Display switching device, button device for game machine, and switch

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12222529-B2
Application number	US-202117527241-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 16, 2021
Priority date	Dec 22, 2020
Publication date	Feb 11, 2025
Grant date	Feb 11, 2025

Abstract

A display switching device according to one or more embodiments may display images by switching light illumination from multiple light source positions. The device may include a lens array including multiple lenses that allow passage of light from the light source positions, a display layer including pixel regions that allow passage of light collected on the lenses included in the lens array, and a diffusion layer located opposite to the light source positions with the lens array in between to diffuse passing light. The diffusion layer optically adheres to a layer adjacent to a surface of the diffusion layer nearer the light source positions, or the diffusion layer and the layer adjacent the surface of the diffusion layer nearer the light source positions include the same material.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A display switching device for switching display images by switching light illumination from a plurality of light source positions, the display switching device comprising: a lens array including a plurality of lenses configured to allow passage of light from the plurality of light source positions; a display layer including a plurality of pixel regions configured to allow passage of light collected on the plurality of lenses comprised in the lens array; and a diffusion layer located opposite to the plurality of light source positions with the lens array in between, the diffusion layer being configured to diffuse passing light, wherein the diffusion layer optically adheres to a layer adjacent to one of two surfaces of the diffusion layer nearer the plurality of light source positions, or the diffusion layer and the layer adjacent to one of two surfaces of the diffusion layer nearer the plurality of light source positions comprise a same material, and the diffusion layer has a thickness 0.3 times or less a lens pitch of the plurality of lenses comprised in the lens array when the diffusion layer has a haze of 98% or less.

2. The display switching device according to claim 1 , wherein
the lens array, the diffusion layer, and the display layer are arranged in an order of the lens array, the diffusion layer, and the display layer from the plurality of light source positions.

3. The display switching device according to claim 2 , wherein the relation: θ 3 ≥θ 1 −θ 2 is satisfied, where θ 1 is an angle of incidence of light from one of the plurality of light source positions entering an outermost lens of the plurality of lenses comprised in the lens array, θ 2 is an angle at which a central light quantity of parallel light entering the plurality of lenses comprised in the lens array is halved, and θ 3 is an angle at which an intensity is to be 10% of an intensity at an emission angle of 0 degrees in diffusion properties of the diffusion layer.

4. The display switching device according to claim 2 , wherein the relation: n2−0.2≤n1≤n2+0.2
is satisfied, where n1 is a refractive index of the diffusion layer, and n2 is a refractive index of the lens array.

5. The display switching device according to claim 1 , wherein
the diffusion layer is a single layer comprising a material having diffusibility and adhesiveness to the lens array.

6. The display switching device according to claim 1 , wherein
the lens array comprises, on a surface adjacent to the display layer, a diffusion pattern for diffusing light passing through the lens array.

7. The display switching device according to claim 6 , wherein
the diffusion pattern on the lens array comprises a plurality of lens shapes, and the diffusion pattern has a height 0.3 times or less a lens pitch of the plurality of lenses comprised in the lens array.

8. The display switching device according to claim 6 , wherein
the diffusion pattern on the lens array comprises a plurality of lens shapes, and each of the plurality of lens shapes has a tangent to a cross-sectional profile of the lens shape forming a maximum inclination angle of 60 degrees or less with a boundary surface with the display layer.

9. The display switching device according to claim 6 , wherein
the diffusion pattern on the lens array comprises a plurality of unit shapes, and the plurality of unit shapes comprise at least two different shapes arranged at dispersed locations.

10. The display switching device according to claim 2 , wherein
the lens array comprises a plurality of lenses shaped to collect and focus light from the plurality of light source positions on a boundary between the diffusion layer and the display layer or a position farther from the plurality of light source positions than the boundary.

11. The display switching device according to claim 2 , wherein
the lens array comprises a plurality of lenses shaped to collect and focus light from the plurality of light source positions on a position farther from the plurality of light source positions than a boundary between the lens and the diffusion layer.

12. The display switching device according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a pixel-surrounding region surrounding the plurality of pixel regions and configured to reduce reflection or transmission of light from the plurality of light source positions or a position opposite to the plurality of light source positions.

13. The display switching device according to claim 12 , wherein
the pixel-surrounding region has a reflectance of 50% or less with respect to light from the position opposite to the plurality of light source positions.

14. The display switching device according to claim 12 , wherein
the pixel-surrounding region has a transmittance of 50% or less with respect to light from the plurality of light source positions.

15. The display switching device according to claim 12 , wherein
the pixel-surrounding region has a colored area corresponding to a pattern visible with light from the position opposite to the plurality of light source positions.

16. The display switching device according to claim 12 , wherein
the pixel-surrounding region is nearer at least the diffusion layer in a thickness direction of the display layer.

17. The display switching device according to claim 12 , wherein
when the diffusion layer is adjacent to one of two surfaces of the display layer opposite to the plurality of light source positions, the diffusion layer is thicker in an area in contact with the plurality of pixel regions than in an area in contact with the pixel-surrounding region.

18. A button device for a game machine, the device comprising:
a button body; and
the display switching device according to claim 1 ,
wherein the button body is to be depressed into a housing of the game machine.

19. A switch, comprising:
the display switching device according to claim 1 ,
wherein the switch detects a user operation on the display switching device.

Assignees

• Omron Tateisi Electronics Co

Inventors

• Mori Yuto
• Shinohara Masayuki
• Kurata Gouo
• Yoshida Hayato
• Mishina Masao

Classifications

• G07F17/3206 Primary

  Player sensing means, e.g. presence detection, biometrics · CPC title

• G07F17/3211

  Display means · CPC title

• G02B30/27

  involving lenticular arrays · CPC title

• G07F17/3209

  Input means, e.g. buttons, touch screen · CPC title

• G02B3/0006

  Arrays (G02B3/02, G02B5/188 take precedence) · CPC title