JP2011078674A - Setting key unit, game machine board case and game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a setting key unit reducing manufacturing costs, improving workability at a change of setting and restraining a fraudulent change of setting by unitizing a highly versatile setting key switch to render it reused and exchanged. <P>SOLUTION: The setting key unit 11 provided with the setting key switch 110 that brings a game machine into a state of rendering the setting of a jackpot-winning possibility changeable includes: a connection part for transmitting a signal from the switch 110 from a key operation and connected attachably/detachably with a main board; a holder 111 for covering a part other than a setting key switch key hole 110a and the connection part and for supporting the switch 110; a cover 115 for openably/closably covering the hole 110a; and fixing components (112 and 113a) for fixing the unit 111 to the board case. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a setting key unit including a setting key switch for setting and changing a jackpot probability of a gaming machine based on a key operation, a gaming machine board case equipped with the setting key unit, and the gaming machine board case In particular, a highly versatile setting key switch is unitized so that it can be reused or exchanged, reducing costs and improving workability when changing settings, and unauthorized setting changes. The present invention relates to a setting key unit to be suppressed, a gaming machine board case equipped with the setting key unit, and a gaming machine including the gaming machine board case.

A gaming machine such as a pachinko machine or a slot machine is provided with a setting key switch for setting a jackpot probability that can be changed based on a key operation.
A setting key switch is configured as an electronic key that can change the jackpot probability by turning on the power of the gaming machine while the corresponding setting key is inserted and rotated to turn it on. It is built in a power supply box that houses a power supply board that generates and supplies power to the gaming machine and a board case that houses a main board that controls the gaming machine. Further, this setting key switch is covered with a predetermined cover member whose keyhole portion can be opened and closed, and is directly soldered to these power supply board and main board so that it cannot be removed (see Patent Document 1). ).

JP 2009-56187 A (page 20, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, page 21, FIG. 8, FIG. 9)

However, the conventional method in which the setting key switch is built in the power supply box or the substrate case causes the following problems.
For example, if the setting key switch is a general-purpose part and is soldered directly to the power supply board or the main board, the board must be replaced when the setting key switch fails. The replacement cost was high and it was difficult to recycle.
Further, the keyhole portion of the setting key switch is usually covered with a cover member in order to prevent entry of foreign matter from the outside, but when the manager of the game hall changes the setting, the cover member It became an obstacle to key operation and reduced workability.
In addition, when the setting key switch is arranged on the side where the front door is opened in the gaming machine, the key operation becomes possible only by opening the front door slightly, and there is a risk of causing an illegal act.

  The present invention has been proposed in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and a highly versatile setting key switch is unitized so that it can be reused and replaced, thereby reducing costs. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a setting key unit capable of improving workability at the time of setting change and suppressing unauthorized setting change, a board case for a gaming machine equipped with the key unit, and a gaming machine including the board case for the gaming machine. .

  In order to achieve the above object, a setting key unit of the present invention is a setting key unit including a setting key switch for setting a jackpot probability of a gaming machine so that the setting can be changed. A connection portion that transmits a signal and is detachably connected to a predetermined circuit board, a holder that covers the connection portion other than the keyhole portion of the setting key switch, and that supports the setting key switch, and a keyhole of the setting key switch The cover is configured to be openable and closable, and a mounting structure for attaching the setting key unit to a predetermined part in the gaming machine.

  The gaming machine board case of the present invention is a gaming machine board case in which a main board for controlling the jackpot probability to a setting changeable state based on a signal from a setting key switch is accommodated. A setting key unit including a key switch is mounted, and the setting key unit is the setting key unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

  The gaming machine of the present invention is a gaming machine including a gaming machine board case in which a main board for controlling a jackpot probability is set to be changeable based on a signal from a setting key switch. The gaming machine substrate case is the gaming machine substrate case.

  According to the setting key unit of the present invention, the gaming machine board case equipped with the setting key unit, and the gaming machine equipped with the gaming machine board case, the versatile setting key switch is unitized to reduce the cost. In addition to improving the workability at the time of setting change, it is possible to suppress illegal setting changes.

