Game machine

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of suitably increasing a degree of attention to a game.SOLUTION: While "opening operation" including "a correction variation 1" pattern executed when a left reel LR is stopped in a position in which a jackpot pattern deviates within a range of a first step to sixtieth step from a normal stop position on an effective line in a variable performance inversely rotates a middle reel CR and a right reel RR at rest in a normal position by one pattern space from an initial stop position while inversely rotating all the reels LR, CR, RR simultaneously when the opening is started, the left reel LR at rest in a first deviation amount position is inversely rotated by the number of steps obtained by adding one deviation amount step to one pattern space (namely, 20 steps) from the first deviation amount position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 115

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are gaming machines in which a lottery for winning or the like is held based on the establishment of a specified start condition, and when a winning prize is won, a specified gaming medium is paid out to the player in accordance with the establishment of a specified acquisition condition.

[0003] This gaming machine is provided with a presentation means that changes patterns or the like visible from the front of the machine to indicate lottery results or the like to the player, and some machines are configured to perform presentations related to the game by changing the content of the presentation means according to the progress of the game, etc. (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-126296 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In order to improve the enjoyment of such a game machine, it is necessary to increase the attention to the game, and there is still room for improvement in this regard.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a gaming machine that can appropriately increase attention to the game. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve this object, the gaming machine described in claim 1 is equipped with an information acquisition means capable of acquiring predetermined information, a judgment means for judging the predetermined information acquired by the information acquisition means, a presentation means capable of executing a predetermined presentation by using the judgment result by the judgment means, and an advantageous state means capable of generating an advantageous state in which a game value can be awarded to a player when a special derivation result is derived in the predetermined presentation, and is equipped with a gaming state switching means capable of switching between at least a first gaming state, a second gaming state different from the first gaming state, and a third gaming state different from the first gaming state and the second gaming state, and the gaming state switching means is equipped with a first transition means capable of transitioning to the second gaming state via at least the advantageous state when the special derivation result is derived in the predetermined presentation, and is in a state in which a predetermined notification capable of indicating to the player that the transition condition to the third gaming state is established when or if the termination condition of the second gaming state is established is established. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the gaming machine of claim 1, the gaming machine includes an information acquisition means capable of acquiring predetermined information, a judgment means for judging the predetermined information acquired by the information acquisition means, a performance means capable of executing a predetermined performance by using the judgment result by the judgment means, and an advantageous state means capable of generating an advantageous state capable of imparting a game value to a player when a special derivation result is derived in the predetermined performance, and includes a game state switching means capable of switching between at least a first game state, a second game state different from the first game state, and a third game state different from the first game state and the second game state, and the game state switching means includes a first transition means capable of transitioning to the second game state via at least the advantageous state when the special derivation result is derived in the predetermined performance, and when the termination condition of the second game state is established or is established, a predetermined notification capable of suggesting to the player that the transition condition to the third game state is established is established. This has the effect of favorably increasing the attention to the game. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the pachinko machine. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a front view of the game board of a pachinko machine. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an arrangement of symbols arranged on each reel of the drum display device. [Diagram 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the light guide unit. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the front side of the light guide unit. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the light guide unit from the rear side. [Figure 10] 8 is a diagram showing the positional relationship of the drum display device 81 and the positional relationship of the confirmation lamp and the display area forming member with respect to the schematic side cross-sectional view of the light guide unit 400 taken along the line XX in FIG. 7. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a front light guide plate and a rear light guide plate. [Figure 12] 11 is a schematic front view showing the positional relationship between a first decorative pattern group that can be lit and displayed on the rear light guide plate, and the rear upper LEDs of the rear upper LED unit and the rear lower LEDs of the lower LED unit. FIG. [Figure 13] 13 is a schematic enlarged view of portion A in FIG. 12, and is a schematic front view showing the relationship between the rear downward diffusion lens formed on the lower end surface of the rear light guide plate and the rear downward LED of the lower LED unit. FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a schematic enlarged view of portion B in FIG. 13, showing a schematic optical path of light through the rear downward diffusion lens. [Figure 15]FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the lighting state of the first decorative pattern group displayed on the rear light guide plate, where (a) is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the lighting state of the first decorative pattern group when the rear upper LEDs and rear lower LEDs corresponding to the right side area of ​​the rear light guide plate are lit, and (b) is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the lighting state of the first decorative pattern group when, from the state of (a), the rear upper LEDs and rear lower LEDs corresponding to the central area of ​​the rear light guide plate are additionally lit. [Figure 16] 15(a) is a diagram showing the lighting mode of the first decorative pattern group displayed on the rear light guide plate, where FIG. 15(a) is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the lighting mode of the first decorative pattern group when the rear upper LEDs and rear lower LEDs corresponding to the left side area of ​​the rear light guide plate are additionally turned on from the state of FIG. 15(b), and FIG. 15(b) is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the lighting mode of the first decorative pattern group when the rear upper LEDs and rear lower LEDs corresponding to the right side area of ​​the rear light guide plate are turned off from the state of FIG. 15(a). [Figure 17] Figures showing the lighting state of the first decorative pattern group displayed on the rear light guide plate when the confirmation lamp is turned on, where (a) is a schematic diagram showing the lighting state of the first decorative pattern group when the confirmation lamp is not turned on and the rear upper LEDs and rear lower LEDs corresponding to the right side area of ​​the rear light guide plate are turned on, and (b) is a schematic diagram showing the lighting state of the first decorative pattern group when, from the state of (a), the confirmation lamp is turned on and the rear lower LEDs corresponding to the central area of ​​the rear light guide plate are additionally turned on, while the rear upper LEDs corresponding to the central area and right side area of ​​the rear light guide plate are turned off. [Figure 18]17(b) shows the lighting mode of the first decorative pattern group that is lit on the rear light guide plate when the confirmation lamp 311 is turned on, and the rear lower LEDs corresponding to the left region of the rear light guide plate are additionally turned on while the rear upper LEDs corresponding to the left region, central region and right region of the rear light guide plate are turned off; and FIG. 17(b) shows the lighting mode of the first decorative pattern group when the confirmation lamp 311 is turned off, and the rear upper LEDs corresponding to the left region and central region of the rear light guide plate are additionally turned on while the rear upper LEDs and rear lower LEDs corresponding to the right region of the rear light guide plate are turned off; and FIG. 17(b) shows the lighting mode of the first decorative pattern group when the confirmation lamp is turned off, and the rear upper LEDs corresponding to the left region and central region of the rear light guide plate are additionally turned on while the rear upper LEDs and rear lower LEDs corresponding to the right region of the rear light guide plate are turned off; [Figure 19] A schematic front view showing the relationship between the second decorative pattern group, the third decorative pattern group and the fourth decorative pattern group that can be lit and displayed on the front light guide plate, and the front lower LED unit, the front right LED unit and the front left LED unit. [Figure 20] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of an optical path of light through each condenser lens. [Figure 21] 1(a) is a diagram showing the uneven shape forming the second decorative pattern group of the front light guide plate and the direction of light in which the second decorative pattern group can be lit up and displayed, and FIG. 1(b) is a diagram showing the uneven shape forming the fourth decorative pattern group of the front light guide plate and the direction of light in which the fourth decorative pattern group can be lit up and displayed. [Figure 22] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing the lighting modes of the second decorative pattern group, the third decorative pattern group and the fourth decorative pattern group displayed on the front light guide plate, where (a) is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the lighting mode of the fourth decorative pattern group when the front right LED and the front left LED are lit relative to the front light guide plate, and (b) is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the lighting mode of the second decorative pattern group when the front lower LEDs on the right and left ends of the front light guide plate are lit. [Figure 23]1A and 1B are diagrams showing the lighting modes of the second decorative pattern group, the third decorative pattern and the fourth decorative pattern group displayed on the front light guide plate, where (a) is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the lighting mode of the third decorative pattern when the front lower LED in the center part of the front light guide plate is lit, and (b) is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the lighting mode of the second decorative pattern group and the third decorative pattern when all the front lower LEDs are lit on the front light guide plate. [Figure 24] These are diagrams showing the effects produced by the front light guide plate, the rear light guide plate and the drum display device, where (a) is a schematic diagram showing the unlit states of the first decorative pattern group, the second decorative pattern group, the third decorative pattern and the fourth decorative pattern group, and (b) is a schematic diagram showing the unlit states of the first decorative pattern group, the second decorative pattern group and the third decorative pattern while the fourth decorative pattern group is in a lit state. [Diagram 25] These are diagrams showing the effects produced by the front light guide plate, the rear light guide plate, and the drum display device, where (a) is a schematic diagram showing the second decorative pattern group and the third decorative pattern in a lit state while the first decorative pattern group and the fourth decorative pattern group in a non-lit state, and (b) is a schematic diagram showing the first decorative pattern group in a lit state while the second decorative pattern group, the third decorative pattern, and the fourth decorative pattern group in a non-lit state. [Figure 26] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine. [Figure 27] This is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of various counters, each reserved ball storage area, and reserved ball execution area. [Figure 28] 1A is a diagram showing a schematic example of a jackpot random number table, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an example of a jackpot type table. [Figure 29] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a reservation number table. [Diagram 30] FIG. 1A is a diagram showing an example of Table A of the stop pattern table, FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an example of Table B of the stop pattern table, and FIG. 1C is a diagram showing an example of Table C of the stop pattern table. [Diagram 31]A diagram showing a schematic example of a variation pattern table for misses. [Diagram 32] A diagram showing a schematic example of a fluctuation pattern table for a jackpot. [Diagram 33] 2 is a block diagram mainly showing the electrical configuration of a voice lamp control device. FIG. [Diagram 34] 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a light guide plate lighting pattern table. FIG. [Diagram 35] 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a confirmation lamp lighting pattern table. FIG. [Diagram 36] 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of each of the retained information storage areas and the execution information storage area; FIG. [Figure 37] 4 is a flowchart showing a start-up process executed by an MPU in the main control device. [Figure 38] 13 is a flowchart showing a setting change process executed by an MPU in the main control device. [Figure 39] 4 is a flowchart showing main processing executed by an MPU in the main control device. [Diagram 40] 4 is a flowchart showing a timer interrupt process executed by an MPU in the main control device. [Diagram 41] This is a flowchart showing the start winning processing executed by the MPU in the main control unit. [Diagram 42] This is a flowchart showing the special chart change processing executed by the MPU in the main control unit. [Diagram 43] 13 is a flowchart showing the fluctuation start processing executed by the MPU in the main control device. [Diagram 44] 4 is a flowchart showing an NMI interrupt process executed by an MPU in the main control device. [Diagram 45] 10 is a flowchart showing the start-up process executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device. [Figure 46] 4 is a flowchart showing the main processing executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device. [Figure 47]13 is a flowchart showing a command determination process executed by an MPU in the voice lamp control device. [Figure 48] 13 is a flowchart showing the variable performance processing executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device. [Figure 49] 10 is a flowchart showing a confirmation lamp lighting setting process executed by an MPU in a voice lamp control device. [Figure 50] 11 is a flowchart showing a light guide pattern setting process executed by an MPU in the voice lamp control device. [Figure 51] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of an optical path of light distributed by a rear-downward diffusion lens when a rear-downward LED of FIG. 1 is lit. [Figure 52] 1A is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a front light guide plate showing the light guiding pattern of light guided within the front light guide plate when the front downward LED is lit, (a) is a schematic diagram showing the light guiding pattern within the front light guide plate of light incident on the front light guide plate from the front downward LED at an upward angle of 45 degrees, (b) is a schematic diagram showing the light guiding pattern within the front light guide plate of light incident on the front light guide plate from the front downward LED at a downward angle of 45 degrees, and (c) is a schematic diagram showing the light guiding pattern within the front light guide plate of light incident on the front light guide plate in a direction directly ahead from the front downward LED. [Figure 53] 20 is a diagram showing the position of a switching point P in the front view of the front light guide plate shown in FIG. 19. FIG. [Figure 54] 10 is a perspective view showing a schematic light-guiding state within the front light guide plate of light incident on the front light guide plate at an upward angle of 45 degrees from a front right LED. FIG. [Figure 55] 13 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a light guide unit according to a second embodiment, showing a positional relationship of a drum display device with respect to the light guide unit; FIG. [Figure 56] FIG. 13 is a schematic front view showing the positional relationship between the third upper decorative pattern group and the third upward LED, the positional relationship between the third lower decorative pattern group and the third right LED of the third right LED unit, and the positional relationship between the third lower decorative pattern group and the third left LED of the third left LED unit, which can be lit up and displayed on the third light guide plate in the third embodiment. [Figure 57] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the patterns of pseudo-stopping symbols that can be stopped in the variable element of the "pseudo-variation" in the variable presentation of the third symbol in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 58] 13 is a schematic diagram showing the transition of the variable elements of the "pseudo fluctuation" performed by the drum display device in the fourth embodiment, where (a) is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the pseudo stop pattern as "pseudo stop 1" is stopped, (b) is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the pseudo stop pattern as "pseudo stop 2" is stopped from the state of (a), (c) is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the "reach formation pattern" is stopped from the state of (b), and (d) is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the "reach display" is performed from the state of (c). [Figure 59] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the left reel unit in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 60] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation principle of a stepping motor in a fifth embodiment. [Figure 61] FIG. 13 is a connection diagram showing a drive system of a stepping motor in a fifth embodiment. [Figure 62] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between excitation data and an excitation order pointer in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 63] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the driving characteristics of a stepping motor executed in a series of variable performances in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 64] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the driving characteristics of a stepping motor executed when a "full rotation" is produced in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 65] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of an excitation pattern of a normal acceleration process in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 66] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of an excitation pattern of the special acceleration process in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 67] 13 is a timing chart showing the relationship between the driving state of each reel and the output state of music during the "full spin" effect in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 68]13 is a schematic diagram showing the progression of the "full rotation" presentation performed on a drum display device in the fifth embodiment, in which (a) is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a provisional jackpot result based on a "1" symbol has stopped, (b) is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the middle and right reels have started to rotate with normal acceleration processing from the state of (a), (c) is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the middle and right reels are rotating at a high speed and constant speed and the left reel has started to rotate with special acceleration processing from the state of (b), (d) is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the left, middle and right reels are rotating