Game machine

Abstract

To prevent a sensor from being failed due to static electricity which is applied by player's operation and discharged to the sensor without using a metal member for grounding and to prevent any potential adverse effect that may occur in such the case.SOLUTION: A game machine includes a cap 108 that is made of an insulating thermoplastic resin and disposed so as to be interposed between an operation part 115 and a sensor 103. The cap 108 is positioned on an optical axis of light from a light-emitting part 106 in any displacement states of a drive member 102. A gate mark G or a PL mark P is not formed in a light receiving region R to be a light receiving surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a gaming machine provided with an operating device for a gaming machine.

Background Art

[0002] In a gaming machine typified by a slot machine, when a player presses a start lever as an operating device for the gaming machine, rotation of reels, switching of effects, etc. are performed. Regarding this start lever, it is operated by the player's hand touching a grip attached to one end side, and includes a shaft whose other end side is displaced in conjunction with the player's operation, and generally, a sensor detects the displacement of this shaft to detect the player's operation.

[0003] Here, regarding the above start lever, there is a risk that static electricity is applied from the player's hand to the shaft, and the sensor malfunctions due to the static electricity discharging to the sensor. As a measure to prevent such a malfunction of the sensor caused by static electricity from the player in such a start lever, there is a type in which the shaft is pivotally supported by a conductive operating shaft, and a metal piece disposed outside the start lever is brought into contact with this operating shaft to be grounded.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The present invention solves the problem of preventing static electricity applied by a player's operation from discharging to a sensor and causing the sensor to malfunction, without using a metal member for grounding, and aims to provide a gaming machine provided with an operating device for a gaming machine that prevents adverse effects that may occur when not using a metal member for grounding. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A gaming machine according to one aspect of the present invention is a gaming machine in which a control means advances the game when a player operates a gaming machine operating device, the gaming machine operating device comprises a drive member that is displaced in conjunction with the player's operation, and a detection means for detecting the displacement of the drive member, the detection means comprises a light-emitting part and a light-receiving part that receives light from the light-emitting part, and transmits changes in the light irradiated onto the light-receiving part to the control means, the drive member comprises an operating part operated by the player, and a driven part in which at least a part is positioned on the optical axis of the light from the light-emitting part in any state of displacement of the drive member, the driven part is positioned interposed between the operating part and the detection means and is formed of an insulating thermoplastic resin, and furthermore, the driven part is characterized in that, in any state of displacement of the drive member, the light-receiving area which is on the optical axis of the light from the light-emitting part and is a light-receiving surface does not have an injection molding trace formed thereon.

[0007] According to the above-described gaming machine, a driven part made of insulating thermoplastic resin, which is interposed between the operating unit and the detection means, prevents the detection means from malfunctioning even when static electricity applied by the player's operation is discharged to the sensor, without the need for a metal member for grounding. Furthermore, in any state of displacement of the drive member, the driven part is on the optical axis of the light from the light-emitting unit, and since no injection molding marks are formed in the light-receiving area which is the light-receiving surface, the detection means can be prevented from making false detections due to the optical axis received by the light-receiving unit being misaligned due to product errors caused by injection molding marks. Examples of injection molding marks include the resin injection port (gate) mark during injection molding and the mold boundary line (PL line) during injection molding. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Front view of a slot machine according to the present invention. [Figure 2]Figure 1 is a perspective view of the slot machine with its front door open. [Figure 3] A block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a slot machine. [Figure 4] Figure 1 shows a right-side view of the start switch. [Figure 5] Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the start switch (AA). [Figure 6] Figure 5 shows the start switch in the pressed position. [Figure 7] Figure 5 shows the start switch in the pulled position. [Figure 8] Figure 1 shows an exploded perspective view of the main components of the start switch. [Figure 9] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the effect button. [Figure 10] Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the first unit. [Figure 11] Figure 10 shows an exploded view of the first unit. [Figure 12] Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the second unit. [Figure 13] Figure 12 shows an exploded view of the second unit. [Figure 14] Figure 9 shows a cross-sectional view of the BB (Block Button) of the performance button. [Figure 15] Figure 14 shows the state when the performance button is pressed. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] In the drawings used to describe the embodiments of the present invention shown below, the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis may be shown. In these drawings, the x-axis indicates the left-right direction of the gaming machine, the y-axis indicates the up-down direction of the gaming machine, and the z-axis indicates the front-back direction of the gaming machine. Specifically, the positive x-axis direction is the "right" side when facing the front of the gaming machine, the negative x-axis direction is the "left" side when facing the front of the gaming machine, the positive y-axis direction is the "up" side of the gaming machine, the negative y-axis direction is the "down" side of the gaming machine, the positive z-axis direction is the "front (player)" side of the gaming machine, and the negative z-axis direction is the "back (rear)" side of the gaming machine.

[0010] <First Embodiment> A slot machine 1, which is an example of a gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention, will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8.

[0011] (Configuration) The outline of the configuration of the slot machine 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0012] In this embodiment, the slot machine 1 executes one game based on an operation of a player on the condition that a specified number of game media such as medals are inserted in any one of a plurality of preset game states, and is configured as shown in FIG. 1, for example. That is, in this slot machine 1, the front surface of the housing 3 is closed by a front door 5 so as to be openable and closable, an operation panel 7 is disposed at a position substantially at the center height of the front door 5, and a front panel 9 is disposed above the operation panel 7.

[0013] The front panel 9 is provided with a horizontally elongated rectangular display window 11. Inside the display window 11, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, are left, middle, and right reels 13L, 13M, and 13R, which variably display multiple types of patterns in a predetermined order. These left, middle, and right reels 13L, 13M, and 13R each contain a total of 20 different patterns in a predetermined arrangement. Each pattern is also assigned a pattern number from 0 to 19 in order. For example, reel tapes printed with patterns numbered 0 to 20 are attached to the circumference of the reels to form each of the reels 13L, 13M, and 13R. When each of the reels 13L, 13M, and 13R rotates, multiple patterns are displayed in the display window 11 in a predetermined order, such as pattern numbers 19, 18, ..., 0, 19, ... The display window 11 is set so that when each reel 13L, 13M, and 13R stops rotating, a total of three symbols are visible, one each in the upper, middle, and lower rows. In other words, when all three reels 13L, 13M, and 13R stop, a total of nine symbols arranged in three vertical columns and three horizontal rows are displayed in the display window 11. For example, a predetermined line (for example, the middle line) is set as the winning line.

[0014] Furthermore, in order to enable each reel 13L, 13M, and 13R to be driven independently, each reel 13L, 13M, and 13R is connected to a reel motor 14L, 14M, and 14R, respectively, which are composed of stepping motors as shown in Figure 3.

