Switch unit and game machine

Abstract

A switch unit has a display part that displays an image in at least one input area, a substrate provided above the display part, the substrate having a contact, and at least one substrate opening configured to allow the image in the at least one input area to be viewed from above, an operating button case that covers the substrate, having at least one button case opening, at least one operating button that has translucency, and that is freely pressed down through the at least one button case opening of the operating button case and causes conduction of the contact by being pressed down, light sources mounted on the substrate, that illuminate an area surrounding the at least one operating button, and a light transmissive water-proof sheet made of an elastic member.

Claims

1. A switch unit comprising: a display part that displays an image in at least one input area; a substrate provided above the display part, the substrate comprising: a contact, and at least one substrate opening configured to allow the image in the at least one input area to be viewed from above; an operating button case that covers the substrate, comprising at least one button case opening; at least one operating button that has translucency, and that is freely pressed down through the at least one button case opening of the operating button case and causes conduction of the contact by being pressed down; light sources mounted on the substrate, that illuminate an area surrounding the at least one operating button; and a light transmissive water-proof sheet made of an elastic member, wherein the light transmissive water-proof sheet is provided between the display part and the at least one operating button to cover the substrate, wherein the light transmissive water-proof sheet comprises at least one sheet opening formed thereon at a position facing the at least one input area, wherein the light transmissive water-proof sheet comprises: a contact conducting portion that faces and comes into contact with the contact of the substrate to cause conduction of the contact by pressing down the at least one operating button, a down portion that covers a circumference of the substrate, and a light transmitting portion formed on a top surface thereof, that transmits light from the light sources therethrough, wherein the light transmissive waterproof sheet comprises one kind of colored elastic member, wherein a part of the light transmissive water-proof sheet other than the light transmitting portion formed as a light blocking portion that blocks light from the light sources, and wherein the light transmitting portion is thinner than the light blocking portion.

2. The switch unit according to claim 1, wherein the light transmissive water-proof sheet comprises colored silicone rubber having an absorption coefficient of four to seven.

3. The switch unit according to claim 2, wherein the light transmissive water-proof sheet comprises a light blocking partition configured to block light between adjacent ones of the light sources and formed of the light blocking portion.

4. The switch unit according to claim 2, wherein a light diffusion frame configured to be fitted around the at least one operating button and direct light from the light sources along the circumference of the at least one operating button are provided in the at least one button case opening of the operating button case.

5. A game machine comprising: a display monitor, and the switch unit according to claim 2.

6. The switch unit according to claim 1, wherein the light transmissive water-proof sheet comprises a light blocking partition configured to block light between adjacent ones of the light sources and formed of the light blocking portion.

7. The switch unit according to claim 6, Wherein a light diffusion frame configured to be fitted around the at least one operating button and direct light from the light sources along the circumference of the at least one operating button are provided in the at least one button case opening of the operating button case.

8. A game machine comprising: a display monitor, and the switch unit according to claim 6.

9. The switch unit according to claim 1, wherein a light diffusion frame that is fitted around the at least one operating button and directs light from the light sources along the circumference of the at least one operating button is provided in the at least one button case opening of the operating button case.

10. A game machine comprising: a display monitor, and the switch unit according to claim 9.

11. A game machine comprising: a display monitor, and the switch unit according to claim 1.

12. The switch unit according to claim 1, wherein a light diffusion frame configured to be fitted around the at least one operating button and direct light from the light sources along the circumference of the at least one operating button are provided in the at least one button case opening of the operating button case.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a switch unit according to one or more embodiments of the present invention, specifically, illustrating the configuration of the switch unit;

(2) FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of a slot machine as a game machine that is provided with the switch unit;

(3) FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of the switch unit;

(4) FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the configuration of the switch unit;

(5) FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the configuration of a button unit in the switch unit;

(6) FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a contact pressing portion of an operating button and a contact of a substrate in the button unit;

(7) FIG. 7 is a main part perspective view illustrating the configuration of a light source and the contact on the substrate in the button unit;

(8) FIG. 8 is a main part perspective view illustrating the configuration of a light guide frame body in the button unit;

(9) FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the light guide frame body in the button unit;

(10) FIG. 10 is a main part perspective view illustrating the configuration of the operating button in the button unit;

(11) FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the light source, and a light transmitting portion and a light blocking partition of a rubber sheet in the button unit;

(12) FIG. 12 is a schematic view illustrating the absorbance of light passing through a medium;

(13) FIG. 13A is a graph illustrating changes in transmitted light when changing the absorption coefficient while the thickness of the light transmitting portion and the thickness of the light blocking portion of the rubber sheet are fixed at 0.3 mm and 0.9 mm, respectively, and FIG. 13B is a table illustrating data in FIG. 13A; and

(14) FIG. 14A is a graph illustrating a relationship between the absorption coefficient, transmitting light, and blocking light when changing the thickness of the light blocking partition while the blocking light is made equal to or less than 20 lm so as to be difficult to visually recognize, and the thickness of the light transmitting portion is fixed at 0.3 mm as a limit of a member, and FIG. 14B is a table illustrating data in FIG. 14A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(15) Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 14. In embodiments of the invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail to avoid obscuring the invention.

