JP2013240529A - Game machine operating device, and game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine operating device having durability against impact applied to an operation button, and capable of securely generating a signal indicating that the operation button is operated.SOLUTION: A slot machine includes: a support shaft 39 for movably supporting an operation button; a rotation motor 33 which has a coil and a permanent magnet and in which drive voltage VS is fed to a coil terminal; a coupling mechanism 34 for coupling a rotation shaft 33A of the rotation motor with the operation button and moving the operation button when the drive voltage is fed to the coil terminal; and a control section for feeding the drive voltage to the coil terminal to move the operation button and controlling game motions according to the operation when the operation button is operated. If a player operates the operation button to rotate the rotation shaft while the drive voltage is not fed to the coil terminal, the control section detects the operation of the operation button based on electromotive force generated in the coil terminal.

Description

  The present invention relates to an operation device for a gaming machine that generates a signal indicating that an operation button operable by a player is operated in a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine and a slot machine.

  Conventionally, pachinko gaming machines, slot machines, arrange ball gaming machines, sparrow ball gaming machines, and the like are known as gaming machines. In this type of gaming machine, an operation button called a chance button that can be operated by a player is provided. The operation button is operated by the player in order to change the probability of inviting a superior situation to the player, or to change the contents to be produced so that the player expects the superior situation to be invited. . For example, in a pachinko machine, when the display device provided on the game board displays a reach state in which a plurality of identical symbols are partially aligned, if the player operates the chance button, the variation time of the symbols is increased. It is possible to shorten or change the pattern variation pattern, and it is possible for the player to participate in the progress of the game operation and produce a variety of game operations.

  In the gaming machine, a detector is provided close to the chance button in order to detect the operation of the chance button. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a photosensor for detecting an operation of an operation switch called a chance button. Specifically, the operation switch includes an operation button unit, a switch case, and a mounting board. The operation button portion is attached to the switch case so as to be slidable in the vertical direction, and is urged upward by a return spring. The mounting board is fixed to the lower surface of the switch case. A light emitting diode and a photosensor are mounted on a mounting substrate. The operation button unit includes a light shielding plate for shielding light incident on the photosensor from the light emitting diode. When the operation button is pressed, the light shielding plate blocks the light incident on the photosensor, and the operation of the operation switch is detected.

Japanese Patent No. 4770321

  Generally, the chance button receives repeated strong hits from a player during a game operation, and vibrates due to repeated hits, and thus receives an unexpectedly strong impact. For example, in the operation switch described in Patent Document 1, when the operation button portion is struck, the impact applied to the operation button portion is directly transmitted to the switch case, and the impact is also applied to the mounting board. For this reason, the mounting substrate vibrates due to repeated hitting, and the photosensor may not be able to accurately detect the operation of the operation switch. In some cases, the mounting substrate may be cracked by repeated smashing, and the photosensor may be damaged.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an operating device for a gaming machine that is durable against an impact applied to an operation button and can reliably generate a signal indicating that the operation button has been operated. .

(First Invention Aspect and Specific Embodiments)
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an operating device for a gaming machine including a control unit that controls a gaming operation according to an operation button operated by a player when the operating button is operated. A rotary motor having a support that supports the operation button so that the operation button moves when the operation button is operated by a player, a coil and a permanent magnet, and a drive voltage is supplied to the coil terminal from the control unit And a connecting mechanism for connecting the rotation shaft of the rotary motor and the operation button, and transmitting the rotation of the rotation shaft to move the operation button when the drive voltage is supplied to the coil terminal. When the player operates the operation button and rotates the rotating shaft through the coupling mechanism in a state where the coil terminal is not supplied, the rotating motor copies the electromotive force indicating that the operation button has been operated. Is a configuration that occurs in the terminal.

  The operating device according to the first aspect of the invention is used in various gaming machines such as a pachinko gaming machine, a slot machine, an arrange ball gaming machine, and a sparrow ball gaming machine. In addition, the control unit included in the gaming machine may have any configuration as long as the game operation is controlled so as to execute an effect that causes the player to have a superior situation according to the operation of the operation button.

  In the first aspect of the invention, the gaming operation controlled by the control unit according to the operation of the operation button is superior to the player even in the operation of changing the probability of inviting a situation superior to the player such as jackpot according to the operation of the operation button. Although it does not affect the probability of inviting a situation, it may be an operation of changing the contents of the display screen or sound effect according to the operation of the operation button so that the player expects to invite a superior situation.

  In the first aspect of the invention, the support member supports the operation button so that the operation button moves in a predetermined rotation direction even if the support button supports the operation button so that the operation button moves in a predetermined linear direction. But you can.

  In the first aspect of the invention, if the rotary motor is configured to generate an electromotive force at the coil terminal when the rotary shaft is rotated in a situation where the drive voltage is not supplied to the coil terminal, either the coil or the permanent magnet is used. The structure fixed to a rotating shaft may be sufficient.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, the connection mechanism may have any structure as long as it is a structure that at least partially interlocks the rotation of the rotation shaft of the rotary motor and the movement of the operation button. For example, the coupling mechanism transmits part or all of the rotation of the rotation shaft of the rotary motor to the operation button to move the operation button, and transmits part or all of the movement of the operation button to the rotation shaft of the rotation motor. Then, the structure which rotates a rotating shaft can be considered.

  According to a specific aspect of the present invention, a housing that houses the support, the rotation motor, and the coupling mechanism, an elastic body that urges the operation button to protrude from the housing, and the operation button from the housing. In order to regulate the protruding position and the retracted position, a position restricting portion provided in the housing is provided.

  In a specific mode, the retracted position may be a position retracted from the position where the operation button protrudes with respect to the housing, and is not limited to the position where the operation button is completely retracted into the housing.

  According to a specific aspect of the present invention, the coupling mechanism includes a pinion fixed to the rotating shaft, a rack member supported so as to be movable with respect to the housing, and meshing with the pinion, and the operation button includes the rack member. Concatenated with

  In a specific aspect, the operation button and the rack member may be configured to move in a linear direction or to a rotation direction as long as the operation button and the rack member are connected to move in conjunction with each other. The support for supporting the operation buttons may be a member different from the support means for supporting the rack member or a common member.

  According to a specific aspect of the present invention, the support body is a support shaft that rotatably supports the operation button, and the rack member is rotatably supported around the support shaft.

  In a specific aspect, the support shaft may be configured to be fixed to the operation button or the rack member or may be configured to be fixed to the housing.

  According to a specific aspect of the present invention, the rotation motor is attached to the casing so that the rotation shaft is parallel to the support shaft.

  In the specific aspect of the sixth aspect, the rack portion that meshes with the pinion of the rack member is disposed at a position farther from the support shaft than the rotation shaft.

(Second Invention Aspect and Specific Aspect thereof)
A second aspect of the invention according to claim 7 is an operation button operable by a player, a support body that supports the operation button so that the operation button moves when the operation button is operated by the player, A rotary motor having a coil and a permanent magnet, the drive voltage being supplied to the coil terminal, the rotary shaft of the rotary motor and the operation button are connected, and when the drive voltage is supplied to the coil terminal, the rotary shaft is rotated. And a control unit that supplies a driving voltage to the coil terminal to move the operation button and controls the game operation according to the operation when the operation button is operated. When the player operates the operation button and rotates the rotary shaft through the coupling mechanism in a state where the drive voltage is not supplied to the coil terminal, the rotary motor causes the electromotive force to be applied to the coil terminal. No, the control unit is configured to detect that the operation button is operated by the electromotive force generated in the coil terminals.

  Each component of the second aspect of the invention is realized in various forms as in the case of the first aspect of the invention.

  According to a specific aspect of the present invention, the control unit switches between a supplyable state in which the drive voltage can be supplied to the coil terminal and a non-supply state in which the drive voltage is not supplied to the coil terminal. And a detection circuit connected to the coil terminal for taking out an electromotive force generated at the coil terminal while the switching unit is switched to the non-supply state.

