U.S. patent application number 10/628872 was filed with the patent office on 2004-04-22 for display method, display apparatus for game machine, game machine and information display system.
Invention is credited to Hosaka, Toshiyuki.
Application Number | 20040077397 10/628872 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31890511 |
Filed Date | 2004-04-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040077397 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hosaka, Toshiyuki |
April 22, 2004 |
Display method, display apparatus for game machine, game machine
and information display system
Abstract
A display method is provided in which a gaming image Gy is
projected on an image display area defined in the game board of a
pachinko machine in accordance with a gaming state, and when a
predetermined condition has been satisfied, an information
displaying image (an advertising image Gp or a television image Gt)
which represents information other than the information of a game
with the pachinko machine is projected on, at least, part of the
image display area.
Inventors: |
Hosaka, Toshiyuki;
(Matsumoto-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HARNESS, DICKEY & PIERCE, P.L.C.
P.O. BOX 828
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
MI
48303
US
|
Family ID: |
31890511 |
Appl. No.: |
10/628872 |
Filed: |
July 28, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/16 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3211 20130101;
G07F 17/32 20130101; A63F 7/027 20130101; G07F 17/323 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/016 |
International
Class: |
A63F 009/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 29, 2002 |
JP |
2002-220117(P) |
Mar 24, 2003 |
JP |
2003-080726(P) |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A display method comprising: projecting a gaming image on an
image display area defined in a game board of a game machine, in
accordance with a gaming state; and projecting an information
displaying image representing information other than information of
a game on at least part of the image display area, if a
predetermined condition has been satisfied.
2. The display method of claim 1 wherein the information displaying
image further comprises advertising information.
3. The display method as defined in claim 1, wherein when the
predetermined condition has been satisfied, the information
displaying image is projected on the whole image display area.
4. The display method as defined in claim 3, wherein if the
predetermined condition ceases to be satisfied in a state where the
information displaying image is being projected, the gaming image
is projected on the image display area.
5. The display method as defined in claim 4, wherein when a player
has come within a predetermined distance of the game machine, the
gaming image is projected by deciding that the predetermined
condition is not satisfied.
6. The display method as defined in claim 4, wherein upon lapse of
a predetermined time period since the game machine has shifted into
a non-gaming state, the information displaying image is projected
by deciding that the predetermined condition has been
satisfied.
7. The display method as defined in claim 3, wherein a single
information displaying image is displayed extending over all image
display areas of a plurality of adjacent game machines satisfying
the predetermined condition by dividing and projecting the single
information displaying image on the respective image display areas
of the adjacent game machines satisfying the predetermined
condition.
8. A display apparatus for a game machine comprising: a projection
mechanism which projects a gaming image on an image display area
defined in a game board of the game machine; and a control unit
which causes the projection mechanism to project the gaming image
corresponding to a gaming state; wherein if a predetermined
condition has been satisfied, the control unit causes the
projection mechanism to project an information displaying image
representing information other than information of a game on at
least part of the image display area.
9. The display apparatus of claim 8 wherein the information
displaying image further comprises advertising information.
10. The display apparatus for a game machine as defined in claim 8,
wherein when the predetermined condition has been satisfied, the
control unit causes the projection mechanism to project the
information displaying image on the whole image display area.
11. The display apparatus for a game machine as defined in claim
10, wherein when the predetermined condition ceases to be satisfied
in a state where the control unit is causing the projection
mechanism to project the information displaying image, the control
unit causes the projection mechanism to project the gaming image on
the whole image display area.
12. The display apparatus for a game machine as defined in claim 8,
further comprising a storage unit which stores therein image data
concerning the information displaying image, wherein when the
predetermined condition has been satisfied, the control unit
generates displaying image data for causing the projection
mechanism to display the information displaying image on the basis
of the image data stored in the storage unit, so as to output the
generated data to the projection mechanism, and the projection
mechanism projects the information displaying image, on the basis
of the displaying image data output by the control unit.
13. The display apparatus for a game machine as defined in claim 8,
wherein when the predetermined condition has been satisfied, the
control unit generates displaying image data for causing the
projection mechanism to display the information displaying image,
on the basis of image data output by an external device, so as to
output the generated data to the projection mechanism, and the
projection mechanism projects the information displaying image on
the basis of the displaying image data output by the control
unit.
14. The display apparatus for a game machine as defined in claim
11, wherein when the control unit has determined that a player has
come within a predetermined distance of the game machine, on the
basis of a sensor signal output by a person sensor, the control
unit causes the projection mechanism to project the gaming image,
by deciding that the predetermined condition is not satisfied.
15. The display apparatus for a game machine as defined in claim
11, wherein upon lapse of a predetermined time period since a point
of time when the control unit has determined that the game machine
has shifted into a non-gaming state, on the basis of a gaming-state
notifying signal output by a gaming-state detection unit for
detecting a gaming state of the game machine, the control unit
causes the projection mechanism to project the information
displaying image, by deciding that the predetermined condition has
been satisfied.
16. A game machine comprising a display apparatus for a game
machine as defined in claim 8, and a main control unit which causes
the display apparatus for a game machine to project the gaming
image and the information displaying image.
17. The game machine as defined in claim 16, wherein when a control
signal for displaying the information displaying image has been
output by an external control device, the main control unit causes
the display apparatus for a game machine to project the information
displaying image, by deciding that the predetermined condition has
been satisfied.
18. The game machine as defined in claim 16, including a person
sensor which outputs a sensor signal permitting the control unit to
determine whether a player has come within a predetermined distance
of the game machine, wherein when the main control unit has
determined that the player has come within the predetermined
distance, on the basis of the sensor signal output by the person
sensor, the main control unit causes the display apparatus for a
game machine to project the gaming image, by deciding that the
predetermined condition is not satisfied.
19. The game machine as defined in claim 16, including a
gaming-state detection unit which detects a gaming state of the
game machine so as to output a gaming-state notifying signal,
wherein upon lapse of a predetermined time period since a point of
time when the main control unit has determined that the game
machine has shifted into a non-gaming state, on the basis of the
gaming-state notifying signal output by the gaming-state detection
unit, the main control unit causes the display apparatus for a game
machine to project the information displaying image, by deciding
that the predetermined condition has been satisfied.
20. A game machine comprising the display apparatus for a game
machine as defined in claim 14.
21. An information display system comprising a plurality of game
machines each of which includes the display apparatus for a game
machine as defined in claim 13, and a control device being the
external device, which includes a storage unit for storing therein
the image data concerning the information displaying images to be
displayed on the individual game machines, and which outputs the
image data to the display apparatus for each game machine.
22. The information display system as defined in claim 21, wherein
a single information displaying image is displayed extending over
all image display areas of a plurality of adjacent ones of the game
machines that satisfy the predetermined condition, the control
device outputs the image data for projecting divided images
obtained by dividing and projecting the single information
displaying image to the display apparatuses for the respective game
machines.
23. The information display system as defined in claim 21, wherein
the control device outputs the image data acquired through a
communication network, to the display apparatuses for game
machines, of the respective game machines.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Technical Field to Which the Invention Belongs
[0002] The present invention relates to a display method, a display
apparatus for a game machine and a game machine in which a gaming
image is projected on the game board of the game machine in
accordance with a gaming state, and an information display system
which is constructed so as to be capable of displaying images for
displaying various information items.
[0003] 2. Related Art
[0004] Disclosed as a pachinko (Japanese upright pinball) machine
(game machine) of this type in JP-UM-A-7-24381 is a pachinko
(pachinko machine) wherein a gaming image can be projected
(projection) on the light-transmitting optical image display
portion (2) of a front panel (1) by the use of a rear projection
type projector (4). In this case, the projector is constructed
including a liquid crystal display element, a light source, etc.,
and a projection lens (5) is interposed between the projector and
the front panel. In the pachinko machine, in the first place,
displaying image data corresponding to a gaming state is generated
by a display control unit, and the displaying image data is output
to the liquid crystal display element.