[0015] Furthermore, on the operation panel 7, there are provided a bet switch 15 for instructing to insert one medal at a time from the credit medals stored inside, a maximum bet switch 17 for instructing to insert the maximum number of medals per game (set to 3 medals) from the credit medals, an effect button 42 for operating to participate in the effect, a lever-shaped start switch 19 for rotating each of the reels 13L, 13M, 13R to start the variable display of each symbol, left, middle, and right stop switches 21L, 21M, 21R for stopping the rotation of the left, middle, and right reels 13L, 13M, 13R respectively to stop the variable display of each symbol, a settlement switch 23 for paying out the credit medals, and a medal insertion slot 25. Also, a plurality of variable display columns for variably displaying a plurality of types of symbols are formed by each of the reels 13L, 13M, 13R, and each of the stop switches 21L, 21M, 21R is provided corresponding to each of the reels 13L, 13M, 13R respectively.

[0016] Also, approximately in the center above the front panel 9, there is provided a liquid crystal display 27 for performing effects such as displaying videos to inform the player of winning or winning a prize, or informing the operation mode of each of the stop switches 21L, 21M, 21R. Also, immediately above the liquid crystal display 27, there is provided an explanation panel 29 on which various winning symbols are displayed, and on the left and right of the liquid crystal display 27 and the explanation panel 29, speakers 31L, 31R for performing effects such as music and voice are provided respectively. As shown in FIG. 2, speakers 31L, 31R are also provided respectively on the left and right of the medal payout outlet 39 described later. Also, in the upper side of the explanation panel 29 and the speakers 31L, 31R, a central lamp section 33M is disposed, and on the left and right thereof, left and right lamp sections 33L, 33R are disposed respectively. In each of the lamp sections 33M, 33L, 33R, a light source such as a light emitting diode is disposed. These lamp sections 33M, 33L, 33R are integrally formed and constitute an upper lamp section 33 for performing effects such as informing the player of winning or winning a prize.

[0017] Below the control panel 7, there is a lower panel 35 displaying decorative images, and on the left and right sides of this lower panel 35 are lower lamp sections 37L and 37R, each with multiple light sources arranged in, for example, two rows. Below the lower panel 35 are a medal payout opening 39 and a medal receiver 41 for receiving medals dispensed from this opening 39. In the lower right corner of the front panel 9, there is a diagram (not shown) indicating the positions of the winning lines for the three reels, and in the lower left corner of the front panel 9 are a credit indicator 45 that displays the number of credit medals stored and a payout indicator 46 that displays the number of medals dispensed. The credit indicator 45 is composed of, for example, two 7-segment LEDs and can display a two-digit number of stored medals (maximum of 50). The payout indicator 46 is composed of, for example, two 7-segment displays and can display a two-digit number of medals dispensed. The 7-segment display is formed in a rod shape and has a total of eight segments, consisting of seven segments arranged in a figure-eight shape and one small round segment (DP) representing the decimal point. Each segment is made up of a light-emitting diode. The payout indicator 46 may also be used as a notification indicator to notify (display) information related to the control of the main control board 63, such as displaying an error code corresponding to an error that occurred or the result of a prize draw. Above the payout indicator 46, a favorable section lamp 47 is provided. The favorable section is a section in which the operation method of the player is permitted to be notified when a prize that yields a favorable result depending on the player's operation method is won, and the lighting of the favorable section lamp 47 confirms that it is a favorable section. In this embodiment, the favorable section lamp 47 does not necessarily light up during the favorable section, but lights up after the transition to the favorable section and when predetermined lighting conditions are met. However, once the favorable section lamp 47 lights up, it remains lit until the favorable section ends and the transition to a non-favorable section begins. Furthermore, the advantageous section lamp 47 may be substituted with the segment DP of the payout indicator 46, which represents the decimal point. In gaming machines that do not notify the player of advantageous operating procedures, it may be used for other purposes.

[0018] As shown in Figure 2, a support frame 13 supporting each reel 13L, 13M, and 13R is fixed to the rear wall inside the housing 3. Below the support frame 13 inside the housing 3, as shown in Figure 2, a hopper unit 43 is provided for discharging medals to the medal payout port 39. Also, on the back side near the medal insertion port 25, as shown in Figure 2, a medal selector 48 is provided to sort whether the medals inserted into the medal insertion port 25 are legitimate or not, and guide only legitimate medals to the hopper unit 43. A medal passage is provided inside the housing 3, and medals that are rejected as illegitimate by the medal selector 48, as well as medals dispensed from the hopper unit 43, pass through this medal passage and are dispensed from the medal payout port 39. Also, to the left of the hopper unit 43, as shown in Figure 2, an operation box 49 is fixed to the left wall inside the housing 3. This control box 49 is equipped with a power switch 50 (see Figure 3) for switching the power on and off, a change process start switch 56 (see Figure 3) consisting of a key cylinder for initiating the setting change process which can be switched on and off, and a reset switch 52 (see Figure 3) used to switch the setting value when changing the setting. However, if the power switch 50 is turned on while the change process start switch 56 is on, the setting change process using the reset switch 52 will be initiated. The reset switch 52 is also used as a switch to clear errors when they occur.

[0019] Next, the electrical configuration of slot machine 1 will be explained with reference to Figure 3. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the slot machine.

[0020] In Figure 3, the input sensor 53 is located near the medal slot 25 inside the housing 3 and in the medal selector 48 area, and detects each medal inserted into the medal slot 25 one by one. The dispensing sensor 54 is located at the outlet of the hopper unit 43 and detects each medal dispensed into the medal dispensing outlet 39 one by one.

[0021] The left, center, and right position sensors 55L, 55M, and 55R are used to detect the rotational positions of the left, center, and right reels 13L, 13M, and 13R, respectively. For example, they consist of photointerrupters that detect protrusions provided on the left, center, and right reels 13L, 13M, and 13R. When the left, center, and right reels 13L, 13M, and 13R rotate, they detect the protrusions with each rotation and output the detection signal to the main control board 63. In this embodiment, for example, when the left, center, and right position sensors 55L, 55M, and 55R detect the protrusions, the symbols with symbol number 19 are positioned in the middle of the display window 11.

[0022] The hopper motor 57 is installed in the hopper unit 43, and its drive dispenses medals towards the medal dispensing opening 39.

