JP2013215558A - Communication apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication apparatus capable of sufficiently preventing a harness fraud.SOLUTION: A plug 31 and a receptacle 32 are formed not to be able to release fitting, unless one of them is broken, when they are fitted to each other. When a ferrule 33 arranged at the end of an optical communication cable 12 comes off, a shutter 31E inside the plug 31 closes a ferrule through-hole 31B. Besides, when the plug 31 is fitted to the receptacle 32, the whole plug 31 is fully buried inside the receptacle 32. Thus, when the optical communication cable 12 or the rear end 33E of the ferrule 33 is pulled in removing the plug 31 fitted to the receptacle 32 from the receptacle 32, the ferrule 33 comes off the plug 31, so that the reuse of the plug 31 is disabled. Consequently, a fraudulent act so-called Nikoichi is also prevented.

Description

The present invention provides an optical communication cable that interconnects a main control board that mainly controls the operation of a device related to the progress of a game and a sub-control board that mainly controls the operation of a device that is not directly involved in the progress of the game. The communication device performs communication between the main control board and the sub control board.

Conventionally, a gaming machine such as a slot machine is formed so as to execute various effects according to the game situation when the player advances the game. Such a gaming machine generally includes a gaming device related to the progress of the game, a main control board that mainly controls the operation of the gaming device,
An effect device related to the effect of the game and a sub-control board for mainly controlling the operation of the effect device are provided.

Here, the sub-control board receives a command from the main control board and controls the effect device based on the received command so that the effect device can be controlled in accordance with the game situation. For this reason, a digital command signal is transmitted from the main control board to the sub-control board to the gaming machine. When transmitting the command signal, the gaming machine also uses a serial transmission that transmits the digital signal in series as a communication device. The method is used.

Furthermore, as a serial transmission type communication device, it is equipped with an electrical / optical converter,
An optical communication device that uses an optical communication cable that transmits an optical signal as a communication cable, and that connects to the optical communication cable with a connector so that the optical communication cable can be easily connected is known. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). If such an optical communication device is adopted, the optical communication cable is not affected by electromagnetic induction at all, so even if a device that generates electromagnetic noise such as a motor, a switch and a transformer exists in the vicinity, Malfunctions due to electromagnetic noise can be prevented in advance.

JP 2009-153798 A

In the communication apparatus as described above, the regular optical communication cable is removed, and instead, an illegal optical communication cable connected with an apparatus that emits an illegal signal is attached in the middle, thereby causing the gaming machine to malfunction. Although there is a risk of illegal actions, so-called harness goto, since the optical communication cable is connected to the connector, the optical communication cable can be attached to and detached from the substrate relatively easily, so that harness goat can be sufficiently prevented. There is a problem that it is not possible.

Accordingly, each invention described in each claim has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and the object of the invention is to sufficiently prevent harness goto. It is to provide a communication device.

Each invention described in each claim is made to achieve the above-mentioned object. The features of each invention will be described below with reference to the embodiments of the invention shown in the drawings. In addition, a code | symbol shows the code | symbol used in embodiment of this invention, and does not limit the technical scope of this invention.

(Claim 1)
(Feature point)
The invention described in claim 1 is characterized by the following points.
That is, the main control board (2A) that mainly controls the operation of the device related to the progress of the game and the sub-control board (2B) that mainly controls the operation of the device that is not directly involved in the progress of the game are connected to each other. A communication device that performs communication between the main control board (2A) and the sub-control board (2D) via an optical communication cable (12), the one end (12A) of the optical communication cable (12) and Between the main control board (2A), in order to connect them to each other, a main side connector provided with a plug and a receptacle that are fitted to each other is provided, and the other end of the optical communication cable (12) ( 12B) and the sub-control board (2D), in order to connect them to each other, a plug (31) and a receptacle that fit together
A sub-side connector (30) provided with (32), and each of the main-side connector and the sub-side connector (30), when the plug is fitted to the receptacle, at least one of the plug and the receptacle Is formed so that the fitting between the two cannot be released, and the both ends of the optical communication cable (12) are formed in a cylindrical shape that matches the center position of the end of the optical communication cable (12) and the plug. Each of the ferrules (33), and the plug (31)
The ferrule (33) is inserted inside, and provided with a ferrule insertion hole (31B) that penetrates the plug (31) along the insertion direction of the ferrule (33), the main connector and The plug (31) installed in at least one of the sub-side connector (30) is disposed at a midpoint position of the ferrule insertion hole (31B), and an open position for opening the ferrule insertion hole (31B) and the A shutter (31E) formed to be movable between two closed positions for closing the ferrule insertion hole (31B), and an elastic body (31J) for biasing the shutter (31E) toward the closed position are internally provided. The shutter plug (31) is inserted into the ferrule insertion hole (31B) with the shutter (31E) disposed at the open position. And the ferrule When the tool (33) is pulled out from the ferrule insertion hole (31B), the shutter (31E) is moved to the closed position by the urging force of the elastic body (31J) so as not to return to the open position. It is characterized by that.

(Effect of Claim 1)
The present invention configured as described above has the following effects.
That is, according to the invention of claim 1, as a connector for connecting one end of the optical communication cable and the main control board, and the other end of the optical communication cable and the sub control board to each other,
Since plugs and receptacles with plugs and receptacles that can be fitted together and cannot be released unless one of them is destroyed are used, the plugs and receptacles can be removed from the main control board or sub-control board. One of them needs to be destroyed. Here, by destroying the receptacle provided on the board, the plug is obtained intact, and further, the end of the unauthorized optical communication cable to which a device that emits an unauthorized signal is connected in the middle is intact. Even if the acquired plug is connected, since the receptacle on the board side is destroyed, an unauthorized optical communication cable cannot be connected to the board, so that an illegal act called a harness goto is prevented. become.

