Operating apparatus, game machine, and control method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10058780-B2
Application number	US-201715677355-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 15, 2017
Priority date	Sep 15, 2016
Publication date	Aug 28, 2018
Grant date	Aug 28, 2018

Abstract

An operating apparatus operating apparatus includes a touch panel, a first projection portion, a fluid holder, and a second projection portion. The first projection portion is arranged below the touch panel. The fluid holder is arranged below the first projection portion. The fluid holder holds a transparent fluid. The second projection portion is arranged below the fluid holder.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A game machine comprising:
a touch panel;
a first display unit arranged below the touch panel in a viewing direction of a player;
a transparent fluid holder arranged below the first display unit in the viewing direction, the transparent fluid holder holding a transparent liquid;
a second display unit arranged below the fluid holder in the viewing direction, wherein an image is displayed in the first display unit or the second display unit; and
a bubble generator causing bubbles to arise in the liquid to produce a visual flow effect in the transparent liquid with the display of the image on the first display unit or the second display unit.

2. The game machine according to claim 1 ,
wherein the first display unit is configured to switch between a transparent state and a projecting state, the projecting state being a state in which the image is projected onto the first display unit; and
the second display unit is configured to switch between a transparent state and a projecting state, the projecting state being a state in which the image is projected onto the second display unit.

3. The game machine according to claim 2 further comprising:
a projector configured to project the image onto the first display unit or the second display unit from below the second display unit, such that in a state where the first display unit is being controlled to the projecting state and the second display unit is being controlled to the transparent state; the projector projects the image on the first display unit and in a state where the second display unit is being controlled to the projecting state, the projector projects the image on the second display unit.

4. The game machine according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a light-emitting element board arranged between the fluid holder and the second display unit, a plurality of light-emitting elements being mounted on the light-emitting element board.

5. The game machine according to claim 1 , wherein
the visual flow effect is produced in the transparent liquid simultaneously with the display of the image on the first display unit or the second display unit.

6. A game machine comprising:
a touch panel;
a first display unit arranged below the touch panel in a viewing direction of a player;
a transparent fluid holder arranged below the first display unit in the viewing direction, the transparent fluid holder holding a transparent liquid;
a second display unit arranged below the fluid holder in the viewing direction, wherein an image is displayed in the first display unit or the second display unit; and
a ripple generator causing ripples to arise in the liquid to produce a visual flow effect in the transparent liquid with the display of the image on the first display unit or the second display unit.

7. The game machine according to claim 6 , wherein
the first display unit is configured to switch between a transparent state and a projecting state, the projecting state being a state in which the image is projected onto the first display unit; and
the second display unit is configured to switch between a transparent state and a projecting state, the projecting state being a state in which the image is projected onto the second display unit.

8. The game machine according to claim 7 , further comprising:
a projector configured to project the image onto the first display unit or the second display unit from below the second display unit, such that in a state where the first display unit is being controlled to the projecting state and the second display unit is being controlled to the transparent state; the projector projects the image on the first display unit and in a state where the second display unit is being controlled to the projecting state, the projector projects the image on the second display unit.

9. The game machine according to claim 6 , further comprising:
a light-emitting element board arranged between the fluid holder and the second display unit, a plurality of light-emitting elements being mounted on the light-emitting element board.

10. The game machine according to claim 6 , wherein
the visual flow effect is produced in the transparent liquid simultaneously with the display of the image on the first display unit or the second display unit.

Assignees

• Omron Tateisi Electronics Co

Inventors

• Ono Takahiro
• Onitsuka Hiroyuki
• Kimura Masataka
• Sumi Masaaki
• Agata Takehiro

Classifications

• A63F13/90 Primary

  Constructional details or arrangements of video game devices not provided for in groups A63F13/20 or A63F13/25, e.g. housing, wiring, connections or cabinets · CPC title

• G06F3/045

  using resistive elements, e.g. a single continuous surface or two parallel surfaces put in contact · CPC title

• G07F17/34

  depending on the stopping of moving members {in a mechanical slot machine}, e.g. "fruit" machines · CPC title

• A63F13/26

  having at least one additional display device, e.g. on the game controller or outside a game booth · CPC title

• A63F13/214

  for locating contacts on a surface, e.g. floor mats or touch pads · CPC title