Game machine
The gaming table addresses the limitations of conventional circuit boards by using specific components with a rod-shaped protrusion, through hole, and connector, resulting in improved performance and user experience.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024023693
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-02-20
- Publication Date
- 2025-06-10
- Estimated Expiration
- 2043-11-29
AI Technical Summary
Conventional game tables, such as slot machines, have limitations in the design and functionality of their circuit boards, which can affect performance and user experience.
The gaming table incorporates specific components with a first member featuring a rod-shaped protrusion, a second member with a through hole, and a certain connector provided on the side where the deformed tip portion is formed. This configuration allows for improved connectivity and stability of the circuit board components.
This design enhances the characteristics of the circuit board in game tables, leading to improved performance, reliability, and user experience by providing a more stable and efficient gaming environment.
Smart Images

Figure 2025087551000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a game table represented by a pachinko machine, a reel game machine (slot machine), an enclosed game machine, or a medal-less slot machine.
Background Art
[0002] Conventionally, as one type of game table, for example, a slot machine is known. Such a slot machine includes a plurality of types of circuit boards (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] However, there is room for improvement in the circuit boards of conventional game tables.
[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a game table having characteristics in the circuit board.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0006] The gaming table according to the present invention is a gaming table provided with specific components, wherein the specific components are components including a first member, the specific components are components including a second member, the specific components are components including a certain connector, the second member is a member in which a through hole is formed, the first member is a member in which a rod-shaped protrusion is formed, the first member is a member in which a deformed tip portion that is deformed to be larger than the diameter of the through hole is formed at the tip portion of the protrusion inserted into the through hole, the certain connector is provided on the side where the deformed tip portion is formed in the specific component, the diameter of the through hole is larger than the diameter of the portion of the protrusion located within the through hole, there is a gap in a part of the outer periphery of the certain connector between the certain connector and the second member, and there is a gap in the entire circumference of the deformed tip portion between the deformed tip portion and the second member. This is a gaming table characterized by the above. Further, the gaming table according to the present invention is a gaming table provided with specific components, wherein the specific components are components including a first member, the specific components are components including a second member, the specific components are components including a third member that covers the second member, the specific components are components including a certain connector, the second member is a member in which a through hole (hereinafter referred to as the "through hole of the second member") is formed, the third member is a member in which a through hole (hereinafter referred to as the "through hole of the third member") is formed, the first member is a member in which a rod-shaped protrusion is formed, the first member is a member in which a deformed tip portion that is deformed to be larger than the diameter of the through hole is formed at the tip portion of the protrusion inserted into the through hole of the second member and the through hole of the third member, the certain connector is provided on the side where the deformed tip portion is formed in the specific component, the diameter of the through hole of the second member is larger than the diameter of the portion of the protrusion located within the through hole, there is a gap in a part of the outer periphery of the certain connector between the certain connector and the second member, and there is a gap in the entire circumference of the deformed tip portion between the deformed tip portion and the third member. This is a gaming table characterized by the above.
Advantages of the Invention
[0007] According to the gaming table of the present invention, a gaming table with characteristics on the substrate can be provided.
Brief Explanation of Drawings
[0008]
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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention
[0009] <<Embodiment 1>> Hereinafter, a gaming machine (slot machine) according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0010] <Overall Configuration> First, the overall configuration of the slot machine 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the slot machine 100 as seen from the front side (the player side).
[0011] The slot machine 100 shown in FIG. 1 corresponds to an example of the gaming machine of the present invention, and includes a main body 101 and a front door 102 that is attached to the front of the main body 101 and can be opened and closed with respect to the main body 101. Inside the center of the main body 101 (not shown), three reels (left reel 110, middle reel 111, right reel 112) with a plurality of types of symbols arranged on the outer peripheral surface are housed and configured to be rotatable inside the slot machine 100. These reels 110 to 112 are rotationally driven by a driving device such as a stepping motor.
[0012] In the present embodiment, each symbol is printed at equal intervals on a strip-shaped member, and this strip-shaped member is attached to a predetermined circular cylindrical frame member to form each of the reels 110 to 112 (see FIG. 32). The symbols on the reels 110 to 112 are generally displayed vertically in three rows from the symbol display window 113 provided in front of each of the reels 110 to 112 as seen by the player, and a total of nine symbols can be seen.
[0013] And by rotating each of the reels 110 to 112, the combination of symbols visible to the player will change. That is, each of the reels 110 to 112 functions as a display device that can variably display a combination of a plurality of types of symbols. In addition to reels, an electronic image display device such as a liquid crystal display device can also be adopted as such a display device. Further, in the present embodiment, three reels are provided inside the center of the slot machine 100, but the number of reels and the installation position of the reels are not limited to this.
[0014] Inside the slot machine 100, in the vicinity of each of the reels 110 to 112, an optical sensor (also called an index sensor. Not shown in the figure) composed of a light projecting part and a light receiving part is provided, and a light shielding piece of a certain length provided on the reel passes between the light projecting part and the light receiving part of this optical sensor. Based on the detection result of this sensor, the rotational direction position of the symbol on the reel is judged, and the reels 110 to 112 are stopped so that the target symbol is displayed on the winning line.
[0015] On the back surfaces of the reels 110 to 112, reel backlights 264 (see FIGS. 7(a) and 8. Details will be described later) for illuminating the individual symbols displayed in the symbol display windows 113 are arranged. Also, below the reels 110 to 112, state display LEDs 280 (see FIG. 3. Details will be described later) for notifying various states of the slot machine 100 are provided. The reel panel lamp 128 is a lamp for effect.
[0016] The bet buttons 130 to 132 are buttons for inserting a predetermined number of medals (referred to as credits) electronically stored in the slot machine 100. In the present embodiment, each time the bet button 130 is pressed, one medal is inserted up to a maximum of three medals, two medals are inserted when the bet button 131 is pressed, and three medals are inserted when the bet button 132 is pressed. Hereinafter, the bet button 132 is also referred to as the MAX bet button.
[0017] The effect button 156 is an operation means operable by the player. In the present embodiment, it is composed of buttons that can be pressed by the player and is used for various effects. Such operation means used for such effects is not limited to buttons, and may be composed of, for example, a lever or a touch panel, or may be provided with a plurality of operation means.
[0018] The medal insertion slot 141 is an insertion slot for the player to insert medals when starting a game. That is, medals can be inserted electronically by operating the bet buttons 130 to 132, or actual medals can be inserted (insertion operation) through the medal insertion slot 141. Here, "insertion" means including both methods.
[0019] The start lever 135 is a lever-type switch for starting the rotation of the reels 110 to 112. That is, when the desired number of medals is inserted into the medal insertion slot 141 or the bet buttons 130 to 132 are operated to operate the start lever 135, the reels 110 to 112 will start to rotate. The operation on the start lever 135 is called the game start operation.
[0020] The stop button unit 136 is provided with stop buttons (halt buttons) 137 to 139. The stop buttons 137 to 139 are button-type switches for individually stopping the reels 110 to 112 that have started rotating by operating the start lever 135, and are associated with the respective reels 110 to 112. Note that a light emitter may be provided inside each of the stop buttons 137 to 139, and when the stop buttons 137 to 139 can be operated, the light emitter can be lit to inform the player.
[0021] Hereinafter, the operation on the stop buttons 137 to 139 is called the stop operation. The first stop operation is called the first stop operation (hereinafter, also referred to as "first stop" or "1 stop"), the next stop operation is called the second stop operation (hereinafter, also referred to as "second stop" or "2 stop"), and the last stop operation is called the third stop operation (hereinafter, also referred to as "third stop" or "3 stop").
[0022] Also, the reels stopped corresponding to these stop operations are sequentially called the first stop reel, the second stop reel, and the third stop reel. Furthermore, the order of operating the stop buttons 137 to 139 to stop all of the rotating reels 110 to 112 is called the operation order (or the pressing order).
[0023] When representing the operation order (pressing order) of the stop buttons 137 to 139, with the left stop button 137 as "left or L", the middle stop button 138 as "middle or M", and the right stop button 139 as "right or R", there are six types: (1) the operation order of left → middle → right (left-middle-right or LMR), (2) the operation order of left → right → middle (left-right-middle or LRM), (3) the operation order of middle → left → right (middle-left-right or MLR), (4) the operation order of middle → right → left (middle-right-left or MRL), (5) the operation order of right → left → middle (right-left-middle or RLM), and (6) the operation order of right → middle → left (right-middle-left or RMS).
[0024] The medal return button 133 is a button to be pressed to remove jammed inserted medals. The settlement button 134 is a button to settle the medals electronically stored in the slot machine 100 and the bet medals and discharge them from the medal payout opening 155. The door keyhole 140 is a hole into which a key for unlocking the front door 102 of the slot machine 100 is inserted.
[0025] Below the stop button unit 136, a title panel 162 for displaying the model name and attaching various certificates is provided. Below the title panel 162, a medal payout opening 155 and a medal tray 161 are provided. The sound hole 181 is a hole for outputting the sound of the speaker provided inside the slot machine 100 to the outside. The side lamps 144 provided on the left and right parts of the front door 102 are decorative lamps for enlivening the game. An effect device 160 is disposed above the front door 102, and a sound hole 143 is provided above the effect device 160.
[0026] This effect device 160 includes a shutter (shielding device) 163 composed of two right shutters 163a and left shutters 163b that can be opened and closed in the horizontal direction, and a liquid crystal display device 157 (effect image display device) disposed on the back side of the shutter 163. When the right shutter 163a and the left shutter 163b open outward in the horizontal direction in front of the liquid crystal display device 157, the display screen of the liquid crystal display device 157 appears in front of the slot machine 100 (on the player side).
[0027] Note that it may be any display device capable of displaying various effect images and various game information, not limited to a liquid crystal display device. For example, it may be a multi-segment display (7-segment display), a dot matrix display, an organic EL display, a plasma display, a reel (drum), or a display device composed of a projector and a screen. Also, the display screen is rectangular and configured such that the entire screen is visible to the player. In the case of this embodiment, the display screen is rectangular, but it may also be square. Further, a decoration (not shown) may be provided at the periphery of the display screen, and as a result, a part of the periphery of the display screen is hidden by the decoration, making the display screen appear irregular. In the case of this embodiment, the display screen is a flat surface, but it may also be a curved surface.
[0028] Also, inside the main body 101, there are provided a setting key that can be switched between on and off by a rotation operation, an operation for changing settings (setting value change operation) by a pressing operation, and a setting switch that can perform an operation for confirming settings. The setting key is an operation means for starting the change and confirmation of the setting value (settings 1 to 6 in this example), and the setting switch is one of the setting means capable of setting one of a plurality of setting values.
[0029] <Winning line> Next, the winning line will be described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the winning line of the slot machine 100.
[0030] As described with reference to FIG. 1, the symbols on the reels 110 to 112 are generally displayed vertically in three rows from the symbol display windows 113 provided in front of the respective reels 110 to 112 as seen by the player, and a total of nine symbols can be seen.
[0031] Specifically, the symbol displayed in the upper part of the left reel 110 (the position 1 shown in the figure; also referred to as the symbol position 1) is called the upper left reel symbol, the symbol displayed in the middle part of the left reel 110 (the position 2 shown in the figure; also referred to as the symbol position 2) is called the middle left reel symbol, and the symbol displayed in the lower part of the left reel 110 (the position 3 shown in the figure; also referred to as the symbol position 3) is called the lower left reel symbol.
[0032] Also, the symbol displayed in the upper part of the middle reel 111 (the position 4 shown in the figure; also referred to as the symbol position 4) is called the upper middle reel symbol, the symbol displayed in the middle part of the middle reel 111 (the position 5 shown in the figure; also referred to as the symbol position 5) is called the middle middle reel symbol, and the symbol displayed in the lower part of the middle reel 111 (the position 6 shown in the figure; also referred to as the symbol position 6) is called the lower middle reel symbol.
[0033] Also, the symbol displayed in the upper part of the right reel 112 (the position 7 shown in the figure; also referred to as the symbol position 7) is called the upper right reel symbol, the symbol displayed in the middle part of the right reel 112 (the position 8 shown in the figure; also referred to as the symbol position 8) is called the middle right reel symbol, and the symbol displayed in the lower part of the right reel 112 (the position 9 shown in the figure; also referred to as the symbol position 9) is called the lower right reel symbol.
[0034] In this embodiment, as the winning line, only the middle winning line L1 (hereinafter, may be simply referred to as "winning line L1") composed of the middle left reel symbol (symbol position 2), the middle middle reel symbol (symbol position 5), and the middle right reel symbol (symbol position 8) is provided.
[0035] Here, the winning line is a line set at the stop position of the symbol that can be visually recognized through the symbol display window 113, and it is a line for determining whether or not the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination is displayed (aligned). The effective winning line (hereinafter, may be simply referred to as "effective line") is determined in advance according to the number of medals bet as the game medium.
[0036] The slot machine 100 of this embodiment is a dedicated three-coin bet machine. When the number of inserted medals is less than three, none of the winning lines are activated. When three medals are bet, the winning line L1 is activated. When the winning line is activated, the start lever 135 can be operated to start the game.
[0037] Hereinafter, among the symbol display windows 113, the symbol positions 2, 5, and 8 on the winning line L1 may be referred to as "winning positions", and the other symbol positions, that is, the symbol positions 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 9 may be referred to as "non-winning positions". That is, the winning position refers to the position on the winning line where the symbols constituting the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination stop.
[0038] Note that the number of winning lines is not limited to one line. For example, in addition to the winning line L1, an upper winning line composed of the upper symbols of the left reel, the upper symbols of the middle reel, and the upper symbols of the right reel, and a lower winning line composed of the lower symbols of the left reel, the lower symbols of the middle reel, and the lower symbols of the right reel may be set as valid winning lines, or the number of winning lines corresponding to the number of bet medals may be set as valid winning lines.
[0039] <Status display LED> Next, the status display LED 280 will be described. FIG. 3 is a front view of the status display LED 280, and FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the members constituting the status display LED 280 disassembled.
[0040] <Status display LED / Upper display section> As shown in FIG. 3, on the upper part of the status display LED 280, a medal insertable display section 124, a game start display section 121, a replay display section 122, and a medal insert display section 129 are arranged.
[0041] The medal insertable display section 124 is a display section for notifying the player that medals can be inserted, and lights up the character string "INSERT" when the player is in a state where medals can be inserted.
[0042] The game start display unit 121 is a display unit for notifying that the game start operation is possible when a specified number of medals are inserted, and lights up the character string "START" when the game start operation becomes possible.
[0043] The replay display unit 122 is a display unit for notifying the player that the current game can be replayed (i.e., medal insertion is not required) when winning a prize in a replay winning combination, which is one of the winning combinations in the previous game, and lights up the character string "REPLAY" when winning a prize in a replay winning combination, which is one of the winning combinations in the previous game.
[0044] The medal insertion display unit 129 is a display unit for lighting up a number of lamps corresponding to the number of inserted medals, lights up the character string "1 BET" when 1 medal is inserted, lights up the character string "2 BET" when 2 medals are inserted, and lights up the character string "3 BET" when 3 medals are inserted.
[0045] As shown in FIG. 4, the medal insertion enabled display unit 124, the game start display unit 121, the replay display unit 122, and the medal insertion display unit 129 in this example are all composed of an LED substrate 288 (first substrate), a plurality of LEDs 286 (second light emitting means) arranged in a light color region 288a (second region. A region where a light color coating film is formed) where a white coating film silk is applied on the mounting surface of the LED substrate 288 (first substrate), a reflector 284 (first partitioning member) in which a rectangular opening 284a (space) through which light from the plurality of LEDs 286 (second light emitting means) passes is partitioned, and a character sheet 282 (first irradiated member) irradiated with light from the plurality of LEDs 286 (light emitting means).
[0046] Here, the "light color" according to the present invention refers to a color with high brightness, and for example, white, yellow, light blue, etc. are applicable.
[0047] On the character sheet 282 that constitutes the medal insertable display section 124, a translucent member made up of the character string "INSERT" is disposed. And when a plurality of LEDs 286 that constitute the medal insertable display section 124 are lit, the character string "INSERT" that notifies that the start operation of the game is possible is configured to emit light.
[0048] On the character sheet 282 that constitutes the game start display section 121, a translucent member made up of the character string "START" is disposed. And when a plurality of LEDs 286 that constitute the game start display section 121 are lit, the character string "START" that notifies that the start operation of the game is possible is configured to emit light.
[0049] On the character sheet 282 that constitutes the replay display section 122, a translucent member made up of the character string "REPLAY" is disposed. And when a plurality of LEDs 286 that constitute the replay display section 122 are lit, the character string "REPLAY" that notifies that the current game can be replayed (that medal insertion is not required) is configured to emit light.
[0050] On the character sheet 282 that constitutes the medal insert display section 129, translucent members made up of the character strings "3BET", "2BET", and "1BET" are disposed. And among the plurality of LEDs 286 that constitute the game medal insert display section 129, when the LED 286 corresponding to the character sheet 282 of "3BET" is lit, the character string "3BET" that notifies that 3 medals have been inserted is configured to emit light, when the LED 286 corresponding to the character sheet 282 of "2BET" is lit, the character string "2BET" that notifies that 2 medals have been inserted is configured to emit light, and when the LED 286 corresponding to the character sheet 282 of "1BET" is lit, the character string "1BET" that notifies that 1 medal has been inserted is configured to emit light.
[0051] <Status display LED / Lower display section> As shown in FIG. 3, below the status display LED 280, a stored number display section 125, a game information display section 126, and a payout number display section 127 are arranged.
[0052] The stored number display section 125 is a display section for displaying the number of medals electronically stored in the slot machine 100 as a two-digit numerical value.
[0053] The payout number display section 127 is a display section for displaying the number of medals paid out to the player as a two-digit numerical value as a result of winning a certain winning combination.
[0054] As shown in FIG. 4, in this example, both the stored number display section 125 and the payout number display section 127 include an LED substrate 288 (first substrate), a plurality of LEDs 286 (second light emitting means) arranged in a light-colored region 288a (second region. A region where a light-colored coating film is formed) where a white coating silk is applied on the mounting surface of the LED substrate 288 (first substrate), a rectangular opening 284a (space) through which light from the plurality of LEDs 286 (second light emitting means) passes, and a reflector 284 (first partitioning member) in which an opening 284b (space) having the shape of a two-digit 7-segment display is partitioned, and a character sheet 282 (first irradiated member) irradiated with light from the plurality of LEDs 286 (light emitting means).
[0055] On the character sheet 282 (first irradiated member) constituting the stored number display section 125, a translucent member formed of a character string "CREDIT" and a translucent member having the shape of a two-digit 7-segment display corresponding to the opening 284b are provided. Then, among the plurality of LEDs 286 (second light emitting means) constituting the stored number display section 125, when the LED 286 (second light emitting means) corresponding to the character sheet 282 of "CREDIT" is lit, the character string "CREDIT" is configured to emit light, and by lighting the LED 286 (second light emitting means) corresponding to the two-digit 7-segment display, the number of medals electronically stored can be configured to be displayed as a two-digit numerical value.
[0056] The character sheet 282 (first irradiated member) that constitutes the payout number display section 127 is provided with a translucent member made of a character string "PAYOUT" and a translucent member having the shape of a two-digit 7-segment display. Among the plurality of LEDs 286 (second light-emitting means) that constitute the payout number display section 127, when the LED 286 (second light-emitting means) corresponding to the character sheet 282 of "PAYOUT" is lit, the character string "PAYOUT" is configured to emit light, and by lighting the LED 286 (second light-emitting means) corresponding to the two-digit 7-segment display, the number of medals paid out to the player can be displayed as a two-digit numerical value.
[0057] The game information display section 126 is a display for displaying the internal information (for example, set values, error codes, etc.) of the slot machine 100 as a four-digit numerical value, and is also used as an instruction monitor for performing the draw order guidance effect.
[0058] The game information display section 126 of this example is composed of an LED substrate 288 (first substrate), a plurality of LEDs 286 (first light-emitting means) arranged in a dark-colored region 288b (first region. The region indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 4 where a dark-colored coating film is formed) where a black coating resist is applied on the mounting surface of the LED substrate 288 (first substrate), a reflector 284 (first partitioning member) in which an opening 284c (space) having the shape of a four-digit 7-segment display through which the light from the plurality of LEDs 286 (first light-emitting means) passes is partitioned, and a character sheet 282 (first irradiated member) irradiated with the light from the plurality of LEDs 286 (first light-emitting means).
[0059] In addition, the game information display unit 126 in this example is configured to have the shape of a 7-segment display with an opening 284c smaller in size than the opening 284b. Further, the plurality of LEDs 286 constituting the game information display unit 126 are configured to form the shape of a 7-segment display in a more concentrated manner (with a narrower interval between adjacent LEDs) than the plurality of LEDs 286 constituting the stored number display unit 125 and the paid-out number display unit 127. In this way, the game information display unit 126 is configured to have a smaller light-emitting area than the stored number display unit 125 and the paid-out number display unit 127.
[0060] Here, the "dark color" according to the present invention refers to a color with low brightness, and for example, black, dark blue, brown, gray, dark blue, etc. are applicable.
[0061] In addition, when the coating film of the LED substrate 288 and the coating film of the dark color region 288b are the same color, the region on the LED substrate 288 corresponding to the opening 284c is defined as the "first region" according to the present invention. On the other hand, when the coating film of the LED substrate 288 and the coating film of the dark color region 288b are different colors, the dark color region 288b with different colors may be defined as the "first region" according to the present invention, or the region on the LED substrate 288 corresponding to the opening 284c may be defined as the "first region" according to the present invention.
[0062] A translucent member having the shape of a 4-digit 7-segment display corresponding to the opening 284c is disposed on the character sheet 282 (first irradiated member) constituting the game information display unit 126. By lighting the plurality of LEDs 286 (first light-emitting means) constituting the game information display unit 126, it is configured to be able to display internal information (for example, set values, error codes, etc.) and instruction monitor information of the slot machine 100 numerically.
[0063] According to the present example, since the plurality of LEDs 286 (first light-emitting means) constituting the game information display unit 126 are arranged in a dark-colored region 288b (first region, a region where a dark-colored coating film is formed) where a black coating film resist is applied on the mounting surface of the LED substrate 288 (first substrate), part of the LED 286 (first light-emitting means) is reflected by the light (external light) entering from the outside, and it is possible to prevent, in advance, the situation where it seems to be lit when the LED 286 (first light-emitting means) is turned off, accurately provide game information to the player, and avoid giving disadvantages to the player. Further, it is possible to make the slight lighting (ghost lighting) of the LED 286 (first light-emitting means) due to the minute current during the off state less conspicuous, and avoid a situation where the player is given a misunderstanding due to an incorrect display.
[0064] Further, since the plurality of LEDs 286 (first light-emitting means) constituting the game information display unit 126 are light-emitting means constituting notification means for notifying information (for example, the order of pressing) corresponding to an advantageous operation mode with respect to a stop operation means (for example, stop buttons 137 to 139) capable of stopping the reel, it is possible to prevent, in advance, a misunderstanding that the operation mode is being notified when it is not being notified, accurately provide information to the player, and avoid giving disadvantages to the player.
[0065] Further, since the plurality of LEDs 286 (first light-emitting means) constituting the game information display unit 126 are light-emitting means constituting notification means for notifying information (for example, an error code) corresponding to an error, it is possible to prevent, in advance, a misunderstanding that an error is being notified when it is not being notified, accurately provide information to the player, and avoid giving disadvantages to the player.
[0066] The multiple LEDs 286 (first light-emitting means) of the game information display unit 126 are light-emitting means capable of emitting light in a first state (e.g., AT state or error state), and the multiple LEDs 286 (second light-emitting means) of the stored number display unit 125 and the payout number display unit 127 are light-emitting means capable of emitting light in a second state (e.g., storing or paying out medals), and the multiple LEDs 286 (second light-emitting means) constituting the stored number display unit 125 (second light-emitting means) and the payout number display unit 127 are arranged in a light-colored area 288a (second area; area where a light-colored coating is formed) coated with white coating silk.
[0067] Furthermore, during play, the number of times the machine transitions to the AT state or the error state is relatively smaller than the number of times medals are stored or paid out, and the frequency of the second state (storage or payment of medals) is higher than the frequency of the first state (AT state or error state).
[0068] Not only when the number of medals stored or paid out is one or more, but even when the number of medals stored or paid out is zero, the stored medal number display unit 125 and the paid out medal number display unit 127 display "0" (or "00"). In other words, the stored medal number display unit 125 and the paid out medal number display unit 127 continuously display some kind of light while the game is in progress or play is possible.
[0069] In contrast, the AT state and error state are states that occur due to specific conditions that occur during play or when play is possible, so it can be said that the AT state and error state occur less frequently than during play or when play is possible. Also, even in the AT state or error state, the stored number display unit 125 and the payout number display unit 127 are configured to continue to be lit, so that it can be said that the light emission frequency of the stored number display unit 125 and the payout number display unit 127 is higher than that of the game information display unit 126.
[0070] This improves the visibility of the LED 286 (second light-emitting means) of the stored coin count display unit 125 (second light-emitting means) and the payout coin count display unit 127, which emit light more frequently (have a higher display update frequency) than the game information display unit 126, thereby improving convenience for the player.
[0071] Further, the game information display unit 126 is arranged so as to be sandwiched between the stored number display unit 125 and the payout number display unit 127. The dark-colored area 288b (the first area. The area where a dark-colored coating film is formed) coated with the black-colored coating resist where the game information display unit 126 is arranged is the light-colored area 288a (the second area. The area where a light-colored coating film is formed) coated with the white-colored coating silk where the stored number display unit 125 is arranged, and the light-colored area 288a (the second area. The area where a light-colored coating film is formed) coated with the white-colored coating silk where the payout number display unit 127 is arranged, and is an area sandwiched between both sides.
[0072] According to this example, it is possible to avoid the LED 286 (the second light-emitting means) arranged in the light-colored area 288a (the second area. The area where a light-colored coating film is formed) on one side of the dark-colored area 288b (the first area. The area where a dark-colored coating film is formed) from affecting the LED 286 (the second light-emitting means) arranged in the light-colored area 288a (the second area. The area where a light-colored coating film is formed) on the other side of the dark-colored area 288b (the first area. The area where a dark-colored coating film is formed), and it is possible to make the notification by the LED 286 (the second light-emitting means) easier to see.
