Game machine
The gaming machine addresses component improvements in conventional gaming tables by using specifically designed members with colored protrusions and holes, resulting in enhanced functionality and player experience.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2025061050
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-04-02
- Publication Date
- 2025-06-26
- Estimated Expiration
- Not applicable · inactive patent
AI Technical Summary
Conventional gaming tables, such as slot machines, have components that can be improved for enhanced functionality and player experience.
The gaming machine incorporates specific components featuring a first member with a rod-shaped protruding portion and a second member with a through-hole, where the protruding portion is deformed to fit larger than the hole, creating a gap and ensuring different colors for the members.
This configuration allows for a gaming machine with distinctive and functional components, enhancing the overall gaming experience and potentially improving maintenance and assembly efficiency.
Smart Images

Figure 2025096355000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a gaming table represented by a pachinko machine, a spinning reel gaming machine (slot machine), an enclosed gaming machine, or a medal-less slot machine.
Background Art
[0002] Conventionally, as one type of gaming table, for example, a slot machine is known. Such a slot machine includes a plurality of types of components (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 components of the conventional gaming table.
[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming table having characteristics in its components.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0006] The gaming machine according to the present invention is a gaming machine provided with specific components. The specific components are components configured to include a first member. The specific components are components configured to include a second member. The second member is a member in which a through-hole is formed. The first member is a member in which a rod-shaped protruding portion is formed. The first member and the second member have different colors from each other. 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 of the protruding portion inserted into the through-hole. The diameter of the through-hole is larger than the diameter of the portion of the protruding portion located within the through-hole. The deformed tip portion is configured such that at its tip portion, the base end portion on the second member side, and the intermediate portion between the tip portion and the base end portion, the intermediate portion is thicker than the base end portion, and the tip portion is thicker than the intermediate portion. There is a gap between the deformed tip portion and the second member. The gaming machine is characterized by this.
Effect of the Invention
[0007] According to the present invention, a gaming machine with characteristic components can be realized.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0008]
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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
[0009] <<Embodiment 1>> Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, a gaming table (slot machine) according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described.
[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 viewed from the front side (player side).
[0011] The slot machine 100 shown in FIG. 1 corresponds to an example of the gaming table of the present invention, and includes a main body 101 and a front door 102 attached to the front of the main body 101 and openable and closable 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. 26). 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] 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 plurality of types of symbol combinations. 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] In the vicinity of each of the reels 110 to 112 inside the slot machine 100, an optical sensor (also referred to as an index sensor, not shown) composed of a light projecting part and a light receiving part is provided, and a light shielding piece having 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. Further, 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 performance button 156 is an operation means operable by the player. In the present embodiment, it is constituted by a button that can be pressed by the player and is used for various performances. The operation means used for such performances is not limited to a button, and for example, it may be constituted by a lever, a touch panel, etc., 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 the game. That is, medals can be inserted electronically by operating the bet buttons 130 to 132, or actual medals can be inserted (insertion operation) from the medal insertion slot 141, and "insertion" means including both.
[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 and the start lever 135 is operated, the reels 110 to 112 start to rotate. The operation on the start lever 135 is called the start operation of the game.
[0020] The stop button unit 136 is provided with stop buttons (stop 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 notify the player.
[0021] Hereinafter, the operation on the stop buttons 137 to 139 is referred to as a stop operation. The first stop operation is the first stop operation (hereinafter, also referred to as "first stop" or "1 stop"), the next stop operation is the second stop operation (hereinafter, also referred to as "second stop" or "2 stop"), and the last stop operation is the third stop operation (hereinafter, also referred to as "third stop" or "3 stop").
[0022] In addition, the reels that are stopped corresponding to these stop operations are sequentially referred to as the first stop reel, the second stop reel, and the third stop reel. Furthermore, the order in which the stop buttons 137 to 139 are operated to stop all of the rotating reels 110 to 112 is referred to as the operation order (or the pressing order).
[0023] When the operation order (pressing order) of the stop buttons 137 to 139 is represented by the left stop button 137 as "left or L", the middle stop button 138 as "middle or C", 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 LCR), (2) the operation order of left → right → middle (left right middle or LRC), (3) the operation order of middle → left → right (middle left right or CLR), (4) the operation order of middle → right → left (middle right left or CRL), (5) the operation order of right → left → middle (right left middle or RLC), and (6) the operation order of right → middle → left (right middle left or RCL).
[0024] The medal return button 133 is a button to be pressed to remove the inserted jammed 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 port 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 port 155 and a medal tray 161 are provided. The sound hole 181 is a hole for outputting the sound of a 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 a left shutter 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 front of the slot machine 100 (the player side).
[0027] Note that it is not necessary to be a liquid crystal display device, and any display device that can display various effect images and various game information may be used. For example, 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 may be used. Also, the display screen is rectangular, and the entire screen is configured to be visible to the player. In the case of this embodiment, the display screen is rectangular, but it may also be square. Also, by providing a decoration (not shown) at the periphery of the display screen, a part of the periphery of the display screen is hidden by the decoration, and as a result, the display screen can be made to look 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) and an operation for confirming settings that can be performed by a pressing operation. 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 that can set 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, so that a total of nine symbols can be seen.
[0031] Specifically, the symbol displayed in the upper row of the left reel 110 (the position 1 shown in the figure; also referred to as symbol position 1) is called the upper-row symbol of the left reel, the symbol displayed in the middle row of the left reel 110 (the position 2 shown in the figure; also referred to as symbol position 2) is called the middle-row symbol of the left reel, and the symbol displayed in the lower row of the left reel 110 (the position 3 shown in the figure; also referred to as symbol position 3) is called the lower-row symbol of the left reel.
[0032] Also, the symbol displayed in the upper row of the middle reel 111 (the position 4 shown in the figure; also referred to as symbol position 4) is called the upper-row symbol of the middle reel, the symbol displayed in the middle row of the middle reel 111 (the position 5 shown in the figure; also referred to as symbol position 5) is called the middle-row symbol of the middle reel, and the symbol displayed in the lower row of the middle reel 111 (the position 6 shown in the figure; also referred to as symbol position 6) is called the lower-row symbol of the middle reel.
[0033] Also, the symbol displayed in the upper row of the right reel 112 (the position 7 shown in the figure; also referred to as symbol position 7) is called the upper-row symbol of the right reel, the symbol displayed in the middle row of the right reel 112 (the position 8 shown in the figure; also referred to as symbol position 8) is called the middle-row symbol of the right reel, and the symbol displayed in the lower row of the right reel 112 (the position 9 shown in the figure; also referred to as symbol position 9) is called the lower-row symbol of the right reel.
[0034] In this embodiment, as a winning line, only the middle winning line L1 (hereinafter, may be simply referred to as "winning line L1") composed of the middle-row symbol of the left reel (symbol position 2), the middle-row symbol of the middle reel (symbol position 5), and the middle-row symbol of the right reel (symbol position 8) is provided.
[0035] Here, the winning line is a line set at the stop position of the symbols visible through the symbol display window 113, and it is the line on which it is determined 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 the "effective line") is determined in advance according to the number of medals bet as the game medium.
[0036] The slot machine 100 of the present embodiment is a dedicated three-coin bet machine. When the number of inserted medals is less than three, none of the winning lines become effective, and when three medals are bet, the winning line L1 becomes effective. When the winning line becomes effective, the game can be started by operating the start lever 135.
[0037] Hereinafter, among the symbol display window 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 effective winning lines, or the number of winning lines corresponding to the number of bets of medals may be set as effective 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 part> As shown in FIG. 3, above the status display LED 280, there are arranged a medal insertable display section 124, a game start display section 121, a replay display section 122, and a medal insert display section 129.
[0041] The medal insertable display section 124 is a display section for notifying that the player can insert medals. When the player can insert medals, it lights up the character string "INSERT".
[0042] The game start display section 121 is a display section for notifying that the game start operation is possible when a specified number of medals have been inserted. When the game start operation is possible, it lights up the character string "START".
[0043] The replay display section 122 is a display section for notifying the player that the current game can be replayed (i.e., no medal insertion is required) when the player wins a prize in a replay winning combination, which is one of the winning combinations in the previous game. When the player wins a prize in a replay winning combination, which is one of the winning combinations in the previous game, it lights up the character string "REPLAY".
[0044] The medal insert display section 129 is a display section for lighting up a number of lamps corresponding to the number of inserted medals. When one medal is inserted, it lights up the character string "1 BET". When two medals are inserted, it lights up the character string "2 BET". When three medals are inserted, it lights up the character string "3 BET".
[0045] As shown in FIG. 4, the medal insertable display unit 124, game start display unit 121, replay display unit 122, and medal insert 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-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 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 lightness, and for example, white, yellow, light blue, etc. are applicable.
[0047] A translucent member composed of the character string "INSERT" is disposed on the character sheet 282 constituting the medal insertable display unit 124. When the plurality of LEDs 286 constituting the medal insertable display unit 124 are lit, the character string "INSERT" that notifies that the game start operation is possible emits light.
[0048] A translucent member composed of the character string "START" is disposed on the character sheet 282 constituting the game start display unit 121. When the plurality of LEDs 286 constituting the game start display unit 121 are lit, the character string "START" that notifies that the game start operation is possible emits light.
[0049] A translucent member composed of the character string "REPLAY" is disposed on the character sheet 282 constituting the replay display unit 122. When the plurality of LEDs 286 constituting the replay display unit 122 are lit, the character string "REPLAY" that notifies that the current game is replayable (that medal insertion is not required) emits light.
[0050] On the character sheet 282 that constitutes the medal insertion display section 129, a translucent member composed of the character strings "3 BET", "2 BET", and "1 BET" is disposed. Among the plurality of LEDs 286 that constitute the game medal insertion display section 129, when the LED 286 corresponding to the character sheet 282 of "3 BET" is lit, the character string "3 BET" that notifies that 3 medals have been inserted is configured to emit light. When the LED 286 corresponding to the character sheet 282 of "2 BET" is lit, the character string "2 BET" that notifies that 2 medals have been inserted is configured to emit light. When the LED 286 corresponding to the character sheet 282 of "1 BET" is lit, the character string "1 BET" 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, both the stored number display unit 125 and the paid-out number display unit 127 in this example are composed of 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 film silk is applied on the mounting surface of the LED substrate 288 (first substrate), a rectangular opening 284a (space) through which the light from the plurality of LEDs 286 (second light-emitting means) passes, 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 the light from the plurality of LEDs 286 (light-emitting means).
[0055] On the character sheet 282 (first irradiated member) constituting the stored number display unit 125, a translucent member composed of the character string "CREDIT" and a translucent member having the shape of a two-digit 7-segment display corresponding to the opening 284b are arranged. Then, when the LED 286 (second light-emitting means) corresponding to the character sheet 282 of "CREDIT" among the plurality of LEDs 286 (second light-emitting means) constituting the stored number display unit 125 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] On the character sheet 282 (first irradiated member) constituting the paid-out number display unit 127, a translucent member composed of the character string "PAYOUT" and a translucent member having the shape of a two-digit 7-segment display are arranged. Then, when the LED 286 (second light-emitting means) corresponding to the character sheet 282 of "PAYOUT" among the plurality of LEDs 286 (second light-emitting means) constituting the paid-out number display unit 127 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 configured to be displayed as a two-digit numerical value.
[0057] The game information display unit 126 is a display for displaying internal information (for example, set values, error codes, etc.) of the slot machine 100 in four-digit numerical values, and is also used as an instruction monitor for performing the draw order guidance effect.
[0058] The game information display unit 126 in this example includes an LED substrate 288 (first substrate), a plurality of LEDs 286 (first light emitting means) arranged in a dark region 288b (first region, a region indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 4 where a dark coating film is formed) where a black coating film 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) in the shape of a four-digit seven-segment display through which light from the plurality of LEDs 286 (first light emitting means) passes is partitioned, and a character sheet 282 (first irradiated member) irradiated with light from the plurality of LEDs 286 (first light emitting means).
[0059] Further, the game information display unit 126 in this example is configured such that the opening 284c has the shape of a seven-segment display smaller in size than the opening 284b. Also, the plurality of LEDs 286 constituting the game information display unit 126 are configured to form the shape of a seven-segment display more densely (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 as a light emitting area smaller 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 on the LED substrate 288 and the coating film in the dark region 288b have 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 on the LED substrate 288 and the coating film in the dark region 288b have different colors, the dark 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 in 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 a 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 this example, since the plurality of LEDs 286 (first light emitting means) constituting the game information display unit 126 are arranged in the dark region 288b (first region, a region where a dark coating film is formed) where a black coating film resist is applied on the mounting surface of the LED substrate 288 (first substrate), it is possible to prevent a part of the LED 286 (first light emitting means) from being reflected by external light (outside light) and appearing 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. In addition, 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 noticeable, and avoid a situation where the player is misled by incorrect display.
[0064] In addition, 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 (e.g., the order of pressing) corresponding to an advantageous operation mode for the stop operation means (e.g., stop buttons 137 to 139) capable of stopping the reels, it is possible to prevent, in advance, a misunderstanding that the operation mode is being notified when it is not being notified, provide accurate information to the player, and avoid disadvantaging the player.
[0065] In addition, 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 (e.g., error code) corresponding to an error, it is possible to prevent, in advance, a misunderstanding that the error is being notified when it is not being notified, provide accurate information to the player, and avoid disadvantaging the player.
[0066] The plurality of 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 plurality of LEDs 286 (second light-emitting means) of the stored medal number display unit 125 and the paid-out medal number display unit 127 are light-emitting means capable of emitting light in a second state (e.g., storage or payout of medals). The plurality of LEDs 286 (second light-emitting means) constituting the stored medal number display unit 125 (second light-emitting means) and the paid-out medal number display unit 127 are arranged in a light-colored region 288a (second region. A region where a light-colored coating film is formed) coated with a white coating silk.
[0067] In addition, during the game, the number of times of transitioning to the AT state or the error state is relatively less than the number of times of storing or paying out medals, and the frequency of being in the second state (storage or payout of medals) is higher than the frequency of being in the first state (AT state or error state).
[0068] When there is one or more medals stored or paid out, needless to say, even when there are zero medals, the storage number display section 125 and the payout number display section 127 display "0" (it may also be "00" display). In other words, it can be said that the storage number display section 125 and the payout number display section 127 are continuously lit in some way during the game or when the game is possible.
[0069] On the other hand, the AT state and the error state are states that occur triggered by specific conditions that occur during the game or when the game is possible. Therefore, it can be said that the AT state and the error state are less frequent than during the game or when the game is possible. Also, even in the AT state and the error state, by configuring the storage number display section 125 and the payout number display section 127 to be continuously lit, it can be said that the emission frequency is higher for the storage number display section 125 and the payout number display section 127 than for the game information display section 126.
[0070] Therefore, the visibility of the storage number display section 125 (second light-emitting means) and the LED 286 (second light-emitting means) of the payout number display section 127, which have a higher emission frequency (higher display update frequency) than the game information display section 126, can be enhanced, and the convenience for the player can be improved.
[0071] Also, the game information display section 126 is arranged so as to be sandwiched between the storage number display section 125 and the payout number display section 127. The dark area 288b (first area. An area where a dark coating film is formed) coated with the black coating film resist where the game information display section 126 is arranged is the light area 288a (second area. An area where a light coating film is formed) coated with the white coating film silk where the storage number display section 125 is arranged and the light area 288a (second area. An area where a light coating film is formed) coated with the white coating film silk where the payout number display section 127 is arranged, and is an area sandwiched on both sides.
[0072] According to this example, the LED 286 (second light-emitting means) disposed in the light-colored region 288a (second region, a region where a light-colored coating film is formed) on one side of the dark-colored region 288b (first region, a region where a dark-colored coating film is formed) can avoid affecting the LED 286 (second light-emitting means) disposed in the light-colored region 288a (second region, a region where a light-colored coating film is formed) on the other side of the dark-colored region 288b (first region, a region where a dark-colored coating film is formed), and can make the notification by the LED 286 (second light-emitting means) easier to see.
[0073] In addition, since the dark-colored region 288b and the light-colored region 288a are arranged adjacent to each other, compared with the case where the dark-colored regions 288b are adjacent to each other, the ghost lighting in the LED 286 (first light-emitting means) disposed in the dark-colored region 288b can be made less conspicuous by the LED 286 (second light-emitting means) disposed in the light-colored region 288a.
[0074] In addition, since the status display LED 280 includes the dark-colored region 288b (first region, a region where a dark-colored coating film is formed) coated with a black coating resist and the light-colored region 288a (second region, a region where a light-colored coating film is formed) coated with a white coating silk, without changing the content of the control driver (software) that controls the status display LED 280 (program change), only by changing the color of the coating film applied to the substrate on which the LED 286 is disposed (hardware change), the light-emitting mode (brightness, etc.) of the LED 286 can be changed, 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 insertion possible display unit 124, the game start display unit 121, the replay display unit 122, the medal insertion 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 (a 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 light region 288a (a second region. A region where a light coating film is formed) coated with a white coating silk may be formed on another substrate different from the certain substrate.
[0077] Also, in this example, a specific region of the LED substrate 288 coated with a black coating resist is coated with a white coating silk. However, in an 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 thermal caulking portion 284d of the reflector 284 can be inserted. A plurality of LEDs 286 with a width w7 and a height h4 are mounted on the mounting surface of this LED substrate 288.
[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 thermal caulking portion 284d. The thermal 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 thermal caulking portion 284d after being deformed by heating).
[0081] After inserting the thermal 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 thermal caulking portion 284d to soften it, and 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 thermal caulking portion 284d of the LED substrate 288 is formed at the tip of the thermal caulking portion 284d.
[0082] As a result, 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. Further, the character sheet 282 is disposed 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 (first partitioning member) is caulked and fixed to the mounting surface of the LED substrate 288 (first substrate), and the character sheet 282 (first irradiated member) is attached to the reflector 284 (first partitioning member). As a result, the LED substrate 288 (first substrate), the reflector 284 (first partitioning member), and the character sheet 282 (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 clearance (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 numeral A in FIG. 6(a).
