Game machine

Abstract

To provide a game machine that employs a new connection method for a driver IC.SOLUTION: A game machine includes: control means capable of outputting a serial signal; a first control board having a first driver IC mounted thereon that controls an operation of a first operating member on the basis of reception of the serial signal; a second control board having a second driver IC mounted thereon that controls an operation of a second operating member on the basis of reception of the serial signal; and a third control board having a third driver IC mounted thereon that controls an operation of a third operating member on the basis of reception of the serial signal. The first driver IC, the second driver IC and the third driver IC are cascade-connected, and the serial signal is transmitted to each driver IC in sequence.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a gaming machine.

Background Art

[0002] As a gaming machine, a pachinko gaming machine equipped with a gaming area where game balls (game values) move, a launching device for launching game balls into the gaming area, etc. is known. The pachinko gaming machine is provided with a start port provided in the gaming area, and when the entry of a game ball into the start port is detected, a special symbol lottery is performed. When the result of the special symbol lottery is a big win, the gaming state shifts to a special gaming state, and a plurality of special games are executed in the special gaming state. In each special game, a large winning port provided in the gaming area operates in an open state, and game balls are paid out based on the entry of game balls into the large winning port.

[0003] Also, as a gaming machine, a slot machine equipped with a plurality of reels having a plurality of symbols arranged on the outer peripheral surface, a start lever, a stop button, etc. is known. In the slot machine, when the rotation of the reels is started based on a game start operation, an internal lottery using a lottery table is performed. When the reels stop, a symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination selected in the internal lottery is displayed, and when the winning combination wins, as a process corresponding to the winning combination, for example, a medal payout process for paying out medals (game values) or a replay process for enabling a game again without newly consuming medals is performed.

[0004] Some of such gaming machines are provided with an LED board provided with an LED driver (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] By the way, in a gaming machine, a new connection method for a driver IC is required.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a gaming machine employing a new connection method for a driver IC.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, a gaming machine according to the present invention includes: a control board (sub-control board 90) capable of outputting a serial signal; a first control board (for example, left panel slave LED board 422) on which a first driver IC (for example, driver IC422a) for controlling the operation (lighting) of a first operating member (LED) based on the reception of the serial signal is mounted; a second control board (for example, right panel slave LED board 432) on which a second driver IC (for example, driver IC432a) for controlling the operation (lighting) of a second operating member (LED) based on the reception of the serial signal is mounted; a third control board (for example, upper right middle slave board 412) on which a third driver IC (for example, driver IC412a) for controlling the operation (lighting) of a third operating member (LED) based on the reception of the serial signal is mounted, and the first driver IC, the second driver IC, and the third driver IC are cascade-connected, and the serial signal is transmitted to each driver IC in order. Thereby, a new connection method for a driver IC can be provided.

[0009] Also, in the gaming machine according to the present invention, the third driver IC is the last driver IC in the cascade-connected driver ICs, the control board and the first control board are connected via a first predetermined board (for example, liquid crystal left slave board 421), The control board and the second control board are connected via a second predetermined board (for example, the liquid crystal right slave board 431). The control board and the third control board are connected via a third predetermined board (for example, the upper left middle slave board 411). The harness (harness L1) connecting the first predetermined board and the first control board and the harness (harness R1) connecting the second predetermined board and the second control board are common specific harnesses. The harness (harness U1) connecting the third predetermined board and the third control board is a harness different from the specific harness. In the middle of the cascade connection, the harness connecting the boards can be a common specific harness. Therefore, the cost can be reduced compared to the case where components cannot be made common. Also, when components cannot be made common, identification is provided and it is necessary to confirm which harness it corresponds to. By making the components common, the labor of confirmation can be saved and the burden on the operator can be reduced.

[0010] Also, in the gaming machine according to the present invention, The third driver IC (driver IC670a) is the last driver IC in the cascade-connected driver ICs. The third operating member is the illumination (LED) of the effect button (effect button 36), and the third driver IC controls the lighting of the illumination. It is possible to facilitate the response when the specifications of the effect button are changed, and the burden on the designer can be reduced.

[0011] Also, in the gaming machine according to the present invention, The first operating member is a reel backlight, and the first driver IC (driver IC610a) controls the lighting of the reel backlight. The first driver IC is located upstream of the second driver IC and the third driver IC and is supplied with first power (+DC5V). Even when the supply of the second power (+DC5V_BM) to the second driver IC and the third driver IC is cut off based on the occurrence of a predetermined error, the first driver IC can turn on the reel backlight based on the reception of the serial signal. Even when a predetermined error occurs, the lighting of the reel backlight can be maintained. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the visibility of the reel backlight from being reduced.

Advantages of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, a new connection method for a driver IC can be provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] (First Embodiment) Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, a slot machine, which is one type of gaming machine, will be described. However, the gaming machine according to the present invention is not limited to a slot machine, and may be other gaming machines such as a pachinko gaming machine or a medal-less gaming machine. In the following description, basically, "front and back" means that when a player is on the front side of the slot machine, the player side is "front" and the slot machine side is "back", "up and down" means that the upper surface side of the slot machine is "up" and the lower surface side is "down", and "left and right" means that the left hand side of the player playing the slot machine is "left" and the right hand side is "right". It should be noted that within the scope of the present invention, any free combination of each component, any deformation of each component, or omission of each component is possible.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a slot machine 100. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the inside of the housing 1 of the slot machine 100. This slot machine 100 includes a housing (gaming machine housing) 1. The housing 1 includes a top plate 2, a back plate 3, a bottom plate 4, and left and right side plates 5 and 6, and is formed in a box shape having a front opening portion that opens on the front side of the housing 1. Note that the back plate 3 may be thinner than the top plate 2, the bottom plate 4, and the left and right side plates 5 and 6.

[0016] Hereinafter, the lower surface of the top plate 2, the front surface of the back plate 3, the upper surface of the bottom plate 4, the right surface of the left side plate 5, and the left surface of the right side plate 6, that is, the plate surface facing the inside of the housing 1 in the top plate 2, the back plate 3, the bottom plate 4, the side plate 5 or the side plate 6 may be referred to as the "inner surface". Further, the upper surface of the top plate 2, the back surface of the back plate 3, the lower surface of the bottom plate 4, the left surface of the left side plate 5, and the right surface of the right side plate 6, that is, the plate surface facing the outside of the housing 1 in the top plate 2, the back plate 3, the bottom plate 4, the side plate 5 or the side plate 6 may be referred to as the "outer surface". The housing 1 is made of wood, synthetic resin, metal, or the like. Further, the material of the housing 1 is not limited to one type. For example, a part (top plate 2) may be made of wood, and the other parts (back plate 3, bottom plate 4, and left and right side plates 5, 6) may be made of resin. Further, for example, the top plate 2 may be composed of two types of materials (resin and metal).

[0017] On the front side of the housing 1, a front door 20 is provided to closably block the front opening of the housing 1. The front door 20 is rotatably connected to the housing 1 via a hinge 29 and is adapted to open and close the opening of the housing 1. Note that the front door 20 may be divided into a plurality of doors, such as being divided into an upper part (upper door) and a lower part (lower door). Further, the slot machine 100 may be of a so-called separable housing type in which when the model in the game arcade is changed, the housing 1, the lower part of the front door 20, and the power unit 10, the hopper unit 11, etc. inside the housing 1 remain attached to the island equipment in the game arcade, and the upper part of the front door 20, the reel unit 14, etc. are replaceable. When the front door 20 is divided into an upper door and a lower door, the upper door and the lower door are each openable and closable with respect to the housing 1. That is, the upper door is rotatably connected via a hinge 29 and is adapted to open and close the upper part of the opening of the housing 1. Further, the lower door is rotatably connected via a hinge 29 and is adapted to open and close the lower part of the opening of the housing 1.

[0018] On the upper side of the front door 20, a flat panel 21 is provided. On the back surface (rear side) of the panel 21, a display device (display means, liquid crystal display) as an effect device is provided. Various images (effect images) for assisting the game or livening up the game are displayed on the liquid crystal display.

[0019] Further, a transparent display window (window portion) 22 is provided at the center of the front door 20. Behind the display window 22, three reels 15a to 15c (see FIG. 2) are provided in a horizontal row. And a part of the reels 15a to 15c is visible through the display window 22. On the outer peripheral surfaces of the respective reels 15a to 15c, a plurality of types of symbols are arranged in a row along the circumferential direction. When the reels 15a to 15c stop, three consecutive symbols (upper-stage symbol, middle-stage symbol, and lower-stage symbol) per reel are displayed through the display window 22. Further, on the display window 22, upper, middle, and lower stages are provided as display positions for viewing the symbols of the reels 15a to 15c, and valid lines are set according to combinations of the display positions of the reels 15a to 15c. In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the valid line is constituted by the middle stage of the first reel 15a, the middle stage of the second reel 15b, and the middle stage of the third reel 15c.