[0023] Furthermore, this slot machine 1 is equipped with a main control board 63 on which a main CPU 61 that controls the progress of the game is mounted, and a sub-control board 73 on which a sub-CPU 71 that controls predetermined effects (for example, effects that correspond to the progress of the game) based on information transmitted from the main CPU 61 mounted on the main control board 63 is mounted. Various game information is transmitted unidirectionally from the main control board 63 to the sub-control board 73. The main control board 63 is securely sealed inside a board case to prevent unauthorized access from the outside. In addition, various measures have been taken to ensure that unauthorized access to the board case can be clearly detected.

[0024] (Main control board) Next, the main control board 63 will be described.

[0025] The main CPU 61 mounted on the main control board 63 has various functions that are realized by executing programs stored in the ROM 67, as well as various functions that are realized by hardware control.

[0026] The main CPU 61 controls the gameplay of slot machine 1 to one of several game states available to the slot machine 1, based on the type of winning combination group (which consists of one or more combinations) and whether the combination is awarded or not.

[0027] Furthermore, the main CPU 61 changes the settings (settings 1 to 6) for adjusting the payout rate (number of medals acquired ÷ number of medals inserted × 100 [%]) based on predetermined setting change operations on the power switch 50, the change process start switch 56, and the reset switch 52.

[0028] Furthermore, the main CPU 61 selects one of several winning combination tables based on the type of game state controlled and the set setting value (setting 1 to setting 6). This winning combination table stores, for each of the pre-set winning combination groups, the winning combination group and the range of winning values ​​for that winning combination group in the winning combination lottery.

[0029] Furthermore, when the start switch 19 is operated by the player, the main CPU 61 generates random numbers for the prize draw within a predetermined range, and extracts the generated random values ​​as draw values ​​at the time the start switch 19 is operated. The main CPU 61 then uses the selected prize draw value table and the extracted draw value to determine whether or not the player has won a prize in the winning prize group. In other words, when the player operates the start switch 19 (the operating device for the gaming machine of the present invention), the main CPU 61 (the control means of the present invention) receives a detection signal and proceeds with the game. The start switch 19 will be described in detail later.

[0030] Furthermore, when the start switch 19 is operated by the player, the main CPU 61 starts the rotation of each reel 13L, 13M, and 13R, and detects the rotational position of the left, middle, and right reels 13L, 13M, and 13R based on the detection signals from the left, middle, and right position sensors 55L, 55M, and 55R, and the number of pulses supplied to the reel motors 14L, 14M, and 14R that drive the left, middle, and right reels 13L, 13M, and 13R. When all the reels 13L, 13M, and 13R are rotating at a constant speed, the main CPU 61 becomes ready to accept operation of each stop switch 21L, 21M, and 21R as an active operation. In this state, when the player operates the respective stop switches 21L, 21M, and 21R, the main CPU 61 controls the stopping of each reel 13L, 13M, and 13R within a preset range of the number of sliding frames (pull-in range: normally a maximum of 4 frames), based on the detected rotational positions of the left, middle, and right reels 13L, 13M, and 13R, the manner in which the player operates the respective stop switches 21L, 21M, and 21R (e.g., the order in which they are pressed and the timing of the operation), and the result of the prize draw.

[0031] After all reels 13L, 13M, and 13R have stopped rotating, the main CPU 61 determines whether the symbol combinations on the winning lines of reels 13L, 13M, and 13R correspond to the winning combinations that make up the winning combination group that was won by the winning combination lottery. If the symbol combinations on the winning lines correspond to the winning combination, the main CPU 61 determines that the player has won that combination; otherwise, it determines that the player has lost. When the main CPU 61 determines that the player has won a winning combination that makes up the winning combination group, and if that combination is one that pays out medals, it operates the hopper unit 43 to pay out the number of medals corresponding to the winning combination. However, if the number of stored credit medals has not reached the upper limit (for example, 50 in this embodiment), the main CPU 61 increases the number of credit medals by the number of medals to be paid out.

[0032] Furthermore, the main CPU 61 controls the operation of the medal selector 48 to switch between accepting and not accepting medals.

[0033] Furthermore, the main CPU 61 generates commands to send various information to the sub-control board 73 (sub-CPU 71), including setting values, game status, information regarding the results of the role lottery, information regarding the results of the symbol judgment, the rotation and stopping status of each reel 13L, 13M, 13R, the payout status of the medals, the open or closed status of the front door 5, error status of the slot machine 1 and other data representing the status of the slot machine 1, and information regarding the operation of control devices operated by the player, such as each stop switch 21L, 21M, 21R and the start switch 19. The main CPU 61 then sends the generated commands to the sub-CPU 71 on the sub-control board 73. Commands are transmitted unidirectionally from the main control board 63 to the sub-control board 73.

[0034] (Sub-control board) Next, the sub-control board 73 will be described. The sub-control board 73 receives commands transmitted from the main control board 63 and performs effects according to the operation and status of the main control board 63. The sub-CPU 71 implemented on the sub-control board 73 has various functions realized by executing programs stored in the memory 75, as well as various functions realized by hardware.

[0035] The sub-CPU 71 receives commands containing various data transmitted by the main control board 63 (main CPU 61). The sub-CPU 71 then determines the content of the performance according to the received commands, and according to the determined content of the performance, it performs display control, for example, to display images such as videos on the liquid crystal display 27, to control the output of sound from speakers 31L and 31R, to control the flashing of the light sources of the upper lamp section 33 and the lower lamp sections 37L and 37R simultaneously or individually, and to control the performance based on the operation of the performance button 42.

[0036] Next, we will explain the details of the start switch 19 using Figures 4 to 8.

[0037] Figure 4 is a right side view of the start switch 19 shown in Figure 1. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the start switch 19 shown in Figure 4 along line AA. Figure 6 shows the start switch 19 shown in Figure 5 in the pressed position. Figure 7 shows the start switch 19 shown in Figure 5 in the pulled position. Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of the main part of the start switch 19 shown in Figure 4, omitting the illustration of the body 100 and case member 101 as in Figure 4. Note that Figure 6 shows the operating part 115 of the start switch 19 pressed in the left-right direction, but the operating part 115 behaves the same as in Figure 6 when pressed in the up-down direction.

[0038] As shown in Figure 5, the start switch 19 comprises a cylindrical body 100 with both ends open, a cylindrical case member 101 mounted on the body 100, a drive member 102 (the drive member of the present invention) positioned to straddle the inside of the body 100 and the inside of the case member 101, and a sensor 103 (the detection means of the present invention) housed in the case member 101 and detecting the movement of the drive member 102.

[0039] The case member 101 is formed from a thermoplastic resin such as PC (polycarbonate) or ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) as a raw material. The case member 101 is formed in an opaque black color using a black pigment and has a cylindrical shape with a housing section 104. The sensor 103 is fixed to the back of the housing section 104 by a flange section 105 and a hook section (not shown).

