gaming machines

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of preventing assembly. [Solution] The device comprises a sub-substrate case 442 that houses a sub-substrate 444, the sub-substrate case 442 being composed of a case main body 674 and a case lid 672, the sub-substrate 444 being provided with a development connector placement area 640 indicating the placement of the development connector, and the development connector placement area 640 has a plurality of pads formed of copper foil arranged in a row, the case lid 672 being provided with a protrusion 670 that protrudes towards the development connector placement area 640 at a position facing the development connector placement area 640 of the sub-substrate 444, and the protrusion 670 is formed so that the longitudinal dimension of the facing portion 688 facing the development connector placement area 640 is less than the dimension S1 from the 2-pin pad to the 16-pin pad among the plurality of pads.

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Gaming machines (slot machines) equipped with multiple reels with symbols arranged on their outer peripheries have been known for some time. These types of gaming machines assign a fixed gaming value to gaming media, such as medals or pachinko balls, and players play to acquire these gaming media. When a player inserts gaming media into a designated slot and bets a specified number of gaming media, the gaming machine becomes operational to start the game. When the player initiates a spin start operation, an internal lottery is conducted and the multiple reels begin to spin. When the player initiates a stop operation, the multiple reels are stopped in a manner corresponding to the results of the internal lottery. The outcome of the game is determined by the symbol combination displayed on the pay line when the multiple reels are stopped, and medals or other items are paid out according to the outcome of the game.

[0003] This type of gaming machine is equipped with a main board that controls the game and a sub-board that controls the presentation, and these boards are installed inside the housing while being housed in a board case (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-103947 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the development of gaming machines such as those described above, development boards and mass-production boards may be mixed during the development stage, and it is necessary to prevent incorrect assembly, in which development boards and mass-production board cases are mistakenly assembled.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide a gaming machine that can prevent over-assembly. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] (1) The present invention relates to a gaming machine comprising a circuit board and a circuit board case, wherein the circuit board has a predetermined area indicating the placement of electronic components that will not be mounted during mass production, and a plurality of pads formed of copper foil are arranged in a row in the predetermined area, and the circuit board case has a protruding portion that protrudes toward the predetermined area at a position facing the predetermined area, and the protruding portion is formed so that the longitudinal dimension of the facing portion facing the predetermined area is equal to or less than the dimension from one end pad to the other end pad of the plurality of pads.

[0008] In this invention, the board is provided with a predetermined area indicating the placement of electronic components that will not be mounted during mass production, and a protrusion that protrudes toward the predetermined area is provided in a position facing the predetermined area on the board case, so that when an attempt is made to assemble a development board with electronic components mounted thereon during mass production with the board case, the protrusion on the board case will interfere with the electronic components in the predetermined area, preventing them from being assembled. This makes it possible to prevent incorrect assembly of the board case and the development board.

[0009] In addition, in the present invention, a plurality of pads formed from copper foil are arranged in a row in a specified area, and the protrusion is formed so that the longitudinal dimension of the facing portion facing the specified area is less than the dimension from one end pad to the other end pad of the multiple pads, thereby preventing the protrusion of the board case from interfering with the periphery of the specified area of ​​the board.

[0010] (2) In the gaming machine of the present invention, when the board is stored in the board case, one longitudinal end of the facing portion may face the pad at one end, and the other longitudinal end of the facing portion may face the pad at the other end.

[0011] This prevents the protruding portion of the board case from interfering with the periphery of a predetermined area of ​​the board. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a gaming machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of a gaming machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view showing the back side of the front door in the gaming machine of the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a front view showing the outline of the external configuration of a gaming machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line YY shown in FIG. [Figure 6] 2 is a diagram illustrating a predetermined area in a main board case of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 7] 1 is an enlarged view (schematic view) of a main part for explaining a reel relay board unit in the gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 1 is a diagram illustrating a predetermined space in the gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 9] 3 is a diagram illustrating a predetermined area in a reel relay board case of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 10] 2 is a diagram illustrating a cooling fan installation section of a sub-board case in the gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 11] 1 is a rear view showing an outline of a storage box of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] 1 is a rear view showing an outline of a storage box of the gaming machine of the first embodiment of the present invention, with the back panel removed. [Figure 13] 1 is a rear view showing an outline of a storage box of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14]10 is a perspective view showing an outline of a sub-board unit of a gaming machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 15] 10 is a front view showing an outline of a sub-board unit of a gaming machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 16] 10 is a front view of a sub-board in a gaming machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and is a partially enlarged view (schematic view) illustrating a development connector arrangement region of the sub-board. FIG. [Figure 17] 10 is a perspective view of a case cover of a sub-board case in a gaming machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and is a partially enlarged view (schematic view) illustrating a protruding portion of the case cover. FIG. [Figure 18] 1 shows a sub-board case of a gaming machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention, where (A) is an oblique view of the board case and a partially enlarged view (schematic diagram) illustrating the protruding portion of the case cover, and (B) is a front view of the sub-board and a partially enlarged view (schematic diagram) illustrating the protruding portion of the case cover. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a side view of a sub-board case in a gaming machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and is a schematic diagram illustrating the protrusion of the case lid body. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a front view (schematic view) showing the internal configuration of a gaming machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 21] 10 is an enlarged view (schematic view) of a main part for explaining a common terminal board unit in a gaming machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is a front view (schematic view) showing the internal configuration of a gaming machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and is an explanatory view for explaining the positional relationship between a common terminal board unit and a through hole. [Figure 23] FIG. 11 is a front view (schematic view) showing the internal configuration of a gaming machine according to a modified example of the third embodiment of the present invention, and is an explanatory view for explaining the positional relationship between the common terminal board unit and the through-holes. [Figure 24] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a sub-board unit in a gaming machine according to a modified embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 25] 10 is a diagram illustrating a predetermined area in a main board case of a gaming machine according to a modified embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 26] 10 is an enlarged view (schematic view) of a main part for explaining a reel relay board unit in a gaming machine according to a modified example of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 27] 10 is a rear view showing an outline of a storage box of a gaming machine according to a modified embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 28] 10 is a diagram illustrating the positional relationship between the fixing points of the top plate and back plate with wood screws and the mounting holes of the top plate in a gaming machine according to a modified embodiment of the present invention. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. Note that the embodiments described below do not unduly limit the content of the present invention described in the claims. Furthermore, not all of the configurations described in the present embodiments are necessarily essential constituent elements of the present invention.

[0014] 1. First embodiment 1-1.Configuration FIG. 1 is an oblique view showing the external configuration of the gaming machine of this embodiment, FIG. 2 is an oblique view showing the internal configuration of the gaming machine of this embodiment, and FIG. 3 is an oblique view showing the back side of the front door of the gaming machine of this embodiment.

[0015] In the following explanation, "front and back" basically means that when a player is in front of the gaming machine, the player's side is "front" and the gaming machine's side is "rear," "up and down" means that the top side of the gaming machine is "up" and the bottom side is "down," and "left and right" means that the left-hand side of the player playing the gaming machine is "left" and the right-hand side is "right."

[0016] The gaming machine of this embodiment is a so-called slot machine or reel gaming machine, which is a type of gaming machine in which games are played using medals as gaming media (game value).

[0017] The gaming machine of this embodiment includes a box-shaped housing that includes a storage box BX (an example of a gaming machine body) with a front opening and a front door FD (an example of a front door) and houses a reel unit 310 consisting of a first reel R1 to a third reel R3 (multiple reels). Also housed below the reel unit 310 in the housing are a power supply unit 305 with a built-in power supply and various switches such as a power switch and a reset switch, and a hopper unit 320 as a medal dispenser. The housing of the gaming machine of this embodiment also houses a control board that includes a CPU (an example of a computing unit), ROM (an example of an information storage medium), RAM (an example of temporary storage unit), and the like, and controls the operation of the gaming machine. In this embodiment, multiple types of electronic circuit boards are provided, including a main board 414 that controls the progress of the game and a sub-board 444 that receives signals from the main board 414 and controls the execution of game effects according to the progress of the game. In addition, the housing of the gaming machine of this embodiment also includes a reel relay board that connects the main board 414, reel unit 310, and power supply unit 305, as well as a centralized terminal board (an example of a connection terminal board) that transmits signals to external devices (such as a data display device or hall computer).

[0018] A front door FD that opens and closes the front (an example of the front face) of the storage box BX is provided with a display window DW that allows the rotation and stopped states of the first to third reels R1 to R3 to be observed.

[0019] In the gaming machine of this embodiment, each reel is provided with an upper, middle, and lower display positions for observing the symbols through the display window DW, and an active line is set by the combination of the display positions of each reel. In the gaming machine of this embodiment, when the number of medals required for one game, that is, the so-called specified insertion number, is inserted (bet), an active line formed by the middle of each of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 is activated.

[0020] The game result is determined by the symbol combination displayed on the valid line in the display window DW, and if the symbol combination on the valid line corresponds to a predetermined winning combination, that winning combination is considered to have won and medals are paid out from the hopper unit 320.

[0021] The front door FD is also provided with a rotating light LP and a frame lamp AL for game effects. The rotating light LP rotates, lights up, and flashes to liven up the game, and the frame lamp AL lights up and flashes to liven up the game.

[0022] In addition, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, a plurality of speakers SP for producing game effects are provided on the front door FD. These speakers SP output various sounds to assist and liven up the game.

[0023] In addition, various operating means are provided in the center of the front door FD. The operating means include a bet button (insertion operating means, game operating means) B0 for inserting credited (internal reserve) medals, a start lever (game start operating means, game operating means) SL for rotating the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 to start a game, stop buttons (stop operating means, game operating means) B1 to B3 for stopping each of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 that are driven to rotate by a stepping motor, and a settlement button (predetermined operating means, settlement operating means, game operating means) B4 for settling the credited (internal reserve) medals.

[0024] The front door FD may be separated into multiple doors, such as an upper portion and a lower portion. The gaming machine of this embodiment may be a so-called separated cabinet type in which, when replacing the model in the gaming parlor, the upper portion of the front door FD and the reel unit 310 can be replaced while the storage box BX, the lower portion of the front door FD, the power supply unit 305, the hopper unit 320, etc. remain attached to the island equipment of the gaming parlor.

[0025] In the gaming machine of this embodiment, when a player inserts a medal into the medal slot MI or presses the bet button B0, the machine is set to a ready state in which it is possible to start spinning control of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3, and pressing the start lever is permitted (enabled). Then, when the player presses the start lever SL, the control board starts spinning the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 by driving a stepping motor, and an internal lottery is performed using a random number value. On the condition that the spinning speed of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 has increased to a predetermined speed, pressing the stop buttons B1 to B3 is permitted (enabled).

[0026] Thereafter, when the player presses the stop buttons B1 to B3 at any timing, the stop switch (stop signal output means: for example, a photosensor, a conductivity sensor, a pressure sensor, etc.) built into each of the stop buttons B1 to B3 turns on, changing the reel stop signal input to the control board from the off state to the on state.

[0027] Furthermore, when the player releases any of the pressed stop buttons B1 to B3 at any time, the stop switches corresponding to the respective stop buttons B1 to B3 turn off, changing the reel stop signal input to the control board from on to off.

[0028] The control board then stops the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 at a stop position according to the result of the internal lottery based on the change from OFF to ON of the reel stop signal, whose signal state changes depending on the timing of pressing and releasing the stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0029] A medal payout opening and a medal tray MP are provided at the bottom of the front door FD, and medals are paid out from the medal payout opening to the medal tray MP in a number according to the game results.