[0073] Further, since the dark-colored area 288b and the light-colored area 288a are arranged adjacent to each other, the ghost lighting in the LED 286 (the first light-emitting means) arranged in the dark-colored area 288b can be made less conspicuous by the LED 286 (the second light-emitting means) arranged in the light-colored area 288a as compared with the case where the dark-colored areas 288b are adjacent to each other.
[0074] In addition, since the status display LED 280 includes a dark region 288b (first region, a region where a dark coating film is formed) coated with a black coating resist and a bright region 288a (second region, a region where a bright coating film is formed) coated with a white coating silk, without changing the content (program change) of the control driver (software) that controls the status display LED 280, it is possible to change the light emission mode (brightness, etc.) of the LED 286 only by changing the color of the coating film applied to the substrate on which the LED 286 is disposed (hardware change), and it is easy to change the specifications of the game table and the like.
[0075] In this example, an example is shown in which a plurality of LEDs 286 (first light emitting means) constituting the game information display unit 126 and a plurality of LEDs 286 (second light emitting means) constituting other display units (the medal insertable display unit 124, the game start display unit 121, the replay display unit 122, the medal insert display unit 129, the stored number display unit 125, the payout number display unit 127) are mounted on the same LED substrate 288 (first substrate). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of LEDs 286 may be mounted on a plurality of different substrates.
[0076] Therefore, for example, a dark region 288b (first region, a region where a dark coating film is formed) coated with a black coating resist may be formed on a certain substrate, and a bright region 288a (second region, a region where a bright coating film is formed) coated with a white coating silk may be formed on another substrate different from the certain substrate.
[0077] In this example, a configuration is adopted in which a specific region of the LED substrate 288 coated with a black coating resist is coated with a white coating silk. However, in the LED substrate coated with a white coating resist, a specific region may be coated with a black coating film.
[0078] <Status Display LED / Unitization> FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the status display LED 280 including the thermal caulking portion 284d of the reflector 284.
[0079] The LED substrate 288 is configured to have a through-hole 288d with an inner diameter w4 and an insertion hole 288c with an inner diameter w5 (w5 > w4) into which the heat caulking portion 284d of the reflector 284 can be inserted. On the mounting surface of this LED substrate 288, a plurality of LEDs 286 with a width w7 and a height h4 are mounted.
[0080] The reflector 284 is configured to have a plurality of types of openings 284a to 284c described with reference to FIG. 4 and a heat caulking portion 284d. The heat caulking portion 284d is composed of a rod-shaped body with an outer diameter w5 extending in the thickness direction of the reflector 284 (FIG. 5 shows the heat caulking portion 284d after being deformed by heating).
[0081] After inserting the heat caulking portion 284c of the reflector 284 into the insertion hole 288d of the LED substrate 288, heat is applied to the tip of the heat caulking portion 284d to soften it, and then it is pressed and crushed. As a result, a deformed portion 284d2 having an outer diameter w6 (w6 > w5) larger than the inner diameter w5 of the heat caulking portion 284d of the LED substrate 288 is formed at the tip of the heat caulking portion 284d.
[0082] Thereby, the reflector 284 is caulked and fixed to the mounting surface of the LED substrate 288, and the reflector 284 and the LED substrate 288 are integrated. Also, the character sheet 282 is arranged so as to close the openings 284a to 284d of the reflector 284 and is attached to the surface of the reflector 284.
[0083] That is, the reflector 284 (the first partitioning member) is caulked and fixed to the mounting surface of the LED substrate 288 (the first substrate), and the character sheet 282 (the first irradiated member) is attached to the reflector 284 (the first partitioning member). Thereby, the LED substrate 288 (the first substrate), the reflector 284 (the first partitioning member), and the character sheet 282 (the first irradiated member) are unitized.
[0084] According to this example, since the LED substrate 288 (first substrate), the reflector 284 (first partitioning member), and the character sheet 282 (first irradiated member) are unitized, the replacement work of the status display LED 280 and the incorporation into the game table can be facilitated, and the work efficiency can be improved.
[0085] In this example, the deformed portion 284d2 is formed at a position protruding by a height h5 from the back surface of the substrate 288, and a play (gap) is provided between the reflector 284 and the LED substrate 288. However, the deformed portion 284d2 may be in close contact with the back surface of the LED substrate 288.
[0086] <Status display LED / Modification example 1> Next, with reference to FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b), the status display LED 750 according to Modification Example 1 will be described.
[0087] FIG. 6(a) is a cross-sectional view of the status display LED 750 according to Modification Example 1, and corresponds to the cross-sectional view of the status display LED 280 shown in FIG. 5. Further, FIG. 6(b) is a bottom view of the status display LED as viewed from the direction indicated by reference sign A in FIG. 6(a).
[0088] Hereinafter, in order to omit redundant explanations, only the configurations different from the status display LED 280 described with reference to FIG. 5 will be described.
[0089] The status display LED 750 includes an LED substrate (first substrate) 751, a plurality of LEDs (second light emitting means) 752 disposed on the mounting surface of the LED substrate 751, a reflector (first partitioning member) 753 in which an opening (space) 753a through which light from the plurality of LEDs 752 passes is partitioned, a character sheet (first irradiated member) 754 irradiated with light from the plurality of LEDs 752, a cover member 755 disposed on the surface opposite to the mounting surface of the LED substrate 751, and a connector 756 (shown only in FIG. 6(b)) electrically connected to the LEDs 752 and other electronic components mounted on the LED substrate 751.
[0090] The LED substrate 751 and the cover member 755 are each formed with a cylindrical insertion hole 751a, 755a having an inner diameter w9 (w9 > w8) that is slightly larger than the outer diameter w8 of the heat caulked portion 753a before deformation, into which the heat caulked portion 753a before deformation can be inserted.
[0091] According to this example, since the LED substrate 751 and the cover member 755 are each formed with an insertion hole 751a, 755a having an inner diameter w9 that is slightly larger than the outer diameter w8 of the heat caulked portion 753a before deformation, the heat caulked portion 753a of the reflector 753 can be easily inserted into the LED substrate 751 and the cover member 755, improving the working efficiency during the assembly of the status display LED 750. Moreover, even when the heat caulked portion 753a expands due to heat generated from the LED 752 and the LED substrate 751 after assembly, the voids can absorb the volume of the expansion of the heat caulked portion 753a, preventing damage to the LED substrate 751 and the cover member 755. Also, by setting the inner diameter w9 to be slightly larger than the outer diameter w8, a small "play" space is formed, reducing the risk of damage to the LED substrate 751, the cover member 755, the reflector 753, and the heat caulked portion 753a (including the cylindrical rod-shaped body up to the heat caulked portion 753a) when the game table is transported or vibrated.
[0092] The heat caulked portion 753a of the reflector 753 is composed of a cylindrical rod-shaped body extending in the thickness direction of the reflector 753 (FIG. 6(a) shows the heat caulked portion 753a after deformation with the tip portion deformed by heating).
[0093] After inserting the heat caulked portion 753a before deformation into the insertion hole 751a of the LED substrate 751 and the insertion hole 755a of the cover member 755, heat is applied to the tip portion of the heat caulked portion 753a to soften it, and then it is pressed and crushed, so that a deformed portion 753a1 having an outer diameter w10 (w10 > w9) larger than the inner diameter w9 of the insertion hole 751a of the LED substrate 751 and the insertion hole 755a of the cover member 755 is formed at the tip portion of the heat caulked portion 753a.
[0094] As a result, the reflector 753 is caulked and fixed to the LED substrate 751 and the cover member 755, and the reflector 753, the LED substrate 751, and the cover member 755 are integrated. Further, the character sheet 754 is disposed so as to close the opening 753a etc. of the reflector 753 and is attached to the surface of the reflector 753.
[0095] That is, one side of the reflector 753 is caulked and fixed to the LED substrate 751 and the cover member 755, and the character sheet 754 is attached to the other side. As a result, the LED substrate 751, the cover member 755, the reflector 753, the LED 752, and the character sheet 754 are unitized.
[0096] According to this example, since the LED substrate 751, the cover member 755, the reflector 753, the LED 752, and the character sheet 754 are unitized, the replacement work of the status display LED 750 and the incorporation into the game table can be facilitated, and the work efficiency can be improved.
[0097] Also, as shown in FIG. 6(b), the unit of the status display LED 750 (the LED substrate 751, the cover member 755, the reflector 753, the LED 752, and the character sheet 754) has a polygonal shape with chamfered four corners when viewed from the bottom surface, and the deformed portion 753a1 of the caulking portion 753a is disposed one by one inside the four corners of the LED substrate 751 and the cover member 755, and one is disposed at the center of the LED substrate 751 and the cover member 755.
[0098] That is, it has a structure fixed by caulking provided along the outer shape of the LED substrate 751 and the cover member 755 and caulking provided inside this caulking. Further, the caulking provided inside is located closer to the connector 756 than the caulking provided outside. Also, the connector 756 is not at the center of the status display LED 750, but is closer to the right side in the left-right direction and is located below the lower side in the up-down direction, and is eccentrically disposed on at least one side of up, down, left, and right from the center.
[0099] According to this example, since the unit of the status display LED 750 has a polygonal shape with chamfered four corners, it is possible to facilitate the incorporation into the mounting part of the game table and improve the working efficiency.
[0100] Further, by making the deformed part 753a1 of the thermal caulking part 753a on the corner side (caulking located outward) of the LED substrate 751 and the cover member 755 and on the central side (caulking located inward) of the LED substrate 751 and the cover member 755, it is possible to suppress the rattling of the LED substrate 751 and the cover member 755. In this example, a gap is provided between the tip of the thermal caulking part 753a and the cover member 755. In addition to the caulking located outward, by further providing the caulking located inward, the stability can be improved.
[0101] Also, the caulking provided inward contributes to suppressing the rattling when inserting and removing the harness by being located closer to the vicinity of the connector 756 than the caulking provided outward.
[0102] Further, by arranging the connector 756 eccentrically to at least one side of up, down, left, or right rather than the center in the status display LED 750, it can also be used as a handle when removing the LED substrate 751 from the reflector 753. Also, when disassembling the status display LED 750, it is possible to remove the LED substrate 751 from the reflector 753 by only destroying the caulking part on one side without destroying the deformed parts 753a1 of all the thermal caulking parts 753a.
[0103] Also, when a wiring pattern for transmitting a signal and a wiring pattern for supplying a predetermined voltage are formed in the vicinity of the insertion hole 751a of the LED substrate 751, they are formed avoiding or detouring around the insertion hole 751a. Instead of detouring to the outside of the LED substrate 751, the wiring pattern may be formed to detour inward. Specifically, for example, in FIG. 6(b), where there are caulking portions located outside and inside the LED substrate 751, in the vicinity of the caulking portion located outside, the wiring pattern is formed to detour inward of the substrate (no wiring pattern is formed between the insertion hole 751a and the end of the substrate closest to the insertion hole 751a).
[0104] By doing so, it is possible to prevent the wiring pattern from being damaged when a crack occurs from the end of the substrate toward the insertion hole 751a. If the wiring pattern is damaged, not only can the signal and voltage not be transmitted properly, but resistance also occurs and there is a risk that the damaged portion generates heat and catches fire. By detouring the wiring pattern inward, such a risk can be reduced. Also, when disassembling the LED unit, since the wiring pattern is detoured inward, a tool can be inserted from the end side of the substrate, preventing damage to the wiring pattern.
[0105] Also, the LED substrate 751 is colored black, the reflector 753 is colored white, and the connector 756 is colored blue, and the colors of the LED substrate 751, the reflector 753, and the connector 756 are different.
[0106] According to this example, when performing an operation such as replacing the reflector 753, when cutting the deformed portion 753a1 of the thermal caulking portion 753a, there is no risk of accidentally cutting the connector 756, and operational errors and the like can be prevented in advance.
[0107] In this example, an example in which the cover member 755 is disposed on the surface opposite to the mounting surface of the LED substrate 751 has been shown. However, like the status display LED 280 described with reference to FIG. 5, the cover member may not be provided. Further, although an example in which the LED substrate 751 is colored black, the reflector 753 is colored white, and the connector 756 is colored blue has been shown, the types of colors are not particularly limited, and it is preferable that the colors of each other are different.
[0108] <Status Display LED / Modification Example 2> Next, the status display LED 760 according to Modification Example 2 will be described with reference to FIG. 6(c).
[0109] FIG. 6(c) is a cross-sectional view of the status display LED 760 according to Modification Example 2, and corresponds to the cross-sectional view of the status display LED 750 shown in FIG. 6(a).
[0110] In this example, after inserting the pre-deformation thermal caulking portion 763a of the reflector 763 into the insertion hole 761a of the LED substrate 761, heat is applied to the tip of the thermal caulking portion 763a to soften it, and with the LED substrate 761 as the base end, a trapezoidal shape in side view that gradually expands toward the tip is formed. As a result, a deformed portion 763a1 having an outer diameter w12 (w12 > w11) larger than the inner diameter w11 of the insertion hole 761a of the LED substrate 761 is formed at the tip of the thermal caulking portion 763a.
[0111] In this deformed portion 763a1, the height h5 of the gap from the tip to the LED substrate 761 is larger than the height h6 of the gap from the central portion to the LED substrate 761 (h5 > h6).
[0112] According to this example, since the deformed portion 763a1 of the thermal caulking portion 763a has a trapezoidal shape (expanding shape) in side view that gradually expands toward the tip with the LED substrate 761 as the base end, when replacing the reflector 763 or the like, it is easy to insert a cutting tool or the like and the efficiency of the cutting operation of the deformed portion 763a1 of the thermal caulking portion 763a is increased. On the other hand, since the reflector 763 is firmly fixed to the LED substrate 761 at the base of the deformed portion 763a1 (the contact point between the deformed portion 763a1 and the LED substrate 761), the reflector 763 can be stably supported by the LED substrate 761.
[0113] <Internal Structure> Next, with reference to FIG. 7, the internal structure of the slot machine 100 will be described. FIG. 7(a) is a front view showing the slot machine 100 with the front door 102 opened, and FIG. 7(b) is a side sectional view of the slot machine 100.
[0114] The main body 101 is a box body that opens to the front. Inside the main body 101, a main board storage case 640 (see FIG. 13 for details, which will be described later) that houses a main control board 600 (a first board, details of which will be described later) inside is arranged. Below this main board storage case 640, three reels 110 to 112 are arranged. On the side of the main board storage case 640 and the reels 110 to 112, that is, on the left side facing it, a sub-control board storage case 220 that houses a sub-control board 650 (a second board, details of which will be described later) inside is provided.
[0115] And below, a medal payout device 180 (a device that pays out medals accumulated in a bucket) is provided. Above this medal payout device 180, that is, below the reels 110 to 112, a power supply device (not shown) having a power supply board and the like are provided. The power supply device converts the AC power supplied from the outside to the slot machine 100 into DC power, converts it to a predetermined voltage, and supplies it to each control unit such as the main control unit 300, sub-control units 400, 500, etc. and each device described later. Furthermore, it is provided with a power storage circuit (for example, a capacitor) for supplying power to a predetermined component (for example, the RAM 308 of the main control unit 300, etc.) for a predetermined period (for example, 10 days) even after the external power supply is cut off.
[0116] On the right side of the medal payout device 180, a medal auxiliary storage 240 is provided, and an overflow terminal is provided behind it (not shown).
[0117] The front door 102 is hinged to the left side of the main body 101 via a hinge device 276. Above the symbol display window 113, a reel front illumination 250 (details will be described later), a liquid crystal display device 157, an upper speaker 272, and an effect control unit 160 for controlling these liquid crystal display devices 157, speakers 272, etc. are provided. Also, below the symbol display window 113, a medal selector 170 for sorting the inserted medals, a passage 265 through which the medals pass when the medal selector 170 drops improper medals or the like onto the medal tray 161, etc. are provided.
[0118] <Reel front illumination> Next, the reel front illumination 250 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7(a) and (b).
[0119] The reel front illumination 250 is a light-emitting means for illuminating (lighting) the reel bands of each of the reels 110 to 112 (only the reel band 111a of the middle reel 111 is shown in FIG. 7(b)) from the front side (front). In this example, it is disposed above the symbol display window 113 on the back surface of the front door 102 so as to face the reel bands of the reels 110 to 112.
[0120] The reel front illumination 250 of this example is composed of a plurality of LEDs capable of emitting light toward the front of the reel bands of the reels 110 to 112, and a colored transparent (milky white in this example) lens cover disposed in front of these LEDs.
[0121] In addition, when there is no lens cover for the pre-reel illumination, or when the lens cover is a colorless and transparent member, the light emitted from the LED is granularly reflected onto the reel tapes of reels 110 to 112 (so-called "spotlight"), which deteriorates the appearance of reels 110 to 112, or the light emitted from the LED cannot spread well and cannot uniformly illuminate the entire reel tape, and there is a risk that the visibility of reels 110 to 112 will deteriorate. Therefore, it is preferable to cover the front of the LED with a lens cover made of a colored transparent member.
[0122] In addition, the relationship between the shortest distance L0 from the pre-reel illumination 250 to the reel tape and the shortest distance L1 from the reel backlight 264 (described later) to the reel tape is "shortest distance L0 < shortest distance L1", and the pre-reel illumination 250 is closer to the reel tape than the reel backlight 264.
[0123] Thus, since the pre-reel illumination 250 is close to the reel tape and is likely to cause spotlighting, a lens cover is provided. On the other hand, the reel backlight 264 can ensure a distance to the reel tape that is greater than that of the pre-reel illumination 250, has a distance for the light emitted from the LED to diffuse, and can sufficiently diffuse the light by the reflector 266 (described later), so it does not have a lens cover.
[0124] <Reel backlight> Next, the reel backlight 264 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7(b) and 8.
[0125] The slot machine 100 according to this example includes a left reel device (not shown) including a left reel 110, a middle reel device 260 including a middle reel 111 (see FIG. 7(b)), a right reel device (not shown) including a right reel 112, and a reel frame 262 (see FIG. 7(b)) capable of accommodating these three reel devices inside.
[0126] In addition, since the structures of the left and right reel devices of the slot machine 100 of this embodiment are the same as the structure of the center reel device 260, only the center reel device 260 will be described here, and descriptions of the left and right reel devices will be omitted.
[0127] The middle reel device 260 is composed of a middle reel 111, a reel drive unit (not shown) that drives the middle reel 111 to rotate, a reel backlight 264 that illuminates (illuminates) the reel band 111a (second illuminated member) of the middle reel 111 from the rear side (back surface), and a reel detection unit (not shown) for detecting the rotational position of the middle reel 111.
[0128] The center reel 111 is configured to include a reel band 111a on which multiple types of patterns are printed at equal intervals, and a reel frame 111b that supports both sides of the reel band 111a. The reel band 111a is a flat ring-shaped member configured by bonding the longitudinal ends of a rectangular band-shaped member together.
[0129] FIG. 8(a) is a front view of the reel backlight 264, FIG. 8(b) is a side view of the reel backlight 264, and FIG. 8(c) is an external perspective view of the reel backlight 264 when the components constituting the reel backlight 264 are disassembled and viewed from the front side.
[0130] The reel backlight 264 is a light-emitting means that illuminates (illuminates) the reel bands of each reel 110 to 112 from the rear side (back surface), and in this example, is composed of a reflector 266 (second partition member), an illumination board 268 (second board) that is detachably attached to the back surface of the reflector 266, and a decorative plate 270 that is disposed on the side surface of the reflector 266.
[0131] The reflector 266 of the reel backlight 264 in this example is formed of white plastic, but the material of the reflector 266 of the reel backlight 264 is not particularly limited, and may be metal or the like, or may be a material of another color.
[0132] The reflector 266 is a member that partitions a space through which light from a plurality of LEDs 268a (light-emitting means) mounted on an illumination substrate 268 (second substrate) passes. In the reflector 266, three openings 266a to 266c that communicate from the front side to the back side are formed side by side in the vertical direction as spaces through which light passes.
[0133] Six LEDs 268a (light-emitting means) are arranged at positions corresponding to the openings 266a to 266c on the illumination substrate 268. The LEDs 268a are arranged in a light-colored region 268d (region where a light-colored coating film is formed) on the mounting surface of the illumination substrate 268 where a white coating film silk is applied.
[0134] The openings 266a to 266c and the LEDs 268a of the reflector 266 provided in the middle reel device 260 are arranged at positions corresponding to the symbol positions (the positions of symbol positions 4 to 6 described with reference to FIG. 2) where the symbols stop and are displayed in the symbol display window 113 when the middle reel device 260 is attached. With such a structure, the back surface of the reel tape 111a (second irradiated member) of the middle reel 111 is irradiated with light from the plurality of LEDs 268a (light-emitting means).
[0135] The openings 266a to 266c and the LEDs 266a of the reflector 266 provided in the left reel device (not shown) are arranged at positions corresponding to the symbol positions (the positions of symbol positions 1 to 3 described with reference to FIG. 2) where the symbols stop and are displayed in the symbol display window 113 when the left reel device is attached. With such a structure, the back surface of the reel tape (second irradiated member) of the left reel 110 is irradiated with light from the plurality of LEDs 268a (light-emitting means).
[0136] The openings 266a to 266c and the LEDs 268a of the reflector 266 provided in the right reel device (not shown) are arranged at positions corresponding to the symbol positions (the positions of symbol positions 7 to 9 described with reference to FIG. 2) where the symbols stop and are displayed in the symbol display window 113 when the right reel device is attached. With such a structure, the back surface of the reel tape (second irradiated member) of the right reel 112 is irradiated with light from the plurality of LEDs 268a (light-emitting means).
[0137] In this example, six LED 268a are arranged at positions corresponding to the openings 266a to 266c so that the light emitted from one opening does not interfere with the light emitted from the other openings. As a result, light can be uniformly irradiated onto each of the plurality of symbol positions of the symbol display window 113.
[0138] For example, by lighting all the LED 268a, all the symbols visible to the player can be illuminated from behind. Also, by lighting a part of the LED 268a, a part of the symbols visible to the player can be illuminated from behind. Note that the number and positions of the openings and LEDs are not limited to this example.
[0139] Also, in this example, in the reflector 266, a plurality of slits (grooves) 266d to 266g are provided at predetermined intervals on the lower surface of the upper opening 266a, the upper and lower surfaces of the central opening 266b, and the upper surface of the lower opening 266c. Thereby, the light emitted from the LED 268a can be uniformly irradiated onto the symbols located in the front, and the visibility of the symbols can be enhanced.
[0140] Also, the slit 266d provided on the lower surface of the upper opening 266a, the slit 266e provided on the upper surface of the central opening 266b, the slit 266f provided on the lower surface of the central opening 266b, and the slit 266g provided on the upper surface of the lower opening 266c are arranged such that the portions where the respective slits are formed and the portions where no slits are formed are staggered in the vertical direction (so that the positions of the slits do not coincide with the upper and lower of the partition of the opening). With such a structure, the light emitted through the slits from adjacent openings is configured not to interfere with each other.
[0141] Note that since the reel backlight 264 can sufficiently and uniformly illuminate the reel tape by means of the reflector 266 and the slits (grooves) 266d to 266g, it does not have a lens cover like the reel front illumination 250, but it may be configured to have a lens cover. Thereby, the reel tape can be illuminated uniformly, and furthermore, since the reel backlight 264 cannot be directly viewed during reel assembly or game table maintenance, the glare on the operator can be reduced.
[0142] <Differences between the status display LED and the reel backlight> Next, the differences between the status display LED 280 described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5 and the reel backlight 264 described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8 will be described.
[0143] First, focusing on the light-emitting means and the irradiated member of the status display LED 280 and the reel backlight 264, the shortest distance L1 from the LED 268a (second light-emitting means) to the reel tape (second irradiated member) in the reel backlight 264 shown in FIG. 7(b) is longer than the shortest distance L2 from the LED 286 (first light-emitting means) to the character sheet 282 (first irradiated member) in the status display LED 280 shown in FIG. 5 (L1 > L2).
[0144] Next, focusing on the partitioning members of the status display LED 280 and the reel backlight 264, the size (opening area) of the openings 266a to 266c (partitioned spaces) of the reflector 266 (second partitioning member) in the reel backlight 264 shown in FIG. 7(a) is larger than the size (opening area) of the openings 284a to 284c (partitioned spaces) of the reflector 280 (first partitioning member) in the status display LED 280 shown in FIG. 4.
[0145] According to this example, the shortest distance L1 from the LED 268a (second light-emitting means) in the reel backlight 264 to the reel tape (second irradiated member) is longer than the shortest distance L2 from the LED 286 (first light-emitting means) in the status display LED 280 to the character sheet 282 (first irradiated member) (L1 > L2). The openings 266a to 266c (partitioned spaces) of the reflector 266 (second partitioning member) in the reel backlight 264 are larger than the openings 284a to 284c (partitioned spaces) of the reflector 280 (first partitioning member) in the status display LED 280. Since the LED 268a is arranged in the bright color region 268d (region where a bright color coating film is formed) where a white coating film silk is applied on the mounting surface of the lighting substrate 268, it is possible to make the light emission of the reel tape (second irradiated member) prominent while suppressing the spot light on the reel tape (second irradiated member).
[0146] FIG. 9(a) is a front view of the LED substrate 288 of the status display LED 280, and FIG. 9(b) is a front view of the lighting substrate 268 of the reel backlight 264.
[0147] As shown in FIG. 9(a), on the LED substrate 288 (first substrate) of the status display LED 280, a plurality of LEDs 286 with a small irradiation range and irradiation distance to the first irradiated member (character sheet 282) are densely arranged. Since the free space on the mounting surface of the LED substrate 288 is limited, identification information (for example, characters indicating part names such as "LED1" or numerical values indicating management numbers, etc.) for identifying the LEDs 286 mounted on the LED substrate 288 and a figure (for example, a square frame) indicating the arrangement location of the LEDs 286 are not printed.
[0148] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9(b), on the illumination substrate 268 (second substrate) of the reel backlight 264, a plurality of LEDs 268a, which have a large irradiation range and irradiation distance to the second irradiated member (reel tape), are arranged at predetermined intervals, and since there is a relatively large empty space on the mounting surface of the illumination substrate 268, identification information 268b (in this example, characters indicating part names such as "LED1" to "LED6" and numerical values indicating management numbers) for identifying the LEDs 268a mounted on the illumination substrate 268 and component marks 268c (in this example, square frames) indicating the arrangement locations of the LEDs 268a are printed.
