JP2018029823A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine that can drive a circuit of a drive object while exceeding an absolute maximum rating of a special drive driver.SOLUTION: A game machine 100 includes: LED driver 21 having an output part 211 to which LED circuit 23 is connected, and which drives the LED circuit 23; and LED driving circuit 22 having an absolute maximum rating exceeding an absolute maximum rating of the LED driver 21 and connected between the output part 211 and the LED circuit 23 to drive the LED circuit 23.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine represented by a ball game machine (pachinko machine).

  Currently, various devices with light emitting diodes are known. Patent Documents 1 to 3 disclose light-emitting diode drive circuits. A light-emitting diode is also used in a gaming machine, and the gaming machine includes, for example, an effect device having a light-emitting diode to execute an effect related to a jackpot and other effects.

  The gaming machine drives the light emitting diode by a dedicated drive driver provided in the rendering device. Since such an exclusive drive driver has an absolute maximum rating, the number of light emitting diodes that can be driven by the dedicated drive driver is limited.

JP 2009-295627 A JP 2004-253364 A JP 2003-92843 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of driving a circuit to be driven exceeding the absolute maximum rating of a dedicated drive driver.

  In order to achieve the above object, a gaming machine according to one aspect of the present invention includes an output unit to which a drive target circuit is connected, a dedicated drive driver for driving the drive target circuit, and the dedicated drive driver. And a drive circuit that has an absolute maximum rating exceeding the absolute maximum rating and is connected between the output unit and the drive target circuit and drives the drive target circuit.

  The driving circuit may include a transistor having an absolute maximum rating exceeding an absolute maximum rating of the dedicated driving driver, and the transistor may be switched between an on state and an off state according to a current level flowing through the output unit. .

  The drive target circuit has a plurality of light emission between a power supply voltage input terminal having a voltage value higher than an absolute maximum rating of the dedicated drive driver and not more than an absolute maximum rating of the drive circuit and a reference voltage input terminal. You may have a diode.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, a circuit to be driven can be driven exceeding the absolute maximum rating of a dedicated drive driver.

It is a figure explaining schematic structure of gaming machine 100 by one embodiment of the present invention, and is a perspective view of gaming machine 100 in the state where a door was opened. 1 is a front view of a gaming machine 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram of a gaming machine 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a circuit block diagram of the effect lighting device 204 provided in the gaming machine 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The dimensions, materials, and other specific numerical values shown in the embodiments are merely examples for facilitating the understanding of the invention, and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In the present specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same function and configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not illustrated. To do.

  In order to facilitate understanding of the embodiment of the present invention, a mechanical configuration and an electrical configuration of the gaming machine will be briefly described.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the gaming machine 100 according to the present embodiment, in which the door is opened. As shown in the drawing, the gaming machine 100 includes an outer frame 102 in which an enclosed space is formed by four sides assembled in a substantially rectangular shape, a middle frame 104 attached to the outer frame 102 by a hinge mechanism so as to be opened and closed, and a middle frame. 104 is provided with a front frame 106 attached to be freely opened and closed by a hinge mechanism.

  As with the outer frame 102, the middle frame 104 has an enclosed space formed by four sides assembled in a substantially rectangular shape, and the game board 108 is held in the enclosed space. The front frame 106 holds a transmission plate 110 made of glass or resin. When the middle frame 104 and the front frame 106 are closed with respect to the outer frame 102, the game board 108 and the transmission plate 110 face each other substantially in parallel with a predetermined distance from the front side of the gaming machine 100. The game board 108 can be visually recognized through the transmission plate 110.

  FIG. 2 is a front view of the gaming machine 100. As shown in FIG. 2, an operation handle 112 that projects to the front side of the gaming machine 100 is provided below the front frame 106. The operation handle 112 is provided so that the player can perform a rotation operation. When the player rotates the operation handle 112 and performs a shooting operation, the shooting handle 112 has a strength corresponding to the rotation angle of the operation handle 112 and is not shown. A game ball is fired by the mechanism. The game ball thus fired is raised between the rails 114 a and 114 b provided on the game board 108 and guided to the game area 116.

  The game area 116 is a space formed between the game board 108 and the transmission plate 110 and is an area where the game ball can flow down or roll. The game board 108 is provided with a large number of game nails and windmills, so that the game balls guided to the game area 116 collide with the game nails and windmills and flow down and roll in irregular directions. Yes.

  The game area 116 includes a first game area 116a and a second game area 116b that differ in the degree of entry of the game ball according to the firing strength of the launch mechanism. The first game area 116 a is located on the left side of the game area 116 when viewed from the player facing the gaming machine 100, and the second game area 116 b is the game area 116 viewed from the player facing the gaming machine 100. Located on the right side. Since the rails 114a and 114b are on the left side of the game area 116, the game balls launched by the launch mechanism with a launch intensity less than the predetermined intensity enter the first game area 116a and launch with a launch intensity greater than the predetermined intensity. The played game ball enters the second game area 116b.

  In addition, the game area 116 is provided with a general winning port 118, a first starting port 120, and a second starting port 122 through which a game ball can enter, and the general winning port 118, the first starting port 120, the first starting port 120, and the like. 2. When a game ball enters the start port 122, a predetermined prize ball is paid out to the player. The number of prize balls to be paid out based on the game balls entered may be different for each prize opening.