[0020] In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the number of medals (prescribed number) required for one game is set to "3", and when the prescribed number of medals is inserted, the valid line is activated. When the three reels 15a to 15c stop, it is displayed whether or not the winning combination has won by the combination of symbols displayed through the display window 22. In the slot machine 100, when the reels 15a to 15c start rotating with the start of the game, an internal lottery is executed, and either winning or losing (non-winning) of any of the winning combinations is determined. Then, when the combination of symbols corresponding to the winning combination won in the internal lottery is displayed on the valid line when the reels 15a to 15c stop, this winning combination wins, and a process (winning process) corresponding to the winning combination that has won is executed.

[0021] On the front door 20, lighting devices (lighting means) 24, 25, speakers (sound output means), etc. are provided as effect devices for performing effects (notifications) and the like. The lighting device 24 is provided on the upper side of the panel 21 of the front door 20. Further, the lighting device 25 is provided at both left and right ends of the front door 20, and is composed of a left-side lighting device 25a and a right-side lighting device 25b. A decorative member 26 having a light-emitting or non-light-emitting three-dimensional shape and including these lighting devices 24 and 25 is provided at a predetermined portion of the front door 20, and the outer shape on the front side of the gaming machine has irregularities. That is, the gaming machine is decorated by the decorative member 26.

[0022] A plurality of speakers (not shown) are provided on the front door 20, for example, at the upper and lower portions. The speakers output various effect sounds (music, BGM, sound effects, voices, etc.) for assisting the game or livening up the game. In addition to the liquid crystal display, the lighting devices 24 and 25, and the speakers, a movable accessory (performance accessory device) operable by an actuator or the like may be provided as a performance device.

[0023] An operation unit 30 for operating the slot machine 100 is provided at the center in the vertical direction of the front door 20. This operation unit 30 includes a settlement button 60 operated when settling medals (game medals, game media, game values), a start lever 32 operated when starting the game, stop buttons 33 (three stop buttons 33a, 33b, 33c) operated when stopping the rotation of each of the three reels 15a to 15c, a medal insertion port 34 for inserting medals, a reject button 70 operated when eliminating a jammed medal generated below the medal insertion port 34, a MAX bet button 35 (bet button) operated when betting (investing) credited medals (operated when setting the maximum number of bets), and the like. In addition to the MAX bet button 35 (first bet button) operated when betting three (prescribed number) medals as a bet button, a 1 bet button (second bet button) operated when betting one medal may be provided. Further, an effect button 36 (effect operation unit) operated when advancing the effect (changing the mode of the effect) or the like is provided on the front door 20.

[0024] In addition, the operation unit 30 is provided with an operation panel 57 that is operated when selecting game effects and the like, a display unit 58 on which game information is displayed, and the like. The operation panel 57 is provided at substantially the center in the width direction (left - right direction) of the operation unit 30, and the display unit 58 is provided on the right side of the medal insertion slot 34. The operation panel 57 includes, for example, a cross - key, a decision button, a cancel button, and the like.

[0025] Also, at the lower part of the front door 20, there are provided a payout port 50 for discharging (feeding out) medals from the inside of the slot machine 100, and a tray 38 capable of storing the medals discharged (payout) from the payout port 50. Also, a lower panel 39 for decorating the appearance of the gaming machine is provided between the operation unit 30 and the tray 38. On the back side of this lower panel 39, a light source (LED) for illumination is provided, and the lower panel 39 is illuminated from behind by the light from this light source. Note that the lower panel 39 may be formed to be push - in and serve as an effect operation unit having the same function as an effect button.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, a reel unit 14 is provided inside the housing 1. The reel unit 14 includes three reels 15a, 15b, 15c that display a plurality of symbols around them, a drive motor (stepping motor) for rotating the reels 15a to 15c, and the like. Each reel is fixed to the output shaft of each stepping motor.

[0027] Also, on the upper surface of the bottom plate 4 inside the housing 1, there are provided a power supply unit 10 (power supply means) for supplying power to each component, a hopper unit 11 (medal payout device 11) as a payout device for storing and paying out medals, a cash box 12 for sending out surplus medals when the medals stored in the medal payout device 11 reach a certain amount, and the like. Note that the housing 1 with components such as the power supply unit 10 arranged inside (on the inner side) may be referred to as a back box unit. The power supply unit 10 is provided with a power switch. When the power switch is in the ON state, power is supplied from the power supply unit 10 to each component. Note that some components may be configured to be supplied with power even when the power supply unit 10 is in the OFF state.

[0028] The front door 20 is provided with a door key cylinder 66, and a door key can be inserted into the door key cylinder 66 to unlock the front door 20. Specifically, by rotating (twisting) the door key inserted into the door key cylinder 66 clockwise from the initial position, the front door 20 can be unlocked. Also, by rotating (twisting) the door key inserted into the door key cylinder 66 counterclockwise from the initial position, an error cancellation operation can be performed.

[0029] When medals are inserted into the medal insertion slot 34 of the slot machine 100, the inserted medals are set to the inserted state with the specified number (specified insertion number) as the limit. Also, the slot machine 100 can credit-store (reserve-store) up to 50 medals at most. When the MAX bet button 35 is operated in a state where medals are credit-stored, the credit-stored medals are set to the inserted state with the specified number as the limit.

[0030] In the slot machine 100, when medals are inserted through the medal insertion slot 34 or the MAX bet button 35 is operated to bet a specified number of medals, the operation of the start lever 32 is enabled, and the game can be started. Also, when the enabled start lever 32 is operated, the game starts. When the game starts, each reel starts rotating, and when the rotation speed of each reel reaches a constant speed and becomes steady rotation, the operation of the stop button 33 is enabled. Also, when the enabled stop button 33 is operated, the rotation of the reel corresponding to the operated stop button 33 stops. When all the reels stop, processing such as paying out medals according to the result of the game and making the state where the game can be started again without newly consuming medals is performed, and one game ends.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 3, inside the slot machine 100, a main control board 80 (main control means) and a sub-control board 90 (sub-control means) are provided. The sub-control board 90 is provided on the back side of the front door 20. The main control board 80 receives input signals from input means such as the MAX bet button 35, the start lever 32, and the stop button 33, performs various calculations for executing the game, and controls output means such as the reel unit 14 and the hopper unit 11 based on the calculation results. Also, the sub-control board 90 receives signals (information) sent from the main control board 80, performs various calculations for executing the effect, and controls various effect devices such as the liquid crystal display and the speaker based on the calculation results.

[0032] The main control board 80 is provided with a setting change key cylinder, a setting change button, and the like. Note that the setting change key cylinder and the setting change button may be provided, for example, in the power supply unit 10.

[0033] In addition, the main control board 80 and the sub-control board 90 are electrically connected, and various information (signals) such as information indicating the game state can be transmitted from the main control board 80 to the sub-control board 90, but information cannot be transmitted from the sub-control board 90 to the main control board 80. Also, the functions of each board such as the main control board 80 and the sub-control board 90 are realized by hardware such as various processors (CPU, DSP, etc.), ICs, or information storage media such as ROM and RAM, and software consisting of predetermined programs stored in advance in ROM or the like.

[0034] The power supply unit 10 includes a power supply board. The power supply board generates a DC power supply (for example, 12V, 24V, etc.) from the power sent from the outside of the gaming machine via a power cable, and supplies power to each board of the gaming machine.

[0035] The power supply from the power supply board 10A will be described with reference to FIG. 4. The power supply board 10A receives power supply from the outside and generates DC 24V power. Also, the power supply board 10A generates DC 12V from the DC 24V power. Further, the power supply board 10A may generate DC 5V or DC 37V. The power supply board 10A can supply some or all of the generated power to the boards inside the gaming machine. Note that the power supply from the outside of the gaming machine may be a commercial AC 100V power supply or an AC 24V power supply.

[0036] The power supply board 10A supplies the power of DC 24V and DC 12V to the sub-control board 90. Note that a relay board (not shown) may be provided, and the relay board relays the power output from the power supply board 10A to the sub-control board 90. The sub-control board 90 includes a power generation unit 91 (power supply IC). The power generation unit 91 generates the power of DC 5V or DC 3.3V from the DC 12V power received from the power supply board 10A (relay board), and supplies power to the logic circuit inside the sub-control board 90.

[0037] Although illustration is omitted, the sub-control board 90 may generate power of DC 1.05V from power of DC 12V and supply power to the logic circuit in the sub-control board 90.