  In a specific aspect, the connection configuration with the coil terminal is not limited as long as the detection circuit is configured to be connected to the coil terminal so that at least a part of the electromotive force generated in the coil of the rotary motor can be taken out. For example, when the electromotive force generated in the coil is large, the detection circuit may be configured to be connected to a terminal drawn from a part of the coil of the rotary motor. In order to increase the extracted electromotive force, a plurality of rotary motors are used. In the case of having the coils, it may be configured to be connected to terminals drawn from all of the plurality of coils.

  According to a specific aspect of the present invention, a support body, a rotary motor, and a coupling mechanism are accommodated, and a housing fixed to the frame of the gaming machine is provided, and the operation button is movable to the housing by the support body. The controller and the detection circuit are attached to the frame of the gaming machine.

(Effects of the first aspect of the invention and its specific aspects)
According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the drive voltage is supplied to the coil terminal, the rotation of the rotation shaft is transmitted to the operation button to move the operation button. When the driving voltage is not supplied to the coil terminal and the player operates the operation button and rotates the rotary shaft, the rotary motor generates an electromotive force indicating that the operation button has been operated on the coil terminal. Occur. As a result, there is no need to provide a special detection element around the support that is subjected to an impact due to a strong hit of the operation button, etc., and it is durable against the impact applied to the operation button and indicates that the operation button has been operated. Can be reliably generated.

  According to a specific aspect of the present invention, the housing houses the support, the rotary motor, and the coupling mechanism. An elastic body and a position restricting portion are provided in the housing. As a result, the components related to the operation buttons are accommodated in the housing, so that they are unitized and can be easily attached to the frame of the gaming machine.

  According to a specific aspect of the present invention, the connection mechanism includes a pinion and a rack member, and the operation button is connected to the rack member. As a result, it is possible to smoothly transmit the motion between the operation button and the rotation shaft, and it is possible to reliably link the movement of the operation button and the rotation of the rotation shaft.

  In a specific aspect of the present invention, the rack member is supported so as to be rotatable around a support shaft as a support. As a result, since the operation button and the rack member are supported by the common support shaft, the rotation of the operation button and the rotation of the rotation shaft can be linked more reliably.

  According to a specific aspect of the present invention, the rotation motor is attached to the casing so that the rotation shaft is parallel to the support shaft. As a result, the rotation of the operation button and the rotation of the rotation shaft can be reliably linked with a simple configuration.

  In the specific aspect of the sixth aspect, the rack portion of the rack member is disposed at a position farther from the support shaft than the rotation shaft. As a result, the rotation angle of the rotary shaft becomes larger than the rotation angle at which the operation button is operated, so that a large electromotive force can be generated in the rotary motor, and a signal indicating that the operation button has been operated is generated. It can be generated more reliably.

(Effects of the Second Invention Aspect and its Specific Aspect)
According to a second aspect of the present invention, the control unit supplies a drive voltage to the coil terminal to inform the player that the operation button is operated, and follows the operation when the operation button is operated. Control gaming operations. When the player operates the operation button and rotates the rotating shaft while the drive voltage is not supplied to the coil terminal, the rotary motor generates an electromotive force at the coil terminal, and the control unit It is detected that the operation button is operated by the electromotive force generated in the operation. As a result, there is no need to provide a special detection element around the support that receives an impact when the operation button is struck, and it is durable against the impact applied to the operation button, ensuring that the operation button is operated. Can be detected.

  According to a specific aspect of the present invention, the detection circuit extracts an electromotive force generated at the coil terminal while the switching unit is switched to the non-supply state. As a result, since the detection circuit extracts the electromotive force generated in the non-supply state, it can extract the signal generated only due to the movement of the operation button, and more reliably detect that the operation button has been operated. can do.

  In a specific aspect of the present invention, the housing houses the support, the rotary motor, and the coupling mechanism, and is fixed to the frame of the gaming machine. The operation button is attached to the housing so as to be movable by the support, and the control unit and the detection circuit are attached to the frame of the gaming machine. As a result, the components related to the operation buttons are accommodated in the housing, so that they are unitized and can be easily attached to the frame of the gaming machine. Further, since the detection circuit is attached to the frame of the gaming machine, the influence of the impact from the operation button can be suppressed.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the slot machine 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. 3 is an external perspective view showing an external configuration of a single chance operation device 30 provided in the slot machine 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the chance operation device 30 in an exploded manner. FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing the internal configuration of the chance operation device 30 in an enlarged manner. FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which the chance operation device 30 is attached to the inside of the frame 10 in an enlarged manner from the left. 4 is a circuit diagram showing an electrical configuration related to the operation of the chance manipulation device 30 in the electrical configuration of the slot machine 1. FIG. It is drawing which shows the inside of the chance operation apparatus 30 in which the operation button 32 exists in a protrusion position. It is drawing which shows the inside of the chance operation apparatus 30 in which the operation button 32 exists in a drawing position.

<Embodiment>
[Overall configuration of slot machine 1]
Hereinafter, an embodiment in which a gaming machine including a gaming machine operating device according to the present invention is applied to a slot machine will be described with reference to the drawings. The slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment includes a chance operation device 30 as an operation device for gaming machines of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a front view showing the overall configuration of the slot machine 1. The two directions indicated by the arrows in FIG. 1 are the up-down direction and the left-right direction, and the directions orthogonal to both directions are the front-rear directions, and each direction in each drawing is shown.

  In FIG. 1, the slot machine 1 includes a substantially box-shaped frame 10. The left reel 11, the middle reel 12, and the right reel 13 are accommodated inside the center of the frame 10. A plurality of types of symbols are arranged on the outer peripheral surface of each reel by a predetermined number of frames, and each reel is configured to be able to rotate inside the frame 10. Each symbol is printed on the belt-like member at an appropriate number of intervals, and this reel-like member is attached to a predetermined circular frame member to constitute each reel. When viewed from the player, the symbols on each reel are roughly displayed in the vertical direction in the symbol display window 14, and a total of nine symbols are displayed by the three reels 11-13. Then, by rotating the reels 11 to 13, the combination of symbols visible to the player varies.

  The medal slot 15 is an slot for the player to insert a medal when starting a game. The start lever 16 is a lever-type switch for starting a game. When the player inserts a medal into the medal insertion slot 15 and operates the start lever 16, the reels 11 to 13 are rotated as a trigger, and the game is started. The stop buttons 17 to 19 are buttons for stopping the reels 11 to 13 that have started rotating by the operation of the start lever 16, and are provided corresponding to the reels 11 to 13, respectively. When the player operates one of the stop buttons, one of the corresponding reels stops.

  The medal payout port 20 is a payout port for paying out medals. The medal tray 21 is a container for collecting medals paid out from the medal payout opening 20. The upper lamp 22, the side lamps 23 and 24, the central lamp 25, and the lower lamp 26 are arranged on the frame 10 as decorative lamps for exciting the game. The liquid crystal display 27 is arranged on the upper part of the symbol display window 14 and displays various information such as information that excites the game of the slot machine 1.

  A chance operation device 30 is disposed above the start lever 16. The chance operation device 30 is configured to be operable by the player in order to execute an effect that makes the player expect to win a predetermined winning combination in which the same three symbols on the three reels 11 to 13 are arranged. .

[Detailed Configuration of Chance Operating Device 30]
The configuration of the chance operation device 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 is an external perspective view showing an external configuration of the chance operating device 30 alone, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the chance operating device 30 in an exploded state, and FIG. 4 is an enlarged internal configuration of the chance operating device 30. It is an enlarged perspective view shown. The chance operation device 30 includes a casing 31, an operation button 32, a rotation motor 33, a coupling mechanism 34, and illumination boards 35 and 36 as main components.

