U.S. patent application number 10/697246 was filed with the patent office on 2004-10-21 for gaming machine.
Invention is credited to Nonaka, Nobuyuki.
Application Number | 20040209679 10/697246 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32821647 |
Filed Date | 2004-10-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040209679 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nonaka, Nobuyuki |
October 21, 2004 |
Gaming machine
Abstract
A display device provided in a gaming machine such as a slot
machine or a pachinko machine is equipped, wherein a pitch P
between pixel units each of which is formed by arranging each kind
of a plurality of kinds of pixel electrodes which display
predetermined colors respectively, and a distance d from the
display device to a player in a normal game posture satisfy the
relationship of P<tan(.pi./180/35).times.d.
Inventors: |
Nonaka, Nobuyuki; (Tokyo,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RADER FISHMAN & GRAUER PLLC
LION BUILDING
1233 20TH STREET N.W., SUITE 501
WASHINGTON
DC
20036
US
|
Family ID: |
32821647 |
Appl. No.: |
10/697246 |
Filed: |
October 31, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/30 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3211 20130101;
G09G 2300/0443 20130101; G09G 2300/0452 20130101; G09G 3/3648
20130101; G09G 3/3607 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/030 |
International
Class: |
A63F 009/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 28, 2003 |
JP |
2003-092531 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A display device provided in a gaming machine, wherein a pitch P
between pixel units each of which is formed by arranging each kind
of a plurality of kinds of pixel electrodes which display
predetermined colors respectively, and a distance d from the
display device to a player in a normal game posture satisfy a
relationship of: P<tan(.pi./180/35).time- s.d.
2. A display device provided in a gaming machine such as a slot
machine or a pachinko machine, wherein a pitch P between pixel
units each of which is formed by arranging each kind of a plurality
of kinds of pixel electrodes which display predetermined colors
respectively, a distance d from the display device to a player in a
normal game posture, and a correction value .alpha. satisfy a
relationship of: P=tan(.pi./180/35).times.d/2.times.(1+.alpha.)
where the correction value .alpha. is .+-.0.2.
3. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the pixel
electrodes are arranged in matrix on an x-y plane, and the pixel
electrodes of the same color are arranged in a y direction and the
same pattern is continuously arranged in an x direction to form a
stripe.
4. The display device according to claim 1, wherein one pixel is
constituted by a pair of the pixel units that are adjacent, and
information signals for one pixel are supplied in the same timing
to pixel electrodes for the same color that are contained in the
pair of pixel units respectively.
5. A gaming machine such as a slot machine or a pachinko machine,
comprising: a display unit that is constituted by arranging in
matrix a plurality of kinds of pixel electrodes that display
predetermined colors respectively, wherein in the display unit a
pitch P between pixel units each of which is formed by arranging
each kind of a plurality of kinds of pixel electrodes which display
predetermined colors respectively, and a distance d from the
display device to a player in a normal game posture satisfy a
relationship of: P<tan(.pi./180/35).times.d.
6. A gaming machine such as a slot machine or a pachinko machine,
comprising: a display unit that is constituted by arranging in
matrix a plurality of kinds of pixel electrodes that display
predetermined colors respectively, wherein in the display unit a
pitch P between pixel units each of which is formed by arranging
each kind of a plurality of kinds of pixel electrodes which display
predetermined colors respectively, a distance d from the display
device to a player in a normal game posture, and a correction value
.alpha. satisfy a relationship of:
P=tan(.pi./180/35).times.d/2.times.(1+.alpha.) where the correction
value .alpha. is .+-.0.2.
7. The gaming machine according to claim 5, wherein the pixel
electrodes are arranged in matrix on an x-y plane, and the pixel
electrodes of the same color are arranged in a y direction and the
same pattern is continuously arranged in an x direction to form a
stripe.
8. The gaming machine according to claim 5, wherein the display
unit is a highly transmissive liquid crystal display provided in a
game board.
9. The gaming machine according to claim 5, wherein one pixel is
constituted by a pair of the pixel units that are adjacent, and
information signals for one pixel are supplied in the same timing
to pixel electrodes for the same color that are contained in the
pair of pixel units respectively.
Description
FIELD OF THE TECHNOLOGY
[0001] This invention relates to a display device which is provided
in a gaming machine such as a slot machine or a pachinko
machine.
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
[0002] In recent years, in the market of gaming machines such as
slot machines and pachinko machines, images are mentioned as one of
important elements which constitute game property. Conventionally,
in an image of a gaming machine, it has become a main stream to
mount a liquid crystal monitor or a dot display device whose size
is seven inches or less. According to a gaming machine provided
with such a display device, it becomes possible by displaying an
image according to the progress of a game in the gaming machine to
display stages of progress of the game clearly, to make a player's
expectations arouse, or to direct a winning status effectively.