Moreover, the plug installed in at least one of the main side connector and the sub side connector is
The shutter is formed so that the ferrule insertion hole is closed when the ferrule provided at the end of the optical communication cable is pulled out.If the ferrule is removed from the plug, the shutter closes the ferrule insertion hole. Accordingly, the ferrule cannot be set in the ferrule insertion hole on the plug side, and light cannot pass through the ferrule insertion hole, and as a result, the plug cannot be reused. Here, if the entire plug is completely buried inside the receptacle, when removing the plug from the receptacle, the person who removes the plug will always pull the optical communication cable. , The ferrule comes off the plug and the plug cannot be reused. Therefore, an unauthorized person destroys the plug provided on the optical communication cable of one gaming machine, acquires the board and the receptacle provided on the board without being damaged, and is provided on the board of another gaming machine. Even if you want to destroy the receptacle and acquire the plug provided on the optical communication cable of the other gaming machine without any damage, be sure to pull the optical communication cable when removing the plug from the receptacle. Since the plug can be removed from the plug and reuse of the plug becomes impossible, so-called fraudulent acts called two-by-one can also be prevented, and the above-described purpose is achieved.

It is a front view showing a slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view which shows the inside of the housing | casing which concerns on the said embodiment. FIG. 2 is a partially broken perspective view showing the connector according to the embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the plug which concerns on the said embodiment. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the connector which concerns on the said embodiment. It is sectional drawing explaining the usage method of the connector which concerns on the said embodiment. It is a plane sectional view showing the modification of the shutter provided in the plug concerning the embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the apparatus structure for inspecting an abnormal location when abnormality generate | occur | produces in production display. It is a front view which shows the modification of the plug which concerns on the said embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing of the arrow XI-XI part in FIG.

Hereinafter, an embodiment, which is a mode for carrying out the present invention, will be described with reference to the drawings.
(Schematic configuration of slot machine 1)
As shown in FIG. 1, the slot machine 1 as a gaming machine according to the present embodiment rotates so that a plurality of types of symbols written on each of the three rotating reels 11 form a predetermined combination. A game for stopping the rotating reel 11 is performed. The slot machine 1 employs a metal medal as a game medium, and is configured to start a game when the medal is inserted. As shown in FIG. 1, such a slot machine 1 includes a housing 2 that houses various devices of the slot machine 1 and has a rectangular front shape. The housing | casing 2 is a box-shaped member by which the whole front surface was opened. And the front opening of the housing | casing 2 is block | closed with the front door 3 attached to the said housing | casing 2 so that rotation was possible. Front door 3
Is automatically locked when closed.

The front door 3 includes an upper panel portion 4 and a lower panel portion 5 that substantially bisect the front surface. Below the lower panel portion 5, there is provided a tray unit 6 integrally formed with a tray portion 6A for storing medals to be paid out at the time of winning a prize. Further, an operation console 7 for performing an operation relating to the game is formed between the upper panel portion 4 and the lower panel portion 5 so as to protrude toward the player side. Here, the upper panel portion 4 and the lower panel portion 5 have a decorative plate made of synthetic resin attached to the surface in order to ensure an excellent appearance in terms of design.

(Upper panel part 4)
The upper panel portion 4 is provided with a display window 4A formed in a rectangular shape above the console 7 and in the center in the width direction in FIG. Here, each of the three rotating reels 11 provided inside the housing 2 is marked with a plurality of types of symbols on its outer peripheral surface. Each rotating reel 11
These symbols are visible from the outside of the housing 2 through the display window 4A. Rotating reel
A reel illumination unit (not shown) that irradiates the rotating reel 11 from the inside is provided inside the reel 11.

At the upper edge portion of the upper panel portion 4, there is provided an effect lighting device 4B in which the front shape is formed in an inverted trapezoidal shape elongated in the left and right direction. This lighting device for production 4B is arranged at substantially the center of the upper edge portion of the upper panel portion 4, and its both end portions are cut off at a position in front of them without reaching the corners of the lighting device for production 4B. It has become. In addition, in the vicinity of both corners on the upper side of the upper panel portion 4, a pair of effect lighting devices 4 </ b> C for drawing a Chinese numeral “eight” is provided while the front shape is formed in a curved belt shape. Each of these effect lighting devices 4C has an upper end portion disposed in the vicinity of the end portion of the effect lighting device 4B, and a lower end portion thereof extends obliquely downward toward the side edge of the upper panel portion 4. It has become. Furthermore, a pair of effect lighting devices 4D are provided on both side edges of the upper panel portion 4 so as to sandwich the display window 4A therebetween. Each of these lighting devices for production 4B to 4D includes a light source such as a high-luminance full-color light-emitting diode disposed inside a colorless and transparent lens, and the light source is turned on or flashes or emits light according to the progress of the game. As a result, the visual effect in the game is enhanced.

Between the display window 4A and the effect lighting device 4B, a liquid crystal display device 4E for displaying an effect image for the game
Is provided. The liquid crystal display device 4E displays various images including moving images as the game progresses. In the vicinity of both corners on the lower side of the liquid crystal display device 4E, audio output units 4F each having a speaker that generates sound effects relating to the game are provided.

(Operating console 7)
The console 7 is provided with various switches necessary for operations in the game. That is, a key hole 7A into which a key for unlocking the front door 3 is inserted is provided at the right end portion in FIG. A medal insertion portion 7C having a medal insertion slot 7B for inserting medals is provided obliquely above and to the left of the keyhole 7A. Three stop switches 7D that are operated when stopping each of the three rotary reels 11 are provided obliquely to the left of the medal slot 7B. Among these three stop switches 7D, a max bet switch 7E, which will be described later, is provided obliquely above and to the left of the stop switch 7D arranged at the left end. Also, to the left of the leftmost stop switch 7D,
A start switch 7F that is operated when the three rotary reels 11 are simultaneously rotated is provided at a position diagonally below and to the left of 7E.