[0005] Subsequently, light emitted from the light source is
modulated into a optical image (projection light) corresponding to
the displaying image data by the liquid crystal display element
inside the projector, and the projection light is emitted from the
projector. On this occasion, the projection light emitted by the
projector is enlarged by the projection lens and is projected on
the light-transmitting optical image display portion of the front
panel, and the gaming image (animation) corresponding to the gaming
state is displayed on the light-transmitting optical image display
portion.
[0006] Besides, monitors (such as television receivers) for
watching various information items, such as a sportscast, a weather
forecast and a commercial (advertisement) broadcast, are installed
in a pachinko parlor where the pachinko machines of this type are
installed. Accordingly, players who are playing with the pachinko
machines near the monitors can watch the various information items
displayed on the monitors.
[0007] Meanwhile, a point to be improved as stated below is
involved in the prior-art pachinko machine. In the prior-art
pachinko machine, the gaming image corresponding to the gaming
state is displayed on the light-transmitting optical image display
portion. In this case, when the game with the pachinko machine is
continued over a long time, it is sometimes boring. Since, however,
the display control unit in the pachinko machine of this type is
constructed so as to be capable of displaying only the images
necessary for the game with the pachinko machine (gaming images),
various information items which are directly irrelevant to the game
(such as a sportscast and an advertisement broadcast) cannot be
displayed while the game is being played by the player, of course,
and even when the pachinko machine is in a non-gaming state. For
the purpose of permitting the players to watch the various
information items in the pachinko parlor, accordingly, the monitors
need to be installed separately from the pachinko machines in spite
of the fact that pachinko machines capable of displaying the images
are installed. For this reason, there are the problems that the
interior of the parlor (hall) becomes smaller in area in
correspondence with the occupied space of the monitors used
exclusively for displaying the information, and that expenses run
up in correspondence with the installation cost of the monitors.
Besides, in the present-day pachinko parlor, in order to guide
(advertise) event information etc. to customers by way of example,
an advertisement method (information display method) wherein
posters printed to that effect are pasted in the parlor is commonly
employed. Such an advertisement method, however, lacks in novelty,
resulting in the problem that it is difficult to impress the event
information upon the customers.
[0008] The present invention has been made in view of such
problems, and has for an object to provide a display method, a
display apparatus for a game machine, a game machine and an
information display system in which a space is not occupied by any
display apparatus used exclusively for displaying information, and
in which various information items can be displayed at a low cost
and by a novel method.
SUMMARY
[0009] In order to accomplish the above object, a display method
according to the present invention consists in that a gaming image
is projected on an image display area defined in a game board of a
game machine, in accordance with a gaming state, and that, when a
predetermined condition has been satisfied, an information
displaying image representing information other than information of
a game with the game machine is projected on, at least, part of the
image display area.
[0010] Besides, a display method according to the present invention
consists in that a gaming image is projected on an image display
area defined in a game board of a game machine, in accordance with
a gaming state, and that, when a predetermined condition has been
satisfied, an advertising image being an information displaying
image is projected on, at least, part of the image display
area.
[0011] Besides, a display method according to the present invention
consists in the above display method in which, when the
predetermined condition has been satisfied, the information
displaying image is projected on the whole image display area.
[0012] Further, a display method according to the present invention
consists in the above display method in which, when the
predetermined condition has failed to be satisfied in a state where
said information displaying image is being projected, the gaming
image is projected on the image display area.
[0013] Besides, a display method according to the present invention
consists in the above display method in which, when a player has
come close to the game machine within a predetermined distance
range, the gaming image is projected by deciding that the
predetermined condition has failed to be satisfied.
[0014] Further, a display method according to the present invention
consists in the above display method in which, upon lapse of a
predetermined time period since the game machine has shifted into a
non-gaming state, the information displaying image is projected by
deciding that the predetermined condition has been satisfied.
[0015] Besides, a display method according to the present invention
consists in the above display method in which, in order that the
single information displaying image may be displayed extending over
all the image display areas of a plurality of adjacent game
machines satisfying the predetermined condition, divided images
obtained by dividing the single information displaying image are
projected on the respective image display areas of the game
machines satisfying the predetermined condition.
[0016] Besides, a display apparatus for a game machine according to
the present invention consists, in a display apparatus for a game
machine, having a projection mechanism which projects a gaming
image on an image display area defined in a game board of the game
machine, and a control unit which causes the projection mechanism
to project the gaming image corresponding to a gaming state, in
that, when a predetermined condition has been satisfied, the
control unit causes the projection mechanism to project an
information displaying image representing information other than
information of a game with the game machine, on at least part of
the image display area.
[0017] Besides, a display apparatus for a game machine according to
the present invention consists of, in a display apparatus for a
game machine, having a projection mechanism which projects a gaming
image on an image display area defined in a game board of the game
machine, and a control unit which causes the projection mechanism
to project the gaming image corresponding to a gaming state, in
that, when a predetermined condition has been satisfied, the
control unit causes the projection mechanism to project an
advertising image being an information displaying image, on at
least part of the image display area.
[0018] Besides, a display apparatus for a game machine according to
the present invention consists in the above display apparatus for a
game machine, in which the predetermined condition has been
satisfied, the control unit causes the projection mechanism to
project the information displaying image on the whole image display
area.
[0019] Further, a display apparatus for a game machine according to
the present invention consists in the above display apparatus for a
game machine, in which, when the predetermined condition has failed
to be satisfied in a state where the control unit is causing the
projection mechanism to project the information displaying image,
the control unit causes the projection mechanism to project the
gaming image on the whole image display area.
[0020] Besides, a display apparatus for a game machine according to
the present invention consists in the above display apparatus for a
game machine, which comprises a storage unit that stores therein
image data concerning the information displaying image, and in
which, when the predetermined condition has been satisfied, the
control unit generates displaying image data for causing the
projection mechanism to display the information displaying image,
on the basis of the image data stored in the storage unit, so as to
output the generated data to the projection mechanism, and the
projection mechanism projects the information displaying image on
the basis of the displaying image data outputted by the control
unit.
[0021] Further, a display apparatus for a game machine according to
the present invention consists in the above display apparatus for a
game machine, in which when the predetermined condition has been
satisfied, the control unit generates displaying image data for
causing the projection mechanism to display the information
displaying image, on the basis of image data outputted by an
external device, so as to output the generated data to the
projection mechanism, and the projection mechanism projects the
information displaying image on the basis of the displaying image
data outputted by the control unit.
[0022] Besides, a display apparatus for a game machine according to
the present invention consists in the above display apparatus for a
game machine, in which, when the control unit has determined that a
player has come close to the game machine within a predetermined
distance range, on the basis of a sensor signal outputted by a
person sensor, it causes the projection mechanism to project the
gaming image, by deciding that the predetermined condition has
failed to be satisfied.
[0023] Further, a display apparatus for a game machine according to
the present invention consists in the above display apparatus for a
game machine, in which, upon lapse of a predetermined time period
since a point of time when the control unit has determined that the
game machine has shifted into a non-gaming state, on the basis of a
gaming-state notifying signal outputted by a gaming-state detection
unit for detecting a gaming state of the game machine, the control
unit causes the projection mechanism to project the information
displaying image, by deciding that the predetermined condition has
been satisfied.
[0024] Besides, a game machine according to the present invention
consists in comprising the above display apparatus for a game
machine, and a main control unit which causes the display apparatus
for a game machine to project the gaming image and the information
displaying image.
[0025] Further, a game machine according to the present invention
consists in the above game machine, in which, when a control signal
for displaying the information displaying image has been output by
an external control device, the main control unit causes the
display apparatus for a game machine to project the information
displaying image, by deciding that the predetermined condition has
been satisfied.