[0030] In addition, the gaming machine of this embodiment is provided with a door sensor (detection means) that detects the open / closed state of the front door FD, and is configured to be able to detect the open / closed state of the front door FD based on an input signal (detection signal) input from the door sensor to the control board (main board 414).

[0031] 1 and 2, the storage box BX is made of wood or the like and includes a top panel 400, a back panel 402, a bottom panel 404, and left and right side panels 406, 408. The material of the storage box BX is not limited to wood, but may be synthetic resin, metal, or the like. The material of the storage box BX is not limited to one type; for example, a portion (the top panel 400) may be made of wood, and the rest (the back panel 402, bottom panel 404, and left and right side panels 406, 408) may be made of resin. The top panel 400 may have a structure in which two sheets of resin (outer panel) and one sheet of metal (inner panel) are stacked on top of each other.

[0032] The top plate 400 of the storage box BX is provided with a plurality of mounting holes 420. The mounting holes 420 are holes (island fixing holes) used when mounting the gaming machine to island equipment in an amusement facility, and are through holes.

[0033] With the front door FD open, an operator screws (e.g., wood screws) as fixing members (fastening members) into the mounting holes 420 from the inside of the storage box BX (cabinet) from bottom to top, and then further screws into the mating member (the member on the island side) to secure the gaming machine to the island equipment. This positions the screw head inside the storage box BX (cabinet). The mounting holes 420 are formed to allow the screws to be threaded therein, and the diameter of the mounting holes 420 is smaller than, for example, the diameter of the portion of the screw where the threads are formed (the threaded portion) (the outer diameter of the threaded portion). While the mounting holes 420 are circular in shape (round holes) in this embodiment, they may be oval, elongated, or any other shape that allows the screws to be threaded therein. The mounting holes 420 are not limited to through holes, and may be blind holes, for example, recesses having a certain depth provided on the inner surface of the top plate 400. Furthermore, the fixing members are not limited to screws, and other fixing members such as nails may also be used.

[0034] In this embodiment, the mounting holes 420 are provided on the left and right sides of the top plate 400 in a line at predetermined intervals along the front-to-rear direction (depth direction). Specifically, three mounting holes 420 are provided on the left side and three on the right side, for a total of six mounting holes 420. It is not necessary for all six mounting holes 420 to be used for mounting (fixing) the gaming machine. That is, it is sufficient for at least one mounting hole 420 to be provided on each of the left and right sides of the top plate 400. However, when six mounting holes 420 are provided as in this embodiment, the worker can appropriately select which mounting holes 420 to use. That is, the worker can select any one of the three mounting holes 420 on the left side and any one of the three mounting holes 420 on the right side. By providing multiple mounting holes 420 in this manner, the position of the mounting hole 420 to be used can be changed in the front-to-rear direction when screwing is difficult due to deterioration of the mounting member, for example. The mounting holes 420 can be considered as temporary holes provided for screwing in fixing members (screws), and serve as a guide when screwing in fixing members (screws).

[0035] In this embodiment, a main board unit 410 (first board unit, an example of a board unit) is provided on the upper side inside the storage box BX. The main board unit 410 includes a base member 720 (see FIG. 5), a main board 414 (first board, an example of a board), and a main board case 412 (first board case, an example of a board case) that covers (stores) the main board 414, and is attached to the back panel 402 of the storage box BX via the base member 720.

[0036] The main board 414 is equipped with multiple electronic components (CPU, ROM, RAM, etc.), and receives input signals from input means such as the bet button B0, start lever SL, stop buttons B1 to B3, settlement button B4, setting change switch, setting change button, and door sensor, performs various calculations to execute the game, and controls the operation of output means such as the reel unit 310 and hopper unit 320 based on the calculation results.

[0037] The main board 414 is also provided with a plurality of connectors 430. One end of a harness or cable (harness side connector, cable side connector) is connected to the connectors 430, and the harness or cable connects the connectors to other boards such as the sub-board 444 or the reel relay board.

[0038] Furthermore, main board case 412 is formed from a transparent resin or the like, and protects main board 414. Main board case 412 is also provided with connector opening 416 (an example of a first opening) that exposes connector 430 of main board 414.

[0039] Furthermore, the main board case 412 is provided with a predetermined sealing portion, and can be opened by removing the seal of the sealing portion.

[0040] In this embodiment, the main board case 412 is rotatable (openable and closable) in the left and right directions, with a vertically extending shaft (rotation shaft) provided on the left side as a fulcrum.

[0041] Here, the position where main board case 412 and base member 720 are close to each other (the back surface of main board 414 faces the plate surface of base member 720), and the front surface (mounting surface side) of main board 414 is visible but the back surface of main board 414 is not, is defined as the first position (initial position, front surface visible position). In the first position, the angle formed between main board case 412 (main board 414) and base member 720 is, for example, 0°, and the front surface of main board 414 faces forward and the back surface of main board 414 faces backward. In addition, in the first position, rotation of main board case 412 can be restricted by a predetermined rotation restriction portion.

[0042] Furthermore, the position where main substrate case 412 rotates about the left side as an axis and moves away from base member 720, the back surface of main substrate 414 faces right, and the back surface side of main substrate 414 becomes visible is defined as the second position (back surface visible position). In the second position, the angle between main substrate case 412 (main substrate 414) and base member 720 is, for example, 90°, and the back surface of main substrate 414 faces right (right side). Note that the second position is preferably a position where main substrate case 412 is rotated 70° to 90°, and more preferably a position where it is rotated 90°. Furthermore, the second position includes a position where the amount of rotation (amount of rotation) relative to the first position is maximum.

[0043] As described above, in this embodiment, main board case 412 is supported by base member 720 so as to be rotatable between a first position where the front surface of main board 414 is visible, and a second position where the back surface of main board 414 is visible. This makes it easy to inspect the back side (back surface) of main board 414 for any unauthorized modifications, improving work efficiency.

[0044] The main board 414 is also provided with a setting change switch (an example of an operating means) for switching between setting change mode and game mode, and a setting change button (an example of an operating means) for changing the setting value among multiple setting values ​​(e.g., six levels) with different degrees of advantage (ball payout rates). In this embodiment, the game machine is activated in either game mode or setting change mode depending on the state of the setting change switch when the power is turned on. If the setting change switch is in the ON position when the power is turned on, the game machine is activated in setting change mode, and the setting value can be changed by operating the setting change button. In this embodiment, the setting change switch is a device (setting change key switch) into which a setting change key is inserted. When the setting change key is inserted into the setting change switch and turned to the ON position to activate the setting change switch, the game machine is activated in setting change mode. Note that the operating means mounted on the "board" housed in the board case rotatable between the first and second positions of the present invention include not only the setting change button but also the setting change switch (setting change key switch).

[0045] In addition, the main board case 412 has an opening that exposes the setting change switch and setting change button, so that the setting change switch and setting change button can be operated from the outside even when the main board case 412 is closed and sealed.

[0046] In this embodiment, a common terminal board unit (not shown) is provided on the upper side inside the storage box BX. The common terminal board unit (an example of a connection terminal board unit) includes a common terminal board (an example of a connection terminal board) and a common terminal board case (an example of a connection terminal board case) that covers (stores) the common terminal board, and is attached to the side plate 406 on the right side of the storage box BX.

[0047] The centralized terminal board receives signals from the main board 414 and controls the transmission of signals (for example, signals notifying the number of medals inserted or paid out, signals notifying the occurrence of gaming events such as a bonus win or an AT win, signals notifying the occurrence of an error, etc.) to external devices (such as a data display device or hall computer). The centralized terminal board and main board 414 are connected in a communication manner such that only one-way communication from the main board 414 to the centralized terminal board is possible, and signals cannot be sent from the centralized terminal board to the main board 414. The centralized terminal board and external devices are connected in a communication manner such that only one-way communication from the centralized terminal board to the external device is possible, and signals cannot be sent from the external device to the centralized terminal board.

[0048] The centralized terminal board is also provided with a plurality of connectors. One end of a harness or cable (harness side connector, cable side connector) is connected to the connector, and the connector is connected to the main board 414 or an external device by the harness or cable (via the harness or cable). Note that the connection to the external device is made in the game arcade. In addition, a through-hole (not shown) is formed near the centralized terminal board unit on the right side panel 406 of the storage box BX, through which a cable (external device connection cable) used to connect to the external device can be inserted.

[0049] The common terminal board case is made of a transparent resin or the like to protect the common terminal board. The common terminal board is provided with a connector opening for exposing the connector of the common terminal board.

[0050] In this embodiment, a sub-board unit 440 (an example of a second board unit) is provided on the upper side of the rear side (back side) of the front door FD, as shown in Fig. 3. The sub-board unit 440 includes a sub-board 444 (an example of a board) and a sub-board case 442 (an example of a board case) that covers (stores) the sub-board 444.

[0051] The sub-board 444 is equipped with a plurality of electronic components (CPU, ROM, RAM, etc.), and receives signals sent from the main board 414, performs various calculations to execute effects that match the progress of the game, and controls the operation of output means of the effect devices (revolving light LP, base frame lamp AL, speaker SP, etc.) based on the calculation results. Note that the effect devices may also be provided with a liquid crystal display that displays images (still images, video), or a movable accessory that can be operated by an actuator, etc.

[0052] The sub-board 444 is also provided with a plurality of connectors 450. One end of a harness or cable (harness side connector, cable side connector) is connected to the connector 450, and the connector 450 is connected to another board such as the main board 414 via the harness or cable.

[0053] Sub-substrate case 442 is formed from a transparent resin or the like, and protects sub-substrate 444. Sub-substrate case 442 is also provided with a connector opening (an example of a second opening) that exposes connector 450 of the sub-substrate.

[0054] 3, the sub-board unit 440 is equipped with a cooling fan 460. The cooling fan 460 is covered (housed) in the sub-board case 442, and an exhaust port 470 is formed in the sub-board case 442 at the installation position of the cooling fan 460, and air is exhausted from the exhaust port 470 to the outside of the sub-board case 442 by operation of the cooling fan 460. This cools the CPU and other components of the internal sub-board 444. In this way, in this embodiment, the sub-board unit 440 has the cooling fan 460 and its exhaust port 470.

[0055] 1-2. Positional relationship between the exhaust port 470 (cooling fan 460) of the sub-board unit 440 and the main board unit 410

[0056] 4 to 6, the positional relationship between the exhaust port 470 (cooling fan 460) of the sub-board unit 440 and the main board unit 410 will be described. Fig. 4 is a front view showing a schematic external configuration of the gaming machine of this embodiment, Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line YY shown in Fig. 4, and Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating a predetermined area 480 in the main board case 412 of the gaming machine of this embodiment.

[0057] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 5, the main board unit 410 and the sub-board unit 440 are arranged to face each other when the front door FD is closed, and in particular, the main board unit 410 is arranged to face the exhaust port 470 of the cooling fan 460 of the sub-board unit 440. Therefore, air is discharged from the exhaust port 470 of the sub-board unit 440 toward the main board unit 410 by operation of the cooling fan 460.

[0058] 6, a connector opening 416 is not arranged in a predetermined area 480, which is an area facing the exhaust port 470 (cooling fan 460) in the main board case 412 of the main board unit 410. That is, in this embodiment, the main board unit 410 is present in a position facing the exhaust port 470 (cooling fan 460) of the sub-board unit 440, but the connector opening 416 of the main board case 412 is arranged in a position different from the predetermined area 480 of the main board case 412. As a result, in this embodiment, the positional relationship between the exhaust port 470 (cooling fan 460) of the sub-board unit 440 and the main board unit 410 is such that the main board unit 410 is present in a position facing the exhaust port 470 (cooling fan 460), but the connector opening 416 of the main board case 412 is not present.