[0149] Note that the mounting surface of the illumination substrate 268 is composed of a light-colored region 268d coated with a white coating film silk, whereas both the identification information 268b and the component mark 268c printed on the same mounting surface are printed in a color different from white (in this example, cream color). Therefore, the identification information 268b and the component mark 268c can be easily visually recognized, and the LEDs 268a can be mounted at the correct arrangement locations.
[0150] Moreover, since the identification information 268b is printed at a position visible from the front side through the openings 266a to 266c (partitioned spaces) of the reflector 266 (second partitioning member), when a defect occurs in the LED 268a (light-emitting means), the identification information 268b corresponding to the LED 268a (light-emitting means) in which the defect has occurred can be easily specified, improving the convenience for store clerks of the game parlor and the maintainability of the light-emitting means.
[0151] <Summary of Status Display LEDs and Reel Backlights> As described above, the gaming table according to the present embodiment (for example, the slot machine 100 shown in FIG. 1) is a gaming table including a plurality of light emitting means and a first substrate (for example, the LED substrate 288 shown in FIG. 4), wherein the plurality of light emitting means includes first light emitting means (for example, the LED 286 of the game information display unit 126 shown in FIG. 4) that can emit light in a first state (for example, the AT state (a state of notifying the operation navigator), an error state (a state of notifying an error code)), the first light emitting means is a light emitting means arranged in a first region on the mounting surface of the first substrate, and the first region is a region where a dark coating film is formed (for example, the dark region 288b coated with a black coating film resist shown in FIG. 4), and the dark coating film is a dark coating film different from green. This is a characteristic gaming table.
[0152] According to the gaming table of the present embodiment, since the first light emitting means is arranged in a region where a dark coating film is formed on the mounting surface of the first substrate, part of the first light emitting means is reflected by the light (external light) entering from the outside, and it is possible to prevent the situation that it seems to be lit when the first light emitting means is turned off, accurately provide game information to the player, and avoid giving disadvantages to the player. In addition, it is possible to make the slight lighting (ghost lighting) of the first light emitting means due to the minute current when turned off less noticeable, and avoid a situation where the player is misled by an incorrect display.
[0153] Although the environments of game arcades are various, when the lighting in the store is bright, there is a risk that the displays of various displays are difficult to see due to the store lighting, or that they seem to be lit even though they are not lit, which may cause misrecognition by players and game arcade staff. However, according to the gaming table of the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent misrecognition of the display of the display due to reflection by the store lighting or the like.
[0154] Further, it is provided with stop operation means (for example, stop buttons 137 to 139 shown in FIG. 1) capable of stopping a reel (for example, reels 110 to 112 shown in FIG. 1), and the first state is a state of notifying an advantageous operation mode (for example, pressing order) for the stop operation means, and the first light emitting means may be a light emitting means constituting a notification means for notifying information corresponding to the advantageous operation mode.
[0155] With such a configuration, it is possible to prevent, in advance, a misunderstanding that an operation mode is being notified in a state where the operation mode is not notified, provide accurate information to the player, and avoid giving an adverse effect to the player.
[0156] Further, the first state may be a state of notifying an error, and the first light emitting means may be a light emitting means constituting a notification means for notifying information (for example, error code) corresponding to the error.
[0157] With such a configuration, it is possible to prevent, in advance, a misunderstanding that an error is being notified in a state where the error is not notified, provide accurate information to the player, and avoid giving an adverse effect to the player.
[0158] Further, the plurality of light emitting means includes second light emitting means (for example, LEDs 286 of the stored number display section 125 and the paid-out number display section 127 shown in FIG. 4) capable of emitting light in a second state (for example, a state of storing medals, a state of paying out medals), the second light emitting means is a light emitting means arranged in a second region on the mounting surface of the first substrate, the second region is a region where a light-colored coating film is formed (for example, the light-colored region 288a coated with white coating film silk shown in FIG. 4), the second region is a region larger than the first region, and the second region may be a region formed adjacent to the first region.
[0159] Further, the plurality of light emitting means includes a second light emitting means (for example, the LEDs 286 of the stored number display section 125 and the paid-out number display section 127 shown in FIG. 4) that can emit light in a second state (for example, a state in which medals are stored, a state in which medals are being paid out). The second light emitting means is a light emitting means disposed in a second region on the mounting surface of the first substrate. The second region is a region where a light-colored coating film is formed (for example, the light-colored region 288a coated with white coating film silk shown in FIG. 4). The frequency of the second state may be higher than the frequency of the first state.
[0160] With such a configuration, the visibility of the second light emitting means with a high light emission frequency (high display update frequency) can be enhanced, and the convenience for the player can be improved.
[0161] Further, the first region may be a region sandwiched between both sides of the second region.
[0162] With such a configuration, it is possible to avoid the light emitting means disposed in the second region (region where a light-colored coating film is formed) on one side of the first region (region where a dark-colored coating film is formed) from affecting the light emitting means disposed in the second region (region where a light-colored coating film is formed) on the other side of the first region (region where a dark-colored coating film is formed), and it is possible to make the notification by the light emitting means easier to see.
[0163] Further, a first partitioning member (e.g., the reflector 284 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5) and a first irradiated member (e.g., the character sheet 282 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5) are provided. The first partitioning member is a member that partitions a space (e.g., the openings 284a to 284c shown in FIG. 8(b)) through which light from the plurality of light-emitting means mounted on the first substrate passes. The first partitioning member is caulked and fixed to the first substrate (e.g., fixed by the thermal caulking portion 284d shown in FIG. 5). The first irradiated member is a member that is irradiated with light from the plurality of light-emitting means mounted on the first substrate. The first irradiated member is attached to the first partitioning member. The first substrate, the first partitioning member, and the first irradiated member may be unitized.
[0164] With such a configuration, the replacement work of the unitized first substrate, first partitioning member, and first irradiated member and the incorporation into the game table can be facilitated, and the work efficiency can be improved.
[0165] Further, a second substrate (e.g., the lighting substrate 268 shown in FIGS. 7(b) and 8(c)), a second partitioning member (e.g., the reflector 266 shown in FIGS. 7(b) and 8(c)), and a second irradiated member (e.g., the reel tape 111a, lens cover, panel shown in FIG. 7(a)) are provided. The second substrate is a substrate on which the plurality of light-emitting means (e.g., the LED 268a shown in FIG. 8(c)) are mounted. The second partitioning member is a member in which a space (e.g., the openings 266a to 266c shown in FIG. 8(b)) through which light from the plurality of light-emitting means mounted on the second substrate passes is partitioned. The second irradiated member is a member irradiated with light from the plurality of light-emitting means mounted on the second substrate. The shortest distance (e.g., the shortest distance L1 shown in FIG. 7(b)) from the plurality of light-emitting means mounted on the second substrate to the second irradiated member is longer than the shortest distance (e.g., the shortest distance L2 shown in FIG. 5) from the plurality of light-emitting means (e.g., the LED 286 shown in FIG. 5) mounted on the first substrate to the first irradiated member (e.g., the character sheet 282 shown in FIG. 5) (L1>L2). The area of the partitioned space (e.g., the openings 266a to 266c shown in FIG. 8(b)) in the second partitioning member is larger than the area of the partitioned space (e.g., the openings 284a to 284c shown in FIG. 8(b)) in the first partitioning member. The region on the mounting surface of the second substrate where the plurality of light-emitting means are arranged may be a region where a light-colored coating film (e.g., the light-colored region 268d coated with white coating silk shown in FIG. 9(b)) is formed.
[0166] With such a configuration, it is possible to make the light emission of the second irradiated member conspicuous while suppressing the point light in the second irradiated member.
[0167] Further, the second substrate is a substrate detachable from the second partitioning member. Identification information (e.g., the identification information 268b shown in FIG. 9(b)) corresponding to each of the plurality of light-emitting means on the mounting surface is displayed on the mounting surface of the second substrate, and the identification information may be visible through the partitioned space in the second partitioning member.
[0168] With such a configuration, when a malfunction occurs in the light-emitting means, it is possible to easily identify the identification information corresponding to the light-emitting means in which the malfunction has occurred, thereby enhancing convenience and maintainability.
[0169] The gaming table according to this example (for example, the slot machine 100 shown in FIG. 1) is a gaming table including a plurality of light-emitting means and a first substrate (for example, the LED substrate 288 shown in FIG. 4). The plurality of light-emitting means includes first light-emitting means (for example, the LED 286 of the game information display unit 126 shown in FIG. 4) that can emit light in a first state. The plurality of light-emitting means includes second light-emitting means (for example, the LEDs 286 of the stored number display unit 125 and the paid-out number display unit 127 shown in FIG. 4) that can emit light in a second state (for example, a state in which medals are stored, a state in which medals are being paid out). The first state is a state of notifying information regarding the operation mode to the stop operation means (for example, the AT state (a state of notifying the operation navigator)). The frequency of the second state is higher than the frequency of the first state. The periphery of the first light-emitting means is formed by a first region (for example, the dark-colored region 288b coated with a black coating resist shown in FIG. 4) of a dark color different from green. The periphery of the second light-emitting means is formed by a second region (for example, the light-colored region 288a coated with a white coating silk shown in FIG. 4) of a light color. The second region is a region larger than the first region. The second region is a region formed adjacent to the first region. The first region is a region sandwiched between both sides of the second region. This is a gaming table characterized by the above.
[0170] In addition, the gaming machine according to this example (for example, the slot machine 100 shown in FIG. 1) is a gaming machine including a plurality of light emitting means and a first substrate (for example, the LED substrate 288 shown in FIG. 4). The plurality of light emitting means includes first light emitting means (for example, the LED 286 of the game information display unit 126 shown in FIG. 4) that can emit light in a first state. The plurality of light emitting means includes second light emitting means (for example, the LEDs 286 of the stored number display unit 125 and the paid-out number display unit 127 shown in FIG. 4) that can emit light in a second state (for example, a state in which medals are stored or a state in which medals are being paid out). The first state is a state for notifying information corresponding to an error (for example, an error state (a state for notifying an error code)). The frequency of the second state is higher than the frequency of the first state. The periphery of the first light emitting means is formed by a first region (for example, the dark region 288b coated with a black coating resist shown in FIG. 4) of a dark color different from green. The periphery of the second light emitting means is formed by a second region (for example, the light region 288a coated with a white coating silk shown in FIG. 4) of a light color. The second region is a region larger than the first region. The second region is a region formed adjacent to the first region. The first region is a region sandwiched between both sides of the second region. The gaming machine is characterized by the above.
[0171] <Control unit> Next, with reference to FIG. 10, the circuit configuration of the control unit of the slot machine 100 will be described in detail. Note that this figure shows a circuit block diagram of the control unit.
[0172] The control unit of the slot machine 100 is roughly composed of a main control unit 300 that mainly performs control related to games, a first sub-control unit 400 that mainly performs control related to effects in response to a command signal (hereinafter simply referred to as "command") transmitted by the main control unit 300, and a second sub-control unit 500 that controls various devices based on the command transmitted from the first sub-control unit 400.
[0173] <Main control unit> First, the main control unit 300 of the slot machine 100 will be described. The main control unit 300 includes a basic circuit 302 that controls the entire main control unit 300. This basic circuit 302 includes a CPU 304, a ROM 306 for storing control program data, lottery data used during internal lottery for winning combinations, stop positions of reels, etc., a RAM 308 for temporarily storing data, an I / O 310 for controlling input / output of various devices, a counter timer 312 for measuring time, number of times, etc., and a WDT (watchdog timer) 314. Note that other storage devices may be used for the ROM 306 and the RAM 308, and the same applies to the first sub-control unit 400 and the second sub-control unit 500 described later.
[0174] The CPU 304 of this basic circuit 302 operates by inputting a clock signal with a predetermined period output by the crystal oscillator 315b as a system clock. Further, when the power is turned on, the CPU 304 transmits the frequency division data stored in a predetermined area of the ROM 306 to the counter timer 312. The counter timer 312 determines the interrupt time based on the received frequency division data and transmits an interrupt request to the CPU 304 at each interrupt time. The CPU 304 executes monitoring of each sensor, etc. and transmission of drive pulses upon receiving this interrupt request. For example, when the clock signal output by the crystal oscillator 315b is set to 8 MHz, the frequency division value of the counter timer 312 is set to 1 / 256, and the frequency division data of the ROM 306 is set to 47, the reference time for the interrupt is 256 × 47 ÷ 8 MHz = 1.504 ms.
[0175] The main control unit 300 includes a random number value generation circuit 316 that derives a numerical value in the range of 0 to 65535 each time it receives a clock signal output by the crystal oscillator 315a (it is assumed that this circuit incorporates two random number value generation circuits), and a start signal output circuit 338 that outputs a start signal (reset signal) when the power is turned on. When the CPU 304 receives the start signal from this start signal output circuit 338, it starts game control (starts the main control unit main process described later).
[0176] The random number generation circuit 316 generates random numbers used by the basic circuit 302. There are roughly two types of methods for generating random numbers in this random number generation circuit 316: a counter mode and a random number mode. In the counter mode, a value that counts up (down) at a predetermined time interval is obtained, and that value is derived as a random number. There are further two methods in the random number mode. The first method in the random number mode performs an operation using a random number seed with a predetermined function (e.g., a modulus function), and the result of this operation is derived as a random number. The second method reads a value from a random number table in which values in the range of 0 to 65535 are randomly arranged, and the read value is derived as a random number. The random number generation circuit 316 obtains an irregular value using the white noise superimposed on the signal input from the various sensors 318 to the sensor circuit 320. The random number generation circuit 316 uses the value thus obtained as the initial value of a counter that counts up (down) in the counter mode, as a random number seed, or when determining the read start position of the random number table.
[0177] Also, the main control unit 300 is equipped with a sensor circuit 320, and the CPU 304 monitors the states of various sensors 318 (the bet button 130 sensor, the bet button 131 sensor, the bet button 132 sensor, the medal reception sensor for the medals inserted from the medal insertion port 141, the start lever 135 sensor, the stop button 137 sensor, the stop button 138 sensor, the stop button 139 sensor, the settlement button 134 sensor, the medal payout sensor for the medals paid out from the medal payout device 180, the optical sensor of the reel 110, the optical sensor of the reel 111, the optical sensor of the reel 112, etc.) at each interrupt time.
[0178] When the sensor circuit 320 detects the H level of the start lever sensor, a signal indicating this detection is output to the random number generation circuit 316. The random number generation circuit 316 that receives this signal latches the value at that timing and stores it in a register that stores the random number used for the lottery.
[0179] The medal reception sensor is installed in two places in the internal passage of the medal insertion port 141 and detects the presence or absence of medal passage. The start lever 135 sensor is installed in two places inside the start lever 135 and detects the start operation by the player. The stop button 137 sensor, the stop button 138 sensor, and the stop button 139 are installed in their respective stop buttons 137 to 139 and detect the operation of the stop button by the player.
[0180] The bet button 130 sensor, the bet button 131 sensor, and the bet button 132 sensor are installed in their respective medal insertion buttons 130 to 132 and detect the insertion operation when inserting the medals electronically stored in the RAM 308 as the medals inserted into the game. The settlement button 134 sensor is provided on the settlement button 134. When the settlement button 134 is pressed once, the electronically stored medals are settled. The medal payout sensor is a sensor for detecting the medals paid out by the medal payout device 180. Each of the above sensors may be a non-contact sensor or a contact sensor.
[0181] The optical sensor of the reel 110, the optical sensor of the reel 111, and the optical sensor of the reel 112 are installed at predetermined positions on the mounting bases of their respective reels 110 to 112 and become at the L level each time the light-shielding piece provided on the reel frame passes through. When the CPU 304 detects this signal, it determines that the reel has made one rotation and resets the rotation position information of the reel to zero.
[0182] The main control unit 300 includes a drive circuit 322 that drives the stepping motors provided in the reel devices 110 to 112, a drive circuit 324 that drives the solenoid provided in the medal selector 170 for sorting the inserted medals, a drive circuit 326 that drives the motor provided in the medal payout device 180, and a drive circuit 328 that drives various lamps 336 (winning line display lamp 120, notification lamp 123) and the medal insertable display section 124, game start display section 121, replay display section 122, medal insert display section 129, stored number display section 125, game information display section 126, and payout number display section 127 of the status display LED 286.
[0183] Further, an information output circuit 334 (external centralized terminal board 248) is connected to the basic circuit 302, and the main control unit 300 outputs the game information (e.g., game state) of the slot machine 100 to the information input circuit 651 provided in an external hall computer (not shown) or the like via this information output circuit 334.
[0184] The main control unit 300 also includes a voltage monitoring circuit 330 that monitors the voltage value of the power supply supplied from a power management unit (not shown) to the main control unit 300. When the voltage value of the power supply is less than a predetermined value (9V in this embodiment), the voltage monitoring circuit 330 outputs a low voltage signal indicating that the voltage has dropped to the basic circuit 302.
[0185] The main control unit 300 also includes an output interface for transmitting commands to the first sub-control unit 400, enabling communication with the first sub-control unit 400. The information communication between the main control unit 300 and the first sub-control unit 400 is one-way communication. The main control unit 300 is configured to be able to transmit signals such as commands to the first sub-control unit 400, but the first sub-control unit 400 is configured not to be able to transmit signals such as commands to the main control unit 300.
[0186] <Sub-control unit> Next, the first sub-control unit 400 of the slot machine 100 will be described. The first sub-control unit 400 receives the control command transmitted by the main control unit 300 via the input interface, and includes a basic circuit 402 that controls the entire first sub-control unit 400 based on this control command. This basic circuit 402 is equipped with a CPU 404, a RAM 408 for temporarily storing data, an I / O 410 for controlling the input and output of various devices, and a counter timer 412 for measuring time, number of times, etc. The CPU 404 of the basic circuit 402 operates by inputting a clock signal with a predetermined period output by the crystal oscillator 414 as a system clock. The ROM 406 stores a control program and data for controlling the entire first sub-control unit 400, data for controlling the lighting pattern of the backlight and various displays, etc.
[0187] The CPU 404 transmits the frequency division data stored in a predetermined area of the ROM 406 to the counter timer 412 via the data bus at a predetermined timing. The counter timer 412 determines the interrupt time based on the received frequency division data, and transmits an interrupt request to the CPU 404 at each interrupt time. The CPU 404 controls each IC and each circuit based on the timing of this interrupt request.
[0188] Also, a sound source IC 418 is provided in the first sub-control unit 400, and speakers 272 and 277 are provided to the sound source IC 418 via an output interface. The sound source IC 418 controls the sound output from the amplifier and the speakers 272 and 277 in response to a command from the CPU 404. An S-ROM (sound ROM) storing sound data is connected to the sound source IC 418, and the sound data acquired from this ROM is amplified by the amplifier and output from the speakers 272 and 277.
[0189] Also, a drive circuit 422 is provided in the first sub-control unit 400, and various lamps 420 (upper lamp, lower lamp, side lamp 144, title panel 162 lamp, etc.) are connected to the drive circuit 422 via an input / output interface.
[0190] In addition, the first sub-control unit 400 is provided with a drive circuit 424 for driving the motor of the shutter 163, and the drive circuit 424 is provided with the shutter 163 via an output interface. This drive circuit 424 outputs a drive signal to a stepping motor (not shown) provided in the shutter 163 in response to a command from the CPU 404.
[0191] In addition, the first sub-control unit 400 is provided with a sensor circuit 426. The sensor circuit 426 is connected with a shutter sensor 428 capable of detecting the position of the shutter 163 and an effect button sensor 430 capable of detecting a pressing operation of the effect button 156 via an input interface. The CPU 404 monitors the states of the shutter sensor 428 and the effect button sensor 430 at each interrupt time.
[0192] In addition, the CPU 404 transmits and receives signals to and from the second sub-control unit 500 via an output interface. The second sub-control unit 500 performs various controls of the effect device 160 including display control of the effect image display device 157 (hereinafter also referred to as "liquid crystal display device 157"). Note that the second sub-control unit 500 may be composed of a plurality of control units, such as a control unit for controlling the display of the liquid crystal display device 157 and a control unit for controlling various effect driving devices (for example, a control unit for controlling the motor drive of the shutter 163).
[0193] The second sub-control unit 500 receives the control command transmitted by the first sub-control unit 400 via an input interface, and includes a basic circuit 502 for controlling the entire second sub-control unit 500 based on this control command. This basic circuit 502 is equipped with a CPU 504, a RAM 508 for temporarily storing data, an I / O 510 for controlling the input and output of various devices, and a counter timer 512 for measuring time, number of times, etc. The CPU 504 of the basic circuit 502 operates by inputting a clock signal with a predetermined period output by the crystal oscillator 514 as a system clock. The ROM 506 stores a control program and data for controlling the entire second sub-control unit 500, data for image display, etc.
[0194] The CPU 504 transmits the frequency division data stored in a predetermined area of the ROM 506 to the counter timer 512 via the data bus at a predetermined timing. The counter timer 512 determines the interrupt time based on the received frequency division data, and transmits an interrupt request to the CPU 504 at each interrupt time. The CPU 504 controls each IC and each circuit based on the timing of this interrupt request.
[0195] Also, a VDP 516 (video display processor) is provided in the second sub-control unit 500, and the ROM 506 and the VRAM 518 are connected to the VDP 516 via a bus. The VDP 516 reads out image data and the like stored in the ROM 506 based on a signal from the CPU 504, generates a display image using the work area of the VRAM 518, and displays the image on the effect image display device 157.
[0196] <Main control board> Next, the main control board 600 (first board) will be described with reference to FIG. 11. FIG. 11(a) is a plan view of the main control board 600 before separating the identification board 610, and FIG. 11(b) is a plan view of the main control board 600 after separating the identification board 610.
[0197] The main control board 600 is an example of the "first board" according to the present invention. Therefore, the "first board" according to the present invention is not limited to the board constituting the main control unit 300, and may be a board constituting the first sub-control unit 400 or the second sub-control unit 500 described with reference to FIG. 10, or may be other boards mounted on the game table. Also, the game table may be provided with a plurality of boards corresponding to the "first board".
[0198] The main control board 600 includes a base material 602 made of a rectangular plate-like body, pattern wirings (not shown) formed on one surface of the base material 602, and a solder resist layer 604 (hereinafter also referred to as the "resist layer 604", corresponding to the first resist layer), a plurality of types of components 606 mounted on one surface of the base material 602, identification information 608 printed in a predetermined area (an area where pattern wirings and the resist layer 604 are not formed) on one surface of the base material 602, and an identification board 610 having identification information 622 different from the identification information 608. A gap is provided from the end of the base material 602 to the end of the resist layer 604.
[0199] According to this example, since the identification information 608 is printed in an area where pattern wirings and the resist layer 604 are not formed, even when other information (such as part names) is printed on the resist layer 604, the visibility of the identification information 608 can be enhanced, and the convenience can be improved.
[0200] The identification information 608 of the main control board 600 is identification information including information capable of specifying the manufacturer of the gaming table. In this example, as the identification information 608, the name of the manufacturer of the slot machine 100 (in this example, BBB Co., Ltd.) and the identification number of the main control board 600 (in this example, XXX-YYY) are printed on one surface of the base material 602.
[0201] Note that the "identification information" according to the present invention may be identification information including information capable of specifying the manufacturer of the gaming table. For example, it may be only the name of the manufacturer of the slot machine 100, or may be identification information including information such as the manufacturing date of the main control board 600 in addition to the name of the manufacturer of the slot machine 100 and the identification number of the main control board 600, or may be identification information including information other than characters such as two-dimensional codes and symbols.
[0202] <Main control board / Board housing recess> Next, the board housing recess 612 (the recess of the first shape) of the main control board 600 will be described.
[0203] On the right side surface (the short side on the right in the front view) of the main control board 600, there is a recess large enough to accommodate the identification board 610 inside, and a board accommodation recess 612 (a recess of the first shape) in a substantially reverse U shape when viewed from the front, which is cut inward from the short side on the right of the main control board 600.
[0204] The board accommodation recess 612 (a recess of the first shape) is composed of two side walls 612a extending inward from the short side on the right of the main control board 600 and a bottom surface 612b connecting the two side walls 612a.
[0205] The width w1 of the bottom surface 612b is longer than the height h1 of the side wall 612a (w1>h1). The direction parallel to the bottom surface 612b (the short side direction of the main control board 600) is the longitudinal direction of the board accommodation recess 612, and the direction parallel to the side wall 612a (the longitudinal direction of the main control board 600) is the short side direction of the board accommodation recess 612.
[0206] The height h1 of the side wall 612a is slightly higher than the height h2 of the identification board 610, and the width w1 of the bottom surface 612b is slightly wider than the width w2 of the identification board 610. The entire identification board 610 is accommodated in the inner space of the board accommodation recess 612. The bottom surface 612b of the board accommodation recess 612 and the opposite side of the identification board 610 are connected in a cuttable manner via a breakage part 616.
[0207] In a state where the identification board 610 is accommodated in the board accommodation recess 612, its upper surface (the surface opposite to the board accommodation recess 612) is configured to be substantially flush with the surface where the board accommodation recess 612 is formed (the right side surface of the main control board 600).
[0208] According to this example, the identification board 610 is accommodated in the board accommodation recess 612 of the main control board 600, and in a state where it is accommodated in this board accommodation recess 612, its upper surface is configured to be substantially flush with the right side surface of the main control board 600. Therefore, when the main control board 600 is being transported, etc., it is possible to prevent the identification board 610 from touching other members, etc., and the convenience can be improved.
[0209] Note that the "recess of the first shape" according to the present invention is not limited to the substrate accommodation recess 612 according to this example. For example, the width w1 of the bottom surface 612b may be shorter than the height h1 of the side wall 612a (w1 < h1), or the width w1 of the bottom surface 612b may be the same as the height h1 of the side wall 612a (w1 = h1), or it may have a shape other than a rectangular shape (for example, a curved surface shape, etc.).
[0210] <Main control board / Identification board> Next, the identification board 610 of the main control board 600 will be described.