[0088] Hereinafter, in order to omit redundant explanations, only the configuration 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 arranged 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 of the LED substrate 751 opposite to the mounting surface, and a connector 756 (only shown 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 cylindrical insertion holes 751a and 755a having an inner diameter w9 (w9 > w8) slightly larger than the outer diameter w8 of the thermal caulking portion 753a before deformation, and into which the thermal caulking portion 753a before deformation can be inserted.
[0091] According to this example, since the LED substrate 751 and the cover member 755 are formed with insertion holes 751a and 755a having an inner diameter w9 slightly larger than the outer diameter w8 of the thermal caulking portion 753a before deformation, the thermal caulking 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 thermal caulking portion 753a expands due to heat generated from the LED 752 and the LED substrate 751 after assembly, the void can absorb the volume of the expansion of the thermal caulking 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 slightly "play" space is formed, reducing the risk of damage to the LED substrate 751, the cover member 755, the reflector 753, the thermal caulking portion 753a (including the cylindrical rod-shaped body leading to the thermal caulking portion 753a), etc. when the game table is transported or vibrated.
[0092] The thermal caulking 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 thermal caulking portion 753a after deformation with the tip portion deformed by heating).
[0093] After inserting the thermal caulking 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 thermal caulking 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 thermal caulking portion 753a.
[0094] Thereby, 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. Also, the character sheet 754 is arranged so as to block 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 in a bottom view, and the deformed portions 753a1 of the thermal caulking portions 753a are respectively arranged one by one inside the four corners of the LED substrate 751 and the cover member 755, and one is arranged 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 vicinity of 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 arranged 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, the incorporation into the mounting portion of the game table can be facilitated, and the work efficiency can be improved.
[0100] In addition, by forming the deformed portion 753a1 of the thermal caulking portion 753a at the corner side (the caulking located outward) of the LED substrate 751 and the cover member 755 and at the center side (the caulking located inward) of the LED substrate 751 and the cover member 755, rattling of the LED substrate 751 and the cover member 755 can be suppressed. In this example, a gap is provided between the tip of the thermal caulking portion 753a and the cover member 755. In addition to the caulking located outward, by further providing a caulking located inward, stability can be improved.
[0101] In addition, the caulking provided inward is located closer to the vicinity of the connector 756 than the caulking provided outward, which also contributes to suppressing rattling when inserting and removing the harness.
[0102] In addition, by arranging the connector 756 eccentrically to at least one of the upper, lower, left, and right sides with respect to the center of 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 breaking the caulking portion on one side without breaking the deformed portions 753a1 of all the thermal caulking portions 753a.
[0103] In addition, 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 outward of the LED substrate 751, the wiring pattern may be formed to detour inward. Specifically, for example, in FIG. 6(b), where there is a caulking located outward and a caulking located inward of the LED substrate 751, in the vicinity of the caulking located outward, 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 signals and voltages not be transmitted appropriately, but resistance also occurs, and there is a risk that the damaged portion will generate heat and catch fire. By routing the wiring pattern inward, such a risk can be reduced. Also, when disassembling the LED unit, since the wiring pattern is routed inward, tools 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 thermally caulked portion 753a, there is no possibility 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 of the LED substrate 751 opposite to the mounting surface has been shown. However, like the status display LED 280 described with reference to FIG. 5, the cover member may not be provided. Also, 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, with reference to FIG. 6(c), the status display LED 760 according to Modification Example 2 will be described.
[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. 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 is formed in a trapezoidal shape (expanded 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. As described above, the gaming table according to the present embodiment is a gaming table provided with specific components. The specific components are components configured to include a first member, and the specific components are components configured to include a second member. The second member is a member in which a through hole is formed. The first member is a member in which a rod-shaped protruding portion is formed. The first member and the second member have different colors from each other. 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 of the protruding portion inserted into the through hole. The diameter of the through hole is larger than the diameter of the portion of the protruding portion located within the through hole. The deformed tip portion is configured such that the middle portion between the tip portion and the base end portion on the second member side is thicker than the base end portion, and the tip portion is thicker than the middle portion. There is a gap between the deformed tip portion and the second member. The gaming table is characterized by this.
[0113] <Internal Structure> Next, the internal structure of the slot machine 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 7. 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 (refer to 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, 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 for paying out medals accumulated in a bucket) is disposed. 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 disposed. 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. Further, 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 disposed, and an overflow terminal is disposed 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 device 157, speaker 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 an illegal medal 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 tapes of each of the reels 110 to 112 (only the reel tape 111a of the middle reel 111 is shown in FIG. 7(b)) from the front side (front surface). 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 tapes of the reels 110 to 112.
[0120] The front illumination 250 of this example is configured to include a plurality of LEDs capable of emitting light toward the front surface of the reel tapes of reels 110 to 112, and a colored transparent (in this example, milky white) lens cover disposed in front of these LEDs.
[0121] In addition, when there is no lens cover for the front illumination of the reel, or when the lens cover is a colorless and transparent member, the light emitted from the LEDs will be reflected in a granular manner on the reel tapes of reels 110 to 112 (so-called "spotlight"), which will deteriorate the appearance of reels 110 to 112, or the light emitted from the LEDs will not 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 LEDs with a lens cover made of a colored transparent member.
[0122] The relationship between the shortest distance L0 from the front illumination 250 of the reel to the reel tape and the shortest distance L1 from the reel backlight 264, which will be described later, to the reel tape is "shortest distance L0 < shortest distance L1", and the front illumination 250 of the reel is in a positional relationship closer to the reel tape than the reel backlight 264.
[0123] In this way, since the front illumination 250 of the reel is close to the reel tape, it is likely to cause spotlighting, so a lens cover is provided. On the other hand, the reel backlight 264 can ensure a distance to the reel tape greater than that of the front illumination 250 of the reel, has a distance for the light emitted from the LEDs to spread, and also can sufficiently spread the light by the reflector 266, which will be described later, so it does not have a lens cover.
[0124] <Reel backlight> Next, with reference to FIGS. 7(b) and 8, the reel backlight 264 will be described.
[0125] The slot machine 100 according to this example includes a left reel device (not shown) having a left reel 110, a middle reel device 260 (see FIG. 7(b)) having a middle reel 111, a right reel device (not shown) having a right reel 112, and a reel frame 262 (see FIG. 7(b)) capable of accommodating these three reel devices therein.
[0126] Note that since the structures of the left reel device and the right reel device of the slot machine 100 in this example are the same as the structure of the middle reel device 260, the description of the middle reel device 260 will be given here, and the descriptions of the left reel device and the right reel device will be omitted.
[0127] The middle reel device 260 includes a middle reel 111, a reel drive unit (not shown) that rotationally drives the middle reel 111, a reel backlight 264 that illuminates (lights) the reel strip 111a (second irradiated member) of the middle reel 111 from the rear side (back surface), a reel detection unit (not shown) for detecting the rotational position of the middle reel 111, and the like.
[0128] The middle reel 111 includes a reel strip 111a on which a plurality of types of symbols are printed at equal intervals, a reel frame 111b that supports both side surfaces of the reel strip 111a, and the like. The reel strip 111a is a flat ring-shaped member formed by adhering the longitudinal ends of a rectangular strip-shaped member to each other.
[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 members constituting the reel backlight 264 disassembled and viewed from the front side.
[0130] The reel backlight 264 is a light-emitting means for illuminating (lighting) the reel strips of the respective reels 110 to 112 from the rear side (back surface). In this example, it is composed of a reflector 266 (second partitioning member), an illumination substrate 268 (second substrate) detachably attached to the back surface of the reflector 266, and a decorative plate 270 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 member of another color.
[0132] The reflector 266 is a member in which a space through which light from a plurality of LEDs 268a (light emitting means) mounted on the illumination substrate 268 (second substrate) passes is partitioned. 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 the space 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 symbols 4 to 6 described with reference to FIG. 2) where the symbols stop and are displayed in the symbol display window 113 in a state where the reflector 266 is attached to the middle reel device 260. 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 a 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 symbols 1 to 3 described with reference to FIG. 2) where the symbols stop and are displayed in the symbol display window 113 in a state where the reflector 266 is attached to the left reel device. With such a structure, the back surface of the reel tape (second irradiated member) of the left reel 110 is irradiated with light from a plurality of LEDs 268a (light emitting means).
[0136] The openings 266a to 266c of the reflector 266 provided in the right reel device (not shown) and the LEDs 268a are arranged at positions corresponding to the symbol positions (the positions of symbols 7 to 9 described with reference to FIG. 2) stopped and displayed in the symbol display window 113 in a state of being attached to the right reel device. With such a structure, the back surface of the reel tape (second irradiated member) of the right reel 112 is irradiated with light from a plurality of LEDs 268a (light emitting means).
[0137] In this example, by arranging six LEDs 268a at positions corresponding to the openings 266a to 266c, the light emitted from one opening is configured not to interfere with the light emitted from other openings. Thereby, light can be uniformly irradiated to each of the plurality of symbol positions in the symbol display window 113.
[0138] For example, by lighting all the LEDs 268a, all the symbols visible to the player can be illuminated from behind. Also, by lighting a part of the LEDs 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 LEDs 268a can be uniformly irradiated to the symbols located in the front, and the visibility of the symbols can be enhanced.
[0140] In addition, 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 slit is formed are staggered in the vertical direction (so that the positions of the slits do not coincide with the upper and lower partitions of the opening). With such a structure, the light emitted from adjacent openings through the slits is configured not to interfere with each other.
[0141] Note that the reel backlight 264 can sufficiently and uniformly illuminate the reel tape by the reflector 266 and the slits (grooves) 266d to 266g. Therefore, it does not have a lens cover like the reel front illumination 250, but it may be configured to have a lens cover. This can make it possible to uniformly illuminate the reel tape. Further, since the reel backlight 264 cannot be directly viewed during reel assembly or when maintaining the game table, the glare of 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 member between the status display LED 280 and the reel backlight 264, as shown in Fig. 7(a), the sizes (opening areas) of the openings 266a to 266c (partitioned spaces) of the reflector 266 (second partitioning member) in the reel backlight 264 are larger than the sizes (opening areas) 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) to the reel tape (second irradiated member) in the reel backlight 264 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 (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 light-colored region 268d (region where a light-colored 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) conspicuous while suppressing the blinking of 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), a plurality of LEDs 268a (second light-emitting means) with a large irradiation range and irradiation distance to the second irradiated member (reel tape) are arranged at predetermined intervals on the illumination substrate 268 (second substrate) of the reel backlight 264. 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 a component mark 268c (in this example, a square frame) indicating the arrangement location 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, while the identification information 268b and the component mark 268c printed on the same mounting surface are both 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] <Status Display LED and Reel Backlight / 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 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 a 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, the first region is a region where a dark coating film is formed (for example, the dark region 288b coated with a black coating resist shown in FIG. 4), and the dark coating film is a dark coating film different from green. This is a characteristic of the 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, a 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, provide accurate 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 environment of the game parlor is various, when the lighting in the store is bright, there is a possibility that the display of various displays is difficult to see due to the store lighting, or it seems to be lit even though it is not lit, which may cause misrecognition by players and game parlor 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 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, an error code) corresponding to the error.
[0157] With such a configuration, it is possible to prevent 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 second light emitting means (for example, the LEDs 286 of the storage number display section 125 and the payout 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 arranged in a second area on the mounting surface of the first substrate. The second area is an area where a light-colored coating film is formed (for example, the light-colored area 288a coated with white coating 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 area may be an area sandwiched between both sides of the second area.
[0162] With such a configuration, it is possible to avoid the light emitting means arranged in the second area (the area where the light-colored coating film is formed) on one side of the first area (the area where the dark-colored coating film is formed) from affecting the light emitting means arranged in the second area (the area where the light-colored coating film is formed) on the other side of the first area (the area where the dark-colored coating film is formed), and it is possible to make the notification by the light emitting means easier to see.
[0163] Further, it includes a first partitioning member (for example, the reflector 284 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5) and a first irradiated member (for example, the character sheet 282 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5). The first partitioning member is a member that partitions a space (for example, 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 (for example, fixed by the thermal caulking portion 284d shown in FIG. 5). The first irradiated member is a member 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] Also provided are a second substrate (e.g., the illumination 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)). The second substrate is a substrate on which the plurality of light-emitting means (e.g., the LEDs 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 LEDs 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] <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.
[0170] The control unit of the slot machine 100 is roughly divided into a main control unit 300 that mainly controls gaming, a first sub-control unit 400 that mainly controls effects in response to a command signal (hereinafter simply referred to as a "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.
[0171] <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 is equipped with a CPU 304, a ROM 306 for storing control program data, lottery data used during the internal lottery of winning combinations, stop positions of reels, etc., a RAM 308 for temporarily storing data, an I / O 310 for controlling the 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.
[0172] The CPU 304 of the basic circuit 302 operates by inputting a clock signal with a predetermined period output by the crystal oscillator 315b as a system clock. Furthermore, when the power is turned on, the CPU 304 transmits data for frequency division stored in a predetermined area of the ROM 306 to the counter timer 312, and the counter timer 312 determines an interrupt time based on the received data for frequency division and transmits an interrupt request to the CPU 304 for each interrupt time. The CPU 304 monitors each sensor and transmits a drive pulse in response to the interrupt request. For example, if 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 interrupt is 256×47÷8 MHz=1.504 ms.
[0173] The main control unit 300 is equipped with a random number generation circuit 316 (which is assumed to have two random number generation circuits built in) 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, and a start-up signal output circuit 338 that outputs a start-up signal (reset signal) when the power is turned on. When a start-up signal is input from this start-up signal output circuit 338, the CPU 304 starts game control (starts the main control unit main processing described later).
[0174] The random number generation circuit 316 generates random numbers used by the basic circuit 302. There are roughly two methods for generating random numbers in this random number generation circuit 316: the counter mode and the 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 the random number. There are further two methods in the random number mode. The first method in the random number mode is to perform an operation using a predetermined function (for example, a modulus function) with the seed of the random number, and derive the operation result as the random number. The second method is to read a value from a random number table in which values in the range of 0 to 65535 are randomly arranged, and derive the read value as the random number. The random number generation circuit 316 obtains an irregular value by 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 the counter that counts up (down) in the counter mode, as the seed of the random number, or when determining the read start position of the random number table.
[0175] In addition, the main control unit 300 is provided with a sensor circuit 320, and the CPU 304 monitors the states of various sensors 318 (bet button 130 sensor, bet button 131 sensor, bet button 132 sensor, medal reception sensor for medals inserted from the medal insertion port 141, start lever 135 sensor, stop button 137 sensor, stop button 138 sensor, stop button 139 sensor, settlement button 134 sensor, medal payout sensor for medals paid out from the medal payout device 180, optical sensor for reel 110, optical sensor for reel 111, optical sensor for reel 112, etc.) at each interrupt time.
[0176] 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.
[0177] The medal reception sensor is installed in two places in the internal passage of the medal insertion port 141 to detect the presence or absence of the passage of the medal. The start lever 135 sensor is installed in two places inside the start lever 135 to detect the start operation by the player. The stop button 137 sensor, the stop button 138 sensor, and the stop button 139 are installed in each of the stop buttons 137 to 139 to detect the operation of the stop button by the player.
[0178] The bet button 130 sensor, the bet button 131 sensor, and the bet button 132 sensor are installed in each of the medal insertion buttons 130 to 132 to 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. In addition, each of the above sensors may be a non-contact sensor or a contact sensor.
[0179] 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 base of each of the reels 110 to 112, and become 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 rotated once and resets the rotation position information of the reel to zero.
[0180] The main control unit 300 includes a drive circuit 322 for driving the stepping motors provided in the reel devices 110 to 112, a drive circuit 324 for driving the solenoid provided in the medal selector 170 that selects the inserted medals, a drive circuit 326 for driving the motor provided in the medal payout device 180, and drive circuits 328 for driving various lamps 336 (winning line display lamp 120, notification lamp 123), the medal insertion enabled display section 124, the game start display section 121, the replay display section 122, the medal insertion display section 129, the stored number display section 125, the game information display section 126, and the payout number display section 127 of the status display LED 286.
[0181] Also, 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) etc. via this information output circuit 334.
[0182] 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.
[0183] 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. Note that 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 is configured so that the first sub-control unit 400 cannot transmit signals such as commands to the main control unit 300.
[0184] <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 commands 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 these control commands. 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.
[0185] 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 every this interrupt time. The CPU 404 controls each IC and each circuit based on the timing of this interrupt request.
[0186] 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 the output interface. The sound source IC 418 controls the sound output from the amplifier and the speakers 272 and 277 in response to commands from the CPU 404. An S-ROM (Sound ROM) storing audio data is connected to the sound source IC 418, and the audio data acquired from this ROM is amplified by the amplifier and output from the speakers 272 and 277.
[0187] 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 the input and output interface.
[0188] In addition, the first sub-control unit 400 is provided with a drive circuit 424 that drives the motor of the shutter 163, and the shutter 163 is provided to the drive circuit 424 via an output interface. This drive circuit 424 outputs a drive signal to a stepping motor (not shown) provided to the shutter 163 in response to a command from the CPU 404.
[0189] 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 a production button sensor 430 capable of detecting a pressing operation of the production button 156 via an input interface. The CPU 404 monitors the states of the shutter sensor 428 and the production button sensor 430 at each interrupt time.
[0190] 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 production device 160 including display control of the production image display device 157 (hereinafter also referred to as "liquid crystal display device 157"). Note that the second sub-control unit 500 may be configured by a plurality of control units such as a control unit that controls the display of the liquid crystal display device 157 and a control unit that controls various production drive devices (for example, a control unit that controls the motor drive of the shutter 163).
[0191] 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 that controls 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.
[0192] The CPU 504 transmits, at a predetermined timing, the data for frequency division stored in a predetermined area of the ROM 506 to the counter timer 512 via the data bus. The counter timer 512 determines the interrupt time based on the received data for frequency division, 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.
[0193] In addition, the second sub-control unit 500 is provided with a VDP 516 (video display processor), 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.
[0194] <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.
[0195] 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. Further, the game table may be provided with a plurality of boards corresponding to the "first board".
[0196] The main control board 600 includes a base material 602 made of a rectangular plate-like body, pattern wiring (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 the pattern wiring 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. Further, a gap is provided from the end of the base material 602 to the end of the resist layer 604.