[0003] In the above-mentioned display device and the gaming machine
provided with the display device, while it is possible to expect
high stage effects as the display screen has a large area, it can
be said that an image displayed on the display device with finer
pixels has a larger amount of information which can be displayed,
as well as is more beautiful.
[0004] For example, refer to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
2001-340518.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] However, in a liquid crystal monitor, there is a problem
that, although a pixel also becomes large as an area of the liquid
crystal monitor rises, an image becomes coarse as the pixel becomes
large, and the resolution of the image is lowered. On the other
hand, there arises a problem that an aperture ratio (a ratio of the
gross area of one pixel to an area which a drive element
effectively contributes to displaying in a display screen) of the
liquid crystal drive element becomes low and the screen becomes
dark and poorly visible. Moreover, since a player may change
his/her game posture according to the development of a game, it
becomes necessary to attain a high resolution of an image in
consideration of the game posture.
[0006] Then, this invention is made in view of the above problems,
and provides a display device and a gaming machine which can make
pixels of the display device fine and can achieve the improvement
in image quality in the display device, with which the gaming
machine such as a slot machine or a pachinko machine is equipped,
with taking a change of a player's game posture into
consideration.
[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned subjects, this
invention is a display device provided in a gaming machine such as
a slot machine or a pachinko machine, wherein a pitch P between
pixel units each of which is formed by arranging each one of a
plurality of kinds of pixel electrodes which display predetermined
colors respectively, and a distance d from the display device
concerned to a player in a normal game posture satisfy a
relationship of P<tan (.pi./180/35).times.d.
[0008] According to this invention as described above, in a display
device provided in a gaming machine, since a pitch between pixel
units in accordance with a player's normal game posture is set up,
it is possible to make pixel lines in the display device hardly
conspicuous in a necessary minimum range in the normal game
posture. Hence, it is possible to attain a suitable image display
with maintaining a predetermined aperture ratio.
[0009] In addition, this invention may include a display device
which is provided in a gaming machine such as a slot machine or a
pachinko machine, wherein a pitch P between pixel units each of
which is formed by arranging each one of a plurality of kinds of
pixel electrodes which display predetermined colors respectively, a
distance d from the display device concerned to a player in a
normal game posture, and a correction value .alpha. satisfy a
relationship of P=tan(.pi./180/35).times.d/2.time- s.(1+.alpha.).
Here, the correction value .alpha. is .+-.0.2.
[0010] According to this invention as described above, it can not
only reduce the conspicuousness of pixel lines with taking a change
of a player's game posture into consideration, but also prevent an
aperture ratio of a liquid crystal drive element from being lowered
due to unnecessarily fine resolution of pixels, thereby reducing a
problem that a screen becomes dark and poorly visible.
[0011] In the above-mentioned invention, it is desirable that the
pixel electrodes are arranged in matrix on an x-y plane, and that
pixel electrodes of the same color are lined in a y direction and
the same pattern is continuously arranged in an x direction to form
a stripe. In this case, since pixel electrodes of the same colors
are lined in the y direction, it is possible to reduce the
spreading of an image at the time of displaying a slant line with
comparing the pixel electrodes with other arrangement forms. Hence,
it becomes possible to improve the image quality.
[0012] In the above-mentioned invention, it is preferable to
constitute one pixel by a pair of adjacent pixel units, and to
supply information signals for one pixel in the same timing to
pixel electrodes for the same color that are contained in a pair of
pixel units respectively. In this case, by displaying data for one
pixel of existing image data with a pair of pixel electrodes, it
becomes possible to make the pitch between pixel units about one
half of the conventional one without increasing a data amount of
the existing image data. Hence, it becomes possible to achieve a
fine resolution of pixels with satisfying the above-mentioned
relational expression, and consequently, it becomes possible to
display effectively the image according to the progress of the game
in the gaming machine.
[0013] This invention may include a gaming machine, such as a slot
machine or a pachinko machine. The gaming machine comprises a
display unit that is constituted by a plurality of kinds of pixel
electrodes that display predetermined colors respectively and are
arranged in matrix. In the display unit a pitch P between pixel
units each of which is formed by arranging each one of a plurality
of kinds of pixel electrodes which display predetermined colors
respectively, and a distance d from the display device concerned to
a player in a normal game posture satisfy a relationship of
P<tan(.pi./180/35).times.d.
[0014] According to this invention as described above, since a
pitch between pixel units is set up in consideration of a player's
normal game posture, it is possible to make pixel lines in the
display device hardly conspicuous, and hence it is possible to
attain a suitable image display.
