JP2015150274A - Display device, game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a display device capable of displaying a full-color image while suppressing a decrease in visibility behind. A display device includes a liquid crystal panel that controls a light transmission amount of each pixel, and a light source device that is disposed behind the liquid crystal panel. In the light source device 71, a plurality of EL-R that emits red light, EL-G that emits green light, and EL-B that emits blue light are arranged on a transparent substrate 72. In the image display mode, the display control unit 44 drives the liquid crystal panel 40 in synchronization with the switching while switching EL-R, G, and B at high speed, and switches the gray images of red, green, and blue. A full color image is displayed by displaying. Further, in the transmission mode, the display control unit 44 makes the back of the display device 70 visible by maximizing the light transmittance of all the pixels of the liquid crystal panel 40. [Selection] Figure 9

Description

  The present invention relates to a display device and a gaming machine having the display device.

  Slot machines and pachinko machines such as pachinko machines installed in pachinko parlors are widely known. Such a gaming machine includes various displays such as a display (display device) that displays various images, a speaker that outputs various sounds, an electric decoration device such as a lamp, and a movable accessory. Directing a game.

  In addition, some gaming machines have a transparent liquid crystal display in front of the reel so that the reel is normally visible through the display, and an image is displayed on the liquid crystal display during production or the like ( See Patent Documents 1 and 2 below).

JP2005-021614 JP 2004-344645 A

  However, when the device described in the above-mentioned patent document cannot display a color image or is configured to display a color image, there is a problem that the transparency of the display is lowered and it is difficult to visually recognize the back. there were.

  That is, when an image is displayed by illuminating a liquid crystal panel with a monochromatic (white) light-emitting backlight as in the device described in the above-mentioned patent document, it is only necessary to control the amount of light transmitted through the liquid crystal panel. Only an image can be displayed (for example, when a white light-emitting backlight is used, a shade of gray between white (transmittance 100%) and black (transmittance 0%) even if the transmittance of the liquid crystal panel is changed. Only change can be expressed).

  On the other hand, in a conventional apparatus, in order to display a color image, a color for separating light from a backlight into, for example, R (red), G (green), and B (blue) colors in a liquid crystal panel. You need to arrange the filters. However, in this case, since the back of the liquid crystal panel is visually recognized through the color filter or from the gap between the color filters, the visibility is deteriorated.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above background, and an object of the present invention is to provide a display device and a gaming machine capable of displaying a color image while suppressing a decrease in visibility behind.

  In order to achieve the above object, a display device of the present invention includes a liquid crystal panel that controls light transmittance for each pixel, and a transparent plate-like light emitting portion, and the light emitting portion faces the back surface of the liquid crystal panel. A light source device that is disposed on the back side of the liquid crystal panel and illuminates the back surface of the liquid crystal panel while switching the light emission color of the light emitting unit to one of a plurality of preset colors, and the light emission color switching cycle Display control means for switching and displaying the image of each color corresponding to each of the plurality of colors by switching light transmittance for each pixel of the liquid crystal panel in conjunction with the display control, and the display control means The means maximizes the image display mode for visually recognizing the full-color image and the light transmittance of the liquid crystal panel, and the back of the display device via the liquid crystal panel and the light emitting unit. Two modes of operation of the viewer is to transparent mode is characterized by controlling the driving of the liquid crystal panel.

  The light source device includes a transparent substrate and a plurality of light emitting elements that are disposed on the substrate and illuminate the back surface of the liquid crystal panel, and the substrate and the light emitting elements function as the light emitting unit. You may do it.

  The display control means controls driving in the image display mode for an area where an image to be displayed exists in the liquid crystal panel, and controls driving in an area in which the image to be displayed does not exist, in the transmission mode, The light source device may emit only the light emitting element arranged at the position corresponding to the area where the image to be displayed exists among the light emitting elements.

  Corresponding to temporal changes in the position and shape of the image to be displayed, the position and shape of the area to be driven and controlled in the image display mode and the light emitting element that emits light may be temporally changed.