[0026] Besides, a game machine according to the present invention
consists in the above game machine, which includes a person sensor
that outputs a sensor signal permitting the control unit to
determine whether or not a player has come close to the game
machine within a predetermined distance range, and in which, when
the main control unit has discriminated that the player has come
close within the predetermined distance range, on the basis of the
sensor signal output by the person sensor, it causes the display
apparatus for a game machine to project the information displaying
image, by deciding that the predetermined condition has failed to
be satisfied.
[0027] Further, a game machine according to the present invention
consists in the above game machine, which includes a gaming-state
detection unit that detects a gaming state of the game machine so
as to output a gaming-state notifying signal, and in which, upon
lapse of a predetermined time period since a point of time when the
main control unit has determined that the game machine has shifted
into a non-gaming state, on the basis of the gaming-state notifying
signal output by the gaming-state detection unit, the main control
unit causes the display apparatus for a game machine to project the
information displaying image, by deciding that the predetermined
condition has been satisfied.
[0028] Besides, a game machine according to the present invention
consists in comprising the above display apparatus for a game
machine.
[0029] Besides, an information display system according to the
present invention consists in comprising a plurality of game
machines each of which includes the above display apparatus for a
game machine, and a control device being the external device, which
includes a storage unit for storing therein the image data
concerning the information displaying images to be displayed on the
individual game machines, and which outputs the image data to the
display apparatus for a game machine, of each game machine.
[0030] Further, an information display system according to the
present invention consists in the above information display system,
in which, in order that the single information displaying image may
be displayed extending over all the image display areas of a
plurality of adjacent ones of the game machines as satisfy the
predetermined condition, the control device outputs the image data
for projecting divided images obtained by dividing the single
information displaying image, to the display apparatuses for game
machines, of the respective game machines.
[0031] Besides, an information display system according to the
present invention consists in the above information display system,
in which the control device outputs the image data acquired through
a communication network, to the display apparatuses for game
machines, of the respective game machines.
[0032] According to the display method, the display apparatus for a
game machine, the game machine and the information display system,
when the game machine is in a state where the predetermined
condition is satisfied (for example, when a player does not exist,
or when the game machine is in a non-gaming state), the information
displaying image (such as an advertising image) is projected on, at
least, part of the game board(image display area), whereby various
information items such as the advertising image can be displayed at
a low cost and by a novel method as the occupation of the space of
the interior of a parlor (hall) by display devices used exclusively
for displaying information is avoided. In this case, when the
player does not exist or when the game machine is in the non-gaming
state, the information displaying image is projected on the whole
game board (whole display area), whereby the various information
items can be displayed without forming any obstacle to a game which
is the original purpose of use of the game machine.
[0033] Besides, when the predetermined condition has failed to be
satisfied in a state where the information displaying image is
being projected on the whole game board, the gaming image is
projected on the whole game board, whereby by way of example, the
game machine in the non-gaming state can be caused to continue
projecting the information displaying image, and the game machine
to start the game can be caused to display the gaming image and to
immediately start the game. In this case, due to the adoption of
the construction in which the gaming image is projected when the
player has come close to the game machine by a predetermined
distance, the gaming image can be changed-over and displayed at an
accurate timing.
[0034] Besides, one information displaying image is displayed
extending over the respective game boards of the game machines in
the states where the predetermined condition is satisfied, among
the plurality of adjacent game machines, whereby one information
displaying image can be displayed on an area which is larger than
the area of a display method wherein one information displaying
image is displayed for one game machine, so that even a person who
is far away from the game machines can be reliably caused to
visually recognize the information displaying image, and the
display contents of the information displaying image can be deeply
impressed upon the person at that time. Therefore, when the
advertising image is projected as the information displaying image,
an advertisement can be effectively placed. Further, the individual
game machines are caused to project the information displaying
images, on the basis of the image data acquired through the
communication network, whereby the display method can display a new
information displaying image acquired every moment, as compared
with a display method wherein information displaying images are
displayed on the basis of, for example, only information displaying
image data pre-stored in the storage unit of a control device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0035] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the construction of an
information display system according to an embodiment of the
present invention, and the state of the connection between the
information display system and a data distributing server.
[0036] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the construction of a
pachinko machine.
[0037] FIG. 3 is a front view showing the schematic construction of
the pachinko machine.
[0038] FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing the schematic
construction of the pachinko machine.
[0039] FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a display control process.
[0040] FIG. 6 is a front view of a state where one advertising
image Gp is projected on several pachinko machines.
[0041] FIG. 7 is a front view of a state where any of the
advertising image Gp, a television image Gt and a gaming image Gy
is projected on each of the pachinko machines.
[0042] FIG. 8 is a front view of a state where the gaming images Gy
in each of which the advertising image Gp is overlapped, the gaming
image Gy in which the television image Gt is overlapped, and only
the gaming image Gy are projected on the pachinko machines.
[0043] FIG. 9 is a front view showing the schematic construction of
an information display system according to another embodiment of
the present invention.
[0044] FIG. 10 is a front view in a state where any of an
advertising image Gp, a television image Gt and a gaming image Gy
is projected on each of several slot machines.
[0045] FIG. 11 is a front view showing the schematic construction
of a slot machine.
[0046] FIG. 12 is a side sectional view showing the schematic
construction of the slot machine.
[0047] FIG. 13 is a front view of a state where the gaming images
Gy in which the advertising image Gp is overlapped, the gaming
image Gy in which the television image Gt is overlapped, and only
the gaming image Gy are projected on the slot machines.
[0048] FIG. 14 is a front view showing the schematic construction
of an information display system according to another embodiment of
the present invention.
[0049] FIG. 15 is a front view showing the schematic construction
of a pinball machine.
[0050] FIG. 16 is a side sectional view showing the schematic
construction of the pinball machine 201.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0051] Now, preferred embodiments of a display method, a display
apparatus for a game machine, a game machine and an information
display system according to the present invention will be described
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0052] First of all, the construction of an information display
system 51 will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The
information display system 51 includes a plurality of pachinko
machines 1, 1 . . . which are installed in a pachinko parlor, and
an information displaying server (managing server) 52 which is
connected to the respective pachinko machines 1, 1 . . . and which
functions to display various information images, such as an
advertising image Gp and a television image Gt (refer to FIGS.
6-8), corresponding to information displaying images in the present
invention. In this case, the advertising image Gp in the embodiment
of the present invention shall be an image in a concept which
includes both an advertising image relevant to pachinko and an
advertising image irrelevant to pachinko, and the form of the image
shall include both a still image and a moving image. Besides, the
television image Gt is any of various television images in a
concept which includes the image of television broadcasting based
on ground waves, that of BS television broadcasting, that of CS
television broadcasting, that of Internet television broadcasting,
etc., and the contents of the broadcasting include a sportscast and
other various entertainment programs, a weather forecast, a
newscast, etc.
[0053] The information displaying server 52 corresponds to a
control device in the present invention. By way of example, one
information displaying server 52 is installed in a management room
in every pachinko parlor, and it is connected through a LAN (Local
Area Network) to the pachinko machines 1, 1 . . . in the pachinko
parlor. The information displaying server 52 generally controls
information display based on each pachinko machine 1, and notifies
a manager of ball clogging information, etc. concerning each
pachinko machine 1. In this case, the form of the connection
between the information displaying server 52 and the pachinko
machine 1 may be either of a wired connection or a wireless
connection. Besides, a control program (program for a display
control process 70 to be described later) for displaying various
information images on the individual pachinko machines 1, 1 . . .
in accordance with the respective play states of the adjacent
pachinko machines 1, 1 . . . is installed in the information
displaying server 52. Further, the information displaying server 52
is constructed so as to be connectable to a data distributing
server 62 through a public switched network 61 (one example of a
communication network in the present invention) such as an ISDN
line, an ADSL line or an optical information communication line. It
receives information displaying data Di (digital contents for
displaying the television image Gt, etc.) distributed by the data
distributing server 62 and stores the received data in a built-in
or externally-mounted hard disk drive (which is not shown, and
which shall be also termed "hard disk" below) or the like, and it
outputs the information displaying data Di to the individual
pachinko machines 1, 1 . . . in which a predetermined condition is
satisfied. In this case, not only the information displaying data
Di distributed by the data distributing server 62, but also
information displaying data Di for displaying the advertising image
Gp concerning the pachinko parlor where the information displaying
server 52 is installed, are stored in the hard disk of the
information displaying server 52. Besides, regarding the data
distributing server 62, both a data distribution server dedicated
to the information display systems 51 and a data laying-open server
which opens various image data to the public are included.