Here, a single bet switch 7G and a settlement switch 7H are provided in the vicinity of the left side of the max bet switch 7E in FIG. The max bet switch 7E generally sends a max bet signal which is an insertion command signal for instructing betting of three medals when a player or the like performs a single pressing operation. In other words, Max Bet Switch 7E
Is an insertion switch for betting the maximum number of medals (generally three) that can bet with a single pressing operation.

The single bet switch 7G sends out a single bet signal which is an insertion command signal for instructing to bet one medal when a player or the like performs a single pressing operation. In other words, the single bet switch 7G is an insertion switch for betting one medal with one pressing operation. The remaining settlement switch 7H, when a player or the like performs a pressing operation, sends a settlement command signal instructing to perform the settlement operation of the stored medals or to return the bet medals. .

(Lower panel part 5 and saucer unit 6)
The lower panel portion 5 is provided with a panel 5A on which a character or the like representing a model type of the slot machine 1 is drawn. The saucer unit 6 is provided with a medal payout port 6B for discharging medals paid out toward the saucer unit 6A when winning a prize, and a speaker for generating sound effects related to the game, in addition to the above-described saucer unit 6A for storing medals. And an audio output unit 6C.

(Game device with built-in case 2)
Next, a device such as a gaming device provided in the housing 2 will be briefly described.
As shown in FIG. 2, inside the housing 2, three rotary reels 11 are rotatably supported, and a reel unit 10 having a stepping motor (not shown) that drives each of the rotary reels 11, A container part 21 for storing a large number of medals inside and a tray part
A main control board 2A including a hopper unit 20 that discharges medals toward 6A, a reel unit 10 that is a gaming device and a microcomputer that controls the operation of the hopper unit 20, and the main control board 2A inside A main board case 2B accommodated, a power supply device 9 for supplying power to these devices, and the like are provided. The main control board 2A mainly controls the operation of the device related to the progress of the game. That is, when the main control board 2A receives the insertion command signal from the max bet switch 7E, the insertion command signal from the single bed switch 7G, and the adjustment command signal from the adjustment switch 7H, according to the respective signals, Reel unit 10
And a control device that performs a predetermined control operation on devices related to the progress of the game, such as the hopper unit 20 and the like.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the rear side of the front door 3 is arranged at a corresponding position of the front side liquid crystal display device 4E. A sub-control board 2D for controlling the display device such as the display device 4E, a sub-board case 2E housing the sub-control board 2D, and a lower edge of the left side of the display window 4A in FIG. A medal selector 8 and the like for selecting medals inserted in the medal insertion slot 7B are provided. The sub-control board 2D mainly controls operations of devices that are not directly involved in the progress of the game, for example, the lighting devices for effect 4B to 4D and the liquid crystal display device 4E.

(Communication device)
As described above, the slot machine 1 is provided with an optical communication device that performs communication between the main control board 2A and the sub control board 2D by optical communication that is wired communication using an optical fiber as a transmission medium. Here, the communication between the main control board 2A and the sub control board 2D is a one-way digital optical communication that transmits a command signal from the main control board 2A to the sub control board 2D. An optical bit signal with an error detection bit is serially transmitted from one to the sub-control board 2D via one transmission path.

The optical communication device is provided on the main control board 2A, an optical signal transmission circuit (not shown) that transmits an optical signal toward the sub control board 2D, and a sub control board 2D. An optical signal receiving circuit (not shown) that receives an optical signal from the control board 2A and an optical communication cable 12 that interconnects the main control board 2A and the sub control board 2D as shown in FIG. Communication between the main control board 2A and the sub control board 2D.

The optical communication cable 12 is a cable using an optical fiber for transmitting an optical signal therein as a transmission medium. At both ends of the optical communication cable 12, a cylindrical ferrule 33 (see FIG. 3) for aligning the center positions of the ends of the optical communication cable and a plug provided in a connector described later is provided. It is fitted. The ends of the optical communication cable 12 fitted with the ferrule 33 are connected to the main control board 2A and the sub control board 2D via connectors (not shown).

That is, there is no particular illustration between one end of the optical communication cable 12, specifically, an end 12A (see FIG. 2) located on the main control board 2A side of the optical communication cable 12 and the main control board 2A. However, in order to connect them to each other, a main-side connector having a plug and a receptacle that are fitted to each other is provided. The plug of the main-side connector is fitted into the end 12 of the optical communication cable 12 by fitting the ferrule 33 fitted to the end 12A of the optical communication cable 12 inside.
It can be attached to A. The main connector receptacle is the main control board.
It can be attached to the surface of 2A.

The plug and receptacle of the main-side connector are formed so that when the plug is fitted to the receptacle, the fitting of both cannot be released unless at least one of the plug and the receptacle is destroyed. In other words, the main-side connector, when the plug is fitted into the receptacle and then the plug is removed from the receptacle, the plug or ferrule
33 is going to be destroyed. At this time, the receptacle is formed so that it will not be damaged even if the plug is broken and can be used as it is.

For example, the receptacle is a member formed in a cylindrical shape in which the above-described plug can be fitted. On the inner peripheral surface of the receptacle formed in a cylindrical shape, a plurality of locking claw portions formed in a wedge shape project in a circumferentially spaced manner in order to lock the plug. The cylindrical side wall of the receptacle is a thick part that is sufficiently thick so that it will not be damaged even if the fitted plug is forcibly pulled out with a strong force. The receptacle has an optical communication LED, laser diode, or light emitting element installed at the center of the bottom. The receptacle is firmly fixed to the main control board 2A by soldering or the like.

The plug is formed by molding a relatively fragile hard synthetic resin, and is a member formed in a cylindrical shape that is fitted into the above-described receptacle. The side wall of the cylindrical plug is divided into a plurality of portions along the circumferential direction. Then, the divided portions of the side wall of the plug are integrated by connecting the tip ends of the spoke portions protruding from the inner surface toward the center at the center of the plug. In addition, a groove that extends in the circumferential direction and is latched by the latching claw portion of the receptacle is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the plug over the entire circumference. Further, at the center of the plug, a ferrule 33 is fixed inside, and a cylindrical cable fixing portion supported by the spoke portion described above is provided. And the easy tear part with thin thickness is provided in the middle part of the spoke part. When such a plug is forcibly pulled out from the receptacle with a strong force, the spoke part is torn at the easy tear part, and the side wall is separated into a plurality of parts,
The cable fixing part is separated from the side wall and separated separately.