It is a front view of the slot machine which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view of the substrate case for gaming machines according to one embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view of the setting key unit which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, (a) is a figure which shows the state which closed the cover, (b) is a figure which shows the state which opened the cover. It is sectional drawing of the setting key unit which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, (a) is a figure which shows the state which closed the cover, (b) is a figure which shows the state which opened the cover. It is an assembly perspective view of the setting key unit concerning one embodiment of the present invention, and is a figure which attaches a setting key switch to a holder. It is an assembly perspective view which mounts the setting key unit concerning one embodiment of the present invention to a substrate case.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a setting key unit of the present invention, a gaming machine board case equipped with the setting key unit, and a gaming machine board case equipped with the gaming machine board case will be described with reference to the drawings.
There are various types of gaming machines such as pachinko machines, slot machines, arrangement balls, sparrow balls, etc., but in this embodiment, the setting key unit of the present invention and the slot machine using medals as gaming media are used. A case where a mounted gaming machine substrate case is applied will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment can acquire game media (medals) by rotating a plurality of reels 71a, 71b, 71c, and is divided into six stages in advance. This is a rotary type gaming machine having a setting probability changing function capable of changing the jackpot lottery probability set in any stage.
The slot machine 1 includes a housing 1b that opens on the front side for storing necessary machines, devices, and the like, and a front door 1a that covers the front side of the housing 1b so as to be opened and closed.
The front door 1a is a door that is attached to the housing 1b through a hinge 1c so as to be opened and closed. The front door 1a has a medal slot 2 for inserting medals, a start lever 3 for starting rotation of each reel 71, A plurality of operation means such as three stop buttons 4a to 4c for stopping each rotating reel 71, a MAXBET button 5a and a 1BET button 5b for inserting a medal stored (credited) into the game by a pressing operation; In a state where the number of payout medals and the set probability can be changed, a payout number display portion 6 for displaying any one of the stages (1 to 6) is provided, and the front portion of the slot machine 1 is configured.
In addition, a selection switch that can select one of the six lottery probabilities in a state in which the setting probability can be changed is provided on the back surface of the front door 1a and is displayed on the payout number display unit 6. The set probability can be selected while visually checking one of the stages (not shown).

In the center of the housing 1b, reels 71a, 71b, 71c, a motor (not shown) that rotatably supports each reel 71, a sensor that detects a rotational position, and the like are provided.
Further, a medal payout device 8 for storing and paying out medals and a power supply box 9 for generating and supplying power are provided at the lower part of the housing 1b, and a substrate case 10 is attached to the upper rear surface of the housing 1b. It has been.

The board case 10 accommodates a so-called main board 10a that controls the progress of the slot machine game by controlling the devices such as the reels 71 and the medal payout device 8 based on the signals from the respective operating means. At the same time, a setting key unit 11 including a setting key switch 110 that allows a setting probability to be changed by a key operation is mounted.
The substrate case 10 includes two cases formed of a colorless and transparent industrial resin (for example, polycarbonate), and the main substrate 10a is accommodated so as to be sandwiched between these cases.

The main board 10a is configured as a computer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), storage means such as ROM and RAM, IC components such as an I / O interface, resistors, capacitors, transistors, and the like.
In the ROM, a control program and data for controlling the slot machine 1 are stored, and in this data, a big hit lottery data table to be compared with random numbers is set in an internal lottery performed for each game.

The jackpot lottery data table quantifies the winning range for lottery targets such as bonus combinations that win big hits, small roles where medals are paid out, replayable roles that can be played next time without inserting medals, and losers. In the data table, it is compared with a random number acquired at the timing of operating the start lever 3, and it is made to hit a lottery object in the winning range to which the random number belongs. That is, it is a data table in which the winning probability of each lottery object changes by changing the winning range of each lottery object.
In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, six big hit lottery data tables with different winning ranges (lottery probabilities) such as bonus combinations and small combinations are stored in the ROM, and the main board 10a is switched from the setting key switch when the power is turned on. When the ON signal is received, the setting probability is changed. In this state, an arbitrary data table can be selected by operating the above-described selection switch, and a change to the selected setting probability is determined by operating the start lever 3, and the setting key switch is turned off. By returning, the selected jackpot lottery data table is used as a reference table at the time of internal lottery.