(Configuration of housing 31)
The casing 31 includes a front case portion 31A and a rear case portion 31B, and is formed from a synthetic resin material. Both case portions 31A and 31B are fixed to each other by fixing means such as screws. The housing 31 accommodates components and members such as the rotary motor 33, the coupling mechanism 34, and the lighting substrates 35 and 36. The operation button 32 is assembled to the casing 31 so as to protrude upward from the casing 31. The upper cover 37 is attached to the upper part of the housing 31 by elastic locking means (not shown). The upper cover 37 has an opening 37A through which the operation button 32 protrudes. The upper cover 37 is made of a translucent synthetic resin material that can transmit light.

  In FIG. 3, the rear case portion 31 </ b> B has a mounting opening 38. The rotary motor 33 is fitted into the mounting opening 38 with a part of the motor protruding rearward from the rear case portion 31B, and is assembled to the rear case portion 31B by fixing means such as a screw.

  In order to support the support shaft 39, the front case portion 31A and the rear case portion 31B include bearing portions 40A and 40B close to the upper left corner of each case portion. The support shaft 39 is supported by both bearing portions 40A and 40B so as to be parallel to the rotation shaft 33A of the rotary motor 33 assembled to the rear case portion 31B.

(Configuration of coupling mechanism 34)
The connection mechanism 34 is a mechanism that connects the operation button 32 and the rotation shaft 33 </ b> A of the rotary motor 33. The coupling mechanism 34 includes a rack member 41 and a pinion 42 as main components. The rack member 41 includes a substantially fan-shaped base portion 41A and an arc-shaped rack portion 41B, and is formed of a synthetic resin material. The rack portion 41B extends downward from the base portion 41A and is integrally formed with the base portion 41A. The rack member 41 has a bifurcated portion 41C at the base end portion. A pair of through holes are formed in the forked portion 41C. The rack member 41 is configured to be rotatable around the support shaft 39 by inserting the support shaft 39 into both through holes.

  The pinion 42 is fixed to the rotation shaft 33 </ b> A of the rotary motor 33. The pinion 42 meshes with the rack portion 41B. A coil spring 43 is wound around the support shaft 39. One end of the coil spring 43 is hooked on the forked portion 41C, and the other end of the coil spring 43 is hooked on the spring hook groove 44 as shown in FIG. The spring hooking groove 44 is formed in the rear case portion 31B. The rack member 41 is constantly urged in the arrow direction DP by the elastic force of the coil spring 43. In FIG. 4, the rack portion 41 </ b> B is arranged at a position away from the arrangement position of the support shaft 39 from the arrangement position of the rotation shaft 33 </ b> A to which the pinion 42 is fixed. That is, the rack portion 41B is disposed on the right side so as to be separated from the support shaft 39 disposed on the left side with respect to the rotation shaft 33A.

  The operation button 32 has a substantially fan shape similar to the shape of the base portion 41A of the rack member 41, and can cover the entire base portion 41A. The operation button 32 is made of a translucent synthetic resin material that can transmit light. A pair of through holes is formed in the proximal end portion of the operation button 32. With the operation button 32 covering the base portion 41A, the operation button 32 rotates around the support shaft 39 together with the rack member 41 by inserting the support shaft 39 into the through hole of the operation button 32 and the bifurcated portion 41C. Configured to be possible.

(Configuration of position restricting means of the operation button 32)
Position restricting means is provided to restrict the protruding position where the operation button 32 protrudes from the housing 31 and the retracted position rotated from the protruding position in the direction opposite to the arrow direction DP. The position restricting means includes a contact member 45, an upper restricting portion 46, and a lower restricting portion 47. The contact member 45 has an L shape and is made of a metal material. The contact member 45 includes an upright portion 45A that rises in the vertical direction and an extended portion 45B that extends in the left-right direction. The standing portion 45 </ b> A of the abutting member 45 is formed so as to fit into the concave portion 41 </ b> D formed in the rack member 41. The standing portion 45A of the contact member 45 is covered with the operation button 32 in a state of being fitted in the recess 41D. The standing portion 45 </ b> A of the contact member 45 is fixed to the rack member 41 together with the operation button 32 by fixing means such as a screw while being covered with the operation button 32.

  The upper restriction portion 46 includes a front restriction piece 46A and a rear restriction piece 46B. The front restricting piece 46A is integrally formed at the upper right corner of the front case portion 31A, and the rear restricting piece 46B is integrally formed at the upper right corner of the rear case portion 31B. The lower regulating portion 47 includes a cylindrical member 47A and a fixed shaft portion 47B. The cylindrical member 47A is formed from a rubber material. The fixed shaft portion 47B protrudes forward from the rear case portion 31B and is formed integrally with the rear case portion 31B. The cylindrical member 47A is mounted in a state of being inserted into the fixed shaft portion 47B.

  When the operation button 32 is rotated in the arrow direction DP by the elastic force of the coil spring 43, the upper surface of the extending portion 45B of the contact member 45 contacts the front restriction piece 46A and the rear restriction piece 46B. By this contact, the protruding position of the operation button 32 is regulated. When the operation button 32 rotates in the direction opposite to the arrow direction DP against the elastic force of the coil spring 43, the lower surface of the extending portion 45B of the contact member 45 contacts the cylindrical member 47A. The contact position of the operation button 32 is regulated by this contact.

(Configuration of illumination substrates 35 and 36)
The illumination substrates 35 and 36 are each mounted with a plurality of light emitting diodes. The plurality of light emitting diodes are arranged on each illumination substrate at equal intervals in the left-right direction. The illumination substrates 35 and 36 include connectors 35A and 36A, respectively. The front case portion 31A and the rear case portion 31B have openings 48 and 49, respectively. Receiving pieces 50 and 51 are formed integrally with the front case portion 31A and the rear case portion 31B in the vicinity of the lower portions of the openings 48 and 49, respectively.

  The lighting substrate 35 is placed on the receiving piece 50 at the left end with the plurality of light emitting diodes facing the operation buttons 32, and is assembled to the front case portion 31A by a fixing means such as a screw at the right end. Similarly, the lighting substrate 36 is also placed on the receiving piece 51 at the left end with a plurality of light emitting diodes facing the operation buttons 32, and is assembled to the rear case portion 31B by fixing means such as a screw at the right end. . When the illumination substrates 35 and 36 are assembled to the case portions 31A and 31B, the connector 35A projects forward from the opening 48, and the connector 36A projects rearward from the opening 49.

(Configuration of the rotary motor 33)
The rotary motor 33 is composed of a four-phase stepping motor. The rotary motor 33 includes four coils and a rotor including a permanent magnet. The rotor has a cylindrical shape, and is a multipolar magnetized rotor in which N poles and S poles are alternately magnetized in the circumferential direction. Since the configuration of a stepping motor including a multipole magnetized rotor is known from Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-50159, a detailed description of the configuration is omitted.

  The rotating shaft 33A is fixed to a rotor including a permanent magnet. The rotary motor 33 includes a connector 52 connected to four coils. As shown in FIG. 2, the connector 52 projects rearward from the mounting opening 38 of the rear case portion 31B. The connection configuration of the four coils and the connector 52 is shown in FIG. In FIG. 6, the four coils are shown as coils L1 to L4, and the rotor is shown as a rotor MRT.

[Configuration for installing chance operation device 30]
With reference to FIG. 5, the structure which attaches the chance operation apparatus 30 to the flame | frame 10 of the slot machine 1 is demonstrated. FIG. 5 shows the state in which the chance operation device 30 is attached to the inside of the frame 10 in an enlarged manner from the left side. As shown in FIG. 1, the chance operation device 30 is assembled to the frame 10 in the vicinity of the start lever 16. In FIG. 5, the frame 10 has an opening 10 </ b> A that opens upward and a base 10 </ b> B. The chance operation device 30 is unitized by assembling various parts and members to the housing 31. The casing 31 is assembled to the pedestal 10B by a fixing means such as a screw while being placed on the pedestal 10B. In this assembled state, the operation button 32 is exposed upward through the opening 10A. The upper cover 37 is attached to the upper part of the housing 31 with the opening 10A closed from above.