(16) A switch unit used in a game machine such as a so-called slot machine will be described below. However, the present invention is not limited to a slot machine. That is, one or more embodiments of the present invention may be applied to any devices that operate by receiving an operation by a user through a switch unit. For example, a game machine according to one or more embodiments of the present invention can also be applied to a card game machine such as a poker game machine and a mah-jong game machine.

(17) First, a slot machine as a game machine that is provided with a switch unit according to one or more embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of the slot machine as a game machine that is provided with the switch unit.

(18) As illustrated in FIG. 2, a slot machine 1 as a game machine includes a display monitor 2 which is provided at a position at the eye level of a player on the top part of a casing 4, and a switch unit 10 which is provided at a position near the center of the casing 4 on which a hand of a player is placed in such a manner that an operating part thereof is slightly inclined toward a player. In this manner, the switch unit 10 is provided on a lower part of the center on the front of the slot machine 1.

(19) A plurality of reels are displayed on the display monitor 2. The reels can be spun by an operation by a player. According to symbols indicated on the stopped reels, a winning combination (yaku) is determined. Then, a prize is given according to the determined winning combination. In the display of the reels, equivalents of the reels may be displayed on a display screen such as a liquid crystal display. Alternatively, the reels themselves may be arranged on the display monitor 2.

(20) The switch unit 10 receives an operation by a player. In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the switch unit 10 receives operations such as an operation for specifying the number of bets and an operation for spinning the reels when a player plays the slot machine 1. In the slot machine 1 according to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the start of spin of the reels is performed by pressing a reel spinning button 3 which is separately provided on the side of the switch unit 10.

(21) A detailed configuration of the switch unit 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 9. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of the switch unit. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the configuration of the switch unit. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the configuration of a button unit in the switch unit. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a contact pressing portion of an operating button and a contact of a substrate in the button unit. FIG. 7 is a main part perspective view illustrating the configuration of a light source and the contact on the substrate in the button unit. FIG. 8 is a main part perspective view illustrating the configuration of a light guide frame body in the button unit. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the light guide frame body in the button unit.

(22) The switch unit 10 can be separated from the slot machine 1 as illustrated in FIG. 3. The switch unit 10 according to one or more embodiments of the present invention has an integrated structure of a plurality of operating buttons 23.

(23) As illustrated in FIG. 4, the switch unit 10 includes a display unit 11 as a display part, a bracket 12, and a button unit 20 which are arranged in this order from bottom to top. The display unit 11 and the button unit 20 are integrated with each other with the bracket 12 interposed therebetween. Therefore, in the switch unit 10 of one or more embodiments of the present invention, even if liquid is dropped onto the button unit 20, the dropped liquid flows through the top surface of the display unit 11, and is discharged therefrom as will be described later.

(24) The display unit 11 has a liquid crystal display (LCD) 11a, an LCD case 11b which holds the LCD 11a from the bottom thereof, and a translucent protection sheet 11c which covers the entire surface of the LCD 11a to protect the LCD 11a. The LCD 11a is a liquid crystal display device, and displays a predetermined image such as a picture and character on positions that can be visually recognized through transparent operating buttons which will be described later, that is, input areas.

(25) The bracket 12 is a support plate for integrating the display unit 11 and the button unit 20 with each other as described above. The bracket 12 has bracket openings 12a which are formed at positions corresponding to the positions of the respective operating buttons, that is, the positions corresponding to the respective display areas of the LCD 11a.

(26) The button unit 20 has the plurality of transparent operating buttons 23 and light guide frame bodies 22 as light diffusion frames which are provided around the respective operating buttons 23 and perform display from the LCDs as light sources. By pressing down an operating button 23, the button unit 20 serves as a switch of an input area corresponding to a display below the operating button 23 in the LCD 11a. Further, a cover (not shown) which covers an operating button case 21 with the operating buttons 23 exposed therefrom can be provided over the button unit 20.

(27) Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the button unit 20 includes the operating button case 21, the light guide frame bodies 22, the operating buttons 23, a rubber sheet 24 as a light transmissive water-proof sheet which is made of an elastic member, and a printed circuit board (PCB) 25 as a substrate.

(28) The operating button case 21 is formed of, for example, a black plastic or the like. Further, the operating button case 21 has the same number of button case openings 21a as the number of the operating buttons 23 at positions corresponding to the positions of the respective operating buttons 23. The positions of the button case openings 21a correspond to the respective input areas of the LCD 11a. Accordingly, the operating buttons 23 protrude above the operating button case 21 through the button case openings 21a, and are loosely fitted so as to be freely pressed down. Above, an example in which the number of the provided operating buttons 23 is eleven is described. However, the number of operating buttons 23 is not limited thereto. The number of operating buttons 23 may be less or more than eleven, or may also be one.