at a high speed and constant speed from the state of (c), (e) is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the left, middle and right reels are rotating at a high speed and constant speed, similar to the state of (d), and (f) is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the provisional jackpot result based on a "2" symbol has stopped from the state of (e). [Figure 69] 13 is a flowchart showing a motor control process executed by an MPU in a display control device according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 70] 13 is a flowchart showing a reel spin start process executed by an MPU in a display control device according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 71] 23 is a timing chart showing the relationship between the driving state of each reel and the output state of music during the "full spin" effect in the sixth embodiment. [Figure 72] 13 is a timing chart showing the relationship between the driving state of each reel and the output state of music during the "full spin" effect in the seventh embodiment. [Figure 73] FIG. 13 is a front view of a pachinko machine according to an eighth embodiment. [Figure 74] FIG. 13 is a rear view of the pachinko machine in the eighth embodiment. [Figure 75] A front view of the game board of a pachinko machine in the eighth embodiment. [Figure 76] FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram showing an arrangement of symbols arranged on each reel of a drum display device in an eighth embodiment. [Figure 77] 13 is an enlarged front view of a center frame illustrating a schematic view of an effective range of a touch sensor in the eighth embodiment. FIG. [Figure 78] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a pachinko machine in the eighth embodiment. [Figure 79] A diagram showing a schematic configuration of various counters, each reserved ball storage area, and reserved ball execution area in the eighth embodiment. [Figure 80] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a schematic example of a jackpot random number table in the eighth embodiment. [Figure 81] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a big win type table in the eighth embodiment. [Figure 82] A diagram showing game specifications for different game states in the eighth embodiment. [Figure 83] FIG. 23 is a game state transition diagram showing a schematic diagram of the transition of the game state in the eighth embodiment. [Figure 84] A diagram showing a schematic example of a reservation number table in the eighth embodiment. [Figure 85] FIG. 13A is a diagram illustrating an example of Table A of the stop pattern table in the eighth embodiment, and FIG. 13B is a diagram illustrating an example of Table B of the stop pattern table in the eighth embodiment. [Figure 86] FIG. 13A is a diagram illustrating an example of Table C of the stop pattern table in the eighth embodiment, and FIG. 13B is a diagram illustrating an example of Table D of the stop pattern table in the eighth embodiment. [Figure 87] FIG. 13A is a diagram illustrating an example of an E table of a stop pattern table in the eighth embodiment, and FIG. 13B is a diagram illustrating an example of an F table of a stop pattern table in the eighth embodiment. [Figure 88] FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of a G table of a stop pattern table in the eighth embodiment. [Figure 89] A diagram showing a schematic example of a variation pattern table for misses in the eighth embodiment. [Figure 90] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a schematic example of a fluctuation pattern table for a jackpot in the eighth embodiment. [Figure 91] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of an example of a big win opening table in the eighth embodiment. [Figure 92] 13A is a diagram showing a schematic example of a normal winning random number table in the eighth embodiment, (b) is a diagram showing a schematic example of a normal winning fluctuation table in the eighth embodiment, and (c) is a diagram showing a schematic example of a normal electric role release table in the eighth embodiment. [Figure 93] This is a timing chart showing the relationship between the detection timing of the through gate, the execution timing of the variable display of the normal pattern, the opening time of the normal electric role, the interval time, and the ending time in the "normal game state" in the eighth embodiment. [Figure 94] This is a timing chart showing the relationship between the detection timing of the through gate, the execution timing of the variable display of the normal pattern, the opening time of the normal electric role, the interval time and the ending time in the "probability changing state," "short time shortening state," and "long time shortening state" in the eighth embodiment. [Figure 95] This is a timing chart showing the relationship between the detection timing of the through gate, the execution timing of the variable display of the normal pattern, the opening time of the normal electric role, the interval time, and the ending time in the "low probability time shortened state" in the eighth embodiment. [Figure 96] This is a timing chart showing the timing of switching the variable display time of the normal pattern and the opening time of the normal electric role when the game state changes from the "normal game state" to the "low probability time shortening state", and is a diagram showing the case where the variable display of the normal pattern in the "normal game state" is performed for "30 seconds", and the state transitions to the "low probability time shortening state" during the variable display of the normal pattern. [Figure 97] This is a timing chart showing the timing of switching the variable display time of the normal pattern and the opening time of the normal electric role when the game state changes from the "normal game state" to the "low probability time shortening state", and is a diagram of the case where the variable display of the normal pattern is performed for "15 seconds" in the "normal game state", and the state transitions to the "low probability time shortening state" during the variable display of the normal pattern. [Figure 98] This is a timing chart showing the timing of switching the variable display time of the normal symbol and the opening time of the normal electric role when the game state changes from a "normal game state" to a "low probability time shortened state", and is a diagram showing the case where the variable display of the normal symbol is performed for "15 seconds" in the "normal game state", the opening time of the normal electric role is set to "0.1 seconds", and the ending time is set to "14.9 seconds", and the state transitions to the "low probability time shortened state" during the ending time of the normal electric role. [Figure 99] FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of a time-saving end condition table in the eighth embodiment. [Figure 100] FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of an external output signal table in the eighth embodiment. [Figure 101] 13 is a timing chart showing the output modes of each external output signal during the transition of a game state in the eighth embodiment. [Figure 102] A block diagram showing mainly the electrical configuration of a voice lamp control device of the eighth embodiment. [Figure 103] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a first pending information storage area, a second pending information storage area, and an execution information storage area in the eighth embodiment. [Figure 104] A diagram showing a schematic example of a reservation change table in the eighth embodiment. [Figure 105] FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of a miss scenario table in the eighth embodiment. [Fig. 106] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a schematic example of a scenario table for a big win in the eighth embodiment. [Figure 107] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a music table according to the eighth embodiment. [Figure 108] A timing chart showing the number of times the variable performance is executed, the timing of the pre-reading lamp lighting, and the execution mode of the "special pre-variable consecutive music" in the eighth embodiment. [Fig. 109] 13 is a diagram illustrating the types of rotation patterns of each reel in the eighth embodiment. FIG. [Figure 110]FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of a reel drive pattern table in the eighth embodiment. [Figure 111] 13 is a timing chart showing the execution mode of "normal positive fluctuation" of each reel in the eighth embodiment. [Figure 112] 13 is a timing chart showing the execution mode of "normal reverse fluctuation" of each reel in the eighth embodiment. [Figure 113] 13 is a timing chart showing the execution mode of the “freeze change (re-change)” of each reel in the eighth embodiment. [Fig. 114] This is a timing chart when the stopping patterns of each reel are normal in the "opening operation" of a jackpot in the eighth embodiment. [Figure 115] 13 is a timing chart showing a "correction fluctuation 1" pattern when the stopping points of each reel vary between 1 to 60 steps in the "opening operation" of a big win in the eighth embodiment. [Fig. 116] 13 is a timing chart showing a "correction variation 2" pattern when the stopping points of each reel vary between 61 and 160 steps in the "opening operation" of a big win in the eighth embodiment. [Fig. 117] 13 is a timing chart showing a "correction variation 3" pattern when the stopping points of each reel vary between 161 and 319 steps in the "opening operation" of a big win in the eighth embodiment. [Fig. 118] 23 is a flowchart showing a start-up process executed by an MPU in a main control device in the eighth embodiment. [Figure 119] 23 is a flowchart showing a setting change process executed by an MPU in a main control device in the eighth embodiment. [Figure 120] 23 is a flowchart showing main processing executed by an MPU in a main control device in the eighth embodiment. [Figure 121] 23 is a flowchart showing timer interrupt processing executed by an MPU in a main control device in the eighth embodiment. [Figure 122] A flowchart showing the start winning processing executed by the MPU in the main control device in the eighth embodiment. [Figure 123] 23 is a flowchart showing a gate passing process executed by an MPU in a main control device in the eighth embodiment. [Figure 124] A flowchart showing special chart change processing executed by the MPU in the main control device in the eighth embodiment. [Fig. 125] 20 is a flowchart showing the fluctuation start processing executed by the MPU in the main control device in the eighth embodiment. [Fig. 126] 20 is a flowchart showing the fluctuation stop processing executed by the MPU in the main