[0040] Sensor 103 is a diffuse reflection type photoelectric sensor comprising a light-emitting unit 106 and a light-receiving unit 107, with light from the light-emitting unit 106 irradiated toward the cap 108 (the driven part of the present invention), which will be described later. When the start switch 19 is not operated (state in Figure 5), the positional relationship is set so that the reflected light from the cap 108 is received by the light-receiving unit 107. On the other hand, when the start switch 19 is operated (states in Figures 6 and 7), the positional relationship is set so that the reflected light from the cap 108 is not received by the light-receiving unit 107, and the amount reaching the light-receiving unit 107 changes depending on the operation of the start switch 19. The light-receiving unit 107 detects this change and converts it into an electrical signal, which sensor 103 outputs to the main CPU 61. Specifically, when the start switch 19 is operated or not, the sensor 103 changes the value of the electrical signal it outputs to the main CPU 61 based on the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 107, and the main CPU 61 determines whether the start switch 19 is operated or not based on the value of the received electrical signal.

[0041] The body 100 is formed from thermoplastic resins such as PC (polycarbonate) and ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) as raw materials. A housing section 111 is formed inside, and screw grooves 109 are formed on its outer wall surface. The body 100 is attached to the operating panel 7 in Figure 1 via nuts 110 that are screwed into these screw grooves 109.

[0042] Furthermore, the body 100 is equipped with a partition wall 112 that divides the housing section 111 into a player side (front side) and a case member 101 side (back side), and a shaft 114 constituting the drive member 102 passes through an insertion hole 113 formed in this partition wall 112. The housing section 111 is formed to gradually increase in diameter from the partition wall 112 toward the player side (front side), and the insertion hole 113 is formed to gradually increase in diameter from the player side (front side) toward the back side. Therefore, as shown in Figure 6, the drive member 102 can be placed in the housing section 111 at an angle with respect to the center line M of the body 100.

[0043] As shown in Figure 8, the drive member 102 comprises an operating section 115 (the operating section of the present invention), a support mechanism 116 located behind the operating section 115, and a cap 108 (the driven section of the present invention) attached to the rear side of the support mechanism 116.

[0044] As shown in Figure 5, the operating section 115 comprises a metallic shaft 114 and an operating grip 117 that is attached via a helical groove 118 formed on one end (front side) of the shaft 114.

[0045] A first annular groove 119 is formed in the shaft 114 so as to be located between the portion facing the bulkhead 112 and the helical groove 118, and a synthetic rubber O-ring 120 is fitted into this first annular groove 119. Therefore, as shown in Figure 6, when the shaft 114 is tilted with respect to the center line M of the body 100, the O-ring 120 comes into contact with the wall surface of the housing 111, and shock can be absorbed.

[0046] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, a second annular groove 121 is formed on the other end (rear end) of the shaft 114. A metal E-ring 122 is fitted into this second annular groove 121, and a metal washer 123 is positioned between the E-ring 122 and the support mechanism 116.

[0047] Furthermore, a stepped portion 124 is formed on the shaft 114 at approximately the center in the longitudinal direction, and a sleeve 125 is attached to this stepped portion 124. When attempting to push the shaft 114 inward, the sleeve 125 and the partition wall 112 come into contact, restricting the shaft 114's movement inward. A support mechanism 116 is attached to the shaft 114 behind the sleeve 125.

[0048] Sleeve 125 is made from thermoplastic resins such as PC (polycarbonate) and ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) and has a tubular, truncated cone shape with a diameter that widens from the front to the back.

[0049] The operating grip 117 is formed from thermoplastic resins such as PC (polycarbonate) and ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) and is shaped like a sphere. In addition, numerous anti-slip recesses 126 are formed on the surface of the operating grip 117.

[0050] The support mechanism 116 includes a cylindrical stopper 127 positioned to sandwich the bulkhead 112 together with the sleeve 125, a spring member 132 positioned on the outer circumferential surface of the stopper 127, and a cylindrical holder 129 that houses the spring member 132 and the body portion 128 of the stopper 127, which will be described later.

[0051] The stopper 127 is formed from a thermoplastic resin such as PC (polycarbonate) or ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) and comprises a body portion 128 and a flange portion 130 located on the front side of the body and having a thicker shaft than the body. The stopper 127 is also formed to be slidable with respect to the shaft 114.

[0052] The holder 129 is formed from a thermoplastic resin such as PC (polycarbonate) or ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) and is equipped with a spring housing 131, in which a spring member 132 is housed. The movement of the holder 129 toward the back is restricted by an E-ring 122 and a washer 123. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8, the holder 129 has a guide rib 133 on its outer circumferential surface that functions as a guide when attaching the cap 108 to the holder 129, and an engagement rib 134 that holds the cap 108 to the holder 129.

[0053] The spring member 132 is formed from a compression coil spring. As shown in Figure 5, when housed in the holder 129, the spring member 132 is positioned in a compressed and deformed state within a predetermined range. In the state shown in Figure 5, when the operating part 115 is not operated, the flange portion 130 of the stopper 127 is pressed against the partition wall 112 by a biasing force (repulsive force), holding the operating part 115 in the reference position shown in Figure 5. Furthermore, when housed in the holder 129, the spring member 132 is positioned in a state that allows for further compression deformation. When the operating part 115 is operated, it compresses and deforms as shown in Figures 6 and 7, changing the positional relationship between the cap 108 and the sensor 103.

[0054] The cap 108 is formed from a thermoplastic resin such as PC (polycarbonate) or ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), which has insulating properties. The cap 108 is formed in an opaque white color using a white pigment and has a frustoconical shape with the front side open and the back side closed. Its bottom 135 and tapered portion 136 are positioned so as to be interposed without gap between the shaft 114, which is part of the operating section 115, and the sensor 103. Therefore, even if static electricity applied when a player touches the operating grip 117 of the operating section 115 is discharged toward the sensor 103, the cap 108 blocks the static electricity, preventing the sensor 103 from malfunctioning without the need for a metal component for grounding, as in conventional designs.

[0055] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8, the cap 108 has a guide groove 137 and an engagement hole 138. When the cap 108 is attached to the holder 129, the guide rib 133 on the holder 129 slides into the guide groove 137 on the cap 108, and the engagement rib 134 on the holder 129 engages with the engagement hole 138 on the cap 108.

[0056] The cap 108 is then formed by known injection molding using a molding machine (not shown). Specifically, the cap 108 is formed by heating and melting a thermoplastic resin, such as PC (polycarbonate) or ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), which has insulating properties, feeding it into the cavity of a mold (not shown), allowing it to solidify, and then separating the mold. In this case, the gate position when feeding the molten raw material from the molding machine into the mold cavity is set to G as shown in Figures 5 to 8, and the boundary of the separating mold is set to P as shown in Figures 5 to 8.