Incidentally, the function of reporting the ball clogging
information, etc., among the functions of the information
displaying server 52 has heretofore been known and shall be omitted
from description.
[0054] Next, the construction of a pachinko machine 1 will be
described with reference to the drawings. The pachinko machine
(game machine) 1 is, for example, one of a "Seven Machine" type in
which a "big hit prize" is given by lot. It is so constructed that,
as shown in FIG. 3, a gaming image Gy (in this case, the ground,
Mt. Fuji and numerals "123") or the like can be projected on the
game board 21 of the pachinko machine by a rear projection system.
As shown in FIG. 2, the pachinko machine 1 includes a game
mechanism 2, a main control unit 3, a main storage unit 4, a
display apparatus 5 and a person sensor 6. In this case, the person
sensor 6 is constructed of an infrared sensor by way of example,
and it is disposed on the front panel (refer to FIG. 3) of the
pachinko machine 1. The person sensor 6 outputs a sensor signal S1
to the main control unit 3 when a player exists in front of the
pachinko machine 1.
[0055] As shown in FIG. 4, the game mechanism 2 is constructed
including the game board 21 and a switching mechanism 27. As shown
in FIG. 3, the game board 21 is formed in a rectangular shape out
of a light transmitting resin as a whole, and it is so constructed
that shot balls are movable within a circular game portion 21a
defined by a frame member F. In this case, as shown in FIG. 4, in
the game portion 21a, a plurality of nails 22, 22 . . . are fixed,
and a start chucker 23, a big hit prize hole (attacker) 24, hit
prize holes 25, 25 (refer to FIG. 3), pinwheels 26, 26 (refer to
FIG. 3), etc. are disposed. Besides, a door 28 in which a
transparent glass 28a is fitted is disposed in front of the game
board 21, whereby the outer edge part of the game board 21 is
covered with the edge member (frame member for fitting the glass
28a therein) of the door 28. Further, a screen film 32 for
projecting the gaming image Gy, etc. is adhered to the rear surface
of the game board 21. In this case, the whole surface of the game
board 21 corresponds to an image display area in the present
invention. The switching mechanism 27 is mounted behind the game
board 21 so as to open and shut the big hit prize hole 24.
[0056] The main control unit 3 generally controls both the game
mechanism 2 and the display apparatus 5, and it supplies the
display apparatus 5 with a command C corresponding to a gaming
state, whereby the display apparatus 5 is caused to display the
gaming image Gy, the advertising image Gp, the television image Gt,
or the like (hereinbelow, also termed "display image G" when the
above image is not distinguished). In this case, the designation of
a display procedure for displaying the display image G, the
designation of a pattern, etc. are included in the command C which
is outputted by the main control unit 3. Besides, the main control
unit 3 determines whether or not the player exists in front of the
pachinko machine 1 (determines whether the pachinko machine 1 is in
the gaming state or a non-gaming state), on the basis of the sensor
signal S1 output by the person sensor 6, and subject to the
non-gaming state, it supplies the information displaying server 52
with a state notification signal S2 notifying to that effect.
Further, when a control signal S3 has been output by the
information displaying server 52 after the output of the state
notification signal S2, the main control unit 3 supplies the
display apparatus 5 with the command C for displaying the
advertising image Gp, the television image Gt or the like in
accordance with the contents of the control signal S3. The main
control unit 4 stores the operating program of the main control
unit 3, etc. therein.
[0057] As shown in FIG. 2, the display apparatus 5 is constructed
including an image displaying optical system 11, a display control
unit 12, a RAM 13, a display-procedure-data storage unit 14, a VRAM
15 and an image-data storage unit 16. As shown in FIG. 4, the image
displaying optical system 11 includes a projector unit 31, the
screen film 32, a mirror 33 and a Fresnel lens 34. The projector
unit 31 corresponds to a projection mechanism in the present
invention, and emits projection light L which has been modulated on
the basis of displaying image data Dg outputted by the display
control unit 12. In particular, the projector unit 31 is
constructed including, for example, a light source lamp, modulation
means for modulating white light emitted by the light source lamp,
into the projection light L (by way of example, a liquid-crystal
light valve which includes a liquid crystal panel, an incident-side
polarizer plate and an irradiation-side polarizer plate), and a
projection lens for enlarging the projection light L. The screen
film 32 is adhered to the rear surface of the game board 21, and it
receives the projection light L emitted by the projector unit 31
and reflected by the mirror 33, thereby to image any of the various
display images G. The mirror 33 reflects the projection light L
emitted by the projector unit 31, toward the screen film 32. The
Fresnel lens 34 transforms the projection light L into parallel
light, and projects the parallel light onto the screen film 32.
[0058] The display control unit 12 corresponds to a control unit in
the present invention, and it generates the displaying image data
Dg in compliance with the command C output by the main control unit
3 and outputs the generated data to the projector unit 31, whereby
the projection light L for displaying any of the various display
images G is emitted. The RAM 13 temporarily stores therein various
data generated by the display control unit 12, the arithmetic
results of the display control unit 12, and so forth. The
display-procedure-data storage unit 14 stores therein display
procedure data Ds in which the designation of image data for use in
the generation of the displaying image data Dg, a position and a
size for displaying an image, the designation of a display time
period, etc. are described, the operating program of the display
control unit 12, and so forth. The VRAM 15 stores therein the
displaying image data Dg which have been generated in such a way
that images corresponding to image data Dp, Dp . . . are virtually
depicted by the display control unit 12. The image-data storage
unit 16 corresponds to a storage unit in the present invention, and
it stores therein the image data Dp, Dp . . . (image data of an
image with numerals depicted and a background image) for generating
the displaying image data Dg, and the information displaying data
Di outputted by the information displaying server 52.
[0059] Subsequently, the overall operation of the information
display system 51 will be described with reference to the drawings.
In the information display system 51, when power sources have been
turned ON for the information displaying server 52 and the pachinko
machines 1, 1 . . . in, for example, opening the pachinko parlor
(when the information display system 51 has been started), the main
control unit 3 of each of the pachinko machines 1, 1 . . . first
determines whether or not the corresponding pachinko machine 1 is
in the gaming state, on the basis of the sensor signal S1 of the
person sensor 6. Here at the start of the information display
system 51, the main control unit 3 determines the non-gaming state
(one example of the time "when a predetermined condition has been
satisfied" in the present invention), and it supplies the
information displaying server 52 with the state notification signal
S2 notifying to that effect. On the other hand, the information
displaying server 52 starts a display control process 70 shown in
FIG. 5, at the turn-ON of the power source. In the display control
process 70, the information displaying server 52 determines the
gaming state of each of the pachinko machines 1, 1 . . . , on the
basis of the state notification signal S2 output by the pachinko
machine 1, and it outputs the control signal S3 corresponding to
the result of the determination, whereby the pachinko machine 1 is
caused to display any of the various display images G.