control device in the eighth embodiment. [Figure 127] 23 is a flowchart showing a time-saving counting process executed by an MPU in a main control device in the eighth embodiment. [Figure 128] 23 is a flowchart showing a winning process executed by an MPU in the main control device in the eighth embodiment. [Figure 129] 23 is a flowchart showing a jackpot opening / closing control process executed by the MPU in the main control device in the eighth embodiment. [Fig. 130] A flowchart showing the processing during the opening of the large prize opening executed by the MPU in the main control device in the eighth embodiment. [Fig. 131] 20 is a flowchart showing the jackpot end processing executed by the MPU in the main control device in the eighth embodiment. [Fig. 132] 20 is a flowchart showing the general change processing executed by the MPU in the main control device in the eighth embodiment. [Fig. 133] 13 is a flowchart showing normal power utility control processing executed by an MPU in a main control device in the eighth embodiment. [Fig. 134] 23 is a flowchart showing an NMI interrupt process executed by an MPU in a main control device in the eighth embodiment. [Fig. 135]23 is a flowchart showing the start-up processing executed by an MPU in a voice lamp control device in the eighth embodiment. [Fig. 136] 23 is a flowchart showing the main processing executed by an MPU in a voice lamp control device in the eighth embodiment. [Fig. 137] 23 is a flowchart showing a command determination process executed by an MPU in a voice lamp control device in the eighth embodiment. [Figure 138] A flowchart showing the special diagram 1 command processing executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the 8th embodiment. [Figure 139] A flowchart showing the special diagram 2 command processing executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the 8th embodiment. [Fig. 140] 23 is a flowchart showing the read-ahead setting processing executed by an MPU in a voice lamp control device in the eighth embodiment. [Fig. 141] A flowchart showing the variable performance processing executed by an MPU in a voice lamp control device in the eighth embodiment. [Fig. 142] 13 is a flowchart showing the winning effect processing executed by an MPU in a voice lamp control device in the eighth embodiment. [Fig. 143] 23 is a flowchart showing the input monitoring and performance processing executed by an MPU in a voice lamp control device in the eighth embodiment. [Fig. 144] 23 is a flowchart showing a lamp editing process executed by an MPU in a voice lamp control device in the eighth embodiment. [Fig. 145] 23 is a flowchart showing the sound editing and output processing executed by an MPU in the voice lamp control device in the eighth embodiment. [Fig. 146]FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the progress of the "touch effect" on the drum display device in the eighth embodiment, in which (a) is a diagram showing the state during "high-speed fluctuation" before the start of the "touch effect", (b) is a diagram showing the state when the "touch effect" has started from the state of (a), (c) is a diagram showing the state when the player holds out his / her hand during the "touch effect" from the state of (b), (d) is a diagram showing the state when the reels of the drum display device have temporarily stopped as the player's hand has been detected during the "touch effect" from the state of (c), (e) is a diagram showing the state when the temporarily stopped reels have "re-fluctuated" from the state of (d), and (f) is a diagram showing the state when the reels have stopped from the state of (e). [Fig. 147] 13A and 13B are schematic diagrams showing the progress of the "opening operation" of the drum display device when the stopping eyes of each reel are normal at the start of a jackpot in the eighth embodiment, where (a) is a diagram showing the state when a jackpot has occurred, (b) is a diagram showing the state when the upward movement of the "one frame up and down movement" as the "opening operation" is being performed from the state of (a), (c) is a diagram showing the state when the "one frame up and down movement" is stopped at the upward position of the "one frame up and down movement" from the state of (b), (d) is a diagram showing the state when the downward movement of the "one frame up and down movement" is being performed from the state of (c), (e) is a diagram showing the state when the downward movement of the "one frame up and down movement" is performed from the state of (d) and the jackpot patterns are aligned, and (f) is a diagram showing the state when the "wavy movement" as the "opening operation" is being performed from the state of (e). [Fig. 148]13A and 13B are diagrams showing the transition of the "opening operation" of the drum display device when any of the stopping points of each reel varies between 1 and 60 steps at the start of a jackpot in the eighth embodiment, where (a) is a diagram showing the state when a jackpot has occurred, (b) is a diagram showing the state when the upward movement of the "one frame up and down movement" as the "opening operation" is being performed from the state of (a), (c) is a diagram showing the state when the "one frame up and down movement" is stopped at the upward position of the "one frame up and down movement" from the state of (b), (d) is a diagram showing the state when the downward movement of the "one frame up and down movement" is being performed from the state of (c), (e) is a diagram showing the state when the downward movement of the "one frame up and down movement" is performed from the state of (d) and the jackpot patterns are aligned, and (f) is a diagram showing the state when the "wavy movement" as the "opening operation" is being performed from the state of (e). [Figure 149] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing the transition of the "opening operation" of the drum display device when any of the stopping points of each reel varies between 61 and 160 steps at the start of a jackpot in the eighth embodiment, where (a) is a diagram showing the state when a jackpot has occurred, (b) is a diagram showing the state when the upward movement of the "one frame up and down movement" as the "opening operation" is being performed from the state of (a), (c) is a diagram showing the state when the "one frame up and down movement" is stopped at the upward position of the "one frame up and down movement" from the state of (b), (d) is a diagram showing the state when the downward movement of the "one frame up and down movement" is being performed from the state of (c), (e) is a diagram showing the state when the downward movement of the "one frame up and down movement" is performed from the state of (d) and the jackpot symbols are aligned, and (f) is a diagram showing the state when the "wavy movement" as the "opening operation" is being performed from the state of (e). [Fig. 150]13A and 13B are diagrams showing the transition of the "opening operation" of the drum display device when any of the stopping points of each reel varies between 161 and 319 steps at the start of a jackpot in the eighth embodiment, where (a) is a diagram showing the state when a jackpot has occurred, (b) is a diagram showing the state when the upward movement of the "one frame up and down fluctuation" as the "opening operation" is being performed from the state of (a), (c) is a diagram showing the state when the "one frame up and down fluctuation" is stopped at the upward position from the state of (b), (d) is a diagram showing the state when the downward movement of the "one frame up and down fluctuation" is being performed from the state of (c), (e) is a diagram showing the state when the downward movement of the "one frame up and down fluctuation" is performed from the state of (d) and the jackpot patterns are aligned, and (f) is a diagram showing the state when the "wavy fluctuation" as the "opening operation" is being performed from the state of (e). [Fig. 151]13 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of an execution mode of the "reserve change notice" when the "reach premonition effect" in the eighth embodiment is executed, in which (a) is a diagram showing a state in which the second special pattern variation effect is about to end, and the number of reserved balls of the first special pattern is "3" and the number of reserved balls of the second special pattern is "1" in the reserved pattern display section, (b) is a diagram showing a state in which one reserved ball is consumed and the first special pattern variation effect is being executed from the state of (a), a new first special pattern is won, the "reach premonition effect" is won for the newly won first special pattern, and it has been determined that the "reserve change notice" will be executed for the previous number of reserved balls, and (c) is a diagram showing a state in which one reserved ball is consumed and the first special pattern is won from the state of (b), FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a state in which a pattern change effect is being executed and a "hold change notice" has been executed; (d) is a diagram showing a state from (c) when one hold is consumed and the second special pattern change effect is about to stop and the "reach display" appears as a "reach premonition effect"; (e) is a diagram showing a state from (d) when one hold is consumed and the first special pattern change effect, which is the subject of the "hold change notice," is about to stop and the "reach display" appears as a "reach premonition effect"; and (f) is a diagram showing a state from (e) when one hold is consumed and the "reach display" appears in the first special pattern change effect, which is the subject of the "reach premonition effect." [Fig. 152] FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of an external output signal table in the ninth embodiment. [Fig. 153] 13 is a timing chart showing the output modes of each external output signal during the transition of a game state in the ninth embodiment. [Fig. 154] FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of an external output signal table in the tenth embodiment. [Fig. 155] 23 is a timing chart showing the output modes of each external output signal during the transition of the game state in the tenth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] First Embodiment Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, a first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a pachinko game machine (hereinafter, simply referred to as a "pachinko machine") 10 will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 46. Fig. 1 is a front view of the pachinko machine 10 in this embodiment, Fig. 2 is a rear view of the pachinko machine 10, and Fig. 3 is a front view of a game board 13 of the pachinko machine 10.