  A first start region is provided in the first start port 120, and a second start region is provided in the second start port 122. When a game ball enters the first start port 120 or the second start port 122 and the game ball enters the first start region or the second start region, one of a plurality of special symbols provided in advance is selected. A lottery for determining one special symbol is performed. Each special symbol is associated with various game profits such as whether or not a big game that is advantageous to the player can be executed and what kind of gaming state the subsequent gaming state will be. Therefore, when a game ball enters the first start port 120 or the second start port 122, the player acquires a predetermined prize ball and at the same time acquires an opportunity for acquiring a right to receive various game benefits. It becomes.

  Moreover, the movable piece 122b is provided in the 2nd starting port 122 so that opening and closing is possible, and the ease of approach of the game ball to the 2nd starting port 122 changes according to the state of the movable piece 122b. ing. Specifically, when the movable piece 122b is in the closed state, it is impossible to enter the game ball into the second start port 122. On the other hand, when the game ball passes through the entry area in the gate 124 provided in the game area 116, a lottery of a normal symbol which will be described later is performed. Controlled to open state. As described above, when the movable piece 122b is in the open state, the movable piece 122b functions as a tray that guides the game ball to the second start port 122, so that the game ball can easily enter the second start port 122. Note that, here, when the second start port 122 is in the closed state, it is impossible to enter the game ball into the second start port 122, but the second start port 122 is in the closed state. Even in some cases, it may be configured such that game balls can enter at a certain frequency.

  Furthermore, the game area 116 is provided with a large winning opening 128 through which a game ball can enter. An open / close door 128b is provided at the big prize opening 128 so as to be openable and closable. Normally, the open / close door 128b closes the big prize opening 128 so that a game ball cannot enter the big prize opening 128. ing. On the other hand, when the above-mentioned big game is executed, the opening / closing door 128b is opened, and a game ball can be inserted into the big winning opening 128. Then, when a game ball enters the big prize opening 128, a predetermined prize ball is paid out to the player. In the case where a plurality of prize winning openings are provided, the number of prize balls to be paid out based on the winning of game balls may be different for each prize winning opening.

  At the bottom of the game area 116, game balls that have not entered any of the general winning opening 118, the first starting opening 120, the second starting opening 122, or the big winning opening 128 are played from the gaming area 116. A discharge port 130 for discharging is provided on the back side of the panel 108.

  The game board 108 is controlled by an effect display device 200 made up of a liquid crystal display device, an effect agent device 202 made up of a movable device, and various lighting modes and light emission colors as an effect device for making an effect during the progress of the game. There are provided an effect lighting device 204 composed of a lamp, an audio output device 206 composed of a speaker, and an effect operation device 208 that accepts the player's operation.

  The effect display device 200 includes an effect display unit 200a composed of an image display unit for displaying an image, and the effect display unit 200a is arranged so as to be visible from the front side of the gaming machine 100 at a substantially central portion of the game board 108. doing. On the effect display unit 200a, the effect symbols 210a, 210b, and 210c are variably displayed as shown in the figure, and the effect that the big lottery result is notified to the player by the stop display mode of these effect symbols 210a, 210b, and 210c is provided. Will be executed.

  The stage effect device 202 is arranged in front of the stage display unit 200a and is usually retracted to the back side of the game board 108. It moves to the front surface of the display unit 200a and gives a player a big hit expectation.

  The effect lighting device 204 is provided in the effect actor device 202, the game board 108, and the like, and various lighting controls are performed according to the image displayed on the effect display unit 200a.

  The audio output device 206 is provided at an upper position of the front frame 106 or a lowermost position of the outer frame 102, and various audios are directed toward the front side of the gaming machine 100 in accordance with an image displayed on the effect display unit 200a. Is output.

  The effect operation device 208 is configured by a button that receives a player's pressing operation, and is provided at a substantially central position in the width direction of the gaming machine 100 and at a position below the transmission plate 110. The effect operation device 208 is activated in accordance with an image or the like displayed on the effect display unit 200a. When the player's operation is received within the operation effective time, various effects are generated according to the operation. Executed.

  On the rear side (the game board 108 side) of the effect operation device 208, there is provided an upper plate 132 through which a prize ball paid out from the gaming machine 100 and a game ball lent out from the game ball rental device are guided. When is filled with game balls, the game balls are guided to the lower plate 134. Further, a ball hole (not shown) for discharging game balls from the lower plate 134 is formed on the bottom surface of the lower plate 134. The ball release hole is normally closed by an opening / closing plate (not shown), but the opening / closing plate slides integrally with the ball removal knob 134a by sliding the ball removal knob 134a in the horizontal direction in the figure. In addition, it is possible to discharge the game ball from the ball hole to the lower side of the lower plate 134.

  Further, the game board 108 has a first special symbol display 160, a second special symbol display 162, and a first special symbol hold at a position outside the game area 116 and visible to the player. A display 164, a second special symbol hold display 166, a normal symbol display 168, a normal symbol hold display 170, and a right-handed notification display 172 are provided. Each of these indicators 160 to 172 is a device for displaying various situations relating to the game.

(Internal structure of control means)
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the control means for controlling the progress of the game.