[0060] In particular, the information displaying server 52 first
determines whether or not all of the pachinko machines 1, 1 . . .
belonging to one "island" (a plurality of pachinko machines
arranged in a line at the back of a plurality of pachinko machines
arranged side by side) are in gaming states, on the basis of the
state notification signals S2 output by the respective pachinko
machines 1, 1 . . . (step 71). On this occasion, when any (or all)
of the pachinko machines 1, 1 . . . is/are in the non-gaming
state/states, the information displaying server 52 determines
whether or not at least two adjacent pachinko machines 1 are in the
non-gaming states (step 72). Subsequently, when at least two
machines are in the non-gaming states, one advertising image Gp is
displayed extending over the respective game boards 21, 21 . . . of
the adjacent pachinko machines 1, 1 . . . in the non-gaming states
as shown in FIG. 6 (step 73). In this case, immediately after the
opening of the pachinko parlor, the display processing for one
advertising image Gp by the step 73 is executed after the
determination processing of the step 72. By way of example, when
four pachinko machines 1a-1d are in non-gaming states as shown in
the figure, the information displaying server 52 supplies the
respective pachinko machines 1a-1d with the control signals S3 for
causing them to display advertising images Gp1-Gp4 (divided images
in the present invention). Thus, one advertising image Gp (for
example, an image where a character string "Redecorating opening on
the 1st!!" is depicted) is displayed on the pachinko machines
1a-1d. Thereafter, the information displaying server 52 returns to
the step 71 so as to monitor the gaming states of the individual
pachinko machines 1, 1 . . . .
[0061] On the other hand, when it has been determined at the step
72 that any of the adjacent pachinko machines 1, 1 is in the gaming
state (a state where a player is detected by the person sensor 6),
the information displaying server 52 causes the pachinko machine 1
in the non-gaming state to display either of the advertising image
Gp and the television image Gt (step 74) and causes the pachinko
machine 1 in the gaming state to display the gaming image Gy (step
75), as shown in FIG. 7. Herein, when the three machines of the
pachinko machines 1a, 1c, 1d are in the non-gaming states as shown
in the figure, the information displaying server 52 supplies the
pachinko machine 1b in the gaming state with the control signal S3
for causing it to display the gaming image Gy, it supplies the
pachinko machines 1a, 1d with the control signals S3 for causing
them to display the advertising image Gp, and it supplies the
pachinko machine 1c with the control signal S3 for causing it to
display the television image Gt (of, for example, a sportscast).
Thus, as shown in the figure, the gaming image Gy, the advertising
image Gp and the television image Gt are respectively displayed on
the corresponding pachinko machines 1, 1 . . . . Thereafter, the
information displaying server 52 returns to the step 71 so as to
monitor the gaming states of the individual pachinko machines 1, 1
. . . .
[0062] Besides, when it has been determined at the step 71 that all
of the pachinko machines 1, 1 . . . are in gaming states, the
information displaying server 52 causes each of the pachinko
machines 1, 1 . . . to display the gaming image Gy in which the
advertising image Gp or the television image Gt is partly
overlapped, as shown in FIG. 8 (step 76). Herein, as shown in the
figure, the information displaying server 52 supplies, for example,
the pachinko machines 1a, 1c with the control signals S3 for
causing them to display the respective gaming images Gy in each of
which the advertising image Gp is overlapped, and it supplies the
pachinko machines 1b, 1d with the control signals S3 for causing
them to display the respective gaming images Gy in each of which
the television image Gt is composed. Thus, as shown in the figure,
the gaming images Gy in each of which the advertising image Gp or
the television image Gt is overlapped are displayed on the
respective pachinko machines 1, 1 . . . . Thereafter, the
information displaying server 52 returns to the step 71 so as to
monitor the gaming states of the individual pachinko machines 1, 1
. . . . By the way, in the pachinko machine 1 which is displaying,
for example, a "reach action" as in the pachinko machine 1d shown
in the figure, even when the control signal S3 for displaying the
gaming image Gy in which the advertising image Gp or the television
image Gt is composed has been output by the information displaying
server 52, the main control unit 3 causes the display apparatus 5
to display the gaming image Gy on the whole surface of the game
board 21. As shown in the figure, accordingly, the gaming image Gy
in which neither of the advertising image Gp and the television
image Gt is overlapped is displayed on the pachinko machine 1d
displaying the reach action.
[0063] Subsequently, a method of displaying the display image G by
the information display system 51 will be described centering
around the operation of the pachinko machine 1 with reference to
the drawings. At the start of the information display system 51, as
stated before, the main control units 3 of the pachinko machines 1,
1 . . . determine whether or not these machines are in the gaming
states, on the basis of the sensor signals S1, and they supply the
information displaying server 52 with the state notification
signals S2 notifying the determined results, respectively. On this
occasion, the information displaying server 52 has started the
display control process 70 described before. In this case, when
four adjacent pachinko machines 1, 1 . . . , for example, are in
the non-gaming states, the information displaying server 52
supplies the pachinko machines 1, 1 . . . in the non-gaming states
with the control signals S3 instructing them to display the
advertising images Gp1-Gp4 obtained by dividing one advertising
image Gp. At the same time, the information displaying server 52
determines the number of the divisions of the advertising image Gp
in accordance with the number (in this case, four) by which the
pachinko machines 1 in the non-gaming states succeed, and it
generates the information displaying data Di as to the respective
advertising images Gp1-Gp4 with the advertising image Gp divided by
the determined number of the divisions. Subsequently, the
information displaying server 52 outputs the generated information
displaying data Di to the pachinko machines 1a-1d,
respectively.
[0064] On the other hand, in each pachinko machine 1 which has
received the control signal S3, the main control unit 3 outputs the
command C instructing the display apparatus 5 to display the
display image G on the basis of the input information displaying
data Di, in accordance with the contents of the control signal S3.
In compliance with the command C, in the display apparatus 5, the
display control unit 12 loads the display procedure data Ds from
the display-procedure-data storage unit 14 in accordance with the
contents instructed by the command C. Subsequently, the display
control unit 12 once stores the input information displaying data
Di in the image-data storage unit 16 in accordance with the loaded
display procedure data Ds. Subsequently, the display control unit
12 executes predetermined image processing for the information
displaying data Di stored in the image-data storage unit 16,
thereby to generate in the VRAM 15 the displaying image data Dg for
displaying any of the advertising images Gp1-Gp4 (which of the
display images G is to be displayed, has been determined by the
information displaying server 52). On this occasion, the display
control unit 12 generates the displaying image data Dg in such a
way that the image corresponding to the information displaying data
Di is virtually depicted in the VRAM 15. Subsequently, the display
control unit 12 outputs the displaying image data Dg within the
VRAM 15 to the projector unit 31.
[0065] In response to the output, the projector unit 31 modulates
the white light emitted by the light source lamp, into the
projection light L shaded and colored in correspondence with the
display image G, on the basis of the outputted displaying image
data Dg, and it emits the modulated projection light L. On this
occasion, the projection light L emitted by the projector unit 31
is reflected by the mirror 33 and then passed through the Fresnel
lens 34, thereby to be transformed into the parallel light, which
is projected on the screen film 32. Thus, as shown in FIG. 6, any
of the advertising images Gp1-Gp4 is imaged (projected) on the game
panel 21. The pachinko machines 1a-1d execute the image display
processing steps, respectively, whereby one advertising image Gp is
projected extending over the game panels 21, 21 . . . of the
pachinko machines 1a-1d disposed in succession, as shown in the
figure.
[0066] Meanwhile, when a player has started a game with the
pachinko machine 1, the state notification signal S2 notifying to
the effect that the gaming state has been established is output
from the pachinko machine 1 having fallen into the gaming state, to
the information displaying server 52. Herein, when any of the
adjacent pachinko machines 1, 1 has fallen into the gaming state by
way of example, the information displaying server 52 supplies the
pachinko machine 1 in the gaming state with the control signal S3
instructing it to display the gaming image Gy on the whole game
board 21. Besides, the information displaying server 52 supplies
the pachinko machine 1 in the non-gaming state with the control
signal S3 instructing it to display either the advertising image Gp
or the television image Gt on the whole game board 21. On this
occasion, by way of example, the information. displaying server 52
causes any of the pachinko machines 1, 1 . . . , which belong to
one "island" and which are in the non-gaming states, to display the
television image Gt, and it causes the other pachinko machines 1, 1
. . . in the non-gaming states to display the advertising images
Gp, respectively.
