Gaming machine including projection-type display screen

• US 10,614,653 B2
• Filed: 07/14/2017
• Issued: 04/07/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corporation
• Original Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corporation
• Inventors: Yukimura, Tatsunori
• Primary Examiner(s): McCulloch, Jr., William H
• Assistant Examiner(s): Doshi, Ankit B
• Application Number:
  US15/649,850
• Publication Number:
  US 20180025575A1
• Time in Patent Office: 998 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2461 Projection of a two-dimensional real image
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/10 Projectors with built-in or built-on screen
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/56 Projection screens
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/606 for relief projection
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/62 Translucent screens
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3211 Display means
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3141 Constructional details thereof details not peculiar to the presence of an electronic spatial light modulator G03B21/14
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3185 Geometric adjustment, e.g. keystone or convergence optical or mechanical adjustment of convergence H04N9/317; using scanning means H04N3/22; optical or mechanical adjustments of projectors not peculiar to the presence of an electronic spatial light modulator G03B21/14
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3194 including sensor feedback

Abstract

There is provided a gaming machine capable of providing diverse type of image representation. The gaming machine 1 includes: a screen unit 10040 whose surface at least partially includes curved portions 10042; and a projector 10020 accommodated inside a casing 2, which is configured to project light to the screen unit 10040. Light projected by the projector 10020 is incident on a back surface side of the screen unit 10040 from the inside of the casing 2. The screen unit 10040 lets the light incident on the back surface side of the screen unit 10040 pass the screen unit 10040, thereby enabling displaying of an image on the front surface side of the screen unit 10040 positioned on the surface of the casing 2.

Claims

1. A gaming machine, comprising:

a cabinet having a plurality of walls defining an interior cabinet space;

a display screen comprising at least a portion of one of the plurality of walls of the cabinet and being detachably securable to the cabinet, the display screen including a light transmissive plate having a first curved surface portion and a first image displaying part having a second curved surface portion corresponding to a sub-portion of the first curved surface portion of the light transmissive plate, the light transmissive plate is disposed toward an exterior of the cabinet and the first image displaying part is disposed toward an interior of the cabinet, the light transmissive plate and the first image displaying part in registration with one another such that a visual gap, where no images are displayed on the display screen, is formed between the first image displaying part and a side wall of the cabinet; and

a projector disposed within the interior cabinet space, the projector configured to project projection light toward the display screen,

wherein when the projection light is incident on the display screen including the first image displaying part, the incident light is transmitted toward an exterior side of the display screen such that an image corresponding to the projection light is viewable from the exterior side of the display screen, and

wherein when the projection light is incident on a portion of the display screen not including the first image displaying part and corresponding to the visual gap, no image corresponding to the projection light is viewable from the exterior side of the display screen corresponding to the visual gap.

2. The gaming machine, according to claim 1, wherein

the first image displaying part comprises a screen sheet disposed on a back surface side of the light-transmissive plate, and the display screen includes an interposing member having a press surface configured to press the screen sheet against the light-transmissive plate, wherein

the press surface of the interposing member has a curved shape portion whose shape corresponds with a portion of the first curved surface of the light transmissive plate.

3. The gaming machine according to claim 1,

wherein the display screen is detachably removable from a front of the cabinet via a hook and mating protrusion assembly, and

wherein the display screen includes

one of a hook or a protrusion extending therefrom and the cabinet includes a corresponding mating protrusion or hook extending therefrom for receiving the hook or protrusion of the display screen.

4. The gaming machine according to claim 3,

wherein the front of the cabinet includes an upper portion and a lower portion,

the one of the hook and the protrusion is provided at an upper side of the display screen and upper portion of the cabinet, and

the display screen is secured to the cabinet by having a lower side of the display screen in engagement with the lower portion of the cabinet.

5. The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising:

a structure object having a light-transmissive material formed in a three-dimensional shape, the structure object disposed in a position close to the display screen, wherein

the structure object has a light diffusion member disposed on a back surface side thereof.

6. The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising:

a structure object having a light-transmissive material formed in a three-dimensional shape, wherein

the projection light is projected on the structure object, and

the structure object has a second image displaying part on a back surface side thereof and has a half-mirror on a front surface side.

7. The gaming machine according to claim 1,

wherein the display screen and the first image displaying part extend from a front side of the cabinet at a distance, and the visual gap has a predetermined dimension.

8. The gaming machine according to claim 7, further comprising an illumination device disposed along the visual gap and inside the cabinet.

9. The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising

an imaging device, wherein

the projector executes a process of projecting a first adjustment test image, and a process of measuring a three-dimensional shape of the display screen,

the imaging device executes a process of capturing the first adjustment test image from a first image capturing point which is a second position different from a first position where the projector is installed, thereby obtaining a first adjustment captured image, and

the projector executes a process of image correction to reduce geometrical image deformation at the first image capturing point, based on three-dimensional shape data measured in the process of measuring the three-dimensional shape, and the first adjustment captured image.

10. The gaming machine according to claim 9, wherein the projector executes the process of image correction to further reduce geometrical image deformation, based on a state of an image projected on the display screen, which image has been corrected through the process of correcting image.