[0059] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, when the front door FD is closed, the cooling fan 460 (exhaust port 470) is not disposed vertically below the mounting holes 420 of the top panel 400. Here, dashed lines a, b, and c in FIG. 5 are dashed lines drawn vertically (vertically downward and directly downward) from the (three) mounting holes 420, respectively. In this embodiment, the cooling fan 460 (exhaust port 470) is not disposed vertically below the mounting hole 420 provided at the front-to-rear position (vertically below any of the mounting holes 420). That is, in this embodiment, the cooling fan 460 (exhaust port 470) is disposed at a position that is not vertically below the mounting holes 420. As a result, in this embodiment, the positional relationship between the mounting holes 420 and the cooling fan 460 (exhaust port 470) is such that the cooling fan 460 (exhaust port 470) is not disposed vertically below the mounting holes 420.

[0060] In this embodiment, the sub-board unit 440 is provided so as to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the vertical direction, as shown in Fig. 5. Specifically, the sub-board unit 440 is provided so that its lower end is positioned further forward than its upper end. That is, in this embodiment, the sub-board unit 440 is provided so that the exhaust port 470 faces diagonally downward.

[0061] In this embodiment, the area (predetermined area 480) facing the exhaust port 470 (cooling fan 460) in the main board case 412 and the position facing the exhaust port 470 (cooling fan 460) in the sub-board unit 440 refer to the area (predetermined area 480) or position facing the exhaust port 470 (cooling fan 460) in the horizontal direction.

[0062] Next, the positional relationship between the exhaust port 470 (cooling fan 460) of the sub-board unit 440 and the reel relay board unit 490 will be described with reference to Figures 7 to 9. Figure 7 is an enlarged view (schematic view) of a main part for explaining the reel relay board unit 490 in the gaming machine of this embodiment, Figure 8 is a view for explaining a predetermined space 500 in the gaming machine of this embodiment, and Figure 9 is a view for explaining a predetermined area 510 in the reel relay board case 492 of the gaming machine of this embodiment.

[0063] 5 and 7, a reel relay board unit 490 (an example of a third board unit) is provided on the top surface of the reel unit 310. The reel relay board unit 490 includes a reel relay board (an example of a third board) and a reel relay board case 492 (a reel relay board cover, an example of a third board case) that covers the reel relay board, and is attached to the reel unit 310.

[0064] The reel relay board is also provided with a plurality of connectors, to which one end of a harness or cable (harness side connector, cable side connector) is connected, and the connectors are connected to the main board 414, the reel unit 310, the power supply unit 305, etc. via the harness or cable.

[0065] The reel relay board case 492 is made of a transparent resin or the like to protect the reel relay board. The reel relay board case 492 is also provided with a connector opening 496 (an example of a third opening) that exposes the connector of the reel relay board.

[0066] In this embodiment, the reel relay board unit 490 is arranged vertically below a specified space 500, which is the space from the exhaust port 470 (cooling fan 460) of the sub-board unit 440 to a specified area 480 of the main board case 412, as shown in Figure 8.

[0067] 9, the connector opening 496 is not arranged in a predetermined area 510, which is an area in the reel relay board case 492 vertically below the predetermined space 500. That is, in this embodiment, the reel relay board unit 490 exists in a position vertically below the predetermined space 500, but the connector opening 496 of the reel relay board case 492 is arranged in a position different from the predetermined area 510 of the reel relay board case 492. As a result, in this embodiment, the positional relationship between the exhaust port 470 (cooling fan 460) of the sub-board unit 440 and the reel relay board unit 490 is such that the reel relay board unit 490 exists in a position vertically below the predetermined space 500, but the connector opening 496 of the reel relay board case 492 does not exist.

[0068] In this embodiment, the main board unit 410 and the sub-board unit 440 are arranged so as to face each other when the front door FD is closed, as shown in Figure 5, and a connector opening 416 is not arranged in a specified area 480 facing the exhaust port 470 (cooling fan 460) in the main board case 412 of the main board unit 410, as shown in Figure 6.This prevents as much as possible of debris such as dust and dirt discharged from the cooling fan 460 from entering the main board case 412, and prevents as much as possible of malfunctions caused by debris adhering to the electronic components and connector 430 of the main board 414.

[0069] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, when the front door FD is closed, the cooling fan 460 (exhaust port 470) is not positioned vertically below the mounting hole 420 in the top plate 400. Therefore, even if dust is generated when a fixing member (e.g., a screw) is screwed into the mounting hole 420 for mounting to the island equipment, it is possible to prevent as much dust as possible from entering the cooling fan 460, and to prevent as much as possible malfunctions due to dust adhering inside the cooling fan 460.

[0070] In addition, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the sub-board unit 440 is installed so that the exhaust port 470 faces diagonally downward. Therefore, even if dust is generated when a fixing member (e.g., a screw) is screwed into the mounting hole 420 for mounting to the island equipment, the dust can be prevented from entering the cooling fan 460 as much as possible, and malfunctions caused by dust adhering inside the cooling fan 460 can be prevented as much as possible.

[0071] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the reel relay board unit 490 is disposed vertically below a predetermined space 500 from the exhaust port 470 (cooling fan 460) of the sub-board unit 440 to a predetermined area 480 of the main board case 412, and as shown in FIG. 9, a connector opening 496 is not disposed in a predetermined area 510 in the reel relay board case 492 vertically below the predetermined space 500. This makes it possible to prevent as much as possible the intrusion of debris such as dust and dirt discharged from the cooling fan 460 into the reel relay board unit 490, and to prevent as much as possible malfunctions caused by debris adhering to connectors, etc. of the reel relay board.

[0072] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the cooling fan installation section 540 of the sub-board case 442 in the gaming machine of this embodiment.

[0073] 10(A) and 10(B), a cooling fan installation section 540 for installing (storing) the cooling fan 460 is provided on the surface of the sub-substrate case 442. The cooling fan installation section 540 is formed to protrude outward, has approximately the same dimensions as the cooling fan 460, and is capable of storing the cooling fan 460. An exhaust port 470 is also formed on the surface (bottom) of the cooling fan installation section 540.

[0074] Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 10(A) and 10(B), two screw receiving portions 542 with screw holes are provided on the surface (bottom surface) of the cooling fan installation portion 540.

[0075] In this embodiment, when installing cooling fan 460, cooling fan 460 is placed in cooling fan installation section 540 from inside sub-substrate case 442, and screws are screwed into screw holes provided in cooling fan 460 from inside sub-substrate case 442, and further screwed into screw receiving section 542 to fix it to sub-substrate case 442. In this way, the heads of the screws are positioned inside sub-substrate case 442.

[0076] In this manner, in this embodiment, cooling fan 460 is attached from the inside of sub-substrate case 442, which makes it easier to assemble cooling fan 460. Also, in this embodiment, the heads of the screws used to secure cooling fan 460 are located inside sub-substrate case 442, which makes it possible to prevent cooling fan 460 from being accidentally removed.

[0077] 1-3. Storage box BX assembly structure

[0078] The assembly structure of the storage box BX will be described below with reference to Figures 11 to 13. Figure 11 is a rear view showing an outline of the storage box BX of the gaming machine of this embodiment, Figure 12 is a rear view showing an outline of the storage box BX of the gaming machine of this embodiment excluding the back panel 402, and Figure 13 is a rear view showing an outline of the storage box BX of the gaming machine of this embodiment.

[0079] 11, the storage box BX (housing) is made of wood and includes a top panel 400, a back panel 402, a bottom panel 404, and left and right side panels 406, 408. The back panel 402 is thinner than the top panel 400, the bottom panel 404, and the left and right side panels 406, 408.

[0080] In the following description, the underside of the top panel 400, the front side of the back panel 402, the top side of the bottom panel 404, the right side of the left side panel 408, and the left side of the right side panel 406, i.e., the panel surfaces of the top panel 400, the back panel 402, the bottom panel 404, and the left and right side panels 406, 408 that face the inside of the housing, are referred to as the inner surfaces. Furthermore, the top surface of the top panel 400, the rear side of the back panel 402, the bottom surface of the bottom panel 404, the left side of the left side panel 408, and the right side of the right side panel 406, i.e., the panel surfaces of the top panel 400, the back panel 402, the bottom panel 404, and the left and right side panels 406, 408 that face the outside of the housing, are referred to as the outer surfaces.

[0081] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 12, back plate receiving portions 600, 602, 604 for installing and fixing back plate 402 are formed on the inner surface of the rear end portion of bottom plate 404 and left and right side plates 406, 408. Back plate receiving portion 600 of left side plate 408 and back plate receiving portion 602 of right side plate 406 have L-shaped cutouts in cross section taken along line AA in Fig. 12, and back plate receiving portion 604 of bottom plate 404 has L-shaped cutouts in cross section taken along line BB in Fig. 12.

[0082] Furthermore, near approximately the center of the rear end of the table top 400, a left back panel receiving portion 606 and a right back panel receiving portion 608 are formed for installing and fixing the back panel 402, as shown in Fig. 12. The left back panel receiving portion 606 has an L-shaped cutout in cross section taken along line CC in Fig. 12, and the right back panel receiving portion 608 has an L-shaped cutout in cross section taken along line BB in Fig. 12. Furthermore, a screw hole is formed in approximately the center of each of the left back panel receiving portion 606 and the right back panel receiving portion 608.

[0083] 11, a left fixing portion 610 and a right fixing portion 612 for fixing to the top plate 400 are formed near the approximate center of the upper part of the back plate 402. The left fixing portion 610 and the right fixing portion 612 are formed as protruding pieces that protrude upward from the upper part of the back plate 402. A screw hole is formed approximately in the center of each of the left fixing portion 610 and the right fixing portion 612.

[0084] In this embodiment, the top panel 400, bottom panel 404, and left and right side panels 406, 408 are assembled and fixed, and then the back panel 402 is fixed to this frame body. Specifically, the back panel 402 is installed in the frame body by aligning the left end of the back panel 402 with the back panel receiving portion 600 of the left side panel 408 that constitutes the frame body, aligning the right end of the back panel 402 with the back panel receiving portion 602 of the right side panel 406 that constitutes the frame body, and aligning the lower end of the back panel 402 with the back panel receiving portion 604 of the bottom panel 404 that constitutes the frame body. Then, the left fixing portion 610 of the back panel 402 overlaps with the left back panel receiving portion 606 of the top panel 400, and the right fixing portion 612 of the back panel 402 overlaps with the right back panel receiving portion 608 of the top panel 400.

[0085] In this embodiment, the left side panel 408 and back panel 402, the right side panel 406 and back panel 402, and the bottom panel 404 and back panel 402 are fixed together with tucker needles 620 (an example of a first fixing means, a first fixing member, a first fixing tool, or a first fastener). Specifically, the tucker needles 620 are driven from the outer surface of the back panel 402 toward the inner surface to fix it. As shown in FIG. 11 , the tucker needles 620 are driven and fixed along the edge of the left end of the back panel 402, thereby fixing the back panel 402 to the back panel receiving portion 600 of the left side panel 408, thereby fixing the left side panel 408 and back panel 402 together. In this embodiment, the left end of the back panel 402 is fixed with the tucker needles 620 at multiple locations (e.g., six locations) at regular intervals. Note that the number of locations where the tucker needles 620 are used for fixing is not limited to six, and may be more or less than six.

