Slanted Light Guide Plates for Game Machine Visual Effects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing decorative illumination devices for game machines separate visual effects and information conveyance, leading to increased costs and limited information capacity.
Innovation Solution
A decorative illumination device with slanted light guide plates and a controller that combines visual effects and notification functions, allowing for impactful visual effects and information conveyance from multiple directions while minimizing cost increases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a separate tower light is installed to convey information, then information conveyance capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the notification function (previously performed by a separate tower light) with the decorative illumination device. The control unit integrates both visual effect control and notification control into a single device, eliminating the need for a separate tower light while maintaining both information conveyance and decorative capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The decorative illumination device is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides decorative visual effects to attract player attention and simultaneously conveys information about the game machine's operational state. This multi-functional approach replaces the need for separate dedicated notification devices
2Loss of information
If traditional separate illumination and notification systems are used, then functional simplicity is maintained, but information capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The notification function is segmented into multiple discrete light emission units that can be individually controlled. By selectively emitting light from different portions of the illumination device, the system can convey multiple distinct pieces of information simultaneously, increasing the overall information capacity beyond what a single tower light could provide
3Illumination intensity
If light guide plates are arranged flat, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but visual effect impact is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide plates are arranged in a slanted configuration rather than a flat horizontal arrangement. This asymmetric positioning creates more dynamic light emission patterns and enhances the visual impact from multiple viewing angles. The slanted arrangement also allows better utilization of the enclosure space while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standard mounting techniques
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a highly impactful visual effect and conveys more information than traditional systems, maintaining visual effect quality during information transmission, and reduces the need for separate tower lights.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of light guide plates configured to reflect light entering therein from an end surface thereof with reflection surfaces formed in recesses thereon, and causing the light to be emitted from a light emitting surface
Data Source
AI summary
A long decorative illumination device which is long in the vertical direction and for being installed in the sides of a game machine may be provided with a plurality of light guide plates that can be individually illuminated. The plurality of light guide plates may be arranged in the vertical direction with gaps therebetween and in a slanted state so that the light emitting surfaces thereof are oriented toward a window part which is open from at least two directions of the front surface and the side surfaces of the decorative illumination device. A controller may control the light emission of the plurality of light guide plates to perform visual effect lighting having an impactful visual effect, while controlling the light emission from the plurality of light guide plates to convey predetermined information.