  The main control board 300 controls the basic operation of the game. The main control board 300 includes a main CPU 300a, a main ROM 300b, and a main RAM 300c. The main CPU 300a reads out a program stored in the main ROM 300b based on an input signal from each detection switch or timer, performs arithmetic processing, directly controls each device or display, or outputs the result of the arithmetic processing. In response, a command is transmitted to another board. The main RAM 300c functions as a data work area during the arithmetic processing of the main CPU 300a.

  The main control board 300 has a general winning port detection switch 118s for detecting that a game ball has entered the general winning port 118, and a first start port for detecting that a game ball has entered the first start port 120. The detection switch 120s, the second start port detection switch 122s that detects that a game ball has entered the second start port 122, the gate detection switch 124s that detects that the game ball has passed through the gate 124, and the big winning port 128 A big prize opening detection switch 128s for detecting that a game ball has entered is connected, and a detection signal is inputted to the main control board 300 from each of these detection switches.

  Further, the main control board 300 includes a normal electric accessory solenoid 122c that operates the movable piece 122b of the second start port 122, and a large winning port solenoid 128c that operates the opening and closing door 128b that opens and closes the large winning port 128. The main control board 300 controls the opening and closing of the second starting port 122 and the special winning opening 128.

  Further, the main control board 300 includes a first special symbol display 160, a second special symbol display 162, a first special symbol hold indicator 164, a second special symbol hold indicator 166, a normal symbol indicator 168, and a normal symbol indicator 168. The symbol hold display 170 and the right-handed notification display 172 are connected, and the main control board 300 controls the display of each display.

  In addition, the game executed by the gaming machine 100 of the present embodiment is a special game started mainly by entering a game ball into the first start port 120 or the second start port 122, and the game ball passes through the gate 124. It is roughly divided into ordinary games started by doing. The main ROM 300b of the main control board 300 stores various programs for proceeding with special games and ordinary games, and data and tables necessary for various games.

  The main control board 300 is connected to a payout control board 310 and a sub control board 330.

  The payout control board 310 performs control for launching a game ball and control for paying out a prize ball. The payout control board 310 also includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, and is connected to the main control board 300 so as to be capable of bidirectional communication. A game information output terminal board 312 is connected to the payout control board 310, and various information on the progress of the game output from the main control board 300 is sent via the payout control board 310 and the game information output terminal board 312. It will be output to the hall computer of the amusement store.

  The payout control board 310 is connected to a payout motor 314 for paying out a game ball stored in the storage unit as a prize ball to the player. The payout control board 310 controls the payout motor 314 based on the payout number designation command transmitted from the main control board 300 so as to pay out a predetermined prize ball to the player. At this time, the number of game balls that have been paid out is detected by the payout ball counting switch 316 s so that it can be determined whether or not the prize ball to be paid out has been paid out to the player.

  Further, a dish full tank detection switch 318 s for detecting a full tank state of the lower dish 134 is connected to the dispensing control board 310. The dish full tank detection switch 318 s is provided in a path that guides the game ball to be paid out as a prize ball to the lower dish 134, and a game ball detection signal is input to the payout control board 310 each time the game ball passes through the path. It has come to be.

  When a predetermined amount or more of the game balls are stored in the lower plate 134 and become full, the game balls stay in the passage toward the lower plate 134 toward the payout control board 310 from the plate full tank detection switch 318s. The game ball detection signal is continuously input. The payout control board 310 determines that the lower tray 134 is full when a game ball detection signal is continuously input for a predetermined time, and transmits a full dish command to the main control board 300. On the other hand, if the continuous input of the game ball detection signal is interrupted after the dish full tank command is transmitted, it is determined that the full tank state has been released, and the dish full tank release command is transmitted to the main control board 300.

  In addition, a launch control board 320 is connected to the payout control board 310 so as to be capable of bidirectional communication. When the launch control board 320 receives the launch control data from the payout control board 310, the launch control board 320 permits the launch. The launch control board 320 is connected to a touch sensor 112 s provided on the operation handle 112 for detecting that the player has touched the operation handle 112, and an operation volume 112 a for detecting an operation angle of the operation handle 112. ing. When a signal is input from the touch sensor 112 s and the operation volume 112 a, the launch control board 320 is controlled to energize the launch solenoid 112 c provided in the game ball launch device to launch the game ball.

  The sub-control board 330 mainly controls each effect such as playing or waiting. The sub control board 330 includes a sub CPU 330a, a sub ROM 330b, and a sub RAM 330c, and is connected to the main control board 300 so as to be able to communicate in one direction from the main control board 300 to the sub control board 330. The sub CPU 330a reads out a program stored in the sub ROM 330b based on a command transmitted from the main control board 300, an input signal from a timer, or the like, performs arithmetic processing, and executes a command or control signal for performing an effect. Is transmitted to the image control board 340, the production effect device 202, the production lighting device 204, and the audio output device 206. At this time, the sub RAM 330c functions as a data work area during the arithmetic processing of the sub CPU 330a.

  The image control board 340 performs image display control for displaying an image on the effect display unit 200a, and includes a CPU, a CGROM, a RAM, and a VRAM. The CGROM of the image control board 340 stores a large number of image data such as symbols and backgrounds displayed on the effect display unit 200a. The CPU provided in the image control board 340 reads the image data from the CGROM to the VRAM based on the command transmitted from the sub-control board 330, and controls the image display of the effect display unit 200a.