[0038] The sub-control board 90 supplies power of DC 12V and DC 24V to the sub-control unit 200. Also, the sub-control board 90 supplies the generated power of DC 5V to the sub-control unit 200. The sub-control unit 200 comprehensively shows a plurality of sub-control devices that input signals from or output signals to the sub-control board 90.

[0039] Examples of the sub-control devices constituting the sub-control unit 200 include a liquid crystal display, a lighting device 25 (lamp), a speaker, an effect button 36, a movable prop, and the like. Electric elements in each sub-control device of the sub-control unit 200 operate by receiving power supply (for example, DC 12V, DC 24V) from the sub-control board 90. Note that there may be a sub-control device that is supplied with power without passing through the sub-control board 90.

[0040] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the sub-control board 90. The sub-control board 90 includes a CPU 300 as control means (effect control means). Also, the sub-control board 90 includes a control ROM 301, a crystal oscillator 302, a RAM 303, and a watchdog timer IC 304. A program related to the control of effects is stored in the control ROM 301. The CPU 300 accesses the control ROM 301 via the CPU bus and controls the effects by executing the program stored in the control ROM 301. The watchdog timer IC 304 is connected to the reset terminal of the CPU 300 and outputs a reset signal to the CPU 300 when a predetermined condition is satisfied (for example, when it is detected that the voltage is unstable). The RAM 303 serves as a storage area for backup data. The crystal oscillator 302 generates a clock signal of a predetermined frequency.

[0041] The effect determination unit 321 of the CPU 300 determines the effect content to be executed based on various commands transmitted from the main control board 80, input signals from the effect buttons 36, and the like. Also, the display control unit 322, audio control unit 323, lamp control unit 324, and motor control unit 325 of the CPU 300 control the execution of the effects determined by the effect determination unit 321.

[0042] (Image) The VDP 305 is a processor that performs image processing (drawing processing) related to the display of an image (video) on the liquid crystal display in accordance with commands from the display control unit 322 and is integrated on a single chip together with the CPU 300. The VDP 305 incorporates a VRAM and a decoder. The display control unit 322 controls the VDP 305 based on the determined effect content and performs control related to the display on the liquid crystal display. The display control unit 322 executes liquid crystal drawing processing at a predetermined cycle (for example, 60 times per second = 60 FPS frame rate). In the liquid crystal drawing processing, a command (information) for instructing the drawing content is constructed for the VDP 305. The VDP 305 reads out the necessary drawing materials from the image / audio ROM 310 based on the command and performs drawing (generates image data indicating a frame image of one frame on the frame buffer), generates a liquid crystal signal, and outputs it to the liquid crystal substrate. The liquid crystal signal consists of, for example, an input video signal (R, G, B) and an input control signal. Examples of the input control signal include a horizontal synchronization signal (HSYNC), a vertical synchronization signal (VSYNC), a clock signal (CLK), and a data enable signal (DE).

[0043] The liquid crystal substrate is provided with a signal conversion circuit (signal conversion means), and the signal conversion circuit generates a driving signal to be transmitted to the liquid crystal display based on the input liquid crystal signal. The signal input to the liquid crystal substrate is converted by the signal conversion circuit, and the generated signal is input to the liquid crystal display. As a result, in the display area of the liquid crystal display, for example, an image (still image) of 60 frames per second is displayed, and a production image of a moving image is displayed. Note that one frame may be referred to as a "frame". For example, in the case of a production image (production pattern) with a production time of 60 seconds, the production image is composed of a total of 3600 frames of 60 seconds × 60 frames.

[0044] (Voice) The voice IC 306 controls the output of voice from the speaker according to a command from the voice control unit 323. The voice IC 306 is integrated on one chip together with the CPU 300. The voice IC 306 incorporates a decoder. Also, the voice IC 306 is connected to the amplifier 307. The voice control unit 323 controls the voice IC 306 based on the determined production content and performs control regarding the output of voice from the speaker. The voice control unit 323 transmits a command instructing the voice to be output to the voice IC 306. The voice IC 306 reads out necessary voice materials from the image / voice ROM 310 based on the command, generates a voice signal, and outputs it. The amplifier 307 has a function of converting a signal input from the voice IC 306 from a digital signal to an analog signal and a function as an amplifier. The amplifier 307 drives the speaker based on the signal (voice signal) sent from the voice IC 306 and outputs sound from the speaker. Note that the voice IC 306 can control the output volume from the speaker based on an input signal from the volume adjustment switch 95.

[0045] In this embodiment, it is assumed that the amplifier 307 is arranged on the sub-control board 90, but it is not limited to this, and the amplifier 307 may be arranged on a board different from the sub-control board 90.

[0046] (Movable prop) In this embodiment, in the front door 20, a movable component effect in which a movable component (movable body) operates upon a predetermined trigger can be executed. The motor control unit 325 controls the operation of a motor that serves as a drive source for the movable component. Based on the determined effect content, the motor control unit 325 generates a command (motor control signal) and outputs it to the driver IC on the movable component control board. The movable component control board is a board that controls the operation of the motor. Based on the input motor control signal, the driver IC controls the voltage applied to the motor. The operation of the motor is controlled via the driver IC on the movable component control board. Note that the motor control unit 325 may be provided integrally with the CPU 300 or may be provided separately from the CPU 300.

[0047] In the above description, the motor control unit 325 is assumed to control the operation of a motor that serves as a drive source for the movable component. However, the motor control unit 325 may control the operation of a motor that serves as a drive source for the effect button 36. That is, the effect button 36 may be configured to execute an effect in which it vibrates upon a predetermined trigger, and the motor control unit 325 may control the operation of the motor that vibrates the effect button 36.

[0048] (Lamp) The lamp control unit 324 controls the lighting patterns (including color and brightness) of various lights (lamps) provided in the slot machine 100. Based on the determined effect content, the lamp control unit 324 generates a command (lighting control signal) and outputs it to the driver IC on the decorative lighting board. The lamp control unit 324 may be provided integrally with the CPU 300 or may be provided separately from the CPU 300.

[0049] The decorative lighting board is a board that controls the lighting (emission) of various lamps (LEDs). Based on the input lighting control signal, the driver IC on the decorative lighting board controls the voltage applied to the lamp (LED). The lighting of the lamp is controlled via the driver IC on the decorative lighting board. The lighting control signal is a serial signal.

[0050] In this embodiment, a plurality of lighting decoration substrates are provided. Hereinafter, the lighting decoration substrates will be described in detail. In this embodiment, as a configuration in which the serial signal output from the sub-control board 90 is input, there are an upper serial connection configuration and a lower serial connection configuration.

[0051] (Upper serial connection configuration) As shown in FIG. 6, the serial signal output from the sub-control board 90 is output to the upper serial connection configuration (block) via the upper connection board 500. The upper serial connection configuration is composed of three units: the upper design unit 410, the side lens left unit 420, and the side lens right unit 430. Note that the upper serial connection configuration may include the upper connection board 500. The upper design unit 410 is a unit including the lighting device 24 shown in FIG. 1. The side lens left unit 420 is a unit including the left lighting device 25a shown in FIG. 1. The side lens right unit 430 is a unit including the right lighting device 25b shown in FIG. 1. The side lens left unit 420 and the side lens right unit 430 have a bilaterally symmetric shape (bilaterally symmetric structure).

[0052] The serial signal is first transmitted to the side lens left unit 420, then from the side lens left unit 420 to the side lens right unit 430, and then from the side lens right unit 430 to the upper design unit 410.

[0053] (Side lens left unit 420) The side lens left unit 420 includes a liquid crystal left slave board 421, a left panel slave LED board 422, and a liquid crystal left middle and upper slave LED board 423. The connector CN3 of the upper connection board 500 and the connector CN1 of the liquid crystal left slave board 421 are connected by a harness X1.

[0054] Inside the left side lens unit 420, the connector CN6 of the left liquid crystal slave board 421 and the connector CN1 of the left panel slave LED board 422 are connected by a harness L1. Also, the connector CN3 of the left liquid crystal slave board 421 and the connector CN1 of the upper middle left liquid crystal slave LED board 423 are connected by a harness L2. The harness L1 and the harness L2 are 10-pin (corresponding to 10 pins) harnesses.

[0055] (Right side lens unit 430) The right side lens unit 430 includes a right liquid crystal slave board 431, a right panel slave LED board 432, and an upper middle right liquid crystal slave LED board 433. The connector CN4 of the upper connection board 500 and the connector CN1 of the right liquid crystal slave board 431 are connected by a harness X2.

[0056] Inside the right side lens unit 430, the connector CN6 of the right liquid crystal slave board 431 and the connector CN1 of the right panel slave LED board 432 are connected by a harness R1. The connector CN3 of the right liquid crystal slave board 431 and the connector CN1 of the upper middle right liquid crystal slave LED board 433 are connected by a harness R2. The harness R1 and the harness R2 are 10-pin harnesses.