[0057] Therefore, in the injection-molded cap 108, a convex or concave gate mark (injection molding mark of the present invention), which is the mark left after the connection part with the gate has been separated, is formed at position G in Figure 5, and a convex PL mark (injection molding mark of the present invention), which is the boundary of the mold (parting line (hereinafter simply referred to as PL)), is formed at position P in Figure 5. Hereinafter, the gate mark formed at position G will be referred to as gate mark G, and the PL mark formed at position P will be referred to as PL mark P.

[0058] Furthermore, the mold (not shown) used to form the cap 108 is mirror-finished. As a result, the cap 108 formed by this mold has a mirror-finished surface, including the bottom portion 135 and the tapered portion 136.

[0059] The relationship between the displacement of the drive member 102 and the detection by the sensor 103 will be explained below using Figures 5 to 7.

[0060] When the start switch 19 is not operated (as shown in Figure 5), the light emitted from the light-emitting unit 106 shines on the bottom 135 of the cap 108, as indicated by arrow E. Then, as indicated by arrow F, the reflected light from the bottom 135 is received by the light-receiving unit 107.

[0061] From the state shown in Figure 5, when the operating unit 115 is tilted, the cap 108 also tilts in conjunction, as shown in Figure 6. The light emitted from the light-emitting unit 106 is then directed onto the tapered portion 136 of the cap 108, as indicated by arrow E. Furthermore, as indicated by arrow F, the reflected light from the tapered portion is not received by the light-receiving unit 107, and the sensor 103 detects that the start switch 19 (operating unit 115) has been operated. Specifically, the sensor 103 changes the value of the electrical signal output to the main CPU 61 based on the amount of light received by the light-receiving unit 107 when the start switch 19 is operated or not, and the main CPU 61 determines whether the start switch 19 is operated or not based on the value of the received electrical signal.

[0062] Furthermore, if the operating unit 115 is pulled forward from the state shown in Figure 5, the cap 108 will also move forward in conjunction, as shown in Figure 7. The light emitted from the light-emitting unit 106 is directed to the vicinity of the boundary between the bottom 135 and the tapered portion 136 of the cap 108, as indicated by arrow E. Then, as indicated by arrow F, the reflected light from the bottom 135 is not received by the light-receiving unit, and the sensor 103 detects that the start switch 19 (operating unit 115) has been operated. Specifically, the amount reaching the light-receiving unit 107 changes as a result of the operation of the start switch 19. The light-receiving unit 107 detects this change, converts it into an electrical signal, and outputs it to the main CPU 61.

[0063] As described above, in the cap 108, the bottom portion 135 and a part of the tapered portion 136 are on the optical axis of the light emitted from the light-emitting portion 106 and become a light-receiving area R (see Figure 8). The light-receiving portion 107 detects the presence or absence of reflected light from the light-receiving area R to detect that the start switch 19 (operating portion 115) has been operated. If a convex or concave gate mark G or a convex PL mark P is formed in the light-receiving area R, the light emitted from the light-emitting portion 106 will irradiate the gate mark G or PL mark P, causing the reflected light to be directed in an unintended direction. As a result, the sensor 103 may receive reflected light from a light-receiving area R that is not supposed to receive reflected light, or fail to receive reflected light from a light-receiving area R that is supposed to receive reflected light. Furthermore, the size of the gate mark G and PL mark P is easily affected by molding conditions such as mold temperature, which can easily lead to errors in the product and exacerbate the reflection in the unintended direction.

[0064] However, in this embodiment, no injection molding marks (gate marks G or PL marks P) are formed on the light-receiving region R (bottom portion 135 and part of the tapered portion 136) which is on the optical axis of the light from the light-emitting portion 106 and serves as the light-receiving surface. Therefore, as described above, there is no risk of receiving reflected light from a light-receiving region R that is not supposed to receive reflected light, or failing to receive reflected light from a light-receiving region R that is supposed to receive reflected light, thus preventing false detection by the sensor 103.

[0065] Furthermore, as mentioned above, since the surface of the cap 108, including the bottom portion 135 and the tapered portion 136, is mirror-finished, there are few fine irregularities in the light-receiving area R, and the light from the light-emitting portion 106 can be reflected to the appropriate position.

[0066] Furthermore, as mentioned above, since the cap 108 is formed in an opaque white color using a white pigment, it has a higher light reflectivity compared to, for example, when it is formed in transparent or black, and can reliably reflect light from the light-emitting part 106.

[0067] Furthermore, if the cap 108 is transparent, it transmits light from the light-emitting part 106, unintentionally illuminating the shaft 114, washer 123, E-ring 122, and holder 129 inside, and reflects from there, resulting in complex reflection and limiting the design freedom of the placement of the sensor 103. However, by making the cap 108 opaque, the reflection is not complex, and the design freedom of the placement of the sensor 103 is less restricted.

[0068] Furthermore, as mentioned above, since the case member 101 is formed in an opaque black color using black pigment, it is possible to prevent false detection by the sensor 103 compared to, for example, if it were formed in white or transparent. That is, although the light from the reflected light-emitting part 106 shown in Figures 6 and 7 above is irradiated in a different direction from the light-receiving part 107, even if the design is such that the light is irradiated onto the case member 101, it absorbs light compared to, for example, if it were formed in white or transparent, thus preventing malfunctions such as light being detected by the light-receiving part due to diffuse reflection inside. In other words, it is desirable to make parts such as the case member 101, which may be hit by the light from the light-emitting part 106 when the start switch 19 is operated, of a material with low reflectivity, such as opaque and black, to make it difficult to reflect light. Other methods include not giving the case member 101 a mirror finish, or creating fine irregularities such as a textured finish on the case member 101.

[0069] The gaming machine configured as described above will produce the following effects.

[0070] In this embodiment, the slot machine 1 (gaming machine of the present invention) is a gaming machine in which the main CPU 61 (control means of the present invention) advances the game when the player operates the start switch 19 (operating device for gaming machine of the present invention). The start switch 19 includes a drive member 102 (drive member of the present invention) that is displaced in conjunction with the player's operation, and a sensor 103 (detection means of the present invention) that detects the displacement of the drive member 102.

[0071] Furthermore, the sensor 103 includes a light-emitting unit 106 (light-emitting unit of the present invention) and a light-receiving unit 107 (light-receiving unit of the present invention) that receives light from the light-emitting unit 106, and transmits changes in the light irradiated onto the light-receiving unit 107 to the main CPU 61 (control means of the present invention).

