JP2004154246A - Operating switch unit and slot machine equipped with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To save an installation space and downsize a machine body. <P>SOLUTION: In the operating switch unit, by the insertion of the swinging shaft 43 of a switch body 41 into the slot 43 of an operating support plate 70, the switch body 41 is supported by the operating supporting plate 70 in a manner that allows the right and left ends to freely swings on the swinging shaft 43 as a fulcrum and freely translate vertically. When a first stopping section 19 is operated, the switch body 41 rotates clockwise and the head 49 of a detection piece 47 shades a right sensor 77. When a second stopping section 20 is operated, the switch body 41 moves upward along a slot 45 with which the swinging shaft 43 engages, the shoulder portions 51 and 53 of the detection piece 47 shade left and right sensors 75 and 77, respectively. Furthermore, when a third stopping section 21 is operated, the switch body 41 rotates counterclockwise, the head 49 of the detection piece 47 shades the left sensor 75. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an operation switch unit having an operation unit that can be externally operated by a player or the like, and a slot machine provided with the operation switch unit.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A typical three-reel slot machine has a start lever for simultaneously starting rotation of three rotating reels having a plurality of symbols drawn on an outer peripheral surface thereof, and three stop operation units corresponding to each rotating reel. After the insertion of one to three medals, the operation of the start lever causes the three spinning reels to start spinning, and a lottery for determining a winning mode is performed. Then, when the player sequentially operates the stop operation section corresponding to each rotating reel, the rotation of the corresponding rotating reel is stopped, but when the predetermined winning mode is won by the above-described lottery, the rotation mode corresponds to the winning mode. The stop control of the rotating reel is performed so that the combinations of symbols to be easily aligned, and when the combination of the symbols is stopped on one or a plurality of winning lines activated according to the number of inserted medals, according to the winning mode. A predetermined number of medals are paid out to the receiving tray. Conventionally, as such a slot machine, in order to detect the presence or absence of an operation on the stop operation unit, for example, a photo interrupter is provided for each operation unit, and an operation on each operation unit is performed based on an output signal of each photo interrupter. There has been known one in which the presence or absence is individually determined (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-8-298042 (paragraphs [0050] to [0051], FIG. 5)
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the slot machine described in the above-mentioned conventional patent document 1, a photo interrupter must be provided for each stop operation unit, and the number of components is large, and a large space is required for installing these photo interrupters. There was a problem that it required.
[0005]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and has a structure in which a detection unit that detects an operation of a player or the like on a stop operation unit is intensively arranged, so that the installation area can be saved and the apparatus main body can be downsized. An object of the present invention is to provide an operation switch unit that enables the operation and a slot machine including the operation switch unit.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 is an operation switch unit having at least three operation units of left, middle, and right, wherein each of the operation units is provided, and both left and right ends are formed in a central portion. The switch body is swingably supported by a fulcrum, and is supported so as to be able to move in parallel in the front-rear direction, a support mechanism for supporting the switch body on a fixing member, and a switch body disposed behind a central portion of the switch body. Detecting means for detecting a displacement of the switch body based on an operation of any one of the operation units and identifying the operated operation unit.
[0007]
According to this configuration, the switch body is supported by the fixed member by the support mechanism so that the left and right ends can swing about the central portion as a fulcrum and can move in parallel in the front-rear direction. Then, the operation unit operated by detecting the displacement of the switch body based on the operation of any one of the operation units is identified by the detection means arranged behind the central portion of the switch body, and thereby the switch body is operated. Since the detection means are concentrated behind the center of the unit, the unit can be reduced in space and size compared to the case where the detection means is provided for each of the left, middle, and right operation units. It can be planned.
[0008]
Further, the support mechanism is formed in the central portion of the switch body or one of the fixing members in the front-rear direction, and formed in the central portion of the switch body or the other of the fixing member, and formed in the long hole. It may be provided with a support shaft to be inserted and biasing means for biasing the left and right ends of the switch body forward, respectively.
[0009]
According to this configuration, the switch main body is inserted into the front-rear direction in the front-rear direction by inserting the support shaft formed in the front-rear direction long hole formed in the center part of the switch main body or one of the fixing members into the other. And the left and right ends of the switch body are urged forward by urging means, so that the left and right ends of the switch body can be swung about a fixed member at the center and the center as a fulcrum. , And the support mechanism is realized with a simple configuration.