[0197] According to this example, since the identification information 608 is printed in an area where the pattern wiring 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.
[0198] The identification information 608 of the main control board 600 is identification information including information capable of identifying 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) 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.
[0199] Note that the "identification information" according to the present invention may be identification information including information capable of identifying 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.
[0200] <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.
[0201] On the right side surface (the short side on the right side in the front view) of the main control board 600, there is a recess large enough to accommodate the identification board 610 inside, which is a board accommodation recess 612 (the recess of the first shape) in a substantially inverted U shape notched inward from the short side on the right side of the main control board 600 as viewed from the front.
[0202] The board accommodation recess 612 (the recess of the first shape) is composed of two side walls 612a extending inward from the short side on the right side of the main control board 600 and a bottom surface 612b connecting the two side walls 612a.
[0203] 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.
[0204] 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, and the bottom surface 612b of the board accommodation recess 612 and one side of the identification board 610 facing each other are connected in a cuttable manner via a break portion 616.
[0205] 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).
[0206] 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 of being 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.
[0207] 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.).
[0208] <Main control board / Identification board> Next, the identification board 610 of the main control board 600 will be described.
[0209] 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 on a predetermined area (an area where no pattern wiring or resist layer is formed) on one surface of the base material 620.
[0210] 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.
[0211] 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.
[0212] <Main control board / Breakage part> Next, the breakage part 616 of the main control board 600 will be described.
[0213] As shown in FIG. 11(a), the break portion 616 is a portion where a plurality of slits (perforations) are formed at a predetermined interval 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.
[0214] By cutting the break portion 616 manually (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.
[0215] 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.
[0216] 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.
[0217] 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 part, 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.
[0218] Note that the shape and the like of the "breaking part" according to the present invention are not limited to this example. For example, there may be one slit, or instead of the slit (perforation), a V-cut may be adopted. That is, any part that can separate the identification substrate from the base material of the main control substrate is acceptable.
[0219] <Main control board / Adapter accommodation recess> Next, the adapter accommodation recess 614 (recess of the second shape) of the main control board 600 will be described.
[0220] 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 accommodating one or more adapters 624 inside, and an adapter accommodation 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.
[0221] The adapter accommodation 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.
[0222] 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 accommodation 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 accommodation recess 614.
[0223] On the bottom surface 614b of the adapter accommodation recess 614, two adapters 624 to which connectors such as optical fibers can be connected are arranged at a predetermined interval.
[0224] Note that the "recess of the second shape" according to the present invention is not limited to the adapter accommodation 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).
[0225] <Main control board / Board housing recess and adapter housing recess> When comparing the shapes of the board housing recess 612 (recess of the first shape) and the adapter housing 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 housing recess 612 is higher than the height h3 of the side wall 614a of the adapter housing recess 614 (h1 > h3), the width w1 of the bottom surface 612b of the board housing recess 612 is narrower than the width w3 of the bottom surface 614b of the adapter housing recess 614 (w1 < w3), and the board housing recess 612 and the adapter housing recess 614 have different shapes from each other.
[0226] 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 etc., and it is possible to prevent installation mistakes of the board in advance.
[0227] In the manufacturing process of the game machine, the board products in the state of being board products are covered with various board cases and installed, fixed, and attached inside the game machine. However, many board products have similar outer shapes, and during the manufacturing and assembly of the game machine, installation mistakes may occur, or even if installation mistakes do not occur, the installer may be confused about which board to attach and waste working time. According to this example, it becomes easier to distinguish the boards, and the process during the manufacturing and assembly of the game machine can be simplified.
[0228] Also, the height h1 of the side wall 612a of the board housing recess 612 (recess of the first shape) is higher than the height h3 of the side wall 614a of the adapter housing recess 614 (recess of the second shape) (h1 > h3), and the bottom surface 612b of the board housing 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 housing recess 614 (recess of the second shape). Therefore, it becomes easy to cut the identification board 610 housed in the board housing recess 612 (recess of the first shape), and the workability can be improved.
[0229] Next, paying attention to the positional relationship between the substrate 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 substrate 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).
[0230] 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 substrate 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).
[0231] According to this example, since the shortest distance x1 from the bottom surface 612b (broken cross-section of the first shape) of the substrate 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), it is possible to secure a clearance (working space) from the substrate accommodation recess 612 (recess of the first shape) to the resist layer, facilitating the cutting of the break portion 616 formed in the substrate accommodation recess 612 (recess of the first shape), improving workability, and also avoiding the fingers or tools from touching the resistor layer or the pattern wiring even when performing the cutting operation by hanging a finger around the periphery of the substrate accommodation recess 612 (recess of the first shape) or using a tool for the cutting operation, and preventing damage to the main control board in advance.
[0232] 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 accommodation 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.
[0233] 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 accommodation 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 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 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 not provided with a recess of the second shape.
[0234] In addition, 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 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 not provided with the recess of the second shape.
[0235] In addition, 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).
[0236] 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).
[0237] According to this example, since the shortest distance y1 from the side wall 612a 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 y2 from the side wall 614a of the adapter accommodation recess 614 (recess of the second shape) to the resist layer 604 (first resist layer) (y1 > y2), a clearance (working space) from the board accommodation recess 612 (recess of the first shape) to the resist layer can be ensured, facilitating the cutting of the fracture portion 616 formed in the board accommodation recess 612 (recess of the first shape), improving workability. Moreover, even when performing a cutting operation by hanging a finger around the board accommodation recess 612 (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.
[0238] Also, in this way, by making the shortest distance y1 from the side wall 612a of the board accommodation recess 612 (recess of the first shape) to the end of the resist layer 604 longer than the shortest distance y2 from the side wall 614a of the adapter accommodation recess 614 (recess of the second shape) to the end of the resist layer 604, 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 fracture portion 616.
[0239] In this example, the shortest distance from the board accommodation recess 612 to the resist layer 604 is made longer than the shortest distance from the adapter accommodation 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 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).
[0240] <Main control board / Component> Next, the component 606 mounted on the main control board 600 will be described.
[0241] 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.
[0242] In the example shown in FIG. 11(b), in the vicinity of the board accommodation recess 612 of the main control board 600, a plurality of passive components 606a (606a1, 606a2), ICs 606c, and the like are disposed.
[0243] 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 orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the board accommodation recess 612 (recess of the first shape).
[0244] 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.
[0245] Also, in the example shown in FIG. 11(b), in the vicinity of the adapter accommodation recess 614 of the main control board 600, a plurality of passive components 606a (606a1, 606a2), ICs 606c, and the like are also disposed.
[0246] Note that these passive components are axial components with leads extending from both ends of the main body as shown in FIG. 11. In addition, in the present embodiment and the modified examples described later, the positional relationship of the passive components is described, but it is not limited thereto, and it may be an axial component included in the passive components or a control IC included in the active components, and components in which a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction exist are included.
[0247] Here, focusing on 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).
[0248] 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 breaking 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 breakage or the like of the passive component 606a1 (the first passive component) can be prevented in advance.
[0249] 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.
[0250] 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'", and 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.
[0251] 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.
[0252] 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.
[0253] <Main control substrate / fracture surface> Next, the fracture surface of the main control substrate 600 will be described.
[0254] 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 in the figure; hereinafter, may be referred to as "burrs during forming") generated by fracture 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 substrates having a fracture surface (a fracture surface of the third shape) where burrs during forming are generated.
[0255] 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, may be referred to as "burrs at the time of fracture") 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 substrates having a fracture surface (a fracture surface of the first shape) where burrs at the time of fracture 632 are generated in addition to the fracture surface (a fracture surface of the third shape) where burrs during forming are generated.
[0256] The burrs at the time of fracture 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 fracture 632 are burrs with larger irregularities than the burrs during forming, and the fracture surface (the fracture surface of the third shape) where the burrs during forming are generated has coarser irregularities (larger irregularities in shape) than the fracture surface (the cross-sectional surface of the first shape) where the burrs at the time of fracture 632 are generated.
[0257] The broken surface (broken surface of the first shape) where burr 632 occurred during breaking is the broken 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 broken surface located more inward of the main control board 600 than the broken surface (broken surface of the third shape) where burr occurred during molding.
[0258] According to this example, since the broken surface (broken surface of the first shape) where burr 632 occurred during breaking is located more inward than the broken surface (broken surface of the third shape) where burr occurred during molding, a clearance (working space) from the recess of the first shape to the resist layer can be secured, the cutting of the broken part formed in the recess of the first shape becomes easy, and the workability can be improved. Also, since the rough broken surface is located inward of the main control board, the safety can be enhanced compared to the case where the rough broken surface is exposed outside the main control board.
[0259] <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.
[0260] 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 may be other boards mounted on the game table. Also, the game table may be provided with a plurality of boards corresponding to the "second board".
[0261] The sub-control board 650 is composed of a base material 652 in the form of a rectangular plate-like body, pattern wiring (not shown) formed on one surface of the base material 652, and a resist layer 654 (second resist layer), and a plurality of types of components 656 mounted on one surface of the base material 652.
[0262] <Sub-control board / Broken surface> Next, the broken surface of the sub-control board 650 will be described.
[0263] On a part of each side in the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction of the base material 652 of the sub-control board 650, there are burrs 658 (hereinafter, may be 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 the burrs 658 during forming occurred and a second fracture surface 650b where the burrs 658 during forming did not occur.
[0264] 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.
[0265] 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 irregularities 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 fractured (separated) into two with a slit (perforation)). The fracture surface 660 (fracture surface of the second shape) where the burrs 658 during forming occurred has finer irregularities (irregularities with a smaller shape) than the fracture surface (cross-section of the first shape) where the burrs 632 at the time of fracture occurred.
[0266] 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).
[0267] According to this example, since the shortest distance x1 from the bottom surface 612b (the broken cross-section of the first shape) of the board 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 broken cross-section 650a (the broken cross-section 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 board accommodation recess 612 (the recess of the first shape) to the resist layer can be ensured, the cutting of the broken part 616 formed in the board accommodation recess 612 (the recess of the first shape) becomes easy, workability can be improved, and even when performing a cutting operation by hanging a finger around the periphery of the board 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 resist layer or the pattern wiring, and breakage of the main control board can be prevented in advance.
[0268] Also, as shown in FIG. 12, the shortest distance x5 from the first broken cross-section 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 broken cross-section 650b to the resist layer 654 (x5 > x6). With such a configuration, when separating a sacrificial board or an adjacent board during board forming, it is possible to make it difficult for cracks to occur in the resist layer.
[0269] <Main board storage case> Next, with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14, the configuration of the main board storage case 640 (642, 644) will be described.
[0270] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view showing the main board storage case 640 and the main control board 600, and FIG. 14(a) is a plan view of the main board storage case 640 in a state of accommodating the main control board 600 as viewed from the board accommodation body 642 side.
[0271] 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 board corresponding to FIG. 14(b).
[0272] 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 in the shape of a square dish, and a lid body 644 disposed so as to cover the internal space of the board storage body 642.
[0273] 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.
[0274] At two positions on the lower edge of the board storage body 642, gable-shaped hinge portions 642b are provided. And at two positions 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.
[0275] 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.
[0276] 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.
[0277] 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 being 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 it 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.
[0278] 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.
[0279] 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 being 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.
[0280] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 13, 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, no ribs or the like are provided. 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.
[0281] 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 housing recess 612.
[0282] Note that the IC606c is a component disposed near the board housing 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 void area, but the IC606c may be arranged vertically so that it can be visually recognized from the long side. In this case, the board housing 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 void area, or the IC606c may be disposed, or it may be made possible to visually recognize a part of the long side of the IC606c.
[0283] Also, no other components may be arranged between the IC606c and the board housing recess 612 (recess of the first shape). By doing so, the visibility of the IC606c from the void area can be prevented from being obstructed. When other components are arranged between the IC606c and the board housing recess 612 (recess of the first shape), the other components should be shorter than the IC606c to ensure visibility from the void area. 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 is possible to identify that the board is a defective board when other components are damaged.
[0284] According to this example, it becomes easy to visually recognize the board, it becomes easy to discover unauthorized components when unauthorized components are attached to the board, and it is possible to confirm the components mounted on the board and the like in a state where they are housed in the housing, thereby improving maintainability and workability.
[0285] <Main control board / Summary> 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 substrate 600 shown in FIG. 11), wherein the first substrate is a substrate having a recess of a first shape (for example, the substrate housing recess 612 shown in FIG. 11), 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 gaming machine characterized by this.
[0286] According to the gaming machine of the present embodiment, since the substrate (the first substrate) has the feature 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, etc., and preventing installation mistakes of the substrate, etc. in advance. In this way, it is possible to provide a gaming machine with installation mistakes, etc. suppressed.
[0287] 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 installation mistakes may occur during the manufacturing and assembly of the gaming machine, or even if no installation mistakes occur, the installer may be confused about which substrate to install, wasting working time. According to the gaming machine of the present embodiment, it is possible to easily distinguish the substrates and simplify the process during the manufacturing and assembly of the gaming machine.
[0288] Further, it may include a housing (for example, the substrate housing 642 shown in FIG. 14(b)), the housing is 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 substrate housing recess 612 shown in FIG. 14(b)).
[0289] With such a configuration, it becomes easy to visually recognize the substrate (the first substrate), and it becomes easy to detect a counterfeit component when a counterfeit component is attached. Also, it is possible to check the components mounted on the substrate while they are housed in the housing, and the maintainability and workability can be improved. In this way, it is possible to provide a game machine with improved maintenance performance.
[0290] Also, 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 has 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)).
[0291] 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 errors. Also, after housing the substrate, the substrate can be securely held, so that rattling of the substrate during connector insertion / removal etc. can be suppressed. In this way, it is possible to provide a game machine with improved operability during assembly and inspection.
[0292] Also, the first substrate is a substrate in which a specific manufacturing company of the game machine can be identified by cutting a break portion (for example, the break portion 616 shown in FIG. 11(a)). The concave portion of the first shape may be a portion where the break portion is formed.
[0293] When there are multiple affiliated companies, manufacturing substrates for each affiliated company will increase the manufacturing cost accordingly. However, with such a configuration, one or more company names are indicated in one substrate product part, and at the stage of manufacturing and assembling the game machine at each affiliated company, it is possible to leave only the company name of the company itself or delete unnecessary company names to reduce the manufacturing cost, while providing a game machine that does not malfunction during assembly and inspection.
[0294] 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 concave portion of the first shape (for example, the passive component 606a1 shown in FIG. 11(b)), and the longitudinal direction of the concave portion of the first shape (for example, the substrate housing concave portion 612 shown in FIG. 11(b)) and the longitudinal direction of the first component may be the same direction.
[0295] With such a configuration, when cutting the breakage portion, the influence of the stress applied in the longitudinal direction of the concave portion of the first shape on the first passive component mounted on the first substrate can be reduced, and breakage of the first passive component can be prevented. In this way, a gaming table in which defects due to component breakage are suppressed can be provided.
[0296] Further, the first substrate is a substrate having a plurality of components (for example, passive components 606 such as resistors, capacitors, coils, etc., elongated components, components having terminals protruding from the main body shown in FIG. 11), and one of the plurality of components is a first component disposed near the concave portion 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 concave portion of the second shape (for example, the passive component 606a2 shown in FIG. 11(b)), and the shortest distance from the concave portion 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 concave portion of the second shape to the second component (for example, the shortest distance x4 shown in FIG. 11(b)).
[0297] 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 portion formed in the recess of the first shape, enhancing workability, and even when performing a cutting operation by placing a finger around the recess of the first shape or using a tool, it is possible to avoid the finger or tool from touching the first passive component, and prevent damage to the first passive component in advance. 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.
[0298] Further, 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)).
[0299] With such a configuration, the longitudinal direction of the second passive component is different from the recess of the first shape, and although the second passive component is susceptible to the influence of the stress applied in the longitudinal direction of the recess of the first shape when cutting the fracture portion, 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.
[0300] Further, 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 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 resist is not formed.
[0301] 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.
[0302] Further, the predetermined region may be a region where no pattern wiring is formed.
[0303] With such a configuration, even when other information is printed on it or the like, the visibility of the identification information can be enhanced, and the convenience can be improved.
[0304] <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 substrate (for example, the main control board 600 shown in FIG. 11) and a second substrate (for example, the sub-control board 650 shown in FIG. 12), wherein the first substrate is a substrate having a broken cross-section of a first shape (for example, the broken cross-section where the break burr 632 occurs as shown in FIG. 11(b)), 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. 12), and the broken cross-section of the first shape and the broken cross-section of the second shape are of different shapes.
[0305] According to the gaming table of the present embodiment, it becomes easy to identify the first and second substrates, the workability during the installation of the substrates or the like can be enhanced, and the mounting errors of the substrates or the like can be prevented in advance. In this way, a gaming table with reduced mounting errors or the like can be provided.
[0306] In the manufacturing process of the gaming machine, the substrate products 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, wasting working time. According to the gaming machine according to this embodiment, it is possible to easily distinguish the substrates and simplify the process during the manufacturing and assembly of the gaming machine.
[0307] 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 cross-sectional surface of the second shape is a cross-sectional surface having a second convex portion (for example, the convex portion 658a shown in FIG. 12), the cross-sectional surface of the first shape is a cross-sectional surface 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 cross-sectional surface 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 cross-sectional surface of the second shape to the second resist.
[0308] With such a configuration, it is possible to secure a clearance (working space) from the concave portion of the first shape to the resist layer, facilitating the cutting of the fracture portion formed in the concave portion of the first shape, improving workability, and even when performing a cutting operation by hanging a finger around the concave portion of the first shape or using a tool, it is possible to avoid the finger or tool touching the resist layer or the pattern wiring, and prevent damage to the main control board. In this way, it is possible to provide a gaming machine in which malfunctions due to component damage are suppressed.
[0309] Further, the first substrate is a substrate on which a break portion (for example, the break portion 616 shown in FIG. 11(a)) can be cut to identify one of the game table manufacturers, the second substrate is a substrate without the break portion, and the break surface of the first shape may be a break surface formed by cutting the break portion.
[0310] 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.
[0311] 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.
[0312] 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, a game table can be provided in which malfunctions due to component damage are suppressed and the safety of the operator is improved.