[0072] Furthermore, the drive member 102 includes an operating unit 115 (operating unit of the present invention) operated by the player, and a cap 108 (driven unit of the present invention) in which at least a portion is positioned on the optical axis of the light from the light-emitting unit 106 in any state of displacement of the drive member 102. The cap 108 is positioned between the operating unit 115 and the sensor 103 and is made of an insulating thermoplastic resin.

[0073] Furthermore, in any state of displacement of the drive member 102, the cap 108 is on the optical axis of the light from the light-emitting part 106 and the light-receiving area R (the light-receiving area of ​​the present invention), which is the light-receiving surface, does not have a gate mark G or PL mark P (the injection molding mark portion of the present invention) formed thereon.

[0074] In this configuration, the cap 108, made of insulating thermoplastic resin and positioned between the operating unit 115 and the sensor 103, prevents the sensor 103 from malfunctioning even when static electricity applied by the player's operation discharges to the sensor 103, without the need for a metal grounding component as in conventional designs. Furthermore, the cap 108 lies on the optical axis of the light from the light-emitting unit 106 in any state of displacement of the drive member 102, and the light-receiving area R, which is the light-receiving surface, does not have gate marks G or PL marks P formed on it. This prevents the sensor 103 from making false detections due to the optical axis received by the light-receiving unit being misaligned by product errors caused by gate marks G or PL marks P.

[0075] In the embodiments described above, an example of applying the present invention to a start switch 19 was explained, but it can be applied to any device that has a drive member that is displaced in conjunction with the player's operation and a detection means for detecting the displacement of the drive member, such as stop switches 21L, 21M, 21R, a maximum bet switch 17, and a performance button 42.

[0076] In the following, an example in which the present invention is applied to the performance button 42 will be described as a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0077] The effect button 42 will be explained using Figures 9 to 15. Figure 9 is a perspective view of the effect button 42 shown in Figure 1. Figure 10 is a perspective view of the first unit section 238 shown in Figure 9. Figure 11 is an exploded view of the first unit section 38 shown in Figure 10. Figure 12 is a perspective view of the second unit section 239 shown in Figure 9. Figure 13 is an exploded view of the second unit section 239 shown in Figure 12. Figure 14 is a cross-section of the effect button 42 shown in Figure 9, along the Z-axis direction, with reference to the point of the dot chain shown on the BB line, viewed from the direction of arrow C, and is a cross-section at the position between the light-receiving section 299 and the light-emitting section 298, viewed toward the light-emitting section 298. Figure 15 is a diagram showing the pressed state of the effect button 42 shown in Figure 14.

[0078] As shown in Figure 9, the performance button 42 is composed of a first unit section 238 and a second unit section 239.

[0079] As shown in Figure 11, the first unit section 238 consists of an upper cover 240, a lower cover 241, and a drive mechanism 242 housed in these covers.

[0080] The drive mechanism 242 consists of a pressing component 243 (the drive member of the present invention) that moves downward in response to a pressing operation by the player, and a spring member 244 that is positioned on the lower cover 241 and applies a biasing force to the pressing component 243.

[0081] The pressing component 243 is the part that the player touches when pressing, and is composed of a transparent cover 45 (operating part of the present invention) made of a thermoplastic resin such as PC (polycarbonate) or ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), an opaque letter component 246 made of a thermoplastic resin such as PC (polycarbonate) or ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) arranged inside the transparent cover 45 and having the word "PUSH" cut out, a transparent inner lens 247 made of a thermoplastic resin such as PC (polycarbonate) or ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) arranged inside the letter component 46 and diffusing the light guided to the letter component 246, a film-like sheet member 248 arranged on the upper surface of the inner lens 247, and an opaque plunger 249 (driven part of the present invention) made of a thermoplastic resin that houses and holds the transparent cover 245, letter component 246, inner lens 247, and sheet member 248. The letter component 246 and the plunger 249 are fixed together by a screw 250 that passes through the plunger screw hole 294 and the letter component screw hole (not shown), and the transparent cover 245 and the plunger 249 are fixed together by a convex engaging portion 251 and a notched engaged portion 252. On the other hand, the transparent cover 245, letter component 246, sheet member 248, inner lens 247, and plunger 249 that constitute the press component 243 are not fixed to the upper cover 240 or the lower cover 241. In this way, the transparent cover 45, letter component 246, sheet member 248, inner lens 247, and plunger 249 that constitute the press component 243 are movable together as a single unit in the first unit 238.

[0082] The plunger 249 is formed from a thermoplastic resin such as PC (polycarbonate) or ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) that has insulating properties. The plunger 249 is formed in an opaque black color using black pigment, and a plunger opening 253 is formed in the part facing the second unit part 239. A plate-shaped detection piece 255 is formed at a position that divides the plunger opening 253 into two, and when pressed, the sensor 254 described later detects the pressing operation. In addition, a cylindrical vibration transmission part 256 is formed at the lower end, which comes into contact with the vibration transmission part of a vibration generating device (not shown) when pressed, and transmits vibrations.

[0083] The plunger 249 is formed by known injection molding using a molding machine (not shown). Specifically, the plunger 249 is formed by heating and melting an insulating thermoplastic resin such as PC (polycarbonate) or ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), feeding it into the cavity of a mold (not shown), allowing it to solidify, and separating the mold. In this case, the gate position for feeding the molten raw material from the molding machine into the mold cavity is set to G1 as shown in Figures 14 and 15, and the boundary of the separating mold is set to P1 as shown in Figures 14 and 15. Therefore, in the plunger 249, which is an injection-molded product, a convex or concave gate mark (injection molding mark portion of the present invention), which is the mark left after the connection portion with the gate has been separated, is formed at position G1 as shown in Figures 14 and 15, and a convex PL mark (injection molding mark portion of the present invention), which is the boundary of the mold (parting line), is formed at position P1 as shown in Figures 14 and 15. Hereinafter, the gate mark formed at position G1 will be referred to as gate mark G1, and the PL mark formed at position P1 will be referred to as PL mark P1.

[0084] Furthermore, the plunger 249 is positioned between the transparent cover 245 and the sensor 254. Therefore, even if static electricity applied by a player touching the transparent cover 245 discharges toward the sensor 254, the plunger 249 blocks the static electricity, preventing the sensor 254 from malfunctioning without the need for a metal grounding component.

[0085] The spring member 244 is formed from a compression coil spring, has a larger diameter than the vibration transmission section 256, and is located outside the vibration transmission section 256, between the plunger 249 (pressing component 243) and the lower cover 241. It outputs a resistance force in the direction that pushes the plunger 249 (pressing component 243) downward, while outputting a biasing force (repulsive force) in the direction that pushes the plunger 249 (pressing component 243) upward.