  The audio output device 206 outputs or stops audio from a speaker provided on the front side of the gaming machine 100 based on a command or control signal transmitted from the sub control board 330. In addition, the effect actor device 202 moves or stops the effect agent provided on the front side of the gaming machine 100 based on a command or a control signal transmitted from the sub-control board 330. In addition, an operation detection signal is transmitted to the sub control board 330 from the effect operation device detection switch 208s that detects that the effect operation device 208 has been pressed.

  The effect lighting device 204 includes a light emitting diode (LED) circuit 23, 24, an LED 251, LED circuits 23, 24, and an LED driver 21 (an example of a dedicated drive driver) 21 for driving the LED 251. The effect lighting device 204 includes an LED driving circuit 22 that is provided between the LED driver 21 and the LED circuit 23 and drives the LED circuit 23. The effect lighting device 204 controls the light emission of the LED (not shown in FIG. 3) and the LED 251 provided in the LED circuits 23 and 24 based on the command or control signal transmitted from the sub control board 330. . Details of the effect lighting device 204 will be described later.

  Note that a power supply board (not shown) is connected to each board, and power is supplied to each board from a commercial power supply via the power supply board. The power supply board is provided with a backup power supply made of a capacitor.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the gaming machine 100 includes an output unit 211 to which an LED circuit (an example of a drive target circuit) 23 is connected, and includes an LED driver 21 for driving the LED circuit 23. The LED driver 21 includes an output unit 212 to which an LED circuit (an example of a drive target circuit) 24 is connected and an output unit 213 to which an LED (an example of a drive target circuit) 251 is connected.

  The output unit 211 includes a pair of connection terminals 211b and a connection terminal 211c, and a transistor 211a connected between the connection terminal 211b and the connection terminal 211c. The transistor 211a is a bipolar transistor. The transistor 211a has a collector terminal C connected to the connection terminal 211b, an emitter terminal E connected to the connection terminal 211c, and a base terminal B to which a predetermined control signal CS1 is input.

  The connection terminal 211b is a terminal that functions as an output terminal to which the drive target circuit of the LED driver 21 is connected. In the gaming machine 100, the LED circuit 23 is connected to the connection terminal 211b via the LED drive circuit 22 (details will be described later). The connection terminal 211c is a terminal for connecting an external resistor for setting an output current flowing in the output unit 211. In the gaming machine 100, the connection terminal 211c is connected to a ground terminal 28 to which a reference voltage (that is, a signal ground level voltage) is input. That is, it can be considered that the connection terminal 211c is connected to the ground terminal 28 via an external resistor having a resistance value of 0Ω.

  Thus, the output part 211 of the LED driver 21 constitutes an open collector output by the transistor 211a and the connection terminals 211b and 211c. As a result, the output unit 211 outputs the collector current at the current level determined based on the current value of the base current input to the base terminal B of the transistor 211a, regardless of the circuit (load) connected to the connection terminal 211b. It operates as a constant current driver for output current.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the output unit 212 includes a pair of connection terminals 212b and a connection terminal 212c, and a transistor 212a connected between the connection terminal 212b and the connection terminal 212c. The transistor 212a is an npn bipolar transistor. The transistor 212a has a collector terminal C connected to the connection terminal 212b, an emitter terminal E connected to the connection terminal 212c, and a base terminal B to which a predetermined control signal CS2 is input.

  The connection terminal 212b is a terminal that functions as an output terminal to which the drive target circuit of the LED driver 21 is connected. In the gaming machine 100, the LED circuit 24 is connected to the connection terminal 212b via the resistor 243. The connection terminal 212c is a terminal for connecting an external resistor for setting an output current flowing through the output unit 212. In the gaming machine 100, the connection terminal 212c is connected to the ground terminal 28 to which a reference voltage (that is, a signal ground level voltage) is input. That is, it can be considered that the connection terminal 212c is connected to the ground terminal 28 via an external resistor having a resistance value of 0Ω.

  Thus, the output part 212 of the LED driver 21 constitutes an open collector output by the transistor 212a and the connection terminals 212b and 212c. As a result, the output unit 212 generates a collector current at a current level determined based on the current value of the base current input to the base terminal B of the transistor 212a, regardless of the circuit (load) connected to the connection terminal 212b. It operates as a constant current driver for output current.

  As illustrated in FIG. 4, the output unit 213 includes a pair of connection terminals 213b and 213c, and a transistor 213a connected between the connection terminals 213b and 213c. The transistor 213a is an npn-type bipolar transistor. The transistor 213a has a collector terminal C connected to the connection terminal 213b, an emitter terminal E connected to the connection terminal 213c, and a base terminal B to which a predetermined control signal CS3 is input.

  The connection terminal 213b is a terminal that functions as an output terminal to which the drive target circuit of the LED driver 21 is connected. In the gaming machine 100, the LED 251 is connected to the connection terminal 213b. The connection terminal 213c is a terminal for connecting an external resistor for setting an output current flowing through the output unit 213. In the gaming machine 100, the connection terminal 213c is connected to a ground terminal 28 to which a reference voltage (that is, a signal ground level voltage) is input. That is, it can be considered that the connection terminal 213c is connected to the ground terminal 28 via an external resistor having a resistance value of 0Ω.