[0015] This invention may include a gaming machine, such as a slot
machine or a pachinko machine. The gaming machine comprises a
display unit that is constituted by arranging a plurality of kinds
of pixel electrodes which display predetermined colors
respectively, in matrix. In the display unit, a pitch P between
pixel units each of which is formed by arranging each one of a
plurality of kinds of pixel electrodes which display predetermined
colors respectively, a distance d from the display device concerned
to a player in a normal game posture, and a correction value a
satisfy a relationship of P=tan(.pi./180/35).times.d/2.times.(1+.-
alpha.), where the correction value .alpha. is .+-.0.2.
[0016] According to this invention as described above, it can not
only reduce the conspicuousness of pixel lines with taking a change
of a player's game posture into consideration, but also prevent an
aperture ratio of a liquid crystal drive element from being lowered
due to unnecessarily fine resolution of pixels, thereby reducing a
problem that a screen becomes dark and poorly visible.
[0017] In the above-mentioned invention, it is desirable that the
pixel electrodes are arranged in matrix on an x-y plane, and the
pixel electrodes of the same color are arranged in a y direction
and the same pattern is continuously arranged in an x direction to
form a stripe. In this case, since pixel electrodes of the same
color are lined in the y direction, it is possible to reduce the
spreading of an image at the time of displaying a slant line with
comparing the pixel electrodes with other arrangement forms. Hence,
it becomes possible to improve the image quality.
[0018] In the above-mentioned invention, it is desirable that the
display unit is a highly transmissive liquid crystal display
provided on a game board. In this case, it becomes possible to make
the above-mentioned minute image displayed on the game board, such
as a reel unit of a slot machine, or a game board of a pachinko
machine, with being overlapped. Hence, it is possible to attain
improvement in power of expression more effectively.
[0019] In the above-mentioned invention, it is preferable to
constitute one pixel by a pair of adjacent pixel units, and to
supply information signals for one pixel in the same timing to
pixel electrodes for the same color that are contained in a pair of
pixel units respectively. In this case, by displaying data for one
pixel of existing image data with a pair of pixel electrodes, it
becomes possible to make the pitch between pixel units one half of
the conventional one without increasing a data amount of the
existing image data. Hence, it becomes possible to achieve a fine
resolution of pixels with satisfying the above-mentioned relational
expression, and consequently, it becomes possible to display
effectively the image according to the progress of the game in the
gaming machine.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a
display screen of a display device according to a first
embodiment;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a structural diagram showing the internal
configuration of the display device according to the first
embodiment;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a graphical representation where the vertical axis
is set as the sensitivity of a player to pixels and the horizontal
axis logarithmically shows the number of pixel lines per one degree
of the player's viewing angle (lines/deg) in the first
embodiment;
[0023] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a slot
machine according to the first embodiment;
[0024] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a
control unit provided inside the slot machine according to the
first embodiment;
[0025] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a modified example of
an arrangement form of pixel units according to the first
embodiment;
[0026] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a
display screen of a display device according to a second
embodiment;
[0027] FIG. 8 is a structural diagram schematically showing the
internal configuration of the display device according to the
second embodiment;
[0028] FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing the application timing of
information signal voltages in the display device according to the
second embodiment; and
[0029] FIG. 10 is a structural diagram showing the configuration of
a display device according to a third embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0030] Hereafter, a display device and a slot machine gaming
machine according to an embodiment of this invention will be
explained in detail with referring to drawings.
FIRST EMBODIMENT
Configuration of Display Device
[0031] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a
display screen of a display device according to a first embodiment.
Note that, in this figure, only 4 pixels in 2.times.2 are shown in
an enlarged manner.
[0032] As shown in this figure, in the display screen, a plurality
of kinds of pixel electrodes R, G, and B that display three colors
of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) respectively are arranged in
matrix on an x-y plane, and pixel electrodes of the same color are
arranged in the y direction and the same pattern is continuously
arranged in an x direction to form a stripe. Moreover, in this
display screen, a pixel unit is formed by arranging each kind of
pixel electrodes R, G, and B, and one pixel is constituted by each
pixel unit.
[0033] FIG. 2 shows a concrete configuration of this display
screen. As shown in this figure, in the display device concerned,
gate lines G1, G2, . . . that are wired in a horizontal direction
in this figure (corresponding to the x direction in FIG. 1) and are
connected to a scanning signal driver 11, and information signal
lines (source lines) DR, DG, DB, . . . that are wired in a vertical
direction in this figure (corresponding to the y direction in FIG.