On the other hand, the other end of the optical communication cable 12, specifically, the sub-control board 2D in the optical communication cable 12
As shown in FIG. 3, a plug 31 and a receptacle 32 are provided between the side end portion 12B (see FIG. 2) and the sub-control board 2D, as shown in FIG. Further, a sub-side connector 30 is provided.

As shown in FIG. 4, the plug 31 of the sub-side connector 30 is attached to the end portion 12B of the optical communication cable 12 by fitting the ferrule 33 fitted to the end portion 12B of the optical communication cable 12 inside. It is supposed to be The receptacle 32 of the sub-side connector is attached to the surface of the sub control board 2D. Then, the plug 31 and the receptacle 32 of the sub-side connector 30 are similar to the main-side connector when the plug 31 is fitted to the receptacle 32.
And, at least one of the receptacles 32 is formed so that the fitting between them cannot be released unless it is destroyed.

Hereinafter, the sub-side connector 30 will be described in detail.
That is, the optical communication cable 12 is an optical fiber that transmits an optical signal therein as shown in FIG.
The cable includes 12C and a synthetic resin coating 12D that covers the outer peripheral surface of the optical fiber 12C. The optical communication cable 12 is configured such that the ferrule 33 is fitted to the end portion 12B in a state where the covering material 12D at the tip portion is peeled off and the outer peripheral surface of the optical fiber 12C is exposed.

The ferrule 33 is a cylindrical member that is fitted inside the plug 31. As shown in FIG. 4, the inner peripheral surface of the ferrule 33 is formed so that the inner diameter decreases in three stages as it goes downward in FIG. 4. Specifically, the front stage portion 33A, which is the tip on the plug 31 side inside the ferrule 33, is a portion that accommodates only the tip portion of the optical communication cable 12 where the outer peripheral surface of the optical fiber 12C is exposed. The rear stage 33E, which is the end opposite to the front stage 33A inside the ferrule 33, has an inner diameter that is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the optical communication cable 12 so that the optical communication cable 12 can be easily inserted. In addition, it is a part for guiding the tip of the optical communication cable 12. The middle stage part 33C between the front stage part 33A and the rear stage part 33E inside the ferrule 33 is a part that houses a portion of the optical communication cable 12 in which the optical fiber 12C is covered with the covering material 12D.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the ferrule 33 is formed so that the outer side also becomes smaller in three steps as it goes downward in FIG. Specifically, the plug 31 of the ferrule 33
The distal end portion 33D, which is the side end portion, is the portion having the smallest outer diameter. In FIG. 4, when the plug 31 is inserted from the upper opening to the inside, the distal end surface is exposed from the lower opening. It has become. The rear end 33E, which is the end opposite to the tip 33D of the ferrule 33, has the largest outer diameter,
This is a part that cannot be inserted into the plug 31, and is a part that protrudes from the upper surface of the plug 31 even when the tip 33D is inserted into the plug 31. The intermediate part 33F of the ferrule 33 is a part having an outer diameter larger than that of the front end part 33D and slightly smaller than that of the rear end part 33E. Such an intermediate part 33F receives the force when a large force is applied to the rear end part 33E in a state where the tip part 33D of the ferrule 33 is inserted into the plug 31, and the tip having the smallest outer diameter This prevents damage to the base portion of the portion 33D.

On the outer peripheral surface of the tip 33D of the ferrule 33, there is provided a groove 33G formed so as to go around the root portion as shown in FIG. The groove 33G is configured such that the tip of a locking projection piece 31A (described later) provided on the plug 31 side is fitted inside. The ferrule 33 is prevented from being unexpectedly removed from the plug 31 by fitting the locking projection piece 31A into the groove 33G.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the plug 31 has a ferrule insertion hole through which the distal end portion 33D of the ferrule 33 is inserted and penetrates the plug 31 along the insertion direction of the ferrule 33.
It is equipped with 31B. An opening portion on the ferrule 33 side in the ferrule insertion hole 31B is expanded to an inner diameter corresponding to the intermediate portion 33F of the ferrule 33. Such ferrule insertion hole 31B
This opening portion is a diameter-expanded portion 31C for accommodating the intermediate portion 33F of the ferrule 33.

In the ferrule insertion hole 31B, a groove portion 31D for accommodating the locking projection piece 31A described above is formed at the back of the enlarged diameter portion 31C. The groove 31D has the remaining portion other than the distal end portion of the locking projection piece 31A inside with the distal end portion of the locking projection piece 31A protruding from the inner peripheral surface of the ferrule insertion hole 31B toward the center. It is meant to be stored.

A shutter 31E for closing the ferrule insertion hole 31B is located between the ferrule insertion hole 31B and, more specifically, between the opening on the opposite side of the ferrule 33 in the ferrule insertion hole 31B and the groove 31D. It is provided so as to be rotatable. That is, the shutter 31E is a cylindrical member, and includes a rotation shaft 31F that protrudes from the center of both end surfaces of the cylindrical shape. On the other hand, the plug 31 is formed between the opening on the side opposite to the ferrule 33 and the groove 31D, and is provided with a hollow portion 31G having a shape corresponding to the shutter 31E. In this hollow portion 31G,
A shutter 31E is housed so as to be rotatable about a rotation shaft 31F.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 4, the shutter 31E is provided with a shutter opening hole 31H penetrating the shutter 31E in a direction intersecting with the rotation shaft 31F. The shutter 31E rotates at two positions: an open position where the extending direction of the shutter opening hole 31H is the vertical direction in FIG. 4 and a closed position where the extending direction of the shutter opening hole 31H is the front and rear direction in FIG. It is formed to be movable.