[0086] 11, tacker needles 620 are driven in along the right edge of the back panel 402 to secure the back panel 402 to the back panel receiving portion 602 of the right side panel 406, thereby securing the right side panel 406 and the back panel 402. In this embodiment, the back panel 402 is secured at multiple locations (for example, six locations) at regular intervals on the right edge with tacker needles 620. Note that the number of locations where the tacker needles 620 are used for securing is not limited to six, and may be more or less than six.

[0087] 11, back plate 402 is fixed to back plate receiving portion 604 of bottom plate 404 by driving tacker needles 620 along the edge of the lower end of back plate 402, thereby fixing bottom plate 404 and back plate 402. In this embodiment, back plate 402 is fixed at the lower end with tacker needles 620 at multiple locations (for example, four locations) spaced at regular intervals. Note that the number of locations where tacker needles 620 are used for fixing is not limited to four, and may be more or less than four.

[0088] In this embodiment, the top panel 400 and the back panel 402 are fixed together with wood screws 622 (an example of second fixing means, second fixing member, second fixing tool, or second fastener). Specifically, the wood screws 622 are screwed from the outer surface of the back panel 402 toward the inner surface thereof to fix them together. As shown in FIG. 11 , when the wood screw 622 is screwed into the screw hole of the left fixing portion 610 of the back panel 402, the wood screw 622 is screwed into the screw hole of the left back panel receiving portion 606 of the top panel 400, and when the wood screw 622 is screwed into the screw hole of the right fixing portion 612 of the back panel 402, the wood screw 622 is screwed into the screw hole of the right back panel receiving portion 608 of the top panel 400. In this way, the back panel 402 is fixed to the left back panel receiving portion 606 of the top panel 400 by screwing a wood screw 622 into the screw hole of the left fixing portion 610 of the back panel 402, and the back panel 402 is fixed to the right back panel receiving portion 608 of the top panel 400 by screwing a wood screw 622 into the screw hole of the right fixing portion 612 of the back panel 402, thereby fixing the back panel 402 to the back panel 402. In this embodiment, the back panel 402 is fixed at multiple locations (for example, two locations) at the top end with the wood screws 622. Note that the number of locations where the wood screws 622 are used for fixing is not limited to two (the left fixing portion 610 and the right fixing portion 612), and may be more or less than two.

[0089] Furthermore, in this embodiment, tucker needles 620 are cheaper in cost than wood screws 622, wood screws 622 have stronger fixing force (strength) than tucker needles 620, and are easier to remove with a screwdriver (an example of a predetermined tool) than tucker needles 620. Furthermore, wood screws 622 are easier to remove without damaging the area around the fixing point on the outer surface side of back panel 402 than tucker needles 620. Furthermore, tucker needles 620 can be fixed more quickly than wood screws 622, and once removed, are more difficult to reuse than wood screws 622.

[0090] In this manner, in this embodiment, tacker pins 620 are used but wood screws 622 are not used to fasten the left side panel 408 to the back panel 402, the right side panel 406 to the back panel 402, and the bottom panel 404 to the back panel 402, and wood screws 622 are used but tacker pins 620 are not used to fasten the top panel 400 to the back panel 402. Furthermore, fewer wood screws 622 are used than tacker pins 620 in these fastenings.

[0091] 11, in the present embodiment, four heat dissipation holes, namely, first heat dissipation hole 624 (an example of a heat dissipation hole), second heat dissipation hole 626 (an example of a heat dissipation hole), third heat dissipation hole 628 (an example of a heat dissipation hole), and fourth heat dissipation hole 630 (an example of a heat dissipation hole), are formed side by side at regular intervals near the upper portion of back panel 402. These heat dissipation holes are intended to dissipate (escape) heat generated inside main board unit 410 to the outside, and are formed as elongated openings in the left-right direction. Note that the shape of the heat dissipation holes is not limited to this and can be any shape. Furthermore, the number of heat dissipation holes is not limited to four and may be less than four or five or more.

[0092] In this embodiment, these four heat dissipation holes are formed in positions that avoid being located vertically below the fixing points of wood screws 622. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 11, right fixing part 612 is formed above the gap between first heat dissipation hole 624 and second heat dissipation hole 626, and left fixing part 610 is formed above the gap between third heat dissipation hole 628 and fourth heat dissipation hole 630. This ensures that no heat dissipation holes are located vertically below the fixing points of wood screws 622.

[0093] In addition, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, the main board unit 410 is arranged (fixed) at the upper part of the inner surface side of the back plate 402, and the four heat dissipation holes, the first heat dissipation hole 624 to the fourth heat dissipation hole 630, are formed in the area where the main board unit 410 is arranged, as shown in Figure 13.

[0094] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, the shortest linear distance S1 from the wood screw 622 to the main board unit 410 is shorter than the shortest linear distance S2 from the tacker pin 620 to the main board unit 410.

[0095] In this embodiment, the left side panel 408 and the top panel 400, and the right side panel 406 and the top panel 400 are fixed with wood screws. Specifically, as shown by arrow A in FIG. 13, wood screws are screwed from the outer surface of the top panel 400 toward the inner surface to fix them. The wood screws used to fix the top panel 400 and the left and right side panels 406, 408 have a larger diameter (stronger fixing force) than the wood screws 622 used to fix the top panel 400 and the back panel 402. As described above, when fixing the gaming machine to the island equipment, screws serving as fixing members (fastening members) are screwed from the inner surface of the top panel 400 toward the outer surface to fix it to the island equipment, as shown by arrow B in FIG. 13.

[0096] Wood screws are also used to fasten the left side plate 408 to the bottom plate 404 and the right side plate 406 to the bottom plate 404. The wood screws used to fasten the bottom plate 404 to the left and right side plates 406, 408 have a larger diameter (stronger fixing force) than the wood screws 622 used to fasten the top plate 400 to the back plate 402.

[0097] 11 , the left side panel 408 and back panel 402, the right side panel 406 and back panel 402, and the bottom panel 404 and back panel 402 are fastened together with tucker pins 620. Tucker pins 620 are cheaper than wood screws 622, so costs can be reduced compared to using wood screws 622 for fastening these components. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the top panel 400 and back panel 402 are fastened together with wood screws 622, which have a stronger fastening force than tucker pins 620, so the strength of the top panel 400 can be ensured. In particular, this embodiment can ensure strength sufficient to withstand the load on the top panel 400 generated when installing gaming machines in the arcade's island equipment. This allows costs to be reduced while still ensuring strength.

[0098] In addition, in this embodiment, the left side panel 408 and back panel 402, the right side panel 406 and back panel 402, and the bottom panel 404 and back panel 402 are fixed with tacker needles 620, so the left side panel 408, the right side panel 406, and the bottom panel 404 can be reused.

[0099] In addition, in this embodiment, the top panel 400 and the back panel 402 are fixed with wood screws 622, which are easier to remove than tacker needles 620, making it easier to remove the top panel 400 that is not intended to be reused compared to when tacker needles 620 are used to fix the top panel 400 and the back panel 402.

[0100] In addition, in this embodiment, a main board unit 410 having a main board 414 provided with a setting change switch and a setting change button, and a main board case 412 that can rotate between a first position and a second position, is fixed to the upper part of the inner surface of the back panel 402, and the top panel 400 and the back panel 402 are fixed with wood screws 622 that have a stronger fixing force than tacker needles 620.Therefore, it is possible to ensure strength sufficient to withstand the load on the back panel 402 generated by inspection work to inspect the back side of the main board 414 (such as work to release the rotation restriction on the main board case 412 in the first position or work to return the main board case 412 from the second position to the first position) and by operating the setting change switch or setting change button.

[0101] In addition, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 13, the shortest straight-line distance S1 from the wood screw 622 to the main board unit 410 is shorter than the shortest straight-line distance S2 from the tacker needle 620 to the main board unit 410.Therefore, when an external force is applied to the main board unit 410 toward the back panel 402, the presence of the wood screw 622, which has a strong fixing force, can suitably maintain the connection between the back panel 402 and the other panels (top panel 400, left and right side panels 406, 408, bottom panel 404) fixed to the back panel 402.

[0102] In addition, in this embodiment, fewer wood screws 622, which have a higher unit price than tucker needles 620, are used to fasten the left side panel 408 and back panel 402, the right side panel 406 and back panel 402, the bottom panel 404 and back panel 402, and the top panel 400 and back panel 402, than tucker needles 620, thereby reducing costs.

[0103] In addition, in this embodiment, the work of driving tacker needles 620 to secure the left side panel 408 to the back panel 402, the right side panel 406 to the back panel 402, and the bottom panel 404 to the back panel 402, and the work of screwing wood screws 622 to secure the top panel 400 to the back panel 402 are performed on the outer surface of the back panel 402, thereby improving the work efficiency of the assembling work of the storage box BX.

[0104] In addition, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 11, four heat dissipation holes, first heat dissipation hole 624 to fourth heat dissipation hole 630, are positioned to avoid being vertically below the fixing point using wood screw 622, thereby ensuring the strength of back panel 402.

[0105] In this embodiment, the left side panel 408 and top panel 400, the left side panel 408 and bottom panel 404, the right side panel 406 and top panel 400, and the right side panel 406 and bottom panel 404 may be fixed with tacker needles 620, or may be fixed with fixing means other than tacker needles 620 and wood screws 622.

[0106] In this embodiment, the top plate 400, back plate 402, bottom plate 404, and left and right side plates 406, 408 may be assembled and fixed using adhesive tape or glue in addition to fixing means such as tacker needles 620 and wood screws 622.

[0107] The configuration and structure of this embodiment can be adopted in appropriate combination with other embodiments and modifications.

[0108] 2. Second embodiment In this embodiment, detailed description of the configuration and control method common to the first embodiment will be omitted, and only the main differences will be described. In this embodiment, the structure of the sub-board unit 440 differs from that of the first embodiment, and the sub-board unit 440 of this embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 14 to 19. Figure 14 is a perspective view showing an outline of the sub-board unit 440 of the gaming machine of this embodiment, Figure 15 is a front view showing an outline of the sub-board unit 440 of the gaming machine of this embodiment, Figure 16 is a front view of the sub-board 444 in the gaming machine of this embodiment, and is a partially enlarged view (schematic view) illustrating the development connector arrangement region 640 of the sub-board 444, and Figure 17 is a perspective view of the case cover 672 of the sub-board case 442 in the gaming machine of this embodiment, and is a partially enlarged view (schematic view) illustrating the protrusion 670 of the case cover 672. 18(A) is a perspective view of the sub-board case 442 in the gaming machine of this embodiment and is a partially enlarged view (schematic view) illustrating the protrusion 670 of the case lid body 672, Fig. 18(B) is a front view of the sub-board 444 in the gaming machine of this embodiment and is a partially enlarged view (schematic view) illustrating the protrusion 670 of the case lid body 672, and Fig. 19 is a side view of the sub-board case 442 in the gaming machine of this embodiment and is a schematic view illustrating the protrusion 670 of the case lid body 672. Note that in Figs. 14 to 16 and Figs. 18 to 19, electronic components such as the CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. on the sub-board 444 are omitted from illustration.

[0109] 14, sub-substrate case 442 of the present embodiment is made up of case main body 674 and case lid body 672, and case main body 674 and case lid body 672 are combined to form box-shaped sub-substrate case 442. Sub-substrate 444 is stored inside sub-substrate case 442 with case lid body 672 facing the front surface of sub-substrate 444 and case main body 674 facing the back surface of sub-substrate 444.