  The light source device is disposed on a side of the light guide plate that illuminates the back surface of the liquid crystal panel by leveling the light incident from the side surface and emitting it from the front surface, toward the side surface of the light guide plate The light guide plate may be configured such that the light guide plate functions as the light emitting unit.

  In order to achieve the above object, a gaming machine according to the present invention includes the above-described display device and a visual object that is arranged behind the display device and is visually recognized through the display device in the transmission mode. It is characterized by having prepared.

  In the present invention, a transparent light emitting unit is provided behind the liquid crystal panel, and the light emission color of the light emitting unit is switched, and the light transmittance of each pixel of the liquid crystal panel is switched in conjunction with this switching cycle so as to be visually recognized as a full color image. I did it. Thereby, according to this invention, a full-color image can be displayed, suppressing the visibility fall behind.

  In addition, when a plurality of light emitting elements are arranged on a transparent substrate to function as a light emitting unit, the position of an area to be illuminated in the liquid crystal panel, that is, an area where an image can be displayed depends on which light emitting element emits light. The image that displays the image in one screen, such as the image display mode for the area where the display target image exists and the transmission mode for the area where the display target image does not exist, can be adjusted. Two areas can be provided: a display area and a transmissive area that transmits the back. Further, it is possible to display the image in such a manner that the image moves in front of the object to be viewed behind by changing the position and shape of the image display area and the transmission area with time.

It is an external view of a slot machine. It is an external view of a display apparatus. It is an exploded view of a display apparatus. It is a top view of a light unit. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of a light-guide plate. It is sectional drawing of a light source device. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of a light-guide plate. It is sectional drawing of a light source device. It is an exploded view of a display apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the slot machine (game machine) 10 includes a storage box 12 and a front door 14. The storage box 12 stores a reel unit, a hopper device, and the like. The front door 14 is divided into an upper door 14a and a lower door 14b. The upper door 14a and the lower door 14b are pivotally attached to the storage box 12 and supported so as to be freely opened and closed. In the following, in the state where the slot machine 10 is installed in the game hall (the state shown in FIG. 1), the side facing the player (front side) is the front (front side), and the side far from the player (back side) ) Will be described later (back side).

  A display device 16 is provided on the upper door 14a, and a rotatable first reel 20a, second reel 20b, and third reel 20c are provided behind the display device 16. As will be described later, the display device 16 operates in two types of operation modes: an image display mode for displaying a full-color image and a transmission mode for visually recognizing the back of the display device 16. The display device 16 produces a game by displaying various effect images in the image display mode, and visually recognizes the reels 20a to 20c arranged behind in the transmission mode. A plurality of types of symbols are arranged on the outer peripheral surfaces of the reels 20a to 20c. When the reels 20a to 20c are stopped in the transmission mode, three symbols are displayed per reel via the display device 16.

  The lower door 14b has a medal slot 22 for inserting medals, a bet button 24 that is operated when betting credited medals, a start lever 26 that is operated when starting a game, and a rotating reel. A first stop button 30a, a second stop button 30b, a third stop button 30c for stopping, a payout port 32 for paying out medals, and a medal tray 34 for receiving medals paid out from the payout port 32 are provided.

  The slot machine 10 inserts a medal into the medal insertion slot 22 or operates the bet button 24 in a state where a credited medal exists, and the start lever 26 is activated. When the activated start lever 26 is operated, the game is started accordingly. When the game is started, a winning combination lottery is performed to determine one of a plurality of types of winning combinations or a loss, and the reels 20a to 20c start rotating. Thereafter, when the stop buttons 30a to 30c are activated and the activated stop buttons 30a to 30c are operated, the rotation of the corresponding reels is individually stopped. When all the reels are stopped, if a combination of symbols corresponding to the winning combination determined in the winning combination lottery is displayed, the winning combination is won, and processing associated with the winning winning combination is executed. Is done.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the display device 16 includes a liquid crystal panel 40 in which liquid crystal is sealed, a light source device 42 that illuminates the liquid crystal panel 40, and the liquid crystal panel 40 and the light source device 42 that are electrically connected to each other. 40 and a display control unit (display control means) 44 that controls the drive of the light source device 42.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the liquid crystal panel 40 controls the voltage applied to each liquid crystal at a position corresponding to each pixel of the image displayed on the display device 16, and the position corresponding to each pixel. By changing the alignment of the liquid crystal, the light transmittance at each position corresponding to each pixel is changed. In this specification, “position corresponding to a pixel” and “liquid crystal at a position corresponding to a pixel” may be simply referred to as “pixel”.