[0010]
The switch body includes a detection piece extending rearward from the central portion, and the detection unit detects the detection piece that moves with the swing of the switch body due to an operation on the left operation unit. A first detection unit, and a second detection unit that detects the detection piece that moves along with the swing of the switch body due to an operation on the right operation unit, and the switch body is operated by an operation on the middle operation unit. The detection piece that moves backward along with the parallel translation backward may be detected by both the first detection unit and the second detection unit.
[0011]
According to this configuration, the switch body includes the detection piece extending rearward from the center portion, and when the switch body swings by operating the left operation unit, the detection piece that moves with the swing is moved. When the switch body is swung by the operation of the right operation section, the detection piece is detected by the second detection section, and the switch body is moved rearward by the operation of the middle operation section. , The detection piece that moves rearward with the parallel movement is detected by both the first detection unit and the second detection unit. Accordingly, since operations on the three operation units of the left, middle, and right operation units can be specified by the two detection units of the first and second detection units, a detection unit is provided for each operation unit. The number of parts is reduced as compared with. Here, if a photo interrupter that blocks light with a detection piece is used as the first and second detection units, a detection unit can be realized with a simple configuration.
[0012]
A left regulating member disposed rearward of a left half of the switch main body and configured to abut on the switch main body to restrict swinging of the switch main body due to an operation on the left operation section; and a right half of the switch main body. There may be further provided a right regulating member disposed rearward to regulate swinging of the switch main body due to operation on the right operation section by contacting the switch main body (claim 4).
[0013]
According to this configuration, the swing of the switch body due to the operation on the left operation unit is restricted by contacting the switch body by the left regulating member disposed behind the left half of the switch body, and the right half of the switch body is controlled. The swing of the switch body caused by the operation on the right operation unit is restricted by contacting the switch body by the right regulating member disposed at the rear of the unit, so that the switch body is excessively operated by the operations on the left and right operation units. It is possible to prevent the operability from being lowered due to the rocking.
[0014]
In addition, when one of the first detection unit and the second detection unit detects the detection piece, the elapsed time is counted, and when the other detects the detection piece within a predetermined time, the operation on the middle operation unit is performed. May be determined (claim 5).
[0015]
Even when the switch body moves rearward in parallel by operating the middle operation unit, the detection pieces are not always detected by the first detection unit and the second detection unit at the same time. Counting the elapsed time from when one of the detection pieces is detected, and when the other detects the detection piece within a predetermined time, by determining that the operation is to the middle operation unit, the operation to the middle operation unit, Operations on the left and right operation units are reliably identified.
[0016]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a slot machine provided with the operation switch unit according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the first slot machine is rotatably driven in response to an operation of a start means by a player. , The second and third rotating reels, and the left operating unit, the middle operating unit, and the right operating unit of the operation switch unit are stopped corresponding to the first, second, and third rotating reels, respectively. Means, lottery by random numbers in accordance with the operation of the start means, winning control means for controlling the winning based on the result of the lottery, the left operation unit, the middle operation unit and the right operation unit of the stop means by the player Stop control means for stopping the rotation drive of each of the rotating reels in accordance with the operation of the winning control means and a control panel provided on the front panel for opening and closing the front surface of the housing. It is characterized in that an operation plate to be the fixed member Chiyunitto.
[0017]
According to this configuration, the switch body is supported by the support mechanism on the front panel that is provided on the front panel that opens and closes the front surface of the housing so as to be openable and closable. , The detection means are concentrated behind, so that the machine body can be reduced in space and size compared to the case where the detection means is provided for each of the left, middle, and right operation units. It becomes.
[0018]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
First, an external configuration of an embodiment of the slot machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a front view of the slot machine.
[0019]
The slot machine according to the present embodiment is configured as shown in FIG. 1, for example. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, in the slot machine 1, the front surface of the housing 3 is openably and closably closed by the front panel 5, and the operation plate 7 is disposed at a position substantially at the center of the front panel 5. In addition, a front plate 9 is disposed above the operation plate 7.
[0020]
The front panel 9 has three reel windows 11 arranged side by side, and a liquid crystal display 13 for displaying a game effect screen is arranged beside the right reel window 11. Also, left, middle, and right rotating reels 111, 112, and 113 (FIG. 4) are arranged inside each reel window 11. From each reel window 11, symbols of the rotating reels 111, 112, and 113 are respectively provided. It is set so that it can be seen three by three.