[0011] As shown in Fig. 1, a pachinko machine 10 comprises an outer frame 11, the outer shell of which is formed by wooden frames assembled into a substantially rectangular shape, and an inner frame 12, which is formed to have substantially the same external shape as the outer frame 11 and is supported so as to be openable and closable relative to the outer frame 11. Metal hinges 18 are attached to the outer frame 11 at two locations, top and bottom, on the left side as viewed from the front (see Fig. 1) in order to support the inner frame 12, and the inner frame 12 is supported so as to be openable and closable toward the front side, with the side where the hinges 18 are provided serving as the axis for opening and closing.

[0012] A game board 13 (see FIG. 3) having numerous nails and winning holes 63, 64a, 64b, 65a, etc. is detachably attached to the back side of the inner frame 12. A pinball game is played by balls flowing down the front of the game board 13. The inner frame 12 is equipped with a ball launching unit 112a (see FIG. 26) that launches balls to the front area of ​​the game board 13, a launching rail (not shown) that guides the balls launched from the ball launching unit 112a to the front area of ​​the game board 13, and the like.

[0013] The front side of the inner frame 12 is provided with a front frame 14 that covers the upper side of the front side, and a lower plate unit 15 that covers the lower side. Metal hinges 19 are attached to two places, top and bottom, on the left side when viewed from the front (see FIG. 1), in order to support the front frame 14 and the lower plate unit 15, and the front frame 14 and the lower plate unit 15 are supported so that they can be opened and closed toward the front side, with the side where the hinges 19 are provided as the axis for opening and closing. The locking of the inner frame 12 and the locking of the front frame 14 are each released by inserting a dedicated key into the keyhole 21 of the cylinder lock 20 and performing a predetermined operation. The pachinko machine 10 is provided with a door opening switch (not shown) that detects that either the inner frame 12 or the front frame 14 has been unlocked and opened (the door has been opened).

[0014] The front frame 14 is assembled with decorative resin parts, electric parts, etc., and has a window 14c formed in a substantially elliptical shape at its approximate center. A glass unit 16 having two glass sheets is disposed on the rear side of the front frame 14, and the front of the game board 13 can be seen from the front side of the pachinko machine 10 through the glass unit 16.

[0015] In the front frame 14, the upper tray 17 for storing balls is formed in a generally box-like shape with an open top that protrudes forward, and prize balls and loan balls are discharged into this upper tray 17. The bottom surface of the upper tray 17 is formed with a downward inclination to the right side when viewed from the front (see FIG. 1), and the balls dropped into the upper tray 17 are guided to the ball launching unit 112a by this inclination. In addition, a frame button 22 is provided on the left side of the top surface of the upper tray 17 when viewed from the front.

[0016] The frame button 22 is a button that is pressed by the player when changing the stage of the performance executed on the drum display device 81 (see FIG. 3) described later. The frame button 22 is also used as an operation button for allowing the player to select the performance content, such as the type of so-called advance notice display, which is one aspect of the variable performance, and the execution timing.

[0017] The variable presentation is a presentation displayed on the drum display device 81, and as described below, is executed when a ball fired into the front area of ​​the game board 13 enters a specific winning hole (first starting hole 64a or second starting hole 64b described below; see Figure 3) (start winning). After the patterns (each of the third patterns printed on the drum display device 81 described below) are displayed in a variable manner for a predetermined period of time, the result of the lottery held for the start winning (whether it is a jackpot or not) is presented to the player based on the combination of patterns that are displayed in a stopped state.

[0018] A stage is a presentation mode that provides uniformity to the various presentations displayed on the drum display device 81, and the present pachinko machine 10 has three stages: "town stage", "sky stage", and "island stage". Various presentations, such as the above-mentioned change presentation and reach presentations executed during the change presentation, are designed to be performed according to the theme given to each stage.

[0019] The stage is changed when the frame button 22 is pressed by the player during a period when no variation performance is being performed or during high-speed variation in which the third symbol is displayed in a high-speed and invisible to the player, and each time the frame button 22 is operated, the stage is repeatedly changed in the following order: "town stage" → "empty stage" → "island stage" → "town stage" → .... Also, immediately after power is turned on, the "town stage" is set as the initial stage.

[0020] In addition, when the "normal reach" presentation element described later is started in the variable presentation performed on the drum display device 81, and the "normal reach" presentation element progresses to the "super reach" presentation element also described later, a selection screen for the "super reach" presentation element may be displayed on the drum display device 81 during the "normal reach" presentation element.

