Game machine operation button device
The gaming machine operation button device with guiding grooves addresses the issue of missed presses by stabilizing finger movement, ensuring accurate and efficient operation of multiple buttons through guided finger movement.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- OMRON CORP
- Filing Date
- 2022-09-30
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-29
AI Technical Summary
Existing gaming machine operation button devices often result in missed presses when players attempt to continuously press multiple buttons along their arrangement, particularly the last button, due to finger deviation during a sweeping motion.
The device incorporates grooves on the operating surface that guide the player's fingers along the button arrangement, stabilizing finger movement and reducing the likelihood of mis-presses by providing a clear path for continuous button presses.
The grooved design stabilizes finger movement, minimizing accidental presses and ensuring consistent operation of multiple buttons, enhancing gaming experience by reducing errors.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to an operation button device in which a plurality of push buttons are arranged in a row and are disposed on a gaming machine.
Background Art
[0002] Generally, when playing a slot machine game, when a player operates a start lever, for example, three rotating reels rotate. The player presses three push buttons corresponding to each rotating reel at an arbitrary timing (push operation), and thereby each rotating reel receives stop control and stops individually. The three push buttons are so-called stop buttons and are arranged in a row.
[0003] Since the pressing operation of such three push buttons is performed for each game, a player who wants to speed up the progress of the game continuously presses the three push buttons along their arrangement. Such a way of continuously pressing a plurality of push buttons along their arrangement is commonly called "streaming". Streaming is usually performed from left to right, but may also be performed from right to left.
[0004] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an operation button in which a chamfered portion is formed on a side portion facing the operation direction in the operation portion of the push button. According to this, when streaming, the belly of the player's finger does not hit the corner of the operation portion.
[0005] Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a gaming machine operation button device in which an inclined portion having a sliding contact surface that slopes upward toward the top of the operation portion of each push button is formed adjacent to each operation portion along the arrangement direction of the push buttons on a panel material. According to this, when streaming, when moving while touching the inclined portion with a finger, the finger smoothly reaches the top of each operation portion.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-146417 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2009-172403 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]
[0007] However, even with the conventional technology described above, when using a sweeping motion, it is sometimes difficult to properly press the last button located at the downstream end of the finger's movement, resulting in a missed press. The inventors of this application focused on this point.
[0008] In other words, the technologies described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are not intended to guide the finger in the direction of the button press. Therefore, even if a player intends to move their finger in the direction of the button arrangement, it may gradually deviate from the arrangement, resulting in an insufficient press of the last button and resulting in a missed press.
[0009] One aspect of the present invention aims to realize an operating button device for a gaming machine that is less prone to mis-pressing when multiple buttons are pressed continuously along an arrangement of multiple buttons. [Means for solving the problem]
[0010] To solve the above problems, an operating button device for a gaming machine according to one aspect of the present invention is an operating button device for a gaming machine that is arranged in a row and comprises a plurality of push buttons arranged in a row, and grooves extending in the direction of the arrangement of the plurality of push buttons are formed on the operating surface of the operating part that receives the pressing operation of the plurality of push buttons. As a result, when the plurality of push buttons are operated continuously along their arrangement (straight pressing), the direction of movement of the player's fingers is stabilized and the occurrence of mis-presses is made less likely.
[0011] The groove may pass through a virtual line connecting the centers of the operating surfaces of the plurality of push buttons. Furthermore, the operating parts of the plurality of push buttons may protrude from the surface of the gaming machine, and the groove may reach the side surface of the operating parts. [Effects of the Invention]
[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to realize a gaming machine operation button device that is less prone to accidental presses when pressing multiple buttons in succession along an arrangement of multiple buttons. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0013] [Figure 1] This is a front view of a slot machine equipped with an operation button device according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of the above-mentioned control button device. [Figure 3] This is a disassembled perspective view of the above-mentioned control button device. [Figure 4] This is a front view of the control button device located on the slot machine. [Figure 5] This is a view of the lens portion of the push button in the above-mentioned control button device, as seen from the direction of pressing. [Figure 6] This is a view of the lens portion of the above-mentioned push button from direction B in Figure 5. [Figure 7] This diagram shows the operation state when pressing the above buttons in a continuous stream. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0014] Hereinafter, an embodiment relating to one aspect of this disclosure (hereinafter also referred to as "this embodiment") will be described based on the drawings.