[0211] The identification board 610 is a board on which no pattern wiring or resist layer is formed, and includes a base material 620 formed of a rectangular plate-like body, and identification information 622 printed in a predetermined area (an area where no pattern wiring or resist layer is formed) on one surface of the base material 620.
[0212] The identification information 622 of the identification board 610 is identification information including information capable of specifying the manufacturer of the gaming table. In this example, as the identification information 622, the name of the manufacturer of the slot machine 100 (in this example, Company AAA) and the identification number of the main control board 600 (in this example, XXX-YYY) are printed on one surface of the base material 620.
[0213] Note that the "identification information" according to the present invention may be any identification information including information capable of specifying the manufacturer of the gaming table. For example, it may be only the name of the manufacturer of the slot machine 100, or it may be identification information including information such as the manufacturing date of the main control board 600 in addition to the name of the manufacturer of the slot machine 100 and the identification number of the main control board 600, or it may be information other than characters such as two-dimensional codes and symbols.
[0214] <Main control board / Breakage part> Next, the breakage part 616 of the main control board 600 will be described.
[0215] As shown in FIG. 11(a), the break portion 616 is a portion where a plurality of slits (perforations) are formed at predetermined intervals in the connecting portion between the base material 602 of the main control board 600 and the base material 620 of the identification board 610, and is a portion for facilitating the separation of the identification board 610 from the base material 602 of the main control board 600.
[0216] By cutting the break portion 616 by hand (or using a tool such as pliers), as shown in FIG. 11(b), it is possible to separate the identification board 610 from the base material 602 of the main control board 600.
[0217] As described with reference to FIG. 11(a), before separating the identification board 610, the main control board 600 has two types of identification information, i.e., the identification information 618 of the main control board 600 (manufacturer name of the slot machine 100: Company BBB) and the identification information 622 of the identification board 610 (manufacturer name of the slot machine 100: Company AAA). Therefore, the manufacturer of the game table cannot be specified.
[0218] However, as shown in FIG. 11(b), by separating the identification board 610 from the base material 602 of the main control board 600, only the identification information 618 (manufacturer name of the slot machine 100: Company BBB) remains on the main control board 600. The main control board 600 (the first board) is a board on which the manufacturer of the game table (in this example, Company BBB) can be specified by cutting the break portion 616.
[0219] When there are a plurality of affiliated companies, manufacturing the boards for each affiliated company will increase the manufacturing cost accordingly. However, according to this example, by indicating the names of one or more companies in one board product portion, at the stage of manufacturing and assembling the game tables by each affiliated company, it is possible to leave only the name of its own company or delete unnecessary company names, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost while providing a game table that does not malfunction during assembly or inspection.
[0220] Note that the shape etc. of the "breaking part" according to the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, there may be one slit, or instead of the slit (perforation), a V-cut may be employed. That is, any part capable of separating the identification substrate from the base material of the main control substrate is acceptable.
[0221] <Main control board / Adapter housing recess> Next, the adapter housing recess 614 (recess of the second shape) of the main control board 600 will be described.
[0222] On the left side surface (the short side on the left in the front view) of the main control board 600, there is a recess having a size capable of housing one or more adapters 624 inside, and an adapter housing recess 614 (recess of the second shape) having a substantially U-shaped cross-section in the front view, which is cut out inward from the short side on the left of the main control board 600, is formed.
[0223] The adapter housing recess 614 (recess of the second shape) is composed of two side walls 614a extending inward from the short side on the left of the main control board 600 and a bottom surface 614b connecting the two side walls 614a.
[0224] The width w3 of the bottom surface 614b is longer than the height h3 of the side wall 614a (w3>h3). The direction parallel to the bottom surface 614b (the short side direction of the main control board 600) is the longitudinal direction of the adapter housing recess 614, and the direction parallel to the side wall 614a (the longitudinal direction of the main control board 600) is the short side direction of the adapter housing recess 614.
[0225] On the bottom surface 614b of the adapter housing recess 614, two adapters 624 to which connectors such as optical fibers can be connected are arranged at a predetermined interval.
[0226] Note that the "recess of the second shape" according to the present invention is not limited to the adapter housing recess 614 according to this example. For example, the width w3 of the bottom surface 614b may be shorter than the height h3 of the side wall 614a (w3<h3), or the width w3 of the bottom surface 614b may be the same as the height h3 of the side wall 614a (w3=h3), or it may have a shape other than a rectangular shape (such as a curved surface shape).
[0227] <Main control board / Board accommodation recess and adapter accommodation recess> When comparing the shapes of the board accommodation recess 612 (recess of the first shape) and the adapter accommodation recess 614 (recess of the second shape) on the main control board 600, as shown in FIG. 11(b), the height h1 of the side wall 612a of the board accommodation recess 612 is higher than the height h3 of the side wall 614a of the adapter accommodation recess 614 (h1>h3), the width w1 of the bottom surface 612b of the board accommodation recess 612 is narrower than the width w3 of the bottom surface 614b of the adapter accommodation recess 614 (w1<w3), and the board accommodation recess 612 and the adapter accommodation recess 614 have different shapes from each other.
[0228] According to this example, since it has the feature point of having recesses with different shapes, it becomes easy to identify the board, and it is possible to correctly recognize the orientation of the board, improving the workability during the installation of the board and the like, and preventing installation mistakes of the board in advance.
[0229] In the manufacturing process of the game table, the board products in the state of being formed into board products are covered with various board cases and installed, fixed, and attached in the game table. However, many board products have similar outer shapes, and installation mistakes may occur during the manufacturing and assembly of the game table, or although installation mistakes do not occur, the installer may be confused about which board to install and waste working time. According to this example, it is easier to distinguish the boards, and the process during the manufacturing and assembly of the game table can be simplified.
[0230] Also, the height h1 of the side wall 612a of the board accommodation recess 612 (recess of the first shape) is higher than the height h3 of the side wall 614a of the adapter accommodation recess 614 (recess of the second shape) (h1>h3), and the bottom surface 612b of the board accommodation recess 612 (recess of the first shape) is located more inward of the main control board 600 than the bottom surface 614b of the adapter accommodation recess 614 (recess of the second shape). Therefore, it becomes easy to cut the identification board 610 accommodated in the board accommodation recess 612 (recess of the first shape), and the workability can be improved.
[0231] Next, paying attention to the positional relationship between the board accommodation recess 612 (recess of the first shape) of the main control board 600 and the resist layer 604 (first resist layer), and the positional relationship between the adapter accommodation recess 614 (recess of the second shape) and the resist layer 604 (first resist layer), as shown in FIG. 11(b), the shortest distance x1 from the bottom surface 612b (broken cross-section of the first shape) of the board accommodation recess 612 to the end of the resist layer 604 is configured to be longer than the shortest distance x2 from the bottom surface 614b of the adapter accommodation recess 614 to the end of the resist layer 604 (x1 > x2).
[0232] In other words, in the main control board 600, the shortest distance x1 in the first direction (longitudinal direction of the main control board 600) between the board accommodation recess 612 and the resist layer 604 is configured to be longer than the shortest distance x2 in the first direction (longitudinal direction of the main control board 600) between the adapter accommodation recess 614 and the resist layer 604 (x1 > x2).
[0233] According to this example, since the shortest distance x1 from the bottom surface 612b (broken cross-section of the first shape) of the board accommodation recess 612 (recess of the first shape) of the main control board 600 to the resist layer 604 (first resist layer) is longer than the shortest distance x2 from the bottom surface 614b of the adapter accommodation recess 614 (recess of the second shape) to the resist layer 604 (first resist layer) (x1 > x2), a clearance (working space) from the board accommodation recess 612 (recess of the first shape) to the resist layer can be ensured, the cutting of the broken portion 616 formed in the board accommodation recess 612 (recess of the first shape) becomes easy, workability can be improved, and even when performing a cutting operation by hanging a finger around the board accommodation recess 612 (recess of the first shape) or performing a cutting operation using a tool, it is possible to avoid the finger or the tool from touching the resistor layer or the pattern wiring, and prevent damage to the main control board in advance.
[0234] Also, in this way, by making the shortest distance x1 from the end of the resist layer 604 at the location where the break portion 616 is not provided (for example, the adapter housing recess 614 (the recess of the second shape)) longer than the shortest distance x2 to the end of the resist layer 604 at the location where the break portion 616 is provided, it is possible to make it difficult for cracks to occur in the resist layer and the pattern wiring due to the stress and strain during cutting from the break portion 616.
[0235] Also, in this example, in order to make it difficult for cracks to occur in the resist layer and the pattern wiring due to the stress and strain during cutting from the break portion 616, as shown in FIG. 11(b), the shortest distance x1 from the bottom surface 612b (the fracture surface of the first shape) of the substrate housing recess 612 to the end of the resist layer 604 is configured to be longer than the shortest distance z1 from one of the long sides of the main control substrate 600 (the long side itself can also be said to be the cross section of the substrate) to the end of the resist layer 604 (x1>z1). However, in order to secure a clearance (working space) from the substrate housing recess 612 (the recess of the first shape) to the resist layer 604, the shortest distance x1 from the bottom surface 612b (the fracture surface of the first shape) of the substrate housing recess 612 to the end of the resist layer 604 may be configured to be shorter than the shortest distance z1 from one of the long sides of the main control substrate 600 to the end of the resist layer 604 (x1<z1). Such a configuration is not limited to this embodiment and can also be applied to a substrate having no recess of the second shape.
[0236] Also, in this example, in order to make it difficult for cracks to occur in the resist layer and the pattern wiring due to stress and strain during cutting from the break portion 616, as shown in FIG. 11(b), the shortest distance x1 from the bottom surface 612b (the fracture surface of the first shape) of the substrate accommodation recess 612 to the end of the resist layer 604 is configured to be longer than the shortest distance z2 from one of the short sides of the main control substrate 600 to the end of the resist layer 604 (x1 > z2). However, in order to secure a clearance (working space) from the substrate accommodation recess 612 (the recess of the first shape) to the resist layer 604, the shortest distance x1 from the bottom surface 612b (the fracture surface of the first shape) of the substrate accommodation recess 612 to the end of the resist layer 604 may be configured to be shorter than the shortest distance z2 from one of the short sides of the main control substrate 600 (the short side itself can also be said to be the cross-section of the substrate) to the end of the resist layer 604 (x1 < z2). Such a configuration is not limited to this embodiment and can also be applied to a substrate without the recess of the second shape.
[0237] Also, in this example, the shortest distance y1 from the side wall 612a of the substrate accommodation recess 612 (the recess of the first shape) of the main control substrate 600 to the end of the resist layer 604 (the first resist layer) is configured to be longer than the shortest distance y2 from the side wall 614a of the adapter accommodation recess 614 (the recess of the second shape) to the end of the resist layer 604 (the first resist layer) (y1 > y2).
[0238] In other words, the shortest distance y1 in the second direction (the short side direction of the main control substrate 600) between the substrate accommodation recess 612 and the resist layer 604 is configured to be longer than the shortest distance y2 in the second direction (the short side direction of the main control substrate 600) between the adapter accommodation recess 614 and the resist layer 604 (y1 > y2).
[0239] According to this example, the shortest distance y1 from the side wall 612a of the board receiving recess 612 (recess of the first shape) of the main control board 600 to the resist layer 604 (first resist layer) is longer than the shortest distance y2 from the side wall 614a of the adapter receiving recess 614 (recess of the second shape) to the resist layer 604 (first resist layer) (y1>y2). Therefore, a clearance (working space) from the board receiving recess 612 (recess of the first shape) to the resist layer can be ensured, the cutting of the breaking portion 616 formed in the board receiving recess 612 (recess of the first shape) becomes easy, workability can be improved, and even when performing a cutting operation by hanging a finger around the board receiving recess 612 (recess of the first shape) or performing a cutting operation using a tool, it is possible to avoid the finger or the tool from touching the resist layer or the pattern wiring, and breakage of the main control board can be prevented in advance.
[0240] Also, in this way, by making the shortest distance y1 from the breaking portion 616 to the end of the resist layer 604 at the location where the breaking portion 616 is not provided (for example, the adapter receiving recess 614 (recess of the second shape)) longer than the shortest distance y2 to the end of the resist layer 604 at the location where the breaking portion 616 is provided, it is possible to make it difficult for cracks to occur in the resist layer or the pattern wiring due to stress or strain during cutting from the breaking portion 616.
[0241] Note that in this example, the shortest distance from the board receiving recess 612 to the resist layer 604 is made longer than the shortest distance from the adapter receiving recess 614 to the resist layer 604 in both the first direction (longitudinal direction of the main control board 600) and the second direction (lateral direction of the main control board 600). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be applied only in either one of the first direction (longitudinal direction of the main control board 600) and the second direction (lateral direction of the main control board 600).
[0242] <Main control board / Component> Next, the component 606 mounted on the main control board 600 will be described.
[0243] As components 606 mounted on the main control board 600, in addition to the adapter 624 disposed in the above-described adapter accommodation recess 614, there are passive components 606a (606a1, 606a2) such as resistors, capacitors, and coils, connectors 606b, ICs 606c, and the like.
[0244] In the example shown in FIG. 11(b), a plurality of passive components 606a (606a1, 606a2), ICs 606c, etc. are disposed near the board accommodation recess 612 of the main control board 600.
[0245] The longitudinal direction of one of the plurality of passive components 606a, i.e., the passive component 606a1 (first passive component), is the same as the longitudinal direction of the board accommodation recess 612, and the longitudinal direction of one of the plurality of passive components 606a, i.e., the passive component 606a2 (second passive component), is different from the longitudinal direction of the board accommodation recess 612 and is a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the board accommodation recess 612 (recess of the first shape).
[0246] According to this example, since the longitudinal direction of one of the plurality of passive components 606a, i.e., the passive component 606a1 (first passive component), is the same as the longitudinal direction of the board accommodation recess 612 (recess of the first shape) (longitudinal direction of the identification board 610), when cutting the break portion 616, the stress applied in the longitudinal direction of the board accommodation recess 612 (recess of the first shape) can be reduced from affecting the passive component 606a1 (first passive component) mounted on the main control board 600 (first board), and damage to the passive component 606a1 (first passive component) can be prevented.
[0247] Also, in the example shown in FIG. 11(b), a plurality of passive components 606a (606a1, 606a2), ICs 606c, etc. are also disposed near the adapter accommodation recess 614 of the main control board 600.
[0248] Note that these passive components are axial components with leads extending from both ends of the main body as shown in Fig. 11. Also, in the present embodiment and the modified examples described later, the positional relationship of the passive components is described, but it is not limited to this. It may be an axial component included in the passive components or a control IC included in the active components, and includes components in which a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction exist in the component.
[0249] Here, paying attention to the positional relationship between the substrate accommodation recess 612 and the passive component 606a1, and the positional relationship between the adapter accommodation recess 614 and the passive component 606a2, the shortest distance x3 from the substrate accommodation recess 612 to the passive component 606a1 is configured to be longer than the shortest distance x4 from the adapter accommodation recess 614 to the passive component 606a2 (x3 > x4).
[0250] According to this example, since the shortest distance x3 from the substrate accommodation recess 612 (the recess of the first shape) to the passive component 606a1 (the first passive component) is longer than the shortest distance x4 from the adapter accommodation recess 614 (the recess of the second shape) to the passive component 606a2 (the second passive component) (x3 > x4), a clearance (working space) from the substrate accommodation recess 612 (the recess of the first shape) to the passive component 606a1 (the first passive component) can be secured, the cutting of the break portion 616 formed in the substrate accommodation recess 612 (the recess of the first shape) becomes easy, workability can be improved, and even when a cutting operation is performed by hanging a finger around the substrate accommodation recess 612 (the recess of the first shape) or using a tool, it is possible to avoid the finger or the tool from touching the passive component 606a1 (the first passive component), and damage to the passive component 606a1 (the first passive component) can be prevented in advance.
[0251] Note that, the shortest distance x3 from the substrate accommodation recess 612 to the passive component 606a1 may be configured to be shorter than the shortest distance x4 from the adapter accommodation recess 614 to the passive component 606a2 (x3 < x4). With such a configuration, for the component closer to the end portion having the breaking part, the longitudinal direction of the component is orthogonal to the direction in which stress is applied during cutting, so that damage to the component can be prevented.
[0252] Also, the longitudinal direction of the substrate accommodation recess 612 and the longitudinal direction of the passive component 606a2 are different directions, and the shortest distance x3´ from the substrate accommodation recess 612 to the passive component 606a2 is configured to be longer than the shortest distance x3 from the substrate accommodation recess 612 to the passive component 606a1 (x3´ > x3). Also, these shortest distances satisfy “x3 < x4 < x3´”. It can be seen from FIG. 11 that the shortest distance α from the substrate accommodation recess 612 to the passive component 606a2 near the adapter accommodation recess 614 passes through a longer distance, and the component parallel to the stress direction applied to the substrate is arranged at a location far from the breaking part. Note that, the shortest distance x3´ is the distance of the line parallel to the long side of the substrate on the virtual extension line of the bottom surface 612b, but it may also be the distance on the oblique line from the substrate accommodation recess 612 to the passive component 606a2.
[0253] According to this example, the longitudinal direction of the passive component 606a2 (the second passive component) is different from the substrate accommodation recess 612 (the recess of the first shape), and the passive component 606a2 (the second passive component) is likely to be affected by the stress applied in the longitudinal direction of the substrate accommodation recess 612 (the recess of the first shape) when cutting the breaking part 616. However, by arranging the passive component 606a2 (the second passive component) at a position farther from the substrate accommodation recess 612 (the recess of the first shape) than the passive component 606a1 (the first passive component), damage to the passive component 606a2 (the second passive component) can be prevented.
[0254] That is, when the direction in which stress is applied to the substrate when cutting the break portion 616 (in FIG. 11, the longitudinal direction of the main control substrate 600) is the same as the longitudinal direction of the component, damage to the component can be prevented by arranging it away from the break portion 616.
[0255] <Main control substrate / fracture surface> Next, the fracture surface of the main control substrate 600 will be described.
[0256] On the outer edge of the base material 602 of the main control substrate 600 and the outer edge of the base material 620 of the identification substrate 610, burrs (not shown; hereinafter sometimes referred to as "burrs during forming") generated by breaking by router processing or the like when forming each substrate are formed. The main control substrate 600 (the first substrate) and the identification substrate 610 are each a substrate having a fracture surface (a fracture surface of the third shape) where burrs during forming occur.
[0257] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11(b), when the identification substrate 610 is separated from the base material 602 of the main control substrate 600, burrs (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "burrs at the time of breaking") 632 generated when the break portion 616 is broken (separated) into two are formed (remain) on the base material 602 of the main control substrate 600 and the base material 620 of the identification substrate 610, respectively. That is, after separation, the main control substrate 600 and the identification substrate 610 each become a substrate having a fracture surface (a fracture surface of the first shape) where burrs at the time of breaking 632 occur, in addition to the fracture surface (a fracture surface of the third shape) where burrs during forming occur.
[0258] The burrs at the time of breaking 632 are burrs remaining when the break portion 616 is broken (separated) into two with a slit (perforation), and are composed of a plurality of convex portions 632a (first convex portions). The convex portions 632a of the burrs at the time of breaking 632 are burrs with larger irregularities than the burrs during forming, and the fracture surface (the fracture surface of the third shape) where burrs during forming occur has coarser irregularities (larger irregularities in shape) than the fracture surface (the cross-sectional surface of the first shape) where burrs at the time of breaking 632 occur.
[0259] The fracture surface (the fracture surface of the first shape) where the burr 632 occurred during fracture is the fracture surface remaining on the main control board 600 side when the identification board 610 is separated from the base material 602 of the main control board 600. Therefore, it is a fracture surface located more inward of the main control board 600 than the fracture surface (the fracture surface of the third shape) where the burr occurred during molding.
[0260] According to this example, since the fracture surface (the fracture surface of the first shape) where the burr 632 occurred during fracture is located more inward than the fracture surface (the fracture surface of the third shape) where the burr occurred during molding, it is possible to secure the clearance (working space) from the concave portion of the first shape to the resist layer, making it easier to cut the fracture portion formed in the concave portion of the first shape, and improving workability. Also, since the rough fracture surface is located inward of the main control board, the safety can be improved compared to the case where the rough fracture surface is exposed outside the main control board.
[0261] <Sub-control board (second board)> Next, the sub-control board 650 (second board) will be described with reference to FIG. 12. FIG. 12 is a plan view of the sub-control board 650.
[0262] The sub-control board 650 is an example of the "second board" according to the present invention. Therefore, the "second board" according to the present invention is not limited to the board constituting the first sub-control unit 400, and may be a board constituting the main control unit 300 or the second sub-control unit 500 described with reference to FIG. 10, or other boards mounted on the game table. Also, the game table may be provided with a plurality of boards corresponding to the "second board".
[0263] The sub-control board 650 includes a base material 652 formed of a rectangular plate-like body, pattern wiring (not shown) and a resist layer 654 (second resist layer) formed on one surface of the base material 652, and a plurality of types of components 656 mounted on one surface of the base material 652.
[0264] <Sub-control board / Fracture surface> Next, the fracture surface of the sub-control board 650 will be described.
[0265] Part of each side in the longitudinal and transverse directions of the base material 652 of the sub-control board 650 has burrs 658 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "burrs 658 during forming") generated by breakage due to router processing or the like when forming the base material 652. The sub-control board 650 (second board) is a board having a first fracture surface 650a (fracture surface of the second shape) where burrs 658 during forming occurred and a second fracture surface 650b where burrs 658 during forming did not occur.
[0266] Note that the sub-control board 650 is a board corresponding to the identification board 610 provided in the main control board 600 or a board not having a fracture part corresponding to the fracture part 616 provided in the main control board 600.
[0267] The burrs 658 during forming of the sub-control board 650 are burrs generated by breakage due to router processing or the like when forming the base material 652 of the sub-control board 650, and are composed of a plurality of convex portions 658a (second convex portions). These burrs 658 during forming are burrs with smaller unevenness than the burrs 632 at the time of fracture of the main control board 600 (first board) described with reference to FIG. 11 (burrs remaining when the fracture part 616 of the main control board 600 is broken (separated) into two with a slit (perforation)). The fracture surface 660 (fracture surface of the second shape) where burrs 658 during forming occurred has finer unevenness (smaller unevenness in shape) than the fracture surface (fracture surface of the first shape) where burrs 632 at the time of fracture occurred.
[0268] Here, paying attention to the positional relationship between the board accommodation recess 612 of the main control board 600 and the resist layer 604, and the positional relationship between the first fracture surface 650a of the sub-control board 650 and the resist layer 654, the shortest distance x1 from the bottom surface 612b of the board accommodation recess 612 of the main control board 600 to the resist layer 604 shown in FIG. 11(b) is configured to be longer than the shortest distance x5 from the first fracture surface 650a of the sub-control board 650 to the resist layer 654 shown in FIG. 12 (x1>x5).
[0269] According to this example, since the shortest distance x1 from the bottom surface 612b (the fracture surface of the first shape) of the substrate accommodation recess 612 (the recess of the first shape) of the main control board 600 to the resist layer 604 (the first resist layer) is longer than the shortest distance x5 from the first fracture surface 650a (the fracture surface of the second shape) of the sub-control board 650 to the resist layer 654 (the second resist layer) (x1 > x5), a clearance (working space) from the substrate accommodation recess 612 (the recess of the first shape) to the resist layer can be secured, making it easier to cut the fracture portion 616 formed in the substrate accommodation recess 612 (the recess of the first shape), improving workability. Moreover, even when performing a cutting operation by hanging a finger around the substrate accommodation recess 612 (the recess of the first shape) or using a tool, it is possible to avoid the finger or tool from touching the resist layer or the pattern wiring, and prevent damage to the main control board in advance.
[0270] Also, as shown in FIG. 12, the shortest distance x5 from the first fracture surface 650a of the sub-control board 650 to the resist layer 654 is configured to be longer than the shortest distance x6 from the second fracture surface 650b to the resist layer 654 (x5 > x6). With such a configuration, when separating the sacrificial board or adjacent substrates during substrate forming, it is possible to make it difficult for cracks to occur in the resist layer.
[0271] <Main substrate storage case> Next, the configuration of the main substrate storage case 640 (642, 644) will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14.
[0272] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view showing the main substrate storage case 640 and the main control board 600, and FIG. 14(a) is a plan view of the main substrate storage case 640 in a state where the main control board 600 is accommodated, as viewed from the substrate housing 642 side.
[0273] Also, FIG. 14(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A - A in FIG. 14(a), and FIG. 14(c) is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a conventional substrate corresponding to FIG. 14(b).
[0274] As shown in FIG. 13, the main board storage case 640 is a box body formed by combining a board storage body 642 (storage body) having a substantially rectangular bottom surface and a lid body 644 disposed so as to cover the internal space of the board storage body 642.
[0275] In the internal space of the main board storage case 640, the main control board 600 is stored in a state of being fixed to the board storage body 642 by screws 646. The board storage body 642 and the lid body 644 are each made of a translucent resin, and the main control board 600 stored inside the main board storage case 640 can be visually recognized from the outside through the main board storage case 640.
[0276] At two locations on the lower edge of the board storage body 642, gable-shaped hinge portions 642b are provided. And at two locations on the lower edge of the lid body 644, hook-shaped hook portions 644a that engage with the hinge portions 642b are provided, and at both left and right ends of the upper edge, locking tongue pieces 644b that lock with the upper edge of the board storage body 642 are respectively provided.
[0277] Therefore, when assembling the main board storage case 640, first, the hook portion 644a of the lid body 644 is engaged with the hinge portion 642b of the board storage body 642, and then the lid body 644 is swung around the hinge portion 642b to combine the board storage body 642 and the lid body 644, and the locking tongue piece 644b of the lid body 644 is locked to the locking hole on the upper edge of the board storage body 642, thereby fixing the lid body 644 to the board storage body 642.
[0278] As shown in FIG. 13, at positions corresponding to the adapter storage recesses 614 (second-shaped recesses) of the main control board 600 on the left side in the front view of the inner space of the board storage body 642, two ribs 642a (protrusions) are formed. As shown in FIG. 14(a), when the main control board 600 is stored in the board storage body 642, these two ribs 642a are respectively fitted to the two side walls 614a of the adapter storage recess 614 (second-shaped recess) of the main control board 600.
