JP7589927B2 - Gaming Machines - Google Patents

Description

Patent Law Article 30, Paragraph 2 applied Live event "Second Alive" (held at Differ Ariake (1-3-25 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo) July 22-23, 2017)

Article 30, paragraph 2 of the Patent Law applies. Live event "REWINDII" (released at DMM VR THEATER YOKOHAMA (2-1-5 Minamisaiwai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture) November 3rd to 5th, 2017

The present invention relates to gaming machines. More specifically, the present invention relates to gaming machines such as pachinko and slot machines that are equipped with a main screen on the gaming machine body that displays a moving animated character as a basic viewing direction image (hereinafter referred to as the "main character image") with shading.

As an example of a hall display system that displays 3D images and a method for implementing an event using this system, one such system is disclosed in the following Patent Document 1. This theater system aims to achieve a sense of realism by combining a holographic front screen and rear screen on the main screen. Meanwhile, in recent years, in pursuit of even greater realism, attempts have been made to improve the sense of realism by setting up a sub-screen next to the main screen and displaying characters at different angles, for example.

Special Publication No. 2017-509027

In light of this current situation, the present invention aims to provide a hall display system that further enhances the sense of realism, and a method for implementing an event using the same.

In order to achieve the above object, the gaming machine according to the present invention is characterized in that the gaming machine is a pachinko or pachislot machine equipped with a main screen on the gaming machine body that displays a moving animated character as an image with shading and viewed in a basic direction (hereinafter referred to as a "main character image"), and is equipped with a sub-screen that is arranged on the side of the main screen of the gaming machine body separately from the main screen and is capable of displaying the character as an image with shading and viewed in a direction different from the basic direction (hereinafter referred to as a "sub-character image"), a computer that generates an image of the character and the shadow of this character, and a virtual lighting device that generates virtual lighting light within the computer and displays it on the screen, and the shadow is displayed on the character and It is generated by the computer in association with the illumination light irradiated by the virtual lighting device on the character, and is equipped with a camera capable of photographing the player's seat, and the computer combines the photographed image of the player's seat with the sub-character image generated as an image viewed in the direction of the camera (hereinafter referred to as the "sub-character image viewed in the direction of the player's seat") and displays it on the sub-screen, and as the image of the player's seat displayed on the sub-screen, an image from a past time (T0-Δt) delayed by an infinitesimal time Δt from the real time T0 that is the reference for displaying the main character image is used, and as the sub-character image viewed in the direction of the player's seat, an image from a past time (T0-Δt) delayed by an infinitesimal time Δt from the real time T0 is used.

According to this feature, the main character image and the sub-character image are displayed at different viewing angles and with shading, which gives a sense of realism. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the "sub-character image viewed in the direction of the player's seat" uses an image from a past time (T0-Δt) that is delayed by an infinitesimal time Δt from real time T0, so the audience sees the main character image from real time T0 and the sub-character image viewed in the direction of the player's seat from a past time (T0-Δt) simultaneously. Seeing real time and past time simultaneously, and seeing a delayed image on the sub-screen, shifts people's attention from the center to the sub, which creates an effect of creating a greater sense of spatial expansion and realism.

On the other hand, the image of the players' seats displayed on the sub-screen is also an image from a past time (T0-Δt) delayed by an infinitesimal time Δt, so the spectators can see their own past actions in the image, which also gives the audience a greater sense of spatial expansion and realism.

In addition, because both the image of the player's seat and the sub-character image viewed in the direction of the player's seat displayed on the sub-screen use images from the past (T0-Δt), there is no inconsistency between the lighting and shading. As a result, the audience accepts the image on the sub-screen with a very natural sensation, and the sense of realism is not impaired. The minute time Δt is preferably set to 0.1 to 0.5 seconds for optimal implementation.

In addition to the above features, the camera may be installed in the gaming machine itself and/or in the hall in which the gaming machine is installed.

Furthermore, in addition to the above features, the minute time Δt may be 0.1 seconds to 0.5 seconds.

In addition to the above features, the sub-screens may be arranged at least to the left and right of the main screen. By arranging the sub-screens at least to the left and right of the main screen, it is possible to provide a sense of spaciousness to the left and right.