1) and are connected to an information signal driver 10 that is
drive control means are provided on a liquid crystal panel
substrate so that they may be orthogonal in the condition of being
insulated mutually. At each of their intersections, they are
connected to each pixel electrode through a thin film transistor
(TFT) which is an active element (switching element). That is, the
gate lines G1, G2, . . . are connected to gate electrodes of the
TFTs, the information signal lines DR, DG, DB, . . . are connected
to source electrodes of the TFTs, and the pixel electrodes are
connected to drain electrodes of the TFTs.
[0034] Then, in this embodiment, a pitch P (mm) between pixel units
and a distance d (mm) from the slot machine 1 concerned to a player
in a normal game posture satisfy the following relationship:
[0035] P<tan(.pi./180/35).times.d (1)
[0036] This will be explained in detail by using FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is
a graphical representation where the vertical axis is set as the
sensitivity of a player to pixels and the horizontal axis
logarithmically shows the number of pixel lines per one degree of a
player's viewing angle (lines/deg) (hereafter, this is called
"number of stripes"). In addition, this number of stripes means the
number of colored (black, blue, red) pixel lines at the time of
displaying a white and an arbitrary color (for example, white and
black, white and blue, white and red, or the like) in a stripe by
turns for every pixel line.
[0037] As shown in this figure, when pixel lines are blue or red,
sensitivity rapidly drops at the time of the number of stripes
being about 5 to 8.5, which makes the pixel lines hardly
conspicuous. When pixel lines are black, sensitivity rises until
the number of stripes reaches 35 making the pixel lines
conspicuous, and then drops rapidly after the number of stripes
reaches a peak of 35.
[0038] In this embodiment, with reflecting this property, in order
that the number of stripes of pixel lines may exceed 35
(lines/deg), that is, in order that the pitch P between pixel units
may become smaller than a predetermined value, the number of
stripes of pixel lines is set up according to the relationship of
the above-mentioned formula (1). Here, although the distance d from
the display device to a player in a normal game posture changes
according to the kind of a gaming machine, its assumed value is
300-400 mm in a pachinko machine, and 400-500 mm in a slot machine.
The relationship between this assumed value and the value of the
above-mentioned P is shown in Table 1.
[0039] [Table 1]
[0040] In addition, in Table 1, a range enclosed with dotted lines
shows values of the pitch P corresponding to the above-mentioned
number of stripes of pixel lines equal to 35. Values satisfying the
above-mentioned formula (1) are in a range lower than a hatched
portion in Table 1, i.e., a range where the number of stripes
becomes 40 or more.
Configuration of Gaming Machine
[0041] A gaming machine that is provided with the above-mentioned
display will be explained. This embodiment will be explained by way
of example where the display device is applied to a slot machine as
a gaming machine. FIG. 4 shows a perspective view and a front view
that show the slot machine 1 according to this embodiment.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 4, a game board 2 is provided in the front
of a main part in the slot machine 1, and on this game board 2, a
transparent liquid crystal display 3 which is the display device
mentioned above is provided in an area shown by dotted lines in the
figure. In order to allow designs drawn on the outer periphery of
reels provided in the main part of the slot machine 1 to be
visible, reel display windows 3a are formed in this transparent
liquid crystal display 3. In addition, various display units, such
as lamps and segment indicators, are provided also in areas other
than the transparent liquid crystal display 3 on the game board 2.
Moreover, the slot machine 1 comprises a speaker 4, a lamp 5, an
operation switch unit 6, and a medal receiving tray la in the front
of the main part. The transparent liquid crystal display 3 is a
highly transmissive liquid crystal display, and electrodes which
apply voltages to liquid crystal are formed with electroconductive
substances (for example, adaptive oxide of indium and tin, etc.) in
transparent thin films.
[0043] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a
control unit 7 provided inside the slot machine 1. As shown in this
figure, the slot machine 1 comprises a main control circuit 71 for
controlling game processing operation in the slot machine 1,
peripheral devices (actuator etc.) electrically connected to the
main control circuit 71, and a sub-control circuit 72 for
controlling the transparent liquid crystal display 3 and speaker 4
on the basis of a control instruction transmitted from the main
control circuit 71.
[0044] The main control circuit 71 mainly comprises a CPU arranged
on a circuit board, and in addition to this, comprises a circuit
performing random sampling at the time of performing the
probability lottery processing of determining a winning. The CPU
serves as internal winning combination determination means and
winning judgment means to perform control operation according to a
program set up beforehand, and also comprises ROM and RAM served as
memory means. This memory means (ROM and RAM) stores the data used
for the judgment of random sampling performed every start
operation, and various control instructions (commands) for
transmission to the sub-control circuit 72.