[0279] According to this example, since the main board storage case 640 is provided with ribs 642a that can be fitted (abutted) into the adapter accommodation recess 614 (recess of the second shape) of the main control board 600 (first board), when the main control board 600 (first board) is accommodated, the main control board 600 (first board) can be accommodated in the correct position and with the correct orientation, preventing mistakes in board installation and the like. Moreover, after the main control board 600 (first board) is accommodated, since the main control board 600 (first board) can be securely held, rattling of the main control board 600 (first board) during insertion and removal of the connector from the adapter 624 and the like can be suppressed.
[0280] Also, as described above, the board accommodation recess 612 and the adapter accommodation recess 614 of the main control board 600 have different shapes, and the width w1 of the bottom surface 612b of the board accommodation recess 612 is narrower than the width w3 of the bottom surface 614b of the adapter accommodation recess 614 (w1 < w3). Therefore, the two ribs 642a are structured such that they cannot be fitted to the two side walls 614a of the board accommodation recess 612 of the main control board 600.
[0281] According to this example, since the two ribs 642a of the board storage body 642 (storage body) cannot be fitted to the two side walls 614a of the board accommodation recess 612 (recess of the first shape) of the main control board 600, when the main control board 600 is accommodated, the main control board 600 can be accommodated in the correct position and with the correct orientation, preventing mistakes in board installation and the like.
[0282] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 13, no ribs or the like are provided at the position corresponding to the board accommodation recess 612 (recess of the first shape) of the main control board 600 on the right side in the front view of the inner space of the board storage body 642. As shown in FIG. 14(a), in a state where the main control board 600 is accommodated in the board storage body 642, voids (spaces where nothing is provided, hereinafter also referred to as "void regions") are formed above and below the board accommodation recess 612 (recess of the first shape) of the main control board 600.
[0283] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 14(b), the components (e.g., IC606c) disposed on the main control board 600 can be visually recognized from either side of the board housing 642 and the lid 644 of the main board storage case 640 through the board storage recess 612.
[0284] Note that the IC606c is a component disposed near the board storage recess 612 (recess of the first shape). Also, the IC606c is a component whose chip main body can be fitted into the socket part. Further, the short side of the IC606c can be visually recognized from the gap region, but the IC606c may be arranged vertically so that it can be visually recognized from the long side. In this case, the board storage recess 612 (recess of the first shape) may be formed so that the entire long side of the IC606c can be visually recognized from the gap region, the IC606c may be disposed, or it may be possible to visually recognize a part of the long side of the IC606c.
[0285] Also, no other components may be arranged between the IC606c and the board storage recess 612 (recess of the first shape). By doing so, the visibility of the IC606c from the gap region can be prevented from being obstructed. When other components are arranged between the IC606c and the board storage recess 612 (recess of the first shape), the other components should be shorter than the IC606c to ensure visibility from the gap region. In this case, although other components may be damaged when the identification board 610 is broken, the damage to the IC606c can be prevented, and it can be identified that the board is a defective board due to the damage of other components.
[0286] According to this example, the board can be easily visually recognized, it is easy to discover unauthorized components when unauthorized components are attached to the board, and the components mounted on the board can be confirmed in the state of being housed in the housing, thereby improving the maintainability and workability.
[0287] <Summary of Main Control Board> As described above, the gaming machine according to the present embodiment (for example, the slot machine 100 shown in FIG. 1) is a gaming machine including a first substrate (for example, the main control board 600 shown in FIG. 11), and the first substrate is a substrate having a recess of a first shape (for example, the board housing recess 612 shown in FIG. 11), and the first substrate is a substrate having a recess of a second shape (for example, the adapter housing recess 614 shown in FIG. 11), and the recess of the first shape and the recess of the second shape have different shapes. This is a characteristic of the gaming machine.
[0288] According to the gaming machine of the present embodiment, since the substrate (the first substrate) has the characteristic point of having recesses with different shapes, it becomes easy to identify the substrate, and it becomes possible to correctly recognize the orientation of the substrate, improving workability during installation of the substrate and the like, and preventing attachment mistakes of the substrate and the like. In this way, it is possible to provide a gaming machine with attachment mistakes and the like suppressed.
[0289] In the manufacturing process of the gaming machine, the substrate products are covered with various substrate cases and installed, fixed, and attached in the gaming machine. However, many substrate products have similar outer shapes, and attachment mistakes may occur during the manufacture and assembly of the gaming machine, or even if no attachment mistakes occur, the wrong substrate may be selected and working time may be wasted. According to the gaming machine of the present embodiment, it is possible to easily distinguish the substrates and simplify the process during the manufacture and assembly of the gaming machine.
[0290] Further, it may include a housing (for example, the board housing 642 shown in FIG. 14(b)), the housing being a housing capable of housing the first substrate, and in a state where the first substrate is housed in the housing, a component (for example, the IC 606c shown in FIG. 14(b)) disposed on the first substrate may be visible through the recess of the first shape (for example, the board housing recess 612 shown in FIG. 14(b)).
[0291] With such a configuration, it becomes easy to visually recognize the substrate (the first substrate), and it becomes easy to discover a counterfeit component when a counterfeit component is attached. In addition, it is possible to confirm the components mounted on the substrate and the like while they are housed in the housing, thereby enhancing the maintainability and workability. In this way, it is possible to provide a gaming machine with improved maintenance performance.
[0292] Further, a housing (for example, the substrate housing 642 shown in FIG. 14(a)) is provided. The housing is a housing capable of housing the first substrate. The housing includes a convex portion (for example, the rib 642a shown in FIG. 14(a)) inside. The convex portion may be a portion that can be fitted into the concave portion of the second shape (for example, the adapter housing concave portion 614 shown in FIG. 14(a)) and cannot be fitted into the concave portion of the first shape (for example, the substrate housing concave portion 612 shown in FIG. 14(a)).
[0293] With such a configuration, when housing the substrate (the first substrate), the substrate can be housed in the correct position and in the correct orientation, preventing work mistakes. Further, after housing the substrate, the substrate can be securely held, thereby suppressing rattling of the substrate during connector insertion / removal or the like. In this way, it is possible to provide a gaming machine with improved operability during assembly and inspection.
[0294] Further, the first substrate is a substrate in which a break portion (for example, the break portion 616 shown in FIG. 11(a)) can be cut to identify one of the manufacturers of the gaming machine. The concave portion of the first shape may be a portion where the break portion is formed.
[0295] When there are a plurality of affiliated companies, manufacturing substrates for each affiliated company will increase the manufacturing cost accordingly. However, with such a configuration, the names of one or more companies are indicated in one substrate product part, and at the stage where each affiliated company manufactures and assembles the gaming machine, it is possible to leave only the name of its own company or delete unnecessary company names, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost while providing a gaming machine that does not malfunction during assembly and inspection.
[0296] Further, the first substrate is a substrate having a plurality of components (for example, passive components 606 such as resistors, capacitors, coils, etc. shown in FIG. 11), and one of the plurality of components is a first component disposed near the recess of the first shape (for example, the passive component 606a1 shown in FIG. 11(b)), and the longitudinal direction of the recess of the first shape (for example, the substrate housing recess 612 shown in FIG. 11(b)) and the longitudinal direction of the first component may be the same direction.
[0297] With such a configuration, when cutting the breakage part, the stress applied in the longitudinal direction of the recess of the first shape can be reduced from affecting the first passive component mounted on the first substrate, and breakage of the first passive component can be prevented. In this way, a gaming table in which problems due to component breakage are suppressed can be provided.
[0298] Further, the first substrate is a substrate having a plurality of components (for example, passive components 606 such as resistors, capacitors, coils, etc., long and thin components, components with terminals protruding from the main body shown in FIG. 11), and one of the plurality of components is a first component disposed near the recess of the first shape (for example, the passive component 606a1 shown in FIG. 11(b)), and one of the plurality of components is a second component disposed near the recess of the second shape (for example, the passive component 606a2 shown in FIG. 11(b)), and the shortest distance from the recess of the first shape to the first component (for example, the shortest distance x3 shown in FIG. 11(b)) may be longer than the shortest distance from the recess of the second shape to the second component (for example, the shortest distance x4 shown in FIG. 11(b)).
[0299] With such a configuration, it is possible to secure a clearance (working space) from the recess of the first shape to the first passive component, facilitating the cutting of the fracture part formed in the recess of the first shape, enhancing workability, and preventing fingers or tools from touching the first passive component even when performing cutting operations by hanging a finger on the periphery of the recess of the first shape or using a tool, thereby preventing damage to the first passive component. In this way, it is possible to provide a gaming table in which malfunctions due to component damage are suppressed and the safety of the operator is improved.
[0300] Also, the longitudinal direction of the recess of the first shape and the longitudinal direction of the second component are different directions, and the shortest distance from the recess of the first shape to the second component (for example, the shortest distance α shown in FIG. 11(b)) may be longer than the shortest distance from the recess of the first shape to the first component (for example, the shortest distance x3 shown in FIG. 11(b)).
[0301] With such a configuration, the longitudinal direction of the second passive component is different from that of the recess of the first shape, and the second passive component is likely to be affected by the stress applied in the longitudinal direction of the recess of the first shape when cutting the fracture part. However, by arranging the second passive component at a position farther from the recess of the first shape than the first passive component, damage to the second passive component can be prevented. In this way, it is possible to provide a gaming table in which malfunctions due to component damage are suppressed.
[0302] Also, the first substrate is a substrate having a resist (for example, the resist layer 604 shown in FIG. 11), the first substrate is a substrate on which identification information (for example, the identification information 608 shown in FIG. 11) is displayed in a predetermined area, the identification information is identification information including information capable of specifying one manufacturing manufacturer of the gaming table, and the predetermined area may be an area where the resist is not formed.
[0303] With such a configuration, even when other information is printed on the resist layer or the like, the visibility of the identification information can be enhanced, and the convenience can be improved.
[0304] Further, the predetermined region may be a region where no pattern wiring is formed.
[0305] With such a configuration, even when other information is printed on the resist layer or the like, the visibility of the identification information can be enhanced, and the convenience can be improved.
[0306] <Main control board and sub-control board / Summary> As described above, the gaming table according to the present embodiment (for example, the slot machine 100 shown in FIG. 1) is a gaming table including a first board (for example, the main control board 600 shown in FIG. 11) and a second board (for example, the sub-control board 650 shown in FIG. 12), wherein the first board is a board having a broken cross-section of a first shape (for example, the broken cross-section in which burrs 632 are generated during breaking shown in FIG. 11(b)), the second board is a board having a broken cross-section of a second shape (for example, the first broken cross-section 650a shown in FIG. 12), and the broken cross-section of the first shape and the broken cross-section of the second shape are of different shapes.
[0307] According to the gaming table of the present embodiment, the first and second boards can be easily identified, the workability during mounting of the boards or the like can be improved, and mounting errors of the boards or the like can be prevented in advance. In this way, a gaming table with mounting errors or the like suppressed can be provided.
[0308] In the manufacturing process of the gaming machine, the substrate products in their formed states are covered with various substrate cases and installed, fixed, and attached inside the gaming machine. However, many substrate products have similar outer shapes, and during the manufacturing and assembly of the gaming machine, there may be installation errors, or even if no installation errors occur, the installer may be confused about which substrate to install, resulting in wasted working time. According to the gaming machine of the present embodiment, it is easier to distinguish the substrates, and the manufacturing and assembly processes of the gaming machine can be simplified.
[0309] Further, the first substrate is a substrate having a first resist (for example, the resist layer 604 shown in FIG. 11), the second substrate is a substrate having a second resist (for example, the resist layer 654 shown in FIG. 12), the broken cross-section of the second shape is a broken cross-section having a second convex portion (for example, the convex portion 658a shown in FIG. 12), the broken cross-section of the first shape is a broken cross-section having a first convex portion (for example, the convex portion 632a shown in FIG. 11(b)) larger than the second convex portion, and the shortest distance (for example, the shortest distance x1 shown in FIG. 11(b)) from the broken cross-section of the first shape to the first resist may be longer (farther) than the shortest distance (for example, the shortest distance x5 shown in FIG. 12) from the broken cross-section of the second shape to the second resist.
[0310] With such a configuration, a clearance (working space) from the concave portion of the first shape to the resist layer can be ensured, the cutting of the broken portion formed in the concave portion of the first shape becomes easy, workability can be improved, and even when performing a cutting operation by hanging a finger on the periphery of the concave portion of the first shape or using a tool, it is possible to avoid the finger or the tool from touching the resist layer or the pattern wiring, and prevent damage to the main control substrate and the like. In this way, a gaming machine in which malfunctions due to component damage are suppressed can be provided.
[0311] Further, the first substrate is a substrate that enables identification of one of the game table manufacturers when a break portion (for example, the break portion 616 shown in FIG. 11(a)) is cut, the second substrate is a substrate that does not include the break portion, and the break surface of the first shape may be a break surface formed by cutting the break portion.
[0312] When there are a plurality of affiliated companies, manufacturing substrates for each affiliated company will increase the manufacturing cost accordingly. However, with such a configuration, the names of one or more companies are indicated in one substrate product part, and at the stage of manufacturing and assembling the game table by each affiliated company, only the name of its own company can be left or unnecessary company names can be deleted, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost while providing a game table that does not malfunction during assembly or inspection.
[0313] Further, the first substrate is a substrate having a break surface of a third shape (for example, a break surface with burrs generated during molding), the break surface of the third shape is a break surface formed during the molding of the first substrate, the break surface of the first shape is a rougher break surface than the break surface of the third shape, and the break surface of the first shape may be a break surface located more inward than the break surface of the third shape in the first substrate.
[0314] With such a configuration, a clearance (working space) from the recess of the first shape to the resist layer can be ensured, the cutting of the break portion formed in the recess of the first shape becomes easy, and the workability can be improved. Also, since the rough break surface is located inward of the substrate, the safety can be enhanced. In this way, it is possible to provide a game table in which malfunctions due to component damage are suppressed and the safety of the operator is improved.
[0315] Further, the break surface of the second shape may be a break surface constituting a part of one or more sides of the second substrate.
[0316] With such a configuration, the shape of the second substrate can be simplified, and the degree of freedom in circuit design can be improved.
[0317] Further, the first substrate is a substrate having a first resist (for example, the resist layer 604 shown in FIG. 11), the first substrate is a substrate on which identification information (for example, the identification information 608 shown in FIG. 11) is displayed in a predetermined region, the identification information is identification information including information capable of specifying one manufacturing manufacturer of the gaming table, and the predetermined region may be a region where the first resist is not formed.
[0318] With such a configuration, even when other information is printed or the like on the resist layer, the visibility of the identification information can be enhanced and the convenience can be enhanced.
[0319] Further, the predetermined region may be a region where pattern wiring is not formed.
[0320] With such a configuration, even when other information is printed or the like, the visibility of the identification information can be enhanced and the convenience can be enhanced.
[0321] The gaming machine according to this example (for example, the slot machine 100 shown in FIG. 1) is a gaming machine including a first substrate (for example, the main control substrate 600 shown in FIG. 10) and a housing (for example, the substrate housing 642 shown in FIG. 13(b)) capable of accommodating the first substrate. The first substrate is a substrate having a recess of a first shape (for example, the substrate accommodation recess 612 shown in FIG. 10). The first substrate is a substrate having a recess of a second shape (for example, the adapter accommodation recess 614 shown in FIG. 10). The recess of the first shape and the recess of the second shape have different shapes. The housing includes a convex portion (for example, the rib 642a shown in FIG. 13(a)) inside. The convex portion is a portion that can be fitted into the recess of the second shape and cannot be fitted into the recess of the first shape. The first substrate is a substrate that can identify a certain manufacturer of the gaming machine when a specific portion (for example, the break portion 616 shown in FIG. 10(a)) is cut. The recess of the first shape is a portion where one side of the first substrate becomes a U-shape when the specific portion is cut. In a state where the first substrate is accommodated in the housing, a component (for example, the IC 606c shown in FIG. 13(b)) disposed on the other side of the first substrate through the recess of the first shape can be visually recognized from one side of the first substrate. The recess of the second shape is a portion where the shape is maintained even when the specific portion is cut. In a state where the first substrate is accommodated in the housing, the convex portion is fitted such that a first convex portion and a second convex portion of the convex portion are respectively in contact with and fitted to sides in the depth direction of the recess of the second shape. This is a gaming machine characterized by the above.
[0322] In addition, the gaming machine according to the present embodiment (for example, the slot machine 100 shown in FIG. 1) is a gaming machine including a first substrate (for example, the main control board 600 shown in FIG. 11), wherein the first substrate is a substrate having a cross-sectional portion of a predetermined shape (for example, the broken portion 616 shown in FIG. 11(a)), the first substrate is a substrate having a cross-sectional portion of a specific shape (for example, a molding burr, a concave portion, a convex portion, a cross-section of the long side of the main control board 600, a cross-section of the short side), the first substrate is a substrate having a first resist (for example, the resist layer 604 shown in FIG. 11), the first substrate is a substrate in which the shortest distance from the cross-sectional portion of the predetermined shape to the first resist is a first distance (for example, the shortest distance x1 shown in FIG. 11(b)), the first substrate is a substrate in which the shortest distance from the cross-sectional portion of the specific shape to the first resist is a second distance (for example, the shortest distance z1 shown in FIG. 11(b)), the first substrate is a substrate by which a manufacturing manufacturer of the gaming machine can be specified when the broken portion is cut, the cross-sectional portion of the predetermined shape is a cross-sectional portion formed when the broken portion is cut, the cross-sectional portion of the predetermined shape and the cross-sectional portion of the specific shape are different in shape, and the first distance is longer than the second distance. The gaming machine is characterized by this.
[0323] According to the gaming machine of the present embodiment, when cutting the broken portion, it is possible to reduce the strain generated in the substrate due to the stress applied to the substrate, and it is possible to prevent damage to the substrate and components mounted on the substrate. In this way, it is possible to provide a gaming machine in which problems due to component damage are suppressed.
[0324] In the manufacturing process of the gaming machine, the substrate products are covered with various substrate cases and installed, fixed, and attached in the gaming machine. However, many substrate products have similar outer shapes, and during the manufacturing and assembly of the gaming machine, there may be installation mistakes, or even if there are no installation mistakes, there may be confusion about which substrate to install, resulting in wasted working time. According to the gaming machine of the present embodiment, it is easier to distinguish the substrates, and the manufacturing and assembly processes of the gaming machine can be simplified.
[0325] Further, the first substrate is a substrate having a first side (for example, a long side), the first substrate is a substrate having a cross-sectional portion of the predetermined shape along the first side, and the first side may be a side parallel to the direction in which stress acts on the first substrate.
[0326] With such a configuration, when cutting the breaking portion, it is possible to reduce the distortion generated in the substrate due to the stress applied to the substrate, and it is possible to prevent breakage of the substrate, components mounted on the substrate, and the like.
[0327] The gaming machine according to this example (for example, the slot machine 100 shown in FIG. 1) is a gaming machine including a first substrate (for example, the main control substrate 600 shown in FIG. 10), a second substrate (for example, the sub-control substrate 650 shown in FIG. 11), and a housing capable of housing the first substrate. The first substrate is a substrate having a broken cross-section of a first shape (for example, the broken cross-section shown in FIG. 10(b) where a burr 632 is generated at the time of breaking). The second substrate is a substrate having a broken cross-section of a second shape (for example, the first broken cross-section 650a shown in FIG. 11). The broken cross-section of the first shape and the broken cross-section of the second shape are different in shape. The first substrate is a substrate having a first resist (for example, the resist layer 604 shown in FIG. 10). The second substrate is a substrate having a second resist (for example, the resist layer 654 shown in FIG. 11). The broken cross-section of the first shape is rougher than the broken cross-section of the second shape. The shortest distance from the broken cross-section of the first shape to the first resist (for example, the shortest distance x1 shown in FIG. 10(b)) is longer than the shortest distance from the broken cross-section of the second shape to the second resist (for example, the shortest distance x5 shown in FIG. 11). The first substrate is a substrate that can be identified as a gaming machine of a certain manufacturer when a specific part (for example, the broken part 616 shown in FIG. 10(a)) is cut. The second substrate does not have the specific part. The broken cross-section of the first shape is a broken cross-section formed when the specific part is cut. The first substrate is a substrate having a broken cross-section of a third shape (for example, a broken cross-section where a burr is generated during molding). The broken cross-section of the third shape is a broken cross-section formed during the molding of the first substrate. The broken cross-section of the first shape is rougher than the broken cross-section of the third shape. The broken cross-section of the first shape is a broken cross-section located more inward than the broken cross-section of the third shape in the first substrate. The first substrate is a substrate in which a U-shaped specific part is formed on a certain side when the specific part is cut. The broken cross-section of the first shape is a broken cross-section formed on the side parallel to the certain side among the three sides constituting the specific part. When the first substrate is housed in the housing, components disposed on the other side of the first substrate through the specific part can be visually recognized from one side of the first substrate. When the first substrate is housed in the housing,The gaming machine is characterized in that the area on the one side of the first board corresponding to the specific part in the housing is a gap area where the member extending toward the first board is not arranged along the U-shape.
[0328] In addition, the gaming machine according to this embodiment (for example, the slot machine 100 shown in FIG. 1) is a gaming machine including a first board (for example, the main control board 600 shown in FIG. 10) and a container capable of storing the first board, the first board being a board having a cross-sectional portion of a predetermined shape (for example, the breakage portion 616 shown in FIG. 10(a)), the first board being a board having a cross-sectional portion of a specific shape (for example, a molding burr, a concave portion, a convex portion, a cross-section of the long side of the main control board 600, a cross-section of the short side), The plate is a substrate having a first resist (e.g., resist layer 604 shown in FIG. 10), the first substrate is a substrate in which the shortest distance from the cross-sectional portion of the predetermined shape to the first resist is a first distance (e.g., the shortest distance x1 shown in FIG. 10(b)), the first substrate is a substrate in which the shortest distance from the cross-sectional portion of the specific shape to the first resist is a second distance (e.g., the shortest distance z1 shown in FIG. 10(b)), and the first substrate is a substrate in which the shortest distance from the cross-sectional portion of the specific shape to the first resist is a second distance (e.g., the shortest distance z1 shown in FIG. 10(b)) by cutting a specific portion. a cross-sectional portion of a predetermined shape formed by cutting the specific portion, the cross-sectional portion of a predetermined shape and the cross-sectional portion of a specific shape being different shapes, the first distance being longer than the second distance, the first substrate being a substrate having a U-shaped specific portion formed on a certain side by cutting the specific portion, the cross-sectional portion of a predetermined shape being a cross-sectional portion formed on a side of three sides that constitute the specific portion that is parallel to the certain side, when the first substrate is contained in the container, components arranged on the other side of the first substrate are visible through the specific portion from one side of the first substrate, and when the first substrate is contained in the container, a region on the one side of the first substrate that corresponds to the specific portion in the container is a void region in which a member extending toward the first substrate is not arranged along the U-shaped shape.
[0329] <Main Control Board According to Modification 1> Next, a main control board 670 (first board) according to the first modification will be described with reference to Fig. 15. Figs. 15(a) and (b) are plan views of the main control board 670 according to the first modification.
[0330] The main control board 670 of the first variant example is composed of a base material 672 consisting of a rectangular plate-like body, a pattern wiring (not shown) and a resist layer 674 (first resist layer) formed on one side of the base material 672, multiple types of components 676 mounted on one side of the base material 672, identification information 678 printed in a predetermined area (an area where the pattern wiring and resist layer 674 are not formed) on one side of the base material 672, and an identification board 680 having identification information 692 different from the identification information 678.
[0331] 11, an example was shown in which board accommodating recess 612 (recess of first shape) is formed on the right side surface (short side on the right side as viewed from the front) of main control board 600, but in main control board 670 according to the modified example, board accommodating recess 682 (recess of first shape) of the same shape as board accommodating recess 612 (recess of first shape) of main control board 600 is formed on the lower side surface (long side on the lower side as viewed from the front) of main control board 670. Also, an adapter accommodating recess 684 of the same shape as adapter accommodating recess 614 of main control board 600 is formed on the upper side surface (long side on the upper side as viewed from the front) of main control board 600.
[0332] The main control board can be applied even if it does not have the adaptor accommodating recess 684. Furthermore, the "first board" according to the present invention may be a peripheral board (board for performance) or a relay board instead of the main control board.
[0333] According to this example, board accommodating recess 682 (recess of a first shape) is formed on the long side of main control board 670 (first board), so that when breaking portion 696 is cut, distortion caused in base material 672 of main control board 670 (first board) due to stress applied from identification board 680 to base material 672 of main control board 670 (first board) can be reduced, and damage to base material 672 of main control board 670 (first board) and components mounted on base material 672 of main control board 670 (first board) can be prevented.
[0334] In the modified example, the direction in which the main control board 670 is stressed is the longitudinal direction, and the board accommodating recess 682 is provided along the longitudinal direction and arranged in a direction parallel to the stress direction. On the other hand, when the fractured portion is cut, a force acts in a direction different from the stress direction, so that distortion of the base material 672 can be suppressed when the fractured portion is cut.
[0335] Furthermore, if an attempt is made to forcibly remove main control board 670 (first board) from a main board storage case (for example, board housing body 642 shown in FIG. 13), main control board 670 is more likely to be damaged than a main control board having a board housing recess formed on its short side (for example, main control board 600 shown in FIG. 11(a)). This makes it possible to leave traces of tampering, etc., thereby improving crime prevention.
[0336] In this example, the identification information 678 is placed near the substrate accommodating recess 682, but the "predetermined area" according to the present invention is not limited to this example, and may be placed in an area spaced a predetermined distance from the substrate accommodating recess 682 (for example, the area indicated by symbol A in Figure 15(a) with the resist layer 674 sandwiched between the substrate accommodating recess 682).
[0337] According to this example, since the distance from the identification information 692 of the identification board 680 is increased, the two types of identification information (the identification information 678 and the identification information 692) can be easily distinguished, and work errors and the like can be reduced.
[0338] <Main control board / components according to modification example 1> Next, components 676 mounted on main control board 670 according to the first modification will be described.
[0339] Components 676 implemented on main control board 670 according to the first modification include passive components 676a (676a1, 676a2) such as resistors, capacitors, and coils, and an IC 676c.