Here, in a state where the shutter 31E is disposed at the open position, the ferrule 33 inserted into the ferrule insertion hole 31B from above in FIG.
4 and reaches the lower opening in FIG. 4 in the ferrule insertion hole 31B, and the tip end surface projects from the lower opening. On the other hand, in a state where the shutter 31E is disposed at the closed position, the ferrule 33 inserted into the ferrule insertion hole 31B from above in FIG.
Since the middle part of the ferrule insertion hole 31B is blocked by the shutter 31E, its tip 33D
However, it is impossible to reach the lower opening in FIG. 4 in the ferrule insertion hole 31B.

Here, the shutter 31E is movable between two positions: an open position where the ferrule insertion hole 31B is opened and a closed position where the ferrule insertion hole 31B is closed. Shutter 3
A string-wound spring 31J, which is an elastic body that urges the shutter 31E toward the closed position, is wound around the rotation shaft 31F on the right side in FIG. The tip 33D of the ferrule 33 is the ferrule insertion hole 31.
When the distal end portion 33D of the ferrule 33 is pulled out from the ferrule insertion hole 31B and the shutter opening hole 31H while being inserted through both the B and the shutter opening hole 31H, the shutter 31E is closed by the elastic force of the string winding spring 31J. To move to. Then, when the shutter 31E is disposed at the closed position, the shutter 31E does not return to the open position thereafter, and thus the ferrule 33
The tip portion 33D cannot pass through the shutter opening hole 31H.

On the outer peripheral surface of the plug 31, as shown in FIG. 5, a locked groove 31K formed so as to go around the intermediate portion in the axial direction is provided. A tapered portion 31L that is tapered toward the receptacle 32 is formed at the lower end edge portion in FIG. 5 on the outer peripheral surface of the plug 31 so as to be easily fitted into the receptacle 32.

As shown in FIG. 5, the receptacle 32 is a member formed in a cylindrical shape that can accommodate the plug 31 therein. The receptacle 32 is opened at the upper end surface in FIG.
The middle and lower end surfaces are closed by a substantially flat bottom portion 32A. In the center of the bottom 32A, a light receiving hole 32B for passing an optical signal that has passed through the optical fiber 12C of the optical communication cable 12 is provided. A light receiving element 32C such as a phototransistor is provided below the bottom 32A in FIG. 5 in order to receive an optical signal that has passed through the optical fiber 12C of the optical communication cable 12 corresponding to the planar position of the light receiving hole 32B. Is provided.

Further, the receptacle 32 has a side wall portion 32D that rises upward in FIG. 5 from the peripheral portion of the bottom portion 32A.
It has. On the inner peripheral surface of the side wall portion 32D, a locked groove 3 formed on the outer peripheral surface on the plug 31 side.
A wedge-shaped protrusion 32E that engages with 1K is projected. When the plug 31 is fitted inside the receptacle 32, the wedge-shaped protrusion 32E of the receptacle 32 is locked in the locking groove 31K of the plug 31 as shown in FIG. 3, and at least one of the plug 31 and the receptacle 32 is locked. If the locking of the locking groove 31K of the plug 31 by the wedge-shaped protrusion 32E of the receptacle 32 is not released and the receptacle 32 and the plug 31 cannot be released from each other, the plug 31 can be removed from the receptacle 32. It is formed so that it can not be.

Next, the operation of the shutter 31E provided on the plug 31 will be described.
When inserting the ferrule 33 into the plug 31, as shown in FIG.
An insertion jig 31M for fixing the screw in the open position is previously provided with a ferrule insertion hole 31B of the plug 31.
And the shutter opening hole 31H. In this state, when the ferrule 33 is inserted into the ferrule insertion hole 31B, as shown in FIG. 6B, the plug 31 pushes the insertion jig 31M, so that the insertion jig 31M becomes the shutter opening hole 31H. It is pushed out to the outside.

When the ferrule 33 is further inserted toward the back of the ferrule insertion hole 31B and the insertion jig 31M is completely pushed out of the shutter opening hole 31H, the tip end portion 33D of the ferrule 33 becomes the shutter opening hole.
As shown in FIG. 6C, it passes through 31H, reaches the lower opening in the ferrule insertion hole 31B, and the tip end surface projects from the lower opening. Then, the tip of the locking protrusion 31A protruding from the inner peripheral surface of the ferrule insertion hole 31B on the plug 31 side is fitted into the groove 33G of the ferrule 33.
As a result, the ferrule 33 is disposed at the position where the plug 31 is not accidentally detached from the plug 31. In this manner, after the ferrule 33 fixed to the end of the optical communication cable 12 is attached to the plug 31, the plug 31 is fitted into the receptacle 32.

By the way, when the ferrule 33 is moved in the direction in which the ferrule 33 is pulled out from the plug 31, and the tip end portion 33D of the ferrule 33 is completely deviated from the shutter opening hole 31H, the elastic force of the chord spring 31J causes FIG.
As shown in (D), the shutter 31E rotates and moves to the closed position, thereby closing the ferrule insertion hole 31B. Even if the ferrule 33 is inserted into the ferrule insertion hole 31B of the plug 31 after the shutter 31E moves to the closed position, as shown in FIG. 6 (E), the middle part of the ferrule insertion hole 31B is closed by the shutter 31E, The tip portion 33D of the ferrule 33 cannot be reached before the middle portion. In other words, the ferrule 33 arranged at the installation position of the plug 31 is connected to the plug 31.
When it is pulled out, the shutter 31E moves to the closed position, and thereafter, the ferrule 33 cannot be arranged at the installation position of the plug 31.