[0045] As the main actuators whose operation is controlled by
control signals from the above-mentioned main control circuit 71,
there are a lamp 5, various display units on the game board 2, a
hopper (including a drive unit for payout) that contains coins and
pays out the predetermined number of coins to the medal receiving
tray 1a, which are shown in FIG. 4, and stepping motors for
rotating reels. Each of these actuators is connected to an output
unit of the above-mentioned main control circuit 71 through a drive
circuit provided for each, and its operation is controlled in
response to a control signal, such as a drive instruction outputted
from the CPU.
[0046] Moreover, as main input signal generation means generating
an input signal required for the main control circuit 71 to
generate a control command, the operation switch unit 6 provided in
the front of the slot machine 1, and an inserted coin sensor, and
various sensors detecting operating statuses of reels are provided.
The operation switch unit 6 detects the start of a game, and a stop
operation of each reel, and the inserted coin sensor detects a coin
inserted into a coin insertion slot. The various sensors for each
reel supply signals for identifying respective reel positions to
the main control circuit 71.
[0047] Then, in the main control circuit 71, in order to associate
a rotational position of a reel with a design drawn on the outer
periphery of the reel, a design table is stored in ROM. In this
design table, each code number given one by one for every fixed
rotation pitch of each reel is associated with each design code
showing a kind of a design provided correspondingly for the code
number. Furthermore, a winning design combination table is also
stored in the ROM. On this winning design combination table,
combinations of the designs showing winnings, coin payoff amounts
of winnings, and winning judgment code showing those winnings are
associated with each other. The above-described winning design
combination table will be referred to when performing winning
identification at the time of the stop of all reels.
[0048] The sub-control circuit 72 performs the display control of
the transparent liquid crystal display 3, and the output control of
sound from the speaker 4 on the basis of control instructions
(commands) from the main control circuit 71. This sub-control
circuit 72 is configured on a circuit board other than the circuit
board where the main control circuit 71 is configured. This mainly
comprises a microcomputer (hereafter, this is called
"sub-microcomputer") 73, and is constituted by an image control
circuit 81 as display control means for the transparent liquid
crystal display 3, a sound source IC 78 controlling the sound
outputted by the speaker 4, and a power amplifier 79 as an
amplifier.
[0049] The above-mentioned sub-microcomputer 73 includes a sub-CPU
74 performing control operation according to a control instruction
transmitted from the main control circuit 71, a program ROM 75 as
memory means, and a work RAM 76. The sub-control circuit 72 is
configured so as to execute random sampling on an operating program
in the sub-CPU 74. The program ROM 75 stores a control program
executed by the sub-CPU 74. The work RAM 76 functions as temporary
storage means when the sub-CPU 74 executes the above-mentioned
control program.
[0050] The image control circuit 81 is constituted by an image
control CPU 82, an image control work RAM 83, an image control
program ROM 84, an image ROM 86, a video RAM 87, and an image
control IC 88. The image control CPU 82 determines the contents of
display in the transparent liquid crystal display 3 according to
the image control program stored in the image control program ROM
84 on the basis of parameters set up by the sub-microcomputer 73.
The image control program ROM 84 stores the image control program
and various selection tables that relate to the display in the
transparent liquid crystal display 3.
[0051] The image control work RAM 83 functions as temporary storage
means when the image control CPU 82 executes the above-mentioned
image control program. The image control IC 88 forms an image
according to the contents of display determined by the image
control CPU 82, and outputs it to the transparent liquid crystal
display 3. The image ROM 86 stores dot data for forming an image.
The video RAM 87 functions as temporary storage means when the
image control IC 88 forms an image.
[0052] Then, in the slot machine 1 having such a configuration, the
operation switch unit 6 detects a player's operation. According to
an operation signal from the operation switch unit 6, the control
unit 7 drives each actuator to start a game. Subsequently,
according to the stop operation of a player, each reel is stopped
by turns. Then, when all reels stop, the main control circuit 71
refers to the winning design combination table in ROM to judge
whether there is any winning design combination among combinations
of designs currently displayed on the reel display window 3a. When
there is a design combination which is a winning, the main control
circuit 71 pays off the payoff amount of medals corresponding to
the winning to the medal saucer 1a out of a hopper. Moreover, the
main control circuit 71 outputs suitably to the sub-control circuit
72 a control instruction according to internal winning combination
obtained as a result of the probability lottery processing, a
player's stop operation, a kind of the winning, and the like.
[0053] The sub-control circuit 72 performs the display control of
the transparent liquid crystal display 3, and the output control of
sound from the speaker 4 on the basis of the control instruction
from the main control circuit 71. That is, the image control CPU 82
of the image control circuit 81 determines the contents of display
in the transparent liquid crystal display 3 according to the image
control program stored in the image control program ROM 84 on the
basis of parameters set up by the sub-microcomputer 73. The image
control IC 88 forms image data according to the contents of display
determined by the image control CPU 82, and outputs it to the
transparent liquid crystal display 3.