[0313] 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.
[0314] With such a configuration, the shape of the second substrate can be simplified, and the degree of freedom in circuit design can be improved.
[0315] 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.
[0316] 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 enhanced.
[0317] Further, the predetermined region may be a region where pattern wiring is not formed.
[0318] With such a configuration, even when other information is printed on or the like, the visibility of the identification information can be enhanced and the convenience can be enhanced.
[0319] 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), and 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, molding burrs, recesses, protrusions, the cross-section of the long side of the main control board 600, the 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 single manufacturer of the gaming machine can be identified 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 have different shapes, and the first distance is longer than the second distance. The gaming machine is characterized by this.
[0320] 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.
[0321] In the manufacturing process of the gaming machine, the substrate products 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 attachment errors, or even if there are no attachment errors, there may be confusion about which substrate to attach, resulting in wasted work time. According to the gaming machine of the present embodiment, it is easier to distinguish the substrates, and the process during the manufacturing and assembly of the gaming machine can be simplified.
[0322] 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.
[0323] With such a configuration, when cutting the break 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 breakage of the substrate and components mounted on the substrate.
[0324] <Main control board according to Modification 1> Next, with reference to FIG. 15, the main control board 670 (first substrate) according to Modification 1 will be described. FIGS. 15(a) and 15(b) are plan views of the main control board 670 according to Modification 1.
[0325] The main control board 670 according to Modification 1 includes a base material 672 formed of a rectangular plate-like body, a pattern wiring (not shown) and a resist layer 674 (first resist layer) formed on one surface of the base material 672, a plurality of types of components 676 mounted on one surface of the base material 672, identification information 678 printed in a predetermined area (an area where the pattern wiring and the resist layer 674 are not formed) on one surface of the base material 672, and an identification board 680 having identification information 692 different from the identification information 678.
[0326] In the main control board 600 described with reference to FIG. 11, an example in which a substrate housing recess 612 (recess of the first shape) is formed on the right side surface (the short side on the right side in front view) of the main control board 600 is shown. However, in the main control board 670 according to the modification, a substrate housing recess 682 (recess of the first shape) having the same shape as the substrate housing recess 612 (recess of the first shape) of the main control board 600 is formed on the lower side surface (the long side on the lower side in front view) of the main control board 670. Further, an adapter housing recess 684 having the same shape as the adapter housing recess 614 of the main control board 600 is formed on the upper side surface (the long side on the upper side in front view) of the main control board 600.
[0327] Note that the main control board can be applied even if the adapter housing recess 684 is not formed. Further, the "first board" according to the present invention may be a peripheral board (for effect display) or a relay board instead of the main control board.
[0328] According to this example, since the board housing recess 682 (recess of the first shape) is formed in the long side of the main control board 670 (first board), when cutting the break portion 696, the stress applied to the base material 672 of the main control board 670 (first board) from the identification board 680 can reduce the strain generated in the base material 672 of the main control board 670 (first board), and damage to the base material 672 of the main control board 670 (first board) and components mounted on the base material 672 of the main control board 670 (first board) can be prevented.
[0329] In the modification, the direction in which stress is applied to the main control board 670 is the longitudinal direction, the board housing recess 682 is provided along the longitudinal direction, and it is arranged in a direction parallel to the direction in which stress is applied. On the other hand, since a force acts in a direction different from the direction in which stress is applied when cutting the break portion, the strain of the base material 672 can be suppressed when cutting the break portion.
[0330] Further, when trying to forcibly remove the main control board 670 (first board) from the main board storage case (for example, the board housing 642 shown in FIG. 13), compared with the main control board having a board housing recess formed in the short side (for example, the main control board 600 shown in FIG. 11(a)), the main control board 670 is more likely to be damaged, so traces of illegal acts or the like can be left, and the crime prevention performance can be enhanced.
[0331] Note that in this example, an example in which the identification information 678 is arranged near the board housing recess 682 is shown, but the "predetermined region" according to the present invention is not limited to this example, and it may be arranged in a region at a predetermined distance from the board housing recess 682 (for example, the region indicated by reference numeral A in FIG. 15(a), where a resist layer 674 is sandwiched between the board housing recess 682).
[0332] According to this example, since the distance from the identification information 692 on the identification substrate 680 is increased, two types of identification information (identification information 678 and identification information 692) can be easily distinguished, and operation errors and the like can be reduced.
[0333] <Main control board / components according to Modification 1> Next, the components 676 mounted on the main control board 670 according to Modification 1 will be described.
[0334] Examples of the components 676 mounted on the main control board 670 according to Modification 1 include passive components 676a (676a1, 676a2) such as resistors, capacitors, and coils, and ICs 676c.
[0335] In the examples shown in FIGS. 15(a) and 15(b), a plurality of passive components 676a (676a1, 676a2), ICs 676c, etc. are arranged near the board accommodation recess 682 (recess of the first shape) of the main control board 670.
[0336] Among the plurality of passive components 676a, the longitudinal direction of one passive component 676a1 (first passive component) is the same as the longitudinal direction of the board accommodation recess 682, and the longitudinal direction of one passive component 676a2 (second passive component) among the plurality of passive components 676a is different from the longitudinal direction of the board accommodation recess 682 and is a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the board accommodation recess 682.
[0337] According to this example, since the longitudinal direction of one passive component 676a1 (first passive component) among the plurality of passive components 676a is the same as the longitudinal direction of the board accommodation recess 682 (recess of the first shape), when cutting the break portion, 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 board, and breakage of the first passive component can be prevented.
[0338] Also, in the examples shown in FIGS. 15(a) and 15(b), a plurality of passive components 676a (676a1, 676a2), ICs 676c, etc. are also arranged near the adapter accommodation recess 684 of the main control board 670.
[0339] Among the plurality of passive components 676a, the longitudinal direction of one passive component 676a2 (the second passive component) is different from the longitudinal direction of the adapter housing recess 684 and is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the adapter housing recess 684.
[0340] Here, in FIG. 15(a), paying attention to the positional relationship between the board housing recess 682 of the main control board 670 and the passive component 676a1 and the positional relationship between the adapter housing recess 684 and the passive component 676a2, the shortest distance y3 from the board housing recess 682 to the passive component 676a1 is configured to be longer than the shortest distance y4 from the adapter housing recess 684 to the passive component 676a2 (y3 > y4).
[0341] According to this example, since the shortest distance y3 from the board housing recess 682 (the recess of the first shape) to the passive component 676a1 (the first passive component) is longer than the shortest distance y4 from the adapter housing recess 684 (the recess of the second shape) to the passive component 676a2 (the second passive component) (y3 > y4), a clearance (working space) from the board housing recess 682 (the recess of the first shape) to the passive component 676a1 (the first passive component) can be secured, the cutting of the fracture portion formed in the board housing recess 682 (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 board housing recess 682 (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 676a1 (the first passive component), and it is possible to prevent damage to the passive component 676a1 (the first passive component) in advance.
[0342] Also, the shortest distance y4 from the adapter accommodation recess 684 (the recess of the second shape) to the passive component 676a2 (the second passive component) was considered. However, even when there is no adapter accommodation recess and the shortest distance y4' (see Fig. 15(b)) from the passive component 676a2 (the second passive component) on the main control board 670 to the nearest long side is used, it may be set as "y3 > y4'", that is, when "the distance from the breakage part to the first passive component > the distance from the side without the breakage part to the second passive component", the first passive component may be arranged in the same direction as the longitudinal direction of the board accommodation recess. Even when "y3 < y4 (y4')", by arranging the first passive component in the same direction as the longitudinal direction of the board accommodation recess, damage to the component due to the stress during the cutting of the breakage part can be prevented.
[0343] Also, in Fig. 15(b), focusing on the positional relationship between the board accommodation recess 682 of the main control board 670 and the passive component 676a2, and the positional relationship between the adapter accommodation recess 684 and the passive component 676a2, the shortest distance y5 from the board accommodation recess 682 to the passive component 676a2 is configured to be longer than the shortest distance y4 from the adapter accommodation recess 684 to the passive component 676a2 (y5 > y4).
[0344] Also, in Figs. 15(a) and (b), the passive components arranged along the short side of the board such as the passive components 674a4 and 676a5 may be used as the second passive component. The shortest distance y7 from the end of the short side to the passive components 674a4 and 676a5 may also be set as "y3 > y7", and these relationships are the same as those of the passive component 676a2. Also, when the shortest distance γ from the board accommodation recess 682 to the passive components 674a4 and 676a5 is considered, "y3 < γ", and these relationships are also the same as those of the passive component 676a2.
[0345] According to this example, the shortest distance y5 from the substrate accommodation recess 682 (recess of the first shape) to the passive component 676a2 (second passive component) is longer than the shortest distance y4 from the adapter accommodation recess 684 (recess of the second shape) to the passive component 676a2 (second passive component) (y5 > y4). Therefore, a clearance (working space) from the substrate accommodation recess 682 (recess of the first shape) to the passive component 676a2 (second passive component) can be secured, facilitating the cutting of the fracture formed in the substrate accommodation recess 682 (recess of the first shape), enhancing workability. Moreover, even when performing the cutting operation by placing a finger around the substrate accommodation recess 682 (recess of the first shape) or using a tool, it is possible to avoid the finger or tool from touching the passive component 676a2 (second passive component), thus preventing damage to the passive component 676a2 (second passive component) in advance.
[0346] Also, although the shortest distance y4 from the adapter accommodation recess 684 (recess of the second shape) to the passive component 676a2 (second passive component) is considered, even when there is no adapter accommodation recess and the shortest distance from the long side closest to the passive component 676a2 (second passive component) on the main control board 670 is y4´, it may be set as “y5 > y4´”. That is, if a distance farther than y4 (y4´) is secured and the passive component is arranged in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the substrate accommodation recess, the influence of stress during the cutting of the fracture can be reduced to prevent damage to the component.
[0347] Also, focusing on the positional relationship between the substrate accommodation recess 682 of the main control board 670 and the passive component 676a1 in Fig. 15(a) and the positional relationship between the substrate accommodation recess 682 and the passive component 676a2 in Fig. 15(b), the shortest distance y5 from the substrate accommodation recess 682 to the passive component 676a2 shown in Fig. 15(b) is configured to be longer than the shortest distance y3 from the substrate accommodation recess 682 to the passive component 676a1 shown in Fig. 15(a) (y5 > y3).
[0348] According to this example, the longitudinal direction of the passive component 676a2 (second passive component) is different from the substrate accommodation recess 682 (recess of the first shape). When the breaking part 696 is cut, the passive component 676a2 (second passive component) is liable to be affected by the stress applied in the longitudinal direction of the substrate accommodation recess 682 (recess of the first shape). However, by disposing the passive component 676a2 (second passive component) at a position farther from the substrate accommodation recess 682 (recess of the first shape) than the passive component 676a1 (first passive component), breakage of the passive component 676a2 (second passive component) can be prevented.
[0349] In addition, other components such as the passive component 676a1 (first passive component), IC, and collective resistor may be disposed between the shortest distance y5 from the substrate accommodation recess 682 to the passive component 676a2 (second passive component) so that the stress at the time of cutting the breaking part 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.
[0350] Also, when disposed on the side of the substrate accommodation recess 682 (the side of the side without the burr 632 at the time of breaking), such as the passive component 676a3 in FIG. 15(a) and the passive component 676a1 in FIG. 15(b), it may be disposed at a position closer to the substrate accommodation recess 682 than the passive components disposed on the side with the burr 632 at the time of breaking (the passive components 676a1 and 676a2 in FIG. 15(a)). Since it is disposed at a position less likely to be affected by the stress at the time of breaking, there is no need to consider the clearance, and the degree of freedom in substrate design can be increased.
[0351] In addition, such substrate accommodation recesses may be provided by a plurality of substrates on a single gaming table. In this case, when a passive component A (passive component 616a1) is arranged on a certain substrate (for example, Fig. 11(b)) via a distance m1 (distance x3) from the substrate accommodation recess, and a passive component B (passive component 676a2) is arranged on another substrate (Fig. 15(b)) via a distance m2 (y5) longer than the distance m1 from the substrate accommodation recess, 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, and 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. Further, when another substrate has fewer components mounted on the substrate than a certain substrate and can sufficiently secure the area of the substrate mounting surface, 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, substrate design can be performed without considering the arrangement direction of the passive components, and 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, 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.
[0352] <Summary of the main control board according to Modification 1> 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 provided with a first substrate (for example, the main control board 670 shown in Fig. 15), the first substrate is a substrate having a recess of a first shape (for example, the substrate accommodation recess 682 shown in Fig. 15), the first substrate is a substrate by which a single manufacturing manufacturer of the gaming table can be specified when a break portion (for example, the break portion 696 shown in Fig. 15(a)) is cut, the recess of the first shape is a portion where the break portion is formed, and the recess of the first shape is formed along the long side of the first substrate. The gaming table is characterized by this.
[0353] According to the gaming table according to this embodiment, since the concave portion of the first shape is formed on the long side of the substrate (the first substrate), when cutting the break portion, the strain generated in the substrate due to the stress applied to the substrate can be reduced, and damage to the substrate and components mounted on the substrate can be prevented. In this way, a gaming table in which problems due to component damage are suppressed can be provided.
[0354] Also, when trying to forcibly remove the substrate from the main substrate storage case, compared to the main control board with the concave portion of the first shape formed on the long side, the main control board is more likely to be damaged, so traces of illegal acts or the like can be left, and the crime prevention performance can be enhanced.
[0355] In the manufacturing process of the gaming table, the substrate products are covered with various substrate cases and installed, fixed, and attached inside the gaming table. However, many substrate products have similar outer shapes, and during the manufacturing and assembly of the gaming table, installation mistakes may occur, or even if no installation mistakes occur, the installer may be confused about which substrate to install, wasting working time. According to the gaming table according to this embodiment, it is easier to distinguish the substrates, and the process during the manufacturing and assembly of the gaming table can be simplified.
[0356] 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 near the concave portion of the first shape. The longitudinal direction of the concave portion of the first shape and the longitudinal direction of the first component may be in the direction along the long side of the first substrate.
[0357] With such a configuration, when cutting the breaking portion, 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 malfunctions due to component breakage are suppressed can be provided.
[0358] Further, the first substrate is a substrate having a side different from the long side, and the first substrate has a plurality of components (for example, passive components 606 such as resistors, capacitors, coils, etc. shown in FIG. 11, and passive components 676 such as resistors, capacitors, coils, etc. shown in FIG. 15(a)), and one of the plurality of components is a first component (for example, passive component 606a1 shown in FIG. 11(b) or passive component 676a1 shown in FIG. 15(a)) disposed near the recess of the first shape, and one of the plurality of components is a second component (for example, passive component 606a2 shown in FIG. 11(b) or passive component 676a2 shown in FIG. 15(a)) disposed near the certain side, and the shortest distance (for example, shortest distance x3 shown in FIG. 11(b) or shortest distance y3 shown in FIG. 15(a)) from the recess of the first shape to the first component may be longer (x3>x4, y3>y4) than the shortest distance (for example, shortest distance x4 shown in FIG. 11(b) or shortest distance y4 shown in FIG. 15(a)) from the certain side to the second component.
[0359] With such a configuration, a clearance (working space) from the recess of the first shape to the first passive component can be ensured, making it easier to cut the breaking portion formed in the recess of the first shape, improving workability, and also avoiding the fingers or tools from touching the first passive component even when performing the cutting operation by hanging a finger around the recess of the first shape or using a tool, and preventing breakage etc. of the first passive component in advance. In this way, a gaming table in which malfunctions due to component breakage are suppressed can be provided.
[0360] Further, the longitudinal direction of the first shaped recess and the longitudinal direction of the second component are in 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 distances 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.
[0361] With such a configuration, the longitudinal direction of the second passive component is in a direction different from that of the first shaped recess, and the second passive component is likely to be affected by the stress applied in the longitudinal direction of the first shaped recess when cutting the break portion. However, by arranging the second passive component at a position farther from the first shaped recess than the first passive component, breakage of the second passive component can be prevented. In this way, a game table in which problems due to component breakage are suppressed can be provided.
[0362] Further, a container (for example, the substrate container 642 shown in FIG. 14(b)) is provided, and the container is a container capable of housing the first substrate. In a state where the first substrate is housed in the container, components (for example, the IC 606c shown in FIG. 14(b)) disposed on the first substrate via the first shaped recess (for example, the substrate housing recess 612 shown in FIG. 14(b)) may be visible.
[0363] With such a configuration, it becomes easy to visually recognize the substrate, making it easy to detect unauthorized components when they are attached, and it is possible to check the components mounted on the substrate while they are housed in the container, thereby improving maintainability and workability.
[0364] Further, the first substrate is a substrate having a resist layer (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 layer is not formed.
[0365] With such a configuration, even when other information is printed on the resist layer, the visibility of the identification information can be enhanced and the convenience can be enhanced.
[0366] Further, the predetermined area may be an area where pattern wiring is not formed.
[0367] With such a configuration, even when other information is printed, the visibility of the identification information can be enhanced and the convenience can be enhanced.
[0368] <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.
[0369] In the main control board 600 described with reference to FIG. 11, an example was shown in which by separating the identification board 610 and leaving only the identification information 618 (manufacturer name of the slot machine 100: BBB Co., identification number of the main control board: XXX-YYY) on the main control board 600, the manufacturing manufacturer of the gaming table can be specified.
[0370] However, the "first substrate" according to the present invention is not limited to this. For example, like the main control board 690 according to this Modification 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: BBB Co., identification number of the main control board: XXX-YYY) of the main control board 690 by laser engraving or the like, the manufacturing manufacturer of the gaming table may be configured to be identifiable.
[0371] <Main control board according to Modification 3> Next, with reference to FIG. 16(b), the main control board 696 (first board) according to Modification 3 will be described. FIG. 16(b) is a plan view of the main control board 696 according to Modification 3.
[0372] In the main control board 600 described with reference to FIG. 11, an example was shown in which identification information 618 (manufacturer name of the slot machine 100: BBB Co., Ltd., identification number of the main control board: XXX-YYY) was printed on the main control board 600.