  Thus, the output part 213 of the LED driver 21 constitutes an open collector output by the transistor 213a and the connection terminals 213b and 213c. Accordingly, the output unit 213 generates a collector current at a current level determined based on the current value of the base current input to the base terminal B of the transistor 213a, regardless of the circuit (load) connected to the connection terminal 213b. It operates as a constant current driver for output current.

  Although not shown, the LED driver 21 has a logic processing unit, a data buffer, a pulse width modulation unit, and the like. The logic processing unit, the data buffer, the pulse width modulation unit, and the like generate control signals CS1, CS2, and CS3 based on a control signal including a clock signal and a data signal transmitted from the sub control board 330. .

  When the control signal CS1 is input to the base terminal B of the transistor 211a and a base current flows, the transistor 211a is switched from the off state to the on state. Thereby, a collector current from the collector terminal C to the emitter terminal E flows in the transistor 211a. Since the output unit 211 functions as a constant current driver, an output current having the same current level as the collector current flowing through the transistor 211a can be passed through the drive target circuit connected to the connection terminal 211b. In the gaming machine 100, the output unit 211 passes an output current having the same current level as the collector current flowing in the transistor 211a to the LED drive circuit 22 connected to the connection terminal 211b.

  When the control signal CS2 is input to the base terminal B of the transistor 212a and the base current flows, the transistor 212a is switched from the off state to the on state. As a result, a collector current from the collector terminal C to the emitter terminal E flows through the transistor 212a. Since the output unit 212 functions as a constant current driver, an output current having the same current level as the collector current flowing through the transistor 212a can be supplied to the drive target circuit connected to the connection terminal 212b. In the gaming machine 100, the output unit 212 flows an output current having the same current level as the collector current flowing in the transistor 212a to the LED circuit 24 connected to the connection terminal 212b.

  When the control signal CS3 is input to the base terminal B of the transistor 213a and the base current flows, the transistor 213a is switched from the off state to the on state. As a result, a collector current from the collector terminal C to the emitter terminal E flows through the transistor 213a. Since the output unit 213 functions as a constant current driver, an output current having the same current level as the collector current flowing through the transistor 213a can be passed through the drive target circuit connected to the connection terminal 213b. In the gaming machine 100, the output unit 213 flows an output current having the same current level as the collector current flowing through the transistor 213a to the LED 251 connected to the connection terminal 213b.

  The LED driver 21 has an absolute maximum rating. This absolute maximum rating includes at least one of a rated voltage and a rated current. In order for the LED driver 21 to operate normally, it is necessary to input a power supply voltage having a voltage value smaller than the absolute maximum rating to the LED driver 21. The LED driver 21 has a voltage input terminal 214 to which a power supply voltage is input. In the gaming machine 100, the voltage input terminal 214 is connected to the power supply terminal 25. A power supply voltage DC5 (for example, 5V) having a voltage value smaller than the rated voltage of the absolute maximum rating is input from the power supply terminal 25. Therefore, the power supply voltage DC5 having a voltage value smaller than the rated voltage of the absolute maximum rating is input to the voltage input terminal 214 to the LED driver 21.

  The LED driver 21 is input to the absolute maximum rating and voltage input terminal 214 at terminals other than the voltage input terminal 214 (connection terminals 211b, 211c, 212b, 212c, 213b, and 213c are shown in FIG. 4). It is necessary to be used so that a voltage exceeding the power supply voltage DC5 is not input.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the cathode terminal K of the LED 251 is connected to the connection terminal 213 b of the LED driver 21. For this reason, the cathode terminal K of the LED 251 is connected to the collector terminal C of the transistor 213a of the LED driver 21 via the connection terminal 213b. The anode terminal A of the LED 251 is connected to the power supply terminal 25 to which the power supply voltage DC5 is input. Therefore, the LED 251 and the transistor 213a are connected in series between the power supply terminal 25 and the ground terminal 28.

  When the control signal CS3 having a predetermined current level is input to the base terminal B and the transistor 213a is switched from the off state to the on state, a forward current having substantially the same current value as the collector current flowing through the transistor 213a flows through the LED 251. Thereby, LED251 light-emits with the emitted light intensity according to the electric current value of a forward direction electric current.

  The anode terminal A of the LED 251 is connected to the power supply terminal 25 similarly to the voltage input terminal 214 of the LED driver 21. Therefore, the power supply voltage DC5 is input to the anode terminal A of the LED 251. Further, the voltage at the cathode terminal K of the LED 251 drops by the forward voltage of the LED 251 and becomes lower than the voltage at the anode terminal A. For this reason, since the voltage lower than the power supply voltage DC5 input to the voltage input terminal 214 is applied to the connection terminal 213b, the output unit 213 of the LED driver 21 operates within the limit of the rated voltage of the absolute maximum rating. To do.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the LED circuit 24 is connected to the connection terminal 212 b of the output unit 212 of the LED driver 21 via a resistor 243. More specifically, one terminal of a current limiting resistor 243 is connected to the connection terminal 212b. The other terminal of the resistor 243 is connected to the LED circuit 24.

  The LED circuit 24 includes an LED 241 and an LED 242 connected in series. The cathode terminal K of the LED 242 is connected to the other terminal of the resistor 243, and the anode terminal A of the LED 242 is connected to the cathode terminal K of the LED 241. The anode terminal A of the LED 241 is connected to the power supply terminal 26 to which the power supply voltage DC12 is input. The power supply voltage DC12 is higher than the power supply voltage DC5, for example, a voltage of 12V.