11. A gaming machine, comprising:

a cabinet including an openable front side;

a detachably securable display screen forming a portion of the openable front side of the cabinet;

a projector disposed within the cabinet and configured to project projection light toward the display screen;

wherein the display screen includes a light transmissive plate having a first curved surface portion and a first image displaying part having a second curved surface portion corresponding to a sub-portion of the first curved surface portion of the light transmissive plate, the light transmissive plate is disposed toward an exterior of the cabinet and the first image displaying part is disposed toward an interior of the cabinet, the light transmissive plate and the first image displaying part in registration with one another such that a visual gap, where no images are displayed on the display screen, is formed between the first image displaying part and a side wall of the cabinet; and

the display screen includes one of a hook or a corresponding protrusion configured to mate with a corresponding protrusion or a corresponding hook of the cabinet,

wherein when the projection light is incident on the display screen including the first image displaying part, the incident light is transmitted toward an exterior side of the display screen such that a first image corresponding to the projection light is viewable from the exterior side of the display screen, and

wherein when the projection light is incident on a portion of the display screen not including the first image displaying part and corresponding to the visual gap, no first image corresponding to the projection light is viewable from the exterior side of the display screen corresponding to the visual gap.

12. The gaming machine according to claim 11,

wherein the openable front side of the cabinet includes an upper portion and a lower portion,

the one of the hook and the corresponding mating protrusion is provided at an upper side of the display screen and the upper portion of the cabinet, and

the display screen is securable to the cabinet by having a lower side of the display screen in engagement with a lower portion of the cabinet.

13. The gaming machine of claim 11, comprising:

a structure object having a light-transmissive material formed in a three-dimensional shape, the structure object disposed in a position close to the display screen;

wherein,

the projection light is projected on the display screen and the structure object, and,

the structure object has a light diffusion member disposed on a back surface side thereof.

14. The gaming machine according to claim 13, further comprising:

a controller configured to control the projector, wherein

the controller performs a control so that the projector emits light to display a second image related to the three-dimensional shape of the structure object.

15. The gaming machine according to claim 13, wherein the light transmissive plate has a flat surface portion and the first curved portion is continuous from a side edge of the flat surface portion.

16. The gaming machine according to claim 15, wherein

the flat surface portion is arranged on the openable front side of the cabinet, and

the first curved portion extends from the side edge of the flat surface portion and toward a side wall of the cabinet.

17. A gaming machine, comprising:

a cabinet including an openable front side;

a detachably securable display screen forming a portion of the openable front side of the cabinet;

a projector disposed within the cabinet and configured to project projection light toward the display screen and a structure object;

wherein the display screen includes a light transmissive plate having a first curved surface portion and first image displaying part having a second curved surface portion corresponding to a sub-portion of the first curved surface portion of the light transmissive plate, the light transmissive plate is disposed toward an exterior of the cabinet and the first image displaying part is disposed toward an interior of the cabinet, the light transmissive plate and the first image displaying part in registration with one another such that a visual gap, where no images are displayed on the display screen, is formed between the first image displaying part and a side wall of the cabinet,

the display screen includes one of a hook or a corresponding protrusion configured to mate with a corresponding protrusion or a corresponding hook of the cabinet,

wherein when the projection light is incident on the display screen including the first image displaying part, the incident light is transmitted toward an exterior side of the display screen such that a first image corresponding to the projection light is viewable from the exterior side of the display screen,

wherein when the projection light is incident on a portion of the display screen not including the first image displaying part and corresponding to the visual gap, no image corresponding to the projection light is viewable from the exterior side of the display screen corresponding to the visual gap, and

wherein the structure object comprises a light-transmissive material formed in a three-dimensional shape and includes a second image displaying part on a back surface side thereof and a half-mirror on a front surface side thereof.

18. The gaming machine according to claim 17, further comprising:

a controller configured to control the projector, wherein

the controller performs a control so that the projector emits light to display the second image related to the three-dimensional shape of the structure object.

19. A gaming machine, comprising:

a cabinet including an openable front side;

a detachably securable display screen forming a portion of the openable front side of the cabinet;

a projector disposed within the cabinet and configured to project projection light toward the display screen;

wherein the display screen includes a light transmissive plate having a first curved surface portion and a flat surface portion, as well as a first image displaying part having a second curved surface portion corresponding to at least a sub-portion of the first curved surface portion of the light transmissive plate and a flat surface portion corresponding to the flat surface portion of the light transmissive plate, the light transmissive plate is disposed toward an exterior of the cabinet and the first image displaying part is disposed toward an interior of the cabinet, the light transmissive plate and the first image displaying part in registration with one another such that a visual gap, where no images are displayed on the display screen, is formed between the first image displaying part and a side wall of the cabinet,

wherein when the projection light is incident on the display screen including the first image displaying part, the incident light is transmitted toward an exterior side of the display screen such that an image corresponding to the projection light is viewable from the exterior side of the display screen,

wherein when the projection light is incident on a portion of the display screen not including the first image displaying part and corresponding to the visual gap, no image corresponding to the projection light is viewable from the exterior side of the display screen corresponding to the visual gap, and

wherein the display screen and the first image displaying part extend from a front side of the cabinet at a distance, and

the visual gap has a predetermined dimension.

20. The gaming machine according to claim 19, further comprising an illumination device disposed along the visual gap and inside the cabinet.