According to the above-mentioned features of the gaming machine of the present invention, it is possible to provide a gaming machine with a higher sense of realism.

Other objects, configurations and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a hall according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view showing a schematic configuration around the stage. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing images on a main screen and a sub-screen. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the relationship between the postures of characters A and B on the main screen and the sub-screen and the time. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the relationship between lighting and the main and sub-screens, in the case of FIGS. This is a diagram showing the relationship between lighting and the main and sub-screens, in which the sub background image follows the main background image when viewed in the same direction as the main screen. FIG. 13 is a schematic front view of a pachinko machine according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Next, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the attached drawings as appropriate. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the hall display system 1 according to the present invention comprises a main screen 2, a pair of left and right sub-screens 3, real lighting fixtures 4, virtual lighting fixtures 5 (virtual lighting fixture light sources 5a), speakers 6, a first camera 11 that captures images of the spectator seats AU, and a computer 50 located in or near the hall H.

The hall display system 1 further includes a second camera 12 and a microphone 13 in a room separate from the hall H. The second camera 12 is installed in an isolated space S, captures the movements of the actor AC, and sends the images to the motion capture module MC51. The microphone 13 records the voice of the voice actor or vocalist and sends the images to the lip sync module LS54.

The main screen 2 installed in Hall H is equipped with a hologram reproduction screen 2a installed diagonally on the stage ST, a rear screen 2b installed behind the stage ST, a hologram projector 2c that projects images onto the hologram reproduction screen 2a, and a rear projector 2d that transfers images to the rear screen 2b. The image on the rear screen 2b passes through the hologram reproduction screen 2a and is composited with the image on the hologram reproduction screen 2a and can be seen from the audience seats AU.

On the other hand, each sub-screen 3 is equipped with a first horizontal screen 3a1 and a second horizontal screen 3a2 (horizontal screen 3a) on the left and right, and a first sub-screen projector 3b1 and a second sub-screen projector (the latter is not shown, both collectively referred to as sub-screen projector 3b) that project images onto these horizontal screens 3a, respectively.

The computer 50 includes a motion capture module MC51, a real-time rendering module RR52, a video synthesis module IM53, a lip sync module LS54, a backstage image generation module BI55, a virtual light image generation module VL56, a real light controller RC58, a music generation module SG59, and a time management controller TM60 that serves as the basis for synchronizing the time of each module.

The motion capture module MC51 analyzes the movements of the actor AC captured by the second camera 12, and generates a 3D image of the moving character in the real-time rendering module RR52. Multiple second cameras 12 are provided, and capture images of the actor AC from different angles to perform motion capture. Usually, the shooting direction of the front second camera 12 becomes the basic viewing direction D1 when generating the main character.

The virtual light image generation module VL56 creates an image of the lighting in the virtual space, and in conjunction with the real light controller RC58, sends light information to the backstage image generation module BI55 and the real-time rendering module RR52 to generate a shaded image consistent with the lighting conditions. The real lighting control unit RL61 is controlled by the real light controller RC58 and operates the real lighting fixtures 4 to provide real lighting in the hall H.

The image of the audience seats AU captured by the first camera 11 is composited with the image of the real-time rendering module RR52 by the image composition module IM53, and projected onto the horizontal screen 3a by the sub-screen projector 3b. Meanwhile, the image of the real-time rendering module RR52 is projected as the main character image onto the hologram reproduction screen 2a and the rear screen 2b by the hologram projector 2c and rear projector 2d, respectively.

The lip sync module LS54 delays the voice of the voice actor, etc., recorded by the microphone 13 to match the main character image. In addition, the music generation module SG59 generates background music and sound effects, which are then sent to Hall H by the speaker 6 via the sound system 62 along with the voice from the microphone 13.

As shown in Figures 1, 4 and 5, two characters CH, character A (CH-A) and character B (CH-B), are displayed on the main screen 2. In contrast, only character B (CH-B) is displayed on the pair of sub-screens 3 on the left and right.

To elaborate on the images on the main screen 2, the main character image MI (MIa, MIb) is made up of the main character main image MI1 (MI1a, MI1b) and the main character's shadow MI2 (MI2a, MI2b). To this is further added the main background image BMI to create the main composite image MMI.