(29) The operating button 23 is made of a translucent rectangular parallelepiped member such as transparent plastic. The operating button 23 has a push button 23a, contact pressing portions 23b which protrude from lower two corners of the push button 23a, and support/fixation portions 23c which protrude from the other lower two corners of the push button 23a.

(30) Each of four side walls of the push button 23a which is made of a rectangular parallelepiped member is formed into an inclined surface that widens outwardly toward the bottom. The inclined surface is inclined at an angle of, for example, 10 to 20 with respect to a vertical surface so as to form an obtuse angle downward. This prevents a display on a side wall WS located on the far side with respect to a payer from becoming difficult to view due to light reflected by the side wall WS. The inclination of the push button 23a on the side wall is not necessarily formed on each of the four side walls thereof, and only required to be formed on at least one side wall located on the far side with respect to a player.

(31) As illustrated in FIG. 5, the rubber sheet 24 is arranged under the operating buttons 23. The rubber sheet 24 has sheet openings 24a which are formed at positions corresponding to the positions of the respective operating buttons 23, that is, the positions facing the respective input areas of the LCD 11a. The rubber sheet 24 is made of an elastic member such as silicone rubber, and has a gray color.

(32) Further, the rubber sheet 24 has projections 24b which are provided at positions corresponding to the positions of the respective contact pressing portions 23b of the operating buttons 23. As illustrated in FIG. 6, each of the projections 24b has a cavity on the back thereof. A carbon electrode 24d as a contact conducting portion is provided inside the cavity so as to face electrode terminals 25b, 25b as a contact provided on the PCB 25.

(33) The contact pressing portions 23b of the operating buttons 23 are in contact with the respective projections 24b of the rubber sheet 24. When an operating button 23 is pressed down, a contact pressing portion 23b of the operating button 23 compresses the corresponding projection 24b of the rubber sheet 24. As a result, the projection 24b comes into contact with the electrode terminals 25b, 25b thereacross, which causes conduction between the electrode terminals 25b, 25b, and serves as switching on.

(34) At this point, since the projection 24b of the rubber sheet 24 has elasticity, the projection 24b presses back the contact pressing portion 23b of the operating button 23 after being compressed. Accordingly, a pressing feeling of the operating button 23 can be provided, and the operating button 23 serves as a push button. In the above configuration, the rubber sheet 24 covers at least the electrode terminals 25b, 25b of the PCB 25 by the projections 24b.

(35) Further, as described above, the operating button 23 illustrated in FIG. 5 has the support/fixation portions 23c, 23c which protrude from the other lower two corners of the push button 23a. In addition, support projections 24c are provided on the rubber sheet 24 at positions facing the respective support/fixation portions 23c, 23c.

(36) As illustrated in FIG. 6, the support/fixation portions 23c of the operating button 23 have fixation holes 23d. Therefore, by inserting the two support projections 24c, 24c of the rubber sheet 24 into the respective fixation holes 23d, 23d of the support/fixation portions 23c in the operating button 23, it is possible to fix the operating button 23 so as not to move in the lateral direction on the rubber sheet 24.

(37) As illustrated in FIG. 5, the PCB 25 is a printed circuit board on which necessary wirings are formed. The PCB 25 detects the pressing-down of an operating button 23, and thereby performs predetermined processing. The PCB 25 has PCB openings 25a as substrate openings which are formed at positions corresponding to the positions of the push button 23a of the respective operating buttons 23, that is, the positions corresponding to the respective input areas of the LCD 11a.

(38) As described above, the PCB 25 has the electrode terminals 25b, 25b as contacts which are provided at positions directly below the contact pressing portions 23b of the operating buttons 23 shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. Therefore, when an operating button 23 is pressed down, a contact pressing portion 23b of the operating button 23 applies pressing force to the corresponding projection 24b of the rubber sheet 24. Accordingly, the carbon electrode 24d which is provided on the back of the projection 24b comes into contact with two electrode terminals 25b, 25b which are provided with a space therebetween. The PCB 25 thereby recognizes that there has been conduction between the electrode terminals 25b, 25b at this position. As a result, the PCB 25 can detect that the operating button 23 that is located above the electrode terminals 25b, 25b at this position has been pressed down. In one or more embodiments of the present invention, since the carbon electrodes 24d of the PCB 25 cannot be viewed from the upper side of the switch unit 10, the carbon electrodes 24d are not necessarily transparent electrodes. Therefore, from this point of view, a general touch panel input device is not used in the switch unit 10 of one or more embodiments of the present invention.

(39) Further, in one or more embodiments of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 7, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) 25c as light sources which illuminate areas surrounding the respective operating buttons 23 are provided around the PCB openings 25a on the edges of the PCB 25. The LEDs 25c are arranged below the light guide frame bodies 22 which are provided around the respective operating buttons 23. The LEDs 25c are sealed by a down portion 24e of the rubber sheet 24 as illustrated in FIG. 11 which will be described later.