[0015] §1 Examples of Application As shown in Figure 1, the operation button device 10 of the gaming machine according to Embodiment 1 can be used as a stop button to stop the rotating reels 4 to 6 in a slot machine (gaming machine).
[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, the operation button device 10 includes a plurality of push buttons 11, 12, 13 arranged in a row. Groove portions (groove portions) 30 extending in the arrangement direction of the plurality of push buttons 11, 12, 13 are formed on the operation surfaces 11b, 12b, 13b of the operation portions 11a, 12a, 13a of the push buttons 11, 12, 13. The groove portion 30 functions as a guide for guiding the player's finger when continuously pressing the plurality of push buttons 11, 12, 13 along the arrangement of the plurality of push buttons 11, 12, 13. Hereinafter, continuously pressing the plurality of push buttons 11, 12, 13 along the arrangement of the plurality of push buttons 11, 12, 13 will be referred to as "flowing and pressing the plurality of push buttons 11, 12, 13". By providing the groove portion 30, the moving direction of the player's finger can be stabilized when flowing and pressing.
[0017] In the present embodiment, the operation button device 10 of the present disclosure is configured to be used as a stop button for a slot machine, but it can also be applied to other gaming machines as long as it has a plurality of push buttons arranged side by side and is configured to be continuously operated along the arrangement.
[0018] §2 Configuration Example [Embodiment 1] (1. Outline of Slot Machine) FIG. 1 is a front view of a slot machine 1 equipped with an operation button device 10 of a gaming machine according to Embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the slot machine 1 has a display unit 3 on the front of the housing 2, and three rotating reels 4 to 6 are arranged on the display unit 3. Below the display unit 3, a start lever (not shown) for rotating the three rotating reels 4 to 6 and an operation button device 10 for stopping the three rotating reels 4 to 6 that are rotating are arranged.
[0019] The operation button device 10 has three push buttons 11, 12, 13 provided corresponding to the three rotating reels 4 to 6. The push buttons 11, 12, 13 are so-called stop buttons.
[0020] The push buttons 11, 12, and 13 are push-button type operating switches. The push buttons 11, 12, and 13 are arranged in a single row horizontally (left-right direction) corresponding to the arrangement of the three rotating reels 4 to 6. The operating parts 11a, 12a, and 13a of the push buttons 11, 12, and 13 that receive (are pressed) the pressing operation are loosely fitted into multiple openings (not shown) formed in the panel 24. The panel 24 is positioned in the housing 2 so as to constitute part of the housing 2 of the slot machine 1.
[0021] The operating sections 11a, 12a, and 13a consist of a lens section 15, which will be described later. Grooves 30 are formed on the operating surfaces 11b, 12b, and 13b (see Figure 2), which are the top surfaces of the lens section 15, and extend in the direction of the arrangement of the multiple push buttons 11, 12, and 13. The grooves 30 function as guide grooves that guide the player's fingers when the multiple push buttons 11, 12, and 13 are pressed continuously along the arrangement of the multiple push buttons 11, 12, and 13.
[0022] (2. Outline of the operation button device 10) Figure 2 is an external perspective view of the operation button device 10 according to this embodiment. Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the operation button device 10. For convenience, in Figures 2 and 3, the front of the operation button device 10, as it is installed in the slot machine 1 and facing forward, is shown facing upward. Therefore, when explaining the configuration of the operation button device 10 using Figures 2 and 3, the side where the operation parts 11a, 12a, and 13a are located will be described as the top.