The slot machine 1 configured as described above is controlled as follows by the main board 10a, and the slot machine game proceeds.
First, when a player inserts a medal from the medal insertion slot 2 and operates the start lever 3, the main board 10a controls to rotate each reel 71 and refers to the set big hit lottery data table. The internal lottery that draws bonuses, small roles, etc. is performed, and based on the timing when each stop button 4 is pressed, stop control of each rotating reel 71 so as to stop at a combination of symbols according to the winning result I do.
Further, the main board 10a determines a combination of symbols to be stopped and displayed on each reel 71, and controls the medal payout device 8 to pay out a predetermined number of medals when the combination of the predetermined symbols is reached.

As shown in FIG. 3, the setting key unit 11 is a switch that is mounted on the left side of the board case 10 and outputs an ON signal to the main board 10a by a key operation. The setting key unit 11 sets the main board 10a based on the ON signal. A setting key switch 110 is provided to make it changeable.
By mounting the setting key unit 11 on the left side of the substrate case 10 in this way, the setting key unit 11 is arranged on the hinge 1c side as shown in FIG. 2 in a state where the substrate case 10 is attached to the rear surface of the housing 1b. Is done.
Thereby, in order to operate the setting key switch 110, since the front door 1a must be opened largely, the fraudulent act performed by slightly opening the front door 1a can be eliminated.

As shown in FIG. 4, the setting key unit 11 has a cover structure that covers the setting key switch 110, and is formed of a colorless and transparent industrial resin (for example, polycarbonate).
Specifically, the setting key unit 11 transmits a signal from the setting key switch 110 based on the key operation, and is connected to the main board 10a so as to be detachable, and other than the key hole portion 110a of the setting key switch 110. A holder 111 that supports the setting key switch 110, a cover 115 that covers the key hole portion 110a of the setting key switch 110, and a mounting structure for attaching the setting key unit 11 to the substrate case 10. I have.
Hereinafter, details of each part of the setting key unit 11 will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 4, the holder 111 has a dome shape in which a switch covering portion 111a that covers a portion other than the keyhole portion 110a of the setting key switch 110 and a connector covering portion 111b that covers a connector connecting portion to the main board 10a are smoothly connected. A guide rib 112, a fixing rib 113, and a hinge portion 114 are formed.
A fixing hole 113a is formed in the fixing rib 113, and is configured as an attachment structure for attaching the setting key unit 11 to the substrate case 10 together with the guide rib 112 (see FIG. 7).
The hinge portion 114 is a portion protruding from the side surface 111e of the switch covering portion 111a, and a bearing hole (not shown) that rotatably supports the shaft portion 115b provided on the cover 115 and orthogonal to the rotating axial direction. And a leaf spring 114a that is elastically deformed in the direction to be moved.

The cover 115 is a cover material that covers the keyhole portion 110a, and rotates around the shaft portion 115b to perform an opening / closing operation. The cover 115 includes a handle 115a that is picked for an opening / closing operation, and a cam 115c formed around a shaft portion 115b.
The cam 115c is a cam that rotates together with the cover 115, and as shown in FIG. 5, the distance from the switch covering portion 111a (near the boundary between the side surface 111e and the upper surface 111c), which is the portion closest to the shaft portion 115b. A contact portion 115cA having a larger radius than (radius R) and a non-contact portion 115cB having substantially the same radius are smoothly connected.
The contact portion 115cA is formed so as to contact the switch cover portion 111a from the closed state to the open state, and the non-contact portion 115cB is formed so as to be substantially non-contact with the switch cover portion 111a. ing.
With the cam 115c and the leaf spring 114a configured as described above, the cover 115 can be held in either the open state or the closed state unless an external force is applied.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5A, when the cover 115 is in the closed state, if the handle 115a is picked and an external force is applied in the A direction, the contact portion 115cA prevents the cover 115 from rotating, When the applied external force is small, the cover 115 is acted to be kept closed.
Further, when an external force is applied in the A direction, the abutting portion 115cA abuts on the switch covering portion 111a, the shaft portion 115b rises, and the leaf spring 114a that supports the shaft portion 115b moves in the Y direction orthogonal to the axial direction. By elastically deforming, the cover 115 can be opened as shown in FIG.