  The liquid crystal panel 40 may be any of various known types such as a TN type, an IPS type, and a VA type as long as no color filter is attached. In general, the liquid crystal panel has NW (normally white) in which the light transmittance is maximum when no voltage is applied to the liquid crystal, and the light transmittance is minimum in the state where no voltage is applied to the liquid crystal. Although broadly classified into NB (normally black), any of these may be used in the present invention. However, since the display device 16 of the present invention makes the back view visible in the transmissive mode (maximizing the light transmittance of the liquid crystal panel 40), an NW liquid crystal panel is used in consideration of power consumption in the transmissive mode. preferable.

  In the light source device 42, the light guide plate 50 and the light unit 52 are integrated by being attached to a common frame (not shown). Four light units 52 are provided so as to face the side surfaces.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the light unit 52, one end surface facing the side surface of the light guide plate 50 is a light emitting surface 52a, and a light source (light emitting element) is provided on the light emitting surface 52a. In this embodiment, LED-R that emits red light, LED-G that emits green light, and LED-B that emits blue light are used as light sources. These LEDs-R, G, and B have a predetermined arrangement pattern. And a plurality of them are arranged at a predetermined arrangement pitch. In the image display mode, the light unit 52 selectively turns on any one of the LEDs-R, G, and B (lights while switching the emission color), and the red emitted from the LEDs-R, G, and B The light of each color of green, blue is irradiated toward the side surface of the light guide plate 50.

  5 and 6, the light guide plate 50 is formed of a light-transmitting (transparent) material. As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of depressions 56a are formed on the back surface of the light guide plate 50. As shown in FIG. 6, light from the light unit 52 incident from the side surface of the light guide plate 50 is formed in the depressions 56a. Is diffused by being reflected or refracted to an angle corresponding to the angle of incidence on the surface of the depression 56a. And since such light diffusion occurs in each of the depressions 56a, the entire light guide plate 50 functions as a surface light source (light emitting portion).

  As described above, any one of the LEDs-R, G, and B is selectively lit in the image display mode. When the LED-R is lit, the entire light guide plate 50 emits red light. When the LED-G is lit, the entire light guide plate 50 emits green light, and the LED-B is lit. In the state, the entire light guide plate 50 emits blue light. In this way, the entire light guide plate 50 functions as a surface light source, and the entire back surface of the liquid crystal panel 40 is uniformly illuminated by the light emitted from the light guide plate 50 to the front side (the light incident from the side surface of the light guide plate 50 is It is homogenized and irradiated to the entire back surface of the liquid crystal panel 40).

  The display control unit 44 is provided to control the liquid crystal panel 40 and the light source device 42, and, as described above, via the image display mode for displaying an image, and the liquid crystal panel 40 and the light source device 42 (light guide plate 50). The operation is performed in two operation modes including a transmission mode for visually recognizing the back side (reels 20a to 20c in the present embodiment).

  In the image display mode, the display control unit 44 emits light while sequentially switching the LEDs-R, G, and B of the light source device 42 in a predetermined cycle, and light for each pixel of the liquid crystal panel 40 in conjunction with this switching cycle. By controlling the transparency (switching and displaying red, green, and blue images), the image is visually recognized as a full color image.

  Specifically, the display control unit 44 controls the light source device 42 to turn on one of the LEDs-R, G, and B in order, and to visually recognize the LED-R while it is turned on ( The liquid crystal panel 40 is driven so as to display a red shade image that is a red component of a full color image (controls the light transmittance for each pixel), and the green component that is the green component of the full color image is turned on while the LED-G is lit. The liquid crystal panel 40 is driven to display a grayscale image, and the liquid crystal panel 40 is driven to display a blue grayscale image that is a blue component of the full-color image while the LED-B is lit. The display control unit 44 switches and displays such grayscale images of each color at high speed (for example, about 60 to 180 times per second) (in conjunction with switching the light emission color of the light source device 42 at high speed). The liquid crystal panel 40 is driven). Thereby, the observer visually recognizes a state where the grayscale images of red, green, and blue are combined, that is, as a full-color image. Note that in the present specification, as described above, to display a full-color image by switching and displaying a grayscale image of each color of red, green, and blue at high speed may be referred to as simply displaying a full-color image.