[0021]
The operation plate 7 further includes a credit medal button 15 for inserting a credited medal, a start lever 17 for starting rotation of each spinning reel, first, second, and third stop operation units 19, An operation switch unit 23 having 20, 21 and a medal slot 25 and a payout button 27 are provided.
[0022]
In addition, a pay line is drawn on the front panel 9, an effective display lamp 31 for displaying an active line in the pay line, various effect display lamps 33 for displaying a state of a bonus game, and the number of credit medals. A medal number display 35 is provided, and a medal payout port 37 and a medal tray 39 are provided below the operation plate 7.
[0023]
Next, the configuration of the operation switch unit 23 will be described with reference to FIG. 2A is a front view of the operation switch unit 23, FIG. 2B is a side view seen from above, and FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC of FIG.
[0024]
The first, second, and third stop operation units 19, 20, and 21 are respectively operated by a player, and are arranged side by side on a surface of a plate-like switch body 41 extending in the left-right direction as shown in FIG. It is formed in a convex shape. In FIG. 2A, a pair of swing shafts 43 project from the vicinity of the second stop operation portion 20 at the center of the switch main body 41 on both sides in the vertical direction of the drawing. The operation support plate 70 fixed to the operation plate 7 is provided with a pair of long holes 45 long in the front-rear direction (up and down in FIGS. 2B and 2C). By inserting the switch body 41 into the hole 45, the switch body 41 can be operated so that the left and right ends can swing freely with the swing shaft 43 as a fulcrum, and can move in parallel back and forth (up and down in FIG. 2B). It is supported by a support plate 70.
[0025]
The switch body 41 includes a thin plate-shaped detection piece 47 extending behind the second stop operation unit 20. As shown in FIG. 2B, the detection piece 47 is formed in a convex shape in plan view having a head 49 and shoulders 51 and 53. On the other hand, sensor holding portions 61 and 63 are fixed at positions facing the detection piece 47 of the operation support plate 70. As shown in FIG. 2C, the sensor holding portion 61 has a U-shape in a side view having arms 65 and 67, and is arranged so that the detection piece 47 is sandwiched between the arms 65 and 67. The sensor holding section 63 has the same shape as the sensor holding section 61, and is similarly arranged so that the detection piece 47 is sandwiched between the arms.
[0026]
A light emitting unit 71 and a light receiving unit 73 are attached to the arms 65 and 67 of the sensor holding unit 61, respectively. The light emitting unit 71 and the light receiving unit 73 constitute a photo interrupter 75. The photo interrupter 75 outputs an ON signal when the light is blocked by the detection piece 47. Similarly, a photo interrupter 77 including a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit is attached to the arm of the sensor holding unit 63, and this photo interrupter 77 also outputs an ON signal when light is blocked by the detection piece 47. As shown in FIG. 2B, the photo interrupters 75 and 77 are arranged side by side substantially in parallel with the switch main body 41. Hereinafter, the photo interrupter 75 is referred to as a “left sensor 75”, and The interrupter 77 is referred to as a “right sensor 77”.
[0027]
As shown in FIG. 2B, coil springs 81 and 83 are provided between the switch body 41 and the operation support plate 70. The coil spring 81 has one end attached to the back surface of the first stop operation portion 19 of the switch body 41 and the other end attached to the operation support plate 70, and applies an urging force against the operation of the first stop operation portion 19 to the switch body 41. 41. The coil spring 83 has one end attached to the back surface of the third stop operation portion 21 of the switch body 41 and the other end attached to the operation support plate 70, and applies an urging force against the operation of the third stop operation portion 21 to the switch body 41. 41.
[0028]
Further, as shown in FIG. 2B, stoppers 85 and 87 are provided on the operation support plate 70. The stopper 85 protrudes toward the back surface of the switch main body 41 corresponding to an intermediate position between the first stop operation unit 19 and the second stop operation unit 20, and is operated by operating the first stop operation unit 19. Is regulated by contacting the switch body 41. The stopper 87 protrudes toward the back surface of the switch body 41 corresponding to an intermediate position between the third stop operation unit 21 and the second stop operation unit 20, and is operated by operating the third stop operation unit 21. The rotation of the switch abuts on the switch body 41 and is regulated.