(40) The LEDs 25c perform presentation of light emitted from the LEDs 25c on the areas surrounding the respective operating buttons 23. However, each of the LEDs 25c is a point light source, and therefore cannot disperse light into a long linear shape.

(41) Therefore, in one or more embodiments of the present invention, the light guide frame bodies 22 illustrated in FIG. 5 are provided above the LEDs 25c. As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, each of the light guide frame bodies 22 has a corrugated mountain form 22a at a position facing adjacent LEDs 25c. Accordingly, direct light having a high luminance from each of the LEDs 25c is transmitted through a light transmitting portion 24f of the rubber sheet 24, and then comes into contact with the corrugated mountain form 22a which is a boundary between V-shapes of the light guide frame body 22. As a result, the light is dispersed, and the luminance thereof is thereby reduced. At this point, side light from each of the LEDs 25c radially spreads out along an inclined shape of the light guide frame body 22, thereby supplying uniform light. Therefore, a difference in luminance between the direct light and the side light is reduced. Light from each of the LEDs 25c is prevented from leaking out to an area surrounding an operating button 23 adjacent thereto by a light blocking partition 24g of the rubber sheet 24 which will be described later. Further, light from each of the LEDs 25c, the light being dispersed by the light guide frame body 22, is prevented from leaking out to an area surrounding an operating button 23 adjacent thereto by a partition 21b of the operating button case 21.

(42) As described above, according to the configuration of the switch unit 10, the rubber sheet 24, the operating button case 21, and the operating buttons 23 are provided above the PCB 25. The rubber sheet 24 covers the electrode terminals 25b, 25b, and has the sheet openings 24a at positions corresponding to the respective input areas of the LCD 11a. The operating button case 21 is provided above the rubber sheet 24, and has the button case openings 21a at positions corresponding to the respective input areas of the LCD 11a. Each of the operating buttons 23 has the translucent push button 23a and at least one contact pressing portion 23b which laterally protrudes from the lower end of the push button 23a. The push button 23a is loosely fitted with respect to the corresponding button case opening 21a and the corresponding sheet opening 24a so as to be freely pressed down. Each of the operating buttons 23 causes conduction of electrode terminals 25b, 25b of the PCB 25 by allowing the carbon electrode 24d to come into contact with the electrode terminals 25b, 25b by the contact pressing portion 23b by a press-down operation of the push button 23a toward the input area.

(43) Therefore, since a pressing operation to the PCB 25 is performed through the physical operating button 23, an intuitive operational feeling and a click feeling can be obtained by pressing down the operating button 23.

(44) As a result, a switching on operation can be performed by a physical action as pressing down the operating button 23. Therefore, it is not necessary to visually confirm as to whether the operation has been completed in each operation. Accordingly, a switch unit 10 that can provide a speed feeling and a quick feeling can be provided.

(45) Further, the switch unit 10 can illuminate the areas surrounding the respective operating buttons 23 by the LED 25c and display various pieces of information (characters, pictures, etc.) on the top surfaces of the operating buttons 23 while maintaining an operational feeling and a quick feeling like a push button. As a result, the switch unit 10 can provide a user interface that attracts customers while maintaining the advantages of a push-button switch unit.

(46) In other words, in the switch unit 10 of one or more embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to give an operational feeling that cannot be provided by a touch panel to a player. In addition, it is possible to provide the switch unit 10 that is attractive to a player by displaying an image displayed on the LCD 11a on each of the operating buttons 23 and illuminating the areas surrounding the respective operating buttons 23.

(47) Further, in the switch unit 10 of one or more embodiments of the present invention, the light guide frame bodies 22 which are fitted around the respective operating buttons 23 and direct light from the LEDs 25c along the circumferences of the operating buttons 23 are provided in the button case openings 21a of the operating button case 21. Accordingly, the light guide frame bodies 22 allow light from point light sources such as the LEDs 25c to direct the areas surrounding the respective operating buttons 23 along the sides thereof. Therefore, even light from a point light source such as the LED 25c can be represented as linear light.

(48) In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the operating button case 21 has the button case openings 21a with which the respective operating buttons 23 are loosely fitted so as to be freely pressed down. The button case openings 21a are formed at positions corresponding to the respective input areas of the LCD 11a.

(49) Therefore, as illustrated in FIG. 1, when liquid such as drinking water put in a glass 30 is spilled onto the switch unit 10, the liquid flows through a gap between the button case opening 21a and the operating button 23. As a result, the liquid may enter the electrode terminals 25b, 25b of the PCB 25 located below the operating button case 21. Further, in one or more embodiments of the present invention, since the PCB 25 is further equipped with the LEDs 25c which illuminate the areas surrounding the respective operating buttons 23, the water-proof structure for the LEDs 25c is also required.