On the other hand, on the pair of left and right sub-screens 3, the sub-character image SI (audience direction-viewing sub-character image AI) is made up of the sub-character main body image SI1 and the sub-character's shadow SI2. Then, by adding the sub-background image (audience seating image) BSI, the sub-synthesized image MSI is created.

The main composite image MMI on the main screen 2 uses a character rendered in a basic direction view D1. This basic direction view D1 may or may not match the direction view of the second camera 12. On the other hand, a direction view D2 different from the basic direction view can be, for example, the direction view D3 of the audience seating camera of the first camera 11. Therefore, character B (CH-B) faces backwards on the main screen, but faces forwards on the sub-screen.

In FIG. 1, the real lighting fixture 4 is included in the field of view D3 of the first camera 11, which is the audience seating camera, and real illumination light L1 is emitted from this real lighting fixture 4 to the audience seating AU, stage ST, and character A (CH-A) and character B (CH-B).

In Figure 4, the image 4' of the light source of this real lighting device 4 and the real lighting light L1 irradiated onto the audience seats are reflected together with character B (CH-B). Because the real lighting light L2 directed towards character B is not actually irradiated onto the character, the position of the image 4' of the light source is also regarded as the light source of the virtual lighting device 5 and is displayed as virtual lighting light L2.

As shown in Figures 1, 3 to 5, the main screen 2 displays two characters, character A (CH-A) and character B (CH-B), at real time T0. In contrast, the sub-screen displays an image of character B (CH-B) from a previous time (T0-Δt), which is an infinitesimal time Δt back in time. Shadows and backgrounds are generated for the images on each screen based on information from the real illumination light L1 and virtual illumination light L2 from the real lighting fixture 4 and virtual lighting fixture 5, which are set to match each time.

The sub-background image (image of the audience) BSI also uses an image from a time (T0-Δt) going back a small time Δt. As both the sub-character image SI and the sub-background image use images from a time (T0-Δt), there are no inconsistencies such as different lighting colors, and the sense of realism is perceived naturally.

However, due to the performance of the hardware, the sub background image (image of the audience) BSI may be delayed by a small time Δt. In this case, the sub character image SI may use an image going back by the small time Δt in time to match the performance of the hardware, and the small time Δt may be adjusted by adjusting the hardware delay and the software delay of the image synthesis module IM53. For optimal implementation, the small time Δt should preferably be set to 0.1 to 0.5 seconds. If it is 0.1 seconds or more, the difference in the images can be recognized, but if it exceeds 0.5 seconds, it will appear unnatural.

The main character's main image MI1 (MI1a, MI1b), the main character's shadow MI2 (MI2a, MI2b), and the main background image BMI are displayed in a composite form on the main screen 2. These elements can be displayed on the hologram reproduction screen 2a and rear screen 2b in the following combinations:

Case 1) Hologram playback screen 2a: Main character body image MI1 (MI1a, MI1b), Rear screen 2b: Main character shadow MI2 (MI2a, MI2b) and main background image BMI

Case 2) Hologram playback screen 2a: Main character body image MI1 (MI1a, MI1b) and main character shadow MI2 (MI2a, MI2b), rear screen 2b: Main background image BMI

Case 3) Hologram playback screen 2a: main character body image MI1 (MI1a, MI1b), main character shadow MI2 (MI2a, MI2b) and part of main background image BMI (BMI1), rear screen 2b: remainder of main background image BMI (BMI2)

Screen allocation for these images will be adopted as appropriate.

In the above, a space for the actors to move and a motion capture device are provided. However, as shown in Figure 3, the control of the video, audio, lighting, etc. for the above event can all be recorded in the recording module RS57, and the event can be carried out by playing back the recorded data.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. The same components as those in the first embodiment above are given the same reference numerals. In addition, rephrasing of components with the same meaning can be applied to all of the above elements other than those mentioned below.