  On the other hand, in the transmission mode, the display control unit 44 maintains a state in which the light transmittance is maximized for all the pixels of the liquid crystal panel 40. That is, when the liquid crystal panel 40 is NB, the state where the maximum voltage is applied to all the pixels is maintained, and when the liquid crystal panel 40 is NW, the state where no voltage is applied to any pixel is maintained. Thereby, in the transmission mode, the back of the display device 16 (the reels 20a to 20c in this embodiment) can be visually recognized through the liquid crystal panel 40 and the light source device 42 (light guide plate 50).

  As described above, the display device 16 can display a full-color image without providing a color filter between the object to be visually recognized in the transmission mode (in the present embodiment, the reels 20a to 20c) and the observer. Thereby, according to the display device 16, the back is visually recognized through the color filter or through the gap of the color filter as in the configuration in which the full color image is displayed by providing the color filter between the object to be viewed and the observer. Compared with the case, the visibility behind can be improved.

  In addition, in order to improve the visibility behind in the configuration in which the color filter is provided between the object to be viewed and the observer, it may be possible to increase the interval between the color filters. In this case, however, the resolution (number of pixels) However, the display device 16 does not cause such a problem.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, About a detailed structure, it can change suitably. For example, in the embodiment described above, an example in which an LED is used as a light source has been described. However, any known light source other than an LED, such as an organic EL, may be used as the light source. In addition, the number of light sources for each color, the array pattern, and the array pitch can be set freely.

  Moreover, although the said embodiment demonstrated the example which provided the hollow of the cross-sectional semicircle shape in the light-guide plate, the shape and number of a hollow, an arrangement pattern, and an arrangement pitch can be set freely. Of course, it is not limited to the depression, but may be provided with a notch, or it is not limited to the dot-like depression or the notch, and a streak-like depression (that is, a groove or a streak) may be provided in the light guide plate. A combination of such depressions, grooves, and notches may be provided.

  Moreover, it is not limited to the example which provides a hollow, a groove | channel, and a notch in the back surface of a light-guide plate, You may provide a recess, a groove | channel, and a notch in the front surface of a light-guide plate. Of course, you may provide a hollow, a groove | channel, and a notch in the front surface and back surface of a light-guide plate. Furthermore, instead of the dents, grooves, and notches, dot-like protrusions or streak-like protrusions (projections) may be provided on the surface of the light guide plate. Of course, in addition to the depressions, grooves, and notches, protrusions and protrusions may be provided on the surface of the light guide plate. Moreover, instead of providing such depressions, grooves, nicks, protrusions and protrusions on the surface of the light guide plate, the light guide plate has light transmittance (transparent), and the light guide plate has a refractive index of light. A granular light diffusing agent formed of different materials may be mixed in the light guide plate. This also allows the light guide plate to function as a surface light source as in the above-described embodiment. Of course, in addition to mixing the light diffusing material into the light guide plate, a recess, groove, notch, protrusion or protrusion may be provided on the surface of the light guide plate. Further, a plurality of light guide plates as described above may be used in an overlapping manner.

  In addition, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a transparent optical sheet in which a light diffusing agent is mixed or a surface is provided with depressions, grooves, indentations, protrusions and protrusions is attached to a transparent base plate. By attaching, these (optical sheet and base plate) may function as a light guide plate. In the example shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the optical sheet 66 provided with a projection 66 a having the same function as the depression 56 a described in the above embodiment is attached to the back surface of the base plate 64. The example which comprises the light-guide plate 60 is shown. Moreover, in FIG. 7, FIG. 8, about the member similar to embodiment mentioned above, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  Thus, even if it comprises a light-guide plate by sticking an optical sheet to a base plate, the effect similar to embodiment mentioned above can be acquired. In addition, an optical sheet may be affixed only on the front surface of a base board, and may be affixed on both surfaces of a base board. Of course, the light guide plate may have a structure of four or more layers by arranging the base plate and the optical sheet alternately.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the example which provides a light unit in all the side surfaces of a light-guide plate (example which makes light inject from all the side surfaces of a light-guide plate) was demonstrated, it is only on the one part side surface of a light-guide plate (for example, A light unit may be provided (only on the left and right side surfaces) (light may be incident only from some side surfaces of the light guide plate).