(50) Therefore, in one or more embodiments of the present invention, the rubber sheet 24 made of an elastic member is provided between the LCD 11a and the operating buttons 23. The rubber sheet 24 has the sheet openings 24a with which the respective operating buttons 23 are loosely fitted so as to be freely pressed down, the carbon electrodes 24d which are provided so as to face and come into contact with the electrode terminals 25b, 25b of the PCB 25 to cause conduction of the electrode terminals 25b, 25b by pressing down the operating buttons 23, the down portion 24e which covers the circumference of the PCB 25, and the light transmitting portion 24f (described later) which is formed on the top surface of the rubber sheet 24 to transmit light from the LEDs 25c therethrough.

(51) Accordingly, the electrode terminals 25b, 25b and the LEDs 25c are provided in the PCB 25, and the PCB 25 is sealed by the surface of the rubber sheet 24 and the down portion 24e which covers the circumference of the PCB 25. In this case, since the rubber sheet 24 is made of an elastic member such as silicone rubber, the lower end of the down portion 24e of the rubber sheet 24 can be closely attached to the LCD 11a.

(52) Therefore, even if liquid flows through a gap between the button case opening 21a and the operating button 23, after the liquid reaches the rubber sheet 24, the liquid flows along the surface of the down portion 24e on the rubber opening side, and then drops onto the protection sheet 11c provided over the LCD 11a as illustrated in FIG. 1. When the switch unit 10 is provided in an inclined manner in the slot machine 1, the liquid W flows downward. As a result, the electrode terminals 25b, 25b, the carbon electrodes 24d, and the LEDs 25c do not get wet.

(53) Therefore, the switch unit 10 that has an appropriate water-proof structure for the carbon electrodes 24d, the electrode terminals 25b, 25b, and the LEDs 25c when a light emitting presentation is performed around the operating buttons 23 by the LEDs 25c.

(54) As illustrated in FIG. 1, in the switch unit 10 of one or more embodiments of the present invention, a liquid storage container 5 can be provided at one end side of the protection sheet 11c. Accordingly, when the switch unit 10 is provided in an inclined manner, the liquid W enters a gap between the button case opening 21a and the operating button 23, and the sheet opening 24a, passes through the PCB opening 25a of the PCB 25, reaches the top surface of the translucent protection sheet 11c which covers the surface of the LCD 11a, and is then stored in the liquid storage container 5 which is provided at one end side of the protection sheet 11c, that is, the downstream side of the liquid W.

(55) Therefore, the liquid W that has been spilled onto the switch unit 10 does not stay on the top surface of the protection sheet 11c for a long time.

(56) Further, in one or more embodiments of the present invention, the liquid storage container 5 can be provided with a drain cock 6 which communicates with the outside of the casing 4 of the slot machine 1 on which the switch unit 10 is placed. As a result, the liquid W stored in the liquid storage container 5 can be easily taken out therefrom on the outside of the slot machine 1.

(57) Further, the switch unit 10 of one or more embodiments of the present invention has a structure that can be easily taken apart and cleaned even when the liquid W stays inside thereof. In other words, the switch unit 10 of one or more embodiments of the present invention has an easily maintainable structure in which even when an image of the LCD 11a is made difficult to see due to the dropped liquid W, the liquid W can be easily wiped off.

(58) In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the light guide frame bodies 22 are provided around the respective operating buttons 23, and the LEDs 25c are provided below the light guide frame bodies 22 with the rubber sheet 24 interposed therebetween. Therefore, in such a switch unit 10 which performs a light emitting presentation around the operating buttons 23 by the LEDs 25c, if light around an operating button 23 enters another operating button 23 that is adjacent thereto, an appeal made by the light emission becomes difficult to recognize.

(59) Hereinbelow, the light partition structure of the switch unit 10 of one or more embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 10 to 13B. FIG. 10 is a main part perspective view illustrating the configuration of the operating button in the button unit. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the light source, and the light transmitting portion and the light blocking partition of a rubber sheet in the button unit. FIG. 12 is a schematic view illustrating the absorbance of light passing through a medium. FIG. 13A is a graph illustrating changes in transmitted light when changing the absorption coefficient while the thickness of the light transmitting portion and the thickness of the light blocking portion of the rubber sheet are fixed at 0.3 mm and 0.9 mm, respectively, and FIG. 13B is a table illustrating data in FIG. 13A.

(60) In one or more embodiments of the present invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, the operating button case 21 is provided with the partitions 21b each of which blocks light leaking through a gap between adjacent ones of the operating buttons 23. Therefore, it is possible to prevent light from LEDs 25c around an operating button 23 from being irregularly reflected and thereby entering the presentation performed around another operating button 23 adjacent thereto by the corresponding partition 21b.

(61) Next, the light partition structure of the rubber sheet 24 will be described below.

(62) As illustrated in FIG. 11, in the switch unit 10 of one or more embodiments of the present invention, the LEDs 25c are provided below the rubber sheet 24. Therefore, if light from the LEDs 25c is blocked by the top surface of the rubber sheet 24, the switch unit 10 cannot perform a light emitting presentation by the LEDs 25c.

(63) Therefore, in one or more embodiments of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the light transmitting portion 24f which transmits light from the LEDs 25c therethrough is provided directly above the LEDs 25c in the rubber sheet 24. Therefore, the light emitting presentation by the LEDs 25c can be ensured.