In the above, the plug 31 is a plug with a shutter in which the shutter 31E is rotatably provided. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, when the plug 31 is fitted inside the receptacle 32, the entire plug 31 is completely buried inside the receptacle 32. Therefore, when attempting to remove the plug 31 from the receptacle 32, the optical communication cable 12 or ferrule
A rear end 33E of 33 is pulled. The plug 31 is connected to the optical communication cable 1
2 or when the rear end 33E of the ferrule 33 is pulled, the ferrule 33 is connected to the plug 31.
It is formed so that it cannot be reused.

According to this embodiment as described above, the following effects can be obtained.
That is, as a connector for connecting the end portion 12A of the optical communication cable 12 and the main control board 2A to each other, a plug and a receptacle that are fitted to each other are provided, and the main-side connector that cannot be released unless the plug is destroyed. Since it is adopted, it is necessary to break the plug in order to remove the optical communication cable 12 from the main control board 2A. Here, by breaking the plug provided at the end 12A of the optical communication cable 12, the optical communication cable 12 is removed from the main control board 2A, instead,
Even if you try to connect an illegal optical communication cable with a device that emits an illegal signal in the middle to the main control board 2A, the plug is destroyed, so the illegal optical communication cable is connected to the main control board.
It is not possible to connect to 2A, thereby preventing an illegal act called a harness goto.

Also, as a connector for connecting the end portion 12B of the optical communication cable 12 and the sub control board 2D to each other, a plug 31 and a receptacle 32 that can be fitted together and cannot be released unless one of them is destroyed are provided. Since the sub-side connector 30 is employed, it is necessary to destroy one of the plug 31 and the receptacle 32 in order to remove the optical communication cable 12 from the sub-control board 2D. Here, for example, by destroying the receptacle 32 provided on the sub-control board 2D, the plug 31 is obtained intact, and an unauthorized optical communication cable in which a device that emits an unauthorized signal is connected in the middle. Even if the plug 31 obtained intact is connected to the end of the sub-control board 2D side receptacle
Since 32 is destroyed, an unauthorized optical communication cable cannot be connected to the sub-control board 2D, thereby preventing an illegal act called a harness goto.

Further, the plug 31 of the sub-side connector 30 is formed so that the shutter 31E closes the ferrule insertion hole 31B when the ferrule 33 provided at the end of the optical communication cable 12 is pulled out. The shutter 31E closes the ferrule insertion hole 33B. After that, even if the ferrule 33 is set in the ferrule insertion hole 31B of the plug 31, it is impossible to set the ferrule 33 in the ferrule insertion hole 31B. Moreover, even light such as an optical signal cannot pass through the ferrule insertion hole 31B, and as a result, the plug 31 cannot be reused.
Here, when the plug 31 is fitted into the receptacle 32, the entire plug 31 is completely buried in the receptacle 32. Therefore, the plug 31 fitted into the receptacle 32 is inserted into the receptacle 32.
When removing from the plug 32, a person who wants to remove the plug 31 pulls the optical communication cable 12 or the rear end portion 33E of the ferrule 33. As a result, the ferrule 33 comes out of the plug 31, and the plug 31 is removed. It becomes impossible to use. Therefore, the fraudster is the one slot machine 1
The plug 31 provided in the optical communication cable 12 is destroyed, and the sub-control board 2D and the receptacle 32 provided on the sub-control board 2D are acquired intact, and the sub-control board of the other slot machine 1 is obtained.
The receptacle 32 provided in 2D is destroyed, and the optical communication cable of the other slot machine 1
Even when trying to acquire the plug 31 provided in 12 intact, when the plug 31 is removed from the receptacle 32, the optical communication cable 12 or the rear end 33E of the ferrule 33 is pulled,
Since the ferrule 33 comes out of the plug 31 and the plug 31 cannot be reused, so-called fraudulent acts called two-by-one can also be prevented.

By the way, when an anomaly occurs in an effect display by an effect device such as a liquid crystal display device controlled by the sub-control board, any of the main control board, the sub-control board, and the cable (connector) causes the anomaly. It is necessary to inspect whether or not.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, the optical communication apparatus according to the present embodiment is provided on the main control board 2A, to the inspection signal transmission circuit 51 for transmitting the inspection optical signal (inspection command), and to the sub-control board 2D. And an inspection signal receiving circuit 52 that receives the inspection optical signal from the inspection signal transmission circuit 51. The inspection signal transmission circuit 51 may be provided separately from the above-described optical signal transmission circuit that transmits an effect control signal (optical signal) to the sub-control board 2D provided on the main control board 2A, or this It may be provided by being incorporated in the optical signal transmission circuit. Further, the inspection signal receiving circuit 52 may be provided separately from the above-described optical signal receiving circuit that receives the effect control signal from the main control board 2A provided in the sub-control board 2D, or this optical signal transmission circuit It may be provided by being incorporated in.

In the inspection signal transmission circuit 51, the inspection signal transmission button 53 provided on the main control board 2A is pressed (
When a press operation is performed, an inspection command signal is transmitted to the light-emitting element for optical communication provided in the receptacle of the main connector attached to the main control board 2A, and the optical signal for inspection (hereinafter referred to as an optical signal for inspection) Simply referred to as “inspection signal”). The inspection signal transmitted from the light emitting element for optical communication passes through the optical fiber 12C of the optical communication cable 12 and is received by the light receiving element 32C provided in the receptacle 32 of the sub-side connector 30 attached to the sub control board 2D. Is done. The inspection signal transmission circuit 51 transmits a light emission command signal to the first light emitting element 54 for inspection confirmation provided on the main control board 2A when the inspection command signal is transmitted to the light emitting element for optical communication. One light emitting element 54 is configured to emit light. The first light emitting element 54 is
For example, it is configured by an LED (light emitting diode) or the like.