[0067] In this case, in the pachinko machine 1 which has received
the control signal S3 for displaying the advertising image Gp, the
main control unit 3 supplies the display apparatus 5 with the
command C instructing it to display the advertising image Gp on the
basis of the information displaying data Di output by the
information displaying server 52. In compliance with the command,
the display control unit 12 generates the displaying image data Dg
in the VRAM 15 on the basis of the information displaying data Di
output by the information displaying server 52 (the information
displaying data Di for displaying the advertising image Gp), and it
outputs the generated data Dg to the projector unit 31. In response
to the output, the projector unit 31 modulates the light of the
light source into the projection light L for displaying the
advertising image Gp, on the basis of the output displaying image
data Dg, and it emits the projection light L. Thus, as shown in
FIG. 7, one advertising image Gp is projected on the whole game
boards 21 (screen film 32) in each of, for example, the pachinko
machines 1a, 1d.
[0068] Besides, in the pachinko machine 1 which has received the
control signal S3 for displaying the television image Gt, the main
control unit 3 supplies the display apparatus 5 with the command C
instructing it to display the television image Gt on the basis of
the information displaying data Di output by the information
displaying server 52. On this occasion, while downloading the
information displaying data Di for displaying the television image
Gt on, for example, the pachinko machine 1c, through the public
switched network 61 from the data distributing server 62, and
storing the downloaded data Di in the hard disk, the information
displaying server 52 sequentially sends the information displaying
data Di to the display control unit 12 of the pachinko machine 1c.
On the other hand, in the display apparatus 5, the display control
unit 12 generates the displaying image data Dg in the VRAM 15 on
the basis of the information displaying data Di output by the
information displaying server 52 (the information displaying data
Di for displaying the television image Gt), and it outputs the
generated data Dg to the projector unit 31. In response to the
output, the projector unit 31 modulates the light of the light
source into the projection light L for displaying the television
image Gt, on the basis of the output displaying data Dg, and it
emits the projection light L. Thus, as shown in FIG. 7, the
television image Gt is projected on the whole game board 21 in the
pachinko machine 1c.
[0069] Besides, in the pachinko machine 1 (pachinko machine 1 in
the gaming state) which has received the control signal S3 for
displaying the gaming image Gy, the main control unit 3 supplies
the display apparatus 5 with the command C instructing it to
display the gaming image Gy. In compliance with the command, the
display control unit 12 reads out the display procedure data Ds
from the display-procedure-data storage unit 14 in accordance with
contents instructed by the command C. Subsequently, the display
control unit 12 reads out the image data Dp, Dp . . . stored in the
image data storage unit 16 and generates in the VRAM 15 the
displaying image data Dg for displaying the gaming image Gy, in
accordance with the display procedure data Ds, and it sequentially
outputs the generated data Dg to the projector unit 31. In response
to the output, the projector unit 31 modulates the light of the
light source into the projection light L for displaying the gaming
image Gy, on the basis of the displaying image data Dg outputted by
the display control unit 12, and it emits the projection light L.
Thus, as shown in FIG. 7, the gaming image Gy is projected on the
whole game board 21 in the pachinko machine 1b. In this case, the
main control unit 3 sequentially supplies the display control unit
12 with the commands C for displaying the various gaming images Gy
in accordance with the gaming states of the pachinko machine 1b. In
compliance with the commands, the display control unit 12
changes-over and displays the gaming images Gy which correspond to
contents instructed by the commands C.
[0070] Meanwhile, when a player has sat in front of the pachinko
machine 1 in the non-gaming state (for example, the pachinko
machine 1a, 1c or 1d shown in FIG. 7), the sensor signal S1 is
output by the person sensor 6 of the pertinent pachinko machine 1.
In response to the output, the display control unit 12 supplies the
information displaying server 52 with the state notification signal
S2 notifying to the effect that the pachinko machine 1 has fallen
into the gaming state. In response to the signal S2, the control
signal S3 which instructs the main control unit 3 of the pachinko
machine 1 to display the gaming image Gy is outputted from the
information displaying server 52. Thus, the command C which gives
the instruction of displaying the gaming image Gy is outputted to
the display control unit 12 by the main control unit 3.
Subsequently, as described above, the displaying image data Dg for
displaying the gaming image Gy is output to the projector unit 31
by the display control unit 12, and the gaming image Gy is
displayed on the game board 21 of the pachinko machine 1. Besides,
when the player has left the pertinent pachinko machine 1, the
output of the sensor signal S1 by the person sensor 6 of the
pachinko machine 1 is stopped. On this occasion, the state
notification signal S2 notifying to the effect that the pachinko
machine 1 has fallen into the non-gaming state is output to the
information displaying server 52 by the display control unit 12. In
response to the output, the information displaying server 52
outputs the control signal S3 which gives the instruction of
displaying the advertising image Gp or the television image Gt,
upon lapse of a predetermined time period (for example, upon lapse
of 30 seconds to one minute or so) since the state notification
signal S2 indicating the establishment of the non-gaming state has
been output from the main control unit 3. Thus, the advertising
image Gp or the television image Gt is displayed on the whole game
board 21 of the pachinko machine 1 as to which the predetermined
time period has lapsed since the establishment of the non-gaming
state.
[0071] Meanwhile, when the information displaying server 52 has
determined that all of the pachinko machines 1, 1 . . . belonging
to one "island" have fallen into the gaming states, on the basis of
the state notification signals S2 output from the respective
pachinko machines 1, 1 . . . , it supplies the pachinko machines 1,
1 . . . belonging to the "island", with the control signals S3
instructing them to overlap either of the advertising image Gp and
the television image Gt with the gaming images Gy and display the
resulting images, respectively. On this occasion, by way of
example, the information displaying server 52 outputs the control
signals S3 for displaying the gaming images Gy with the advertising
image Gp composed therewith and the control signals S3 for
displaying the gaming images Gy with the television image Gt
overlapped therewith, alternately to the pachinko machines 1, 1 . .
. installed in a lateral array. At the same time, the information
displaying server 52 supplies each corresponding pachinko machine 1
with the information displaying data Di concerning the advertising
image Gp or the television image Gt which is composed with the
gaming image Gy.
[0072] In this case, in the pachinko machine 1 which has been
instructed to overlap the advertising image Gp (or television image
Gt) with the gaming image Gy and display the resulting image, the
main control unit 3 supplies the display control unit 12 with the
command C which gives the instruction of overlapping the display
image G (in this case, the advertising image Gp or the television
image Gt) generated on the basis of the information displaying data
Di outputted by the information displaying server 52, with the
gaming image Gy generated on the basis of the predetermined display
procedure data Ds, and then displaying the resulting image. In
compliance with the command, the display control unit 12 first
reads out the display procedure data Ds from the
display-procedure-data storage unit 14 and also reads out the image
data Dp, Dp . . . from the image-data storage unit 16 in accordance
with the contents of the command C, and generates the displaying
image data Dg for the gaming image Gy, in the VRAM 15.