[0057] (Upper design unit 410) The upper design unit 410 includes an upper middle left slave board 411 and an upper middle right slave board 412. The connector CN2 of the upper connection board 500 and the connector CN1 of the upper middle left slave board 411 are connected by a harness X3. Inside the upper design unit 410, the connector CN2 of the upper middle left slave board 411 and the connector CN1 of the upper middle right slave board 412 are connected by a harness U1. The harness U1 is an 8-pin harness.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 7, in the present embodiment, in the upper serial connection configuration, each driver IC is cascade-connected. The serial signal output from the sub-control board 90 is input to the driver IC 421a (LED driver) of the liquid crystal left slave board 421. The serial signal output from the driver IC 421a of the liquid crystal left slave board 421 is input to the driver IC 422a of the left panel slave LED board 422 via the harness L1. The serial signal output from the driver IC 422a of the left panel slave LED board 422 is input to the driver IC 423a of the liquid crystal left upper middle slave LED board 423 via the harness L1, the liquid crystal left slave board 421, and the harness L2. The serial signal output from the driver IC 423a of the liquid crystal left upper middle slave LED board 423 is output to the liquid crystal left slave board 421 via the harness L2. The serial signal is input to the driver IC 431a of the liquid crystal right slave board 431 via the harness X1, the upper connection board 500, and the harness X2.

[0059] The serial signal output from the driver IC 431a of the liquid crystal right slave board 431 is input to the driver IC 432a of the right panel slave LED board 432 via the harness R1. The serial signal output from the driver IC 432a of the right panel slave LED board 432 is input to the driver IC 433a of the liquid crystal right upper middle slave LED board 433 via the harness R1, the liquid crystal right slave board 431, and the harness R2. The serial signal output from the driver IC 433a of the liquid crystal right upper middle slave LED board 433 is output to the liquid crystal right slave board 431 via the harness R2. The serial signal is input to the driver IC 411a of the upper left middle slave board 411 via the harness X2, the upper connection board 500, and the harness X3.

[0060] The serial signal output from the driver IC411a of the upper left middle slave board 411 is input to the driver IC411b of the upper left middle slave board 411, and the serial signal output from the driver IC411b of the upper left middle slave board 411 is input to the driver IC412a of the upper right middle slave board 412 via the harness U1.

[0061] Although the description is omitted due to duplication, the clock signal output from the sub-control board 90 is also transmitted (transferred) through the same path as the serial signal.

[0062] Also, although not shown in FIG. 7, LEDs are mounted on each board constituting the side lens left unit 420, the side lens right unit 430, and the upper design unit 410, and the driver IC of each board lights up the LED based on the reception of the serial signal.

[0063] The sub-control board 90 can output DC5V power to other boards and the like. The DC5V power includes "+DC5V" (first power) that the sub-control board 90 always outputs, "+DC5V_TP" (third power) and "+DC5V_BM" (second power) whose output ON / OFF can be controlled by the sub-control board 90.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 7, the sub-control board 90 can supply the power of "+DC5V_TP" to the liquid crystal left slave board 421, the left panel slave LED board 422, the liquid crystal left upper middle slave LED board 423, the liquid crystal right slave board 431, the right panel slave LED board 432, the liquid crystal right upper middle slave LED board 433, the upper left middle slave board 411, and the upper right middle slave board 412 in the upper serial connection configuration, and this power serves as the power supply for the driver IC of each board.

[0065] When a predetermined error (defect, abnormality) occurs or the like, the sub-control board 90 can cut off (turn off) the supply of the power of "+DC5V_TP". Thereby, the operation of each driver IC can be stopped.

[0066] (Harness L1) Regarding the harness L1 shown in FIG. 6, one of the 10 pins is a pin corresponding to the serial signal transmitted from the liquid crystal left slave substrate 421 to the left panel slave LED substrate 422. Also, one of the 10 pins is a pin corresponding to the clock signal transmitted from the liquid crystal left slave substrate 421 to the left panel slave LED substrate 422. Also, one of the 10 pins is a pin corresponding to the serial signal (return signal) transmitted from the left panel slave LED substrate 422 to the liquid crystal left slave substrate 421. Also, one of the 10 pins is a pin corresponding to the clock signal (return signal) transmitted from the left panel slave LED substrate 422 to the liquid crystal left slave substrate 421.

[0067] (Harness L2) Regarding the harness L2, one of the 10 pins is a pin corresponding to the serial signal transmitted from the liquid crystal left slave substrate 421 to the liquid crystal left upper middle slave LED substrate 423. Also, one of the 10 pins is a pin corresponding to the clock signal transmitted from the liquid crystal left slave substrate 421 to the liquid crystal left upper middle slave LED substrate 423. Also, one of the 10 pins is a pin corresponding to the serial signal (return signal) transmitted from the liquid crystal left upper middle slave LED substrate 423 to the liquid crystal left slave substrate 421. Also, one of the 10 pins is a pin corresponding to the clock signal (return signal) transmitted from the liquid crystal left upper middle slave LED substrate 423 to the liquid crystal left slave substrate 421.

[0068] The harness L1 has a first length corresponding to the distance between the liquid crystal left slave substrate 421 and the left panel slave LED substrate 422, and the harness L2 has a second length corresponding to the distance between the liquid crystal left slave substrate 421 and the liquid crystal left upper-middle slave LED substrate 423. In the present embodiment, the first length and the second length are different, and the harness L1 and the harness L2 are harnesses with different specifications.

[0069] (Harness R1) Regarding the harness R1, one of the 10 pins is a pin corresponding to the serial signal transmitted from the liquid crystal right slave substrate 431 to the right panel slave LED substrate 432. Also, one of the 10 pins is a pin corresponding to the clock signal transmitted from the liquid crystal right slave substrate 431 to the right panel slave LED substrate 432. Also, one of the 10 pins is a pin corresponding to the serial signal (return signal) transmitted from the right panel slave LED substrate 432 to the liquid crystal right slave substrate 431. Also, one of the 10 pins is a pin corresponding to the clock signal (return signal) transmitted from the right panel slave LED substrate 432 to the liquid crystal right slave substrate 431.

[0070] (Harness R2) Regarding the harness R2, one of the 10 pins is a pin corresponding to the serial signal transmitted from the liquid crystal right slave substrate 431 to the liquid crystal right upper-middle slave LED substrate 433. Also, one of the 10 pins is a pin corresponding to the clock signal transmitted from the liquid crystal right slave substrate 431 to the liquid crystal right upper-middle slave LED substrate 433. Also, one of the 10 pins is a pin corresponding to the serial signal (return signal) transmitted from the liquid crystal right upper-middle slave LED substrate 433 to the liquid crystal right slave substrate 431. Also, one of the 10 pins corresponds to a clock signal (return signal) transmitted from the liquid crystal upper right slave LED board 433 to the liquid crystal right slave board 431.

[0071] The harness R1 has a third length corresponding to the distance between the liquid crystal right slave board 431 and the right panel slave LED board 432, and the harness R2 has a fourth length corresponding to the distance between the liquid crystal right slave board 431 and the liquid crystal upper right slave LED board 433. In this embodiment, the third length and the fourth length are different, and the harness R1 and the harness R2 are harnesses of different specifications.

[0072] (Harness commonality) Since the side lens left unit 420 and the side lens right unit 430 have a symmetric structure, the first length related to the harness L1 and the third length related to the harness R1 are the same. Also, the second length related to the harness L2 and the fourth length related to the harness R2 are the same. Also, as described above, the harness L1 and the harness R1 have 10 pins, and the harness L2 and the harness R2 have 10 pins. Therefore, the harness L1 and the harness R1 can be the same (common) parts. In other words, a common specific harness (first specific harness) can be used. Also, the harness L2 and the harness R2 can be the same (common) parts. In other words, a common specific harness (second specific harness) can be used.

[0073] By sharing parts, costs can be reduced compared to the case of providing them separately. Also, when providing them separately, it is necessary to identify whether it is for the right side or the left side, but by sharing parts, the identification can be omitted. Also, when an operator assembles, the trouble of checking whether it is for the right side or the left side can be saved (the work burden can be reduced).

[0074] Also, since the harness L1 and the harness R1 are the same parts, and the harness L2 and the harness R2 are the same parts, a common jig (inspection jig) can be used when inspecting the side lens left unit 420 and when inspecting the side lens right unit 430. Therefore, the cost can be reduced compared to the case of providing separate jigs.