In this open state, the cover 115 tends to rotate in the B direction by its own weight. However, since the contact portion 115cA contacts the switch cover portion 111a (near the boundary between the side surface 111e and the upper surface 111c), the contact portion 115cA acts to hold the cover 115 in the open state.
The key operation performed when changing the setting probability can be performed in this open state, and the cover 115 does not rotate in the B direction, so that the key operation is not hindered.
Further, when an external force is applied in the B direction, the abutting portion 115cA abuts on the switch covering portion 111a, the shaft portion 115b is raised, and the leaf spring 114a supporting the shaft portion 115b is moved in the Y direction perpendicular to the axial direction. By elastically deforming, the cover 115 can be closed as shown in FIG.

Thus, by providing the cam 115c that rotates together with the cover 115 and contacts the switch covering portion 111a from the closed state to the open state, the cover 115 can be opened or closed unless an external force is applied. It can be held in either state (open / close holding structure).
Further, by supporting the shaft portion 115b with the leaf spring 114a, the leaf spring 114a is elastically deformed, so that the contact between the contact portion 115cA and the switch covering portion 111a can be avoided, and the cover 115 is opened and closed. be able to.
As a result, when a game hall administrator or the like changes the setting, the cover 115 is changed from the closed state to the opened state, and the cover 115 is operated without any trouble so that the key operation is performed and then closed again. Can be in a state. And a series of these opening / closing operations can be performed with one hand, and workability at the time of setting change can be improved.

The setting key switch 110 is made of a conductor such as iron, and as shown in FIG. 6, a key hole portion 110a into which a setting key is inserted, a cylinder portion 110b in which a screw groove is formed, and a signal based on a key operation. A lead portion 110c for outputting is provided.
The setting key switch 110 is inserted into an opening 111d formed on the upper surface 111c of the holder 111, and a nut 117 is screwed into the cylinder 110b to be screwed into the holder 111.
A ground terminal 116 formed of a washer 118 and a conductor is fastened together with a nut 117, and the ground terminal 116 is attached so as to protrude from the switch covering portion 111a (side surface 111e) as shown in FIG.

The ground terminal 116 is connected to a predetermined ground wire so as to be grounded. As a result, static electricity charged on the human body during key operation can be released through the ground terminal 116, and entry of static electricity into the main board 10a can be prevented.
The lead portion 110c is soldered to a predetermined cable, and a connector connected to the main board 10a is provided at the tip (not shown).
Thereby, the setting key switch 110 is electrically connected to the main board 10a, and the power switch 9a provided in the power supply box 9 is turned on (power-on) while the corresponding setting key is inserted and rotated to be in the on state. Thus, an ON signal is input to the main board 10a, and the big hit probability can be changed.
These cables and connectors (not shown) are covered with the connector covering portion 111b so that they cannot be operated from the outside.

The setting key unit 11 configured as described above is attached to the substrate case 10 as follows.
As shown in FIG. 7, a unit mounting portion 10 b for mounting the setting key unit 11 is formed on the substrate case 10.
In the unit mounting portion 10b, an L-shaped guide portion 101 protruding from the left side surface of the substrate case 10, a fixing hole 102 communicating with the fixing hole 113a with the setting key unit 11 mounted, a cylinder portion Enclosure ribs 103 surrounding 110b and connectors 104 provided on the main board 10a are formed.

To attach the setting key unit 11 to the unit mounting portion 10b, first, a connector (not shown) connected to the lead portion 110c via a cable is connected to the connector 104, and the cylinder portion 110b is inserted into the surrounding rib 103.
Further, the guide rib 112 is guided to be L-shaped so that the upper surface of the guide rib 112 is in contact with the lower surface of the guide part 101, and a predetermined screw is screwed into the fixed hole 113a and the fixed hole 102 communicating in this state. The setting key unit 11 can be mounted on the unit mounting portion 10b.
Thus, since the setting key unit 11 can be attached to and detached from the board case 10 with a connector and a single screw, it can be easily reused and replaced, and the cost can be reduced.