[0021] On the selection screen, a number of candidate performance elements selectable as the "Super Reach" performance element are displayed, with one of the candidate performance elements being selected. If the frame button 22 is pressed by the player while the selection screen is displayed, the selected candidate performance element is changed. Then, based on the candidate performance element that was selected when the "Super Reach" performance element develops (i.e., when the selection screen is closed), the content of the "Super Reach" performance element is determined, and the "Super Reach" performance element is executed on the drum display device 81 according to that content.

[0022] In this embodiment, the frame button 22 is configured as a button to be pressed, but instead of the frame button 22, it may be configured as an operation lever that can be tilted by the player in a predetermined direction (for example, forward, backward, rightward, or leftward with respect to the pachinko machine 10) with respect to the pachinko machine 10. Then, based on the direction in which the operation lever is tilted, the performance stage may be selected or a "super reach" performance element may be selected.

[0023] The front frame 14 is provided with various light-emitting means such as lamps around its periphery (for example, corners). The light-emitting modes of these light-emitting means are changed and controlled by lighting or blinking in response to changes in the game state such as a jackpot or a predetermined reach, and play a role in enhancing the presentation effect during the game. The periphery of the window portion 14c is provided with illumination units 29-33 incorporating light-emitting means such as full-color light-emitting diodes ("Light Emitting Diodes"; hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "LEDs") capable of emitting light in seven colors (white, purple, blue, blue-green, green, yellow, and red). In the pachinko machine 10, these illumination units 29-33 function as presentation lamps such as jackpot lamps, and when a jackpot or reach presentation is performed, each illumination unit 29-33 lights up or blinks due to the built-in LEDs lighting up or blinking, thereby informing the player that a jackpot is being won or that the player is in a reach just before the jackpot. In addition, an indicator lamp 34 is provided at the upper left corner of the front frame 14 when viewed from the front, which has a built-in light-emitting means such as an LED and can indicate when prize balls are being paid out and when an error has occurred.

[0024] A small window 35 is formed by attaching transparent resin to the underside of the right-side illumination unit 32 from the back side so that the back side of the front frame 14 can be seen, and the certificate stamps and the like affixed to the attachment space K1 (see FIG. 3) on the front of the game board 13 can be seen from the front of the pachinko machine 10. In addition, in the pachinko machine 10, a plated member 36 made of chrome-plated ABS resin is attached to the area around the illumination units 29-33 to create a more brilliant appearance.

[0025] A ball lending operation unit 40 is disposed below the window portion 14c. The ball lending operation unit 40 is provided with a number display unit 41, a ball lending button 42, and a return button 43. When the ball lending operation unit 40 is operated with bills, cards, etc. inserted into a card unit (ball lending unit) (not shown) arranged on the side of the pachinko machine 10, balls are lent out in response to the operation. Specifically, the number display unit 41 is an area where the remaining balance information of the card, etc. is displayed, and a built-in LED is lit to display the remaining balance in numbers as the remaining balance information. The ball lending button 42 is operated to obtain loan balls based on information recorded on a card, etc. (recording medium), and loan balls are supplied to the upper tray 17 as long as there is a remaining balance on the card, etc. The return button 43 is operated when requesting the return of a card, etc. inserted into the card unit.

[0026] In addition, in pachinko machines where balls are directly dispensed from a ball dispenser to the upper tray 17 without going through a card unit, i.e., in so-called cash machines, the ball dispensing operation unit 40 is not necessary, but in this case, a decorative sticker or the like may be added to the installation part of the ball dispensing operation unit 40 to make the parts configuration common. It is possible to commonize pachinko machines using a card unit and cash machines.

[0027] The lower tray unit 15, located below the upper tray 17, has a lower tray 50 in the center, which is formed in a roughly box-like shape with an open top, for storing balls that could not be stored in the upper tray 17. On the right side of the lower tray 50, an operating handle 51 is arranged, which is operated by the player to shoot the ball into the front of the game board 13. Inside the operating handle 51, there are built-in a touch sensor 51a for permitting the operation of the ball launching unit 112a, a push-button type shooting stop switch 51b for stopping the shooting of the ball while it is being pressed, and a variable resistor (not shown) for detecting the amount of rotation of the operating handle 51 by a change in electrical resistance.

[0028] When the operating handle 51 is rotated clockwise by the player, the touch sensor 51a is turned on and the resistance value of the variable resistor changes in accordance with the amount of rotation, and the ball is shot with a strength corresponding to the resistance value of the variable resistor which changes in accordance with the amount of rotation of the operating handle 51, thereby shooting the ball into the front of the game board 13 with a flight distance corresponding to the operation of the player. The interval between ball shots in the ball shooting unit 112a is set to about 0.6 seconds. When the operating handle 51 is not being operated by the player, the touch sensor 51a and the shot stop switch 51b are turned off.

[0029] A ball removal lever 52 is provided on the lower front part of the lower tray 50 to be operated when discharging the balls stored in the lower tray 50 downward. This ball removal lever 52 is always biased to the right, and by sliding it to the left against this bias, a bottom opening formed on the bottom surface of the lower tray 50 opens, and the balls fall naturally from the bottom opening and are discharged. This ball removal lever 52 is usually operated with a box (commonly called a "senryo box") for receiving the balls discharged from the lower tray 50 placed below the lower tray 50. As described above, the operating handle 51 is disposed on the right side of the lower tray 50, and an ashtray 53 is attached to the left side of the lower tray 50.

[0030] Next, as shown in Fig. 2, the rear side of the pachinko machine 10 is mainly equipped with control board units 90, 91 and a back pack unit 94. The control board unit 90 is unitized with a main board (main control device 110), a voice lamp control board (voice lamp control device 113) and a display control board (display control device 114). The control board unit 91 is unitized with a payout control board (payout control device 111), a launch control board (launch control device 112), a power supply board (power supply device 115) and a card unit connection board 116.

[0031] The back pack unit 94 is a unit formed by the back pack 92 forming the protective cover and the payout unit 93. In addition, each control board is equipped with an MPU as a one-chip microcomputer that controls each part, a port for communicating with various devices, a random number generator used in various lotteries, a clock pulse generating circuit used for time counting and synchronization, etc. as necessary.

[0032] The main control device 110, the voice lamp control device 113 and the display control device 114, the payout control device 111 and the launch control device 112, the power supply device 115, and the card unit connection board 116 are each stored in the board boxes 100 to 104. The board boxes 100 to 104 each include a box base and a box cover that covers the opening of the box base, and the box base and the box cover are connected to each other to store the respective control devices and boards.

[0033] In addition, the board box 100 (main control device 110) and the board box 102 (dispensing control device 111 and launch control device 112) are connected (connected by a crimping structure) between the box base and the box cover by a sealing unit (not shown). In addition, a sealing seal (not shown) is affixed to the connection between the box base and the box cover, spanning the box base and the box cover. This sealing seal is made of a brittle material, and if an attempt is made to peel off the sealing seal to open the board box 100, 102 or to forcefully open the board box 100, 102, it will be cut into the box base side and the box cover side. Therefore, by checking the sealing unit or the sealing seal, it is possible to know whether the board box 100, 102 has been opened.