[0373] 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 3, a plurality of identification boards 698 that can be separated from the main control board 696 are provided. On one identification board 698, first identification information (manufacturer name of the slot machine: AAA Co., Ltd., identification number of the main control board: XXX-YYY) is printed, and on the other identification board 698, second identification information (manufacturer name of the slot machine: BBB Co., Ltd., identification number of the main control board: XXX-YYY) is printed, and either one may be configured to be separable.
[0374] <Symbol arrangement> Next, with reference to FIG. 26, the symbol arrangement applied to each of the above-mentioned reels 110 to 112 will be described. Note that FIG. 26 is a diagram showing the arrangement of symbols applied to each reel (left reel 110, middle reel 111, right reel 112) developed in a plane.
[0375] On each of the reels 110 to 112, a plurality of types (nine types in this embodiment) of symbols shown on the right side of the figure are arranged for a predetermined number of frames (twenty frames numbered 0 to 19 in this embodiment). Also, the numbers 0 to 19 shown at the left end of the figure are numbers indicating the arrangement positions of the symbols on each of the reels 110 to 112. For example, in this embodiment, a "watermelon symbol" is arranged in the frame numbered 0 of the left reel 110, a "bell symbol" is arranged in the frame numbered 1 of the middle reel 111, and a "replay symbol" is arranged in the frame numbered 0 of the right reel 112.
[0376] <Measures against substrate burnout> Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 17 to 25, the measures against substrate burnout of the slot machine according to this example will be described.
[0377] <Measures against substrate burnout / Substrate> FIG. 17(a) is a plan view of the substrate 700 according to this example as viewed from the power supply layer 710 side, and FIG. 17(b) is a partial cross-sectional view of the substrate 700 along the line X-X in FIG. 17(a). For convenience of explanation, in FIG. 17(b), the thicknesses of the conductor layer, the insulating layer, and the base material in the substrate 700 are exaggeratedly shown.
[0378] The slot machine according to this example includes the substrate 700 (a certain substrate) shown in FIG. 17(a). As shown in FIGS. 17(a) and 17(b), this substrate 700 includes a base material (core) 702 serving 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, a 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.
[0379] In addition, in FIG. 17(b), an example of a double-sided mounting substrate in which conductor layers and insulating layers are mounted on both sides of the base material (core) 702 is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a single-sided mounting substrate in which conductor layers and insulating layers are mounted only on one side of the base material (core) 702 may also be used. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, only the structure on one side of the substrate 700 will be described, and in the drawings, the illustration of the solder resist 713, the silk 715, etc. will be omitted.
[0380] 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 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.
[0381] Note that the "certain substrate" according to the present invention may be a substrate having at least a plurality of conductor layers, an insulating layer, and a base material. For example, a substrate with the positions of the power supply layer 710 and the GND layer 706 swapped, that is, a substrate in which the GND layer (second conductor layer) 706 is formed on one side (upper side) with the insulating layer 708 interposed therebetween, and the 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 a conductor layer and an insulating layer on both sides with the base material 702 interposed therebetween.
[0382] 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.
[0383] <Countermeasures against substrate fire spread / components> Next, the components 712 mounted on the substrate 700 will be described.
[0384] As shown in FIG. 17(a), a plurality of components 712 are mounted (arranged) on the power supply layer 710 of the substrate 700.
[0385] In this example, an example is shown in which the components 712 are mounted only on the power supply layer 710 and the GND layer 706 is a GND plane layer (a GND layer on which no components are mounted). However, the "certain substrate" according to the present invention may be a substrate on which a plurality of components are arranged on at least one side. For example, components may be mounted only on the GND layer 706 and the power supply layer 710 may be 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, in the case of a substrate having three or more conductor layers, a substrate on which a plurality of components are arranged on at least one layer may be used.
[0386] The "components" according to the present invention are not particularly limited. In the power supply layer 710 of this example, there are active components such as light-emitting devices (not shown) such as LEDs and diodes, an LED driver IC 714 (described later with reference to Fig. 18(a)) for driving the LED, a motor driver IC 716 (described later with reference to Fig. 18(b)) for driving a motor (not shown), passive components 718 such as resistors, capacitors, and coils, and mechanical components such as connectors 720 mounted thereon.
[0387] Note that the "active components" according to the present invention are not limited to light-emitting devices and driver ICs, and may be, for example, light-receiving devices such as diodes, transistors, and photodiodes, and various sensors such as magnetic sensors.
[0388] <Countermeasures against substrate fire spread / Components / LED driver> Fig. 18(a) is a terminal layout diagram of the LED driver IC 714.
[0389] The LED driver IC 714 includes address input terminals A0 to A5 arranged at terminal numbers 1 to 6, ground terminals GND arranged at terminal numbers 7, 20, and 33, constant current output terminals XOUT0 to XOUT23 arranged at terminal numbers 8 to 19 and 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.
[0390] The power supply terminal VCC (terminal number 38) of the LED driver IC 714 is soldered to the power supply wiring pattern 711 (described later with reference to Fig. 20 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.
[0391] The ground terminals GND (terminal numbers 7, 20, 33) are soldered to the GND wiring pattern 706a (to be described later with reference to FIG. 20 etc.) of the GND layer 706 via vias formed in the insulating layer 708, and are electrically connected to the GND wiring pattern 706a of the GND layer 706.
[0392] 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.
[0393] <Substrate flame spread countermeasure / component / motor driver> FIG. 18(b) is a terminal layout diagram of the motor driver IC716.
[0394] The motor driver IC716 includes 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.
[0395] The power supply terminals VMA (terminal numbers 2 and 3) and VMB (terminal numbers 16 and 17) of the motor driver IC716 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.
[0396] The ground terminal GND (terminal number 20) is soldered to the GND wiring pattern 706a of the GND layer 706 via a via formed in the insulating layer 708 and is electrically connected to the GND wiring pattern 706a of the GND layer 706.
[0397] The bridge A output 1 terminal AOUT1 (terminal numbers 4, 5), the bridge A ground output terminal ISENA (terminal numbers 6, 7), the bridge A output 2 terminal AOUT2 (terminal numbers 8, 9), the bridge B output 2 terminal BOUT2 (terminal numbers 10, 11), the bridge B ground output terminal ISENB (terminal numbers 12, 13), and the bridge B output 1 terminal BOUT1 (terminal numbers 14, 15) are all output terminals. In this example, they are electrically connected to a motor (not shown) and function as output terminals for driving the motor.
[0398] <Measures against substrate fire spread / power supply layer> Next, the power supply layer 710 of the substrate 700 will be described.
[0399] FIG. 19(a) is a pattern diagram showing an example of the power supply wiring pattern of the power supply layer 710 of the substrate 700, and FIG. 20(a) is a partial enlarged view of the power supply layer 710 showing the portion indicated by reference numeral A in FIG. 19(a) enlarged.
[0400] In the power supply layer (first conductor layer) 710 of the substrate 700, as shown enlarged in FIG. 20(a), a plurality of power supply wiring patterns (first wiring patterns) 711 (711a to 711g) and pads, lands, vias, etc. electrically connected to these power supply wiring patterns 711 (711a to 711g) are formed.
[0401] The power supply wiring pattern 711a is configured to have a first power line 711a1 and two second power lines 711a2 and 711a3 that branch off with one end of the first power line 711a1 as the base end.
[0402] Below the first power line 711a1 of the power supply wiring pattern 711a, a power supply wiring pattern 711b is formed in proximity. A plurality of pads 722 are formed on the first power line 710a1 of the power supply wiring pattern 711a and the power supply wiring pattern 711b, across which components (resistors, capacitors, diodes, etc.) are mounted.
[0403] The power supply wiring pattern 711b is connected to a power supply of a predetermined voltage (in this example, DC24v). Since the first power line 711a1 of the power supply wiring pattern 711a is electrically connected to the power supply wiring pattern 711b via the components mounted on the pad 722, it functions as a power line with the same voltage (in this example, DC24v) as the power supply wiring pattern 711b.
[0404] Between the second power line 711a2 and the third power line 711a3 of the power supply wiring pattern 711a, a power supply wiring pattern 711c is formed in proximity. A plurality of pads 724 are formed on the second power line 710a2, the third power line 711a3, and the power supply wiring pattern 711c, across which components (resistors, capacitors, diodes, etc.) are mounted.
[0405] Since the power supply wiring pattern 711c is electrically connected to the second power line 711a2 and the third power line 711a3 of the power supply wiring pattern 711a via the components mounted on the pad 724, it functions as a power line with the same voltage (in this example, DC24v) as the power supply wiring patterns 711a and 711b.
[0406] The power supply wiring patterns 711d arranged on the left side, 711e arranged in the center, and 711f and 711g arranged on the right side in Fig. 20(a) are connected directly or indirectly (via components) to a power supply of a predetermined voltage (in this example, DC5v), and function as DC5v power lines.
[0407] Note that the "first wiring pattern" according to the present invention is not limited to a power supply wiring pattern. For example, when the "first conductor layer" according to the present invention is defined as a GND layer, the "first wiring pattern" according to the present invention becomes a GND wiring pattern. Needless to say, the voltage value of the power supply supplied to the "power supply wiring pattern" according to the present invention is not limited to this example.
[0408] <Substrate burning prevention / GND layer> Next, the GND layer 706 of the substrate 700 will be described.
[0409] FIG. 19(b) is a pattern diagram showing the GND wiring pattern 706a of the GND layer 706 of the substrate 700, and FIG. 20(b) is a partially enlarged view of the GND layer 706 showing an enlarged view of the portion indicated by the symbol B in FIG. 19(b).
[0410] The GND layer (second conductor layer) 706 of the substrate 700 is composed of a GND wiring pattern 706a formed of a so-called ground fill (solid wiring pattern) and a pattern cutout (solid cutout) 706b where this GND wiring pattern 706a is not formed (omitted), as shown in FIGS. 17(b) and 20(b).
[0411] Since the GND wiring pattern 706a of the substrate 700 according to this example is formed of a ground fill (solid wiring pattern), the noise resistance (current capacity) of the substrate 700 can be ensured.
[0412] Note that the "second wiring pattern" according to the present invention is not limited to a GND wiring pattern. For example, when the "second conductor layer" according to the present invention is defined as a power supply layer, the "second wiring pattern" according to the present invention becomes a power supply wiring pattern.
[0413] <Substrate burning prevention / GND layer / Non-overlapping region and overlapping region> Next, the non-overlapping region NOE and the overlapping region OE of the substrate 700 will be described.
[0414] FIG. 20(c) is a pattern diagram showing the power supply layer 710 shown in FIG. (a) of the same figure and the GND layer 706 shown in FIG. (b) of the same figure superimposed on each other.
[0415] Non - overlapping of the substrate 700 Field As shown in FIG. 17(b), NOE is a region where the power supply wiring pattern 711 and the GND wiring pattern 706a do not overlap in the thickness direction of the substrate 700. In this example, it is composed of a first non - overlapping region NOE1 where the power supply wiring pattern 711 is formed and the GND wiring pattern 706a is not formed (constituted by the pattern cutout 706b), and a second non - overlapping region NOE2 where neither the power supply wiring pattern 711 nor the GND wiring pattern 706a is formed.
[0416] Note that the "non - overlapping region" according to the present invention may be any region where the first wiring pattern and the second wiring pattern do not overlap in the thickness direction of the substrate. For example, it may be a region where the power supply wiring pattern 711 is formed and the GND wiring pattern 706a is not formed in the thickness direction of the substrate, or it may be a region without the second non - overlapping region NOE2 where neither the power supply wiring pattern 711 nor the GND wiring pattern 706a is formed.
[0417] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 17(b), the overlapping region OE is a region where the power supply wiring pattern 711 and the GND wiring pattern 706a overlap in the thickness direction of the substrate 700.
[0418] Note that the "overlapping region" may be any region where the first wiring pattern and the second wiring pattern overlap in the thickness direction of the substrate. For example, it may be a region where the power supply wiring pattern and the signal wiring pattern are formed in the thickness direction of the substrate, or it may be a region where the GND wiring pattern and the signal wiring pattern are formed in the thickness direction of the substrate.
[0419] <Measures against substrate flame spread / Positional relationship between non - overlapping region and components> Next, with reference to FIG. 21, the positional relationship between the non-overlapping region NOE of the substrate 700 and the components (LED driver IC 714, motor driver 716) mounted on the power supply layer 710 will be described.
[0420] FIG. 21(a) is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the cutout 706b of the GND layer 706 and the LED driver IC 714 and the motor driver 716 mounted on the power supply layer 710. In FIG. 21(a), the LED driver IC 714 and the motor driver 716 are mounted in the direction opposite to the vertical direction shown in FIGS. 18(a) and 18(b).
[0421] As described with reference to FIG. 18(a), the power supply terminal VCC (terminal number 38) of the LED driver 714 is soldered to the power supply wiring pattern 711 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.
[0422] FIG. 21(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the Y-Y line of the LED driver 714 shown enlarged in FIG. 21(a).
[0423] As shown in FIG. 21(b), in the GND layer 706 below the power supply wiring pattern 711 to which the power supply terminal VCC (terminal number 38) of the LED driver 714 is connected, no GND wiring pattern 706a is formed, and it is composed of a cutout 706b.
[0424] That is, the region where the power supply terminal VCC (terminal number 38) of the LED driver 714 is mounted is a non-overlapping region NOE (in this example, a region where the power supply wiring pattern 711 of the power supply layer 710 is formed and the GND wiring pattern 706a of the GND layer 706 is not formed) in which the power supply wiring pattern 711 and the GND wiring pattern 706a do not overlap in the thickness direction of the substrate 700.
[0425] According to this example, by providing a non-overlapping region NOE where the power supply wiring pattern 711 (first wiring pattern) and the GND wiring pattern 706a (second wiring pattern) arranged with an insulating layer in between are not overlapped in the thickness direction of the substrate, for example, even if a part of the insulating layer of the substrate becomes a carbonized conductive path due to ignition from a component terminal or the like, a situation where a short circuit occurs between the upper and lower wiring patterns that were insulated by the insulating layer can be prevented in advance. By preventing ignition from the game table, a game table with high safety can be provided.
[0426] On the other hand, the GND layer 706 in the lower layer of the conductor layer to which the other terminals of the LED driver 714 are connected is a solid wiring pattern.
[0427] According to this example, the GND wiring pattern can be formed as a solid wiring pattern, which can simplify the design and improve the noise resistance of the substrate.
[0428] Note that by configuring the power supply layer 710 in the upper layer of the GND wiring pattern 706a to which the ground terminals GND (terminal numbers 7, 20, 33) of the LED driver 714 are connected as a pattern cutout where the power supply wiring pattern 711 is not formed, the region where the ground terminals GND (terminal numbers 7, 20, 33) of the LED driver 714 are mounted can be made into a non-overlapping region NOE (a region where the GND wiring pattern 706a of the GND layer 706 is formed and the power supply wiring pattern 711 of the power supply layer 710 is not formed) where the power supply wiring pattern 711 and the GND wiring pattern 706a do not overlap in the thickness direction of the substrate 700.
[0429] As described with reference to FIG. 18(b), the power supply terminals VMA (terminal numbers 2, 3) and the power supply terminals VMB (terminal numbers 16, 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.
[0430] FIG. 21(c) is a cross-sectional view taken along the Z-Z line in the motor driver 716 shown enlarged in FIG. (a).
[0431] As shown in FIG. 21(c), the GND layer 706 below the power supply wiring pattern 710 to which the power supply terminal VMA (terminal number 2) of the motor driver 716 is connected is not formed with the GND wiring pattern 706a and is constituted by the pattern cutout 706b.
[0432] That is, the region where the power supply terminal VMA (terminal number 2) of the motor driver 716 is mounted is a non-overlapping region NOE where the power supply wiring pattern 711 and the GND wiring pattern 706a do not overlap in the thickness direction of the substrate 700 (in this example, the region where the power supply wiring pattern 711 of the power supply layer 710 is formed and the GND wiring pattern 706a of the GND layer 706 is not formed).
[0433] According to this example, by providing a non-overlapping region NOE in which the power supply wiring pattern 711 (first wiring pattern) and the GND wiring pattern 706a (second wiring pattern) arranged with an insulating layer therebetween do not overlap in the thickness direction of the substrate, for example, a part of the insulating layer of the substrate becomes a carbonized conductive path due to ignition from a component terminal or the like, and a situation where a short circuit occurs between the upper and lower wiring patterns that were insulated by the insulating layer can be prevented in advance, and by preventing ignition from the game table, a highly safe game table can be provided.
[0434] Although not shown, the GND layer 706 below the power supply wiring pattern 711 to which the power supply terminals VMA (terminal number 3) and VMB (terminal numbers 16, 17) of the motor driver 716 are connected is also not formed with the GND wiring pattern 706a and is constituted by the pattern cutout 706b.
[0435] Also, the power supply layer 710 above the GND wiring pattern 706a to which the ground terminal GND (terminal number 20) is connected is constituted by a pattern cutout where the power supply wiring pattern 711 is not formed.
[0436] Also, as described with reference to FIG. 18(b), the bridge A output 1 terminal AOUT1 (terminal numbers 4, 5), the bridge A ground output terminal ISENA (terminal numbers 6, 7), the bridge A output 2 terminal AOUT2 (terminal numbers 8, 9), the bridge B output 2 terminal BOUT2 (terminal numbers 10, 11), the bridge B ground output terminal ISENB (terminal numbers 12, 13), and the bridge B output 1 terminal BOUT1 (terminal numbers 14, 15) of the motor driver IC 716 are all electrically connected to a motor (not shown) and are output terminals for driving the motor.
[0437] In this example, the GND layer 706 below the signal wiring pattern to which these output terminals are connected also does not have the GND wiring pattern 706a formed and is composed of the cut pattern 706b.
[0438] That is, the "non-overlapping region" according to the present invention may be any region where the first wiring pattern and the second wiring pattern do not overlap in the thickness direction of the substrate. For example, it may be a region where a signal wiring pattern (first wiring pattern) is formed in the thickness direction of the substrate and a GND wiring pattern (second wiring pattern) is not formed, or a region where a GND wiring pattern (first wiring pattern) is formed in the thickness direction of the substrate and a signal wiring pattern (second wiring pattern) is not formed.