In addition, a connection portion including a lead portion 110c provided on the setting key switch 110, a cable and a connector connected thereto, and a connector 104 provided on the main board 10a is covered by a holder 111 including the cylinder portion 110. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate an illegal act of directly operating the lead part 110c and the connector 104 by entering a foreign object.
Furthermore, since the board case 10 to which the setting key unit 11 is mounted is disposed at the upper part of the housing 1b, it can be separated from the power switch 9a disposed at the lower part of the housing 1b (see FIG. 2). In a general slot machine, the setting key switch 110 is provided in the power supply box 9 and is close to the power switch 9a. However, since it is arranged in this way, it becomes difficult to operate simultaneously. Unauthorized setting changes can be suppressed.

  As described above, according to the setting key unit 11 according to the present embodiment, the board case 10 on which the setting key unit 11 is mounted, and the slot machine 1 including the board case 10, the highly versatile setting key switch 110 is unitized. By doing so, it is possible to improve the workability at the time of setting change while suppressing cost, and to suppress unauthorized setting change.

  The setting key unit of the present invention, the gaming machine board case equipped with the setting key unit, and the gaming machine equipped with the gaming machine board case have been described with reference to the preferred embodiments, but the setting key unit according to the present invention has been described. The gaming machine board case to which the gaming machine is mounted and the gaming machine equipped with the gaming machine board case are not limited to the embodiment described above, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention. Needless to say, there is.

For example, in this embodiment, a setting key unit and a board case for a gaming machine equipped with the setting key unit are applied to a slot machine. However, the present invention is applicable to various gaming machines such as a pachinko machine, a slot machine, an arrangement ball, and a sparrow ball. Can do.
In this embodiment, the setting key unit is mounted on the board case 1 that houses the main board. However, the power key box that houses the power board, and the sub board that is the board for production that controls the speaker, the lamp, and the like are housed. It can also be attached to the board case.

  The present invention can be widely used for gaming machines including setting key switches.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Slot machine 10 Board case 10a Main board 10b Unit mounting part 11 Setting key unit 110 Setting key switch 110a Keyhole part 110b Cylinder part 110c Lead part 111 Holder 112 Guide rib (mounting structure)
113 Fixing rib (mounting structure)
113a fixing hole (mounting structure)
114 Hinge part 114a Leaf spring (elastic support part)
115 Cover 115a Handle 115b Shaft 115c Cam 116 Ground terminal

Claims (7)

A setting key unit comprising a setting key switch for setting and changing a jackpot winning probability of a gaming machine.
A transmission unit that transmits a signal from a setting key switch based on a key operation, and is detachably connected to a predetermined circuit board,
Covering the connection part other than the keyhole part of the setting key switch, and a holder for supporting the setting key switch,
A cover that covers the keyhole of the setting key switch so that it can be opened and closed;
And a mounting structure for attaching the setting key unit to a predetermined part in the gaming machine.   The setting key unit according to claim 1, further comprising an open / close holding structure for holding the cover in a closed state or an open state unless an external force is applied. The opening and closing holding structure is
A shaft portion that rotatably supports the cover;
A cam that rotates together with the cover and prevents contact of the cover by contacting a predetermined portion between the closed state and the open state;
The setting key unit according to claim 2, further comprising: an elastic support portion that supports the shaft portion and elastically deforms in a direction orthogonal to an axial direction of the shaft portion.   The setting key unit according to claim 1, wherein the setting key switch is formed of a conductor, and a predetermined ground terminal is attached to the setting key switch. A board case for a gaming machine that houses a main board that controls a jackpot probability that can be set and changed based on a signal from a setting key switch,
A setting key unit comprising the setting key switch is mounted,
The board case for gaming machines, wherein the setting key unit is the setting key unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4. A gaming machine comprising a gaming machine board case that houses a main board that controls a jackpot probability that can be set and changed based on a signal from a setting key switch,
The gaming machine board case according to claim 5, wherein the gaming machine board case is the gaming machine board case. A housing in which the front side is opened and the gaming machine substrate case is accommodated;
A door attached to the housing via a hinge so as to be openable and closable,
Attaching the gaming machine substrate case to the rear surface of the housing,
The gaming machine according to claim 6, wherein the setting key unit is mounted on the hinge side of the gaming machine substrate case.

Images