[0340] In the example shown in FIGS. 15(a) and 15(b), a plurality of passive components 676a (676a1, 676a2), an IC 676c, and the like are disposed near a board accommodating recess 682 (a recess of a first shape) of a main control board 670.
[0341] The longitudinal direction of one passive component 676a1 (first passive component) among the multiple passive components 676a is the same as the longitudinal direction of the substrate accommodating recess 682, and the longitudinal direction of one passive component 676a2 (second passive component) among the multiple passive components 676a is a different direction from the longitudinal direction of the substrate accommodating recess 682 and is a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the substrate accommodating recess 682.
[0342] According to this example, the longitudinal direction of one passive component 676a1 (first passive component) among the multiple passive components 676a is the same as the longitudinal direction of the substrate accommodating recess 682 (recess of a first shape). Therefore, the effect of the stress applied in the longitudinal direction of the recess of the first shape when cutting the fracture portion on the first passive component mounted on the first substrate can be reduced, and damage to the first passive component can be prevented.
[0343] 15(a) and 15(b), a plurality of passive components 676a (676a1, 676a2), an IC 676c, and the like are also disposed near the adapter accommodating recess 684 of the main control board 670.
[0344] The longitudinal direction of one passive component 676a2 (second passive component) of the multiple passive components 676a is a direction different from the longitudinal direction of the adaptor accommodating recess 684 and is a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the adaptor accommodating recess 684.
[0345] Here, in FIG. 15(a), focusing on the positional relationship between the board accommodating recess 682 of the main control board 670 and the passive component 676a1, and the positional relationship between the adapter accommodating recess 684 and the passive component 676a2, the shortest distance y3 from the board accommodating recess 682 to the passive component 676a1 is configured to be longer than the shortest distance y4 from the adapter accommodating recess 684 to the passive component 676a2 (y3>y4).
[0346] According to this example, the shortest distance y3 from the board accommodating recess 682 (recess having a first shape) to the passive component 676a1 (first passive component) is longer than the shortest distance y4 from the adapter accommodating recess 684 (recess having a second shape) to the passive component 676a2 (second passive component) (y3>y4). Therefore, a clearance (work space) from the board accommodating recess 682 (recess having a first shape) to the passive component 676a1 (first passive component) can be secured, and the broken portion formed in the board accommodating recess 682 (recess having a first shape) can be easily cut, improving workability. In addition, even when a cutting operation is performed by placing a finger around the periphery of the board accommodating recess 682 (recess having a first shape) or by using a tool, it is possible to prevent the finger or tool from touching the passive component 676a1 (first passive component), and thus it is possible to prevent damage to the passive component 676a1 (first passive component).
[0347] Also, the shortest distance from the adaptor accommodating recess 684 (recess of second shape) to the passive component 676a2 (second passive component) is set to y4, but even if there is no adaptor accommodating recess and the shortest distance from the long side closest to the passive component 676a2 (second passive component) in the main control board 670 is set to y4' (see FIG. 15(b)), "y3>y4'" may be satisfied. In other words, if "the distance from the break portion to the first passive component>the distance from the side without the break portion to the second passive component", the first passive component may be arranged in the same direction as the longitudinal direction of the board accommodating recess. Note that "y3 <y4(y4´)」の場合であっても、第一の受動部品を基板収容凹部の長手方向と同じ方向で配置することで、破断部の切断時の応力による部品の破損を防ぐことができる。
[0348] Also, in FIG. 15(b), when attention is paid to the positional relationship between the board accommodating recess 682 of the main control board 670 and the passive component 676a2, and the positional relationship between the adapter accommodating recess 684 and the passive component 676a2, the shortest distance y5 from the board accommodating recess 682 to the passive component 676a2 is configured to be longer than the shortest distance y4 from the adapter accommodating recess 684 to the passive component 676a2 (y5>y4).
[0349] 15(a) and 15(b), the second passive component may be a passive component arranged along the short side of the board, such as passive components 674a4 and 676a5, and the shortest distance y7 from the end of the short side to passive components 674a4 and 676a5 may be "y3>y7", and these relationships are the same as for passive component 676a2. Also, if the shortest distance from board accommodating recess 682 to passive components 674a4 and 676a5 is γ, then "y3<γ", and these relationships are the same as for passive component 676a2.
[0350] According to this example, the shortest distance y5 from the board accommodating recess 682 (recess having a first shape) to the passive component 676a2 (second passive component) is longer than the shortest distance y4 from the adapter accommodating recess 684 (recess having a second shape) to the passive component 676a2 (second passive component) (y5>y4). Therefore, a clearance (work space) from the board accommodating recess 682 (recess having a first shape) to the passive component 676a2 (second passive component) can be secured, and the broken portion formed in the board accommodating recess 682 (recess having a first shape) can be easily cut, improving workability. In addition, even when a cutting operation is performed by placing a finger around the periphery of the board accommodating recess 682 (recess having a first shape) or by using a tool, it is possible to prevent the finger or tool from touching the passive component 676a2 (second passive component). This makes it possible to prevent damage to the passive component 676a2 (second passive component) from occurring.
[0351] Also, the shortest distance from the adaptor accommodating recess 684 (recess of second shape) to the passive component 676a2 (second passive component) is set to y4, but even if there is no adaptor accommodating recess and the shortest distance from the long side closest to the passive component 676a2 (second passive component) in the main control board 670 is set to y4', "y5>y4'" may be satisfied. In other words, if a distance greater than y4 (y4') is secured and the passive component is arranged in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the board accommodating recess, the effect of stress when the fracture portion is cut can be reduced and damage to the component can be prevented.
[0352] Furthermore, when attention is paid to the positional relationship between the board accommodating recess 682 of the main control board 670 and the passive component 676a1 in Figure 15(a) and the positional relationship between the board accommodating recess 682 and the passive component 676a2 in Figure 15(b), the shortest distance y5 from the board accommodating recess 682 to the passive component 676a2 shown in Figure 15(b) is configured to be longer than the shortest distance y3 from the board accommodating recess 682 to the passive component 676a1 shown in Figure 15(a) (y5>y3).
[0353] According to this example, the longitudinal direction of the passive component 676a2 (second passive component) is different from that of the substrate accommodating recess 682 (recess of first shape), and the passive component 676a2 (second passive component) is susceptible to the stress applied in the longitudinal direction of the substrate accommodating recess 682 (recess of first shape) when cutting the breaking portion 696. However, by arranging the passive component 676a2 (second passive component) at a position farther from the substrate accommodating recess 682 (recess of first shape) than the passive component 676a1 (first passive component), damage to the passive component 676a2 (second passive component) can be prevented.
[0354] In addition, other components such as passive component 676a1 (first passive component), ICs, resistor arrays, etc. may be arranged within the shortest distance y5 from substrate accommodating recess 682 to passive component 676a2 (second passive component) so that the stress generated when the fracture portion is cut is less likely to affect the second passive component. In this case, it is preferable that the "other components" are larger than the second passive component.
[0355] Also, when it is arranged on the side of the substrate accommodation recess 682 (the side without the burr 632 at the time of breakage), like the passive component 676a3 in Fig. 15(a) and the passive component 676a1 in Fig. 15(b), it may be arranged closer to the substrate accommodation recess 682 than the passive components (the passive component 676a1 and the passive component 676a2 in Fig. 15(a)) arranged on the side with the burr 632 at the time of breakage. Since it is arranged at a position less likely to be affected by the stress during breakage, there is no need to consider the clearance, and the degree of freedom in substrate design can be increased.
[0356] Also, such a substrate accommodation recess may be provided by a plurality of substrates on one game table. In this case, when a passive component A (passive component 616a1) is arranged at a distance m1 (distance x3) from the substrate accommodation recess in a certain substrate (for example, Fig. 11(b)), and a passive component B (passive component 676a2) is arranged at a distance m2 (y5) longer than the distance m1 from the substrate accommodation recess in another substrate (Fig. 15(b)), the passive component A is arranged such that the longitudinal direction of the passive component A coincides with the longitudinal direction of the substrate accommodation recess. Since a distance m2 longer than the distance m1 is ensured for the passive component B, the passive component B may be arranged such that the longitudinal direction of the passive component B is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the substrate accommodation recess. By not uniformly limiting the arrangement direction of the passive components during substrate design, the degree of freedom in substrate design can be ensured. Also, when another substrate has fewer components mounted on the substrate than a certain substrate and sufficient area of the substrate mounting surface can be ensured, the passive components may be arranged away from the substrate accommodation recess. Even for a substrate provided with a substrate accommodation recess, when the number of components to be mounted on the substrate is small, the substrate design can be performed without considering the arrangement direction of the passive components, and the degree of freedom in substrate design can be ensured by not uniformly limiting the arrangement direction of the passive components during substrate design. Also, by varying the distance and arrangement direction from the substrate accommodation recess to the passive components depending on the substrate, it is possible to easily identify which substrate it is.
[0357] <Summary of the main control board according to Modification 1> As described above, the gaming machine according to this embodiment (e.g., the slot machine 100 shown in FIG. 1) is a gaming machine equipped with a first board (e.g., the main control board 670 shown in FIG. 15), the first board is a board having a recess of a first shape (e.g., the board accommodating recess 682 shown in FIG. 15), the first board is a board in which a manufacturer of the gaming machine can be identified by cutting a breaking portion (e.g., the breaking portion 696 shown in FIG. 15(a)), the recess of the first shape is a portion where the breaking portion is formed, and the recess of the first shape is formed along a long side of the first board.
[0358] According to the gaming machine of this embodiment, a first shaped recess is formed on the long side of the substrate (first substrate), so that when the fracture portion is cut, the distortion caused by the stress applied to the substrate can be reduced, and damage to the substrate and the components mounted on the substrate can be prevented. In this way, a gaming machine in which defects caused by component damage are suppressed can be provided.
[0359] Furthermore, if an attempt is made to forcibly remove the board from the main board storage case, the main control board is more susceptible to damage than a main control board having a first shaped recess formed on its long side, which can leave traces of fraudulent activity, thereby improving crime prevention.
[0360] In the manufacturing process of game machines, the circuit board products are covered with various circuit board cases and are installed, fixed, and attached inside the game machine. However, many circuit board products have similar external shapes, and installation mistakes can occur during the manufacturing and assembly of game machines, or, even if they do not result in installation mistakes, it can be difficult to know which circuit board to install, resulting in wasted work time. However, the game machine of this embodiment makes it easy to distinguish between circuit boards, simplifying the process of manufacturing and assembling the game machine.
[0361] Furthermore, the first substrate may be a substrate having a plurality of components (e.g., passive components 606 such as resistors, capacitors, and coils shown in FIG. 11 and passive components 676 such as resistors, capacitors, and coils shown in FIG. 15(a)), one of the plurality of components is a first component (e.g., passive component 606a1 shown in FIG. 11(b) and passive component 676a1 shown in FIG. 15(a)) arranged in the vicinity of the recess of the first shape, and the longitudinal direction of the recess of the first shape and the longitudinal direction of the first component may be along the long side of the first substrate.
[0362] With this configuration, the effect of the stress applied in the longitudinal direction of the recess of the first shape when the breaking portion is cut on the first passive component mounted on the first substrate can be reduced, and damage to the first passive component can be prevented. In this way, a gaming machine in which defects due to damage to components are suppressed can be provided.
[0363] The first substrate is a substrate having a side different from the long side, the first substrate is a substrate having a plurality of components (for example, passive components 606 such as resistors, capacitors, and coils shown in FIG. 11 and passive components 676 such as resistors, capacitors, and coils shown in FIG. 15(a)), one of the plurality of components is a first component (for example, passive component 606a1 shown in FIG. 11(b) and passive component 676a1 shown in FIG. 15(a)) disposed in the vicinity of the recess having the first shape, and one of the plurality of components is a first component (for example, passive component 606a1 shown in FIG. 11(b) and passive component 676a1 shown in FIG. 15(a)). The component is a second component (e.g., passive component 606a2 shown in FIG. 11(b) or passive component 676a2 shown in FIG. 15(a)) arranged near the certain side, and the shortest distance from the recess of the first shape to the first component (e.g., shortest distance x3 shown in FIG. 11(b) or shortest distance y3 shown in FIG. 15(a)) may be longer (x3>x4, y3>y4) than the shortest distance from the certain side to the second component (e.g., shortest distance x4 shown in FIG. 11(b) or shortest distance y4 shown in FIG. 15(a)).
[0364] With such a configuration, it is possible to secure a clearance (working space) from the recess of the first shape to the first passive component, facilitating the cutting of the fracture part formed in the recess of the first shape, enhancing workability, and moreover, even when performing a cutting operation by hanging a finger around the periphery of the recess of the first shape or using a tool, it is possible to avoid the finger or the tool from touching the first passive component, and prevent damage to the first passive component or the like. In this way, a gaming table in which malfunctions due to component damage are suppressed can be provided.
[0365] Also, the longitudinal direction of the first-shaped recess and the longitudinal direction of the second component are different directions, and the shortest distance from the first-shaped recess to the second component (for example, the shortest distance x3' shown in Fig. 11(b) and the shortest distances β and γ shown in Fig. 15(a)) may be longer than the shortest distance from the first-shaped recess to the first component (for example, the shortest distance x3 shown in Fig. 11(b) and the shortest distance y3 shown in Fig. 15(a)) (x3' > x3, β > y3, γ > y3). Note that the "shortest distance from the first-shaped recess to the second component" may be the distance of a line parallel to the short side of the substrate on the virtual extension line or the distance of an oblique line from the first-shaped recess to the second component.
[0366] With such a configuration, the longitudinal direction of the second passive component is different from the direction of the first-shaped recess, and although the second passive component is susceptible to the influence of the stress applied in the longitudinal direction of the first-shaped recess when cutting the fracture part, by arranging the second passive component at a position farther from the first-shaped recess than the first passive component, damage to the second passive component can be prevented. In this way, a gaming table in which malfunctions due to component damage are suppressed can be provided.
[0367] The container may also include a container (e.g., substrate container 642 shown in FIG. 14(b)) capable of storing the first substrate, and when the first substrate is stored in the container, a component (e.g., IC 606c shown in FIG. 14(b)) arranged on the first substrate may be visible through a recess of the first shape (e.g., substrate accommodating recess 612 shown in FIG. 14(b)).
[0368] With this configuration, the board can be easily viewed, making it easier to detect unauthorized components when they are installed, and the components mounted on the board can be confirmed while they are contained in the container, improving maintainability and workability.
[0369] Furthermore, the first substrate may be a substrate having a resist layer (e.g., resist layer 604 shown in FIG. 11), the first substrate may be a substrate having identification information (e.g., identification information 608 shown in FIG. 11) displayed in a predetermined area, the identification information being identification information including information capable of identifying one of the manufacturers of the gaming machine, and the predetermined area may be an area in which the resist layer is not formed.
[0370] With this configuration, even if other information is printed on the resist layer, the visibility of the identification information can be improved, and convenience can be improved.
[0371] The predetermined area may be an area where no pattern wiring is formed.
[0372] With this configuration, even if other information is printed, the visibility of the identification information can be improved, and convenience can be improved.
[0373] The gaming machine according to this example (for example, the slot machine 100 shown in FIG. 1) is a gaming machine including a first substrate (for example, the main control board 670 shown in FIG. 14) and a housing (for example, the board housing 642 shown in FIG. 13(b)) capable of housing the first substrate. The first substrate is a substrate having a recess of a first shape (for example, the board housing recess 682 shown in FIG. 14), the first substrate is a substrate having a recess of a second shape (for example, the adapter housing recess 684 shown in FIG. 14), the first substrate is a substrate such that a specific part (for example, the break part 696 shown in FIG. 14(a)) can be cut to identify a certain manufacturer of the gaming machine. The recess of the first shape is a part formed by cutting the specific part. The recess of the first shape is formed along a first long side among the long sides of the first substrate. When the first substrate is housed in the housing, a component (for example, the IC606c shown in FIG. 13(b)) disposed on the other side of the first substrate through the recess of the first shape can be visually recognized from one side of the first substrate. When the first substrate is housed in the housing, a region corresponding to the recess of the first shape in the housing on the one side of the first substrate is a void region where a member extending toward the first substrate is not disposed along the recess of the first shape. The recess of the second shape is formed along a second long side facing the first long side. When the first substrate is housed in the housing, the housing has a member that abuts against the recess of the second shape. This is the gaming machine characterized by the above.
[0374] <Main control board according to Modification 2> Next, with reference to FIG. 16(a), the main control board 690 (first substrate) according to Modification 2 will be described. FIG. 16(a) is a plan view of the main control board 690 according to Modification 2.
[0375] In the main control board 600 described with reference to FIG. 11, an example was shown in which by separating the identification board 610, only the identification information 618 (manufacturer name of the slot machine 100: Company BBB, identification number of the main control board: XXX-YYY) is left on the main control board 600, making it possible to identify the manufacturer of the gaming table.
[0376] However, the "first board" according to the present invention is not limited to this. For example, like the main control board 690 according to this Modification Example 2, without separating the identification board 692, by means such as applying a strikethrough to the identification information 694 (manufacturer name of the slot machine: Company BBB, identification number of the main control board: XXX-YYY) of the main control board 690 by laser engraving or the like, it may be configured so that the manufacturer of the gaming table can be identified.
[0377] <Main control board according to Modification Example 3> Next, the main control board 696 (first board) according to Modification Example 3 will be described with reference to FIG. 16(b). FIG. 16(b) is a plan view of the main control board 696 according to Modification Example 3.
[0378] In the main control board 600 described with reference to FIG. 11, an example was shown in which the identification information 618 (manufacturer name of the slot machine 100: Company BBB, identification number of the main control board: XXX-YYY) is printed on the main control board 600.
[0379] However, the "first board" according to the present invention is not limited to this. For example, like the main control board 696 according to this Modification Example 3, it is provided with a plurality of identification boards 698 that can be separated from the main control board 696. On one identification board 698, the first identification information (manufacturer name of the slot machine: Company AAA, identification number of the main control board: XXX-YYY) is printed, and on the other identification board 698, the second identification information (manufacturer name of the slot machine: Company BBB, identification number of the main control board: XXX-YYY) is printed, and it may be configured to separate either one.
[0380] <Main control board according to Modification Example 4> Next, the main control board 700 according to Modification 4 will be described with reference to FIG. 17. FIG. 17 is a plan view of the main control board 700 according to Modification 4.
[0381] The main control board 700 (first board) according to Modification 4 includes a base material 702 formed of a rectangular plate-like body, a resist layer 704 and a wiring pattern (not shown) formed on one surface of the base material 702, a plurality of types of components 706 (connectors, ICs, etc., details of which will be described later) mounted on one surface of the base material 702, and an identification board 708 connected to the base material 702 via a break portion 707.
[0382] Note that FIG. 17 shows the break portion 707 after the identification board 708 is separated from the base material 702. Also, hereinafter, the longitudinal direction of the main control board 700 may be referred to as the "lateral direction", and the short side direction of the main control board 700 may be referred to as the "longitudinal direction".
[0383] On one surface 702a (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "surface" or "component surface") of the base material 702, a plurality of types of components 706 (connectors, ICs, etc.) are mounted, and in addition, a resist layer 704, a wiring pattern, pads, lands, interlayer conduction portions (vias, through holes), silk printing, etc. are formed. Identification information 710 is printed in a predetermined area (an area where the resist layer 704, the wiring pattern, etc. are not formed) provided at the lower right of the base material 702.
[0384] This identification information 710 is information including at least information capable of specifying the manufacturing company of the gaming table. In this example, it is composed of information capable of specifying the name of the manufacturing company of the slot machine 100 (in this example, information composed of the characters "BBB Co., Ltd.") and information capable of specifying the identification number of the main control board 700 (in this example, information composed of the characters "XXX-YYY").
[0385] On the other side surface 702b of the base material 702 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "back surface" or "solder surface"), a resist, a wiring pattern, pads, lands, interlayer conduction parts (vias, through holes), silk printing, etc. are formed. In this example, the component 706 is not mounted. In addition to (or instead of) the front surface 702a, the component 706 may be mounted on the back surface 702b.
[0386] <Main control board / identification board according to Modification 4> Next, the identification board 708 of the main control board 700 will be described.
[0387] The identification board 708 is a board on which a pattern wiring and a resist layer are not formed, and includes a base material 712 formed of a rectangular plate-like body, and identification information 714 printed on one surface of the base material 712.
[0388] The identification information 714 of the identification board 708 is information that at least includes information capable of specifying the manufacturing company of the gaming table. In this example, it is information capable of specifying the name of the manufacturing company of the slot machine 100 (in this example, information composed of the characters "AAA Company") and information capable of specifying the identification number of the main control board 700 (in this example, information composed of the characters "XXX-YYY").
[0389] The breaking part 707 is a part where a plurality of slits (perforations) are formed at predetermined intervals at the connecting part between the base material 702 of the main control board 700 and the base material 712 of the identification board 708, and is a part for facilitating the separation of the identification board 708 from the base material 702 of the main control board 700.
[0390] By cutting the breaking part 707 by hand (or using a tool such as pliers), as shown in FIG. 17, the identification board 708 can be separated from the base material 702 of the main control board 700.
[0391] Before separating the identification board 708, the main control board 700 has two types of identification information: the identification information 710 of the main control board 700 (manufacturer name of the slot machine 100: Company BBB) and the identification information 714 of the identification board 708 (manufacturer name of the slot machine 100: Company AAA). Therefore, the manufacturing company of the gaming table cannot be identified.
[0392] However, by separating the identification board 708 from the base material 702 of the main control board 700, only the identification information 710 (manufacturer name of the slot machine 100: Company BBB) remains on the main control board 700, and it becomes possible to identify the manufacturing company of the gaming table based on the identification information 710. That is, the main control board 700 (the first board) is a board on which the manufacturing company of the gaming table (in this example, Company BBB) can be identified by cutting the breaking part 707 (specific part).
[0393] When the breaking part 707 (specific part) is cut, a part (burr) of the breaking part 707 remains on the base material 702 of the main control board 700, and when the identification board 708 is separated from the base material 702, a U-shaped notch part 716 is formed in a plan view, which is cut out inward from the outer edge of the main control board 700. That is, the notch part 716 is a part formed by cutting the breaking part 707 (specific part).
[0394] According to this example, since it is not necessary to regenerate the first board (main control board 700) for each manufacturing company of the gaming table, cost reduction can be achieved while improving maintainability.
[0395] For example, when there are multiple affiliated companies, if boards are manufactured for each affiliated company, the manufacturing cost will increase accordingly. However, according to this example, one or more company names are indicated in one board product part, and at the stage of manufacturing and assembling the gaming table by each affiliated company, only the company name of the company itself can be left, or unnecessary company names can be deleted, so as to reduce the manufacturing cost while providing a gaming table that does not cause problems during assembly or inspection.
[0396] In addition, since the identification information 710 of the main control board 700 and the identification information 714 of the identification board 708 are printed in areas where the pattern wiring and the resist layer 704 are not formed, even when other information (such as component names and terminal numbers) is printed on the resist layer 704, the visibility of the identification information is not obstructed, and convenience can be improved.
[0397] As shown in FIG. 16(a), even when the identification board as a specific part is not separated, it can be said that the game table manufacturing company can identify the board. Also, even when the identification board as a specific part is not separated, it can be said that the board is capable of forming a notch portion extending inward from the outer edge of the board by cutting the specific part, and it can be said that the board is capable of looking at components from the notch portion in the embodiments described later.
[0398] The notch portion 716 is composed of two side walls 716a extending inward from the outer edge of the lower long side of the main control board 700 and a bottom surface 716b connecting these two side walls 716a, and is a portion (recess) notched in a direction (longitudinal direction and short transverse direction) orthogonal to the plate thickness direction of the main control board 700 (first board). Also, since the identification board 708 is completely removed, it can be said that it is also notched in the plate thickness direction.
[0399] The width w11 of the bottom surface 716b is longer than the height h11 of the side wall 716a (w11>h11), the direction parallel to the bottom surface 716b (the lateral direction of the main control board 700) is the longitudinal direction of the notch portion 716, and the direction parallel to the side wall 716a (the longitudinal direction of the main control board 700) is the short transverse direction of the notch portion 716. Note that the shape and size of the notch portion 716 are not particularly limited. For example, the width of the bottom surface 716b may be shorter than the height of the side wall 716a.
[0400] The height h11 of the side wall 716a is slightly higher than the height h21 of the identification substrate 708 (h11 > h21), and the width w11 of the bottom surface 716b is set to be slightly wider than the width w21 of the identification substrate 708 (w11 > w21). Before the identification substrate 708 is separated from the base material 702, the entire identification substrate 708 is accommodated in the inner space of the notch 716, and the bottom surface 716b of the notch 716 and the opposing side of the identification substrate 708 are in a state of being connectable through the break portion 707 before breaking (for example, the same state as the identification substrate 610 shown in FIG. 10(a)).
[0401] <Main control board / components according to Modification 4> Next, the components 706 mounted on the main control board 700 will be described.
[0402] The components 706 mounted on the main control board 700 are not particularly limited, and examples include passive components such as resistors, capacitors, and coils, active components including various ICs, light-emitting devices such as diodes, transistors, and LEDs, and mechanical components such as connectors and switches.
[0403] In this example, as shown in FIG. 17, on the upper side in the vertical direction of the main control board 700, four first connectors 706a1, second connectors 706a2, third connectors 706a3, and fourth connectors 706a4 are arranged side by side at predetermined intervals along the horizontal direction of the main control board 700. On the right side in the horizontal direction and at the center in the vertical direction of the main control board 700, two fifth connectors 706a5 and sixth connectors 706a6 are arranged side by side at predetermined intervals.
[0404] Below the first connector 706a1, four ICs 706b1 to 706b4 are arranged at predetermined intervals along the vertical direction of the main control board 700. Above the fifth connector 706a5 and the sixth connector 706a6, an IC 706b5 is arranged, and below the fifth connector 706a5 and the sixth connector 706a6, an IC 706b6 is arranged.
[0405] Below the third connector 706a3 or to the right of the sixth connector 706a6, a plurality of resistors 706c1 are arranged with the longitudinal direction (short side direction) of the main control board 700 as the longitudinal direction. On the other hand, on both sides of the notch 716 and to the right of the identification information 710, a plurality of resistors 706c2 are arranged with the lateral direction (long side direction) of the main control board 700 as the longitudinal direction.