  The collector terminal C of the transistor 212a of the output unit 212 is connected to the cathode terminal K of the LED 242 via the connection terminal 212b and the resistor 243. For this reason, LEDs 241 and 242, a resistor 243 and a transistor 212 a are connected in series between the power supply terminal 26 and the ground terminal 28.

  When the control signal CS2 of a predetermined current level is input to the base terminal B and the transistor 212a is switched from the off state to the on state, a forward current having substantially the same current value as the collector current flowing through the transistor 212a flows through the LED 241 and the LED 242. . Since the output unit 212 functions as a constant current driver and the LED 241 and the LED 242 are connected in series, a forward current having the same current value flows through the LED 241 and the LED 242. The LED 241 and the LED 242 emit light with a light emission intensity corresponding to the current value of the forward current.

  A power supply voltage DC12 having a higher voltage than the power supply voltage DC5 input to the voltage input terminal 214 of the LED driver 21 is input to the anode terminal A of the LED 241. Thus, the power supply voltage DC12 having a voltage value exceeding the rated voltage of the absolute maximum rating of the LED driver 21 is input to the LED circuit 24. However, the power supply voltage DC12 input to the LED circuit 24 drops in the LED circuit 24 by the forward voltage of each of the LEDs 241 and 242. Furthermore, the power supply voltage DC12 input to the LED circuit 24 also drops at the resistor 243. For this reason, a voltage lower than the power supply voltage DC5 input to the voltage input terminal 214 is applied to the connection terminal 212b. Even if the power supply voltage DC12 having a voltage value exceeding the rated voltage of the absolute maximum rating of the LED driver 21 is input to the LED circuit 24, a voltage lower than the rated voltage of the absolute maximum rating is applied to the LED driver 21 at the connection terminal 212b. Therefore, the output unit 212 of the LED driver 21 operates within the limit of the rated voltage of the absolute maximum rating.

  Thus, in the LED driver 21, in order to drive more LEDs, the power supply voltage input to the LED circuit may be increased. In order to generate a high-voltage power supply voltage, the number of electronic components constituting the power supply circuit provided on the power supply board increases or the size of the electronic component itself increases, resulting in an increase in the scale of the power supply circuit. growing. On the other hand, in order to increase the number of LEDs to be driven while suppressing an increase in the power supply voltage for driving the LED circuit, it is conceivable to connect the LEDs in parallel. When the LEDs are connected in parallel, the output current flowing through one output portion of the LED driver 21 increases even if the absolute maximum rating rated voltage of the LED driver 21 can be satisfied. May not meet the regulations.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, the gaming machine 100 according to the present embodiment includes an LED drive circuit (an example of a drive circuit) 22 that drives the LED circuit 23 between the LED driver 21 and the LED circuit 23. . The LED drive circuit 22 has an absolute maximum rating that exceeds the absolute maximum rating of the LED driver 21, and is connected between the output unit 211 and the LED circuit 23 to drive the LED circuit 23.

  The LED drive circuit 22 includes a transistor 221 and a transistor 222 having an absolute maximum rating that exceeds the absolute maximum rating of the LED driver 21. In the present embodiment, the transistor 222 has an absolute maximum rating that exceeds the absolute maximum rating of the LED driver 21, but is not limited thereto. The transistor 222 may have an absolute maximum rating that is the same as or smaller than the absolute maximum rating of the LED driver 21 as long as the base current that turns on the transistor 221 can flow to the base terminal B of the transistor 221. The transistor 221 is an npn bipolar transistor. The transistor 222 is a pnp bipolar transistor. The transistor 221 is a transistor of the same type as the transistor 221 a provided in the output unit 211 of the LED driver 21. On the other hand, the transistor 222 is a transistor of a different type from the transistor 221a. Although details will be described later, the transistor 221 is provided to drive the LED circuit 23, and the transistor 222 is provided to match the logic of the LED drive circuit 22 with the logic of the output unit 211 of the LED driver 21.

  The transistor 222 includes an emitter terminal E connected to a power supply terminal 25 to which a power supply voltage DC5 (for example, 5 V) is input, a collector terminal C connected to the base terminal B of the transistor 221, and a connection terminal 211b of the LED driver 21. And a connected base terminal B. A voltage equal to or lower than the absolute maximum rating of the LED driver 21 is input to the emitter terminal E of the transistor 222. The transistor 221 is connected via a resistor 234a and a resistor 234b to a collector terminal C connected to the LED circuit 23 which is an example of a circuit to be driven, and a ground terminal 28 to which a reference voltage (that is, a signal ground level voltage) is input. And a base terminal B connected to the collector terminal C of the transistor 222. The transistor 221 has a rated voltage of an absolute maximum rating that is higher than the power supply voltage DC18.

  The LED drive circuit 22 constitutes an open collector output by the transistor 221. Thereby, the transistor 221 has a current level collector determined based on the current value of the base current input to the base terminal B of the transistor 221 regardless of the circuit (load) connected to the collector terminal C of the transistor 221. It operates as a constant current driver that uses the current as the output current.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the LED circuit 23 is connected to the collector terminal C of the transistor 221 provided in the LED drive circuit 22 via a resistor 234a and a resistor 234b. More specifically, the collector terminal C of the transistor 221 is connected to one terminal of the current limiting resistor 234a and one terminal of the current limiting resistor 234b. The other terminals of the resistors 234 a and 234 b are connected to the LED circuit 23.