[0110] Further, sub-board 444 of this embodiment is provided with an unmounted component placement area (an example of a predetermined area) that indicates the placement of components that are not mounted during mass production (components not mounted during mass production).

[0111] Components that are not installed during mass production include development components (e.g., development connectors, development ICs, development passive elements, etc.) that are used only during development and are not installed during mass production, function expansion components (e.g., function expansion connectors, function expansion ICs, function expansion passive elements, etc.) that are installed when it is decided to add functions (specifications) to later models but are not installed during mass production (current models), and test components (e.g., test connectors, test ICs, test passive elements, etc.) that are used in predetermined tests conducted before offering gaming machines to the market but are not installed during mass production. Note that mass production refers to the production of large quantities of products to be offered to the market. In other words, gaming machines distributed on the market generally do not have components (components that are not installed during mass production) installed in the mass production component placement area.

[0112] In this embodiment, the unmounted-component placement area is defined as a range including the mounting area occupied by the unmounted-component during mass production when the unmounted-component during mass production is placed in a predetermined position and the area occupied by the display related to the unmounted-component during mass production. Here, the mounting area includes the area occupied by the mounting portion (land, through-hole, pad, etc.) for attaching (soldering) the unmounted-component during mass production. Note that multiple unmounted-component placement areas may be provided, or multiple unmounted-components during mass production may be mountable in one unmounted-component placement area.

[0113] In this embodiment, a development connector placement area 640 is provided as the non-mounted component placement area, indicating the placement of development connectors (an example of electronic components not mounted during mass production), which are components not mounted during mass production (components for development). As shown in Fig. 15, the development connector placement area 640 is provided on the surface of the sub-board 444, near the upper right corner in Fig. 15. The development connector is a vertical mating connector (a connector whose insertion direction intersects with the surface of the sub-board 444).

[0114] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 16, the development connector placement area 640 is provided with a mounting section 676 composed of a plurality of pads (approximately rectangular copper foil portions). Here, the development connector of this embodiment is a surface-mounted component that is mounted by soldering to the mounting surface, and is mounted using surface mount technology (SMT). In this embodiment, the plurality of pads (copper foil portions) of the mounting section 676 are arranged horizontally in two rows, upper and lower, corresponding to each terminal (each pin) of the development connector. In detail, as shown in FIG. 16, 17 pads (copper foil portions) are arranged horizontally in the upper row, and 15 pads (copper foil portions) are arranged horizontally in the lower row.

[0115] In addition, in the development connector placement area 640, as shown in FIG. 16, the character string "CN9", which is an identification mark indicating a development connector (development connector identification mark 678), is displayed to the right of the mounting portion 676 in FIG. 16 as an indication of components not yet mounted during mass production.

[0116] 16, terminal identification marks for identifying each terminal of the development connector are displayed in the development connector placement area 640 as marks for components not yet mounted during mass production. In detail, as the terminal identification marks, the number "1" and a "triangle" symbol, which are identification marks indicating pin 1 (first terminal identification mark 680), are displayed near the pad (copper foil portion) of pin 1, the number "2" which is identification marks indicating pin 2 (second terminal identification mark 682) is displayed near the pad (copper foil portion) of pin 2, the number "15" which is identification marks indicating pin 15 (third terminal identification mark 684) is displayed near the pad (copper foil portion) of pin 15, and the number "16" which is identification marks indicating pin 16 (fourth terminal identification mark 686) is displayed near the pad (copper foil portion) of pin 16.

[0117] As described above, in this embodiment, development connector placement area 640 is an area that includes mounting section 676 configured with multiple pads (copper foil portions), the character string “CN9” that is development connector identification mark 678, the number “1” and “triangle” symbol that is first terminal identification mark 680, the number “2” that is second terminal identification mark 682, the number “15” that is third terminal identification mark 684, and the number “16” that is fourth terminal identification mark 686. Note that development connector placement area 640 may not include some or all of the first to fourth terminal identification marks.

[0118] In addition, in this embodiment, the sub-board 444 has multiple connectors 450 provided in positions different from the development connector placement area 640, and these connectors 450 are components that will be mounted during mass production (components mounted during mass production).

[0119] Specifically, on the sub-board 444, six connectors 450, namely a first connector 642, a second connector 644, a third connector 646, a fourth connector 648, a fifth connector 650, and a sixth connector 652, are arranged vertically along the left edge in Fig. 15, and three connectors 450, namely a seventh connector 654, an eighth connector 656, and a ninth connector 658, are arranged horizontally along the upper edge near the upper left edge in Fig. 15. These connectors are vertical mating connectors.

[0120] In addition, as shown in Figures 14 and 15, openings (connector openings) are provided on the front surface of the case lid 672 at positions facing each of the nine connectors 450, namely, the first connector 642 to the ninth connector 658, and each of the first connector 642 to the ninth connector 658 is formed so as to be exposed from the sub-board case 442.

[0121] 14 and 15, a protrusion 670 that protrudes toward the development connector arrangement area 640 is formed on the front surface of the case lid 672 of the present embodiment at a position facing the development connector arrangement area 640 of the sub-board 444. The protrusion 670 is formed in a plate shape on the inner surface (rear surface) of the front surface of the case lid 672, as shown in FIG.

[0122] In addition, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 17, the protrusion 670 is formed to a size such that the facing portion 688 (the tip of the protrusion 670), which is the surface of the protrusion 670 that faces the development connector placement area 640, fits within the development connector placement area 640. 18(A) and 18(B), the longitudinal dimension is equal to or less than dimension S1 (the dimension from the outer edge of one pad to the outer edge of the other pad, an example of the dimension from one pad to the other pad) from the right end of the 2-pin pad (copper foil portion) to the left end of the 16-pin pad (copper foil portion) in development connector placement area 640 of sub-board 444, and the lateral dimension is equal to or less than dimension S2 (the lateral dimension of the main body of the development connector) from the upper end of the 1-pin pad (copper foil portion) to the lower end of the upper pad (copper foil portion) located opposite the 1-pin pad (copper foil portion) in development connector placement area 640 of sub-board 444. In particular, in this embodiment, the longitudinal dimension of facing portion 688 is approximately the same as dimension S1. As a result, when the sub-board 444 is stored in the sub-board case 442, as shown in Figures 18(A) and 18(B), the left end of the facing portion 688 faces the 16-pin pad (copper foil portion) (one longitudinal end of the facing portion faces one end of the multiple pads), and the right end of the facing portion 688 faces the 2-pin pad (copper foil portion) (the other longitudinal end of the facing portion faces the other end of the multiple pads).

[0123] That is, in the present embodiment, facing portion 688 is formed smaller than mounting portion 676 in development connector arrangement region 640 of sub-board 444. Particularly in the present embodiment, facing portion 688 is formed smaller than the outer dimensions of the insertion opening (receptacle) of the development connector. As such, in the present embodiment, protrusion 670 is formed to a size that can fit within development connector arrangement region 640 when sub-board 444 is housed in sub-board case 442. This prevents the left and right ends of facing portion 688 from colliding with the housing that constitutes the outer shape of the development connector, preventing them from being assembled.

[0124] In addition, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 18(B), the dimension S1 from the right end of the 2-pin pad (copper foil portion) to the left end of the 16-pin pad (copper foil portion) in the development connector placement area 640 of the sub-board 444 is the same as or approximately the same as the longitudinal dimension of the development connector.

[0125] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, protrusion 670 is formed such that the distance between facing portion 688 of protrusion 670 and the surface of sub-substrate 444 is shorter than the heights of first connector 642 to ninth connector 658 of sub-substrate 444. In the present embodiment, the heights of first connector 642 to ninth connector 658 increase in the following order: first connector 642 = third connector 646 < second connector 644 = fourth connector 648 = fifth connector 650 < sixth connector 652 < seventh connector 654 = eighth connector 656 < ninth connector 658. As shown in FIG. 19 , distance H1 between facing portion 688 of protrusion 670 of case lid 672 and the surface of sub-substrate 444 is shorter than the heights of first connector 642 and third connector 646, which have the shortest heights H among first connector 642 to ninth connector 658. In FIG. 19, the seventh connector 654 to the ninth connector 658 are omitted from the illustration.

[0126] In this embodiment, no opening is formed on the front surface of case lid 672 at a position facing development connector placement region 640 of sub-board 444.

[0127] In addition, in the sub-board unit 440 of this embodiment, the cooling fan 460 is disposed near the middle right in FIG.

[0128] In this embodiment, sub-board 444 is provided with development connector placement area 640, which indicates the placement of the development connector, which is a component (development component) that will not be mounted during mass production, and protrusion 670, which protrudes toward development connector placement area 640, is provided in a position facing development connector placement area 640 of case lid 672.Therefore, when attempting to assemble a development sub-board on which a development connector is mounted and sub-board case 442, which is a substrate case for mass production, protrusion 670 of case lid 672 will interfere with the development connector and prevent them from being assembled. 18(A) and 18(B), when the sub-board 444 is housed in the sub-board case 442, the left end of the facing portion 688 of the protruding portion 670 faces the 16-pin pad (copper foil portion) in the development connector placement area 640, and the right end of the facing portion 688 of the protruding portion 670 faces the 2-pin pad (copper foil portion) in the development connector placement area 640. Therefore, when an attempt is made to assemble the development sub-board on which the development connector is mounted with the sub-board case 442 for mass production, the left and right ends of the facing portion 688 will collide with the housing that forms the outer shape of the development connector, preventing them from being assembled. This makes it possible to prevent incorrect assembly of the development sub-board with the sub-board case 442 for mass production. In particular, in the development of gaming machines such as those of this embodiment, it is necessary to prepare test gaming machines to be used for specified tests before mass production begins, and at the stage of preparing such test gaming machines, sub-boards for development and sub-boards 444 for mass production may be mixed together, which can lead to mis-assembly.However, according to this embodiment, it is possible to prevent the sub-boards for development and the sub-board case 442 for mass production from being combined, thereby preventing mis-assembly.

[0129] Furthermore, in this embodiment, protrusion 670 of case lid 672 is formed to a size that fits within development connector arrangement area 640 of sub-board 444, and is positioned to fit within development connector arrangement area 640, so that protrusion 670 of case lid 672 does not interfere with the periphery of development connector arrangement area 640 of sub-board 444. In particular, in this embodiment, protrusion 670 of case lid 672 is formed so that the longitudinal dimension of facing portion 688 that faces development connector arrangement area 640 is equal to or less than dimension S1 from the 2-pin pad (copper foil portion) to the 16-pin pad (copper foil portion) in development connector arrangement area 640 of sub-board 444, as shown in FIGS. As a result, in this embodiment, electronic components and the like can be arranged around development connector arrangement region 640 of sub-board 444, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in designing sub-board 444.

[0130] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the protrusion amount of protrusion 670 is formed so that the distance H1 between the facing portion 688 of protrusion 670 and the surface of sub-board 444 is shorter than the height of each of first connector 642 to ninth connector 658 of sub-board 444. Therefore, regardless of the height of the development connector, protrusion 670 of case lid 672 will not interfere with the development connector of the development sub-board and prevent it from being assembled, thereby preventing incorrect assembly of the development sub-board and the mass-produced sub-board case 442.

[0131] In this embodiment, an example has been described in which an unmounted component placement area is provided on sub-board 444, but an unmounted component placement area may also be provided on other boards such as main board 414 (an example of a board), a reel relay board (an example of a board), or a centralized terminal board (an example of a board), and a protrusion that protrudes toward the unmounted component placement area may be provided in a board case that covers the board at a position facing the unmounted component placement area.