  In FIG. 5, the frame 10 has a mounting wall 10C. The control board 100 is attached to the attachment wall 10C. In the chance operation device 30, the connectors 35A and 36A of the illumination boards 35 and 36 and the connector 52 of the rotary motor 33 are connected to the control board 100 through a connection line described later.

[Electrical Configuration of Slot Machine 1 Associated with Chance Operating Device 30]
With reference to FIG. 6, the electrical configuration of the slot machine 1 related to the chance operating device 30 will be described. FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram showing an electrical configuration related to the operation of the chance manipulation device 30 in the electrical configuration of the slot machine 1. The control board 100 includes connectors 101 to 103. The connector 101 is connected to the connector 52 via a connection line 104 with a connector. The connectors 102 and 103 are connected to connectors 35A and 36A via connection lines 105 and 106 with connectors, respectively.

(Connection configuration between coils L1 to L4 of rotary motor 33 and connector 52)
A connection configuration between the coils L1 to L4 of the rotary motor 33 and the connector 52 will be described. The coils L1 and L2 are connected in series, the terminal T1 of the coil L1 is connected to the terminal of the number “1” of the connector 52, and the terminal T2 of the coil L2 is connected to the terminal of the number “5” of the connector 52. . A terminal T12 that is commonly connected to the coils L1 and L2 is connected to a terminal of the connector 52 having a number “3”. The coils L3 and L4 are connected in series, the terminal T3 of the coil L3 is connected to the terminal of the number “6” of the connector 52, and the terminal T4 of the coil L4 is connected to the terminal of the number “2” of the connector 52. . The terminal T34 connected in common to the coils L3 and L4 is connected to the terminal of the number “4” of the connector 52.

(Electrical configuration of illumination substrates 35 and 36)
The plurality of light emitting diodes mounted on the lighting substrate 35 are connected in series. The anode of the frontmost light emitting diode is connected to the terminal of the number “1” of the connector 35A, and the cathode of the rearmost light emitting diode is connected to the terminal of the number “2” of the connector 35A. Similarly, a plurality of light emitting diodes mounted on the illumination substrate 36 are also connected in series. The anode of the frontmost light emitting diode is connected to the terminal of the number “1” of the connector 36A, and the cathode of the rearmost light emitting diode is connected to the terminal of the number “2” of the connector 36A.

(Electrical configuration of control board 100)
The control device 110, the connectors 101 to 103, and various circuit elements are mounted on the control board 100. The control device 110 is a device including a microcomputer that operates in accordance with the main control program, and controls all gaming operations of the slot machine 1 including the operations of the chance operation device 30. Since the configuration for controlling the gaming operation of the slot machine 1 other than the gaming operation related to the chance operating device 30 is known from Japanese Patent No. 4401424, only the configuration for controlling the gaming operation related to the chance operating device 30 is used. explain.

  The control device 110 produces effects by controlling the driving of the rotary motor 33 of the chance operation device 30 and the blinking of the plurality of light emitting diodes on the lighting boards 35 and 36 so that the player expects a big hit. Are stored in storage means such as a ROM. In accordance with the effect control program, when the operation button 32 is operated, the control device 110 changes the effect pattern for controlling the driving of the rotary motor 33 and the blinking of the plurality of light emitting diodes.

  As one of various circuit elements on the control board 100, a transistor TR1 is provided for switching between excitation and demagnetization of the relay coil RCL. The collector of the transistor TR1 is connected to the supply terminal of the control voltage VCC via the relay coil RCL, and the base is connected to the port P1 of the control device 110 via the resistor R1. The emitter of the transistor TR1 is grounded. The relay switch RSW includes a movable contact MC and a pair of fixed contacts SC1 and SC2. The movable contact MC is connected to a supply terminal for the drive voltage VS. The fixed contact SC1 is in an open state that is not connected to any of them. Fixed contact SC2 is connected in common to the two terminals of number “3” and number “4” of connector 101. When a high-level drive signal is supplied from the port P1 of the control device 110 to the base of the transistor TR1, the transistor TR1 is turned on to excite the relay coil RCL. Due to this excitation, the movable contact MC is switched from the fixed contact SC1 to the fixed contact SC2.

  Transistors TR <b> 2 to TR <b> 5 are provided for switching excitation and demagnetization of the four coils of the rotary motor 33. The collector of the transistor TR2 is connected to the terminal of the number “1” of the connector 101, and is connected to the terminal T1 of the coil L1 through the connector 101, the connection line 104, and the connector 52. The base of the transistor TR2 is connected to the port P2 of the control device 110 via the resistor R2, and the emitter is grounded. The collector of the transistor TR3 is connected to the terminal of the number “2” of the connector 101, and is connected to the terminal T4 of the coil L4 via the connector 101, the connection line 104, and the connector 52. The base of the transistor TR3 is connected to the port P3 of the control device 110 via the resistor R3, and the emitter is grounded. The collector of the transistor TR4 is connected to the terminal of the number “5” of the connector 101, and is connected to the terminal T2 of the coil L2 through the connector 101, the connection line 104, and the connector 52. The base of the transistor TR4 is connected to the port P4 of the control device 110 via the resistor R4, and the emitter is grounded. The collector of the transistor TR5 is connected to the terminal of the number “6” of the connector 101, and is connected to the terminal T3 of the coil L3 via the connector 101, the connection line 104, and the connector 52. The base of the transistor TR5 is connected to the port P5 of the control device 110 via the resistor R5, and the emitter is grounded. When the movable contact MC of the relay switch RSW is connected to the fixed contact SC2, when a high level drive signal is supplied from the ports P2 to P5 of the control device 110 to the bases of the transistors TR2 to TR5, each transistor is turned on. Thus, the drive voltage VS is supplied to the connected coil to excite the coil.

  A transistor TR6 is provided to extract the electromotive force generated in the coils L1 and L2. The collector of the transistor TR6 is connected to the cathode of the rectifying diode DR, and the base is connected to the port P6 of the control device 110 via the resistor R6. The emitter of the transistor TR6 is connected to the anode of the photodiode PDR via the current limiting resistor RRC. The anode of the diode DR is connected to the terminal of the number “1” of the connector 101. The cathode of the photodiode PDR is connected to the terminal with the number “5” of the connector 101. A phototransistor PTR is provided to detect the amount of light emitted from the photodiode PDR. The collector of the phototransistor PTR is connected to the supply terminal of the control voltage VCC via the detection resistor RDT, and the emitter is grounded. The collector of the phototransistor PTR is connected to the port P7 of the control device 110.

  When the rotor MRT of the rotary motor 33 is rotated by the operation of the operation button 30 with the movable contact MC of the relay switch RSW connected to the fixed contact SC1, electromotive force is generated in the coils L1 to L4. When an electromotive force is generated in the coils L1 to L4, when a high-level command signal is supplied from the port P6 of the control device 110 to the base of the transistor TR6, the transistor TR6 is turned on, and the coils L1 and L2 are turned on. The generated AC electromotive force is half-wave rectified by the diode DR and supplied to the photodiode PDR. When the amount of light emitted from the photodiode PDR reaches a predetermined value, the phototransistor PTR is turned on to supply the control voltage VCC to the detection resistor RDT. Supply of the control voltage VCC causes a voltage drop in the detection resistor RDT, and the control device 110 receives a detection signal that changes from a high level to a low level at the port P7. The control device 110 is configured to determine that the operation button 30 has been operated when receiving the detection signal.