  The LED circuit 23 includes an LED 231a, an LED 232a, and an LED 233a connected in series. The cathode terminal K of the LED 233a is connected to the other terminal of the resistor 234a, and the anode terminal A of the LED 233a is connected to the cathode terminal K of the LED 232a. The anode terminal A of the LED 232a is connected to the cathode terminal K of the LED 231a. The anode terminal A of the LED 231a is connected to the power supply terminal 27 to which the power supply voltage DC18 is input. The power supply voltage DC18 is higher than the power supply voltage DC5, for example, a voltage of 18V.

  The LED circuit 23 includes an LED 231b, an LED 232b, and an LED 233b connected in series. The cathode terminal K of the LED 233b is connected to the other terminal of the resistor 234b, and the anode terminal A of the LED 233b is connected to the cathode terminal K of the LED 232b. The anode terminal A of the LED 232b is connected to the cathode terminal K of the LED 231b. The anode terminal A of the LED 231b is connected to the power supply terminal 27 to which the power supply voltage DC18 is input. The power supply voltage DC18 is higher than the power supply voltage DC5, for example, a voltage of 18V.

  As described above, the LED circuit 23 has a power supply terminal (an example of an input terminal for the power supply voltage) 27 having a voltage value higher than the absolute maximum rating of the LED driver 21 and lower than the absolute maximum rating of the LED drive circuit 22 and a ground terminal (Example of reference voltage input terminal) 28 and the plurality of LEDs 231a, 232a, 233a, and LEDs 231b, 232b, 233b.

  Between the collector terminal C of the transistor 221 of the LED drive circuit 22 and the power supply terminal 27, there are a resistor 234a, LED 231a, LED 232a and LED 233a connected in series, and a resistor 234b, LED 231b, LED 232b and LED 233b connected in series. Connected in parallel. Therefore, the LED circuit 23 is connected in series to the transistor 221 between the power supply terminal 27 and the ground terminal 28 having a voltage value higher than the absolute maximum rating of the LED driver 21 and lower than the absolute maximum rating of the LED drive circuit 22. The plurality of LEDs 231a, 232a, 233a and the plurality of LEDs 231b, 232b, 233b connected in series are provided.

  When the control signal CS1 having a predetermined current level is input to the base terminal B and the transistor 211a is switched from the off state to the on state, a collector current from the collector terminal C to the emitter terminal E flows through the transistor 221a. Therefore, a base current flows through the base terminal B of the transistor 222 of the LED drive circuit 22 toward the connection terminal 211b, and the transistor 222 is switched from the off state to the on state.

  When the transistor 222 is turned on, a collector current flows from the emitter terminal E to the collector terminal C in the transistor 222, and this collector current flows into the base terminal B of the transistor 221 as a base current. Accordingly, the transistor 221 is switched from the off state to the on state, and a collector current flows from the collector terminal C to the emitter terminal E in the transistor 221. The transistor 221 functions as a constant current driver, and flows this collector current to the LED circuit 23 as an output current. Forward currents obtained by resistance-dividing the output current of the LED drive circuit 22 with the respective resistance values of the resistors 234a and 234b flow through the LEDs 231a, 232a, 233a and the LEDs 231b, 232b, 233b. The LEDs 231a, 232a, and 233a emit light with emission intensity corresponding to the current value of the forward current flowing through these LEDs, and the LEDs 231b, 232b, and 233b emit light according to the current value of the forward current flowing through these LEDs. Each emits light with intensity.

  As described above, the LED drive circuit 22 drives the LED circuit 23 according to the level of the current flowing through the output unit 211 of the LED driver 21. That is, the transistor 221 provided in the LED drive circuit 22 is switched between an on state and an off state in accordance with the current level flowing through the output unit 211 of the LED 21. The transistor 221 has a rated voltage and a rated current that have a larger absolute maximum rating than the LED driver 21. Therefore, a voltage higher than that of the transistor 221a provided in the output unit 211 of the LED driver 21 can be applied to the transistor 221, and a collector current larger than that of the transistor 221a can flow. That is, the transistor 221 has a higher driving capability than the transistor 221a. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, the LED drive circuit 22 including the transistor 221 can drive an LED circuit having more LEDs than the output units 212 and 213 of the LED driver 21.

  A power supply voltage DC18 higher than the power supply voltage DC5 input to the voltage input terminal 214 of the LED driver 21 is input to the anode terminals A of the LEDs 231a and 231b of the LED circuit 23. Thus, the power supply voltage DC18 having a voltage value exceeding the rated voltage of the absolute maximum rating of the LED driver 21 is input to the LED circuit 23. However, the LED circuit 23 is not directly connected to the LED driver 21 but is connected to the LED driver 21 via the LED drive circuit 22. For this reason, in the gaming machine 100, the component that actually drives the LED circuit 23 is not the LED driver 21 but the LED drive circuit 22. The LED driver 21 does not use the output unit 211 as a drive element of the LED circuit 23 but as a control element that controls switching of the LED drive circuit 22 that actually drives the LED circuit 23 (on / off control of the transistor 221). It comes to use. Thereby, the power supply voltage DC18 having a voltage value exceeding the rated voltage of the absolute maximum rating of the LED driver 21 is input to the LED circuit 23, and the current exceeding the rated current of the absolute maximum rating of the LED driver 21 drives the LED circuit 23. Even if necessary, the output unit 211 of the LED driver 21 operates within the limits of the rated voltage and rated current of the absolute maximum rating.