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, a light source is provided in the side surface of a light-guide plate, and it demonstrates by the example which makes the light-guide plate whole light-emit by diffusing the light from a light source in a light-guide plate (it makes a light-guide plate function as a light emission part). However, a light source may be arranged behind the liquid crystal panel 40 as in the display device 70 shown in FIG. In FIG. 9, members similar to those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  In FIG. 9, the display device 70 has a light source device 71 disposed behind the liquid crystal panel 40. In the light source device 71, a transparent substrate 72 formed of a light-transmitting material is provided with EL-R that emits red light, EL-G that emits green light, and EL-B that emits blue light as a light source. It is a thing. EL-R, G, and B are made of translucent organic EL, and are arranged at a predetermined pattern and a predetermined pitch, respectively. When the EL-R is lit, the entire substrate 72 emits red light, and the EL- When G is lit, the entire substrate 72 emits green light, and when EL-B is lit, the entire substrate 72 emits blue light. As described above, in the example illustrated in FIG. 9, the substrate 72 and the light sources (EL-R, G, and B) function as a light emitting unit.

  In the case where a plurality of light sources are arranged behind the liquid crystal panel as in the example of FIG. 9, the illuminated portion (illumination area) of the liquid crystal panel can be freely adjusted depending on which light source is turned on. For the illumination area, a full color image can be displayed by setting the image display mode, and for the non-illumination area, the back can be visually recognized by setting the transmission mode. That is, in the example of FIG. 7, two areas of an image display area for displaying an image and a transparent area for transmitting the back can be provided in one screen. It is also possible to change the position and shape of these two areas over time. For example, a moving object such as a butterfly is displayed in the image display area and the butterfly moves (for example, moves while flapping from right to left). It is also possible to perform display (production) such as a butterfly crossing the front of the reel by changing the shape and position of the image display area in accordance with

  In the present invention, the back of the display device is visually recognized in the transmissive mode. However, in order to make the back of the display device visible, the light emitting unit disposed behind the liquid crystal panel or the liquid crystal panel is light transmissive. In addition to being transparent (that is, transparent or translucent), the visual target object needs to be illuminated (or the visual target object itself emits light). That is, even if the light transmittance of the display device (light transmittance of the liquid crystal panel and the light emitting unit) is 100%, if the back of the display device is dark, the visual target object placed behind the display device Cannot be seen.

  For this reason, it is preferable to provide an illuminating device that illuminates the visual object (reel in the above-described embodiment) disposed behind the display device, and to illuminate the visual object by turning on the illuminating device in the transmission mode. Actually, in the transmission mode, external light (illumination of the hall where the gaming machine is installed or sunlight inserted into the hall) is inserted into the back of the display device and illuminates the visual target object. It is unlikely that the object to be viewed cannot be seen at all even if the lighting device is not provided. However, when the lighting device is not provided, the visibility may be deteriorated due to the influence of external light (light intensity), etc., and such a problem is prevented by providing the lighting device. Visibility can be improved.

  Also in the image display mode, the above-described illumination device may be turned on so that both the full-color image and the visual recognition object are visible. In other words, in the image display mode, a full-color image is generated by the light from the light emitting unit described above, but at the same time, the lighting device is turned on to illuminate not only the image light of the full-color image but also the lighting device. Light from the object to be viewed also reaches the eyes of the observer at the same time. As a result, the observer sees a composite image in which the visual target object and the full-color image are combined.