[0132] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an example has been described in which a development connector placement area 640 indicating the placement of a development connector is provided as an unmounted component placement area, but an unmounted component placement area (an example of a predetermined area) may also be provided that indicates the placement of components that are not mounted during mass production, other than the development connector, such as a development IC (an example of an electronic component that is not mounted during mass production) or a development passive element (an example of an electronic component that is not mounted during mass production).

[0133] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the longitudinal dimension of facing portion 688 of protruding portion 670 is described as being equal to or less than dimension S1, which is the dimension from the right end of the 2-pin pad (copper foil portion) to the left end of the 16-pin pad (copper foil portion) in development connector arrangement area 640 of sub-board 444, and equal to or less than dimension S2, which is the dimension from the top end of the 1-pin pad (copper foil portion) to the bottom end of the upper pad (copper foil portion) opposite the 1-pin pad (copper foil portion) in development connector arrangement area 640 of sub-board 444. However, facing portion 688 may have a longitudinal dimension shorter than dimension S1 and a lateral dimension shorter than dimension S2. That is, facing portion 688 may have a longitudinal dimension shorter than or less than dimension S1 of mounting portion 676, and a lateral dimension shorter than or less than dimension S2 of mounting portion 676.

[0134] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the vertical mating connectors of first connector 642 to ninth connector 658 are provided in positions different from development connector placement region 640 of sub-substrate 444, but horizontal mating connectors (connectors whose insertion direction into the connector is substantially parallel to the surface of sub-substrate 444 (different from the insertion direction of the development connectors)) may also be provided. In this case, protrusion 670 of case lid 672 may be formed so that the distance between facing portion 688 of protrusion 670 and the surface of sub-substrate 444 is shorter or longer than the height of the horizontal mating connectors of sub-substrate 444.

[0135] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the case where protruding portion 670 of case lid 672 of sub-substrate case 442 is formed in a plate shape has been described as an example, but the shape of protruding portion 670 is not limited to a plate shape, and it can be formed in any shape, such as a column shape, as long as facing portion 688 is of a size that can be accommodated within development connector arrangement region 640 of sub-substrate 444. Furthermore, facing portion 688 is not limited to a square shape, and it can be formed in any shape as long as it is of a size that can be accommodated within development connector arrangement region 640 of sub-substrate 444.

[0136] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an example has been described in which the protrusion 670 of the case lid 672 is formed to a size that fits within the development connector placement area 640 of the sub-board 444, but the facing portion 688 of the protrusion 670 may be formed to a size larger than the development connector placement area 640 of the sub-board 444.

[0137] In addition, in this embodiment, an example has been described in which the protrusion amount of protrusion 670 is formed so that the distance H1 between the facing portion 688 of protrusion 670 and the surface of sub-substrate 444 is shorter than the respective heights of first connector 642 to ninth connector 658 of sub-substrate 444. However, as long as the size is such that it can interfere with the development connector, the protrusion amount of protrusion 670 may be formed so that the distance H1 between the facing portion 688 of protrusion 670 and the surface of sub-substrate 444 is longer than the respective heights of first connector 642 to ninth connector 658 of sub-substrate 444.

[0138] The configuration and structure of this embodiment can be adopted in appropriate combination with other embodiments and modifications.

[0139] 3. Third embodiment In this embodiment, detailed description of the configuration and control method common to the first embodiment will be omitted, and the main differences will be described. In this embodiment, the positional relationship between the centralized terminal board unit 690 and the through-hole 712 through which the external device connection cable is inserted differs from that in the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the positional relationship between the centralized terminal board unit 690 and the through-hole 712 in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 20 to 23. FIG. 20 is a front view (schematic) showing the internal configuration of the gaming machine of this embodiment. FIG. 21 is an enlarged view (schematic) of a main part of the centralized terminal board unit 690 in the gaming machine of this embodiment. FIG. 22 is a front view (schematic) showing the internal configuration of the gaming machine of this embodiment, and is an explanatory diagram illustrating the positional relationship between the centralized terminal board unit 690 and the through-hole 712. FIG. 23 is a front view (schematic) showing the internal configuration of a gaming machine of a variation of this embodiment, and is an explanatory diagram illustrating the positional relationship between the centralized terminal board unit 690 and the through-hole 712. 20 and 22 to 23 do not show components arranged below the reel unit 310 in the storage box BX, such as the power supply unit 305 and the hopper unit 320. Also, in FIGS. 20 to 23, electronic components on the main board 414, such as the CPU, ROM, and RAM, are not shown.

[0140] As shown in FIG. 20, terminal board unit 690 of this embodiment is attached to the inner surface of right side plate 406 of storage box BX, as in the first embodiment. Terminal board unit 690 also includes terminal board 692 and terminal board case 694, which is composed of case body 696 and case lid 698. Case body 696 and case lid 698 are combined to form box-shaped terminal board case 694. Terminal board 692 is stored inside terminal board case 694 with case lid 698 facing the front surface of terminal board 692 and case body 696 facing the back surface of terminal board 692. Terminal board unit 690 is attached so that the front surface of terminal board 692 faces the front (toward left side plate 408).

[0141] 21, multiple connectors are provided on the surface of terminal board 692 of this embodiment, including main board connector 700 used for connection to main board 414 and external device connector 702 (an example of a connector) used for connection to an external device. These connectors are vertically fitted connectors. As a result, insertion opening 714 (receptacle) of main board connector 700 and insertion opening 716 (receptacle) of external device connector 702 face toward left side plate 408. Note that various harnesses and cables, such as cables used to connect main board 414 and terminal board 692 and external device connection cables, are not shown in FIGS. 20 to 23.

[0142] In addition, as shown in Figure 21, openings (connector openings) are provided on the front surface of the case cover 698 of the centralized terminal board case 694 in this embodiment at positions facing the main board connection connector 700 and the external device connection connector 702, and are formed so that the main board connection connector 700 and the external device connection connector 702 are each exposed from the centralized terminal board case 694.

[0143] 21 , terminal board case 694 of this embodiment is provided with four fastening portions for fastening case body 696 and case lid 698: first case lid fastening portion 704, second case lid fastening portion 706, third case lid fastening portion 708, and fourth case lid fastening portion 710. Each fastening portion is formed by case body 696 and case lid 698. First case lid fastening portion 704 and fourth case lid fastening portion 710 are protruding portions that protrude in the longitudinal direction of terminal board case 694, but are formed on protruding portions that protrude in opposite directions. Second case lid fastening portion 706 and third case lid fastening portion 708 are protruding portions that protrude in the lateral direction of terminal board case 694, but are formed on protruding portions that protrude in the same direction. Each fastening portion is formed with a screw hole, and case body 696 and case lid 698 are fastened together by threading a screw into the screw hole.

[0144] In this embodiment, the through-hole 712 through which the external device connection cable (an example of a cable) is inserted is formed near the upper right end of the back plate 402 of the storage box BX, as shown in Fig. 20. The through-hole 712 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape. However, the shape of the through-hole 712 is not limited to this and can be any shape (for example, a circle, etc.).

[0145] Furthermore, the main board case 412 of the main board unit 410 of this embodiment is formed in a shape different from that of the first embodiment, and in particular in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 20, the main board case 412 is formed in a shape with a notched portion near the right corner so as not to overlap with the through hole 712 of the back plate 402. This makes it possible to prevent the through hole 712 from being blocked.

[0146] In this embodiment, common terminal board unit 690 is disposed below through-hole 712 in back panel 402, at a position where insertion opening 716 (socket opening) of external device connector 702 is within the range of the horizontal width, which is the width in the left-right direction, of through-hole 712. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 22, common terminal board unit 690 is disposed below and in front of through-hole 712 in back panel 402 on right side panel 406 of storage box BX. Here, dashed lines a and b in Fig. 22 are dashed lines drawn in the vertical direction (vertically downward, directly below) from the left and right ends of through-hole 712, respectively. In this embodiment, the external device connection connector 702 is attached to the centralized terminal board 692 so that the insertion port 716 (socket port) faces toward the left side panel 408, as shown in Figure 21, and the centralized terminal board unit 690 is positioned so that the insertion port 716 (socket port) of the external device connection connector 702 is located between the dashed lines a and b in Figure 22.

[0147] Furthermore, in this embodiment, common terminal board unit 690 is arranged at a position where insertion opening 714 (socket opening) of main board connector 700 also falls within the range of the width of through hole 712 .

[0148] In addition, in this embodiment, when installing the gaming machine in the island equipment of the gaming facility, a connection work is performed in which an external device connection cable is inserted from the outside of the gaming machine into the through hole 712 in the back panel 402 and then inserted into the external device connection connector 702 on the centralized terminal board 692.

[0149] As described above, in the present embodiment, centralized terminal board unit 690 is disposed below through hole 712 of back plate 402, which makes it easy to visually recognize centralized terminal board unit 690 and through hole 712 at the same time, facilitating the work of connecting an external device connection cable to external device connection connector 702 of centralized terminal board 692. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, centralized terminal board unit 690 is disposed below and in front of through hole 712 at a position where insertion opening 716 (socket opening) of external device connection connector 702 falls within the range of the width of through hole 712. Therefore, when external device connection cable is inserted into storage box BX through through hole 712, the cable can be disposed near external device connection connector 702, facilitating the work of connecting the cable.

[0150] In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which centralized terminal board unit 690 is disposed below through-hole 712 of back plate 402 at a position where insertion opening 716 (receptacle) of external device connector 702 falls within the range of the width of through-hole 712. However, centralized terminal board unit 690 only needs to be disposed at a position where at least a portion of insertion opening 716 (receptacle) of external device connector 702 falls within the range of the width of through-hole 712, and it is not necessary for the entire insertion opening 716 (receptacle) of external device connector 702 to fall within the range of the width of through-hole 712. Furthermore, centralized terminal board unit 690 may be disposed at a position where at least a portion of insertion opening 716 (receptacle) of external device connector 702 falls within the range of the width of through-hole 712, but where a portion of a main body forming external device connector 702 is outside the range of the width of through-hole 712. In addition, the common terminal board unit 690 may be arranged in a position where at least a portion of the insertion opening 716 (receptacle) of the external device connector 702 fits within the width of the through-hole 712, but a portion or all of the insertion opening 714 (receptacle) of the main board connector 700 is outside the width of the through-hole 712. In addition, the common terminal board unit 690 may be arranged in a position where at least a portion of the insertion opening 716 (receptacle) of the external device connector 702 fits within the width of the through-hole 712, but a portion of the main body forming the main board connector 700 is outside the width of the through-hole 712. In addition, the common terminal board unit 690 may be arranged in a position where at least a portion of the insertion opening 716 (receptacle) of the external device connector 702 fits within the width of the through-hole 712, but a portion or all of the common terminal board case 694 or the common terminal board 692 is outside the width of the through-hole 712.

[0151] Furthermore, although the present embodiment has been described with reference to an example in which the centralized terminal board unit 690 is disposed on the upper side inside the storage box BX, the centralized terminal board unit 690 may also be disposed on the lower side inside the storage box BX. For example, as shown in FIG. 23 , the centralized terminal board unit 690 may be disposed near the lower right end of the back panel 402 of the storage box BX, with a through-hole 712 formed above the centralized terminal board unit 690. In this case, the centralized terminal board unit 690 may also be disposed below the through-hole 712 in the back panel 402, in a position where the insertion opening 716 (receptacle) of the external device connector 702 is within the width of the through-hole 712. Specifically, the centralized terminal board unit 690 may be disposed so that the insertion opening 716 (receptacle) of the external device connector 702 is located between the dashed lines a and b in FIG. 23 . This arrangement also achieves the same functions and effects as the above-described embodiment and facilitates the cable connection process. Also in this case, it is sufficient that centralized terminal board unit 690 is arranged at a position where at least a part of insertion opening 716 (receptacle) of external device connector 702 falls within the range of the width of through-hole 712, and it is not necessary for the entire insertion opening 716 (receptacle) of external device connector 702 to fall within the range of the width of through-hole 712. Furthermore, centralized terminal board unit 690 may be arranged at a position where at least a part of insertion opening 716 (receptacle) of external device connector 702 falls within the range of the width of through-hole 712, but where a part of the main body forming external device connector 702 is outside the range of the width of through-hole 712.