  As described above, the gaming machine 100 according to the present embodiment has an absolute maximum rating exceeding the absolute maximum rating of the LED driver 21 and is connected between the output unit 211 and the LED circuit 23 to drive the LED circuit 23. An LED drive circuit 22 is provided. The gaming machine 100 can perform on / off control of the LED driving circuit 22 using the output unit 211 of the LED driver 21 as a switching control element. Thereby, the LED drive circuit 22 provided in the gaming machine 100 can drive the LED circuit 23 that is a circuit to be driven, exceeding the absolute maximum rating of the LED driver 21. That is, the LED drive circuit 22 can drive the LED circuit 23 that requires at least one of a voltage and current exceeding the absolute maximum rating of the LED driver 21.

  Moreover, since the LED drive circuit 22 is configured by two stone transistors 221 and 222 and has a small circuit scale, the production lighting device 204 can be prevented from being enlarged. Further, since the LED drive circuit 22 can flow an output current larger than the rated current of the absolute maximum rating of the LED driver 21, it is possible to mix LED series connection and parallel connection in the LED circuit 23. Become. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the power supply voltage input to the LED circuit 23 from being increased. As a result, the gaming machine 100 can prevent an increase in circuit scale of the power supply board.

  In the gaming machine 100 according to the present embodiment, the LED circuits of various configurations (LED circuits 23 and 24 and LED 251 in FIG. 4) can be driven for various purposes by one LED driver 21. For example, the LED driver 21 can easily control the LED 251 directly connected with accurate light emission intensity as compared with the LED drive circuit 22 including the transistors 221 and 222 and the LED circuit 23 including the resistors 234a and 234b. Therefore, the LED driver 21 can use the connection terminal 211b as a switch and use the connection terminal 213b as a constant current terminal in controlling the current of each LED. Thereby, the LED driver 21 attaches importance to the light emission effect by the LED circuit 23 in which the number of LEDs to be driven is more important than the accuracy of the light emission intensity using the connection terminal 211b and the accuracy of the light emission intensity using the connection terminal 213b. The LED 251 can emit light. That is, the gaming machine 100 can control the light emission effects having different characteristics with the single LED driver 21.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made.
In the above embodiment, an LED circuit having one LED or a plurality of LEDs is taken as an example of a drive target circuit and an LED driver is taken as an example of a dedicated drive driver, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the drive target circuit may be a drive motor that drives a rendering agent provided in the rendering agent device, and the dedicated drive driver may be a dedicated drive driver that drives the drive motor.

  In addition, the drive circuit that drives the drive target circuit may include a field effect transistor or an operational amplifier instead of the bipolar transistor.

  The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the illustrated and described exemplary embodiments, and includes all embodiments that provide an effect equivalent to the intended purpose of the present invention. Further, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the combinations of features of the invention defined by the claims, but is defined by any desired combination of specific features among all the disclosed features. sell.

21 LED driver 22 LED drive circuit 23, 24 LED circuit 25, 26, 27 Power supply terminal 28 Ground terminal 100 Game machine 108 Game board 208 Production operation device 211, 212, 213 Output unit 211a, 212a, 213a, 221, 222 Transistor 211b , 211c, 212b, 212c, 213b, 213c Connection terminal 214 Voltage input terminals 234a, 234b, 243 Resistance

In order to achieve the above object, a gaming machine according to one aspect of the present invention includes an output unit to which a drive target circuit is connected, a dedicated drive driver for driving the drive target circuit, and the dedicated drive driver. absolute has the absolute maximum rated voltage that exceeds the maximum rated voltage, characterized in that it comprises a drive circuit for driving the driven circuit is connected between said output portion and the driven circuit.

In order to achieve the above object, a gaming machine according to another aspect of the present invention includes an output unit to which a drive target circuit is connected, a dedicated drive driver for driving the drive target circuit, and the dedicated drive driver And a drive circuit that has an absolute maximum rated current exceeding the absolute maximum rated current and is connected between the output unit and the drive target circuit to drive the drive target circuit.

Claims (3)

An output unit to which a drive target circuit is connected, and a dedicated drive driver for driving the drive target circuit;
A drive circuit that has an absolute maximum rating that exceeds an absolute maximum rating of the dedicated drive driver, and that is connected between the output unit and the drive target circuit to drive the drive target circuit. Machine. The drive circuit includes a transistor having an absolute maximum rating that exceeds an absolute maximum rating of the dedicated drive driver;
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the transistor is switched between an on state and an off state in accordance with a current level flowing through the output unit. The drive target circuit has a plurality of light emission between a power supply voltage input terminal having a voltage value higher than an absolute maximum rating of the dedicated drive driver and not more than an absolute maximum rating of the drive circuit and a reference voltage input terminal. The game machine according to claim 1, further comprising a diode.

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