[0439] Also, it may be a region where a signal wiring pattern (first wiring pattern) is formed in the thickness direction of the substrate and a power supply wiring pattern (second wiring pattern) is not formed, or a region where a power supply wiring pattern (first wiring pattern) is formed in the thickness direction of the substrate and a signal wiring pattern (second wiring pattern) is not formed.
[0440] On the other hand, the GND layer 706 below the conductor layer to which the power supply terminal, GND terminal, and terminals other than the output terminals of the motor driver 716 (for example, input terminals such as the reset signal input terminal RESET (terminal number 36) and various control signal terminals (terminal numbers 22 to 35)) are connected is a solid wiring pattern.
[0441] According to this example, it becomes possible to form the GND wiring pattern as a solid wiring pattern, which can simplify the design and improve the noise resistance of the substrate.
[0442] Also, in this example, as shown in FIG. 21(a), on the substrate 700, a plurality (six in this example) of LED drivers 714 and a plurality (two in this example) of motor drivers 716 are arranged at predetermined intervals and separated from each other. Therefore, the non-overlapping regions NOE formed in each of the LED drivers 714 and the motor drivers 716 are also formed separately on the substrate 700.
[0443] By forming the power supply wiring pattern and the GND wiring pattern as solid wiring patterns, the noise resistance of the substrate can be improved. However, since the solid wiring pattern is removed in the non-overlapping region, a certain degree of reduction in noise resistance cannot be avoided. However, if the locations where the solid wiring pattern is removed are provided continuously, the noise resistance will be significantly reduced. Therefore, by forming the non-overlapping regions separately, it is possible to prevent the noise resistance from being significantly reduced due to forming the power supply wiring pattern and the GND wiring pattern as solid wiring patterns.
[0444] Note that if the number of output terminals and power supply terminals of the driver is large, the area of the pattern cutout 706b as the non-overlapping region will increase. That is, the non-overlapping region near the first driver (first active component) with many terminals (specific terminals) where there is a risk of heat generation and ignition is a larger region than the non-overlapping region near the second driver (second active component) with fewer terminals (specific terminals) where there is a risk of heat generation and ignition than the first driver.
[0445] In addition, the dotted portions in FIGS. 19(a) and 21 indicate via holes x1, x2, and x3, and no GND wiring pattern is laid in this portion (in the embodiment, "via hole" is used to refer to both vias and through holes). Via holes x1 and x2 are via holes provided near the output terminals and power supply terminals of the LED driver 714 and the motor driver 716. Via hole x1 is disposed on the extension line of the wiring pattern connected to the motor driver 716, and via hole x2 is disposed on the extension line of the pattern adjacent to the wiring pattern connected to the LED driver 714. The non-laid portion of the GND wiring pattern corresponding to via holes x1 and x2 and the pattern cutout 706b formed as a fire spread prevention measure are continuously formed. In this way, by continuously forming the non-laid portion of the GND wiring pattern corresponding to via holes x1 and x2 located near the driver and the pattern cutout as a fire spread prevention measure, even if the carbonized conductive path becomes larger than when not formed continuously, it can exert an effect as a fire spread prevention measure, and even if the substrate catches fire by any chance, it can be made local.
[0446] On the other hand, in the case of via hole x3 provided separately from the LED driver 714 and the motor driver 716, it is not continuous with the pattern cutout 706b, and it is not disposed on the extension line of the wiring pattern connected to the LED driver 714 or the motor driver 716, nor is it disposed on the extension line of the wiring pattern adjacent to the wiring pattern connected to the LED driver 714 or the motor driver 716.
[0447] <Substrate Fire Spread Prevention Measure / Conventional Problems and Concept of the Present Invention> Next, the conventional problems and the concept of the present invention will be described.
[0448] FIG. 22(a) is a conceptual diagram schematically showing the problems in the substrate of a conventional gaming table. In FIGS. 22 and 23, for simplicity of explanation, illustrations other than the power supply layer, insulation layer, and GND layer in the substrate are omitted.
[0449] In gaming machines typified by slot machines, various circuit boards are provided. Active components and passive components are arranged on these circuit boards, and the heat generation modes of the active components and passive components differ when their driving becomes large.
[0450] Specifically, while the passive components themselves become hot, for the active components, the hottest part is near the output terminals. As shown in Fig. 22(a-2), when the area near the terminals of the IC (component) becomes hot, there is a risk of short circuit (sparking). In this case, the generated sparks may pierce (damage) the insulating layer of the circuit board.
[0451] As shown in Fig. 22(a-3), as a result of the destruction of the insulating layer of the circuit board, the carbonization of the wiring pattern near the terminals of the IC (component) progresses, and a part of the insulating layer becomes a carbonized conductive path, causing a short circuit between the upper and lower wiring patterns (in this example, the power supply layer in the upper layer and the GND layer in the lower layer) that were insulated by the insulating layer, which may induce ignition.
[0452] Fig. 22(b) is a diagram schematically showing the concept of the circuit board of the present invention.
[0453] As shown in Fig. 22(b-1), the circuit board of the present invention is characterized in that it has a non-overlapping region NOE (in this example, a region where the power supply wiring pattern 711 of the power supply layer 710 is formed and the GND wiring pattern 706a of the GND layer 706 is not formed) in which the power supply wiring pattern 711 and the GND wiring pattern 706a do not overlap in the thickness direction of the circuit board 700.
[0454] Since the substrate of the present application has such a non-overlapping region NOE, as shown in FIG. 22(b-2), when the vicinity of the terminals of the IC (component) becomes hot and a spark is generated, and as shown in FIG. (b-3) of the same figure, even when the insulating layer 708 of the substrate is destroyed by the generated spark, the non-overlapping region NOE is a region where the GND wiring pattern 706a is not formed (the region where the pattern cutout 706b is applied). Therefore, it is possible to prevent a situation in which a short circuit occurs between the upper and lower wiring patterns (in this example, the power supply layer 710 in the upper layer and the GND layer 706 in the lower layer) that were insulated by the insulating layer 708, and by preventing ignition from the game table, a highly safe game table can be provided.
[0455] In this example, as the non-overlapping region NOE, an example of "a region where the power supply wiring pattern of the power supply layer is formed and the GND wiring pattern of the GND layer is not formed" is shown. However, it may also be "a region where the GND wiring pattern of the GND layer is formed and the power supply wiring pattern of the power supply layer is not formed", or a region including "a region where neither the power supply wiring pattern of the power supply layer nor the GND wiring pattern of the GND layer is formed".
[0456] <Substrate flame spread countermeasure / Non-overlapping region (Example 1)> FIG. 23(a) is a plan view showing the non-overlapping region NOE according to Example 1 and the assumed maximum region CE of the carbonized conductive path, and FIG. (b) of the same figure is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. (a).
[0457] As shown in FIGS. 23(a) and (b), the non-overlapping region NOE of the substrate 700 needs to be a region having a size that at least includes the assumed maximum region CE of the carbonized conductive path assumed in the substrate 700. In other words, as shown in FIG. 23(b), in the thickness direction of the substrate 700, it is necessary to prevent the power supply wiring pattern 711 of the power supply layer 710, the assumed maximum region CE of the carbonized conductive path, and the GDN wiring pattern 706a of the GND layer 706 from overlapping.
[0458] FIG. 23(c) is a plan view showing an example in which the non-overlapping region NOE of the substrate 700 does not include all of the assumed maximum region CE of the carbonized conductive path, and FIGS. (d) and (d') thereof are cross-sectional views taken along line B-B in FIG. (c).
[0459] As shown in FIGS. 23(c) and (d), when the non-overlapping region NOE of the substrate 700 is a region that does not include all of the assumed maximum region CE of the carbonized conductive path, as shown in FIG. (d'), the insulating layer 708 of the substrate 700 is destroyed by the generated spark, and as a result, a carbonized conductive path in the assumed maximum region CE is formed, causing a short circuit between the power supply layer 710 and the GND layer 706 that were insulated by the insulating layer 708, which may induce ignition.
[0460] Note that the assumed maximum region CE of the carbonized conductive path also varies depending on the structure and characteristics of the components mounted on the substrate. For example, even for a component composed of a main body and a terminal, if the joint between the main body and the terminal is the part that most easily generates heat and is likely to reach a high temperature, the assumed maximum region CE of the carbonized conductive path is the range centered on this joint. However, if the internal connection part between the circuit inside the main body and the terminal is the part that most easily generates heat and is likely to reach a high temperature, the assumed maximum region CE of the carbonized conductive path is the range centered on this internal connection part.
[0461] That is, the "non-overlapping region" according to the present invention is preferably a region located near the part of each component that most easily generates heat and is likely to reach a high temperature. Also, when the thickness of the terminal of the component is large, the assumed maximum region of the carbonized conductive path becomes larger accordingly, so it is necessary to increase the range of the non-overlapping region.
[0462] <Measures against substrate spread / non-overlapping region (other embodiments)> FIG. 24(a) is a plan view showing the non-overlapping region NOE2 according to the second embodiment.
[0463] This embodiment is an example in which a non-overlapping region NOE2 (in this example, a rectangular region with a height H2 and a width W2) is formed to include the entire component 712 (in this example, a DIP-type IC) mounted on the power supply layer 710. Although the power supply terminals are arranged below one side in the short side direction of the IC in the figure, in the example shown in FIG. 24(a), it can be said that it is suitable when the power supply terminals are distributed on both sides in the short side direction and above and below.
[0464] Note that the non-overlapping region NOE2 of the substrate 700 may be a region having a size that at least includes the assumed maximum region CE of the carbonized conduction path assumed in the substrate 700. However, since there is a possibility that a carbonized conduction path may be formed in the vicinity of the component 712 and the power supply wiring pattern 711, when the average width of the power supply wiring pattern 711 of the power supply layer 710 is w1, the maximum width is w2, and the maximum length in the horizontal direction of the power supply wiring pattern 711 is w3, the width W2 of the non-overlapping region NOE2 is longer than any of them, and it is preferable that the relationship of "average width w1 of the power supply wiring pattern 711 < maximum width w2 of the power supply wiring pattern 711 < maximum length w3 in the horizontal direction of the power supply wiring pattern 711 < width W2 of the non-overlapping region NOE2" holds.
[0465] Also, for the same reason, when the maximum length in the vertical direction of the power supply wiring pattern 711 is h1, the height H2 of the non-overlapping region NOE2 is longer than that, and it is preferable that the relationship of "maximum length h1 in the vertical direction of the power supply wiring pattern 711 < height H2 of the non-overlapping region NOE2" holds.
[0466] According to this example, the non-overlapping region NOE2 is a region having a size that at least includes the assumed maximum region CE of the carbonized conduction path. In the thickness direction of the substrate, the power supply wiring pattern 711 of the power supply layer 710, the assumed maximum region CE of the carbonized conduction path, and the GDN wiring pattern 706a of the GND layer 706 do not overlap. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a situation in which a short circuit occurs between the upper and lower wiring patterns (in this example, the upper power supply layer and the lower GND layer) that were insulated by the insulating layer, and by preventing ignition from the game table, it is possible to provide a highly safe game table.
[0467] Furthermore, since the non-overlapping region NOE2 is an area large enough to include the entire component 712 and the power supply wiring pattern 711, even if a carbonized conductive path is formed in the vicinity of the component 712 or the power supply wiring pattern 711, it is possible to prevent a situation where a short circuit occurs between the upper and lower wiring patterns (in this example, the upper power supply layer and the lower GND layer) that were insulated by the insulating layer, and by preventing ignition from the game table, a highly safe game table can be provided.
[0468] FIG. 24(b) is a plan view showing the non-overlapping region NOE3 according to the third embodiment.
[0469] This embodiment is an example in which a non-overlapping region NOE3 (in this example, a rectangular region with a height H3 and a width W3) is formed so as to include all the terminals on one side in the short direction of the component 712 (in this example, a DIP-type IC) mounted on the power supply layer 710. In the figure, the power supply terminals are arranged below one side in the short direction of the IC, but in the example shown in FIG. 24(b), it can be said that it is suitable when the power supply terminals are arranged on one side in the short direction.
[0470] According to this example, the non-overlapping region NOE3 is an area large enough to at least include the assumed maximum region CE of the carbonized conductive path, and in the thickness direction of the substrate, the power supply wiring pattern 711 of the power supply layer 710, the assumed maximum region CE of the carbonized conductive path, and the GDN wiring pattern 706a of the GND layer 706 do not overlap. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a situation where a short circuit occurs between the upper and lower wiring patterns (in this example, the upper power supply layer and the lower GND layer) that were insulated by the insulating layer, and by preventing ignition from the game table, a highly safe game table can be provided.
[0471] Furthermore, since the non-overlapping region NOE3 is an area the size of which includes the power wiring pattern 711, even if a carbonized conduction path is formed in the vicinity of the power wiring pattern 711, it is possible to prevent a situation in which a short circuit occurs between the upper and lower wiring patterns (in this example, the upper power layer and the lower GND layer) that were insulated by the insulating layer, and by preventing ignition from the game table, it is possible to provide a highly safe game table.
[0472] Also, according to this example, the size of the non-overlapping region NOE3 can be made smaller than that of the non-overlapping region NOE2 according to the second embodiment, and accordingly, the area of the GND wiring pattern 706a of the GND layer 706 can be increased, and the noise resistance (current capacity) of the substrate can be enhanced.
[0473] FIG. 24(c) is a plan view showing the non-overlapping region NOE4 according to the fourth embodiment.
[0474] This embodiment is an example in which a non-overlapping region NOE4 (in this example, a rectangular region having a height H4 and a width W4) is formed so as to include a plurality of terminals on one longitudinal side of a component 712 (in this example, a DIP type IC) mounted on the power supply layer 710. Although the power terminals are arranged below one side in the short side direction of the IC in the drawing, it can be said that the case where the power terminals are arranged on one longitudinal side is suitable in the example shown in FIG. 24(c).
[0475] According to this example, the non-overlapping region NOE4 is an area the size of which at least includes the assumed maximum region CE of the carbonized conduction path, and in the thickness direction of the substrate, the power wiring pattern 711 of the power supply layer 710, the assumed maximum region CE of the carbonized conduction path, and the GDN wiring pattern 706a of the GND layer 706 do not overlap, so it is possible to prevent a situation in which a short circuit occurs between the upper and lower wiring patterns (in this example, the upper power layer and the lower GND layer) that were insulated by the insulating layer, and by preventing ignition from the game table, it is possible to provide a highly safe game table.
[0476] Furthermore, since the non-overlapping region NOE4 is an area the size of which includes the power supply wiring pattern 711, even if a carbonized conduction path is formed in the vicinity of the power supply wiring pattern 711, a situation where a short circuit occurs between the upper and lower wiring patterns (in this example, the upper power supply layer and the lower GND layer) insulated by the insulating layer can be prevented in advance, and by preventing ignition from the game table, a game table with high safety can be provided.
[0477] Also, according to this example, the size of the non-overlapping region NOE4 can be made smaller than the non-overlapping region NOE2 according to Example 2, and accordingly, the area of the GND wiring pattern 706a of the GND layer 706 can be increased, and the noise resistance (current capacity) of the substrate can be enhanced.
[0478] FIG. 25(a) is a plan view showing the non-overlapping region NOE5 according to Example 5, and FIG. 25(b) is a plan view showing an example in which the wiring pattern of the power supply wiring line in FIG. 25(a) is changed.
[0479] The substrate of this example includes a first power supply wiring pattern 711x capable of supplying power of a first voltage (for example, DC24v) to the component 712 and a second power supply wiring pattern 711y capable of supplying power of a second voltage (for example, DC5v) to the component 712.
[0480] In the examples shown in FIGS. 25(a) and 25(b), the common point is that a non-overlapping region is formed so as to include the first power supply wiring pattern 711x and the second power supply wiring pattern 711y. However, in the example shown in FIG. 25(b), since the first power supply wiring pattern 711x is arranged closer to the second power supply wiring pattern 711y, the non-overlapping region NOE5' shown in FIG. 25(b) (in this example, a rectangular region with a height H5 and a width W5') is smaller in area than the non-overlapping region NOE5 shown in FIG. 25(a) (in this example, a rectangular region with a height H5 and a width W5 (W5' < W5)).
[0481] According to the example shown in FIG. 25(b), since the first power supply wiring pattern 711x and the second power supply wiring pattern 711y that supply power from different power supplies to the component 712 are arranged adjacent to each other, the size of the non-overlapping region NOE5' can be made smaller than the non-overlapping region NOE5 shown in FIG. 25(a). Accordingly, the area of the GND wiring pattern 706a (solid wiring pattern) of the GND layer 706 can be increased, and the noise resistance (current capacity) of the substrate can be enhanced.
[0482] <Countermeasures against substrate fire spread / Summary> As described above, the gaming table according to the present embodiment (for example, the slot machine 100 shown in FIG. 1, pachinko machine, enclosed gaming machine, medal-less slot machine) is a gaming table on which a game can be played. The gaming table includes a certain substrate (for example, the substrate 700 shown in FIG. 17(a)). The certain substrate is a substrate having at least a plurality of conductor layers, an insulating layer (for example, the insulating layer 708 shown in FIG. 17(b)), and a base material (for example, the base material 702 shown in FIG. 17(b)). The certain substrate is a substrate on which a plurality of components are arranged on at least one surface. One of the plurality of conductor layers is a first conductor layer (for example, the power supply layer 710 shown in FIG. 17(b)) having a first wiring pattern (for example, the power supply wiring patterns 710a to 710g shown in FIG. 20(a)). One of the plurality of conductor layers is a second conductor layer (for example, the GND layer 706 shown in FIG. 17(b)) having a second wiring pattern (for example, the GND wiring pattern 706a shown in FIG. 20(b)). The certain substrate is a substrate in which the first conductor layer is formed on the one surface side with the insulating layer interposed therebetween. The certain substrate is a substrate in which the second conductor layer is formed on the base material side with the insulating layer interposed therebetween. The certain substrate is a substrate having a non-overlapping region (for example, the non-overlapping region NOE shown in FIG. 17(b)) in which the first wiring pattern and the second wiring pattern do not overlap in the thickness direction of the certain substrate. The gaming table is characterized by this.