[0075] (Harness U1) Regarding the harness U1, one of the 8 pins is a pin corresponding to the serial signal transmitted from the upper left middle slave board 411 to the upper right middle slave board 412. Also, one of the 8 pins is a pin corresponding to the clock signal transmitted from the upper left middle slave board 411 to the upper right middle slave board 412. Unlike the harness L1, the harness L2, the harness R1, and the harness R2, the harness U1 has 8 pins (2 pins less) because the pins corresponding to the return signal are not required. For a series of cascaded driver ICs, the harness connecting the last driver ICs can have fewer pins because the return signal is not required.

[0076] If the side lens right unit 430 is set as the final stage of connection instead of the upper design unit 410 (when the connection order of the upper design unit 410 and the side lens right unit 430 is reversed), the harness U1 needs to have 10 pins, and the harness R2 can have 8 pins. However, in this case, since the number of pins of the harness L2 (10 pins) and the harness R2 (8 pins) is different, the parts cannot be shared. In this embodiment, the side lens left unit 420 and the side lens right unit 430, which have a symmetric structure, are connected first, and then the upper design unit 410 is connected at the subsequent stage. As a result, the same parts (harnesses) can be used in the side lens left unit 420 and the side lens right unit 430.

[0077] Note that since the left side lens unit 420 and the right side lens unit 430 are symmetrical, and the harnesses X1 and X2 have the same number of pins and the same length, a common component (specific harness) can be used. The harness X3 has fewer pins than the harnesses X1 and X2 (it cannot be made common with the specific harness). For example, the harnesses X1 and X2 have 8 pins, and the harness X3 has 6 pins.

[0078] Note that for the harnesses X1 and X2, the connector corresponding to one harness (for example, the connector CN4 of the upper connection board 500 corresponding to the harness X2) may be made different from the connector corresponding to the other harness (for example, the connector CN3 of the upper connection board 500 corresponding to the harness X1), and the harnesses X1 and X2 may be made of different specifications so as to prevent misassembly.

[0079] In the present embodiment, the upper design unit 410, the left side lens unit 420, and the right side lens unit 430 are each assumed to include a plurality of substrates, but each substrate may include at least one substrate, and at least one driver IC may be mounted on the substrate.

[0080] For example, the gaming machine of the present embodiment a control board (sub-control board 90) capable of outputting a serial signal, a first control board (for example, the left panel slave LED board 422) on which a first driver IC (for example, the driver IC422a) for controlling the operation (lighting) of the first operating member (LED) based on the reception of the serial signal is mounted, a second control board (for example, the right panel slave LED board 432) on which a second driver IC (for example, the driver IC432a) for controlling the operation (lighting) of the second operating member (LED) based on the reception of the serial signal is mounted, A third control board (e.g., the upper right middle slave board 412) on which a third driver IC (e.g., driver IC 412a) that controls the operation (lighting) of a third operating member (LED) based on reception of the serial signal is mounted, The first driver IC, the second driver IC, and the third driver IC are cascade-connected, and the serial signal is transmitted to each driver IC in order. Thereby, a new connection method for the driver IC can be provided.

[0081] The third driver IC is the last driver IC in the cascade-connected driver ICs, The control board and the first control board are connected via a first predetermined board (e.g., the liquid crystal left slave board 421), The control board and the second control board are connected via a second predetermined board (e.g., the liquid crystal right slave board 431), The control board and the third control board are connected via a third predetermined board (e.g., the upper left middle slave board 411), A harness (harness L1) connecting the first predetermined board and the first control board and a harness (harness R1) connecting the second predetermined board and the second control board are a common specific harness, A harness (harness U1) connecting the third predetermined board and the third control board is a harness different from the specific harness.

[0082] In the middle of the cascade connection, the harness connecting the boards can be a common specific harness. For this reason, compared with the case where components cannot be made common, costs can be reduced. Also, when components cannot be made common, identification is provided and it is necessary to confirm which harness it corresponds to. By making the components common, the trouble of confirmation can be saved and the burden on the operator can be reduced.

[0083] Note that it may be configured as follows. The gaming machine of the present embodiment, A control board (sub-control board 90) capable of outputting a serial signal, A first control board (e.g., the left liquid crystal slave board 421) on which a first driver IC (e.g., driver IC 421a) that controls the operation (lighting) of a first operating member (LED) based on the reception of the serial signal is mounted, A second control board (the right liquid crystal slave board 431) on which a second driver IC (e.g., driver IC 431a) that controls the operation (lighting) of a second operating member (LED) based on the reception of the serial signal is mounted, A third control board (the upper left middle slave board 411) on which a third driver IC (e.g., driver IC 411a) that controls the operation (lighting) of a third operating member (LED) based on the reception of the serial signal is mounted, and The first driver IC, the second driver IC, and the third driver IC to which the serial signal is transmitted are cascade-connected.

[0084] The third driver IC is the last driver IC in the cascade-connected driver ICs, The control board and the first control board are connected via a first predetermined board (e.g., the upper connection board 500), The control board and the second control board are connected via a second predetermined board (e.g., the upper connection board 500), The control board and the third control board are connected via a third predetermined board (e.g., the upper connection board 500), A harness (harness X1) connecting the first predetermined board and the first control board and a harness (harness X2) connecting the second predetermined board and the second control board are a common specific harness, A harness (harness X3) connecting the third predetermined board and the third control board is a harness different from the specific harness. That is, the first predetermined board, the second predetermined board, and the third predetermined board may be the same board (e.g., the upper connection board 500).

[0085] (Lower serial connection configuration) As shown in FIG. 8, the serial signal output from the sub-control board 90 is output to the lower serial connection configuration (block). The lower serial connection configuration is composed of a reel slave board 610, a lower panel middle slave LED board 620, a lower panel upper left slave LED board 630, a lower panel lower left slave LED board 640, a lower panel lower right slave LED board 650, a lower panel upper right slave LED board 660, and an effect button slave board 670. It can be said that the block is composed of seven boards.

[0086] The serial signal is first sent to the reel slave board 610, then to the lower panel middle slave LED board 620, then to the lower panel upper left slave LED board 630, then to the lower panel lower left slave LED board 640, then to the lower panel lower right slave LED board 650, then to the lower panel upper right slave LED board 660, and then to the effect button slave board 670.

[0087] CN2 of the reel slave board 610 and the connector CN1 of the lower panel middle slave LED board 620 are connected by a harness Y. The connector CN2 of the lower panel middle slave LED board 620 and the connector CN1 of the lower panel upper left slave LED board 630 are connected by a harness Z1. The connector CN4 of the lower panel middle slave LED board 620 and the connector CN1 of the lower panel lower left slave LED board 640 are connected by a harness Z2. The connector CN5 of the lower panel middle slave LED board 620 and the connector CN1 of the lower panel lower right slave LED board 650 are connected by a harness Z3. The connector CN3 of the lower panel middle slave LED board 620 and the connector CN1 of the lower panel upper right slave LED board 660 are connected by a harness Z4. The connector CN8 of the slave LED board 620 in the lower panel and the connector CN1 of the effect button slave board 670 are connected by a harness Z5.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 9, in this embodiment, each driver IC is cascade-connected in the lower serial connection configuration. The serial signal output from the sub-control board 90 is input to the driver IC610a (LED driver) of the reel slave board 610. The serial signal output from the driver IC610a of the reel slave board 610 is input to the driver IC620a of the slave LED board 620 in the lower panel via the harness Y.

[0089] The serial signal output from the driver IC620a of the slave LED board 620 in the lower panel is input to the driver IC630a of the upper left slave LED board 630 in the lower panel via the harness Z1. The serial signal output from the driver IC630a of the upper left slave LED board 630 in the lower panel is input to the driver IC640a of the lower left slave LED board 640 in the lower panel via the harness Z1, the slave LED board 620 in the lower panel, and the harness Z2. The serial signal output from the driver IC640a of the lower left slave LED board 640 in the lower panel is input to the driver IC650a of the lower right slave LED board 650 in the lower panel via the harness Z2, the slave LED board 620 in the lower panel, and the harness Z3. The serial signal output from the driver IC650a of the lower right slave LED board 650 in the lower panel is input to the driver IC660a of the upper right slave LED board 660 in the lower panel via the harness Z3, the slave LED board 620 in the lower panel, and the harness Z4. The serial signal output from the driver IC660a of the upper right slave LED board 660 in the lower panel is input to the driver IC670a of the effect button slave board 670 via the harness Z4, the slave LED board 620 in the lower panel, and the harness Z5.

[0090] Although the description is omitted for the sake of repetition, the clock signal output from the sub-control board 90 is also transmitted (sent) through the same path as the serial signal. Note that the harness Z5 has fewer pins than the harnesses Z1 to Z4. Also, the harnesses Z1 to Z4 may have different colors (the colors of the coatings) and be distinguishable.