  Transistors TR7 and TR8 are provided to switch on and off the plurality of light emitting diodes mounted on the illumination substrates 35 and 36. The collectors of the transistors TR7 and TR8 are respectively connected to the terminal of the number “2” of the connector 102 and the terminal of the number “2” of the connector 103, and the emitters of both transistors are grounded. The base of the transistor TR7 is connected to the port P8 of the control device 110 through the resistor R7, and the base of the transistor TR8 is connected to the port P9 of the control device 110 through the resistor R8. The terminals with the number “1” of the connector 102 and the connector 103 are connected to the supply terminal of the control voltage VCC, respectively. When a high level lighting command signal is supplied from the ports P8 and P9 of the control device 110 to the bases of the transistors TR7 and TR8, each transistor is turned on, and the control voltage VCC is supplied to a plurality of connected light emitting diodes. A plurality of light emitting diodes.

[Operation and Action of Embodiment]
The operation and action of the slot machine 1 will be described. When the power is turned on to the slot machine 1, the control device 110 operates and a main control program for controlling the overall game operation of the slot machine 1 is started. With the start of the main control program, an effect control program for controlling the operation of the chance operation device 30 is also started.

  When the player operates the start lever 16 after inserting a medal into the medal insertion slot 15, the control device 110 executes a lottery operation for a winning combination. Along with this lottery operation, the control device 110 rotates the reels 11 to 13 when the start lever 16 is operated. As a result of the lottery operation, if the winning combination is not “winning”, the control device 110 stops the reels 11 to 13 in a state where the three symbols do not match.

  As a result of the lottery operation, when the winning combination is “winning”, the control device 110 stops the reels 11 to 13 in a state where the three symbols representing the winning combination are matched, and the winning combination is won. The medals of a predetermined number are paid out from the medal payout opening 20. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a winning combination in which three symbols “7” are arranged is set to “hit”.

  While the control device 110 is performing the lottery operation internally, the control device 110 causes the display information “PUSH” to be displayed on the liquid crystal display 27 and the upper lamp 22, The side lamps 23 and 24, the center lamp 25, and the lower lamp 26 are blinked. The display information of “PUSH” is information that informs the player to press the operation button 32 of the chance operation device 30.

  In addition, in order to perform an effect for exciting the game, the control device 110 blinks the plurality of light emitting diodes on the lighting boards 35 and 36. Specifically, control device 110 generates an on / off signal from ports P8 and P9. The transistors TR7 and TR8 perform a switching operation according to the on / off signal, alternately supply and stop the control voltage VCC to the plurality of light emitting diodes, and blink the plurality of light emitting diodes. Since the flashing light of the plurality of light emitting diodes is emitted through the operation button 32 and the upper cover 37 formed of a translucent material, the player operates with attention to the position of the operation button 32. The button 32 can be operated quickly.

  In the present embodiment, a plurality of types of effect patterns are executed according to the effect control program. Specifically, when the result of the lottery operation is “off”, the production pattern A is executed, and when the result of the lottery operation is “winning” in which any winning combination is won, the production pattern When B is executed and the result of the lottery operation is a “big hit” winning a special winning combination, the effect pattern C is executed.

(Operation of production pattern A of “out”)
Even when the result of the lottery operation is “out of”, the control device 110 executes the effect pattern A in order to excite the game. In effect pattern A, control device 110 generates an off signal from port P1 and maintains transistor TR1 in the off state. Since the relay coil RCL is demagnetized by this OFF state, the movable contact MC of the relay switch RSW is connected to the fixed contact SC1. As a result, the drive voltage VS is not supplied to the coils L1 to L4 of the rotary motor 33, and the rotary motor 33 is in a stopped state.

  When the rotary motor 33 is in a stopped state and the operation button 32 is not pressed, the operation button 32 is located at the protruding position shown in FIG. FIG. 7 shows the inside of the chance operation device 30 by removing the front case portion 31 </ b> A of the housing 31. In FIG. 7, the extended portion 45 </ b> B of the contact member 45 contacts the rear restricting piece 46 </ b> B of the upper restricting portion 46 by the elastic force in the arrow direction DP of the coil spring 43. By this contact, the operation button 32 is held at the protruding position.

  In the effect pattern A, the control device 110 causes the display information “PUSH” to be displayed on the liquid crystal display 27 and causes the plurality of light emitting diodes of the chance operation device 30 to blink. Control device 110 generates an ON signal from port P6 for a predetermined detection time, and maintains transistor TR6 in the ON state. In the present embodiment, the predetermined detection time is set to a time during which the electromotive force generated in the coils L1 to L4 can be detected from the time when display of the display information “PUSH” is started.

  The player sees the display information of “PUSH” and presses the operation button 32. By this pressing operation, the operation button 32 rotates around the support shaft 39 against the elastic force of the coil spring 43 in the arrow direction DP. As the operation button 32 rotates, the rack portion 41B of the rack member 41 also rotates about the support shaft 39. When the extending portion 45B of the contact member 45 contacts the cylindrical member 47A of the lower restricting portion 47, the operation button 32 is restricted to the retracted position shown in FIG. 8 also shows the inside of the chance operation device 30 by removing the front case portion 31A of the housing 31 as in FIG. Even when the player is crazy about the game and hits the operation button 32, the cylindrical member 47A made of rubber material absorbs an impact when coming into contact with the extending portion 45B that rotates integrally with the operation button 32. It is possible to reduce the transmission of impact to the rotary motor 33 and the entire casing 31.

  Since the rack portion 41B meshes with the pinion 42, the rotation shaft 33A of the rotary motor 33 rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG. 8 while the rack portion 41B rotates. When the extending portion 45B of the contact member 45 contacts the cylindrical member 47A of the lower restricting portion 47, the rotation shaft 33A of the rotary motor 33 stops. As the rotating shaft 33A rotates in the clockwise direction, the rotor MRT of the rotating motor 33 rotates and electromotive force is generated in the coils L1 to L4.

  Among the coils L1 to L4, the AC electromotive force generated in the coils L1 and L2 is taken out from the terminal with the number “1” and the terminal with the number “5” of the connector 101 and half-wave rectified by the diode DR. Since the transistor TR6 is maintained in the on state, the transistor TR6 supplies the rectified electromotive force to the photodiode PDR to cause the photodiode PDR to emit light. When the phototransistor PTR receives light of a predetermined value or more from the photodiode PDR, the phototransistor PTR is turned on. When the phototransistor PTR is turned on, the control voltage VCC is supplied to the detection resistor RDT, causing a voltage drop. Due to this voltage drop, a detection signal that changes from a high level to a low level is supplied to the port P7 of the control device 110. The control device 110 determines that the operation button 32 has been operated by the player when receiving the detection signal within the predetermined detection time.

  When the player releases the pressing operation, the operation button 32 is rotated from the retracted position shown in FIG. 8 toward the protruding position shown in FIG. 7 by the elastic force in the arrow direction DP of the coil spring 43. As the operation button 32 rotates, the rack portion 41B of the rack member 41 also rotates about the support shaft 39. When the extending portion 45B of the contact member 45 contacts the rear restricting piece 46B of the upper restricting portion 46, the operation button 32 is restricted to the protruding position shown in FIG. While the rack portion 41B rotates and the pinion 42 rotates, the rotation shaft 33A of the rotation motor 33 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. When the extending portion 45B of the contact member 45 contacts the rear restricting piece 46A of the upper restricting portion 46, the rotation shaft 33A of the rotary motor 33 stops. As the rotating shaft 33A rotates counterclockwise, the rotor MRT of the rotary motor 33 rotates and electromotive force is generated in the coils L1 to L4.

  As the rotating shaft 33A rotates counterclockwise, the AC electromotive force generated in the coils L1 and L2 causes the photodiode PDR to emit light, similarly to the above-described clockwise rotation of the rotating shaft 33A, and causes the phototransistor PTR. Is turned on upon receiving light of a predetermined value or more from the photodiode PDR. When the phototransistor PTR is turned on, the control voltage VCC is supplied to the detection resistor RDT, causing a voltage drop. Due to this voltage drop, a detection signal that changes from a high level to a low level is supplied to the port P7 of the control device 110. In this case, since the control device 110 has already received the detection signal at the port P7 while the rotating shaft 33A is rotating in the clockwise direction, even if the detection signal is received again within the predetermined detection period, the operation button It is not determined that 32 has been operated.