[0483] According to the gaming machine according to this embodiment, by providing a non-overlapping region where the first wiring pattern and the second wiring pattern arranged with an insulating layer in between are not overlapped in the thickness direction of the substrate, for example, when the substrate is damaged (scratches such as breakage or cracks during transportation), the resistance at that location increases, promoting heat generation and carbonization, which may lead to a short circuit. Even if such a situation occurs, by not overlapping the wiring patterns, the spread of damage can be suppressed. Also, when a part of the insulating layer of the substrate becomes a carbonized conductive path due to ignition from a component terminal or the like, a situation where a short circuit occurs between the upper and lower wiring patterns that were insulated by the insulating layer can be prevented in advance. By preventing ignition from the gaming machine, a highly safe gaming machine can be provided.
[0484] Also, one of the plurality of components is a certain component (for example, the LED driver 714 and the motor driver 716 shown in FIG. 21(a)), and the non-overlapping region may be in the vicinity of the certain component (for example, one side in the longitudinal direction of the LED driver 714 shown in FIG. 21(a), one side in the short-side direction of the motor driver 716 shown in FIG. 21(a), the region including the entire component 712 shown in FIG. 24(a), one side in the short-side direction of the component 712 shown in FIG. 24(b), one side in the longitudinal direction of the component 712 shown in FIG. 24(c)).
[0485] With such a configuration, even when a certain component shorts, by making the vicinity of the certain component a non-overlapping region, a situation where a short circuit occurs between the upper and lower wiring patterns that were insulated by the insulating layer can be prevented in advance.
[0486] Also, the certain component may be a specific active component (for example, the LED driver 714, the motor driver 716, a light-emitting device, a diode, a transistor, a light-receiving device such as a photodiode, or various sensors such as a magnetic sensor) shown in FIG. 21(a).
[0487] With such a configuration, active components are more likely to short-circuit compared to passive components. There is a risk that the substrate may be scratched by the sparks generated by the short-circuit, and a part of the insulating layer of the substrate may become a carbonized conductive path. However, by making the vicinity of the active components a non-overlapping region, it is possible to prevent a situation where a short-circuit occurs between the upper and lower wiring patterns that were insulated by the insulating layer.
[0488] Also, the region where components other than the specific active components (for example, passive components such as resistors, components with a low possibility of sparking at high temperatures) are arranged on the certain substrate may be an overlapping region where the first wiring pattern and the second wiring pattern overlap in the thickness direction of the certain substrate.
[0489] With such a configuration, for the overlapping region, it becomes possible to form the power supply wiring pattern and the GND wiring pattern as solid wiring patterns, and the noise resistance of the substrate can be improved.
[0490] Also, the non-overlapping region (for example, the non-overlapping region NOE shown in FIG. 17(b)) may be a region where either the first wiring pattern or the second wiring pattern (for example, the power supply wiring pattern 711 shown in FIG. 17(b)) is formed, and the other of the first wiring pattern or the second wiring pattern (for example, the GND wiring pattern 706a shown in FIG. 17(b)) is not formed.
[0491] With such a configuration, the first wiring pattern and the second wiring pattern can be physically separated, and a situation where a short-circuit occurs between the upper and lower wiring patterns that were insulated by the insulating layer can be prevented in advance.
[0492] Further, the first wiring pattern may be either a power supply wiring pattern or a GND wiring pattern (for example, the power supply wiring pattern 711 shown in FIG. 17(b)), and the second wiring pattern may be the other of the power supply wiring pattern or the GND wiring pattern (for example, the GND wiring pattern 706a shown in FIG. 17(b)).
[0493] With such a configuration, the power supply wiring pattern and the GND wiring pattern can be physically separated, and a situation where a short circuit occurs between the power supply wiring pattern and the GND wiring pattern that were insulated by the insulating layer can be prevented in advance.
[0494] Further, the first wiring pattern may be either a signal wiring pattern (for example, the signal line to which the output terminal of the motor driver IC 716 shown in FIGS. 18(b) and 21(c) is connected) or a GND wiring pattern (for example, the GND wiring pattern 706a shown in FIG. 17(b)), and the second wiring pattern may be the other of the signal wiring pattern or the GND wiring pattern.
[0495] With such a configuration, the signal wiring pattern and the GND wiring pattern can be physically separated, and a situation where a short circuit occurs between the signal wiring pattern and the GND wiring pattern that were insulated by the insulating layer can be prevented in advance.
[0496] Further, the first wiring pattern may be either a signal wiring pattern (for example, the signal line to which the output terminal of the motor driver IC 716 shown in FIGS. 18(b) and 21(c) is connected) or a power supply wiring pattern (for example, the power supply wiring pattern 711 shown in FIG. 17(b)), and the second wiring pattern may be the other of the signal wiring pattern or the power supply wiring pattern.
[0497] With such a configuration, the signal wiring pattern and the power supply wiring pattern can be physically separated, and it is possible to prevent a situation in which a short circuit occurs between the signal wiring pattern and the power supply wiring pattern that were insulated by the insulating layer.
[0498] Further, the certain substrate is a substrate in which at least one of the first wiring pattern and the second wiring pattern (for example, the GND wiring pattern 706a shown in FIGS. 20(b) and 21(a) to (c)) is formed of a solid wiring pattern, and the certain substrate is a substrate on which a plurality of the specific active components (for example, the LED driver 714 and the motor driver 716 shown in FIGS. 18 and 21(a)) are arranged (for example, in FIG. 21, a plurality of LED drivers 714 (same type of IC) are arranged apart from each other, a plurality of motor drivers 716 (same type of IC) are arranged apart from each other, and the LED driver 714 and the motor driver 716 (different types of IC) are arranged apart from each other), and the certain substrate is a substrate in which the non-overlapping regions are formed corresponding to the respective specific active components, and the certain substrate may be a substrate in which the respective non-overlapping regions are formed apart from each other.
[0499] By forming the power supply wiring pattern and the GND wiring pattern as solid wiring patterns, the noise resistance of the substrate can be improved. However, since the solid wiring pattern is removed in the non-overlapping region, a certain degree of reduction in noise resistance is inevitable. However, if the portions where the solid wiring pattern is removed are provided continuously, the noise resistance will be significantly reduced. Therefore, by forming the non-overlapping regions apart from each other, it is possible to prevent the noise resistance due to forming the power supply wiring pattern and the GND wiring pattern as solid wiring patterns from being significantly reduced.
[0500] <Pattern arrangement> Next, with reference to FIG. 26, the pattern arrangement applied to each of the above-described reels 110 to 112 will be described. Note that FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a planar development of the pattern arrangement applied to each reel (left reel 110, middle reel 111, right reel 112).
[0501] On each of the reels 110 to 112, a plurality of types (nine types in this embodiment) of symbols shown on the right side of the figure are arranged for a predetermined number of frames (twenty frames numbered 0 to 19 in this embodiment). Also, the numbers 0 to 19 shown at the left end of the figure are numbers indicating the arrangement positions of the symbols on each of the reels 110 to 112. For example, in this embodiment, a "watermelon symbol" is arranged in the frame numbered 0 of the left reel 110, a "bell symbol" is arranged in the frame numbered 1 of the middle reel 111, and a "replay symbol" is arranged in the frame numbered 0 of the right reel 112, respectively.
[0502] <Type of winning combination> Next, with reference to FIG. 27, the types of winning combinations of the slot machine 100 will be described. Note that FIG. 27 is a diagram showing the types of winning combinations, the names of the condition devices, the symbol combinations corresponding to each winning combination, the payout numbers, and remarks.
[0503] The winning combinations of the slot machine 100 include special combinations (special combination 1, special combination 2) and general combinations (replay combination 1 to 3, small combination 1 to small combination 5), etc. Note that the types of winning combinations are not limited to these combinations and can be arbitrarily adopted. In FIG. 27, the illustration of some winning combinations is omitted.
[0504] <Type of winning combination / Special combination> Among the winning combinations in this embodiment, special combination 1 and special combination 2 are combinations that shift to a special gaming state in which a predetermined profit is given to the player. Also, the replay combination is a combination in which replay is possible without newly inserting medals (a combination to which replay is given). These winning combinations may be called "active combinations".
[0505] Also, in this embodiment, "winning" includes the case where a symbol combination of an active combination without medal payout (without medal payout) is displayed on the winning line. For example, winning for special combination 1, special combination 2, and the replay combination is included.
[0506] Special winning combination 1 and Special winning combination 2 are winning combinations where the game state shifts to the Special winning combination 1·2 internal winning state (RT3) by internal winning and shifts to the Special winning combination 1·2 game state (RT4) by winning. Note that when more than a specified number of medals (for example, 200 medals) are paid out in the Special winning combination 1·2 game state (RT4), the game state shifts to the replay low probability state (RT1). Each game state (RT1 to RT4) will be described later.
[0507] The symbol combinations corresponding to Special winning combination 1 (BB) are "Seven 1 symbol - Seven 1 symbol - Seven 1 symbol" or "Seven 2 symbol - Seven 2 symbol - Seven 2 symbol", and the symbol combination corresponding to Special winning combination 2 (RB) is "BAR symbol - BAR symbol - BAR symbol".
[0508] When winning internally for Special winning combination 1 or Special winning combination 2, the special winning combination internal winning flag corresponding to this internally won combination is set to on (stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 308 of the main control unit 300). This flag remains on until winning for the internally won combination, and in subsequent games, it becomes a state where it is easier to win for the internally won combination. That is, in a game where Special winning combination 1 or Special winning combination 2 has won internally, even if it does not win for that special winning combination, in subsequent games, it becomes a state where it has won internally for that special winning combination, and the symbol combinations corresponding to the special winning combination are in a state where they are likely to win together.
[0509] <Type of winning combination / Replay winning combination> Replay winning combinations 1 to 3 are winning combinations (active combinations) where, by winning, the game can be played in the next game without inserting medals (game media), and no medals are paid out. The corresponding symbol combinations are as shown in Figure 8. Note that the replay winning combination only needs to be a combination where the player can play the next game without inserting medals. Therefore, for example, when winning for the replay winning combination, it may be that medals are automatically inserted in the next game (the number of inserted medals is reset in the medal insertion number storage area), or it may be that the medals inserted in the game where the replay winning combination was won can be carried over and used in the next game as they are.
[0510] <Type of winning combination / Minor combination> Minor combinations 1 to 5 are winning combinations for which a predetermined number of medals are paid out (there is a payout number) upon winning.
[0511] Minor combination 1 (Watermelon) is a winning combination for which, upon winning, the symbol combination of "Watermelon symbol - Watermelon symbol - Watermelon symbol" stops and is displayed on the winning line, and 5 medals are paid out.
[0512] Minor combination 2 (Cherry) is a winning combination for which, upon winning, the symbol combination of "Cherry symbol - ANY - ANY" stops and is displayed on the winning line, and 2 medals are paid out. Note that the symbol combination of "Cherry symbol - ANY - ANY" indicates that the symbol on the left reel 110 only needs to be the "Cherry symbol", and the symbols on the middle reel 111 and the right reel 112 can be any symbol.
[0513] Hereinafter, these minor combinations 1 (Watermelon) and 2 (Cherry) may be collectively referred to as "rare combinations", but the rare combinations are not limited to these winning combinations, and may be either one of these winning combinations, or other winning combinations may be added.
[0514] Note that when winning a rare combination in the AT state described later, a lottery is executed to add extra game numbers or set numbers (to make it easier to win the lottery). On the other hand, even if winning a rare combination in the ED state, no lottery is executed to add extra game numbers or set numbers.
[0515] Minor combination 3 (Push order bell) is composed of 6 types of winning combinations from minor combination 3a to minor combination 3f. In this example, by lottery, with a predetermined probability (about 1 / 6 in this example; common for all settings), one of the winning combinations from minor combination 3a to minor combination 3f is internally won, and when the operation order (push order) of the stop operations by the stop buttons 137 to 139 matches the corresponding winning combination that was internally won, a win occurs and 12 medals are paid out.
[0516] The small winning combination 4 (common bell) is a winning combination in which, regardless of the operation order (pressing order) and operation timing of the stop operation by the stop buttons 137 to 139, the symbol combination of "bell symbol - bell symbol - bell symbol" is stopped and displayed on the winning line, and 12 medals are paid out.
[0517] The small winning combination 5 (single symbol) is a winning combination in which, regardless of the operation order (pressing order) and operation timing of the stop operation by the stop buttons 137 to 139, the symbol combination of "replay symbol - replay symbol - blank 1 symbol" is stopped and displayed on the winning line, and 1 medal is paid out.
[0518] <Types of RT-based game states> Next, the types and transitions of RT-based game states in the slot machine 100 will be described.
[0519] <Replay low probability state (RT1)> The replay low probability state (RT1) is the default RT-based game state (hereinafter also referred to as the "normal game state") that is first set immediately after the power-on of the slot machine 100, etc., and is a game state that is relatively disadvantageous to the player compared to other game states.
[0520] In this example, in this replay low probability state (RT1), when winning the replay winning combination 2 (upgraded replay 1) or the replay winning combination 3 (upgraded replay 2), it transitions to the replay high probability state (RT2) described later. Also, in this replay low probability state (RT1), when internally winning the special winning combination 1 or the special winning combination 2, it transitions to the special winning combination 1·2 internal winning state (RT3) described later.
[0521] <Replay high probability state (RT2)> The replay high probability state is a game state in which the internal winning probability of the replay is higher than that in the replay low probability state (RT1).
[0522] In this example, in this replay high probability state (RT2), when internally winning the special winning combination 1 or the special winning combination 2, it transitions to the special winning combination 1·2 internal winning state (RT3) described later.
[0523] <Special role 1·2 internal winning status (RT3)> The special role 1·2 internal winning status (RT3) is a state in which the internal winning flag corresponding to special role 1 or special role 2 is set to on, and by the player performing a stop operation at a predetermined timing, a symbol combination corresponding to the special role corresponding to this flag can be displayed. It is a gaming state.
[0524] In this example, in this special role 1·2 internal winning status (RT3), when winning a prize in special role 1 or special role 2, it transitions to the special gaming state (RT4) described later.
[0525] <Special gaming state (RT4)> The special gaming state (RT4) is the most advantageous gaming state for the player among all gaming states. In this example, in the special gaming state (RT4), when a specified number of coins (for example, 200 coins) are paid out, it transitions to the low probability of re - gaming state (RT1).
[0526] Note that in this example, the end condition of the special gaming state (RT4) is not particularly limited, and for example, it may be when winning an internal prize in a specified role, when there are winnings a specified number of times (for example, 8 times), or when a specified number of games (for example, 6 times) are played.
[0527] <Transition of AT - type gaming states> Next, the AT - type gaming states will be described.
[0528] The AT - type gaming states are roughly classified into a low - navigation state and a high - navigation state. The low - navigation state is a state where the probability of executing the operation navigation is low, and is also called the normal mode, non - advantageous section, or normal section. The high - navigation state is a state where the probability of executing the operation navigation is higher than that of the low - navigation state, and is also called the AT mode and advantageous section.
[0529] Here, the operation guidance refers to an effect that notifies the stop operation modes (e.g., correct operation order and stop operation timing) of the stop buttons 137 to 139 in order to obtain medals and maintain an advantageous gaming state. For example, an effect that notifies the correct operation order of a pressing order combination (e.g., small combination 3 (pressing order bell LCR)), such as an effect that displays characters like "left → middle → right", is applicable.
[0530] When a stop operation is performed according to the operation content of the operation guidance, an advantageous result is brought to the player. Therefore, the high guidance state is a gaming state that is more advantageous to the player than the low guidance state. Here, "advantageous" specifically means that, with respect to the total number of gaming media used by the player as the bet amount on the gaming table when playing the game for a predetermined period, the ratio of the total number of gaming media paid out by the gaming table, that is, the so-called payout rate (payout rate of balls) is advantageous.
[0531] In this example, the low guidance state is a state where the execution probability of the operation guidance is low, and the high guidance state is a state where the execution probability of the operation guidance is higher than that of the low guidance state. However, the low guidance state may be a state where the operation guidance is not executed, and the high guidance state may be a state where the operation guidance is executed.
[0532] Each gaming state of the AT system is subdivided and managed, and this is called an effect state. Specifically, the effect state of the low guidance state is a normal gaming state, and the effect states of the high guidance state are a normal state, a confirmation notification state, a judgment state, a draw-back state, an AT1 state, an AT2 state, and an ED (ending) state. In principle, the AT1 state, the AT2 state, and the ED state are states where the payout of balls increases.
[0533] In this embodiment, when a certain condition is satisfied (e.g., when winning a winning combination other than a losing combination) in the normal gaming state of the low guidance state, it transitions to the normal state of the high guidance state. After that, for example, it transitions in the order of the confirmation notification state → AT1 state → judgment state, and there are routes such as transitioning from this judgment state to the normal gaming state or the AT2 state via the draw-back state, or directly transitioning from the judgment state to the AT2 state.
[0534] The AT state (AT1 state, AT2 state) is a state in which AT games can be played a predetermined number of times (for example, 30 games per set), and it is a more advantageous state for the player than the normal game state in the low navigation state or the normal state in the high navigation state.
[0535] In this AT game, in the starting game of the AT game, a set continuation lottery (for example, a lottery with a winning probability of 1 / 4) to continue or not to continue the AT game is executed. If the player wins this set continuation lottery, an additional predetermined number of times (in this example, 30 games per set) of AT games are granted, and the AT state is extended. Also, when the transition condition to the normal game state is satisfied in the AT state (in this example, when all the games in the AT state are completed), the game transitions to the normal game state from the next game.
[0536] Also, when the remaining games in the high navigation state become a predetermined number of games (for example, 20 games) or less, the game transitions to the ED state. In this ED state, an ED (ending) effect suggesting the end of the high navigation state is executed.
[0537] Note that the transition condition to the ED state is not limited to the remaining games in the high navigation state becoming a predetermined number of games (for example, 20 games) or less. For example, the predetermined number of games may be 20 games or more or less, or it may be "acquired number + difference in planned acquisition number > 2000".
[0538] <Main control unit main process> First, with reference to FIG. 28, the main control unit main process executed by the CPU 304 of the main control unit 300 will be described. Note that this figure is a flowchart showing the flow of the main control unit main process.