[0091] Figure 10 shows the slave LED board 620 in the lower panel. The signal from the reel slave board 610 is input to the connector CN1 of the slave LED board 620 in the lower panel. The signal is input to CN2 via the pattern (signal line) on the board, input to the upper left slave LED board 630 in the lower panel via CN2, and the return signal is input to CN2. The signal is input to CN4 via the pattern (signal line) on the board, input to the lower left slave LED board 640 in the lower panel via CN4, and the return signal is input to CN4. The signal is input to CN5 via the pattern (signal line) on the board, input to the lower right slave LED board 650 in the lower panel via CN5, and the return signal is input to CN5. The signal is input to CN3 via the pattern (signal line) on the board, input to the upper right slave LED board 660 in the lower panel via CN3, and the return signal is input to CN3. The signal is input to CN8 via the pattern (signal line) on the board and input to the effect button slave board 670 via CN8. In this embodiment, by connecting the boards so that the serial signal (clock signal) is transmitted in such an order, the routing of the pattern can be minimized in the slave LED board 620 in the lower panel. As a result, space savings can be achieved compared to the case where the routing of the pattern is complex. Also, by minimizing the routing of the pattern, the resistance to noise can be enhanced.

[0092] In Fig. 9, although partial illustration is omitted, LEDs are mounted on the release slave board 610, the lower panel middle slave LED board 620, the lower panel upper left slave LED board 630, the lower panel lower left slave LED board 640, the lower panel lower right slave LED board 650, the lower panel upper right slave LED board 660, and the effect button slave board 670. The driver ICs of each board light up the LEDs based on the reception of serial signals.

[0093] The sub-control board 90 can supply the power of “+DC5V_BM” to the lower panel middle slave LED board 620, the lower panel upper left slave LED board 630, the lower panel lower left slave LED board 640, the lower panel lower right slave LED board 650, the lower panel upper right slave LED board 660, and the effect button slave board 670 in the lower serial connection configuration, and this power serves as the power supply for the driver ICs of each board.

[0094] When a predetermined error (malfunction, abnormality) occurs, etc., the sub-control board 90 can cut off (turn off) the supply of the power of “+DC5V_BM” (the second power). Thereby, the operation of each driver IC can be stopped.

[0095] The sub-control board 90 can supply the power of “+DC5V” (the first power) to the release slave board 610 in the lower serial connection configuration, and this power serves as the power supply for the driver IC610a. “+DC5V” is the power supplied constantly. The driver IC610a can constantly light up the LED based on the reception of serial signals. The LED serves as the reel backlight. Inside the reels 15a to 15c (Fig. 2), there are provided reel backlights (LEDs) that irradiate light toward the upper symbols, middle symbols, and lower symbols on each stopped reel.

[0096] Even if the power supply of “+DC5V_BM” from the sub-control board 90 is cut off when a specified error (defect, abnormality) occurs or the like, the power supply of “+DC5V” from the sub-control board 90 is not cut off. Therefore, the driver IC 610a can turn on the reel backlight based on the reception of the serial signal. In a gaming machine, it is required to ensure the visibility of the reels by preventing the reel backlight from turning off even when an error or the like occurs (it is required that the reel backlight does not turn off at an unintended timing).

[0097] The driver IC 610a can be said to be the first driver IC in a series of cascade-connected driver ICs. Since the driver IC 610a is arranged at the head and “+DC5V” is always supplied, it can turn on the LED based on the reception of the serial signal. If the driver IC 610a is provided in the middle of a series of cascade connections, when an error occurs and the power supply of “+DC5V_BM” is cut off, even if the power supply of “+DC5V” is supplied, the driver IC provided on the previous board does not operate, so the driver IC 610a cannot receive the serial signal. For this reason, there is a problem that the driver IC 610a cannot turn on the reel backlight (the visibility of the reels decreases), but according to the present embodiment, such a problem can be prevented.

[0098] (Effect button slave board) The effect button 36 (see FIG. 1) is configured to be able to light up (emit light). The driver IC 670a on the effect button slave board 670 controls the lighting of the LED for the effect button 36. The gaming machine of the present embodiment includes the effect button 36, but there are some gaming machines of different types (models) that do not have the effect button 36.

[0099] The driver IC670a related to the performance button 36 can be said to be the last driver IC in a series of cascaded driver ICs. Since the driver IC670a is located at the end of the cascaded connection, if the performance button 36 is not provided, it is only necessary to omit (delete) the corresponding unnecessary configuration. In other words, the burden on the designer can be reduced. Also, it is possible to easily (flexibly) respond to changes in the specifications of the performance button 36. If the driver IC670a is provided in the middle of a series of cascaded connections, it is necessary to change the program, connections, etc. when omitting the driver IC670a, which is time-consuming and increases the burden on the designer. However, according to this embodiment, such problems can be suppressed.

[0100] In this embodiment, The third driver IC (driver IC670a) is the last driver IC in the cascaded driver ICs, The third operating member is the illumination (LED) of the performance button (performance button 36), and the third driver IC controls the lighting of the illumination.

[0101] Make it easy to handle changes in the specifications of the performance button, and the burden on the designer can be reduced.

[0102] Also, in this embodiment, The first operating member is a reel backlight, and the first driver IC (driver IC610a) controls the lighting of the reel backlight, The first driver IC is located in front of the second driver IC and the third driver IC, and is supplied with the first power (+DC5V), Even when the supply of the second power (+DC5V_BM) to the second driver IC and the third driver IC is cut off based on the occurrence of a predetermined error, the first driver IC can turn on the reel backlight based on the reception of the serial signal.

[0103] Even if a predetermined error occurs, the lighting of the reel backlight can be maintained. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the visibility of the reel backlight from being reduced.

[0104] (Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The gaming machine of the present embodiment has the same configuration as the gaming machine according to the first embodiment. Therefore, the description of the same configuration as that of the first embodiment will be omitted or simplified.

[0105] As described above, the lower panel 39 (FIG. 1) is irradiated with light from behind and can be lit (emit light). On the substrate that irradiates the lower panel 39 with light, there is a lower panel middle slave LED substrate 620. FIG. 11 shows a circuit diagram (at least a part) related to the LEDs in the lower panel middle slave LED substrate 620. The driver IC 620a (LED driver) can output a control signal via a predetermined output terminal based on receiving a serial signal, and can control the lighting (emission) of 26 full-color LEDs (LEDs 1 to 26). The full-color LED (RGB LED) is an LED that can emit light in any one of a plurality of colors. Hereinafter, the full-color LED will be simply referred to as "LED".

[0106] The driver IC 620a (control IC) includes 12 terminals including a first output terminal PO1 (LED1), a second output terminal PO2 (LED2), and a third output terminal PO3 (LED3). In the present embodiment, the maximum output current value of the driver IC 620a (each output terminal of the first output terminal PO1, the second output terminal PO2, and the third output terminal PO3) is 30 mA.

[0107] In this embodiment, 26 LEDs can be simultaneously lit by the three (three) output terminals of one driver IC620a. The first output terminal PO1 is the output terminal corresponding to the red light emission of the LED, the second output terminal PO2 is the output terminal corresponding to the green light emission of the LED, and the third output terminal PO3 is the output terminal corresponding to the blue light emission of the LED. Hereinafter, red may be referred to as the "specific color", and colors other than red (green, blue) may be referred to as the "predetermined color".

[0108] When one LED is lit in red, the voltage drop (forward voltage) is 2.03V and the forward current is 10.32mA. When one LED is lit in green, the voltage drop (forward voltage) is 3.10V and the forward current is 6.6mA. When one LED is lit in blue, the voltage drop (forward voltage) is 2.67V and the forward current is 3.58mA.

[0109] Each LED has six terminals: a red cathode terminal, a green cathode terminal, a blue cathode terminal, a red anode terminal, a green anode terminal, and a blue anode terminal.

[0110] In the lower panel slave LED board 620, power of +DC5V, +DC12V, and +DC24V is supplied as the power supply voltage. However, when 26 LEDs 1 to 26 are connected in series, the driving voltage is insufficient. Therefore, in this embodiment, four systems (blocks) in which 5 LEDs are connected in series and one system (block) in which 6 LEDs are connected in series are connected in parallel (5 parallel) to each other. In other words, 26 LEDs use a unit in which a predetermined number (5 or 6) of LEDs are connected in series as a block, and a plurality of blocks are connected in parallel to each other. Further in other words, 26 LEDs are divided into 5 systems, and 5 (or 6) LEDs are arranged in one system.

[0111] Each block has lines related to red, lines related to green, and lines related to blue. In order to make each LED emit light in red, it is necessary to pass a total current of about 52 mA through 5 lines in the lines related to red. In order to make each LED emit light in green, it is necessary to pass a total current of about 33 mA through 5 lines in the lines related to green. In order to make each LED emit light in blue, it is necessary to pass a total current of about 18 mA through 5 lines in the lines related to blue.