(64) Further, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the rubber sheet 24 is made of one kind of elastic member having a color, for example, a gray color in order to reduce cost in the switch unit 10 of one or more embodiments of the present invention. In addition, a part of the rubber sheet 24 other than the light transmitting portion 24f is formed as a light blocking portion which blocks light from the LEDs 25c. The light transmitting portion 24f is thinner than the light blocking portion. In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the rubber sheet 24 has, for example, a gray color. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the rubber sheet 24 may have another color, that is, a chromatic color.

(65) Further, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the rubber sheet 24 is provided with the light blocking partition 24g which is formed of the light blocking portion to block light between adjacent LEDs 25c, 25c in the switch unit 10 of one or more embodiments of the present invention. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent light from LEDs 25c around an operating button 23 from entering the presentation performed around another operating button 23 adjacent thereto through the inside of the rubber sheet 24 by virtue of the light blocking partition 24g formed of the light blocking portion.

(66) Therefore, it is possible to provide the switch unit 10 that has a light partition structure that prevents light in an operating button 23 from leaking to another operating button 23 adjacent thereto.

(67) As illustrated in FIG. 11, in one or more embodiments of the present invention, in order to arrange an operating button 23 that is as large as possible in a certain area, a gap between adjacent LEDs 25c, 25c and a thickness W of the light blocking partition 24g is made as thin as possible. Therefore, although the light blocking partition 24g serves as the light blocking portion for preventing the leakage of light between adjacent LEDs 25c, 25c, the thickness W of the light blocking partition 24g is reduced as thin as possible, namely, reduced to 0.9 mm.

(68) Further, the thickness t of the light transmitting portion 24f of the rubber sheet 24 is set at 0.3 mm. In this manner, in one or more embodiments of the present invention, a water-proof and presentation light transmitting function of the surface above the LEDs 25c is achieved. In addition, in order to achieve a function of preventing the leakage of light between adjacent LEDs 25c, 25c, the thickness of the light transmitting portion 24f and the thickness of the light blocking partition 24g are made different from each other.

(69) With regard to the switch unit 10 of one or more embodiments of the present invention, a principle of having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. 12. FIG. 12 is a schematic view illustrating the absorbance of light passing through a medium.

(70) As illustrated in FIG. 12, when light enters a medium having an absorption coefficient , a mol concentration c, a length l, and a light path length L, an absorbance A in the medium becomes as follows by the Lambert-Beer law, where the intensity of the light before entering the medium is I.sub.o and the intensity of the light after passing through the medium is I.sub.1.
A=log(I.sub.1/I.sub.0)=cl0.434L

(71) Herein, for example, when the medium is translucent white silicone rubber, the absorption coefficient is 1.4. In this case, when the thickness of the silicone rubber is set at, for example, 0.3 mm, the light path length L is 0.3 mm. Therefore, the absorbance A.sub.(0.3) is A.sub.(0.3)=0.4341.40.3. Further, a transmittance T.sub.(0.3) is T.sub.(0.3)=exp (A.sub.(0.3))=0.8326=83.3%.

(72) On the other hand, when the thickness of the translucent white silicone rubber is set at, for example, 0.9 mm, the light path length L is 0.9 mm. Therefore, a transmittance T.sub.(0.9) is T.sub.(0.9)=exp (A.sub.(0.9))=0.5772=57.7%.
Therefore, transmittance T.sub.(0.3):transmittance T.sub.(0.9)=83.3:57.7=1.4:1 (Equation 1)

(73) On the other hand, when the medium is gray silicone rubber, the absorption coefficient is 7.0. In this case, when the thickness of the gray silicone rubber is set at, for example, 0.3 mm, the light path length L is 0.3 mm. Therefore, the absorbance A.sub.(0.3) is A.sub.(0.3)=0.4347.00.3. The transmittance T.sub.(0.3) is T.sub.(0.3)=exp (A.sub.(0.3))=0.4001=40.0%.

(74) Further, when the thickness of the gray silicone rubber is set at, for example, 0.9 mm, the light path length L is 0.9 mm. Therefore, the transmittance T.sub.(0.9) is T.sub.(0.9)=exp (A.sub.(0.9))=0.0641=6.4%.
Therefore, transmittance T.sub.(0.3):transmittance T.sub.(0.9)=40.0:6.4=6.3:1 (Equation 2)

(75) As a result, judging from Equation 1, it is understood that, by changing the thickness from 0.3 mm to 0.9 mm in the translucent white silicone rubber, there arises a difference of 1.4 times between the transmittance T.sub.(0.3) and the transmittance T.sub.(0.9).

(76) Further, when the silicone rubber has a gray color, it is understood from Equation 2 that, by changing the thickness from 0.3 mm to 0.9 mm, the difference between the transmittance T.sub.(0.3) and the transmittance T.sub.(0.9) can be expanded to 6.3 times.