[0029]
The first stop operation unit 19 corresponds to a left operation unit, the second stop operation unit 20 corresponds to a middle operation unit, the third stop operation unit 21 corresponds to a right operation unit, and the operation plate 7 (operation support plate 70). ) Corresponds to the fixed member, the swing shaft 43 corresponds to the support shaft, the left sensor 75 corresponds to the second detection unit, the right sensor 77 corresponds to the first detection unit, and the coil springs 81 and 83 are attached. The stopper 85 corresponds to a left regulating member, and the stopper 87 corresponds to a right regulating member.
[0030]
Next, the operation of the operation switch unit 23 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which each of the stop operation units 19, 20, and 21 of the operation switch unit 23 is operated.
[0031]
When the player operates the first stop operation unit 19, the switch body 41 rotates clockwise about the swing shaft 43 as shown in FIG. The unit 49 shields the right sensor 77 from light. The excessive rotation of the switch body 41 is restricted by the stopper 85, so that the operability is reduced or the shoulder 51 of the detection piece 47 blocks the left sensor 75 to cause an erroneous detection. Is prevented. When the operation by the player is stopped, the switch body 41 returns to the normal position (see FIG. 2B) by the urging force of the coil spring 81.
[0032]
When the player performs an operation on the second stop operation unit 20, the switch body 41 moves upward (along the long hole 45 into which the swing shaft 43 fits) as shown in FIG. (Rear), the shoulders 51 and 53 of the detection piece 47 shield the left and right sensors 75 and 77, respectively. At this time, since the switch body 41 is stabilized in a state in which the switch body 41 is in contact with both the stoppers 85 and 87 due to the pressing force of the player on the second stop operation unit 20, the shoulders 51 and 53 of the detection piece 47 are respectively left and right. The right sensors 75 and 77 are reliably shielded from light. When the operation by the player is stopped, the switch body 41 returns to the normal position (see FIG. 2B) by the urging force of the coil springs 81 and 83.
[0033]
Further, when the player performs an operation on the third stop operation unit 21, the switch main body 41 rotates counterclockwise about the swing shaft 43 as shown in FIG. The head 49 of the 47 shields the left sensor 75 from light. Because the stopper 87 restricts excessive rotation of the switch body 41, the operability is reduced and the shoulder 53 of the detection piece 47 blocks the right sensor 77 to cause erroneous detection. Is prevented. When the operation by the player is stopped, the switch body 41 returns to the normal position (see FIG. 2B) by the urging force of the coil spring 83.
[0034]
Next, an electrical configuration of the slot machine 1 will be described with reference to a block diagram of FIG. The slot machine 1 includes a control mechanism using a microcomputer. As shown in FIG. 4, the control mechanism receives a signal from various sensors and switches and controls a main control unit 200 for controlling the operation of each unit. And an auxiliary control means 300 for performing an effect by a sound device 301 and an illumination mechanism 303 for illuminating each reel from the rear according to the state of the game. The main control means 200 and the auxiliary control means 300 are configured by mounting electronic components such as a CPU, a memory and a transistor on separate control boards of a main control board and an auxiliary control board, respectively. The main control unit 200 includes a CPU 201, a memory unit 203, a drive circuit, and the like. The memory unit 203 includes a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and stores a control program of the CPU 201 including preset data and tables, and temporarily stores calculation data, detection results, and the like.
[0035]
As a sensor or a switch for inputting a signal to the CPU 201 of the main control means 200, a medal sensor 161 provided in the medal insertion slot 25 for detecting the number of inserted medals and the credit medal button 15 are incorporated, and the required number of medals are inserted from the credit medals. A medal button sensor 163 for detecting the operation of the credit medal button 15 when using a medal, a start switch 165 incorporated in the start lever 17 for detecting that the start lever 17 has been operated, and incorporated in the operation switch unit 23, There are a left sensor 75 and a right sensor 77 for detecting that each of the stop operation units 19, 20, and 21 has been operated, and a payout switch 167 incorporated in the payout button 27 for paying out credit medals.
[0036]
Further, as a device that is driven and controlled by the CPU 201 of the main control means 200, a first rotating reel motor 181, a second rotating reel motor 182 including a stepping motor for rotating the three rotating reels 111, 112, 113, respectively. There are a three-reel reel motor 183, a medal number display 35 for displaying the number of credit medals, an effect display lamp 33 for displaying the progress of the game, and an effective display lamp 31 for displaying an effective line according to the inserted number. Are controlled by the CPU 201 via the motor drive circuits 205, 207, 209 and the drive circuits 211, 213, 215, respectively. Further, the CPU 201 drives and controls the hopper device 185 that pays out credit medals and the like. The start lever 17 corresponds to the start means, the operation switch unit 23 including the first, second and third stop operation parts 19, 20, 21 corresponds to the stop means, and the CPU 201 corresponds to the winning control means and the stop control means. I do.