[0406] According to this example, since the longitudinal direction of the notch 716 and the longitudinal direction of the resistor 706c2 are the same as the longitudinal direction of the main control board 700, when the break portion 707 is cut and the identification board 708 is separated from the main control board 700, the stress applied in the longitudinal direction of the main control board 700 can be reduced on the resistors 706c2 and the like mounted on both sides of the notch 716, and damage to the resistor 706c2 can be prevented.
[0407] At the center of the main control board 700, two integrated resistors 706d are arranged vertically with a predetermined interval with the lateral direction (long side direction) of the main control board 700 as the longitudinal direction. Below the fourth connector 706a4, two capacitors 706e are arranged side by side along the lateral direction (long side direction) of the main control board 700 at a predetermined interval. To the far right of the resistor 706c2 arranged on the right side of the notch 716, one capacitor 706e is arranged.
[0408] <Main board storage case> Next, with reference to FIGS. 18 and 19(a) and (b), the configuration of the main board storage case 740 (742, 744) will be described.
[0409] FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view showing the main board storage case 740 and the main control board 700. FIG. 19(a) is a plan view of the main board storage case 740 with the main control board 700 accommodated, viewed from the lid 744 side, and FIG. 19(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 19(a).
[0410] The main board storage case 740 (receptacle) is a box-shaped body composed of a board storage body 742 with a substantially rectangular bottom surface in the shape of a square dish, and a lid 744 arranged to cover the internal space of the board storage body 742.
[0411] In the internal space of this main board storage case 740, the main control board 700 (first board) can be stored in a state of being fixed to the board storage body 742 by screws 746. The board storage body 742 and the lid 744 are each made of a translucent resin, and the main control board 700 stored inside the main board storage case 740 can be visually recognized from the outside through the main board storage case 740.
[0412] At two locations on the lower edge of the board storage body 742, U-shaped hinge portions 742a are provided. And at two locations on the lower edge of the lid 744, hook-shaped hook portions 744a that engage with the hinge portions 742a are provided, and at both left and right ends of the upper edge, locking tongue pieces 744b that lock with the upper edge of the board storage body 742 are respectively provided.
[0413] Therefore, when assembling the main board storage case 740, first, engage the hook portion 744a of the lid 744 with the hinge portion 724a of the board storage body 742, and then rotate the lid 744 around the hinge portion 724a to combine the board storage body 742 and the lid 744, and lock the locking tongue piece 744b of the lid 744 to the locking hole on the upper edge of the board storage body 742 to fix the lid 744 to the board storage body 742.
[0414] <Visual recognition of components of the main board storage case / main control board> On the bottom surface 742b of the board storage body 742, a plurality of ribs 742c (protrusions) having a predetermined height for supporting the outer edge of the solder surface (back surface) 702b of the main control board 700 are formed at predetermined intervals. In a state where the main control board 700 is housed in the board storage body 742, a gap (a space with nothing disposed) is formed between the notch portion 716 of the main control board 700 and the bottom surface 742b of the board storage body 742.
[0415] With such a configuration, as shown in Fig. 19(b), from the first direction DR1 on the side of the substrate housing 742 of the main substrate housing case 740 (the side of the soldering surface 702b of the main control board 700), at least a part of the IC706b4 among the components 706 mounted on the component surface 702a of the main control board 700 can be visually recognized through the notch 716.
[0416] Fig. 20(a-1) is a plan view of the main substrate housing case 740 with the main control board 700 housed, seen from the lid 744 side, showing the line of sight of the operator in the first direction. Fig. (a-2) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B in Fig. (a-1), showing the state where the components 706 mounted on the component surface 702a of the main control board 700 are visually recognized from the first direction on the side of the substrate housing 742.
[0417] When the operator views the components 706 mounted on the component surface 702a of the main control board 700 from the first direction DR1 on the side of the substrate housing 742, as shown in Fig. 20(a-2), in addition to being able to visually recognize the bottom surface 716b of the notch 716 and a part (burr) of the fracture 707 remaining on the base material 702 of the main control board 700, it is also possible to visually recognize the main body and a part of the terminals of the IC706b4 mounted on the component surface 702a of the main control board 700.
[0418] That is, in a state where the main control board 700 (the first board) is housed in the main substrate housing case 740 (the housing), the area corresponding to the notch 716 (the recess) inside the main substrate housing case 740 (the housing) on the soldering surface 702b (one side) side of the main control board 700 (the first board) is a void, and the IC706b4 (the first component) disposed on the component surface 702a (the other side) side of the main control board 700 (the first board) can be visually recognized from the first direction DR1 (in the first direction view) through the notch 716 (the recess) from the soldering surface 702b (one side) side of the main control board 700 (the first board).
[0419] According to this example, the first substrate (main control substrate 700) can be easily visually recognized, and when a defective component is attached to the first substrate, it is easy to discover the defective component. Also, components mounted on the first substrate can be confirmed in a state where they are accommodated in the container, and it is possible to notice mistakes in component mounting, etc., thereby enhancing maintainability. Further, the components mounted on the first substrate can be confirmed from various directions and at various angles, and specific components can be pinpointed for confirmation, thus enhancing work efficiency.
[0420] FIG. 21(a) is a drawing corresponding to FIG. 20(a-2), and shows a range in which components 706 of the main control substrate 700 can be visually recognized from the first direction on the side of the substrate container 742.
[0421] In the example described with reference to FIG. 20(a-2), the case where components 706 mounted on the component surface 702a of the main control substrate 700 are viewed from the first direction DR1 on the side of the substrate container 742 was described. However, the first direction DR1 is not limited to one direction. As shown in FIG. 21(a), a part (burr) of the base material 702, a part of the fracture part 707 remaining on the base material 702, or a plurality of ribs 742c of the substrate container 742, within a range where visibility is not obstructed (for example, a range of angle θ1 in side view), a part of the components 706 (in this example, the main body and terminals of the IC706b4) mounted on the component surface 702a of the main control substrate 700 can be visually recognized.
[0422] According to this example, the components mounted on the first substrate can be confirmed from various directions and at various angles according to the preferences of the operator, the working environment, etc., and the work efficiency in component inspection, etc., can be enhanced.
[0423] Also, as shown in FIG. 19(b), from the second direction DR2 on the side of the substrate container 742 of the main substrate storage case 740 (the side of the solder surface 702b of the main control substrate 700), at least a part of the capacitor 706e among the components 706 mounted on the component surface 702a of the main control substrate 700 can be visually recognized through the notch part 716.
[0424] FIG. 20(b-1) is a plan view of the main board storage case 740 with the main control board 700 accommodated, as seen from the lid 744 side, showing the operator's line of sight in the second direction. FIG. (b-2) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C of FIG. (b-1), showing the state where the components 706 mounted on the component surface 702a of the main control board 700 are visually recognized from the second direction on the side of the board housing 742.
[0425] When the operator views the components 706 mounted on the component surface 702a of the main control board 700 from the second direction DR2 on the side of the board housing 742, as shown in FIG. 20(b-2), in addition to being able to visually recognize the side wall 716a of the notch 716 and a part (burr) of the fracture 707 remaining on the base material 702 of the main control board 700, it is also possible to visually recognize a part of the capacitor 706e mounted on the component surface 702a of the main control board 700.
[0426] That is, in the state where the main control board 700 (first board) is accommodated in the main board storage case 740 (accommodator), the region corresponding to the notch 716 (recess) inside the main board storage case 740 (accommodator) on the solder surface 702b (one surface) side of the main control board 700 (first board) is a void, and the capacitor 706e (second component) disposed on the component surface 702a (the other surface) side of the main control board 700 (first board) can be visually recognized from the second direction DR2 (in the second direction view) through the notch 716 (recess) from the solder surface 702b (one surface) side of the main control board 700 (first board).
[0427] According to this example, the first board (main control board 700) can be easily visually recognized, it becomes easier to discover unauthorized components when unauthorized components are attached to the first board, and the components mounted on the first board can be confirmed in the state of being accommodated in the accommodator, so that mistakes in component mounting can be noticed, and the maintainability can be improved. In addition, the components mounted on the first board can be confirmed from various directions and at various angles, and specific components can be pinpointed for confirmation, so that the working efficiency can be improved.
[0428] FIG. 21(b) is a drawing corresponding to FIG. 20(b-2), showing a range in which components 706 of the main control board 700 can be visually recognized from the second direction on the side of the substrate container 742.
[0429] In the example described with reference to FIG. 20(b-2), the case of viewing the components 706 mounted on the component surface 702a of the main control board 700 from the second direction DR2 on the side of the substrate container 742 was described. However, the second direction DR2 is not limited to one direction. As shown in FIG. 21(b), within a range where the visibility is not obstructed by the base material 702, a part (burr) of the fracture part 707 remaining on the base material 702, or a plurality of ribs 742c of the substrate container 742 (for example, a range of angle θ2 in side view), it is possible to visually recognize a part (in this example, the capacitor 706e) of the components 706 mounted on the component surface 702a of the main control board 700.
[0430] Also, since the capacitor 706e is a component taller than the IC706b4, θ2 as the viewing angle is larger than θ1 as the viewing angle. In this way, by enabling the visual recognition of components with different heights according to the viewing direction, the viewing angle varies according to the viewing direction, and the inspection work can be performed over a wider range. Also, in the viewing direction where the taller components can be visually recognized, the taller components are arranged in the second direction DR2 that can be viewed from the longitudinal direction of the notch 716, and the shorter components are arranged in the first direction DR1 that can be viewed from the short side direction of the notch 716. The length of the notch corresponds to the height of the components that can be visually recognized, and thus the components can be preferably visually recognized.
[0431] According to this example, it becomes possible to confirm the components mounted on the first substrate from various directions and at various angles according to the preferences of the operator, the working environment, etc., and the working efficiency in the inspection of components and the like can be improved.
[0432] Also, as shown in FIGS. 20(a-2) and 21(a), when looking at the component 706 mounted on the component surface 702a of the main control board 700 from the first direction DR1 on the side of the substrate container 742, and as shown in FIGS. 20(b-2) and 21(b), when looking at the component 706 mounted on the component surface 702a of the main control board 700 from the second direction DR2 on the side of the substrate container 742 (depending on the direction of looking at the component 706), since the types of visible components 706 are different, it becomes possible to observe a plurality of types of components, and the convenience in inspecting components and the like can be improved.
[0433] In addition, as shown in FIG. 19(b), the height h31 of a part (burr) of the fracture part 707 remaining on the base material 702 of the main control board 700 is substantially the same as the value obtained by subtracting the height h21 of the identification board 708 (see FIG. 17) from the height h11 of the side wall 716a of the notch part 716 described with reference to FIG. 17, and for example, it is shorter than half (h11 / 2) of the length of the height h11 of the side wall 716a and half (h21 / 2) of the length of the height h21 of the identification board 708.
[0434] Therefore, even when an operator looks at the component 706 mounted on the component surface 702a of the main control board 700 from the first direction DR1 or the second direction DR2 on the side of the substrate container 742, the IC 706b4 and the capacitor 706e will not be completely blocked from view by a part (burr) of the fracture part 707. Moreover, since the fracture part 707 is composed of a part where a plurality of slits (perforations) are formed at a predetermined interval, even if a part (burr) of the fracture part 707 remains larger than expected, it is possible to visually recognize the IC 706b4 and the capacitor 706e through the space between the remaining fracture part 707 and the fracture part 707, and the visibility is not significantly impaired.
[0435] That is, by forming a plurality of slits (perforations) at a predetermined interval, the ease of fracture and the ability to visually recognize components through the space between the fracture parts (between the burrs) are achieved, and even if the burrs remain relatively large, the visibility of the components is not impaired.
[0436] Also, in the first direction DR1 on the side of the substrate housing 742, the active component IC706b4 is visible, and in the second direction DR2 on the side of the substrate housing 742, the passive component capacitor 706e is visible, making the viewing directions for visible active components and visible passive components different. In this way, by arranging components with different roles according to the viewing direction, the correspondence can be made clearer and the inspection can be made easier.
[0437] Also, in one viewing direction (the first direction DR1 or the second direction DR2), it is impossible or difficult to simultaneously view passive components and active components. This is because depending on the proficiency of the inspector, it may be impossible or difficult to distinguish whether a component is a passive component or an active component, so as to prevent confusion and inspection errors due to the proficiency of the inspector (for example, in the first direction DR1, it is difficult for the inspector to distinguish between IC706b4 and the collective resistor 706d when they are simultaneously visible).
[0438] Also, since the countermeasures when defects or abnormalities are found differ between passive components and active components, the types of components that can be viewed vary depending on the viewing direction. For example, in the case of passive components, if the charge cannot be properly accumulated and discharged, defects may occur in the substrate itself, or unexpected resistors or loads may occur, posing a risk of heat generation and ignition. When defects or abnormalities are found, ensuring the safety of the game table (as the substrate) is prioritized, and operations such as power-off, cooling, and unplugging the harness are required. On the other hand, in the case of active components, depending on the type of active component, it may be involved in the safety of the game table (as the substrate), such as a rectifier circuit, an amplifier circuit, or a switching circuit. However, especially in the case of the control IC, since the possibility of fraud is high, it is necessary to check the data aggregated by the hall computer of the game arcade. In this way, since the countermeasures when defects or abnormalities are found differ, by varying the types of components that can be viewed depending on the viewing direction, appropriate countermeasures can be taken promptly after the discovery of defects or abnormalities. Note that not only depending on the viewing direction, but also at the viewing direction and a specific angle, it may be made impossible or difficult to simultaneously view passive components and active components.
[0439] Also, depending on the viewing direction, or at certain viewing directions and specific angles, it may be configured such that two or more passive components or two or more active components cannot be visually recognized simultaneously. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the difficulty of differentiating components of the same type from each other.
[0440] Also, depending on the viewing direction, or at certain viewing directions and predetermined angles, it may be configured such that two or more passive components, two or more active components, or passive components and active components can be visually recognized simultaneously. With this configuration, since a plurality of components can be seen at once, the inspection time can be shortened.
[0441] Note that it may be provided with a specific viewing direction in which two or more components can be visually recognized simultaneously and a predetermined viewing direction in which only one component can be visually recognized. Also, it may be provided with a specific angle in which two or more components can be visually recognized simultaneously and a predetermined angle in which only one component can be visually recognized. Further, it may be provided with a specific viewing direction and specific angle in which two or more components can be visually recognized simultaneously and a predetermined viewing direction and predetermined angle in which only one component can be visually recognized. Note that the same applies even if the component that can be visually recognized is a mechanical component.
[0442] <Region corresponding to the cutout portion of the main substrate housing case / main control board> In the main substrate housing case 640 described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13, two ribs 642a (protrusions) are formed at positions corresponding to the adapter housing recess 614 of the main control board 600 on the left side in the front view of the inner space of the substrate housing body 642. When the main control board 600 is housed in the substrate housing body 642, each of these two ribs 642a is configured to be fitted to the two side walls 614a of the adapter housing recess 614 (recess of the second shape) of the main control board 600.
[0443] On the one hand, in this example, as shown in FIG. 18, although a plurality of ribs 742c (protrusions) are formed on the bottom surface 742b of the substrate container 742, in a region PE1 (a region indicated by a dotted line in the substrate container 742 shown in FIGS. 18 and 19(b)) corresponding to the notch 716 of the main control board 700 on the bottom surface 742b, there is no member (for example, a rib that fits into the notch 716 of the main control board 700) extending toward the main control board 700, and the region PE1 is a flat region (a region without steps or slopes).
[0444] That is, in a state where the main control board 700 (the first board) is housed in the main board storage case 740 (the container), in a region PE1 corresponding to the notch 716 (recess) in the main board storage case 740 (the container) on one side surface of the main control board 700 (the first board), the region is such that a part extending toward the main control board 700 (the first board) is not arranged along the shape of the notch 716 (recess).
[0445] In other words, in a state where the control board 700 (the first board) is housed in the main board storage case 740 (the container), in a region PE1 corresponding to the notch 716 (recess) in the main board storage case 740 (the container) on one side surface of the main control board 700 (the first board), the region is a region (part) that is not inclined with respect to the notch 716 (recess) and is a region (part) that is not orthogonal to the notch 716 (recess).
[0446] According to this example, by not arranging a member extending toward the first board near the notch 716 (recess) of the first board (the main control board 700) in the container (the main board storage case 740), it is possible to prevent a decrease in visibility when visually recognizing components arranged on the other side surface of the first board through the notch 716 (recess) from one side surface of the first board.
[0447] In addition, since the region PE1 on one surface side of the first substrate corresponding to the notch (recess) on the outer wall surface of the container is neither inclined nor orthogonal to the notch (recess), when visually recognizing a component disposed on the other surface side of the first substrate through the notch (recess) from one surface side of the first substrate, it is possible to prevent a decrease in visibility.
[0448] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 19(b), the bottom portion 744c of the lid body 744 is composed of a base portion 744d, a step 744e that protrudes vertically in a direction opposite to the main control board 700 with the base portion 744d as a base end, and a bottom surface 744f connected to the step 744e.
[0449] In the region PE2 (the region indicated by a dotted line in the lid body 744 shown in FIGS. 18 and 19(b)) corresponding to the notch 716 of the main control board 700 in the bottom portion 744c of the lid body 744, the step 744e formed in the bottom portion 744c is located, and the ridge line SL1 of this step 744e overlaps with the notch 716 in the thickness direction of the main board housing case 740, and the region PE2 is a non-flat region (a region where the step 744e exists).
[0450] Note that these steps are downward in the state of being installed on the game table, preventing interference with other components. Further, for example, a harness with a connector removed does not stay (does not get in the way), and the visibility of the notch 716 can be ensured (compared to the case of a flat shape, the harness can be guided, and if the step is upward, the harness will stay (get in the way)). In addition, due to the presence of the step 744e in the lid body 744, the lid body 744 can be attached to the substrate housing 742 by hooking a finger on the step 744e, improving workability.
[0451] <Main board housing case / Identification display> As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19(a), an identification display 742d is provided below the back of the bottom surface 742b of the substrate housing 742, and an identification display 744g is provided above the back of the bottom portion 742b of the lid body 744.
[0452] These identification displays 742d and 744g are information that includes at least information regarding the main board storage case 740 (container). In this example, the information can identify the material of the main board storage case 740 (information composed of the characters "ABS" in this example) and the information that can identify the identification number of the main board storage case 740 (information composed of the characters "abc111" in this example).
[0453] Note that the form of the identification displays 742d and 744g is not particularly limited. In this example, by performing surface treatment on the board storage body 742 and the lid 744 made of resin, an identification display with a concavo-convex shape is formed.
[0454] According to this example, compared with the case where an identification display is applied by silk printing or the like, it is possible to prevent the identification display from disappearing due to the work of the operator or deteriorating over time, and it is possible to improve the durability and lifespan of the main board storage case 740.
[0455] In this example, as shown in FIG. 18, the identification display 742d of the board storage body 742 is arranged in a region other than the region PE1 corresponding to the notch 716 of the main control board 700 on the bottom surface 742b of the board storage body 742, and the identification display 744f of the lid 744 is arranged in a region other than the region PE2 corresponding to the notch 716 of the main control board 700 on the bottom surface 742b of the lid 744.
[0456] According to this example, since the identification display 742d of the board storage body 742 is arranged in a region other than the region PE1 corresponding to the notch 716 of the main control board 700 on the bottom surface 742b of the board storage body 742, when visually recognizing the components arranged on the other side of the first board (main control board 700) through the notch 716 from one side of the first board (main control board 700), it is possible to prevent the visibility from being reduced by the identification display.
[0457] <Main board storage case / Modified example> Next, a modified example of the main board storage case 840 will be described with reference to FIG. 19(c). FIG. 19(c) is a cross-sectional view of the main board storage case 840 according to the modified example, and corresponds to FIG. (b).
[0458] The main board storage case 840 (container) according to the modified example is a box body configured by combining a board storage body 842 having a substantially rectangular bottom and in the shape of a square dish, and a lid body 844 arranged to cover the space inside the board storage body 842.
[0459] The bottom 844c of the lid body 844 is composed of a base portion 844d, an inclined surface 844e that protrudes obliquely in a direction opposite to the main control board 700 with the base portion 844d as the base end, and a bottom surface 844f connected to the inclined surface 844e.
[0460] In a region PE3 (the region indicated by the dotted line in the lid body 844 shown in FIG. 19(c)) corresponding to the notch 716 of the main control board 700 in the bottom 844c of the lid body 844, one end of the inclined surface 844e formed in the bottom 844c is located, and the ridge line SL2 of the portion including the end of the inclined surface 844e overlaps with the notch 716 in the thickness direction of the main board storage case 840, and the region PE3 is a non-flat region (the region where the inclined surface 844e exists).
[0461] Note that these steps face downward in the state of being installed on the game table, preventing interference with other components. Further, for example, a harness with a disconnected connector does not stay (does not get in the way), and the visibility of the notch 716 can be ensured (compared to the case of a flat shape, the harness can be guided, and if the step is upward, the harness will stay (get in the way)). Also, due to the step 744e in the lid body 744, the lid body 744 can be attached to the board storage body 742 by hooking a finger on the step 744e, improving workability.
[0462] On the one hand, in this example, although a plurality of ribs 842c (protrusions) are formed on the bottom surface 842b of the substrate container 842, in a region PE4 (a region indicated by a dotted line in the substrate container 842 shown in FIG. 19(c)) corresponding to the notch 716 of the main control board 700 on the bottom surface 842b, there is no member (for example, a rib that fits into the notch 716 of the main control board 700) extending toward the main control board 700 formed at all, and the region PE4 is a flat region (a region without steps or slopes).
[0463] That is, in a state where the main control board 700 (the first board) is housed in the main board storage case 840 (the container), in a region PE4 corresponding to the notch 716 (the recess) in the main board storage case 840 (the container) on one surface side of the main control board 700 (the first board), it is a region where a part extending toward the main control board 700 (the first board) is not arranged along the shape of the notch 716 (the recess).
[0464] In other words, in a state where the control board 700 (the first board) is housed in the main board storage case 840 (the container), in a region PE4 corresponding to the notch 716 (the recess) in the main board storage case 840 (the container) on one surface side of the main control board 700 (the first board), it is a region (part) that is not inclined with respect to the notch 716 (the recess) and is a region (part) that is not orthogonal to the notch 716 (the recess).
[0465] According to this example, by not arranging a member extending toward the first board in the vicinity of the notch 716 (the recess) of the first board (the main control board 700) in the container (the main board storage case 840), it is possible to prevent a decrease in visibility when visually recognizing a component arranged on the other surface side of the first board through the notch 716 (the recess) from one surface side of the first board.
[0466] In addition, since the region PE4 corresponding to the notch (recess) on the outer wall surface of the container on one surface side of the first substrate is not inclined or orthogonal to the notch (recess), when visually recognizing a component disposed on the other surface side of the first substrate through the notch (recess) from one surface side of the first substrate, it is possible to prevent a decrease in visibility.
[0467] <Main control board / Connector and harness according to Modification 4> Next, with reference to FIG. 22, the connector and harness provided in the main control board 700 will be described. FIG. 22(a) is a rear view showing the back surface of the front door 102, and FIG. 22(b) is a partially enlarged view obtained by extracting and enlarging the main board storage case 740 in FIG. 22(a).
[0468] As described with reference to FIG. 7, the front door 102 is hinged to the left side of the main body 101 via a hinge device 276, and an effect device 160 and an effect control board (not shown) for controlling the effect device 160 are provided above the symbol display window 113.
[0469] Below the symbol display window 113, a medal selector 170 for sorting the inserted medals and a medal passage 266 through which the medals pass when the medal selector 170 drops an illegal medal or the like onto the medal tray 161 (see FIG. 1) are provided. Further, on the right side of the medal selector 170, an operation panel unit 171 to which operation means such as a start lever 135 is connected is provided, and below it, a main board storage case 740 that houses the main control board 700 inside is arranged.
[0470] Note that the operation means connectable to the operation panel unit 171 is not limited to the start lever 135, and may include stop buttons 137 to 139 and bet buttons 130 to 132. Note that this example is merely an example of the arrangement location, and the main board storage case 740 that houses the main control board 700 may be arranged on the main body 101 side instead of the front door 102, or a relay board storage case that houses a relay board may be arranged at the position shown in FIG. 22 instead of the main board storage case 740 that houses the main control board 700.
[0471] As described with reference to FIG. 17, on the component surface 702a (the other surface) of the main control board 700 (the first board), four first connectors 706a1, second connectors 706a2, third connectors 706a3, and fourth connectors 706a4 arranged side by side in the horizontal direction are provided on the upper side in the vertical direction, and two fifth connectors 706a5 and sixth connectors 706a6 arranged side by side in the horizontal direction are provided on the right side in the center in the vertical direction and in the horizontal direction.
[0472] <Main control board / connector and harness / first harness, fifth harness according to Modification 4> The first connector 706a1 is a connector electrically connected to a first connector (not shown) of the medal selector 170 via the first harness 717a1, and the fifth connector 706a5 is a connector electrically connected to a second connector (not shown) of the medal selector 170 via the fifth harness 717a5.
[0473] The medal selector 170, the first connector 706a1, and the fifth connector 706a5 are all arranged above the notch 716 of the main control board 700 on the back surface of the front door 102, and the first harness 717a1 and the fifth harness 717a5 are extended horizontally on the back surface of the front door 102.
[0474] Therefore, the first harness 717a1 connecting the medal selector 170 and the first connector 706a1, and the fifth harness 717a5 connecting the medal selector 170 and the fifth connector 706a5 are harnesses that do not overlap the notch 716 of the main control board 700 (do not overlap the notch 716) in a rear view of the front door 102 (a front view of the state where the main control board 700 is housed in the main board housing case 740 and attached to the slot machine 100).
[0475] That is, in a state where the main control board 700 (first board) is housed in the main board storage case 740 (housing body) and attached to the slot machine 100 (game table), the harness is disposed without overlapping the notch 716 (recess) on the component surface 702a (other surface) side of the main control board 700 (first board).