[0152] 23 , common terminal board unit 690 is arranged at a position where insertion opening 714 (receptacle) of main board connector 700 is outside the range of the width of through hole 712, but may be arranged at a position where at least a portion of insertion opening 716 (receptacle) of external device connector 702 is within the range of the width of through hole 712, and where some or all of insertion opening 714 (receptacle) of main board connector 700 is within the range of the width of through hole 712. Common terminal board unit 690 may also be arranged at a position where at least a portion of insertion opening 716 (receptacle) of external device connector 702 is within the range of the width of through hole 712, and where some or all of the main body forming main board connector 700 is within the range of the width of through hole 712.

[0153] In this case, as shown in FIG. 23, the centralized terminal board unit 690 is positioned such that part of the centralized terminal board case 694 (for example, the first case lid fixing portion 704 and the second case lid fixing portion 706) is outside the range of the width of the through-hole 712, but at least part of the insertion port 716 (socket port) of the connector 702 for connecting an external device is positioned within the range of the width of the through-hole 712, and part or all of the centralized terminal board case 694 may be positioned within the range of the width of the through-hole 712. Furthermore, centralized terminal board unit 690 may be disposed at a position where at least a portion of insertion opening 716 (receptacle) of external device connector 702 fits within the range of the width of through-hole 712, and where four fixing portions (first case lid fixing portion 704, second case lid fixing portion 706, third case lid fixing portion 708, and fourth case lid fixing portion 710) of centralized terminal board case 694 are outside the range of the width of through-hole 712. Furthermore, centralized terminal board unit 690 may be disposed at a position where at least a portion of insertion opening 716 (receptacle) of external device connector 702 fits within the range of the width of through-hole 712, and where part or all of centralized terminal board 692 is outside the range of the width of through-hole 712.

[0154] In addition, in this embodiment, the example has been described in which the centralized terminal board unit 690 is placed below the through hole 712 in the back plate 402, but this is not limited to placing the centralized terminal board unit 690 below the through hole 712 in the back plate 402, and the centralized terminal board unit 690 may be placed, for example, to the side or above the through hole 712 in the back plate 402.

[0155] In addition, in this embodiment, the through hole 712 for inserting the cable for connecting to an external device is formed in the back plate 402 as an example, but it does not have to be formed in the back plate 402 as long as it is near the centralized terminal board unit 690, and it may be formed in, for example, the right side plate 406.

[0156] In addition, in this embodiment, the present invention has been described as being applied to a slot machine in which games are played using medals (game value) as tangible objects, but the present invention may also be applied to Smart Pachislot (registered trademark), which is a gaming machine in which games are played using electronic medals (game value), which are electronic information, as a gaming medium, without using medals as tangible objects.

[0157] The smart pachislot is equipped with a medal count control board that controls (manages) the number of digitized medals (number of gaming medals), and a gaming ball lending device connection terminal board (an example of a connection terminal board) that connects the smart pachislot to a medal lending machine (not shown) as an external device; the medal count control board is connected to the main board 414 for two-way communication, and is connected to the medal lending machine for two-way communication via the gaming ball lending device connection terminal board, and is capable of storing digitized medals, which are electronic information loaned from the medal lending machine, in a specified memory area and performing a counting process to transfer some or all of the stored digitized medals to the medal lending machine; the gaming ball lending device connection terminal board is connected to the medal number control board and the medal lending machine for two-way communication, and receives signals related to the lending of digitized medals, transmits the results of loaning digitized medals, transmits signals related to the counting of digitized medals, and transmits various information about the gaming machine (sends signals to the outside).

[0158] The main board 414 then bets electronic medals stored in a predetermined memory area of ​​the medal count control board by operating the bet button B0, and awards electronic medals by adding the medals paid out according to the game results to the electronic medals stored in the predetermined memory area. For this reason, smart pachislots do not require medal insertion slot MI, hopper unit 320, etc. In such smart pachislots, a game ball dispensing device connection terminal board unit (an example of a connection terminal board unit) equipped with a game ball dispensing device connection terminal board and a game ball dispensing device connection terminal board case that covers (stores) the game ball dispensing device connection terminal board can be implemented in place of the centralized terminal board unit 690.

[0159] In this case, the game ball lending device connection terminal board unit may have a structure similar to that of the centralized terminal board unit 690 in the above embodiment, and as in the above embodiment (as in the example shown in Figures 22 and 23), the game ball lending device connection terminal board unit may be positioned below the through hole 712 in the back plate 402 in a position where the insertion port (socket port) of the external device connection connector implemented on the game ball lending device connection terminal board is within the width of the through hole 712.

[0160] The configuration and structure of this embodiment can be adopted in appropriate combination with other embodiments and modifications.

[0161] 4. Variations The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible, and modifications are introduced below. Note that the above-described embodiment and the various methods described below as modifications can be appropriately combined and adopted as a control method for realizing the present invention.

[0162] In the above embodiment, the sub-substrate unit 440 is configured so that its lower end is positioned forward of its upper end, i.e., so that its exhaust port 470 faces diagonally downward. However, for example, the sub-substrate unit 440 may be configured so that its upper end is positioned forward of its lower end. That is, the sub-substrate unit 440 may be configured so that its exhaust port 470 faces diagonally upward. Even in this case, the cooling fan 460 (exhaust port 470) is positioned at a position other than vertically below the mounting hole 420 of the top plate 400. Therefore, even if dust is generated when a fixing member (e.g., a screw) is screwed into the mounting hole 420 for mounting to the island equipment, dust can be prevented from entering the cooling fan 460 as much as possible, thereby preventing malfunctions due to dust adhering inside the cooling fan 460 as much as possible. Furthermore, for example, the sub-substrate unit 440 may be configured so that it is not tilted relative to the vertical direction.

[0163] In the above embodiment, the cooling fan 460 is mounted on the sub-substrate unit 440. However, when the cooling fan 460 is mounted, a roof portion 520 may be provided above the cooling fan 460, as shown in FIG. 24 . The roof portion 520 protrudes outward and is integrally formed with the sub-substrate case 442, but it may also be a separate component from the sub-substrate case 442. The length of the roof portion 520 is preferably at least greater than the thickness of the cooling fan 460. This arrangement can minimize the intrusion of dust into the cooling fan 460, even if dust is generated when fastening members (e.g., screws) are threaded into the mounting holes 420 for mounting the cooling fan to the island equipment. This arrangement can minimize the risk of malfunction due to dust adhering inside the cooling fan 460. In this example, the surface of the cooling fan 460 is not covered by the sub-substrate case 442 but is covered by the dustproof cover 530. This arrangement can also minimize the intrusion of dust into the cooling fan 460, thereby minimizing the risk of malfunction due to dust adhering inside the cooling fan 460.

[0164] In addition, in the above embodiment, the cooling fan 460 is described as being stored inside the sub-substrate case 442, but the cooling fan 460 may be provided outside the sub-substrate case 442, or the cooling fan 460 may be provided inside the sub-substrate case 442 with a portion of the cooling fan 460 exposed to the outside.

[0165] In the above embodiment, the area horizontally facing the exhaust port 470 (cooling fan 460) in the main board case 412 is taken as an example to be the specified area 480. However, as shown in FIG. 25, the area facing the cooling fan 460 in the air exhaust direction (air blowing direction) of the cooling fan 460 may also be the specified area 480.

[0166] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the cooling fan 460 (exhaust port 470) is not disposed vertically below the mounting hole 420 of the top plate 400 when the front door FD is closed, but the cooling fan 460 (exhaust port 470) may be disposed vertically below the mounting hole 420 of the top plate 400. In this case, it is desirable to install the sub-board unit 440 so that the exhaust port 470 faces diagonally downward.

[0167] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the reel relay board unit 490 is arranged vertically below the predetermined space 500 from the exhaust port 470 (cooling fan 460) of the sub-board unit 440 to the predetermined area 480 of the main board case 412, but for example, as shown in Fig. 26, the reel relay board unit 490 may not be arranged vertically below the predetermined space 500, but may be arranged at a position different from vertically below the predetermined space 500. In other words, the reel relay board unit 490 may not be located vertically below the predetermined space 500.

[0168] In addition, in the above embodiment, an example was described in which the connector opening 496 is not located in the predetermined area 510 in the reel relay board case 492, but the connector opening 496 may be located in the predetermined area 510 in the reel relay board case 492.

[0169] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the main board unit 410 is provided on the back panel 402 of the storage box BX, but it may be located anywhere inside the storage box BX, and for example, the main board unit 410 may be provided on either the left or right side panel 406, 408 of the storage box BX. In this way, air can be prevented from being discharged from the exhaust port 470 of the sub-board unit 440 toward the main board unit 410, so that dust and other debris discharged from the cooling fan 460 can be prevented as much as possible from entering the main board case 412, and malfunctions caused by debris adhering to the electronic components and connectors 430 of the main board 414 can be prevented as much as possible.

[0170] In the above embodiment, the sub-board unit 440 is provided on the rear surface of the front door FD, but the sub-board unit 440 may be provided inside the storage box BX. In addition, if a liquid crystal display is installed, the sub-board unit 440 may be provided on the rear surface of the liquid crystal display.

[0171] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the sub-board unit 440 is described as having one cooling fan 460 mounted thereon. However, multiple (e.g., two) cooling fans 460 may be mounted on the sub-board unit 440. In this case, it is desirable that the connector openings 416 are not disposed in any of the regions (predetermined regions 480) of the main board case 412 that face the multiple exhaust ports 470 (multiple cooling fans 460). However, doing so may hinder an optimal board design (wiring pattern design). For this reason, the main board case 412 may be configured such that the connector openings 416 are not disposed in the regions (predetermined regions 480) that face at least some (e.g., one) of the multiple exhaust ports 470 (multiple cooling fans 460) of the multiple exhaust ports 470 (multiple cooling fans 460), and the connector openings 416 are disposed in the regions (predetermined regions 480) that face the other exhaust ports 470 (cooling fans 470).

[0172] In this case, it is desirable to not arrange any of the multiple (e.g., two) cooling fans 460 (multiple exhaust ports 470) vertically below the mounting holes 420 of the top plate 400, but doing so may hinder an appropriate board design (wiring pattern design). Therefore, in the sub-board unit 440, at least some (e.g., one) of the multiple (e.g., two) cooling fans 460 (multiple exhaust ports 470) may not be arranged vertically below the mounting holes 420 of the top plate 400, and the other cooling fans 460 (exhaust ports 470) may be arranged vertically below the mounting holes 420 of the top plate 400. In this case, all of the multiple (e.g., two) cooling fans 460 (multiple exhaust ports 470) may be arranged vertically below the mounting holes 420 of the top plate 400.