  Since the production pattern A is a pattern in the case of “displacement”, the control device 110 maintains the stopped state without driving the rotary motor 33 for the production when the predetermined detection period has elapsed. Specifically, control device 110 continuously generates an off signal from ports P2 to P5 even after a predetermined detection time has elapsed, and holds transistors TR2 to TR5 in an off state. In addition, when the predetermined detection time has elapsed, the control device 110 stops displaying the display information “PUSH” on the liquid crystal display 27 and stops the blinking of the plurality of light emitting diodes of the chance operation device 30.

(Operation of production pattern B for “win”)
When the result of the lottery operation is “winning” in which any winning combination is won, the control device 110 executes the effect pattern B. In effect pattern B, control device 110 generates an off signal from port P1 to maintain transistor TR1 in the off state. Due to this OFF state, the movable contact MC of the relay switch RSW is connected to the fixed contact SC1. As a result, the drive voltage VS is not supplied to the coils L1 to L4 of the rotary motor 33, and the rotary motor 33 is in a stopped state.

  In the effect pattern B, the control device 110 causes the display information “PUSH” to be displayed on the liquid crystal display 27 and causes the plurality of light emitting diodes of the chance operation device 30 to blink. Control device 110 generates an ON signal from port P6 for a predetermined detection time, and maintains transistor TR6 in the ON state.

  The player sees the display information of “PUSH” and presses the operation button 32. By this pressing operation, the operation button 32 and the rack portion 41 </ b> B of the rack member 41 are rotated about the support shaft 39. When the extended portion 45B of the contact member 45 contacts the cylindrical member 47A of the lower restricting portion 47, the operation button 32 is restricted to the retracted position.

  While the rack portion 41B is rotating, the rotation shaft 33A of the rotary motor 33 rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG. When the extending portion 45B of the contact member 45 contacts the cylindrical member 47A of the lower restricting portion 47, the rotation shaft 33A of the rotary motor 33 stops. As the rotating shaft 33A rotates in the clockwise direction, an alternating electromotive force is generated in the coils L1 and L2, and half-wave rectified by the diode DR. Since the transistor TR6 is maintained in the on state, the transistor TR6 supplies the rectified electromotive force to the photodiode PDR to cause the photodiode PDR to emit light. The phototransistor PTR is turned on upon receiving light of a predetermined value or more from the photodiode PDR. When the phototransistor PTR is turned on, a detection signal that changes from a high level to a low level is supplied to the port P7 of the control device 110. The control device 110 determines that the operation button 32 has been operated by the player when receiving the detection signal within the predetermined detection time.

  When the player releases the pressing operation, the operation button 32 is rotated from the retracted position toward the protruding position by the elastic force in the arrow direction DP of the coil spring 43. When the extended portion 45B of the contact member 45 contacts the rear restricting piece 46B of the upper restricting portion 46, the operation button 32 is restricted to the protruding position. Similar to the effect pattern A, the rotor MRT of the rotary motor 33 rotates with the rotation of the rotating shaft 33A in the counterclockwise direction, and electromotive force is generated in the coils L1 to L4. However, since the control device 110 has already received the detection signal at the port P7 while the rotating shaft 33A is rotating in the clockwise direction, the operation button 32 can be received even if the detection signal is received again within the predetermined detection period. Is not determined to have been operated.

  Since the effect pattern B is a pattern for “winning” winning one of the winning combinations, the control device 110 drives the rotary motor 33 for an effect that further enhances the game. Specifically, when a predetermined detection time has elapsed, control device 110 generates an on signal from port P1, generates an off signal from port P6, turns on transistor TR1, and turns on transistor TR6. Switch from state to off. When the transistor TR1 is turned on, the relay coil RCL is excited, and the movable contact MC of the relay switch RSW is switched from the fixed contact SC1 to the fixed contact SC2. By this switching, the drive voltage VS is supplied to the terminals T12 and T34 of the coil via the terminals with the numbers “3” and “4” of the connector 101 and the connector 52. In addition, when the predetermined detection time has elapsed, the control device 110 stops displaying the display information “PUSH” on the liquid crystal display 27 and stops the blinking of the plurality of light emitting diodes of the chance operation device 30.

  In the effect pattern B, when it is detected that the operation button 32 has been operated within the predetermined detection time, the operation button 32 moves in the direction of the arrow about the support shaft 39 after the predetermined detection time has elapsed. A downward movement that rotates in the direction opposite to DP and an upward movement that rotates in the direction of arrow DP are configured to perform an oscillating motion that alternately repeats. In order to perform this oscillating motion, the control device 110 determines that the operation button 32 has been operated based on the detection signal received at the port P7, and when the predetermined detection time has elapsed, the ports P2 to P5. An on / off signal is generated from. In the effect pattern B, the operation button 32 repeats one vibration motion consisting of the downward movement and the upward movement several times, and the rotation angle in each vibration motion is a small predetermined angle at which the player can recognize the vibration of the operation button 32. Set to

  When control device 110 generates an on / off signal from ports P2 to P5, transistors TR2 to TR5 perform a switching operation in accordance with the on / off signal. By this switching operation, excitation and demagnetization of the coils L1 to L4 of the rotary motor 33 are controlled with a predetermined excitation pattern. Due to the excitation and demagnetization of the coils L1 to L4, the rotor MRT of the rotary motor 33 rotates by a predetermined number of steps corresponding to a small predetermined angle, and the rotary shaft 33A and the pinion 42 have a small predetermined angle in the clockwise direction in FIG. Only rotate. As a result, the operation button 32 moves downward by an amount corresponding to a small predetermined angle.

  The control device 110 continuously generates an off signal from the ports P2 to P5 for a predetermined pause period after generating an on / off signal from the ports P2 to P5 so that the rotary motor 33 rotates by a predetermined number of steps. By this off signal, all of the transistors TR2 to TR5 are turned off, and all of the coils L1 to L4 are demagnetized. As a result, due to the elastic force of the coil spring 43 in the arrow direction DP, the operation button 32 and the rack member 41 rotate in the arrow direction DP and return to the protruding position. The upward movement of the operation button 32 is performed by the elastic force of the coil spring 43 while the coils L1 to L4 are demagnetized. The predetermined pause period is set based on the time required for the operation button 32 to return to the protruding position by the elastic force of the coil spring 43 after the rotation motor 33 has rotated by a predetermined number of steps.

  The operation button 32 repeats the vibration motion of a small predetermined angle several times by the operation for controlling the excitation and demagnetization of the coils L1 to L4 and the elastic force of the coil spring 43 in the demagnetization state of the coil. By virtue of the vibration motion of the operation button 32 at a small predetermined angle, it is possible to produce an effect that makes the player who sees this vibration motion expect to win the “winning”.

  In the effect pattern B of the present embodiment, when the player does not press the operation button 32 within the predetermined detection time, the control device 110 does not receive the detection signal at the port P7 within the predetermined detection time. Accordingly, it is determined that the operation button 32 is not operated, and an off signal is generated from the ports P2 to P5 when a predetermined detection time has elapsed. As a result, the rotary motor 33 is not driven, and the effect by the vibration motion of the operation button 32 is not executed.

(Operation of production pattern C of “big hit”)
When the result of the lottery operation is “big win” that is a winning combination in which three symbols of “7” are arranged, the control device 110 executes the effect pattern C. The effect pattern C is different from the effect pattern B only in the vibration motion of the operation button 32, and therefore only the vibration motion of the operation button 32 will be described.