[0073] Subsequently, the display control unit 12 executes the data
processing between the information displaying data Di output from
the information displaying server 52 and the displaying image data
Dg in the VRAM 15, thereby to generate in the VRAM 15 the
displaying image data Dg concerning the display image G in which
the advertising image Gp (or television image Gt) is overlapped
with the gaming image Gy. Subsequently, the display control unit 12
outputs the generated displaying image data Dg to the projector
unit 31. Thus, the projection light L is emitted by the projector
unit 31, and as shown in FIG. 8, the display image G in which the
advertising image Gp is overlapped with the gaming image Gy is
projected on the game board 21 of the pachinko machine 1 (in this
case, the game board 21 of the pachinko machine 1a or 1c), or the
display image G in which the television image Gt is overlapped with
the gaming image Gy is done thereon (on the game panel 21 of the
pachinko machine 1b or 1d). Incidentally, at this point of time,
the display image G in which the television image Gt is overlapped
with the gaming image Gy is projected on the game board 21 of the
pachinko machine 1d.
[0074] On this occasion, in the pachinko machine 1 which has
started the display of a scene being important in the game (for
example, the display screen of the reach action), only the gaming
image Gy is projected on the whole game board 21, instead of a
screen having been displayed before (a screen where the gaming
image Gy and the advertising image Gp or television image Gt are
overlapped). In particular, in the pachinko machine 1 which has
fallen into a reach state, for example, the pachinko machine 1d
which is shown in FIG. 8, even if the control signal S3 for causing
the pertinent pachinko machine to display the gaming image Gy in
which the advertising image Gp or television image Gt is overlapped
is output by the information displaying server 52 at that point of
time, the main control unit 3 supplies the display apparatus 5 with
the command C for causing it to display only the gaming image Gy on
the whole game board 21. Thereafter, in the pachinko machine 1d,
when an ordinary fluctuating display has begun after the
performance of the reach action, the main control unit 3 complies
with the instruction of the control signal S3 and supplies the
display apparatus 5 with the command C for causing it to overlap
the advertising image Gp or television image Gt with the gaming
image Gy and display the resulting image. Thus, the gaming image Gy
in which the advertising image Gp or television image Gt is
overlapped is projected on the pachinko machine 1d in the same way
as in each of the pachinko machines 1a-1c.
[0075] In this manner, according to the information display system
51, when the information displaying server 52 has determined the
nonexistence of a player in front of the pachinko machine 1 (when
it has determined the non-gaming state), the display apparatus 5 of
the pachinko machine 1 is caused to project the advertising image
Gp, the television image Gt or the like on, at least, part of the
game board 21, whereby various information items such as the
advertising image Gp and the television image Gt can be displayed
at a low cost and by a novel method as the occupation of the space
of the interior of the parlor (hall) by monitors used exclusively
for displaying information is avoided. In this case, the display
apparatus 5 of the pachinko machine 1 in the non-gaming state is
caused to project the advertising image Gp or the television image
Gt on the whole game board 21, whereby the various information
items can be displayed without forming any obstacle to the game
which is the original purpose of use of the pachinko machine 1.
[0076] Besides, when a player has taken a seat at the pachinko
machine 1 which is projecting the advertising image Gp or
television image. Gt on the whole game board 21, the gaming image
Gy is projected on the whole game board 21, whereby the gaming
image Gy can be displayed on the pachinko machine 1 on which a game
is to be started, so as to immediately start the game, while the
advertising image Gp or television image Gt is kept projected on
the pachinko machine 1 in the non-gaming state. In this case, due
to the adoption of a construction in which the gaming image Gy is
projected when the player has come close to the pachinko machine 1
within the range of a predetermined distance (when the sensor
signal S1 has been output by the person sensor 6), the gaming image
Gy can be changed-over and displayed at an accurate timing.
[0077] Besides, one advertising image Gp is displayed extending
over the respective game boards 21 of the pachinko machines 1, 1 .
. . in the non-gaming states, among the plurality of adjacent
pachinko machines 1, 1 . . . , whereby one advertising image Gp can
be displayed on an area which is larger than the area of a display
method wherein one advertising image Gp is displayed for one
pachinko machine 1. Therefore, even a person who is far away from
the pachinko machines 1, 1 . . . can be reliably caused to visually
recognize the advertising image Gp, and the display contents of the
advertising image Gp can be deeply impressed upon the person at
that time. Further, the information displaying server 52 causes the
individual pachinko machines 1, 1 . . . to project the advertising
image Gp or television image Gt, on the basis of the information
displaying data Di distributed (acquired) from the data
distributing server 62 through the public switched network 61,
whereby the display method can display a new television image Gt or
advertising image Gp acquired every moment, as compared with a
display method wherein the advertising image Gp, etc. are displayed
on the basis of, for example, only the information displaying data
Di stored beforehand in the hard disk of the information displaying
server 52.
[0078] Next, an information display system 100 according to another
embodiment of the present invention will be described with
reference to the drawings. By the way, the information display
system 100 or an information display system 200 to be described
later, of the present invention is basically applied as in the
information display system 51. Accordingly, the same numerals and
signs will be assigned to the same constituents as in the
information display system 51 and shall be omitted from repeated
description. As shown in FIG. 9, the information display system 100
includes a plurality of (in this case, four) slot machines (game
machines) 101a-101d (hereinbelow, also termed "slot machines 101"
when they are not distinguished) which are installed in the game
center by way of example, and an information displaying server 52
which is connected to the respective slot machines 101. As shown in
FIG. 11, the slot machine 101 is so constructed that various
display images G (for example, a gaming image Gy which is shown in
the figure and which indicates the amount of prize money changing
every moment) can be projected on the game board 111 of this slot
machine by a rear projection system. Besides, the slot machine 101
is constructed including an image displaying optical system 102 and
a reel 103 as shown in FIG. 12. The image displaying optical system
102 includes a screen film 112 adhered to the game board 111, a
mirror 113, a Fresnel lens 114 and a projector unit 31. The reel
103 is constructed including three cylindrical reels 103a-103c
(refer to FIG. 11) on each of which a plurality of patterns are
depicted, and it is disposed on the rear side of a glass 115 which
is disposed centrally of the front of the machine, as shown in FIG.
12. In this case, the reels 103a-103c are stopped after having been
rotated predetermined numbers of revolutions in accordance with the
manipulation of a handle 104 (refer to FIG. 11), respectively.
[0079] In the information display system 100, when power sources
have been turned ON for the information displaying server 52 and
the slot machines 101a-101d, the information displaying server 52
starts the foregoing display control process 70 as in the
information display system 51. On this occasion, when all the slot
machines 101a-101d are in non-gaming states by way of example, the
information displaying server 52 supplies these slot machines
101a-101d with control signals S3 for causing them to display
advertising images Gp101-Gp104 shown in FIG. 9, respectively. In
response to the output, in the slot machine 101a by way of example,
a main control unit 3 outputs a command C instructing a display
apparatus 5 to display the advertising image Gp101. Subsequently, a
display control unit 12 outputs displaying image data Dg to the
projector unit 31 in compliance with the command C, and the
projector unit 31 emits projection light L based on the displaying
image data Dg. On this occasion, as shown in FIG. 12, the
projection light L is reflected by the mirror 113 and is passed
through the Fresnel lens 114, thereby to be projected on the screen
film 112. Thus, as shown in FIG. 9, the advertising image Gp101 is
displayed on the game board 111 of the slot machine 101a. Likewise,
the slot machines 101b-101d execute such image display processing
steps, respectively, whereby as shown in the figure, one
advertising image Gp (for example, an image where a character
string "Redecorating opening on the 1st!!" is depicted) is
displayed extending over the respective game boards 111, 111 . . .
of the slot machines 101a-101d disposed in succession.