When the light receiving element 32C receives the inspection signal, the inspection signal receiving circuit 52 transmits a light emission command signal to the second light emitting element 55 for inspection confirmation provided on the sub-control board 2D, and causes the second light emitting element 55 to emit light. It is configured as follows. The second light emitting element 55 is configured by, for example, an LED or the like, similarly to the first light emitting element 54. The inspection signal receiving circuit 52 is not configured to cause the second light emitting element 55 to emit light as described above. When the light receiving element 32C receives the inspection signal, the inspection signal receiving circuit 52 transmits a display command signal to the liquid crystal display device 4E, and the liquid crystal display device You may comprise so that the display (inspection display) that the inspection signal was received may be made in 4E. Also, when the light receiving element 32C receives the inspection signal, the inspection signal receiving circuit 52 transmits a light emission command signal to the effect lighting devices 4B to 4D, and the effect lighting devices 4B to 4D emit light different from that during normal gaming ( It may be configured to emit light that indicates that the inspection signal has been received (light emission for inspection)). Furthermore, a configuration may be adopted in which at least two of the light emission of the second light emitting element 55, the display of the liquid crystal display device 4E, and the light emission of the effect lighting devices 4B to 4D are combined.

According to the optical communication device having such a configuration, when an abnormality occurs in the effect display by the effect devices such as the liquid crystal display device 4E and the effect lighting devices 4B to 4D, the abnormality is caused by pressing the inspection signal transmission button 53. The cause of the occurrence can be inspected. For example, when the first light emitting element 54 does not emit light when the inspection signal transmission button 53 is pressed, it indicates that the inspection command signal is not transmitted from the inspection signal transmission circuit 51 to the light emitting element for optical communication, and at least It can be inferred that the main control board 2A may have a cause of the production display abnormality.

On the other hand, when the inspection signal transmission button 53 is pressed, the first light emitting element 54 emits light, but the second light emitting element 55 does not emit light (the display for inspection is not displayed on the liquid crystal display device 4E.
-4D does not emit light for inspection), it indicates that the inspection command signal is normally transmitted from the inspection signal transmission circuit 51 to the light emitting element for optical communication. It can be estimated that any of the optical communication cable 12, the sub-side connector 30, the light receiving element 32C, and the sub-control board 2D may cause an effect display abnormality.

If the first and second light emitting elements 54 and 55 emit light when the inspection signal transmission button 53 is pressed, the light emitting element for optical communication, the main side connector, the optical communication cable 12, and the sub side connector 30 are used.
In addition, the light receiving element 32C has at least no cause of abnormality in the effect display, in other words, the game control unit of the main control board 2A, the effect control unit of the sub-control board 2D, the liquid crystal display device 4E, and the effect lighting device 4B
It can be inferred that there is a cause of production display abnormality in any of ~ 4D.

As described above, in the optical communication device, when an abnormality occurs in the effect display by the effecting device, the cause of the abnormality can be inspected by pressing the inspection signal transmission button 53. In particular,
The main control board 2A and the sub control board 2D are connected using a connector that cannot be released unless at least one of the plug and the receptacle that are fitted to each other is broken, and the optical communication cable 12 is removed from each board. Even when it is impossible to disconnect the main control board 2A and the sub control board 2D, the cause can be inspected.

In the slot machine 1, a setting switch 56 is provided on the back side of the front door 3 for setting a lottery table used when performing the role lottery process on the main control board 2A. The setting switch 56 can set or change a setting value for setting the lottery table in the setting change mode set by operating other switches of the slot machine 1. Yes. Here, in the above-described optical communication device, instead of providing the inspection signal transmission button 53, when the setting switch 56 is operated in the setting change mode, the inspection signal is transmitted from the inspection signal transmission circuit 51 to the light emitting element for optical communication, You may comprise so that a test | inspection signal may be transmitted from the light emitting element for optical communications. With this configuration, it is not necessary to newly provide the inspection signal transmission button 53, so that the optical communication device can have a simple device configuration. In addition, since the inspection signal is transmitted only in the setting change mode, it is possible to prevent an abnormality in the progress of the game in the normal time and fraud using this inspection function.

Further, in the above-described optical communication device, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the main control board 2 </ b> A provided inside the housing 2 is connected to the sub-control board 2 </ b> D provided on the back side of the front door 3. Alternatively, a cylindrical cable protection member 15 that accommodates the optical communication cable 12 to be housed therein may be provided. The cable protection member 15 is formed in a cylindrical shape using, for example, a material such as plastic or vinyl, and at least a part thereof is formed in a bellows shape so as to bend according to opening / closing of the front door 3.
Thus, the optical communication cable 12 is configured to be difficult to be deformed to a bending radius smaller than a certain bending radius by being fixed inside the housing 2. By providing such a cable protection member 15, for example, a tool or the like is inserted from the gap between the housing 2 and the front door 3, and the optical communication cable 12 is bent by the tool or the like so that optical communication can be performed. It is possible to prevent fraudulent acts such as avoiding. The cable protection member 15 is
One end extends to the vicinity of the sub-board case 2E that houses the sub-control board 2D, but the other end does not extend to the vicinity of the main board case 2B that houses the main control board 2A. Case
The optical communication cable 12 is loosened between 2B. The slackness of the optical communication cable 12 allows the optical communication cable 12 to move in the cylindrical member 15 in response to opening / closing of the front door 3 to cope with opening / closing of the front door 3. In addition, this slack portion is the back side of the housing 2 (main control board 2A side).
This makes it difficult for a foreign object to be inserted through the gap of the gaming machine and to perform fraudulent acts such as bending the slack portion. Although not shown, it is better to provide a cover that covers the slack portion.

Next, a sub-side connector 130 that is a modification of the above-described sub-side connector 30 will be described.
The sub-side connector 130 has basically the same configuration as the above-described sub-side connector 30, and the plug 131
Only the configuration regarding is different (the receptacle 32 has the same configuration). Therefore, the same components as those of the sub-side connector 30 are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof is omitted, and characteristic portions of the sub-side connector 130 will be described.