[0023] As shown in Figure 2, the operation button device 10 is composed of three push buttons 11, 12, and 13 arranged in sets of three on the same plane in one direction. The three push buttons 11, 12, and 13 have the same structure, with their operating parts 11a, 12a, and 13a protruding from the panel 24.
[0024] As shown in Figure 3, each of the push buttons 11, 12, and 13 has a circular button portion 18 formed by integrating three components—a lens portion 15, a diffusion sheet 16, and an operating frame 17—in a laminated state. The upper parts of each lens portion 15 located above each button portion 18 become the operating portions 11a, 12a, and 13a, and the top surfaces of each lens portion 15 become the operating surfaces 11b, 12b, and 13b.
[0025] Each button section 18 is incorporated into the upper surface of the switch case 21 via a return spring 20. On the lower surface of the switch case 21, LED units 22 are arranged corresponding to each button section 18. Each LED unit 22 incorporates an LED (not shown) that emits light toward the lens section 15 and a mounting board (not shown) equipped with a sensor that detects the pressing of the button section 18. Each LED unit 22 is attached to the lower cover 23. With each button section 18 incorporated, the upper and lower surfaces of the switch case 21 are covered and integrated by the panel 24 and the lower cover 23.
[0026] Panel 24 has openings 24a formed therein, corresponding to the push buttons 11, 12, and 13, into which the operating parts 11a to 13a of the push buttons 11, 12, and 13 are loosely fitted. Note that since panel 24 is a component that is positioned on the housing 2 of the slot machine 1, that is, to form the surface of the slot machine 1, it is not necessarily an essential component of the operation button device 10. In other words, panel 24 may be provided as part of the housing 2 of the slot machine 1, and the operation button device 10 may be attached to such panel 24 from the inside of the housing 2.
[0027] (3. Control section, lens section) Figure 4 is a front view of the operation button device 10 installed on the slot machine 1. Figure 5 is a view of the lens portion 15 of the push button 11 from the pressing direction. Figure 6 is a view of the lens portion 15 of the push button 11 from direction B in Figure 5. Figure 7 is a diagram showing the operation state when the push button 11 is pressed in a continuous motion. Since the push buttons 11, 12, and 13 have the same structure, the following explanation will use one push button 11 as an example.
[0028] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, grooves 30 are formed on the operating surfaces 11b, 12b, and 13b of the operating sections 11a, 12a, and 13a, extending in the direction of the arrangement of the multiple push buttons 11, 12, and 13 (indicated by the double-headed arrow A in Figure 4). By providing such grooves 30, the direction of movement of the player's fingers can be stabilized when pressing the multiple push buttons 11, 12, and 13 in a continuous motion.
[0029] Specifically, when moving along the direction of the arrangement of the multiple push buttons 11, 12, and 13, as shown in Figure 7, the player can use the groove 30 as a guide and move their finger along the groove 30. This makes it less likely for the finger to deviate from the direction of arrangement when shooting in a flowing motion, and for example, when shooting in a flowing motion from left to right in Figure 4, it is possible to suppress the accidental pressing of the last push button 13. Conversely, when shooting in a flowing motion from right to left in Figure 4, it is possible to suppress the accidental pressing of the last push button 11.
[0030] The groove width of the groove portion 30 can be, for example, about 2 to 4 mm. If the groove width is too small, discomfort may occur in the pad of the finger, pain may be felt when operating with the fingertip, and when operating with artificial nails, the artificial nail may get caught or snagged, potentially causing it to peel off, thus resulting in operational problems. Therefore, to reduce the stress on the pad of the finger or the nail when operating with the pad of the finger or the fingertip, the lower limit may be set to 2 mm or more. Also, if the groove width is too large, the operating feel may become unnatural during normal pressing operations other than sweeping. For this reason, the lower limit may also be set to 2 mm or more. However, the above groove width values are merely examples.