[0037]
The auxiliary control unit 300 includes a CPU 311 and a memory unit 313, receives the effect control data transmitted from the main control unit 200, and receives an audio device 301 including a speaker according to the progress of the game, the liquid crystal display 13, The lighting mechanism 303 is controlled.
[0038]
Next, referring to FIGS. 2, 3, and 5, the CPU 201 controls the first, second, and third stop operation units 19, 20, and 21 based on the detection signals output from the left and right sensors 75 and 77. The operation determination will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a determination procedure by the CPU 201.
[0039]
When the detection signals output from the left and right sensors 75 and 77 are both OFF signals, the switch body 41 is in the state shown in FIG. It is determined that no operation has been performed on 21. When the detection signal output from the left sensor 75 is an ON signal and the detection signal output from the right sensor 77 is an OFF signal, the switch main body 41 is in the state shown in FIG. It is determined that an operation has been performed on 21.
[0040]
Conversely, when the detection signal output from the left sensor 75 is an off signal and the detection signal output from the right sensor 77 is an on signal, the switch body 41 is in the state shown in FIG. It is determined that an operation on the unit 19 has been performed. Further, when the detection signals output from the left and right sensors 75 and 77 are both ON signals, it is determined that the switch main body 41 has been operated on the second stop operation unit 20 in the state shown in FIG. I do.
[0041]
Here, in FIG. 5, when the detection signal output from one of the left and right sensors 75, 77 becomes an ON signal (YES in step # 10), counting of the elapsed time is started (step # 12). Next, it is determined whether or not the detection signal output from the other sensor is an ON signal (step # 14). If not (NO in step # 14), it is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed. Is performed (step # 16).
[0042]
Then, if the other sensor is turned on (YES in step # 14) before the predetermined time elapses (NO in step # 16), both sensors are turned on and the second stop operation unit 20 is operated. Is determined (step # 18). On the other hand, if the other sensor does not become an ON signal (NO in step # 14) and a predetermined time has elapsed (YES in step # 16), the stop operation unit corresponding to the one sensor (if the right sensor 77 is used) If it is the first stop operation unit 19 and the left sensor 75, it is determined that an operation has been performed on the third stop operation unit 21) (step # 20).
[0043]
Depending on how the second stop operation unit 20 is operated, the detection signals output from the left sensor 75 and the right sensor 77 are not simultaneously turned on, and the on signal of the other sensor is often delayed with respect to one sensor. However, by performing the above determination, it is possible to accurately determine the stop operation units 19, 20, and 21 corresponding to the ON / OFF of the left and right sensors 75 and 77.
[0044]
Subsequently, the overall operation of the slot machine 1 will be described. In this slot machine 1, when the insertion of a medal is detected by the medal sensor 161 or the medal button sensor 163, the effective display lamp 31 corresponding to the inserted number is turned on, and four or more medals are inserted from the medal insertion slot 25. Then, a value obtained by adding the fourth and subsequent medals as credit medals to the already credited number is displayed on the medal number display 35.
[0045]
When the start switch 165 detects that the start lever 17 has been operated, all the rotations of the first, second, and third rotating reel motors 181, 182, and 183 are started, and each of the rotations displayed on the reel window 11 is started. It starts discriminating the symbols of the spinning reels 111, 112, and 113 in accordance with the rotation angles of the spinning reels. If a general game is being played, a lottery is performed, and a winning symbol based on a winning determination table (not shown) is displayed. Is stored.
[0046]
When it is determined that an operation has been performed on the first stop operation unit 19 based on the detection signals from the left and right sensors 75 and 77, the first rotary reel motor 181 is stopped, and an operation is performed on the second stop operation unit 20. If it is determined, the second rotating reel motor 182 is stopped, and if it is determined that the third stop operation unit 21 is operated, the third rotating reel motor 183 is stopped, so that the three rotating reels 111, 112, 113 Stop the rotation of.