(77) From the above fact, it would appear that, when the rubber sheet 24 which is made of silicone rubber is used, a difference between light transmission and light blocking can be more easily made when gray silicone rubber is used than when translucent white silicone rubber is used.

(78) When gray silicone rubber is used, gray includes various levels of gray within colors darker than white as well as lighter than black. Therefore, while the thickness of the light transmitting portion 24f was fixed at 0.3 mm and the thickness of the light blocking portion was fixed at 0.9 mm, a level of gray was examined with respect to light gray, medium gray, and dark gray. That is, the absorption coefficient was changed.

(79) As a result, as illustrated in FIGS. 13A and 13B, a difference between transmitted direct light (transmitting light) and transmitted blocking light (leaking light) becomes large when a transmittance factor is three to five. That is, when the color is made dark to increase the absorption coefficient, the difference between the transmitting light that passes through the light transmitting portion 24f and the blocking light that passes through the light blocking portion becomes large. However, the absorption coefficient exceeds seven, the difference becomes small.

(80) Therefore, when the difference between the thickness of the light transmitting portion 24f and the thickness of the light blocking portion is set at three times, the absorption coefficient according to one or more embodiments of the present invention is four to seven and, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention, is around seven. That is, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the silicone rubber has a gray color within the range from light gray having a transmittance factor of three up to medium gray having a transmittance factor of five.

(81) Next, the thickness of the light transmitting portion 24f and the thickness of the light blocking portion will be described with reference to FIGS. 14A and 14B. FIG. 14A is a graph illustrating a relationship between the absorption coefficient, transmitting light, and blocking light when changing the thickness of the light blocking partition while the blocking light is made equal to or less than 20 lm so as to be difficult to visually recognize, and the thickness of the light transmitting portion is fixed at 0.3 mm as a limit of a member, and FIG. 14B is a table illustrating data in FIG. 14A.

(82) As illustrated in FIGS. 14A and 14B, when the difference between the thickness of the light transmitting portion 24f and the thickness of the light blocking portion is equal to or less than twice, the transmitting light does not exceeds 100 lm even if adjusting the absorption coefficient. However, when the difference between the thickness of the light transmitting portion 24f and the thickness of the light blocking portion is made three times or more, it is possible to combine conditions of transmitting light of 100 lm or more and blocking light of 20 lm or less. Although depending on restrictions of the layout of the buttons and the size of the buttons, this condition is, for example, satisfied even if the difference in the thicknesses exceeds three times when there is a dimension margin.

(83) On the other hand, the difference in the thicknesses exceeds seven times, a change in the absorption coefficient becomes small. Therefore, an appropriate range of the difference between the thickness of the light transmitting portion 24f and the thickness of the light blocking portion is three to seven times. By selecting the absorption coefficient according to the thicknesses, it is possible to select an optimal combination of the layout and the light emission.

(84) As described above, the switch unit 10 of one or more embodiments of the present invention is provided with: the display unit 11 which displays an image in at least one input area; the PCB 25 provided above the display unit 11, the PCB 25 having the electrode terminals 25b, 25b and the PCB opening 25a which allows the image in the input area of the display unit 11 to be viewed from above; the operating button case 21 which has the at least one button case opening 21a and covers the PCB 25; and the at least one translucent operating button 23 which is provided so as to be freely pressed down through the button case opening 21a of the operating button case 21 and causes conduction of the electrode terminals 25b, 25b by being pressed down. Further, the PCB 25 is further equipped with the LEDs 25c which illuminate an area surrounding the operating button 23. Furthermore, the rubber sheet 24 made of an elastic member is provided between the display unit 11 and the operating button 23 to cover the PCB 25. The rubber sheet 24 has the sheet opening 24a at a position facing the input area. The rubber sheet 24 is provided with the carbon electrodes 24d which are provided so as to face and come into contact with the electrode terminals 25b, 25b of the PCB 25 to cause conduction of the electrode terminals 25b, 25b by pressing down the operating button 23, the down portion 24e which covers the circumference of the PCB 25, and the light transmitting portion 24f which is formed on the top surface of the rubber sheet 24 to transmit light from the LEDs 25c therethrough.

(85) Accordingly, the electrode terminals 25b, 25b and the LEDs 25c are provided in the PCB 25, and the PCB 25 is sealed by the surface of the rubber sheet 24 and the down portion 24e which covers the circumference of the PCB 25. In this case, since the rubber sheet 24 is made of an elastic member, the lower end of the down portion 24e of the rubber sheet 24 can be closely attached to the display unit 11.

(86) Therefore, even if liquid flows through a gap between the button case opening 21a and the operating button 23, after the liquid reaches the rubber sheet 24, the liquid flows along the surface of the down portion 24e on the side of the sheet opening 24a, and then drops onto the protection sheet 11c of the display unit 11. As a result, the electrode terminals 25b, 25b and the LEDs 25c do not get wet.

(87) Further, in one or more embodiments of the present invention, the rubber sheet 24 is provided with the light transmitting portion 24f which is formed on the top surface thereof to transmit light from the LEDs 25c therethrough. Therefore, the light emitting presentation by the LEDs 25c is ensured.