In the above embodiment, the time of the real illumination light L1 and the virtual illumination light L2 from the real illumination device 4 and the virtual illumination device 5 is different between the main screen and the sub-screen. However, in the second embodiment shown in FIG. 6(a), the illumination light L1, L2 from either or both of the two illumination devices 4, 5 is directly irradiated toward the main screen 2 and the sub-screen 3, and the illumination image (cherry blossom snowstorm F) reflected on these two screens 2, 3 is synchronized with the real time T0 in the computer 50. In this second embodiment, cherry blossom snowstorm F3 (F) is also reflected on the space between the screens H1 and the screen periphery H2, which are part of the hall H. The cherry blossom snowstorm F1, F2 (F) reflected on these two screens 2, 3 is due to the virtual illumination light L2 from the virtual illumination device 5, and the cherry blossom snowstorm F3 (F) reflected on the space between the screens H1 and the screen periphery H2, which are part of the hall H, is due to the real illumination light L1 from the real illumination device 4.

In this embodiment, the cherry blossom snowstorm F is also projected on the space between the screens H1 and the screen periphery H2, which are part of the hall H, but it may also be projected on the spectator seats AU, or the cherry blossom snowstorm F1, F2 may be projected only on the main screen 2 and sub-screen 3 without projecting them. Light with a different time from the past time (T0-Δt) of the sub-screen crosses the sub-screen 4 and other parts, which adds depth to the sense of realism. The cherry blossom snowstorm F is an image formed, but non-imaged illumination light L such as a spotlight may also be used. Note that if it is unnatural for the cherry blossom snowstorm F to be projected on the main screen 2 and sub-screen 3, which have different viewing directions, the sub background image MSI of the sub-screen 3 may be made to continue with the main background image BMI in the same viewing direction as the main screen 2, as shown in FIG. 6(b).

In the above embodiment, the main composite image MMI projected on the main screen 2 is the real time T0, and the sub composite images MSI projected on the left and right sub-screens are the past time (T0-Δt), with two stages of time difference between the screens. However, the time between the three screens may be changed to three stages. For example, the main screen 2 may use the real time, one sub-screen 3 the future time, and the other sub-screen 3 the past time, or multiple times such as the present, past, and further past may be used. The number of screens and the time switching may be three or more.

In the above embodiment, the present invention was implemented as a hall display system used in halls and a method for implementing an event using the system. However, the present invention can also be implemented in gaming machines such as pachinko and pachislot. In this case, it is not necessary to perform motion capture of the actor, and as described above, all of the controls for the video, audio, lighting, etc. implemented can be recorded in the recording module RS57 and then played back.

That is, the present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko or pachislot machine, which is equipped with a main screen that displays a moving animated character as an image with shading and viewed in a basic direction (hereinafter referred to as a "main character image"), a sub-screen that can display the character as an image with shading and viewed in a direction different from the basic direction separately from the main screen (hereinafter referred to as a "sub-character image"), and a computer that generates an image of the character and the shadow of the character, and further includes a real lighting device that illuminates the inside of the gaming machine with real lighting light and a virtual lighting device that generates virtual lighting light within the computer and displays it on the screen, and the shadow is projected onto the character by both the real lighting device and the virtual lighting device. The gaming machine may be used as a gaming machine that is generated by associating the illuminated light with the computer, is equipped with a camera capable of taking pictures of the outside of the gaming machine, and the computer combines the captured image of the outside of the gaming machine with the sub-character image generated as an image viewed in the direction of the camera (hereinafter referred to as the "sub-character image viewed in the direction outside the gaming machine") and displays it on the sub-screen, and uses an image of a past time (T0-Δt) delayed by a small time Δt from the real time T0 that is the reference for displaying the main character image as the image of the outside of the gaming machine displayed on the sub-screen, and uses an image of a past time (T0-Δt) delayed by a small time Δt from the real time T0 as the sub-character image viewed in the direction outside the gaming machine.

As shown in FIG. 7, a pachinko machine 100, which is an example of a gaming machine, comprises a gaming machine main body 101, a pachinko ball arrival section 102, a drive handle 103 for controlling the launch of the balls, and a ball receiver 104. A main screen 2 is installed in the center of the pachinko ball arrival section 102, and liquid crystal panels are installed on the left and right sides of the main screen 2 as a pair of sub-screens 3, 3. In addition, the image of the illumination light from the actual lighting device 4 can be reproduced by LEDs 4x and other liquid crystal panels 4y that are also installed over a wide area.