[0086] The upper cover 240 is made of an opaque thermoplastic resin such as PC (polycarbonate) or ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) and has a bezel portion 257 positioned on the outer circumference of the transparent cover 245 and a cylindrical boss 258 protruding toward the second unit portion 239. The bezel portion 257 has a window portion 260 that exposes the side lens 259 positioned on the lower cover 241. The boss 258 has a boss screw hole 261 (see Figure 10), and the first unit portion 238 and the second unit portion 239 are detachably connected by a screw (not shown) that passes through this boss screw hole 261 and the base second screw hole 262 on the second unit portion 239 side.

[0087] The lower cover 241 is formed opaquely from a thermoplastic resin such as PC (polycarbonate) or ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene). The lower cover 241 also has a housing section 264 in its center that houses the aforementioned drive mechanism 242, and two lower cover first openings 265 are formed in the housing section 264 facing the second unit section 239 (see Figure 10). The light from the first LED 266 on the second unit section 239 side passes through these lower cover first openings 265 and the aforementioned plunger opening 253, and is guided to the character component 246 via the inner lens 247. The lower cover 241 also has two lower cover second openings 267 that house the aforementioned side lenses 259, and the light from the second LED 268 on the second unit section 239 side is guided to the side lenses 259 via these lower cover second openings 267. Furthermore, the lower cover 241 has a third lower cover opening 269 formed between the first lower cover openings 265 (see Figure 11), and the detection piece 255 formed on the plunger 249 of the drive mechanism 242 protrudes to the outside of the lower cover 241 through this third lower cover opening 269, and the housing state of the spring member 244 can be visually confirmed through this third lower cover opening 269 (see Figure 5). In addition, the lower cover 241 has a lower cover insertion hole 270 formed at the bottom of the housing section 264 through which the vibration transmission section 256 described above is inserted (see Figure 15). The upper cover 240 and the lower cover 241 are fixed together by screws 295 that pass through the lower cover screw holes 296 and the upper cover screw holes (not shown).

[0088] As shown in Figure 13, the second unit 239 is composed of a light-emitting substrate 271, a reflector member 272, and a cover member 273 that houses them.

[0089] The light-emitting substrate 271 is formed in a rectangular shape, with four first LEDs 266 arranged in a row on the upper long side, and two second LEDs 268 arranged in a row on each of the left and right short sides. A sensor 254 (detection means of the present invention) for detecting the movement of the aforementioned detection piece 255 is also arranged on the same surface as the first LEDs 266 and second LEDs 268 on the light-emitting substrate 271.

[0090] Sensor 254 is a transmissive photoelectric sensor comprising a light-emitting unit 298 (light-emitting unit of the present invention) and a light-receiving unit 299 (light-receiving unit of the present invention), which are arranged opposite each other, giving the overall shape a U-shape (groove shape). Light-emitting unit 298 emits light toward the light-receiving unit 299. A detection piece 255 of plunger 249 is positioned on the optical axis E1 from light-emitting unit 298 to light-receiving unit 299 (see Figures 13 and 14) (see Figure 15). When the emitted light is blocked by the detection piece 255, the amount reaching the light-receiving unit 299 changes, and the light-receiving unit 299 detects this change, converts it into an electrical signal, and outputs it to sub-CPU 71 (control means of the present invention). Specifically, when the performance button 42 is operated or not, the sensor 254 changes the value of the electrical signal it outputs to the sub-CPU 71 based on the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 299, and the sub-CPU 71 determines whether the performance button 42 is operated or not based on the value of the received electrical signal.

[0091] As shown in Figure 13, the reflector member 272 is formed opaquely from a thermoplastic resin such as PC (polycarbonate) or ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), and is positioned between the first LED 266 and the second LED 268 and the sensor 254, so that the light emitted from the first LED 266 and the second LED 268 does not interfere with the sensor 254 (see Figure 15).

[0092] As shown in Figure 13, the cover member 273 is made of an opaque thermoplastic resin such as PC (polycarbonate) or ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene). The cover member 273 has the same shape as the light-emitting substrate 271 and is composed of a rectangular base portion 274 on which the light-emitting substrate 271 is placed, and a guard portion 275 formed to cover the light-emitting substrate 271 from the sides of both short sides of the base portion 274.

[0093] The base portion 274 has two base first screw holes 276, and the reflector member 272 and the light-emitting substrate 271 are fixed to the cover member 273 by screws 279 that pass through these base first screw holes 276, the light-emitting substrate screw holes 277 formed in the light-emitting substrate 271, and the two reflector screw holes 278 formed in the reflector member 272. Also, as shown in Figure 12, two base second screw holes 262 are further formed on the outside of the base first screw holes 276, and as mentioned above, the first unit portion 238 and the second unit portion 239 are detachably formed by screws (not shown) that pass through these base second screw holes 262 and the boss screw holes 261 on the first unit portion 238 side. Furthermore, a notch 293 is formed between the two base first screw holes 276, with the top open. Through this notch 293, a connector 280 is exposed on the light-emitting substrate 271, which is located on the side opposite to the side where the sensor 254, the first LED 266, and the second LED 268 are arranged. The light-emitting substrate 271 (second unit 239) is electrically connected to the sub-control board 73 via a harness (not shown) via the connector 280, as shown in Figure 3, and its light emission is controlled.

[0094] As described above, the first unit 238 has a drive mechanism 242 consisting of a pressing component 243 that is pressed by the player and a biasing means (spring member 244) that biases the pressing component 243, but does not have any electrical elements such as a sensor 254 or a light-emitting substrate 271.

[0095] Furthermore, the second unit 239 does not have a drive mechanism 242, but has a sensor 254 that detects the pressing operation of the pressing component 243 and, as shown in Figure 3, is electrically connected to the sub-control board 73 to notify the sub-CPU 71 of the sub-control board 73 of the detection of the pressing operation.

[0096] Next, the behavior when the performance button 42 is pressed will be explained using Figures 14 and 15.

[0097] In the performance button 42, the pressing component 243 is biased upward by the spring member 244. Therefore, in Figure 9, which shows the state before pressing, the upper surface of the flange portion 281 of the plunger 249 in the pressing component 243 is in contact with the lower surface of the edge portion 282 of the bezel portion 257 in the upper cover 240. In this initial position, the vibration transmission portion 256 of the plunger 249 is not in a position to protrude from the lower cover insertion hole 270 of the lower cover 241 (see Figure 14). Also, the detection piece 255 is not on the optical axis E1 and is in a position where the sensor 254 does not detect it.