[0476] According to this example, since the harness is disposed without overlapping the notch 716 (recess) on the component surface 702a (other surface) side of the main control board 700 (first board), when visually inspecting components disposed on the other surface side of the first board through the notch (recess) from one surface side of the first board, it is possible to prevent a decrease in visibility. In addition, when the harness covers the notch (recess) or the harness hangs down in front of the notch (recess), there is a risk that the operator may overlook the fact that operations such as inspecting components are possible through the notch (recess). However, since the harness is disposed without overlapping the notch (recess), such a situation can be prevented. Also, in the manufacturing process of the game table, there is a process in which a lid body is not attached to the housing body. If the harness covers the notch (recess) or the harness hangs down in front of the notch (recess), there is a risk that the harness may get caught on the fracture part of the notch (recess). However, according to this example, such a situation can be prevented in advance.
[0477] Further, since there is a downward step (inclination) in the region corresponding to the notch 716 (recess) in the lid body 744, the harness removed from the first connector or the second connector (not shown) does not overlap the notch 716 (recess).
[0478] Note that the first harness 717a1 and the fifth harness 717a5 are harnesses that are horizontally extended on the back surface of the front door 102. If the first connector 706a1 or the fifth connector 706a5 is disposed in the region LH (the region sandwiched by two dotted lines in FIG. 22(b)) on the longitudinal extension line of the notch portion 716, there is a possibility that any of the harnesses may cover the notch portion 716 or hang down in front of the notch portion 716, etc., and overlap (overlap with) the notch portion 716. Therefore, in this example, the first harness 717a1 and the fifth harness 717a5 are disposed while avoiding the region LH on the longitudinal extension line of the notch portion 716 and being shifted (offset) upward from the region LH with respect to the main control board 700.
[0479] On the other hand, when a connector is disposed in the region LH on the longitudinal extension line of the notch portion 716, if the harness connected to the connector is configured to be extended downward on the back surface of the front door 102 with the connector as the base end, it is possible to avoid the harness from overlapping (overlapping with) the notch portion 716.
[0480] Further, when a connector is disposed in the region LV (the region sandwiched by two alternate long and short dash lines in FIG. 22(b)) on the lateral extension line of the notch portion 716, if the harness connected to the connector is configured to be extended upward on the back surface of the front door 102 with the connector as the base end, it is possible to avoid the harness from overlapping (overlapping with) the notch portion 716.
[0481] <Main control board / connector and harness / second harness, third harness according to Modification 4> The second connector 706a2 is a connector that is electrically connected to a third connector (not shown) of the operation panel unit 171 via the second harness 717a2, and the third connector 706a3 is a connector that is electrically connected to a fourth connector (not shown) of the operation panel unit 171 via the third harness 717a3.
[0482] The operation panel unit 171, the second connector 706a2, and the third connector 706a3 are all disposed above the notch 716 of the main control board 700 on the back surface of the front door 102. The second harness 717a2 and the third harness 717a3 are extended upward on the back surface of the front door 102 with the second connector 706a2 and the third connector 706a3 as the base ends.
[0483] Therefore, the second harness 717a2 that connects the operation panel unit 171 and the second connector 706a2, and the third harness 717a3 that connects the operation panel unit 171 and the third connector 706a3 are harnesses that do not overlap (do not overlap the notch 716) with the notch 716 of the main control board 700 in the rear view of the front door 102 (front view of the state where the main control board 700 is housed in the main board housing case 740 and attached to the slot machine 100).
[0484] That is, in a state where the main control board 700 (the first board) is housed in the main board housing case 740 (the housing body) and attached to the slot machine 100 (the gaming table), the harness is disposed without overlapping the notch 716 (the recess) on the component surface 702a (the other surface) side of the main control board 700 (the first board).
[0485] According to this example, since the harness is disposed without overlapping the notch 716 (the recess) on the component surface 702a (the other surface) side of the main control board 700 (the first board), it is possible to prevent a decrease in visibility when visually recognizing the components disposed on the other surface side of the first board through the notch (the recess) from one surface side of the first board. In addition, when the harness covers the notch (the recess) or the harness hangs down in front of the notch (the recess), there is a risk that the operator may overlook the fact that operations such as inspection of the components are possible through the notch (the recess). However, since the harness is disposed without overlapping the notch (the recess), such a situation can be prevented in advance.
[0486] In addition, in the region corresponding to the notch 716 (recess) in the lid body 744, since there is a downward step (inclination), the harness removed from the third connector or the fourth connector (not shown) of the operation panel unit 171 does not overlap (overlap) with the notch 716 (recess).
[0487] Note that since the second harness 717a2 and the third harness 717a3 are harnesses that are extended upward on the back surface of the front door 102, if the second connector 706a2 or the third connector 706a3 to which these harnesses are connected is disposed above the notch 716 in the main control board 700, it is possible to avoid the harness overlapping (overlapping) with the notch 716.
[0488] <Main control board / connector and harness / fourth harness, sixth harness according to Modification 4> The fourth connector 706a4 is a connector that is electrically connected to the first connector (not shown) of the lighting device 160 of the front door 102 via the fourth harness 717a4, and the sixth connector 706a6 is a connector that is electrically connected to the second connector (not shown) of the lighting device 160 via the sixth harness 717a6.
[0489] The lighting device 160, the fourth connector 706a4, and the sixth connector 706a6 are all disposed above the notch 716 of the main control board 700 on the back surface of the front door 102, and the fourth harness 717a4 and the sixth harness 717a6 are extended upward on the back surface of the front door 102 with the fourth connector 706a4 and the sixth connector 706a6 as the base ends.
[0490] Therefore, the fourth harness 717a4 that connects the effect device 160 and the fourth connector 706a4, and the sixth harness 717a6 that connects the effect device 160 and the sixth connector 706a6 are harnesses that do not overlap (do not overlap with) the notch 716 of the main control board 700 in the rear view of the front door 102 (front view of the state where the main control board 700 is housed in the main board housing case 740 and attached to the slot machine 100).
[0491] That is, in a state where the main control board 700 (first board) is housed in the main board housing case 740 (housing body) and attached to the slot machine 100 (game table), the harness is arranged without overlapping the notch 716 (recess) on the component surface 702a (other surface) side of the main control board 700 (first board).
[0492] According to this example, since the harness is arranged without overlapping the notch 716 (recess) on the component surface 702a (other surface) side of the main control board 700 (first board), when visually checking the components arranged on the other surface side of the first board through the notch (recess) from one surface side of the first board, it is possible to prevent the visibility from decreasing. Also, when the harness covers the notch (recess) or the harness hangs down in front of the notch (recess), there is a risk that the operator may overlook the fact that operations such as component inspection are possible through the notch (recess). However, since the harness is arranged without overlapping the notch (recess), such a situation can be prevented in advance.
[0493] In addition, since there is a downward step (inclination) in the region corresponding to the notch 716 (recess) in the lid body 744, the harness removed from the third connector or the fourth connector (not shown) of the operation panel unit 171 does not overlap (overlap) the notch 716 (recess).
[0494] Note that, since the fourth harness 717a4 and the sixth harness 717a6 are harnesses that are extended upward on the back surface of the front door 102, if the fourth connector 706a4 or the sixth connector 706a6 to which these harnesses are connected is disposed above the notch 716 on the main control board 700, it is possible to avoid the harness overlapping (overlapping the notch 716) with the notch 716.
[0495] Note that, in this example, as the notch 716, an example of a recess formed by cutting a specific part (identification board 708) is shown. However, the "recess" according to the present invention is not limited to this example, and may be "a recess formed on a certain side of the board". Specifically, it may be a recess formed during the molding of the board without cutting a specific part.
[0496] Also, in this example, a harness in which one end is connected to the main control board 700 and the other end is connected to a device or electronic component disposed on the front door 102 has been described. However, the "harness" according to the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, it may be a harness in which one end is connected to the main control board 700 and the other end is connected to a device or electronic component disposed on the main body 101, or a harness that connects two control boards to each other. The connection destination of the harness is not particularly limited.
[0497] <Main control board according to Modification 4 / Summary> As described above, the gaming machine according to the present embodiment (for example, the slot machine 100 shown in FIG. 1) includes a first substrate (for example, the main control substrate 700 shown in FIG. 17) and a housing that can accommodate the first substrate (for example, the main substrate housing case 740 shown in FIG. 18). The first substrate is a substrate having a recess (for example, the notch 716 shown in FIG. 17) on a certain side of the first substrate. In a state where the first substrate is housed in the housing, when viewed from the first direction (for example, the first direction DR1 shown in FIG. 20(a-2)) from one surface side of the first substrate (for example, the side of the soldering surface 702b shown in FIG. 20(a-2)), the first component (for example, the IC 706b4 shown in FIG. 20(a-2)) disposed on the other surface side of the first substrate (for example, the side of the component surface 702a shown in FIG. 20(a-2)) can be visually recognized through the recess. In a state where the first substrate is housed in the housing, when viewed from the second direction (for example, the second direction DR2 shown in FIG. 20(a-2)) from one surface side of the first substrate, the second component (for example, the capacitor 706e shown in FIG. 20(b-2)) disposed on the other surface side of the first substrate through the recess can be visually recognized. In a state where the first substrate is housed in the housing, the region corresponding to the recess inside the housing on one surface side of the first substrate is a void. The gaming machine is characterized by this.
[0498] According to the gaming machine of the present embodiment, it becomes easy to visually recognize the first substrate, and when an unauthorized component is attached to the first substrate, it becomes easy to discover the unauthorized component. Also, components mounted on the first substrate can be confirmed in a state where they are housed in the housing, and it is possible to notice mistakes in component mounting and the like, thereby improving maintainability. In addition, the components mounted on the first substrate can be confirmed from various directions and at various angles, and specific components can be pinpointed for confirmation, so the work efficiency can be improved.
[0499] In addition, the gaming machine according to the present embodiment (for example, the slot machine 100 shown in FIG. 1) is a gaming machine including a first substrate (for example, the main control substrate 700 shown in FIG. 17) and a housing (for example, the main substrate housing case 740 shown in FIG. 18) capable of housing the first substrate. The first substrate is a substrate having a recess (for example, the notch 716 shown in FIG. 17) on a certain side of the first substrate. In a state where the first substrate is housed in the housing, components (for example, the IC 706b4 and the capacitor 706e shown in FIG. 20(a-2)) disposed on the other side (for example, the side of the component surface 702a shown in FIG. 20(a-2)) of the first substrate through the recess from one side (for example, the side of the solder surface 702b shown in FIG. 20(a-2)) of the first substrate are visible. In a state where the first substrate is housed in the housing, a region corresponding to the recess inside the housing on one side of the first substrate is a void. In a state where the first substrate is housed in the housing, a region (for example, the region PE1 shown in FIGS. 18 and 19(b)) corresponding to the recess on the outer wall surface of the housing on one side of the first substrate is not inclined with respect to the recess. The gaming machine is characterized by this.
[0500] According to the gaming machine of the present embodiment, it becomes easy to visually recognize the first substrate, and it becomes easy to discover an unauthorized component when an unauthorized component is attached to the first substrate. Also, components mounted on the first substrate can be confirmed in a state of being housed in the housing, and it is possible to notice mistakes in component mounting and the like, thereby improving maintainability. In addition, it becomes possible to confirm the components mounted on the first substrate from various directions and at various angles, and it is possible to pinpoint a specific component, so that the work efficiency can be improved. Further, since the region corresponding to the recess on the outer wall surface of the housing on one side of the first substrate is not inclined with respect to the recess, it is possible to prevent a decrease in visibility when visually recognizing components disposed on the other side of the first substrate through the recess from one side of the first substrate.
[0501] In addition, the gaming machine according to the present embodiment (for example, the slot machine 100 shown in FIG. 1) is a gaming machine including a first substrate (for example, the main control board 700 shown in FIG. 17) and a housing (for example, the main board housing case 740 shown in FIG. 18) capable of accommodating the first substrate. The first substrate is a substrate having a recess (for example, the notch 716 shown in FIG. 17) on a certain side of the first substrate. When the first substrate is accommodated in the housing, components (for example, the IC 706b4 and the capacitor 706e shown in FIG. 20(a-2)) disposed on the other side surface (for example, the side of the component surface 702a shown in FIG. 20(a-2)) of the first substrate through the recess from one side surface (for example, the side of the soldering surface 702b shown in FIG. 20(a-2)) of the first substrate are visible. When the first substrate is accommodated in the housing, the region corresponding to the recess inside the housing on one side surface of the first substrate is a void. When the first substrate is accommodated in the housing, the region (for example, the region PE1 shown in FIGS. 18 and 19(b)) corresponding to the recess on the outer wall surface of the housing on one side surface of the first substrate is not orthogonal to the recess. The gaming machine is characterized by this.
[0502] According to the gaming machine of the present embodiment, it becomes easy to visually recognize the first substrate, it becomes easy to discover unauthorized components when unauthorized components are attached to the first substrate, and it is possible to check the components mounted on the first substrate in a state where they are accommodated in the housing, and it is possible to notice mounting mistakes of the components, etc., and the maintainability can be improved. In addition, it becomes possible to check the components mounted on the first substrate from various directions and at various angles, and it is possible to pinpoint a specific component, so the work efficiency can be improved. Further, since the region corresponding to the recess on the outer wall surface of the housing on one side surface of the first substrate is not orthogonal to the recess, it is possible to prevent the visibility from decreasing when visually recognizing the components disposed on the other side surface of the first substrate through the recess from one side surface of the first substrate.
[0503] In addition, the gaming machine according to the present embodiment (for example, the slot machine 100 shown in FIG. 1) is a gaming machine including a first substrate (for example, the main control board 700 shown in FIG. 17) and a housing (for example, the main board housing case 740 shown in FIG. 18) capable of accommodating the first substrate. The first substrate is a substrate having a recess (for example, the notch 716 shown in FIG. 17) on a certain side of the first substrate. In a state where the first substrate is accommodated in the housing, components (for example, the IC 706b4 and the capacitor 706e shown in FIG. 20(a-2)) disposed on the other side (for example, the side of the component surface 702a shown in FIG. 20(a-2)) of the first substrate can be visually recognized through the recess from one side (for example, the side of the solder surface 702b shown in FIG. 20(a-2)) of the first substrate. In a state where the first substrate is accommodated in the housing, a region corresponding to the recess inside the housing on one side of the first substrate is a void. In a state where the first substrate is accommodated in the housing and attached to the gaming machine, a harness (for example, the first harness 717a1 to the sixth harness 717a6 shown in FIG. 22(a)) is disposed on the other side of the first substrate without overlapping the recess. This is a characteristic of the gaming machine.
[0504] According to the gaming machine of the present embodiment, it is easy to visually recognize the first substrate, and it is easy to discover unauthorized parts when unauthorized parts are attached to the first substrate. In addition, parts and the like mounted on the first substrate can be confirmed in a state of being housed in the housing, and it is possible to notice mounting mistakes of parts and the like, thereby enhancing maintainability. Further, it becomes possible to confirm the parts mounted on the first substrate from various directions and at various angles, and it is possible to pinpoint specific parts, so that the work efficiency can be enhanced. Also, since the harness is disposed without overlapping the recess on the other surface side of the first substrate, when visually recognizing the parts disposed on the other surface side of the first substrate through the recess from one surface side of the first substrate, it is possible to prevent a decrease in visibility. Further, when the harness covers the notch or the harness hangs down in front of the notch, there is a risk that an operator may overlook the fact that operations such as inspection of parts are possible through the recess. However, since the harness is disposed without overlapping the recess, such a situation can be prevented in advance.
[0505] Further, the first substrate may be a substrate capable of specifying the manufacturing company of the gaming machine by cutting a specific part, and the recess may be formed by cutting the specific part.
[0506] With such a configuration, it is not necessary to regenerate the first substrate for each manufacturing company of the gaming machine, so that it is possible to enhance maintainability while realizing cost reduction. For example, when there are a plurality of affiliated companies, if substrates for each affiliated company are manufactured, the manufacturing cost will increase accordingly. However, according to this example, the names of one or more companies are indicated in one substrate product part, and at the stage of manufacturing and assembling the gaming machine by each affiliated company, it is possible to leave only the name of its own company or delete unnecessary company names, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost and providing a gaming machine that does not malfunction during assembly or inspection.
[0507] Further, in a state where the first substrate is housed in the housing body, in a region corresponding to the concave portion in the housing body on one surface side of the first substrate, a region where a portion extending toward the first substrate is not arranged along the shape of the concave portion may be provided.
[0508] With such a configuration, by not disposing a member extending toward the first substrate in the vicinity of the concave portion of the first substrate in the housing body, when visually recognizing components disposed on the other surface side of the first substrate through the concave portion from one surface side of the first substrate, it is possible to prevent a decrease in visibility.
[0509] <Measures against substrate burnout> Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 23 to 31, measures against substrate burnout of the slot machine according to this example will be described.
[0510] <Measures against substrate burnout / Substrate> FIG. 23(a) is a plan view of a substrate 700 according to this example as viewed from the power supply layer 710 side, and FIG. 23(b) is a partial cross-sectional view of the substrate 700 along the line X-X in FIG. 23(a). For convenience of explanation, in FIG. 23(b), the thicknesses of the conductor layer, the insulating layer, and the base material in the substrate 700 are exaggeratedly shown.
[0511] The slot machine according to this example includes a substrate 700 (a certain substrate) shown in FIG. 23(a). As shown in FIGS. 23(a) and 23(b), this substrate 700 includes a base material (core) 702 as a base, a GND layer (second conductor layer) 706 laminated on the base material 702, a power supply layer (first conductor layer) 710 laminated on the GND layer 706 via an insulating layer 708, a solder resist 713 applied on the power supply layer 710, silk 715 printed on the solder resist 713, and components 712 (LED driver IC 714, motor driver IC 716, passive components 718, connector 720, LED 721, etc. Hereinafter, these are collectively referred to as "components") mounted on the power supply layer 710.
[0512] In FIG. 23(b), an example of a double-sided mounting substrate in which conductor layers and insulating layers are mounted on both sides of a base material (core) 702 is shown. However, the invention of the present application is not limited to this, and it may be a single-sided mounting substrate in which conductor layers and insulating layers are mounted only on one side of the base material (core) 702. Further, hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, only the structure on one side of the substrate 700 will be described, and in the drawings, illustration of the solder resist 713, the silk 715, etc. will be omitted.
[0513] In other words, the substrate 700 (a certain substrate) is a substrate in which a power supply layer (first conductor layer) 710 is formed on one surface side with the insulating layer 708 interposed therebetween, and a GND layer (second conductor layer) 706 is formed on the base material 702 side with the insulating layer 708 interposed therebetween.
[0514] Note that the "certain substrate" according to the present invention only needs to be a substrate including at least a plurality of conductor layers, an insulating layer, and a base material. For example, a substrate in which the positions of the power supply layer 710 and the GND layer 706 are interchanged, that is, a substrate in which a GND layer (second conductor layer) 706 is formed on one surface side (upper side) with the insulating layer 708 interposed therebetween, and a power supply layer (first conductor layer) 710 is formed on the base material side (lower side) with the insulating layer 708 interposed therebetween may be used, or a substrate having three or more conductor layers may be used, or a substrate provided with other types of layers in addition to the conductor layer, the insulating layer, and the base material may be used. Further, the "certain substrate" according to the present invention may be a double-sided mounting substrate having further conductor layers and insulating layers with the base material 702 interposed therebetween.
[0515] Also, the use etc. of the "certain substrate" according to the present invention are not particularly limited. For example, as the "certain substrate" according to the present invention, in addition to the main control substrate 600 described with reference to FIG. 11 and the sub-control substrate 650 described with reference to FIG. 12, a power supply substrate for performing power supply control, a payout control substrate for performing payout control, etc. may be applied.
[0516] <Substrate flame spread countermeasure / Component> Next, the component 712 mounted on the substrate 700 will be described.
[0517] As shown in FIG. 23(a), a plurality of components 712 are mounted (arranged) on the power supply layer 710 of the substrate 700.
[0518] In this example, components 712 are mounted only on the power supply layer 710, and the GND layer 706 is used as a GND plane layer (a GND layer on which no components are mounted). However, the "certain substrate" according to the present invention may be any substrate on which a plurality of components are arranged on at least one surface. For example, components may be mounted only on the GND layer 706, and the power supply layer 710 may be used as a power supply plane layer (a power supply layer on which no components are mounted), or components may be mounted on both the power supply layer 710 and the GND layer 706. Further, when the substrate has three or more conductor layers, any substrate on which a plurality of components are arranged on at least one layer may be used.
[0519] The "components" according to the present invention are not particularly limited. In the power supply layer 710 of this example, there are mounted active components such as light-emitting devices (not shown) such as LEDs and diodes, an LED driver IC 714 for driving an LED (described later with reference to Fig. 24(a)), a motor driver IC 716 for driving a motor (not shown) (described later with reference to Fig. 24(b)), passive components 718 such as resistors, capacitors, and coils, and mechanical components such as connectors 720.
[0520] The "active components" according to the present invention are not limited to light-emitting devices and driver ICs. For example, they may be light-receiving devices such as diodes, transistors, and photodiodes, and various sensors such as magnetic sensors.
[0521] <Substrate Flame Spread Prevention Measure / Component / LED Driver> Fig. 24(a) is a terminal layout diagram of the LED driver IC 714.
[0522] The LED driver IC714 is configured to include address input terminals A0 to A5 arranged at terminal numbers 1 to 6, ground terminals GND arranged at terminal numbers 7, 20, 33, constant current output terminals XOUT0 to XOUT23 arranged at terminal numbers 8 to 19, 21 to 32, an external resistor connection terminal REXT arranged at terminal number 34, a reset signal input terminal RESET arranged at terminal number 35, a serial clock input terminal SCLK arranged at terminal number 36, a serial data input terminal SDA arranged at terminal number 37, and a power supply terminal VCC arranged at terminal number 38.
[0523] The power supply terminal VCC (terminal number 38) of the LED driver IC714 is soldered to a power supply wiring pattern 711 (to be described later with reference to FIG. 26 etc.) of the power supply layer 710 of the substrate 700 and is electrically connected to the power supply wiring pattern 711 of the power supply layer 710.
[0524] The ground terminals GND (terminal numbers 7, 20, 33) are soldered to a GND wiring pattern 706a (to be described later with reference to FIG. 26 etc.) of the GND layer 706 through vias formed in the insulating layer 708 and are electrically connected to the GND wiring pattern 706a of the GND layer 706.
[0525] The constant current output terminals XOUT0 to XOUT23 (terminal numbers 8 to 19, 21 to 32) are all output terminals. In this example, they are electrically connected to LEDs (not shown) and function as output terminals for driving the LEDs.
[0526] <Substrate burn - extension countermeasure / component / motor driver> FIG. 24(b) is a terminal arrangement diagram of the motor driver IC716.
[0527] The motor driver IC 716 is configured to include a power supply terminal VMA arranged at terminal numbers 2 and 3, a bridge A output 1 terminal AOUT1 arranged at terminal numbers 4 and 5, a bridge A ground output terminal ISENA arranged at terminal numbers 6 and 7, a bridge A output 2 terminal AOUT2 arranged at terminal numbers 8 and 9, a bridge B output 2 terminal BOUT2 arranged at terminal numbers 10 and 11, a bridge B ground output terminal ISENB arranged at terminal numbers 12 and 13, a bridge B output 1 terminal BOUT1 arranged at terminal numbers 14 and 15, a power supply terminal VMB arranged at terminal numbers 16 and 17, a ground terminal GND arranged at terminal number 20, a regulator output terminal V3P3OUT arranged at terminal number 21, various control signal terminals arranged at terminal numbers 22 to 35, a reset signal input terminal RESET arranged at terminal number 36, etc.
[0528] The power supply terminal VMA (terminal numbers 2 and 3) and the power supply terminal VMB (terminal numbers 16 and 17) of the motor driver IC 716 are soldered to the power supply wiring pattern 711 of the power supply layer 710 of the substrate 700 and are electrically connected to the power supply wiring pattern 711 of the power supply layer 710.
[0529] The ground terminal GND (terminal number 20) is soldered to the GND wiring pattern 706a of the GND layer 706 through a via formed in the insulating layer 708 and is electrically connected to the GND wiring pattern 706a of the GND layer 706.
[0530] The bridge A output 1 terminal AOUT1 (terminal numbers 4 and 5), the bridge A ground output terminal ISENA (terminal numbers 6 and 7), the bridge A output 2 terminal AOUT2 (terminal numbers 8 and 9), the bridge B output 2 terminal BOUT2 (terminal numbers 10 and 11), the bridge B ground output terminal ISENB (terminal numbers 12 and 13), and the bridge B output 1 terminal BOUT1 (terminal numbers 14 and 15) are all output terminals. In this example, they are electrically conn...
Claims
1. A gaming machine equipped with specific parts, the specific part is a part configured to include a first member, the specific part is a part configured to include a second member, the specific component is a component configured to include a certain connector, the second member is a member having a through hole formed therein, the first member is a member having a rod-shaped protrusion formed thereon, the first member is a member having a deformed tip portion formed at a tip portion of the protrusion inserted into the through hole, the deformed tip portion being deformed to a diameter larger than the diameter of the through hole, the certain connector is provided on a side of the specific component on which the deformed tip portion is formed, a diameter of the through hole is larger than a diameter of a portion of the protrusion located within the through hole, a gap is provided between the connector and the second member at a portion of an outer periphery of the connector; There is a gap between the deformation tip and the second member around the entire circumference of the deformation tip. A gaming machine characterized by:
2. A gaming machine equipped with specific parts, the specific part is a part configured to include a first member, the specific part is a part configured to include a second member, the specific part is a part configured to include a third member covering the second member, the specific component is a component configured to include a certain connector, the second member is a member having a through hole (hereinafter referred to as the "through hole of the second member"); the third member is a member having a through hole (hereinafter referred to as the "through hole of the third member"); the first member is a member having a rod-shaped protrusion formed thereon, the first member is a member having a deformed tip portion formed at a tip portion of the protrusion inserted into the through hole of the second member and the through hole of the third member, the deformed tip portion being deformed to a diameter larger than the diameter of the through hole, the certain connector is provided on a side of the specific component on which the deformed tip portion is formed, a diameter of the through hole of the second member is larger than a diameter of a portion of the protruding portion located within the through hole of the second member, a gap is provided between the connector and the second member at a portion of an outer periphery of the connector; There is a gap between the deformation tip and the third member around the entire circumference of the deformation tip. A gaming machine characterized by:
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