(88) Therefore, the switch unit 10 that has an appropriate water-proof structure for the electrode terminals 25b, 25b and the LEDs 25c when a light emitting presentation is performed around the operating button 23 by the LEDs 25c.

(89) Further, in the switch unit 10 of one or more embodiments of the present invention, the rubber sheet 24 is made of one kind of elastic member having a color, for example, a gray color. In addition, a part of the rubber sheet 24 other than the light transmitting portions 24f is formed as the light blocking portion which blocks light from the LEDs 25c. Further, the light transmitting portion 24f is thinner than the light blocking portion.

(90) Further, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention, a part of the rubber sheet 24, the part being required for the light emitting presentation, transmits light therethrough, but the other part blocks light.

(91) Therefore, in the switch unit 10 of one or more embodiments of the present invention, the rubber sheet 24 is made of one kind of elastic member having a color, for example, a gray color. In addition, a part of the rubber sheet 24 other than the light transmitting portions 24f is formed as the light blocking portion which blocks light from the LEDs 25c. Further, the light transmitting portion 24f is thinner than the light blocking portion.

(92) As a result, the part required for the light emitting presentation is ensured by the thin light transmitting portion 24f and light blocking in the other part is appropriately ensured by the light blocking portion thicker than the light transmitting portion 24f by virtue of the thickness and the color of the one kind of rubber sheet 24.

(93) That is, the rubber sheet 24 is made of, for example, an elastic member such as rubber. In such an elastic member, the absorbance of light is proportional to the thickness and the color thereof. Therefore, in one or more embodiments of the present invention, the light transmitting portion 24f of the rubber sheet 24 is made thinner than the light blocking portion thereof, and the rubber sheet 24 has a color such as gray.

(94) As a result, the part required for the light emitting presentation is ensured by the thin light transmitting portion 24f and light blocking in the other part is appropriately ensured by virtue of the light blocking portion thicker than the light transmitting portion 24f by the thickness and the color of the one kind of rubber sheet 24.

(95) Further, in the switch unit 10 one or more embodiments of the present invention, the rubber sheet 24 is made of silicone rubber having a color such as gray and an absorption coefficient of four to seven. Accordingly, the part required for the light emitting presentation is ensured by the thin light transmitting portion 24f and light blocking in the other part is appropriately ensured by the light blocking portion thicker than the light transmitting portion 24f by virtue of the thickness and the gray color having an absorption coefficient of four to seven of the one kind of silicone rubber which is easily available.

(96) Further, in the switch unit 10 of one or more embodiments of the present invention, the rubber sheet 24 is provided with the light blocking partition 24g which is formed of the light blocking portion to block light between adjacent LEDs 25c in the switch unit 10 of one or more embodiments of the present invention. That is, in such a switch unit 10 of one or more embodiments of the present invention which performs a light emitting presentation around the operating buttons 23 by the LEDs 25c, if light around an operating button 23 enters another operating button 23 that is adjacent thereto, an appeal made by the light emission becomes difficult to recognize.

(97) Therefore, in one or more embodiments of the present invention, the rubber sheet 24 is provided with the light blocking partition 24g which is formed of the light blocking portion to block light between adjacent LEDs 25c in one or more embodiments of the present invention. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent light from LEDs 25c around an operating button 23 from entering the presentation performed around another operating button 23 adjacent thereto through the inside of the rubber sheet 24 by virtue of the light blocking partition 24g formed of the light blocking portion.

(98) Therefore, it is possible to provide the switch unit 10 that has a light partition structure that prevents light in an operating button 23 from leaking to another operating button 23 adjacent thereto.

(99) Further, the light blocking partition 24g is formed of the light blocking portion, and formed on substantially the center of the thin light transmitting portion 24f which is formed on the surface of the rubber sheet 24. Therefore, the light blocking partition 24g has a function as a thick rib. As a result, it is possible to prevent the light transmitting portion 24f having a thin film thickness from warping to thereby prevent dropped liquid from staying thereon.

(100) Further, the slot machine 1 of one or more embodiments of the present invention is provided with the switch unit 10 of one or more embodiments of the present invention.

(101) Therefore, it is possible to provide the slot machine 1 that is provided with the switch unit 10 that has an appropriate water-proof structure for the electrode terminals 25b, 25b and the LEDs 25c when a light emitting presentation is performed around the operating button 23 by the LEDs 25c.

(102) The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention defined in the accompanying claims. The technical scope of the present invention also includes an embodiment that is obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed above.

(103) One or more embodiments of the present invention relates to a switch unit that has a display part having an improved operational feeling and a game machine equipped with the same. One or more embodiments of the present invention can be applied to a switch unit that has an input part above a display part such as an LCD. The game machine can be applied not only to a slot machine, but also to a poker game machine, a mah-jong game machine, a card game machine and the like.

(104) While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments can be devised which do not depart from the scope of the invention as disclosed herein. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be limited only by the attached claims.