Of course, a separate lighting device 4 may be provided to irradiate the pachinko ball arrival area 102 with illumination light. In this embodiment, the first camera 11 is provided in the center of the gaming machine main body 10, but it may also be provided on the ceiling or in another part of the pachinko hall. Also, the above-mentioned other elements may be combined without providing the first camera 11 or the image synthesis module IM53. The present invention is similarly applicable to pachinko slot machines and other gaming machines.

In this invention, characters include people, animals, and still life objects such as plants, furniture, and vases. This is because the shadows change when the lighting and viewpoint are changed, producing the above-mentioned effects.

The present invention can be used as a hall display system that can be used for concerts and events featuring virtual characters, as well as a method for implementing events using the same, and as an amusement machine such as a pachinko or pachislot machine. The hall can be outdoors, and all that is required is that a screen can be installed on the stage.

AU: Audience seats, CH, CH-A (A), CH-B (B): Characters, F: Cherry blossom storm, F1-3: Lighting images, H: Hall, H1: Between the screens, H2: Around the screens, ST: Stage, AC: Actor, S: Isolated space, D1: View in the basic direction, D2: View in a direction different from the basic direction, D3: View in the direction of the audience camera, MI, MIa, MIb: Main character images, MI1, MI1a, MI1b: Main character images, MI2, MI2a, MI2b: Main character shadow, BMI: Main background Image, MMI: main composite image, SI: sub-character image, AI: sub-character image looking in the direction of the audience seats, SI1: sub-character main body image, SI2: sub-character shadow, BSI: sub background image (audience seat image), MSI: sub-composite image, L: lighting light, L1: real lighting light, L2: virtual lighting light, T0: real time, Δt: minute time, T0-Δt: past time, 1: hall display system, 2: main screen, 2a: hologram playback screen, 2b: rear screen, 2c: hologram projector, 2d: rear surface projector, 3: sub-screen, 3a: horizontal screen, 3a1: first horizontal screen, 3a2: second horizontal screen, 3b: sub-screen projector, 3b1: first sub-screen projector, 4: real lighting fixture, 4x: LED, 4y: other liquid crystal panel, 5: virtual lighting fixture, 5a: virtual lighting fixture light source, 6: speaker, 11: first camera, 12: second camera, 13: microphone, 50: computer, MC51: motion capture module, RR52: real-time rendering module, IM53: image Image synthesis module, LS54: Lip sync module, BI55: Backstage image generation module, VL56: Virtual light image generation module, RS57: Recording module, RC58: Real light controller, SG59: Music generation module, TM60: Time management controller, RL61: Real lighting control unit, 62: Sound system, 100: Pachinko machine (game machine), 101: Game machine body, 102: Pachinko ball landing area, 103: Drive handle, 104: Ball receiver

Claims (4)

A gaming machine that is a pachinko or pachislot machine equipped with a main screen that displays a moving animated character with shading as a basic direction viewing image (hereinafter referred to as the "main character image") in the gaming machine body,
a sub-screen arranged on the side of the main screen of the gaming machine main body separately from the main screen and capable of displaying the character with shading as an image (hereinafter referred to as a "sub-character image") in a direction different from the basic direction; and a computer generating an image of the character and the shadow of the character;
a virtual lighting device that generates virtual lighting light in the computer and displays it on the screen;
the shadow is generated by the computer in association with the character and the illumination light irradiated on the character by the virtual lighting device,
a camera capable of photographing a player's seat, the computer synthesizes an image of the player's seat photographed with the sub-character image generated as an image viewed in the direction of the camera (hereinafter referred to as a "sub-character image viewed in the direction of the player's seat") and displays the synthesized image on the sub-screen,
As the image of the player's seat to be displayed on the sub-screen, an image of a past time (T0-Δt) delayed by a small time Δt from the real time T0 that is the reference time for displaying the main character image is used,
The sub-character image viewed in the direction of the player's seat uses an image from a past time (T0-Δt) delayed by an infinitesimal time Δt from the actual time T0. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the camera is provided in the gaming machine itself and/or in the hall in which the gaming machine is installed. The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the minute time Δt is 0.1 to 0.5 seconds. The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sub-screens are arranged at least to the left and right of the main screen.

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