  Similarly to the effect pattern B, in the effect pattern C, when it is detected that the operation button 32 is operated within the predetermined detection time, the operation button 32 performs a vibrating motion after the predetermined detection time has elapsed. Configured to do several times. In order to perform this oscillating motion, the control device 110 determines that the operation button 32 has been operated based on the detection signal received at the port P7, and when the predetermined detection time has elapsed, the ports P2 to P5. An on / off signal is generated from. In the effect pattern C, the rotation angle of each vibration motion of the operation button 32 is larger than the rotation angle of each vibration motion of the operation button 32 in the effect pattern B, and the player recognizes that the operation button 32 vibrates greatly. A large predetermined angle is set.

  The transistors TR2 to TR5 perform a switching operation in accordance with an on / off signal generated by the control device 110 from the ports P2 to P5. By this switching operation, excitation and demagnetization of the coils L1 to L4 of the rotary motor 33 are controlled, the rotor MRT of the rotary motor 33 rotates by a predetermined number of steps corresponding to a large predetermined angle, and the rotary shaft 33A and the pinion 42 are In FIG. 7, it rotates by a large predetermined angle in the clockwise direction. As a result, the operation button 32 moves downward by an amount corresponding to a large predetermined angle.

  The control device 110 continuously generates an off signal from the ports P2 to P5 for a predetermined pause period after generating an on / off signal from the ports P2 to P5 so that the rotary motor 33 rotates by a predetermined number of steps. By this off signal, all of the transistors TR2 to TR5 are turned off, and all of the coils L1 to L4 are demagnetized. As a result, due to the elastic force of the coil spring 43 in the arrow direction DP, the operation button 32 and the rack member 41 rotate in the arrow direction DP and return to the protruding position. The upward movement of the operation button 32 is performed by the elastic force of the coil spring 43 while the coils L1 to L4 are demagnetized.

  The operation button 32 repeats the vibration motion of a large predetermined angle several times by the operation for controlling the excitation and demagnetization of the coils L1 to L4 and the elastic force of the coil spring 43 in the demagnetization state of the coil. By virtue of the vibration of the operation button 32 at a large predetermined angle, it is possible to produce an effect that makes the player who sees this vibration motion expect to win a “big hit”.

  Even in the effect pattern C of the present embodiment, if the player does not press the operation button 32 within the predetermined detection time, the control device 110 determines that the operation button 32 is not operated, and the predetermined detection time has elapsed. In this case, an off signal is generated from the ports P2 to P5. As a result, the rotary motor 33 is not driven, and the effect by the vibration motion of the operation button 32 is not executed.

[Effect of the embodiment]
In the present embodiment, when the rotary motor 33 is supplied with the drive voltage VS, the operation button 32 is vibrated to produce an effect that makes the player expect “winning”, and the drive voltage VS is not supplied. Based on the electromotive force generated in the coils L1 to L4, it is used to detect that the operation button 32 has been operated. Even when the player hits the operation button 32 or hits it repeatedly, the rotary motor 33 can reliably generate an electromotive force in the coils L1 to L4. As a result, the detection configuration that uses the electromotive force from the rotary motor 33 can reliably detect that the operation button has been operated, and affects the impact applied to the operation button 32, as compared with the conventional photosensor. Not resistant to impact. In addition, in order to extract the electromotive force from the coils L1 to L4 of the rotary motor 33, an electronic component that is sensitive to static electricity such as a photosensor is not required, and thus it is durable against static electricity applied to the operation button 32 from the player's fingers. Have sex. Furthermore, in this embodiment, not only the plurality of light emitting diodes of the lighting boards 35 and 36 blink, but the operation button 32 performs a vibrating motion, so that the game can be further increased.

  In the present embodiment, the rotation of the pinion 42 fixed to the rotation shaft 33 </ b> A of the rotation motor 33 is converted into the rotation of the rack member 41 around the support shaft 39, and the operation button 32 is vibrated. Further, the pressing operation of the operation button 32 turns the rack member 41 around the support shaft 39 and is converted into the rotation of the pinion 42. As a result, as compared with a configuration in which the operation button is linearly guided in the vertical direction, the present embodiment can efficiently convert the motion in both directions between the operation button pressing operation and the rotation of the rotation shaft. .

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the rotary motor 33 is disposed at substantially the center position of the rear wall extending in the left and right direction and the vertical direction of the rear case portion 31 </ b> B of the housing 31. The support shaft 39 is disposed in parallel with the rotation shaft 33A in the vicinity of one corner of the rear wall of the rear case portion 31B. The rack portion 41B is arranged away from the support shaft 39 from the arrangement position of the rotation shaft 33A. As a result, the amount of rotation of the rotary shaft 33A is increased without increasing the size of the casing even if the vibration motion of the operation button 32 is a constant stroke due to the arrangement of each member in a limited space in the casing 31. can do.

  In the present embodiment, the extending portion 45B of the contact member 45 contacts the upper restricting portion 46 by the elastic force in the arrow direction DP of the coil spring 43, and the operation button 32 is restricted to the protruding position. As a result, even when the rotation motor 33 rotates by a predetermined number of steps and vibrates, even if the player presses the operation button 32 to step out the rotation motor 32, the coil L1 of the rotation motor 33 is lost. While L4 is demagnetized, the operation button 32 can be returned to the protruding position by the elastic force in the arrow direction DP of the coil spring 43, and the subsequent vibration motion of the operation button 32 is not hindered.

  In the present embodiment, the operation button 32, the rotation motor 33, the coupling mechanism 34, the lighting boards 35 and 36, and the like are assembled into the casing 31 to be unitized, thereby configuring the chance operation device 30. As a result, it becomes easy to attach the chance operation device 30 to the frame 10 of the slot machine 1 and also facilitate maintenance and inspection of the chance operation device 30 which is one of the devices frequently operated by the player.

  In the present embodiment, the electromotive force extracted from the coils L1 and L2 of the rotary motor 33 is supplied to the photodiode PDR via the diode DR for half-wave rectification. The phototransistor PTR is turned on when the amount of light emitted from the photodiode PDR is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and supplies a detection signal to the port P7 of the control device 110. In general, since the voltage level of the electromotive force generated in the coil of the rotary motor varies depending on the rotation state of the rotor and is not stable, it is confirmed that the operation button 32 is operated from such an unstable electromotive force. It is difficult to judge directly. For this reason, the photocoupler including the photodiode PDR and the phototransistor PTR reduces the variation in electromotive force, and then generates a detection signal from the control voltage VCC at a constant voltage level. And the operation of the operation button 32 can be accurately detected.

<Correspondence of configuration>
The slot machine 1 and the chance operation device 30 are examples of the gaming machine and the gaming machine operation device of the present invention. A combination of a control device 110 mounted on the control board 100, a relay switch RSW, and circuit elements such as transistors TR1 to TR5 is an example of the control unit of the present invention. The operation button 32 is an example of the operation button of the present invention, and the support shaft 39 is an example of the support body and the support shaft of the present invention. The rotary motor 33, the coils L1 to L4, the permanent magnet of the rotor MRT, the terminals T1 to T4, T12, T34, and the rotary shaft 33A are examples of the rotary motor, the coil, the permanent magnet, the coil terminal, and the rotary shaft of the present invention. is there. The coupling mechanism 34, the rack member 41, and the pinion 42 are examples of the coupling mechanism, the rack member, and the pinion of the present invention. The casing 31 and the coil spring 43 are examples of the casing and the elastic body of the present invention. The combination of the contact member 45, the upper restricting portion 46, and the lower restricting portion 47 is an example of the position restricting portion of the present invention. A combination of the relay switch RSW and the transistor TR1 is an example of the switching unit of the present invention. A combination of the transistor TR6, the photodiode PDR, the phototransistor PTR, and the detection resistor RDT is an example of the detection circuit of the present invention.

<Modification>
The present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. An example of the modification will be described below.

(1) In this embodiment, the operation button 32 is rotatably supported by the support shaft 39, but is not limited to this configuration. The operation button may be configured to move linearly by guide means such as a sliding guide described in Patent Document 1.