[0047]
When stopping the rotation of each rotating reel corresponding to each of the stop operating sections 19, 20, and 21, the symbols displayed on the reel window 11 of the rotating reel to be stopped are determined and stored in the winning determination table. The rotation of the first, second, and third rotating reel motors 181, 182, 183 is stopped so that the symbols determined by the stop position designation table (not shown) with reference to the symbols to be stopped are stopped.
[0048]
Then, when all the rotating reels 111, 112, 113 are stopped, it is determined whether or not the symbols stopped on the activated line are winning. The number of medals to be paid out is paid out. The payout of the medals is performed by adding the number of payout medals to the credit or by driving the hopper device 185 to discharge the required number of medals to the tray 39.
[0049]
In addition, when the symbol stopped on the activated line becomes the symbol of the bonus combination, if the winning of the bonus combination is determined, the required number of medals such as 10 or 15 are paid out and the special game control is performed as the bonus game. Is started. In this special game control, the winning control is performed so that the medal payout probability is higher than that of the general game.
[0050]
By the way, in the case of a special game such as a bonus game, special game winning information is transmitted from the main control means 200 to the auxiliary control means 300 as effect control data. The sound device 301 produces a sound, thereby performing an effect process such as notifying a player of a special game.
[0051]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the left and right sensors 75 and 77 are arranged intensively behind the second stop operation unit 20 of the switch body 41, so that the operation switch unit 23 extends. Can save space and reduce the size of the slot machine 1.
[0052]
Further, according to the present embodiment, the first, second, and third stop operation units 19, 20, 21 are based on the combination of the ON signal and the OFF signal of the detection signals output from the left and right sensors 75, 77. Since the presence / absence of an operation with respect to is determined, only two left and right sensors 75 and 77 composed of photointerrupters are provided as detection units, and the first, second and third stop operation units 19 and 20 are provided. , 21 can be reliably determined. Therefore, the number of components can be reduced as compared with the case where a photo interrupter is provided for each of the first, second, and third stop operation units 19, 20, and 21, and as a result, the main control board on which the main control unit 100 is mounted Area can be reduced. This also makes it possible to reduce the size of the slot machine 1 and save the installation area. Further, by reducing the number of components, the failure rate of the slot machine 1 due to component failure can be reduced.
[0053]
Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various changes other than those described above can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Although the present invention is applied to a slot machine, the present invention is not limited to this, and the operation switch unit according to the present invention can be applied to general equipment that can be operated by an operator from outside.
[0054]
Further, in the above embodiment, the elongated hole 45 is formed in the operation support plate 70 and the swing shaft 43 is formed in the center of the switch main body 41. Conversely, the swing shaft 43 is formed in the center of the switch main body 41. A long hole may be formed, and a swing shaft to be inserted into the long hole may be formed on the operation support plate 70.
[0055]
In the above embodiment, the slot machine is provided with one operation switch unit 23. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a slot machine provided with two or more operation switch units 23 may be used. In the above-described embodiment, the slot machine is a three-reel slot machine. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various slot machines such as a slot machine having four or more reels may be used.
[0056]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the switch body is supported by the fixing member by the support mechanism so that the left and right ends can swing around the central portion as a fulcrum and can move in parallel in the front-rear direction. Since the detection means disposed behind the central portion of the switch body detects the displacement of the switch body based on the operation of any of the operation sections and specifies the operated operation section, Since the detection means are centrally located behind the center of the switch body, the unit is more space-saving and more compact than installing the detection means for each of the left, middle, and right operation units. Can be achieved.
[0057]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the switch main body is fixed by inserting the support shaft formed on the other end into the long hole in the front-rear direction formed on one of the central portion of the switch main body and the fixing member. The left and right ends of the switch body are supported by a member so that they can move in parallel in the front-rear direction, and the left and right ends of the switch body are urged forward by urging means. As a result, the supporting mechanism can be swingably supported, and the supporting mechanism can be realized with a simple configuration.
[0058]
According to the third aspect of the invention, the first detection unit detects a detection piece that moves by an operation on the left operation unit, and detects a detection piece that moves by an operation on the right operation unit by the second detection unit. Since the detection piece moved by the operation on the operation unit is detected by both the first detection unit and the second detection unit, the operations on the three operation units of the left, middle, and right operation units are performed by the first and the second operation units. Since the identification can be performed by the two detection units of the second detection unit, the number of components can be reduced as compared with the case where a detection unit is provided for each operation unit.