[0173] In this case, it is desirable that in the reel relay board case 492, the connector openings 416 are not arranged in any of the areas (predetermined areas 510) vertically below the predetermined space 500 corresponding to each of the multiple exhaust ports 470 (multiple cooling fans 460). However, doing so may hinder an appropriate board design (wiring pattern design). Therefore, in the reel relay board case 492, the connector openings 416 may not be arranged in the areas (predetermined areas 510) vertically below the predetermined space 500 corresponding to at least some (for example, one) of the multiple exhaust ports 470 (multiple cooling fans 460), and the connector openings 416 may be arranged in the areas (predetermined areas 510) vertically below the predetermined space 500 corresponding to the other exhaust ports 470 (cooling fans 470). In this case, the connector opening 416 may be arranged in any region (predetermined region 510) vertically below the predetermined space 500 corresponding to each of the plurality of exhaust ports 470 (the plurality of cooling fans 460).

[0174] In addition, in the above embodiment, the main board unit 410 is described as the "first board unit" of the present invention, but the "first board unit" is not limited to the main board unit 410 as long as it is arranged to face the exhaust port 470 (cooling fan 460) of the sub-board unit 440.

[0175] In addition, in the above embodiment, the sub-substrate unit 440 is used as the "second substrate unit" of the present invention, but the "second substrate unit" is not limited to the sub-substrate unit 440 as long as it is equipped with a cooling fan 460 and has an exhaust port 470.

[0176] In addition, in the above embodiment, the reel relay board unit 490 is described as the "third board unit" of the present invention, but the "third board unit" is not limited to the reel relay board unit 490 as long as it is arranged vertically below the specified space 500.

[0177] In the above embodiment, the left side panel 408 and back panel 402, the right side panel 406 and back panel 402, and the bottom panel 404 and back panel 402 are fastened together with staples 620 as the first fastening means, and the top panel 400 and back panel 402 are fastened together with wood screws 622 as the second fastening means. However, the first fastening means and the second fastening means may be any means that at least satisfy the relationship that the first fastening means is cheaper than the second fastening means and the second fastening means has stronger fastening force than the first fastening means, and the configuration is not limited to using staples 620 as the first fastening means and wood screws 622 as the second fastening means. For example, nails may be used as the first fastening means and wood screws 622 as the second fastening means. Further, for example, tucker needles 620 may be used as the first fixing means, and tucker needles larger than tucker needles 620 of the first fixing means (tucker needles with higher unit cost and stronger fixing power) may be used as the second fixing means, or wood screws 622 may be used as the second fixing means, and wood screws with smaller diameters than wood screws 622 of the second fixing means (wood screws with lower unit cost and weaker fixing power) may be used as the first fixing means. In this way, members with similar usage methods (members of the same type) may be used for the first fixing means and the second fixing means.

[0178] The first fixing means may also be a fixing means that is cheaper per unit than the second fixing means, has weaker fixing force (strength) than the second fixing means, and is less easy (difficult) to remove with a specified tool than the second fixing means; for example, a nail or the like may be used that is cheaper per unit than wood screw 622, has weaker fixing force than wood screw 622, and is less easy (difficult) to remove with a screwdriver than wood screw 622.

[0179] The second fixing means may also be a fixing means that is more expensive than the first fixing means, has stronger fixing force (strength) than the first fixing means, and is easier to remove with a specified tool than the first fixing means; for example, a bolt may be used that is more expensive than tacker needle 620, has stronger fixing force than tacker needle 620, and is easier to remove with a wrench (an example of a specified tool) than tacker needle 620.

[0180] In the above embodiment, the left side panel 408 and back panel 402, the right side panel 406 and back panel 402, and the bottom panel 404 and back panel 402 are fixed with tacker pins 620, but wood screws 622 may also be used in combination with tacker pins 620 to fix these panels. In this case, it is preferable that the number of wood screws 622 is less than the number of tacker pins 620 when fixing the left side panel 408 and back panel 402, the right side panel 406 and back panel 402, and the bottom panel 404 and back panel 402, respectively; however, the number of tacker pins 620 may be equal to or less than the number of wood screws 622.

[0181] In the above embodiment, the top panel 400 and the back panel 402 are fixed to each other with wood screws 622, but the fixing may be performed using tacker pins 620 in addition to the wood screws 622. In this case, it is preferable that the number of wood screws 622 is less than the number of tacker pins 620, but the number of tacker pins 620 may be equal to or less than the number of wood screws 622.

[0182] In the above embodiment, the main board unit 410 is disposed at the upper part of the inner surface of the back panel 402, but a sub-board unit 440 (one example of a board unit) may be disposed. In this case, the sub-board unit 440 may include a sub-board 444 provided with a predetermined operation means (for example, a volume setting button), a sub-board case 442 that can rotate between a first position where the front surface of the sub-board 444 is visible and a second position where the back surface of the sub-board 444 is visible, and a base member, and may be attached to the upper part of the inner surface of the back panel 402 via the base member.

[0183] In addition, in the above embodiment, an example was given in which the wood screws 622 used to fasten the top plate 400 and back plate 402 were screwed into the outer surface of the back plate 402, but the top plate 400 may be assembled so that the upper end surface (top surface) of the back plate 402 abuts against the inner surface of the top plate 400, and the wood screws 622 are screwed from the outer surface side of the top plate 400 toward the inner surface side to fasten the top plate 400, so that the wood screws 622 are screwed into the outer surface of the top plate 400.

[0184] In the above embodiment, an example was given in which the four heat dissipation holes, the first heat dissipation hole 624 to the fourth heat dissipation hole 630, on the back panel 402 are formed in positions that are not vertically below the fixing points of the wood screws 622, but some or all of the four heat dissipation holes may also be formed in positions vertically below the fixing points of the wood screws 622.

[0185] In the above embodiment, the case where the multiple mounting holes 420 provided in the top plate 400 of the storage box BX are through holes has been described as an example, but they are not limited to through holes and may be non-through holes, or a mark may be displayed without providing holes. That is, an island fixing portion (for example, mounting holes 420 or a mark display) used when attaching a gaming machine to island equipment in an amusement parlor may be provided on the top plate 400.

[0186] In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the four heat dissipation holes, the first heat dissipation hole 624 to the fourth heat dissipation hole 630, are formed in the area in which the main board unit 410 is disposed in the back panel 402 of the storage box BX, but some or all of the four heat dissipation holes, the first heat dissipation hole 624 to the fourth heat dissipation hole 630, may be formed in positions that avoid the area in which the main board unit 410 is disposed, for example, above or below the area in which the main board unit 410 is disposed. Even in this case, it is desirable to dispose the main board unit 410 so that the shortest linear distance S1 from the wood screw 622 to the main board unit 410 is shorter than the shortest linear distance S2 from the tacker pin 620 to the main board unit 410, as shown in FIG.

[0187] Although not specifically mentioned in the above embodiment, as shown in Fig. 28, the fixing points of the top plate 400 and the back plate 402 with the wood screws 622 may be positioned so as to avoid the extensions of the multiple mounting holes 420 (multiple island fixing portions) linearly arranged in the front-to-rear direction on the top plate 400. In this way, strength can be increased compared to when the fixing points of the top plate 400 and the back plate 402 with the wood screws 622 are positioned on the extensions of the multiple mounting holes 420 (multiple island fixing portions), and strength sufficient to withstand the load on the top plate 400 generated by the work of attaching the gaming machine to the island equipment of the gaming parlor can be ensured. Note that dashed lines A and B in Fig. 28 indicate the extensions of the multiple (three) mounting holes 420 arranged in the front-to-rear direction.

[0188] Furthermore, the invention of the above embodiment is not limited to slot machines that use medals (game value) as tangible objects to play games, but can also be applied to gaming machines such as Smart Pachislot (registered trademark), which is a gaming machine that does not use medals as tangible objects but uses electronic medals (game value), which are electronic information, as gaming media to play games, and gaming machines that use gaming balls (pachinko balls) to play games (pinball gaming machine, Smart Pachinko (registered trademark)).

[0189] The smart pachislot is equipped with a medal count control board that controls (manages) the number of digitized medals (number of gaming medals), and a gaming ball lending device connection terminal board (an example of a connection terminal board) that connects the smart pachislot to a medal lending machine (not shown) as an external device; the medal count control board is connected to the main board 414 for two-way communication, and is connected to the medal lending machine for two-way communication via the gaming ball lending device connection terminal board, and is capable of storing digitized medals, which are electronic information loaned from the medal lending machine, in a specified memory area and performing a counting process to transfer some or all of the stored digitized medals to the medal lending machine; the gaming ball lending device connection terminal board is connected to the medal number control board and the medal lending machine for two-way communication, and receives signals related to the lending of digitized medals, transmits the results of loan receipt of digitized medals, transmits signals related to the counting of digitized medals, and transmits various information about the gaming machine. In such a smart pachislot, a medal count control board unit including a medal count control board and a medal count control board case that covers (stores) the medal count control board may be the "third board unit" of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0190] (First embodiment) BX storage box, FD front door, DW display window, LP rotating light, AL Frame Lamp, R1 1st reel, R2 2nd reel, R3 3rd reel, SL start lever, B0 bet button, B1~B3 stop buttons, B4 payment button, SP speaker, MP medal tray, 305 power supply unit, 310 reel unit, 320 hopper unit, 400 top plate, 402 back plate, 404 bottom plate, 406 side plate, 408 side plate, 410 main board unit, 412 main board case, 414 main board, 416 Connector opening, 420 Mounting hole, 430 Connector, 440 sub-board unit, 442 sub-board case, 444 sub-board, 450 Connector, 460 Cooling fan, 470 Exhaust port, 480 Designated area, 490 reel relay board unit, 492 reel relay board case, 500 predetermined space, 510 predetermined area, 520 roof portion, 530 dustproof cover, 540 cooling fan installation portion, 542 screw receiving part, 600 back plate holder, 602 back plate holder, 604 back plate holder, 606 left back plate holder, 608 right back board support part, 610 left fixing part, 612 right fixing part, 620 tacker needle, 622 wood screws, 624 first heat dissipation hole, 626 second heat dissipation hole, 628 third heat dissipation hole, 630 fourth heat dissipation hole, 720 base member, (Second embodiment) 640 development connector placement area, 642 first connector, 644 second connector, 646 third connector, 648 fourth connector, 650 fifth connector, 652 6th connector, 654 7th connector, 656 8th connector, 658 ninth connector, 670 protrusion, 672 case cover body, 674 case body, 676 Mounting portion, 678 Development connector identification mark, 680 First terminal identification mark, 682 2nd terminal identification display, 684 3rd terminal identification display, 686 4th terminal identification display, 688 Facing part, (Third embodiment) 690 Centralized terminal board unit, 692 Centralized terminal board, 694 Centralized terminal board case, 696 Case body, 698 Case cover, 700 Main board connector, 702 external device connector, 704 first case lid fixing portion, 706 second case lid fixing portion, 708 third case lid fixing portion, 710 fourth case lid fixing portion, 712 through hole, 714 insertion port, 716 insertion port

Claims

[Claim 1] A gaming machine including a board and a board case, The substrate is provided with a predetermined area indicating the arrangement of electronic components that will not be mounted during mass production, A plurality of pads formed of copper foil are arranged side by side in the predetermined region, the board case is provided with a protrusion that protrudes toward the predetermined area at a position facing the predetermined area, one end of a facing portion of the protruding portion facing the predetermined region faces one end of the pads of the plurality of pads, and the other end of the facing portion faces the other end of the pads of the plurality of pads, A gaming machine in which the facing portion is formed so that the dimension from the one end to the other end is equal to or smaller than the dimension from the pad at one end to the pad at the other end of the plurality of pads.

Images