(2) In the present embodiment, the electromotive force generated in the coils L1 and L2 of the rotary motor 33 is extracted. However, in order to extract a large amount of electromotive force, the electromotive force may be extracted from all of the coils L1 to L4. . In this embodiment, the AC electromotive force generated in the coils L1 and L2 is extracted by half-wave rectification using the diode DR. However, the AC electromotive force may be extracted by full-wave rectification.

(3) In the present embodiment, the rotation motor 33 is configured by a stepping motor, and the rotation amount of the operation button 32 is controlled according to the number of steps, but is not limited to this configuration. For example, the rotation motor may be configured by a servo motor provided with a rotation position detector, and the rotation position of the operation button may be controlled according to a position signal from the rotation position detector.

(4) In this embodiment, the chance manipulation device 30 includes the illumination substrates 25 and 36, but is not limited to this configuration. For example, the illumination substrate may be attached to the frame 10 of the slot machine 1 close to the arrangement position of the chance operation device 30 instead of being attached to the casing 31. Moreover, the chance operation device may be configured to include sound effect generating means instead of the illumination substrate.

(5) In the present embodiment, the lower restricting portion 47 includes the cylindrical member 47A made of a rubber material in order to reduce the impact applied to the operation button 32 from being transmitted to the entire casing 31, but is not limited to this configuration. . For example, in addition to the cylindrical member or instead of the cylindrical member, the operation button is assembled to the rack member so as to be movable by a predetermined rotation amount with respect to the rack member. A structure in which a shock absorbing member is interposed between the two may be used.

(6) In the present embodiment, the display information of “PUSH” is displayed on the liquid crystal display 27 and the operation buttons 32 are operated by the player by blinking the plurality of light emitting diodes of the lighting boards 35 and 36. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, in addition to or in place of blinking of a plurality of light emitting diodes, after the control device oscillates the operation button a plurality of times, the operation button is operated within a predetermined detection time. The structure to detect may be sufficient. In a modified example of this configuration, after the predetermined detection time has elapsed in the case of “displacement”, the operation button is positioned at the protruding position without vibrating, and in the case of “hit”, after the predetermined detection time has elapsed. A configuration may be considered in which an operation button is vibrated several times to produce an effect that makes the player expect to win a “win”.

(7) In the present embodiment, the control device 110 is configured not to change the probability of winning any winning combination according to the operation of the operation button 32, but is not limited to this configuration. For example, the probability of winning may be changed by selecting one variable from among a plurality of variables that determine the probability of winning any winning combination by operating the operation button. As a configuration for changing the probability of winning according to the operation of the operation button, a configuration described in Japanese Patent No. 3573787 is known.

(8) In the present embodiment, the coupling mechanism 34 includes the rack member 41 having the rack portion 41B and the pinion 42 that directly meshes with the rack portion 41B, but is not limited to this configuration. For example, the rack portion and the pinion may be engaged with each other via a gear train. Further, instead of the meshing configuration such as the rack portion 41B and the pinion 42, a roller having a large frictional resistance is fixed to the rotating shaft of the rotary motor, and a rotating member such as a rack member has a contact surface having a large frictional resistance. The roller may be in frictional contact with the contact surface to transmit the motion.

(9) Although the present embodiment is a slot machine 1 in which a reel rotates when a medal is inserted, it is not limited to this. For example, a pachinko gaming machine in which a reel rotates when a pachinko ball wins a predetermined winning portion may be used. In the present embodiment, the reels 11 to 13 have a mechanical configuration in which a belt-shaped member on which a pattern is printed is attached to a circular frame member and is rotated by a motor or the like, but is not limited to this configuration. For example, the rotating reel may have an electronic configuration in which a symbol is displayed on a liquid crystal display, and the displayed symbol is sequentially rotated when a medal is inserted or a pachinko ball is won.

(10) In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the chance operation device 30 is arranged at the upper part of the start lever 16, and the chance operation device 30 is in the field of view of the player who frequently watches the reels 11 to 13. Although it arrange | positions so that it may be located, it is not limited to this arrangement | positioning. For example, even if the chance operation device is arranged at a position below the start lever so that the player's fingers can reach quickly, the chance operation device is arranged at a position above the start lever so that the player can extend and push the arm. Further, the player may be more aware of the participation type by moving the body during the game. Moreover, the structure arrange | positioned in the position which can be operated with a part of arm other than a player's finger | toe may be sufficient.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Slot machine 30 Chance operating device 31 Case 32 Operation button 33 Rotating motor 33A Rotating shaft 34 Connecting mechanism 39 Support shaft 41 Rack member 42 Pinion 43 Elastic body 45 Contact member 46 Upper restricting part 47 Lower restricting part 100 Control board L1 L4 Coil MRT Rotors T1 to T4, T12, T34 Coil terminals TR1 to TR6 Transistor RCL Relay coil RSW Relay switch VS Drive voltage photodiode PDR
Phototransistor PTR
RDT detection resistor

Claims (9)

When an operation button that can be operated by a player is operated, an operation device for a gaming machine including a control unit that controls a game operation according to the operation,
A support that supports the operation button so that the operation button moves when the operation button is operated by the player;
A rotary motor having a coil and a permanent magnet, and a drive voltage is supplied to the coil terminal from the control unit;
A coupling mechanism that couples the rotation shaft of the rotary motor and the operation button, and transmits the rotation of the rotation shaft to move the operation button when a drive voltage is supplied to the coil terminal;
When the player operates the operation button and the rotation shaft is rotated through the coupling mechanism in a state where the drive voltage is not supplied to the coil terminal, the rotation motor indicates that the operation button has been operated. An operating device for a gaming machine, wherein electric power is generated at a coil terminal. A housing that houses the support, the rotary motor, and the coupling mechanism;
An elastic body provided in the housing for biasing the operation button so as to protrude from the housing;
The gaming machine operating device according to claim 1, further comprising: a position restricting portion provided in the housing for restricting a position where the operation button protrudes from the housing and a position where the operation button is retracted. The coupling mechanism includes a pinion fixed to the rotating shaft, and a rack member supported so as to be movable with respect to the housing and meshing with the pinion.
The operation device for a gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the operation button is connected to a rack member. The support is a support shaft that rotatably supports the operation button,
4. The gaming machine operating device according to claim 3, wherein the rack member is rotatably supported around a support shaft.   5. The gaming machine operating device according to claim 4, wherein the rotary motor is attached to the housing such that the rotary shaft is parallel to the support shaft.   The gaming machine operating device according to claim 5, wherein the rack portion that meshes with the pinion of the rack member is disposed at a position farther from the support shaft than the rotation shaft. Operation buttons that can be operated by the player,
A support that supports the operation button so that the operation button moves when the operation button is operated by the player;
A rotary motor having a coil and a permanent magnet, the drive voltage being supplied to the coil terminal;
A connection mechanism that connects the rotation shaft of the rotary motor and the operation button, and transmits the rotation of the rotation shaft to move the operation button when a drive voltage is supplied to the coil terminal;
A control unit that supplies a driving voltage to the coil terminal to move the operation button, and controls the gaming operation according to the operation when the operation button is operated,
When the player operates the operation button and rotates the rotating shaft through the coupling mechanism in a state where the driving voltage is not supplied to the coil terminal, the rotary motor generates an electromotive force at the coil terminal,
The control unit detects that an operation button has been operated by an electromotive force generated at a coil terminal. The control unit includes a switching unit that switches between a supply enabled state in which the drive voltage can be supplied to the coil terminal and a non-supply state in which the drive voltage is not supplied to the coil terminal.
The gaming machine according to claim 7, further comprising a detection circuit connected to the coil terminal to extract an electromotive force generated in the coil terminal while the switching unit is switched to the non-supply state. A housing that houses the support, the rotation motor, and the coupling mechanism and is fixed to the frame of the gaming machine,
The operation button is attached to the casing so as to be movable by the support,
The gaming machine according to claim 8, wherein the control unit and the detection circuit are attached to a frame of the gaming machine.

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