[0080] Meanwhile, when any of the slot machines 101a-101d is in a
gaming state (state where a player has been detected by a person
sensor 6 (refer to FIG. 11)), the information displaying server 52
supplies the slot machine 101 in the gaming state with the control
signal S3 instructing it to display a gaming image Gy and also
supplies the slot machine 101 in the non-gaming state with the
control signal S3 instructing it to display either of an
advertising image Gp or a television image Gt. Thus, when the slot
machine 101b is in the gaming state and the slot machines 101a,
101c, 101d are in the non-gaming states as shown in FIG. 10 by way
of example, the gaming image Gy is displayed on the slot machine
101b, the advertising image Gp is displayed on the slot machines
101a, 101d , and the television image Gt (for example, the image of
a sportscast) is displayed on the slot machine 101c. Besides, when
all of the slot machines 101a-101d are in the gaming states, the
information displaying server 52 supplies each of the slot machines
101a-101d with the control signal S3 instructing it to display the
gaming image Gy itself, or the gaming image Gy in which the
advertising image Gp or the television image Gt is partly
overlapped. Thus, as shown in FIG. 13, the gaming image Gy itself,
or the gaming image Gy in which the advertising image Gp or the
television image Gt is overlapped is displayed on each of the slot
machines 101a-101d.
[0081] In this manner, also in the information display system 100,
when the slot machine 101 is in the non-gaming state (no game
player exists in front), the display apparatus is caused to project
the advertising image Gp, the television image Gt or the like on,
at least, part of the game board 111 of the slot machine 101,
whereby various information items such as the advertising image Gp
and the television image Gt can be displayed at a low cost and by a
novel method as the occupation of the space of the interior of the
parlor by monitors used exclusively for displaying information is
avoided. Besides, when a player has taken a seat, the gaming image
Gy is projected on the whole game board 111, whereby the player can
immediately start a game. Besides, one advertising image Gp is
displayed extending over the respective game boards 111 of the
adjacent slot machines 101a-101d , whereby one advertising image Gp
can be displayed on an extended area. Therefore, even a person who
is far away from the slot machines 101a-101d can be reliably caused
to visually recognize the advertising image Gp, and the display
contents of the advertising image Gp can be deeply impressed upon
the person at that time.
[0082] Incidentally, the slot machine 101 in the information
display system 100 is not restricted to the above construction. By
way of example, it is also possible to adopt a construction in
which, instead of the reel 103, a reel image (gaming image Gy)
simulating the operation of this reel 103 is projected. Also, a
start button may be used instead of the handle 104.
[0083] On this occasion, a game board and a screen film are
disposed at the central part of the front of the machine proper
instead of the glass 115, and a Fresnel lens and a mirror for
reflecting part of the projection light L toward the Fresnel lens
are disposed on the rear side of the screen film. According to this
construction, the advertising image Gp or the television image Gt
can be displayed also on the display area of the reel image in the
non-gaming state of the slot machine 101.
[0084] Besides, the information display system according to the
present invention is not restricted to the information display
systems 51, 100 described above, but it covers also an information
display system which includes pinball machines, etc. By way of
example, the information display system 200 shown in FIG. 14
includes a plurality of (in this case, four) pinball machines (game
machines) 201a-201d (hereinbelow, also termed "pinball machines
201" when they are not distinguished), and an information
displaying server 52 which is connected to the respective pinball
machines 201. As shown in FIG. 15, the pinball machine 201 is so
constructed that various accessories are mounted, and that various
display images G, such as a television image Gt, a gaming image Gy
and an advertising image Gp, (for example, the gaming image Gy
indicative of the marks obtained as shown in the figure) can be
projected on a game board 211 disposed on the upper side of the
machine proper, by a rear projection system. Besides, as shown in
FIG. 16, the pinball machine 201 is constructed including an image
displaying optical system 202. The image displaying optical system
202 includes a screen film 212 adhered to the game board 211, a
mirror 213, a Fresnel lens 214 and a projector unit 31. In this
case, with the pinball machine 201, a pinball game is played in
such a way that a ball is moved between the game board 211 and a
glass 215 disposed on the upper surface of the machine.
[0085] In the information display system 200, an information
displaying server 52 executes the foregoing display control process
70 and outputs a control signal S3 as in the information display
system 51 or 100. Thus, when the four pinball machines 201a-201d
are in non-gaming states by way of example, one advertising image
Gp (for example, an image where a character string "Redecorating
opening on the 1st!!" is depicted) is displayed extending over the
respective game boards 211, 211 of the pinball machines 201a-201d
disposed in succession, as shown in FIG. 14. Besides, when any of
the pinball machines 201a-201d is in a gaming state, any of the
advertising image Gp, the television image Gt, the gaming image Gy,
and an image in which they are overlapped is displayed on the game
board 211 of each pinball machine 201 in accordance with the state
of the pinball machine 201 (whether or not it is in the non-gaming
state). In this manner, also in the information display system 200,
when the pinball machine 201 is in the non-gaming state, the
display apparatus is caused to project the advertising image Gp,
the television image Gt or the like on, at least, part of the game
board 211 of the pinball machine 201, so that the same effects as
those of the information display system 51 or 100 can be
attained.
[0086] Besides, the present invention is not restricted to its
embodiments described above. By way of example, in each embodiment
of the present invention, there has been described the example in
which the presence or absence of a player (whether or not the game
machine is in a non-gaming state) is determined on the basis of the
sensor signal S1 output by the person sensor 6, and any of the
various images is projected in accordance with the result of the
determination. However, the present invention is not restricted to
this example, but it can also adopt, for example, a construction in
which a sensor is disposed in the handle 29 (refer to FIG. 3) of
the pachinko machine 1 or the handle 104 (refer to FIG. 11) of the
slot machine 101 so as to determine whether or not the pachinko
machine 1 or the slot machine 101 is in a gaming state, by
detecting whether or not a hand is touching the handle 29 or 104,
and any of the various images is projected in accordance with the
result of the determination. Further, it is also possible to adopt
a construction in which a weight sensor is disposed in a chair for
gaming as is mounted in front of the pachinko machine 1 or the slot
machine 101, so as to determine whether or not a player exists in
front of the pachinko machine 1 or the slot machine 101 (whether or
not the game machine is in a non-gaming state), on the basis of the
sensor signal of the weight sensor. Also, the person sensor 6 is
not restricted to the infrared sensor, but any of various sensors
such as an optical sensor can be employed.
[0087] Besides, in each embodiment of the present invention, there
has been described the example in which the display apparatus 5 of
the pachinko machine 1, slot machine 101 or pinball machine 201
projects the advertising image Gp or the television image Gt on the
basis of the information displaying data Di output by the
information displaying server 52. However, the present invention is
not restricted to this example, but it may well adopt, for example,
a construction in which information displaying data Di for
displaying the advertising image Gp are stored beforehand in the
image-data storage unit 16 of the display apparatus 5 so as to
project the gaming image Gy on the basis of the information
displaying data Di. Further, each embodiment of the present
invention has been described by mentioning as the example the
construction in which the main control unit 3 discriminates the
presence or absence of a player on the basis of the sensor signal
S1 output by the person sensor 6. However, the present invention is
not restricted to this example, but it can adopt a construction in
which the person sensor 6 is connected to the display control unit
12 of the display apparatus 5 so as for the display control unit 12
to perform the determination on the basis of the sensor signal S1,
or a construction in which the person sensor 6 is connected to the
information displaying server 52 so as for the information
displaying server 52 to perform the determination on the basis of
the sensor signal S1. Besides, in each embodiment of the present
invention, there has been described the example in which the
information displaying server 52 causes the pachinko machine 1,
slot machine 101 or pinball machine 201 to display the television
image Gt or the advertising image Gp, on the basis of contents
determined by the display control process 70. However, it is also
possible to adopt, for example, a construction in which a
display-image selection switch is disposed in the pachinko machine
1, slot machine 101 or pinball machine 201 so as for a player to
select which of the television image Gt and the advertising image
Gp is to be displayed. Further, the game machines according to the
present invention are not restricted to the pachinko machine, slot
machine and pinball machine, but they cover various other game
machines for a pachislo game, an arcade game, etc.
[0088] The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application Nos.
2002-220117 filed Jul. 29, 2002 and 2003-080726 filed Mar. 24, 2003
are incorporated by reference.
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