[0054] In the transparent liquid crystal display 3, according to
the image data formed by the image control CPU 82, the scanning
signal driver 11 makes scanning selection of the gate lines G1, G2,
. . . by turns to supply gate voltages. In synchronization with
this scanning selection of the gate lines, the information signal
driver 10 applies information signal voltages for one pixel to each
of pixel electrodes R, G, and B included in a pair of pixel units.
Consequently, the image is displayed on the game board 2 so as to
overlap with a design of each reel visually checked from the reel
display window 3a.
Action and Advantageous Effect
[0055] According to the display device 3 and slot machine 1 in
accordance with this embodiment explained above, it is possible to
make pixel lines in the display device hardly conspicuous by
setting a pitch between pixel units in consideration of a player's
normal game posture. Hence, it is possible to achieve a suitable
image display.
MODIFIED EXAMPLE
[0056] In addition, the value of the pitch P between pixel units is
set up in this embodiment so that the above-mentioned formula (1)
may be satisfied. Nevertheless, the value of the above-mentioned P
may be set so that the pitch P (mm) and distance d (mm) may satisfy
the following relationship:
P=tan(.pi./180/35).times.d/2.times.(1+.alpha.) (2)
[0057] where the correction value .alpha. is .+-.0.1-0.2.
[0058] Going in detail of this, the distance d under normal use is
300-500 mm as mentioned above. Nevertheless, since a player's game
posture changes every player or by a game status, it can be
considered that a player approaches a gaming machine to about one
half of the assumed distance d. Therefore, since pixels become
conspicuous when a player approaches the gaming machine, the
assumed distance d is set at one half in this modified example as
shown in the above formula (2).
[0059] In addition, a pixel line becomes not conspicuous if the
number of stripes is set to 35 or more. Nevertheless, even if the
value of the pitch P is made small beyond necessity, it becomes
impossible to visually recognize difference with human eyes when
the pitch P becomes below some extent. Hence, it is not reasonable
in view of a manufacturing cost etc. to make the number of stripes
large beyond necessity. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3, pixel
lines are not conspicuous so long as the number of stripes is equal
to or larger than the peak value (about 5-8) for blue or red pixel
lines even if it is 35 or less. Therefore, in this modified
example, by using the correction value .alpha., the number of
stripes is made within a hatched range in FIG. 3.
[0060] According to the display device and gaming machine in
accordance with such a modified example, it is possible not only to
reduce the conspicuousness of pixel lines with taking a change of a
player's game posture into consideration, but also to prevent an
aperture ratio of a liquid crystal drive element from being lowered
due to unnecessarily fine resolution of pixels, thereby reducing a
problem that a screen becomes dark and poorly visible.
[0061] Moreover, in this embodiment, although the case that pixels
each formed by a pair of pixel units are arranged in a stripe is
explained as an example, this invention is not limited to this. As
shown in FIG. 6, this invention is applicable also to a mosaic
arrangement (FIG. 6(a)), a delta arrangement (FIG. 6(b)), or a 2G
square arrangement (FIG. 6(c)). In these cases, information signals
for one pixel are supplied in the same timing to respective pixel
electrodes for the same color included in a pair of pixel units a
and b.
SECOND EMBODIMENT
[0062] Next, a second embodiment of this invention will be
explained. This embodiment is characterized in that, in the display
device explained in the first embodiment mentioned above, an output
for one pixel from the information signal driver 10 which is drive
control means, and each of pixel electrodes R, G, and B included in
a pair of above-mentioned pixel units a and b (hereafter referred
to as Ra, Ga, Ba, Rb, Gb, and Bb suitably) are connected in a
one-to-one relationship.
[0063] Going in detail, as shown in FIG. 7, in the display device
according to this embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment
mentioned above, a plurality of kinds of pixel electrodes R, G, and
B that display three colors of R (red), G (green), and B (blue)
respectively are arranged in matrix on an x-y plane, and pixel
electrodes of the same color are arranged in the y direction and
the same pattern is continuously arranged in the x direction to
form a stripe. Then, in this display screen, pixel units a and b
are formed by arranging each kind of pixel electrodes R, G, and B,
and one pixel is constituted by one pair of adjacent pixel units.
Going in detail, a pixel unit a is formed by adjacently arranging
the pixel electrodes Ra, Ga, and Ba, a pixel unit b is formed by
adjacently arranging the pixel electrodes Rb, Gb, and Bb, and one
pixel data is displayed by these adjacent pixel units a and b.