[0098] When the pressing member 243 is pressed from the state before the pressing operation shown in Figure 14, the pressing part 243 moves downward against the biasing force of the spring member 244. Then, in Figure 15, which shows the state during the pressing operation, the lower surface of the flange portion 281 of the plunger 249 on the pressing part 243 is in contact with the upper surface of the stepped portion 283 on the lower cover 241, and is in the operating position. In this operating position, the vibration transmission portion 256 of the plunger 249 is in a position where it protrudes from the lower cover insertion hole 270 (see Figure 15). In this way, when the vibration transmission portion 256 of the plunger 249 is in a position where it protrudes from the lower cover insertion hole 270 (position in Figure 15), it comes into contact with the vibration transmission portion of a vibration generator (not shown), and vibrations from the vibration generator can be transmitted to the pressing part 243 (performance button 242). Furthermore, the detection piece 255 is located in a position where the sensor 254 detects it, and based on the sensor 254 detecting the detection piece 255, the display on the liquid crystal display 27 switches from a display such as "Press the button" to a display such as "Chance."

[0099] Specifically, when the pressing member 243 is pressed from the state before the pressing operation shown in Figure 14, the detection piece 255 gradually approaches the optical axis E1, and the sensor 254 detects the detection piece 255 when the lowest end 255a of the detection piece 255 aligns with the optical axis E1. Based on the sensor 254 detecting the detection piece 255, the display on the liquid crystal display 24 switches, for example, from a display such as "Press the button" to a display such as "Chance," as described above. Therefore, a part of the lowest end 255a of the detection piece 255 and the surrounding area are on the optical axis of the light from the light-emitting unit 298 and become a light-receiving area R1 (see Figure 10), which is the light-receiving surface.

[0100] In this case, if a convex or concave gate mark G1 or a convex PL mark P1 is formed in the light-receiving area R1, the emitted light from the light-emitting part 298 may irradiate the gate mark G1 or PL mark P1, potentially causing unintended blocking of light. As a result, the aforementioned effects may occur at unintended times, potentially causing discomfort to the player. Furthermore, the size of the gate mark G1 and PL mark P1 is easily affected by molding conditions such as mold temperature, leading to variations between products, which can exacerbate the occurrence of unintended effects.

[0101] However, in this embodiment, no injection molding marks (gate marks G1 or PL marks P1) are formed on the light-receiving region R1, which lies on the optical axis of the light from the light-emitting unit 298 and serves as the light-receiving surface. Therefore, as described above, there is no risk of light being blocked at unintended timings, and false detections by the sensor 254 can be prevented.

[0102] Furthermore, as mentioned above, the plunger 249 is formed in an opaque black color using black pigment. Therefore, compared to, for example, a case where the plunger 249 is formed in a transparent or other color with high light transmittance, the detection piece 255, which is part of the plunger 249, can appropriately block the light from the light-emitting part 298.

[0103] The gaming machine of the second embodiment, configured as described above, provides the following effects.

[0104] In this embodiment, the slot machine 1 (gaming machine of the present invention) is a gaming machine in which a sub-CPU 71 (control means of the present invention) advances the game (performance game) when a player operates the performance button 42 (operating device for the gaming machine of the present invention). The performance button 42 includes a pressing member 243 (driving member of the present invention) that is displaced in conjunction with the player's operation, and a sensor 254 (detection means of the present invention) that detects the displacement of the pressing member 243.

[0105] Furthermore, the sensor 254 includes a light-emitting unit 298 (light-emitting unit of the present invention) and a light-receiving unit 299 (light-receiving unit of the present invention) that receives light from the light-emitting unit 298, and transmits changes in the light irradiated onto the light-receiving unit 299 to the sub-CPU 71 (control means of the present invention).

[0106] Furthermore, the pressing member 243 comprises a transparent cover 245 (operating part of the present invention) operated by the player, and a plunger 249 (driven part of the present invention) in which at least the detection piece 255 (part of the present invention) is positioned on the optical axis of the light from the light-emitting part 298 in any state of displacement of the driving member 102. The plunger 249 is positioned to be interposed between the transparent cover 245 and the sensor 254 and is made of an insulating thermoplastic resin.

[0107] Furthermore, in any state of displacement of the pressing member 243, the plunger 249 is on the optical axis of the light from the light-emitting part 298, and no gate marks G1 or PL marks P1 (injection molding marks of the present invention) are formed in the light-receiving area R1 (light-receiving area of ​​the present invention), which is the light-receiving surface.

[0108] In this configuration, the plunger 249, made of insulating thermoplastic resin and positioned between the transparent cover 245 and the sensor 254, prevents the detection means from malfunctioning even when static electricity applied by the player's operation discharges to the sensor 254, without the need for a metal member for grounding. Furthermore, the plunger 249 is on the optical axis of the light from the light-emitting unit 298 in any state of displacement of the drive member 102, and the light-receiving area R1, which is the light-receiving surface, does not have a gate mark G1 or PL mark P1 formed thereon. This prevents the sensor 254 from making false detections due to the optical axis received by the light-receiving unit 299 being misaligned due to product errors caused by the gate mark G1 or PL mark P1.

[0109] Furthermore, although the embodiments described above were explained using slot machines as examples, the method is not limited to slot machines and can be applied to other gaming machines such as pachinko machines. Also, although diffuse reflection type photoelectric sensors and transmissive type photoelectric sensors were explained as examples of detection methods, the method is not limited to these, and other methods can be used as long as they detect changes such as reflection or blocking of light by a light-receiving area that displaces along the optical axis and determine the operation. In this case as well, the same effect can be obtained by ensuring that no injection molding marks are formed on the light-receiving area. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0110] 1. Slot machine (amusement machine) 19. Start switch (operating device for gaming machines) 61. Main CPU (control means) 102...Drive component (drive component) 103...Sensor (detection means) 106...Light-emitting part (light-emitting part) 107... Light receiving part (light receiving part) 108...Cap (driven part) 115...Operation unit (operation unit) G... Gate mark (injection molding trace) P...PL trace (injection molding trace) R... Light receiving area (light receiving area)

Claims

[Claim 1] A gaming machine comprising a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit that receives light from the light-emitting unit, and a detection means that detects a change in the light irradiated to the light-receiving unit, The gaming machine includes an operation means, The operating means includes an operating section operated by a player and a resin-made detection section that is displaced in conjunction with the operating section; The resin detection unit is disposed between the operation unit and the detection means, Furthermore, the gaming machine is characterized in that no injection molding traces are formed on the light receiving area of ​​the resin detection unit, which is on the optical axis of the light from the light emitting unit and serves as the light receiving surface.

Images