[0059]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the swing of the switch body due to the operation on the left and right operation units is regulated by the left and right regulating members, respectively. It is possible to prevent the operability from being lowered due to excessive rocking.
[0060]
Further, according to the invention of claim 5, when one of the first detection unit and the second detection unit detects the detection piece, the elapsed time is counted, and when the other detects the detection piece within a predetermined time, Since it is determined that the operation is performed on the middle operation unit, when the switch body is moved rearward in parallel by the operation on the middle operation unit, the detection pieces are simultaneously detected by the first detection unit and the second detection unit. Although not limited to the above, it is possible to reliably identify the operation on the middle operation unit and the operations on the left and right operation units by the above determination.
[0061]
According to the invention of claim 6, the switch body is supported by the support mechanism provided on the front panel that is provided on the front panel that opens and closes the front surface of the housing so as to be openable and closable. The detection means is arranged intensively behind the central part of the machine, so that compared to the case where the detection means is provided for each of the left, middle and right operation units, the space saving of the machine body and The size can be reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2A is a front view of an operation switch unit, FIG. 2B is a plan view seen from above, and FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC of FIG. 2B.
FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C are diagrams showing a state in which each stop operation unit of an operation switch unit is operated.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the slot machine.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a determination procedure by a CPU.
[Explanation of symbols]
7 Operation plate (fixing member)
17 Start lever (start means)
19 1st stop operation part (left operation part, stop means)
20 second stop operation unit (middle operation unit, stop means)
21 3rd stop operation part (right operation part, stop means)
43 Swing shaft (support shaft)
70 Operation support plate (fixing member)
75 Left sensor (second detector)
77 Right sensor (first detector)
81,83 coil spring (biasing means)
85 Stopper (Left regulating member)
87 stopper (right regulating member)
111, 112, 113 rotating reel
200 Main control means
201 CPU (winning control means, stop control means)

Claims (6)

In an operation switch unit having at least three operation units of left, middle, and right,
A switch body provided with each of the operation units, the left and right ends swingably around a central portion as a fulcrum, and supported so as to be able to move in parallel in the front-rear direction;
A support mechanism for supporting the switch body on a fixed member,
Detecting means for detecting the displacement of the switch main body based on the operation of any one of the operation sections and identifying the operated operation section, the detection means being provided behind a central portion of the switch main body. Operation switch unit characterized by the following. The support mechanism,
A long hole in the front-rear direction formed in a central portion of the switch body or one of the fixing members,
A support shaft formed at the center of the switch body or the other of the fixing members, and inserted into the long hole;
The operation switch unit according to claim 1, further comprising: urging means for urging the left and right ends of the switch body forward. The switch body includes a detection piece extending rearward from the central portion,
The detecting means,
A first detection unit that detects the detection piece that moves with the swing of the switch main body due to an operation on the left operation unit;
A second detection unit that detects the detection piece that moves with the swing of the switch main body due to an operation on the right operation unit,
The said detection piece which moves backward with the parallel movement of the said switch main body rearward by operation with respect to the said middle operation part is detected by both the said 1st detection part and the 2nd detection part. 3. The operation switch unit according to 1 or 2. A left regulating member disposed behind the left half of the switch body, and restricting swinging of the switch body by an operation on the left operation unit by contacting the switch body.
A right regulating member disposed behind the right half of the switch main body and configured to abut on the switch main body to regulate swinging of the switch main body due to operation on the right operation unit. Item 4. The operation switch unit according to item 3. One of the first detection unit and the second detection unit counts an elapsed time from a point in time when the detection piece is detected, and when the other detects the detection piece within a predetermined time, it is an operation on the middle operation unit. The operation switch unit according to claim 3, wherein the operation switch unit is determined. A slot machine comprising the operation switch unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
First, second, and third rotating reels that are driven to rotate in response to operation of a start unit by a player;
A stopping unit in which the left operation unit, the middle operation unit, and the right operation unit of the operation switch unit are respectively set corresponding to the first, second, and third rotating reels;
Winning control means for performing a lottery by random numbers in accordance with the operation of the start means and controlling the winning based on the lottery result;
Stop control means for stopping the rotation drive of each of the rotating reels according to the operation of the stop means by the player on the left operation part, the middle operation part and the right operation part and the control result in the winning control means,
A slot machine, comprising: an operation plate provided on a front panel for closing a front surface of a housing so as to be openable and closable, and serving as the fixing member of the operation switch unit.

Images