[0064] FIG. 8 shows a concrete configuration of this display
screen. As shown in this figure, in the display device, gate lines
G1, G2, . . . that are wired in a horizontal direction in this
figure and are connected to the scanning signal driver 11, and
information signal lines (source lines) DRa, DGa, DBa, . . . that
are wired in a vertical direction in this figure and are connected
to the information signal driver 10 that is drive control means are
provided on a liquid crystal panel substrate so that they may be
orthogonal in the condition of being insulated mutually. At each of
their intersections, they are connected to each pixel electrode
through a thin film transistor (TFT) which is an active element
(switching element). That is, the gate lines G1, G2, . . . are
connected to gate electrodes of the TFTs, the information signal
lines DRa, DGa, . . . are connected to source electrodes of the
TFTs, and the pixel electrodes are connected to drain electrodes of
the TFTs.
[0065] Then, in such a configuration, the scanning signal driver 11
makes the scanning selection of the gate lines G1, G2, . . . by
turns to supply gate voltages. In synchronization with this
scanning selection of the gate lines, the information signal driver
10 supplies information signal voltages, corresponding to
respective pixel data, to information signal lines DRa, DGa, DBa, .
. . , and applies them to respective pixel electrodes through the
TFTs. At this time, the information signal voltages for one pixel
are supplied in the same timing and at the same level to pixel
electrodes for the same color included in each pixel unit.
[0066] FIG. 9 shows the application timing of these information
signal voltages. In addition, this figure shows levels of the
voltages in a positive field and a negative field that are applied
to the gate lines and information signal lines in the case that one
frame is scanned by shuttling.
[0067] As shown in this figure, in this embodiment, the information
signal voltages for one pixel are supplied in the same timing to
pixel electrodes for the same color included in a pair of pixel
units. Namely, the scanning selection of the gate lines G1, G2, . .
. is made by turns, the voltages are applied, and in
synchronization with this timing of application to respective gate
lines, information signal voltages at the same level are applied
through the information signal lines DRa, DGa, . . . to respective
pixel electrodes Ra, Ga, Ba, Rb, Gb, and Bb.
[0068] According to the display device 3 and slot machine 1 in
accordance with this embodiment explained above, the information
signals for one pixel are supplied to each of the pixel electrodes
Ra, Ga, Ba, Rb, Gb, and Bb for the same color included in the
adjacent pixel units a and b respectively. Hence, it becomes
possible to display one pixel by pairs of pixel electrodes (Ra,
Rb), (Ga, Gb), and (Ba, Bb). In consequence, according to the
display device 3 and slot machine 1 in accordance with this
embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, it becomes possible to make the
pitch P between pixel units about one half of the conventional one
without increasing the data amount of existing image data. Hence,
it is possible to achieve a fine resolution of pixels with
maintaining the relationship of the relational expressions (1) and
(2) explained in the first embodiment.
[0069] Moreover, according to the display device 3 and slot machine
1 in accordance with this embodiment, the pixel electrodes Ra, Ga,
Ba, Rb, Gb, and Bb are arranged in a stripe on the x-y plane.
Therefore, it is possible to reduce the spreading of an image at
the time of displaying a slant line in comparison with the case
where pixel electrodes are arranged in another form, such as a
delta arrangement, a mosaic arrangement, or the like. Hence, it
becomes possible to improve the image quality.
THIRD EMBODIMENT
[0070] Next, a third embodiment of this invention will be
explained. This embodiment is characterized in that, in the display
devices explained in the first and second embodiments, an output
for one pixel from the information signal driver 10 which is drive
control means, and respective pixel electrodes Ra, Ga, Ba, Rb, Gb,
and Bb included in a pair of the above-mentioned pixel units a and
b are connected in a one-to-many relationship.
[0071] Moreover, in the display device in accordance with this
embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment mentioned above, a
plurality of kinds of pixel electrodes R, G, and B that display
three colors of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) respectively are
arranged in matrix on an x-y plane, and pixel electrodes of the
same color are arranged in the y direction and the same pattern is
continuously arranged in the x direction to form a stripe (see FIG.
7). Then, in this display screen, pixel units a and b are formed by
arranging each kind of pixel electrodes R, G, and B, and one pixel
is constituted by one pair of adjacent pixel units. Going in
detail, a pixel unit a is formed by adjacently arranging the pixel
electrodes Ra, Ga, and Ba, a pixel unit b is formed by adjacently
arranging the pixel electrodes Rb, Gb, and Bb, and one pixel data
is displayed by these adjacent pixel units a and b.
