the gaming machine, the light source selector switch 8 is closed to the A side in the figure, the liquid crystal shutter 2 is transparent, and the light source 9 for the reel and the in-reel light source 6 for illuminating the inner surface of the reel from behind. Lights up.

  In a scene in which the game machine develops an image on the liquid crystal display panel 5, the light source selector switch 8 is closed to the B side in the figure, the liquid crystal shutter 2 is in an opaque ground glass state, and the liquid crystal backlight light source 10 is turned on. The reel light source 9 and the in-reel light source 6 are turned off. In the figure, 11 is a liquid crystal display panel control circuit, and 12 is a liquid crystal shutter drive power source.

  FIG. 6 is a conceptual cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the liquid crystal shutter device for gaming machines according to the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state in which the liquid crystal display panel is superimposed on the liquid crystal shutter and the reel design is visible. .

  In this embodiment, there is a liquid crystal shutter that is used in an overlapping manner with a liquid crystal display panel, and illumination for a rotating reel and a liquid crystal backlight is provided separately for opening and closing the shutter. The point of using both in synchronization with the opening and closing is the same as in the previous embodiment. However, the liquid crystal shutter 2 is provided in a part of the liquid crystal display panel 5 (for example, the central portion) to provide the shutter function. Other parts are configured such that the video function can be used as it is, as in a general liquid crystal unit.

  That is, the portions denoted by reference numerals 5 and 2 in the figure are portions indicating that the liquid crystal display panel 5 and the liquid crystal shutter 2 are overlapped, and in the state where the design reel 1 is visible as shown, the liquid crystal The display panel 5 is plain (white), and the liquid crystal shutter 2 is transparent.

  Specifically, reference numeral 20 in the figure is the effective range of the function of the liquid crystal shutter 2. In this range, the light guide plate 21, the diffusion plate 22, the reflection plate 23, and the structural sheet metal 24 are cut from the structure or made transparent. ing. In the figure, reference numeral 25 denotes a portion that functions in the same manner as a general liquid crystal unit. Note that the position of the liquid crystal shutter 2 is not limited to the center position of the liquid crystal display panel 5 as in the illustrated example, and of course, various positions can be taken as necessary.

The figure which shows the 1st example of a prior art The figure which shows the 2nd example of a prior art Conceptual sectional view of an embodiment of a liquid crystal shutter device for gaming machines according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state where the liquid crystal display panel is overlaid on the liquid crystal shutter and the reel design is visible in the embodiment of FIG. Control block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention Conceptual sectional view of another embodiment of the liquid crystal shutter device for gaming machines according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state where the liquid crystal display panel is superimposed on the liquid crystal shutter and the reel design is visible in the embodiment of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Symbol reel 2 Liquid crystal shutter 3, 7 Light source 4 Light diffusing plate 5 Liquid crystal display panel 6 Light source in reel 8 Light source changeover switch 9 Light source for reel 10 Liquid crystal backlight light source 11 Liquid crystal display panel control circuit 12 Liquid crystal shutter drive power supply 20 Liquid crystal shutter drive power Effective functional range 21 Light guide plate 22 Diffuser plate 23 Reflector plate 24 Structural sheet metal 25 Parts that function in the same way as general liquid crystal units

Claims (6)

In a gaming machine having a rotating reel and a central yakmono, there is a display device with a liquid crystal shutter for a gaming machine that uses a liquid crystal display panel and a liquid crystal shutter, and illumination for the rotating reel and the liquid crystal backlight is provided on the liquid crystal shutter. A display device with a liquid crystal shutter for a gaming machine, wherein separate devices are installed for opening and closing, and these lights are switched on and off in synchronization with opening and closing of the liquid crystal shutter. 2. A display device with a liquid crystal shutter for a gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein when there is a lamp for illuminating the rotating reel symbol in the rotating reel, the lamp is turned on and off in synchronization with the opening and closing of the liquid crystal shutter. A display device with a liquid crystal shutter for gaming machines. 3. A display device with a liquid crystal shutter for gaming machines according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the liquid crystal shutter is a film sheet-like member that becomes transparent (shutter open) when a voltage is applied and becomes frosted opaque (shutter closed) when no voltage is applied. A display device with a liquid crystal shutter for a gaming machine. 4. A display device with a liquid crystal shutter for gaming machines according to claim 1, wherein the liquid crystal display panel does not include a light guide plate, a diffusion plate, a reflection plate, or the like. Display device. 5. A display device with a liquid crystal shutter for a gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the liquid crystal display panel and the liquid crystal shutter are disposed substantially or substantially entirely in a line-of-sight direction. Display device with LCD shutter for machine. 5. The display device with a liquid crystal shutter for gaming machines according to claim 1, wherein the liquid crystal display panel and the liquid crystal shutter are arranged in a line-of-sight direction so that the whole or almost the whole does not overlap, and the liquid crystal shutter A display device with a liquid crystal shutter for a gaming machine, wherein an arrangement position of corresponds to a part of the liquid crystal display panel.