  Furthermore, since the composite ratio of the image of the visual target object and the full-color image when displaying the composite image varies depending on the illumination intensity between the light emitting unit and the lighting device, this is used (the light emitting unit and the lighting device). The illumination intensity of at least one of the two can be adjusted), and the composition ratio of the visual target object and the full-color image can be controlled to a desired ratio.

  In addition, as a method of displaying a composite image of a visual target object and a full-color image, the image display mode and the transmission mode are switched at a high speed (for example, after a grayscale image of each color is displayed once in the image display mode for a predetermined time. (For example, the process of setting the transmission mode to 1/60 seconds to about 5/60 seconds) is repeated). Furthermore, when a composite image is displayed by this method, the ratio of the length of time for the image display mode and the length of time for the transmission mode is changed (for example, the length of the predetermined time described above is changed). It is also possible to adjust the synthesis ratio of the visual recognition object and the full-color image.

  In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the display device is arranged in front of the reel has been described. However, the display device can be freely arranged (the visual target is not limited to the reel). A display device may be arranged in front of the object. Note that examples of the visual recognition object other than the reel include a movable accessory such as a shutter, a door, and a deformation mechanism that are movable by receiving power from a motor, an actuator, or the like.

  Furthermore, an opening is provided in the exterior body (storage box or front door) of the gaming machine, and a display device is provided so as to close the opening, and a full color image is displayed in the image display mode, and an opening is provided in the transmission mode. It is also conceivable that the internal mechanism of the gaming machine can be viewed through the unit.

  In the above embodiment, the example in which the display device of the present invention is mounted in a slot machine has been described. However, the display device of the present invention may be mounted in a gaming machine (for example, a pachinko machine) other than the slot machine. In addition, the display device of the present invention may be mounted on a device other than a gaming machine, or the display device of the present invention may be mounted on a show window or a signboard. Further, the display device of the present invention may be used alone.

10 Slot machines (gaming machines)
20a to 20c Reel 16, 70 Display device 40 Liquid crystal panel 42, 71 Light source device 44 Display control unit (display control means)
50, 60 Light guide plate 52 Light unit 52a Light emitting surface 56a Depression 64 Base plate 66 Optical sheet 72 Substrate LED-R, G, B Light source (light emitting element)
EL-R, G, B Light source (light emitting element)

Claims (6)

A liquid crystal panel for controlling the light transmittance for each pixel;
A transparent plate-like light emitting part, the light emitting part is arranged on the back side of the liquid crystal panel so as to face the back side of the liquid crystal panel, and the light emission color of the light emitting part is any of a plurality of preset colors A light source device that illuminates the back of the liquid crystal panel while switching between
Display control means for switching and displaying images of each color corresponding to each of the plurality of colors by switching light transmittance for each pixel of the liquid crystal panel in conjunction with the switching cycle of the emission color, With
The display control means includes an image display mode for visually recognizing the full-color image, and a transmission mode for maximizing light transmittance of the liquid crystal panel and visually recognizing the back of the display device via the liquid crystal panel and the light emitting unit. A display device that controls driving of the liquid crystal panel in two operation modes.   The light source device includes a transparent substrate and a plurality of light emitting elements that are disposed on the substrate and illuminate the back surface of the liquid crystal panel, and the substrate and the light emitting elements function as the light emitting unit. The display device according to claim 1. The display control means, in the liquid crystal panel, the area where the display target image exists is driven and controlled in the image display mode, and the area where the display target image does not exist is driven and controlled in the transmission mode.
The display device according to claim 2, wherein the light source device emits light only from the light emitting elements arranged at a position corresponding to an area where an image to be displayed exists.   The position and shape of an area to be driven and controlled in the image display mode and a light emitting element that emits light are temporally changed in response to temporal changes in the position and shape of an image to be displayed. Item 4. The display device according to Item 3.   The light source device is disposed on a side of the light guide plate that illuminates the back surface of the liquid crystal panel by leveling the light incident from the side surface and emitting it from the front surface, toward the side surface of the light guide plate The display device according to claim 1, further comprising: a light emitting element that allows light to enter, wherein the light guide plate functions as the light emitting unit. A display device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A gaming machine, comprising: a viewing object disposed behind the display device and visually recognized through the display device in the transmission mode.

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