The sub-side connector 130 includes a plug 131 and a receptacle 32 that are fitted together. As shown in FIG. 9, the plug 131 includes a grip portion 131A having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and a grip portion 131A.
And a substantially cylindrical fitting portion 131B connected to the lower end portion of the head. Plug 131 has
A cable insertion hole 131C through which the optical communication cable 12 is inserted connects the gripping portion 131A and the fitting portion 131B with FIG.
It penetrates in the up-down direction shown in FIG. The gripper 131A connects the plug 131 to the receptacle 32.
This is the portion that is gripped when fitted into the. A fitting insertion hole 131D is formed in the grip portion 131A so as to be substantially orthogonal to the cable insertion hole 131C. The metal insertion hole 131D has a cable insertion hole 13
A U-shaped fixing bracket (not shown) for fixing the optical communication cable 12 inserted through 1C to the plug 131 is inserted.

A conical tip convex portion 131E having a cable insertion hole 131C formed at the center is provided at the lower end of the fitting portion 131B. On the outer peripheral surface of the fitting portion 131B, a locked groove formed so as to make a round.
131F is provided. In addition, a tapered portion 131G that is tapered downward is formed at the lower end edge of the fitting portion 131B. In such a plug 131, the optical communication cable 12
The end portion of the optical communication cable 12 is inserted into the cable insertion hole 131C from the side of the grip portion 131A without peeling off the covering material 12D at the tip portion and without being fitted with the ferrule 33. In a state of slightly protruding from 131E to the outside, the U-shaped fixing metal fitting inserted into the metal fitting insertion hole 131D is pressed and fixed to the plug 131.

When such a plug 131 is fitted into the receptacle 32, the locked groove 13 of the plug 131 is fixed.
1F locks the wedge-shaped protrusion 32E of the receptacle 32, destroys at least one of the plug 131 and the receptacle 32, and releases the locked state between the wedge-shaped protrusion 32E of the receptacle 32 and the locked groove 131F of the plug 131 Otherwise, the fitting of the plug 131 and the receptacle 32 cannot be released, and the plug 131 cannot be removed from the receptacle 32.

In the sub-side connector 130, the plug 131 and the receptacle 32 may be formed of a transparent resin material. If formed in this way, the inside of the connector can be seen, so that it is possible to effectively deter fraudulent acts on the sub-side connector 130 and to detect it early even if fraudulent acts are performed. . Further, in the plug 131, the plug 131 can be removed from the receptacle 32 without breaking at least one of the plug 131 and the receptacle 32 by providing a portion that opens downward in a part of the locked groove 131F. You may comprise as follows.

In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, The deformation | transformation in the range which can achieve the objective of this invention, improvement, etc. are included. For example, in the embodiment, the connector 30 including the plug 31 provided with the shutter 31E and the receptacle 32 into which the plug 31 is fitted is used for the connection between the optical communication cable 12 and the sub control board 2D. However, it may be used for connection between the optical communication cable 12 and the main control board 2A, and also for connection between the optical communication cable 12 and the sub control board 2D, and both the optical communication cable 12 and the main control board 2A. , Each may be used. Further, the above-described sub-side connector 130 may also be used for connection between the optical communication cable 12 and the main control board 2A, and further, the optical communication cable 12, the sub control board 2D, and the optical communication cable.
It may be used for both the connection of 12 and the main control board 2A.

Also, as the shutter, the rotating shaft 31F is arranged so as to intersect the extending direction of the ferrule insertion hole 31B.
7, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, the rotating shaft 31N may be a shutter 31P provided in parallel with the extending direction of the ferrule insertion hole 31B. Are the open position α for opening the ferrule insertion hole 31B, and the ferrule insertion hole 31B.
It is possible to form two positions of the closed position for closing the door so as to be rotatable.

Further, the gaming machine is not limited to a slot machine, and may be a ball and ball gaming machine installed in a game arcade, a video game installed in a game center or the like. In short, the present invention relates to an apparatus related to the progress of a game. Via a main control board that mainly controls the operation of the game, a sub-control board that mainly controls the operation of devices that are not directly involved in the progress of the game, and an optical communication cable that interconnects the main control board and the sub-control board The present invention can be applied to all gaming machines including a communication device that performs communication between a main control board and a sub control board.

1 Slot machines as gaming machines
2A main control board
2D sub control board
12 Optical communication cable
The end which is one end of 12A optical communication cable
The end which is the other end of 12B optical communication cable
31 (with shutter) plug
31B Ferrule insertion hole
31E Shutter
31J String-wound spring as an elastic body
32 Receptacle
33 Ferrule

Claims (1)

The main control board that mainly controls the operation of the device related to the progress of the game and the sub-control board that mainly controls the operation of the device that is not directly involved in the progress of the game are connected to each other via the optical communication cable. A communication device that performs communication between a control board and the sub-control board,
Between one end of the optical communication cable and the main control board, a main-side connector provided with a plug and a receptacle that are fitted to each other is provided in order to connect them,
Between the other end of the optical communication cable and the sub-control board, a sub-side connector having a plug and a receptacle that are fitted to each other is provided in order to connect them to each other,
Each of the main-side connector and the sub-side connector is formed so that when the plug is fitted to the receptacle, the fitting of both cannot be released unless at least one of the plug and the receptacle is destroyed,
At both ends of the optical communication cable, cylindrical ferrules that match the center positions of the end of the optical communication cable and the plug are respectively fitted,
The plug is provided with a ferrule insertion hole that penetrates the plug along the insertion direction of the ferrule while the ferrule is inserted therein.
A plug installed in at least one of the main-side connector and the sub-side connector is disposed at an intermediate position of the ferrule insertion hole, and an open position for opening the ferrule insertion hole and a closure for closing the ferrule insertion hole And a shutter-attached plug having a shutter formed so as to be movable between two positions and an elastic body that urges the shutter toward the closed position.
The plug with shutter is a plug in which the ferrule is inserted into the ferrule insertion hole in a state where the shutter is disposed at an open position, and when the ferrule is extracted from the ferrule insertion hole, Is formed so as not to move to the closed position and return to the open position by the urging of the elastic body.

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