[0112] The current value related to the red line (about 52 mA) and the current value related to the green line (about 33 mA) are larger than the maximum output current value (30 mA) of the output terminal of the driver IC620a. Therefore, in this embodiment, an NPN transistor is used (connected) to amplify the current, enabling the LED to emit light (light up) in each color. Note that the current value related to the blue line (about 18 mA) is smaller than the maximum output current value (30 mA) of the output terminal, but an NPN transistor is connected in order to match it with red and green (match the specifications).

[0113] The NPN transistors include NPN transistors 701a and 701b related to light emission in red, an NPN transistor 702 related to light emission in green, and an NPN transistor 703 related to light emission in blue. The emitter terminal of each NPN transistor is connected to the ground.

[0114] (Block A) In block A, LEDs 1 to 5 are connected in series. Each anode (red anode terminal, green anode terminal, and blue anode terminal) of LED5 is connected to the 24V power supply line. Each cathode of LED5 (red cathode terminal, green cathode terminal, and blue cathode terminal) is connected to each anode of LED4 (red anode terminal, green anode terminal, and blue anode terminal). Specifically, the red cathode terminal of LED5 is connected to the red anode terminal of LED4. The green cathode terminal of LED5 is connected to the green anode terminal of LED4. The blue cathode terminal of LED5 is connected to the blue anode terminal of LED4. Hereinafter, the same explanation will be omitted. Each cathode of LED4 is connected to each anode of LED3. Each cathode of LED3 is connected to each anode of LED2. Each cathode of LED2 is connected to each anode of LED1. Each cathode of LED1 is connected to the collector terminal of an NPN transistor via a resistor. The cathode related to the red color of LED1 (red cathode terminal) is connected to the collector terminal of NPN transistor 701a via three resistors (R55, R56, R57). The cathode related to the green color of LED1 (green cathode terminal) is connected to the collector terminal of NPN transistor 702 via one resistor (R58). The cathode related to the blue color of LED1 (blue cathode terminal) is connected to the collector terminal of NPN transistor 703 via one resistor (R59).

[0115] (Block B) In block B, LEDs 6 to 10 are connected in series. Each anode of LED10 (red anode terminal, green anode terminal, and blue anode terminal) is connected to the 24V power line. Each cathode of LED10 is connected to each anode of LED9. Each cathode of LED9 is connected to each anode of LED8. Each cathode of LED8 is connected to each anode of LED7. Each cathode of LED7 is connected to each anode of LED6. Each cathode of LED6 is connected to the collector terminal of an NPN transistor via a resistor. The cathode related to the red color of LED6 (red cathode terminal) is connected to the collector terminal of an NPN transistor 701a via three resistors (R60, R61, R62). The cathode related to the green color of LED6 (green cathode terminal) is connected to the collector terminal of an NPN transistor 702 via one resistor (R63). The cathode related to the blue color of LED6 (blue cathode terminal) is connected to the collector terminal of an NPN transistor 703 via one resistor (R64).

[0116] (Block C) In block C, LEDs 11 to 16 are connected in series. Each anode of LED16 (red anode terminal, green anode terminal, and blue anode terminal) is connected to the 24V power supply line. Each cathode of LED16 is connected to each anode of LED15. Each cathode of LED15 is connected to each anode of LED14. Each cathode of LED14 is connected to each anode of LED13. Each cathode of LED13 is connected to each anode of LED12. Each cathode of LED12 is connected to each anode of LED11. Each cathode of LED11 is connected to the collector terminal of an NPN transistor via a resistor. The cathode related to the red color of LED11 (red cathode terminal) is connected to the collector terminal of an NPN transistor 701a via two resistors (R65, R66). The cathode related to the green color of LED11 (green cathode terminal) is connected to the collector terminal of an NPN transistor 702 via one resistor (R67). The cathode related to the blue color of LED11 (blue cathode terminal) is connected to the collector terminal of the NPN transistor 703 via one resistor (R68).

[0117] (Block D) In block D, LEDs 17 to 21 are connected in series. Each anode of LED21 (red anode terminal, green anode terminal, and blue anode terminal) is connected to the 24V power line. Each cathode of LED21 is connected to each anode of LED20. Each cathode of LED20 is connected to each anode of LED19. Each cathode of LED19 is connected to each anode of LED18. Each cathode of LED18 is connected to each anode of LED17. Each cathode of LED17 is connected to the collector terminal of the NPN transistor via a resistor. The cathode related to the red color of LED17 (red cathode terminal) is connected to the collector terminal of the NPN transistor 701b via three resistors (R69, R70, R71). The cathode related to the green color of LED17 (green cathode terminal) is connected to the collector terminal of the NPN transistor 702 via one resistor (R72). The cathode related to the blue color of LED17 (blue cathode terminal) is connected to the collector terminal of the NPN transistor 703 via one resistor (R73).

[0118] (Block E) In block E, LEDs 22 to 26 are connected in series. Each anode of LED26 (red anode terminal, green anode terminal, and blue anode terminal) is connected to the 24V power line. Each cathode of LED26 is connected to each anode of LED25. Each cathode of LED25 is connected to each anode of LED24. Each cathode of LED24 is connected to each anode of LED23. Each cathode of LED23 is connected to each anode of LED22. Each cathode of LED22 is connected to the collector terminal of an NPN transistor via a resistor. The cathode related to the red color of LED22 (red cathode terminal) is connected to the collector terminal of NPN transistor 701b via three resistors (R74, R75, R76). The cathode related to the green color of LED22 (green cathode terminal) is connected to the collector terminal of NPN transistor 702 via one resistor (R77). The cathode related to the blue color of LED22 (blue cathode terminal) is connected to the collector terminal of NPN transistor 703 via one resistor (R78).

[0119] One end side of each block is connected to the 24V power line. Specifically, the wiring (lines) related to red, green, and blue in each block are connected to the 24V power line.

[0120] On the other end side of each block, the wiring related to green in each block (a total of 5 wires) merge, and one wire (line) is connected to the collector terminal of one NPN transistor 702.

[0121] On the other end side of each block, the wiring related to blue in each block (a total of 5 wires) merge, and one wire (line) is connected to the collector terminal of one NPN transistor 703.

[0122] On the other end side of each block, the wiring related to red in each block is such that the wiring of three blocks (3 wires) merge, and one wire (line) is connected to the collector terminal of one NPN transistor 701a, and the wiring of two blocks (2 wires) merge, and one wire (line) is connected to the collector terminal of one NPN transistor 701b.

[0123] The maximum output current value (the upper limit value of the current that can flow) of the NPN transistor according to this embodiment is 50 mA, and the current value (about 52 mA) related to the red lines (a total of 5 lines) is larger than the maximum output current value of the NPN transistor. Therefore, regarding the red lines, they are divided into two systems without merging the five wirings (divided into a line where three are merged and a line where two are merged as described above). In other words, the circuit connected to the collector terminal of one NPN transistor 701a is in three parallel, and the circuit connected to the collector terminal of the other NPN transistor 701b is in two parallel. As a result, the current values input to the NPN transistor 701a and the NPN transistor 701b are each 50 mA or less. Specifically, the current value input to the NPN transistor 701a is 31.2 mA (<50 mA), and the current value input to the NPN transistor 701b is 20.8 mA (<50 mA).

[0124] The output terminals (PO1 to PO3) of the driver IC620a are directly connected to the base terminals of the NPN transistors. When the output terminals are set to High (voltage level High) (when a High control signal is output), a current (base current) flows from the base to the emitter of the NPN transistors 701a, 701b, 702, and 703, and a current (collector current) flows from the collector to the emitter (each NPN transistor becomes in the ON state), and it may be configured such that 26 LEDs emit light. In this case, when the driver IC620a sets the output terminals to Low (voltage level Low) (when a Low control signal is output), each NPN transistor becomes in the OFF state, and the LEDs do not emit light. In this embodiment, the NPN transistor performs switching to turn ON and OFF according to the control signal, and can be called a "switching circuit that performs switching according to the control signal".

[0125] In this embodiment, when the driver IC620a sets the terminal voltages of the output terminals (PO1 to PO3) to Low (when outputting a Low control signal), the LED emits light. Therefore, when an NPN transistor is connected between the output terminal and the LED, the logic is inverted, and the LED does not emit light when an attempt is made to make it emit light. Thus, in this embodiment, a PNP transistor is connected between the output terminal of the driver IC620a and the NPN transistor, and a two-stage configuration of an NPN transistor and a PNP transistor is adopted.