[0034] The payout unit 93 includes a tank 130 located at the top of the back pack unit 94 and opening upward, a tank rail 131 connected to the bottom of the tank 130 and gently inclined toward the downstream side, a case rail 132 connected vertically to the downstream side of the tank rail 131, and a payout device 133 provided at the most downstream part of the case rail 132 and performing ball payout by a predetermined electrical configuration of a payout motor 216 (see FIG. 26). The tank 130 is successively replenished with balls supplied from the island equipment of the game hall, and the payout device 133 appropriately pays out the required number of balls. A vibrator 134 for applying vibration to the tank rail 131 is attached to the tank rail 131.

[0035] The payout control device 111 is provided with a state recovery switch 120, and the launch control device 112 is provided with a variable resistor control knob 121. The state recovery switch 120 is operated to clear ball jams (return to normal state) when a payout error occurs, such as ball jamming in the payout motor 216 (see FIG. 26). The control knob 121 is operated to adjust the firing force of the launch solenoid.

[0036] On the main board that constitutes the main control device 110, there are provided a setting key 501 which is used when hall personnel or the like want to change the set probability setting value or check the set probability setting value, a setting change switch 502 which is used to update the probability setting value by being operated during a setting change, a RAM erase switch 503 which is used when initializing the pachinko machine 10 (main control device 110) or when confirming (determining) the probability setting value during a setting change, and a probability display device 504 which can display the probability setting value.

[0037] The setting key 501, setting change switch 502, and RAM erase switch 503 are provided protruding from the main board through holes provided in the board box 100, and can be operated by hall personnel or the like without opening the board box 100. On the other hand, the probability display device 504 is provided on the main board covered by the board box 100.

[0038] Setting key 501 is configured to be rotatable between two positions, an off side indicated by "OFF" and an on side indicated by "ON," by inserting a dedicated key managed by a hall official or the like into a keyhole provided in setting key 501. Setting key 501 is in the off state when positioned on the off side, and in the on state when positioned on the on side, and once rotated to either state, the respective state is maintained unless rotated again by a manager or the like.

[0039] The setting change switch 502 is a switch for updating the probability setting value by being operated when changing the probability setting value (i.e., the "setting change mode" described later). The setting change switch 502 normally outputs an OFF signal, and outputs an ON signal when pressed.

[0040] The RAM erase switch 503 is a switch that is operated when the power of the pachinko machine 10 is turned on to erase (initial state) the backup data stored in the pachinko machine 10. The RAM erase switch 503 is also used when changing the probability setting value (i.e., the "setting change mode" described later) and terminating the update of the probability setting value (i.e., terminating the "setting change mode").

[0041] In the first embodiment, if this RAM clear switch 503 is pressed when the pachinko machine 10 is powered on (i.e., when the power switch is on), a RAM clear signal is output to the main control device 110 to clear the backup data, provided that the setting key 501 is in the OFF state. When the main control device 110 inputs a RAM clear signal when the pachinko machine 10 is powered on, it clears the backup data and also transmits a payout initialization command to the payout control device 111 to clear the backup data in the payout control device 111 as well.

[0042] In addition, when the RAM erase switch 503 is pressed while the probability setting value is in an updatable state (i.e., the "setting change mode" described below), the MPU 201 recognizes that the update of the probability setting value is to be terminated, terminates the updatable state of the probability setting value, and transitions to the normal game state.

[0043] The probability display device 504 is configured to display the probability setting value when the probability setting value is being confirmed (i.e., the "setting confirmation mode" described below) or when the probability setting value is being changed (i.e., the "setting change mode" described below). This probability display device 504 is turned off in the normal state (e.g., when play is possible or the power is off) and the probability setting value is not displayed, whereas in a state in which the probability setting value should be displayed (i.e., the "setting change mode" or "setting confirmation mode" described below), the current probability setting value is lit and displayed.

[0044] Here, the start-up mode at the time of power-on in the pachinko machine 10 of the first embodiment will be explained. In the pachinko machine 10 of the first embodiment, when the power of the pachinko machine 10 is turned on, the start-up mode of the pachinko machine 10 is determined according to the state of the RAM erase switch 503 and the setting key 501.

[0045] The pachinko machine 10 has four startup modes: "RAM clear mode," "setting change mode," "setting check mode," and "normal mode."

[0046] The "RAM clear mode" is a mode for erasing (clearing) data stored in the RAM 203 in order to return the pachinko machine 10 to its initial state.

[0047] The "setting change mode" is a mode for changing the set probability value. When the pachinko machine 10 is started in this "setting change mode", the current probability setting value is displayed on the probability display device 504, and the probability setting value is updated every time the setting change switch 502 is operated.

[0048] In the pachinko machine 10 of the first embodiment, when the setting change switch 502 is pressed during this "setting change mode", the probability setting value in the pachinko machine 10 is updated, and the display of the probability display device 504 is also changed in conjunction with the update of the probability setting value.

[0049] The "setting confirmation mode" is a mode for confirming the set probability setting value. When the pachinko machine 10 is started in this "setting confirmation mode", the current probability setting value is displayed on the probability display device 504.

[0050] The "normal mode" is a startup mode other than these "RAM clear mode," "setting change mode," and "setting confirmation mode," and is a mode for resuming play on the pachinko machine 10 from the state before the power outage by executing various startup processes while retaining the data stored in RAM 203, except when information about the power outage is not stored in RAM 203 or when the data stored in RAM 203 is corrupted.

[0051] In the first embodiment, when the power of the pachinko machine 10 is turned on without turning on the RAM clear switch 503 (i.e., while it is in the OFF state) and while the setting key 501 is in the OFF state, the pachinko machine 10 starts up in "normal mode". When the power of the pachinko machine 10 is turned on with the RAM clear switch 503 on while the setting key 501 is in the OFF state, the pachinko machine 10 starts up in "RAM clear mode".

[0052] On the other hand, when the power of the pachinko machine 10 is turned on with the setting key 501 in the on state and the RAM clear switch 503 in the on state, the pachinko machine 10 starts up in the "setting change mode". Also, when the power of the pachinko machine 10 is turned on with the setting key 501 in the on state and the RAM clear switch 503 in the off state, the pachinko machine 10 starts up in the "setting confirmation mode".

[0053] In addition, when data is erased in the "RAM clear mode", when updating of the probability setting value is completed in the "setting change mode" and the setting key 501 is turned off, or when the setting key 501 is turned off in the "setting confirmation mode", each mode is ended and the game transitions to the "normal mode", and the pachinko machine 10 becomes ready to start playing.

[0054] In this way, when turning on the power to the pachinko machine 10, if the setting key 501 is turned off, hall staff or the like can select the startup mode of the pachinko machine 10 to be either the "RAM clear mode", which is a startup mode unrelated to the probability setting value, or the "normal mode", depending on whether or not they turn on the RAM erase switch 503.