[0539] As described above, the main control unit 300 is provided with a start signal output circuit (reset signal output circuit) 338 that outputs a start signal (reset signal) when the power is turned on. The CPU 304 of the basic circuit 302 that receives this start signal starts reset by a reset interrupt and executes the main control unit main process shown in FIG. 28 according to the control program stored in advance in the ROM 306.
[0540] When the power is turned on, first, various initial settings are performed in step S101. In this initial setting, the stack initial value is set to the stack pointer (SP) of the CPU 304, the interrupt prohibition is set, the initial setting of the I / O 310, the initial setting of various variables stored in the RAM 308, the operation permission and the initial value are set to the WDT 314, etc.
[0541] In step S102, the bet number setting / start operation reception process is executed. Here, it checks whether medals are inserted, and prepares to send an insertion command indicating that medals have been inserted. If a replay winning combination was won in the previous game, since it performs the process of inserting the same number of medals as the number of medals inserted in the previous game, it becomes unnecessary for the player to insert medals. Also, it checks whether the start lever 135 has been operated, and if there is an operation of the start lever 135, it proceeds to step S103.
[0542] In step S103, the number of inserted medals is determined, and a winning line determination process for determining a valid winning line is performed.
[0543] In step S104, the random number generated by the random number generation circuit 316 is acquired, and an internal lottery process for winning combinations is performed. In the internal lottery process for winning combinations, according to the current game state, the winning combination lottery table stored in the ROM 306 is read out, and an internal lottery is performed using this and the acquired random number value, and at the same time, preparations are made to send an internal lottery command indicating the result of this internal lottery to the first sub-control unit 400. As a result of the internal lottery, if any winning combination (including the activated combination) wins internally, the flag of that winning combination is turned on.
[0544] In step S105, a reel stop data selection process for selecting reel stop data is performed based on the internal lottery result of the internal lottery process for winning combinations. Note that this reel stop data is stored in the ROM 306 of the main control unit 300. Also, in step S105, preparations are made to send a reel stop data command including information regarding the selected reel stop data to the first sub-control unit 400.
[0545] In step S106, based on the start lever operation, the effect state control process related to the control of the above-described AT-based gaming state is executed. In step S107, an effect process is executed. In this effect process, control of various effects and the like is performed.
[0546] In step S108, the reel rotation start process is executed to start the rotation of all the reels 110 to 112.
[0547] In step S109, a reel stop control process is performed. In the reel stop control process, reception of the stop buttons 137 to 139 becomes possible, and when any of the stop buttons is pressed, in order to stop the reel corresponding to the pressed stop button, the stop table of the reel stop data is referred to, and one of the reels 110 to 112 is stopped according to the number of drawing commands set in the stop table. When all the reels 110 to 112 stop, the process proceeds to step S110. In this step S109, for each stop operation, preparations are made to transmit a stop button reception command related to the pressed stop button 137 to 139 (specifically, for the first stop operation, the stop button reception 1 command, for the second stop operation, the stop button reception 2 command, and for the third stop operation, the stop button reception 3 command) to the first sub-control unit 400, and for the stop of each reel, preparations are made to transmit a reel stop command related to the stop position of the reel (specifically, for the first stopped reel, the reel stop 1 command, for the second stop operation, the reel stop 2 command, and for the third stop operation, the reel stop 3 command) to the first sub-control unit 400.
[0548] In step S110, a winning determination process for performing a winning determination is performed. In this winning determination process, when a symbol combination corresponding to any winning combination is displayed on the activated winning line, it is determined that the winning combination has been won. For example, if "bell - bell - bell" is aligned on the activated winning line, it is determined that the small winning combination 3 (bell) has been won. In this step S110, preparations are also made to transmit a winning determination command indicating the result of the winning determination to the first sub-control unit 400.
[0549] In step S111, medal awarding processing is performed. In the medal awarding processing, if a winning combination with a payout is won, medals corresponding to the number of that winning combination are paid out according to the number of winning lines.
[0550] In step S112, game state control processing is performed. In the game state control processing, processing related to the transition of each RT-based game state is performed, and the game state is transitioned due to the establishment of their start conditions or end conditions. Also, preparations are made to transmit a game state command including information indicating the current RT-based game state.
[0551] In step S113, effect state control processing related to the control of the above-described AT-based game state is executed. In step S114, high navigation state end processing related to the end of the high navigation state is executed.
[0552] Thus, one game ends. Thereafter, the game proceeds by returning to step S102 and repeating the above-described processing. Note that the various commands prepared in each of the above steps are transmitted in the command setting transmission processing (step S206 in FIG. 29) of the main control unit timer interrupt processing described later.
[0553] <Main control unit timer interrupt processing> Next, with reference to FIG. 29, the main control unit timer interrupt processing executed by the CPU 304 of the main control unit 300 will be described. Note that this figure is a flowchart showing the flow of the main control unit timer interrupt processing.
[0554] The main control unit 300 includes a counter timer 312 that generates a timer interrupt signal at a predetermined period (once every approximately 2 ms in this embodiment), and starts the main control unit timer interrupt processing at a predetermined period triggered by this timer interrupt signal.
[0555] In step S201, timer interrupt start processing is performed. In this timer interrupt start processing, processing such as temporarily saving the values of each register of the CPU 304 in the stack area is performed.
[0556] In step S202, the WDT 314 is restarted periodically (once every approximately 2 ms, which is the period of the main control unit timer interrupt in this embodiment) so that the count value of the WDT 314 does not exceed the initial setting value (32.8 ms in this embodiment) and no WDT interrupt occurs (so as not to detect an abnormality in the process).
[0557] In step S203, an input port state update process is performed. In this input port state update process, detection signals of the sensor circuits 320 of the various sensors 318 are input via the input ports of the I / O 310, the presence or absence of the detection signals is monitored, and the signals are stored in the signal state storage areas provided in the RAM 308 partitioned for each of the various sensors 318.
[0558] In step S204, various game processes are executed, and processes according to the interrupt status are executed. In step S2005, a timer update process is performed. More specifically, the various timers are updated according to their respective time units.
[0559] In step S206, a command setting transmission process is performed, and various commands prepared for transmission are transmitted to the first sub-control unit 400. In the first sub-control unit 400, according to the command type included in the received output schedule information, it becomes possible to determine the effect control according to the change in the game control in the main control unit 300, and based on the information of the command data included in the output schedule information, the content of the effect control can be determined.
[0560] In step S207, an external output signal setting process is performed. In this external output signal setting process, the game information stored in the RAM 308 is output to an information input circuit 651 separate from the slot machine 100 via the information output circuit 334.
[0561] In step S208, device monitoring processing is performed. In this device monitoring processing, first, the signal states of various sensors 318 stored in the signal state storage area in step S203 are read out, the presence or absence of errors related to medal insertion abnormalities and medal payout abnormalities is monitored, and when an error is detected, error processing (not shown) is executed. Further, according to the current gaming state, settings are made for the medal selector 170 (medal blocker in which the solenoid provided in the medal selector 170 operates), various lamps 339, and various 7-segment (SEG) displays.
[0562] In step S209, it is monitored whether the low-voltage signal is on. When the low-voltage signal is on (when power-off is detected), the process proceeds to step S211, and when the low-voltage signal is off (when power-off is not detected), the process proceeds to step S210.
[0563] In step S210, various processes for ending the timer interrupt end processing are performed. In this timer interrupt end processing, the values of the respective registers temporarily saved in step S2001 are set to the original respective registers, etc. Then, the process returns to the main control unit main processing shown in FIG. 28.
[0564] On the other hand, in step S211, specific variables and stack pointers for returning to the state at the time of power-off at the time of power restoration are saved as restoration data in a predetermined area of the RAM 308, power-off processing such as initialization of the input / output port is performed, and then the process returns to the main control unit main processing shown in FIG. 28.
[0565] <Processing of the First Sub-Control Unit> Next, with reference to FIG. 30, the processing of the first sub-control unit 400 will be described. Note that FIG. 30(a) is a flowchart of the main processing executed by the CPU 404 of the first sub-control unit 400. FIG. 30(b) is a flowchart of the command reception interrupt processing of the first sub-control unit 400. FIG. 30(c) is a flowchart of the timer interrupt processing of the first sub-control unit 400.
[0566] First, with reference to FIG. 30(a), the main processing of the first sub-control unit 400 will be described.
[0567] When the power is turned on, first, initialization processing is executed in step S301. In this initialization processing, initial settings of input / output ports, initialization processing of storage areas in the RAM 408, and the like are performed. In this processing, an area for storing internal winning information, which is information representing the result of internal winning, and an area for storing RT update information, which is information representing the game state, are respectively provided in the RAM 408.
[0568] In step S302, it is determined whether the timer variable is 10 or more. This process is repeated until the timer variable becomes 10. When the timer variable becomes 10 or more, the process proceeds to the process of step S3003. In step S303, 0 is assigned to the timer variable. In step S304, command processing, which is processing corresponding to each command received from the main control unit 300, is executed.
[0569] In step S305, effect control processing is performed. Here, preparation for the effect is carried out according to the effect reservation information in the effect reservation area provided in the RAM 408. This preparation includes, for example, processing such as reading effect data from the ROM 406, and when updating of the effect data is necessary, includes performing update processing of the effect data.
[0570] In step S306, sound control processing is performed based on the processing result of step S305. For example, when there is an instruction to the sound source IC 418 in the effect data read in step S305, this instruction is output to the sound source IC 418. In step S307, lamp control processing is performed based on the processing result of step S305. For example, when there is an instruction to the various lamps 420 in the effect data read in step S305, this instruction is output to the drive circuit 422.
[0571] In step S308, shutter control processing is performed based on the processing result of step S3005. For example, if there is an instruction for the shutter 163 in the effect data read in step S305, this instruction is output to the drive circuit 424. In step S309, information output processing for setting to transmit a command to the second sub-control unit 500 based on the processing result of step S305 is performed. For example, if there is a command to be transmitted to the second sub-control unit 500 in the effect data read in step S305, a setting to output this control command is made, and the process returns to step S302.
[0572] Next, with reference to FIG. 30(b), the command reception interrupt processing of the first sub-control unit 400 will be described. This command reception interrupt processing is a process executed when the first sub-control unit 400 detects a strobe signal output by the main control unit 300. In step S401 of the command reception interrupt processing, the command output by the main control unit 300 is stored as an unprocessed command in a command storage area provided in the RAM 408.
[0573] Next, with reference to FIG. 30(c), the first sub-control unit timer interrupt processing executed by the CPU 404 of the first sub-control unit 400 will be described. The first sub-control unit 400 includes a hardware timer that generates a timer interrupt at a predetermined period (once every 2 ms in this embodiment), and based on this timer interrupt, the timer interrupt processing is executed at a predetermined period.
[0574] In step S501, 1 is added to the value in the timer variable storage area of the RAM 408 described in step S302 in the first sub-control unit main processing shown in FIG. 30(a), and the result is stored in the original timer variable storage area. Therefore, in step S302, it is determined that the value of the timer variable is 10 or more every 20 ms (2 ms × 10). In step S502, transmission of a command to the second sub-control unit 500 set in step S309, update processing of effect random number values, and the like are performed.
[0575] <Processing of the Second Sub-Control Unit> Next, the processing of the second sub-control unit 500 will be described with reference to FIG. 31. Note that FIG. 31(a) is a flowchart of the main processing executed by the CPU 504 of the second sub-control unit 500. FIG. 31(b) is a flowchart of the command reception interrupt processing of the second sub-control unit 500. FIG. 31(c) is a flowchart of the timer interrupt processing of the second sub-control unit 500. FIG. 31(d) is a flowchart of the image control processing of the second sub-control unit 500.
[0576] First, in step S601 of FIG. 31(a), various initial settings are performed. When the power is turned on, first, the initialization process is executed in step S601. In this initialization process, initial settings of input / output ports, initialization of the storage area in the RAM 508, initialization of the storage area in the VRAM 536, and the like are performed.
[0577] In step S602, it is determined whether the timer variable is 10 or more. This process is repeated until the timer variable becomes 10. When the timer variable becomes 10 or more, the process proceeds to step S603. In step S4003, 0 is assigned to the timer variable. In step S604, command processing is performed. In the command processing, the CPU 504 of the second sub-control unit 500 determines whether a command has been received from the CPU 404 of the first sub-control unit 400.
[0578] In step S605, effect control processing is performed. Specifically, when there is a new command in step S604, the process corresponding to this command is performed. For example, a process of reading out effect data for performing image control related to the background image from the ROM 506 is executed. Also, processes such as reading out other effect data from the ROM 506 are performed, and when the update of the effect data is necessary, the update process of the effect data is included.
[0579] In step S606, image control processing (specific details will be described later) is performed based on the processing result of step S605. For example, if there is an image control instruction in the effect data read in step S605, image control corresponding to this instruction is performed. For example, image control regarding the display image (notification image, background image) is executed. When this image control processing ends, the process returns to step S602.
[0580] Next, with reference to FIG. 31(b), the command reception interrupt processing of the second sub-control unit 500 will be described. This command reception interrupt processing is a process executed when the second sub-control unit 500 detects a strobe signal output by the first sub-control unit 400.
[0581] In step S701 of the command reception interrupt processing, the command output by the first sub-control unit 400 is stored as an unprocessed command in the command storage area provided in the RAM 508.
[0582] Next, with reference to FIG. 31(c), the second sub-control unit timer interrupt processing executed by the CPU 504 of the second sub-control unit 500 will be described. The second sub-control unit 500 is provided with a hardware timer that generates a timer interrupt at a predetermined period (once every 2 ms in this embodiment), and based on this timer interrupt, the timer interrupt processing is executed at a predetermined period.
[0583] In step S801, 1 is added to the value in the timer variable storage area of the RAM 508 described in step S602 in the second sub-control unit main processing shown in FIG. 31(a), and the result is stored in the original timer variable storage area. Therefore, in step S602, it is determined that the value of the timer variable is 10 or more every 20 ms (2 ms × 10). In step S802, processing for updating the random number value for effect and the like is performed.
[0584] Next, with reference to FIG. 31(d), the image control processing in step S606 in the main processing of the second sub-control unit 500 will be described. This figure shows a flowchart indicating the flow of the image control processing.
[0585] In step S901, an instruction to transfer image data is issued. Here, the CPU 504 first swaps the designations of the drawing areas of the display areas A and B in the VRAM 536. As a result, an image of one frame stored in the display area not designated as the drawing area is displayed on the effect image display device 157. Next, the CPU 504 sets, in the attribute register of the VDP 534, the ROM coordinates (transfer source address of the ROM 506), VRAM coordinates (transfer destination address of the VRAM 536), etc. based on the position information table and the like, and then sets an instruction to start the transfer of image data from the ROM 506 to the VRAM 536. The VDP 534 transfers the image data from the ROM 506 to the VRAM 536 based on the instruction set in the attribute register. After that, the VDP 534 outputs a transfer end interrupt signal to the CPU 504.
[0586] In step S902, it is determined whether a transfer end interrupt signal from the VDP 534 has been input. If the transfer end interrupt signal has been input, the process proceeds to step S903; otherwise, it waits for the transfer end interrupt signal to be input.
[0587] In step S903, parameter settings are performed based on the effect scenario configuration table, attribute data, etc. Here, the CPU 504 instructs the VDP 534 with information on the image data constituting the display image (coordinate axes of the VRAM 536, image size, VRAM coordinates (arrangement coordinates), transparency, etc.) in order to form a display image in the display area A or B of the VRAM 536 based on the image data transferred to the VRAM 536 in step S901. The VDP 534 performs parameter settings according to the attributes based on the instruction stored in the attribute register.
[0588] In step S904, a drawing instruction is issued. In this drawing instruction, the CPU 504 instructs the VDP 534 to start drawing an image. The VDP 534 starts drawing the image in the frame buffer according to the instruction of the CPU 504.
[0589] In step S905, it is determined whether or not an end-of-generation interrupt signal from the VDP534 based on the completion of image drawing has been input. If the end-of-generation interrupt signal has been input, the process proceeds to step S906. Otherwise, it waits for the end-of-generation interrupt signal to be input.
[0590] In step S906, the scene display counter that is set in a predetermined area of the RAM508 and counts which scene's image has been generated is incremented (+1), and the process ends.
[0591] <Internal winning combination lottery value> FIG. 32(a) is a diagram showing an example of the internal winning combination lottery value of the slot machine 100.
[0592] The winning probability of the internal winning combination is obtained by dividing the numerical data corresponding to the range of the lottery data associated with each internal winning combination by the numerical data of the range of the random number value obtained during the internal lottery (65536 in this embodiment). The lottery data is divided in advance into several numerical ranges, and each internal winning combination and a loss are associated with each numerical range.
[0593] In the internal winning combination lottery process, it is determined whether the random number value obtained as a result of executing the internal lottery is a value corresponding to the lottery data corresponding to any of the internal winning combinations, and the internal winning combination is determined. Actually, at least settings 1 to 6 in which the winning probabilities of the internal winning combinations are made different are prepared for this lottery data, and a staff member of a game parlor or the like can arbitrarily select and set any of the setting values.
[0594] Regarding the setting values, while the winning probabilities of the internal winning combinations are common for each setting value, the winning probability of the AT (the ease of transition to the AT) may be made different for settings 1 to 6. For example, in setting 1, the AT lottery probability when a certain internal winning combination is determined is set as probability A, while in setting 6, the AT lottery probability when a certain internal winning combination is determined is set as probability B higher than probability A.
[0595] In the example shown in Fig. 32(a), the range of lottery data (lottery value) is indicated by alphabet letters. In replays 4 to 7, (g) is shown for all of them, which represents that the lottery values are the same. For example, (g) = 3000 / 65535. For one-piece winning combinations 1 ...
Claims
[Claim 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 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 and the second member have different colors, 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, a diameter of the through hole is larger than a diameter of a portion of the protrusion located within the through hole, The deformed distal end portion is configured such that the distal end portion, the proximal end portion on the second member side, and a middle portion between the distal end portion and the proximal end portion are thicker than the proximal end portion, and the distal end portion is thicker than the middle portion, There is a gap between the deformation tip and the second member. A gaming machine characterized by:
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