[0126] The PNP transistors include a PNP transistor 801 related to red light emission, a PNP transistor 802 related to green light emission, and a PNP transistor 803 related to blue light emission. The emitter terminals of the respective PNP transistors are connected to the 5V power supply line. Note that the maximum output current value (the upper limit value of the current that can flow) of the PNP transistor according to this embodiment is 30 mA.

[0127] The base terminal of the PNP transistor 801 is connected to the first output terminal PO1. The collector terminal of the PNP transistor 801 is connected to the base terminals of an NPN transistor 701a and an NPN transistor 701b. The output of the PNP transistor 801 is branched into two, and one output is input to the base terminal of one NPN transistor 701a, and the other output is input to the base terminal of the other NPN transistor 701b.

[0128] The base terminal of the PNP transistor 802 is connected to the second output terminal PO2. The collector terminal of the PNP transistor 802 is connected to the base terminal of the NPN transistor 702.

[0129] The base terminal of the PNP transistor 803 is connected to the third output terminal PO3. The collector terminal of the PNP transistor 803 is connected to the base terminal of the NPN transistor 703.

[0130] When the driver IC620a sets the terminal voltages of the output terminals (PO1 to PO3) to Low (when outputting a Low control signal), a current (base current) flows from the emitters to the bases of the PNP transistors 801, 802, and 803, and a current (collector current) flows from the emitters to the collectors (each PNP transistor is in the ON state). Based on this, the NPN transistors 701a, 701b, 702, and 703 are turned on, and 26 LEDs emit light. When the driver IC620a sets the output terminals (PO1 to PO3) to High (when outputting a High control signal), the PNP transistors 801, 802, and 803 are in the OFF state, and the LEDs do not emit light. When connecting PNP transistors as in this embodiment, it is possible to suppress the output terminals (PO1 to PO3) from having a high voltage.

[0131] Here, block C is defined as the "first block" and block D is defined as the "second block". The NPN transistors (switching circuits) connected to the lines related to red (a specific color) in the first block and the lines related to red (the specific color) in the second block are different. On the other hand, the NPN transistors (switching circuits) connected to the lines related to a predetermined color (green or blue) in the first block and the lines related to the predetermined color (green or blue) in the second block are the same. In this embodiment, when considering all the blocks for which the driver IC620a controls light emission, the number (M: 2 in this embodiment) of NPN transistors (switching circuits) connected to the lines related to red (a specific color) is greater than the number (N: 1 in this embodiment) of NPN transistors (switching circuits) connected to the lines related to a predetermined color (green or blue).

[0132] As described above, for the line related to red (a specific color), the current value required for the LED to light up is relatively large, and the number of NPN transistors connected is larger than that for the lines related to a predetermined color (green or blue). For red, if the number of NPN transistors is the same as that for green or blue (1), as described above, the current required for lighting cannot flow through the NPN transistor. In this embodiment, by relatively increasing the number of NPN transistors connected to the line related to red, lighting in red of the LED is made possible.

[0133] In this embodiment, 26 LEDs are divided into 5 systems (5 blocks), 4 of which have 5 LEDs each and 1 has 6 LEDs, but the number of LEDs in each system is not limited to this. For example, 4 of the 5 systems may have 6 LEDs each and 1 may have 2 LEDs. However, when configured as in this embodiment (FIG. 11), it is possible to suppress a wide variety of types of limiting resistors to be specified and use more of the same type of resistor. In block C, the cathode related to the red of LED 11 (red cathode terminal) is connected to the collector terminal of NPN transistor 701a via two resistors (R65, R66). However, compared with the red lines of other blocks, only one 200Ω resistor is removed, and the remaining two resistors are common to the red lines of other blocks.

[0134] The gaming machine of this embodiment includes a substrate (lower panel middle slave LED substrate 620) on which a plurality of full-color LEDs and a control IC (driver IC620a) having an output terminal capable of outputting a control signal for controlling the light emission of the full-color LEDs are arranged. The full-color LED can emit light in a specific color and a predetermined color other than the specific color. When units each formed by connecting a predetermined number of the full-color LEDs in series are defined as blocks, the plurality of blocks are connected in parallel with each other. One end side of the block is connected to a power line. A switching circuit (NPN transistors 701a, 701b, 703) that performs switching according to the control signal is connected between the other end side of the block and the output terminal. The plurality of blocks include a first block (block C) and a second block (block D). Different switching circuits (NPN transistors 701a, 701b) are connected to the line related to the specific color (red) in the first block and the line related to the specific color in the second block, respectively. The same switching circuit (NPN transistor 703) is connected to the line related to the predetermined color (blue) in the first block and the line related to the predetermined color in the second block. The number of switching circuits connected to the line related to the specific color is larger than the number of switching circuits connected to the line related to the predetermined color.

[0135] With the output of one control IC, a large number of LEDs that require a predetermined current value exceeding the maximum value of the output of the control IC (for example, 30 mA) for light emission can be lit. In other words, with one control IC, a larger number of LEDs can be lit. Thereby, the number of control ICs arranged on the substrate can be reduced.

[0136] Also, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, The current value required to emit light of the specific color from the LED is larger than the current value required to emit light of the predetermined color from the LED.

[0137] The invention according to this embodiment can be applied to, for example, a substrate that irradiates light to the lower panel or the like of a gaming machine (slot machine), and is a substrate that causes a large number of LEDs to emit light with the same emission color.

[0138] In this embodiment, a two-stage configuration of an NPN transistor and a PNP transistor is adopted. However, when the number of LEDs to be lit is small, it may be configured using only a PNP transistor without using an NPN transistor. For example, the line where the lines related to red in each block merge is connected to the emitter terminal of a PNP transistor 801, the line where the lines related to green in each block merge is connected to the emitter terminal of a PNP transistor 802, the line where the lines related to green in each block merge is connected to the emitter terminal of a PNP transistor 803, and the collector terminals of each PNP transistor are connected to the ground. In this case, when the output terminals (PO1 to PO3) are set to Low, the LEDs can be made to emit light, and the logic is not inverted. Regarding the lines related to red, for example, they may be divided into 3 parallel lines and 2 parallel lines, and each may be configured to be connected to the emitter terminals of separate PNP transistors.

[0139] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist thereof. Also, within the scope of the present invention, a free combination of each embodiment, or a modification of any component of each embodiment, or an omission of any component in each embodiment is possible. For example, the configuration of the slot machine and the like is not limited to that of the above-described embodiments.

[0140] In addition, the above-described configuration and the like are not limited to slot machines, and can also be applied to other gaming machines such as pachinko machines and medal-less gaming machines. The present invention can be applied to gaming machines, and gaming machines include slot machines, pachinko machines, and medal-less gaming machines (management slot machines having a structure in which a player can play a game without using gaming medals).

Description of Reference Numerals

[0141] 90 Sub-control board (control means) 411 Upper left middle slave board (third predetermined board) 412 Upper right middle slave board (third control board) 412a Driver IC (third driver IC) 421 Liquid crystal left slave substrate (first predetermined substrate) 422 Left panel slave LED substrate (first control substrate) 422a Driver IC (first driver IC) 431 Liquid crystal right slave substrate (second predetermined substrate) 432 Right panel slave LED substrate (second control substrate) 432a Driver IC (second driver IC) 670a Driver IC (third driver IC)

Claims

1. A control board capable of outputting a serial signal, A first control board on which a first driver IC for controlling the operation of a first operating member based on the reception of the serial signal is mounted, A second control board on which a second driver IC for controlling the operation of a second operating member based on the reception of the serial signal is mounted, A third control board on which a third driver IC for controlling the operation of a third operating member based on the reception of the serial signal is mounted, and The first driver IC, the second driver IC, and the third driver IC are cascade-connected, and the serial signal is transmitted to each driver IC in order, a gaming machine.

2. The third driver IC is the last driver IC in the cascade-connected driver ICs, The control board and the first control board are connected via a first predetermined board, The control board and the second control board are connected via a second predetermined board, The control board and the third control board are connected via a third predetermined board, A harness connecting the first predetermined board and the first control board and a harness connecting the second predetermined board and the second control board are a common specific harness, The harness connecting the third predetermined board and the third control board is a harness different from the specific harness, the gaming machine according to claim 1.

3. The third driver IC is the last driver IC in the cascade-connected driver ICs, The third operating member is the illumination of an effect button, and the third driver IC controls the lighting of the illumination, the gaming machine according to claim 1.

4. The first operating member is a reel backlight, and the first driver IC controls the lighting of the reel backlight, The first driver IC is located in front of the second driver IC and the third driver IC and is supplied with a first power, The first driver IC can light the reel backlight based on the reception of the serial signal even when the supply of a second power to the second driver IC and the third driver IC is cut off based on the occurrence of a predetermined error, the gaming machine according to claim 1.

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