[0072] FIG. 10 shows a concrete configuration of this display
screen. As shown in this figure, gate lines G1, G2, . . . that are
wired in the horizontal direction in this figure and are connected
to the scanning signal driver 11, and information signal lines
(source lines) DR, DG, DB, . . . that are wired in the vertical
direction in this figure and are connected to the information
signal driver 10 that is drive control means are provided on a
liquid crystal panel substrate so that they may be orthogonal in
the condition of being insulated mutually. At each of their
intersections, they are connected to each pixel electrode through a
thin film transistor (TFT) which is an active element (switching
element).
[0073] Then, each of the information signal lines DR, DG, DB, . . .
is branched on the way. Outputs for one pixel from the information
signal driver 10, and pixel electrodes for the same color included
in a pair of pixel units a and b respectively are connected in a
one-to-two relationship. That is, also in this embodiment, one
pixel is constituted by one pair of adjacent pixel units a and b,
and the information signal line DR is connected to the pixel
electrodes Ra and Rb, the information signal line DG is to the
pixel electrodes Ga and Gb, and the information signal line DB is
to the pixel electrodes Ba and Bb.
[0074] Then, in such a configuration, the scanning signal driver 11
makes the scanning selection of the gate lines G1, G2, . . . by
turns, and gate voltages are supplied. In synchronization with this
scanning selection of the gate lines, the information signal driver
10 supplies information signal voltages, corresponding to
respective pixel data, to the information signal lines DRa, DGa,
DBa, . . . , and applies them to respective pixel electrodes
through the TFTs. At this time, outputs for one pixel from the
information signal driver 10, and pixel electrodes for the same
color included in the pixel units a and b respectively are
connected in the one-to-two relationship. Hence, the information
signal voltages for one pixel are supplied in the same timing and
at the same level to pixel electrodes for the same color included
in each pixel unit.
[0075] According to the display device 3 and slot machine 1 in
accordance with this embodiment as described above, information
signals for one pixel are supplied to the pixel electrodes Ra, Ga,
Ba, Rb, Gb, and Bb for the same color included in the adjacent
pixel units a and b respectively. Hence, it becomes possible to
display one pixel by pairs of pixel electrodes (Ra, Rb), (Ga, Gb),
and (Ba, Bb).
[0076] In particular, in this embodiment, by the information signal
lines DR, DG, DB, . . . , outputs for one pixel from the
information signal driver 10 and the pixel electrodes (Ra, Rb),
(Ga, Gb), and (Ba, Bb) for the same colors included in a pair of
pixel units a and b respectively are connected in the one-to-many
relationship. Therefore, it becomes possible to make the pitch P
between pixel units about one half of the conventional one without
requiring improvement such as increasing output terminals of the
drive control means such as an existing information signal driver,
and increasing a data amount of the existing image data. Hence, it
is possible to achieve a fine resolution of pixels with maintaining
the relationship of the relational expressions (1) and (2)
explained in the first embodiment.
[0077] Moreover, according to the display device 3 and slot machine
1 in accordance with this embodiment, the pixel electrodes Ra, Ga,
Ba, Rb, Gb, and Bb are arranged in a stripe on the x-y plane.
Therefore, it is possible to reduce the spreading of an image at
the time of displaying a slant line in comparison with the case
where pixel electrodes are arranged in another form, such as a
delta arrangement, a mosaic arrangement, or the like. Hence, it
becomes possible to improve the image quality.
[0078] As mentioned above, according to an image display device and
a gaming machine in accordance with this invention, it is possible
in a display device provided in a gaming machine such as a slot
machine or a pachinko machine to make pixels of the display device
fine and to achieve improvement in image quality with taking a
change of a player's game posture into consideration.
[0079] Although only some exemplary embodiments of this invention
have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will
readily appreciated that many modifications are possible in the
exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel
teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such
modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this
invention.
[0080] This application is related to co-pending U.S. patent
applications entitled "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0019, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0020, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0021, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No, SHO-0022, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0023, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0024, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0025, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0026, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0027, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0028, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0029, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0030, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0031, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0032, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0033, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0034, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0035, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0036, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0037, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0038, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0039, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0040, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0041, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0042, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0043, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0044, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No, SHO-0045, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0046, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0047, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0048, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0049, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0050, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0051, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as Attorney
Docket No. SHO-0052, "MOTOR STOP CONTROL DEVICE" referred to as
Attorney Docket No. SHO-0053, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as
Attorney Docket No. SHO-0054, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as
Attorney Docket No. SHO-0055, "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as
Attorney Docket No. SHO-0056 and "GAMING MACHINE" referred to as
Attorney Docket No. SHO-0057, respectively, all the applications
being filed on Oct. 31, 2003 herewith. The co-pending applications
including specifications, drawings and claims are expressly
incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
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