[0031] Furthermore, the depth of the groove 30 may be set to match the pressing distance of the multiple push buttons 11, 12, and 13. If the pressing distance of the multiple push buttons 11, 12, and 13 is about 2-3 mm, which is the pressing distance of a typical button switch, then the depth can be set to about 1-2 mm. However, the above groove width values are merely examples. If the depth is too shallow, it is thought that the function of stably guiding the pads of the player's fingers will be reduced.
[0032] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7, it is preferable that the edges (corners) 30a between the groove 30 and the operating surfaces 11b (12b, 13b) are chamfered or rounded to remove sharp edges. This prevents the pads of the fingers, which slide along the groove 30, from hitting the edges 30a between the groove 30 and the operating surfaces 11b (12b, 13b) and causing pain, even when repeatedly performing sweeping strokes.
[0033] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, it is preferable that the groove 30 extends to the side surface 11c (12c, 13c) of the operating section 11a (12a, 13a), that is, to the side surface on the top side of the lens section 15. With this configuration, the groove 30 can guide a finger moving in the arrangement direction across the operating surface 11b (12b, 13b) of the operating section 11a (12a, 13a) from end to end across the operating surface 11b (12b, 13b). In addition, the finger moving smoothly along the groove 30 can be guided in a natural flow to the next button located downstream in the direction of movement.
[0034] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, when the groove 30 is configured to reach the side surface 11c (12c, 13c), it is preferable that the edge (corner) 30b between the groove 30 and the side surface 11c (12c, 13c) is also rounded or chamfered to remove the corners. This prevents the pads of the fingers, which slide along the groove 30, from hitting the edge 30b between the groove 30 and the side surface 11c (12c, 13c) and causing pain, even when repeatedly performing sweeping shots.
[0035] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, it is preferable that the groove 30 is formed so as to pass along a virtual line L connecting the centers O of the operating surfaces 11b, 12b, and 13b of the push buttons 11, 12, and 13. With this configuration, when pressing the buttons in a sweeping motion, the fingers pass through the center of the push buttons 11, 12, and 13, making it possible to press the push buttons 11, 12, and 13 more reliably.
[0036] In this embodiment, the operating parts 11a, 12a, and 13a of the push buttons 11, 12, and 13 are shown to protrude from the opening 24a of the panel 24 as an example, but the invention is not limited to this configuration, and the operating parts 11a, 12a, and 13a do not need to protrude. However, by applying the groove 30 in the configuration in which the operating parts 11a, 12a, and 13a protrude, the pouring action can be made smoother.
[0037] Furthermore, although the groove width of the groove portion 30 is kept constant, it may be made narrower in the central part of the operating surfaces 11b, 12b, and 13b than on the outer circumference. By narrowing the groove width of the groove portion 30 in the central part of the operating surfaces 11b, 12b, and 13b, the presence of the groove portion 30 can be made as inconspicuous as possible during normal pressing operations that are not flowing presses.
[0038] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0039] 1. Slot machine (amusement machine) 2 cabinets 4-spin reel 10. Operation button device Buttons 11, 12, 13 11a,12a,13a Operation section 11b,12b,13b Operation surface 11c,12c,13c side 24 panels 24a opening 30 groove
Claims
1. A gaming machine operation button device that is placed on a gaming machine, It has multiple push buttons arranged in a single row. A groove is formed on the operating surface of the operating section that receives the pressing operation of the plurality of push buttons, extending in the direction of the arrangement of the plurality of push buttons. The aforementioned plurality of push buttons have an operating section that protrudes from the surface of the gaming machine. The groove portion passes along a virtual line connecting the centers of the operating surfaces of the plurality of push buttons and reaches both sides of the operating section in the direction of arrangement, in the operation button device of a gaming machine.
2. The operation button device for a gaming machine according to Claim 1, wherein the groove has a groove width of 2 mm or more and a depth of 1 mm or more.