[0055] On the other hand, when turning on the power to the pachinko machine 10, if the setting key 501 is left in the on state, hall staff or the like can select whether the start-up mode of the pachinko machine 10 is to be the "setting change mode" or the "setting confirmation mode," which are related to the probability setting value, depending on whether or not the RAM erase switch 503 is turned on.

[0056] That is, depending on whether the setting key 501 is turned off or on, a startup mode unrelated to the probability setting value and a startup mode related to the probability setting value can be selected. When the startup mode unrelated to the probability setting value is selected, the startup mode can be selected as either a "RAM clear mode" or a "normal mode" depending on whether the RAM clear switch 503 is turned on, whereas when the startup mode related to the probability setting value is selected, the startup mode can be selected as either a "setting change mode" or a "setting confirmation mode" depending on whether the RAM clear switch 503 is turned on.

[0057] Here, when the probability setting value is changed, the probability of a big win in the game is changed, so if the game is continued by inheriting the game state before the power failure, for example, there may be a discrepancy between the big win probability in the pending variable performance and the big win probability of the variable performance to be acquired, or the big wins counted as the limit number of times described later may be accumulated with different big win probabilities, and the pachinko machine 10 may not be able to perform the specified game performance. For this reason, when the probability setting value is changed in the "setting change mode", the pachinko machine 10 erases (clears) the data stored in the RAM 203. On the other hand, the "setting confirmation mode" is a start-up mode that only checks the probability setting value, so the data stored in the RAM 203 is retained (not cleared) so that the game state before the power failure can be inherited and the game can be continued.

[0058] Therefore, in the first embodiment, when starting up the pachinko machine 10 in the "setting change mode" in which the data in RAM 203 is cleared, the setting key 501 is turned on and the RAM clear switch 503 is turned on before the power to the pachinko machine 10 is turned on, and when starting up the pachinko machine 10 in the "setting confirmation mode" in which the data in RAM 203 is not cleared, the setting key 501 is turned on and the RAM clear switch 503 is kept off before the power to the pachinko machine 10 is turned on.

[0059] In this way, when starting up the pachinko machine 10 in the "setting change mode" or "setting confirmation mode" related to the probability setting value, the setting key 501 is turned on before turning on the power of the pachinko machine 10. Then, when starting up the pachinko machine 10 in the "RAM clear mode" or "setting change mode" that clears the data stored in the RAM 203, the power of the pachinko machine 10 is turned on while pressing (while turning on) the RAM erase switch 503. In other words, if hall personnel understand the meaning of each startup mode, they can easily understand what operations are required for the pachinko machine 10 for the startup mode to be started.

[0060] Furthermore, in order to start up the pachinko machine 10 in the "setting change mode" or "setting confirmation mode", a dedicated key that can be inserted into the setting key 501 is required, and the key is managed by the hall. This prevents players from arbitrarily checking the probability setting value to search for a pachinko machine 10 with a high jackpot probability, or arbitrarily changing the probability setting value to a high probability (high setting). Furthermore, the RAM erase switch 503 is usually located in a position that is not easily touched by players, so that in this respect as well, it is possible to prevent players from arbitrarily changing the probability setting value to a high probability.

[0061] Furthermore, even when starting up in the "setting change mode," there are only two switches to be operated at the same time, and operation is easy with both hands. As described above, hall staff can easily and simply select the start-up mode of the pachinko machine 10 by selectively turning on / off the RAM erase switch 503 and the setting key 501.

[0062] In addition, when starting up in the "setting change mode" or "setting confirmation mode," a condition may be that a door opening switch (not shown) that detects whether the inner frame 12 is open or not is on when the power of the pachinko machine 10 is turned on, i.e., that the inner frame 12 is open.

[0063] This is because, in order to change or check the probability setting value, the hall staff and the like need to visually confirm the probability setting value displayed on the probability display device 504 on the back side of the pachinko machine 10, so the inner frame 12 needs to be open. Therefore, if the power supply of the pachinko machine 10 is turned on without opening the inner frame 12 even though the setting key 501 is in the on state, the pachinko machine 10 is not started up in the "setting change mode" or "setting confirmation mode", but is started up in the "normal mode" if the RAM clear switch 503 is off, and in the "RAM clear mode" if the RAM clear switch 503 is on, just like when the setting key 501 is in the off state. This makes it possible to prevent the pachinko machine 10 from being powered up and starting up in the "setting change mode" or "setting confirmation mode" and not starting a game in the pachinko machine 10 even though the setting key 501 is in the on state and the inner frame 12 is closed. In addition, in order to open the inner frame 12, a dedicated key managed by the hall is required. This prevents a player from arbitrarily opening the inner frame 12, checking the probability setting value, searching for a pachinko machine 10 with a high jackpot probability, or arbitrarily changing the probability setting value to a high probability.

[0064] Next, as shown in Figure 3, the game board 13 is constructed by assembling a number of nails, windmills and rails 61, 62 for guiding balls, a general winning hole 63, a first starting hole 64a, a second starting hole 64b, a normal electric role 64c, a variable winning device 65, a through gate 67, a variable display device unit 80, etc., onto a resin base plate 60 that has been machined into a roughly square shape when viewed from the front.

[0065] An outer rail 62 formed by bending a strip-shaped metal plate into a substantially arc shape is set up on the front of the game board 13, and an arc-shaped inner rail 61 formed from a strip-shaped metal plate similar to the outer rail 62 is set up on the inside of the outer rail 62. The inner rail 61 and the outer rail 62 surround the front periphery of the game board 13, and the game board 13 and the glass unit 16 (see FIG. 1) surround the front and rear, forming a game area in front of the game board 13 where games are played based on the behavior of the ball. The game area is a substantially circular area (an area where winning holes and the like are arranged and where shot balls flow down) defined on the front of the game board 13 by the two rails 61, 62 and the arc member 70.

[0066] The two rails 61, 62 are provided to guide the ball launched from the ball launching unit 112a (see FIG. 26) to the upper part of the game board 13. A return ball prevention member 68 is attached to the tip part (upper left part of FIG. 2) of the inner rail 61, and prevents the ball once guided to the upper part of the game board 13 from returning to the ball guide passage again. A return rubber 69 is attached to the tip part (upper right part of FIG. 2) of the outer rail 62 at a position corresponding to the maximum flight part of the ball, and a ball launched with a predetermined force or more hits the return rubber 69 and bounces back to the center while reducing its force. In addition, between the tip part on the lower right side of the inner rail 61 and the tip part on the upper right side of the outer rail 62, a resin arc member 70 formed by providing an arc on the inner side connecting the rails is driven into the base plate 60 and fixed thereto.

[0067] The general winning hole 63, the first starting hole 64a, the second starting hole 64b, the normal electric role 64c, the variable winning device 65, the through gate 67, and the variable display unit 80 are disposed in through holes formed in the base plate 60 by router processing, and are fixed with wood screws or the like from the front side of the game board 13. Also, the front center part of the game board 13 can be seen from the front side of the inner frame 12 through the window part 14c (see FIG. 1) of the front frame 14.

[0068] In the game area of ​​the game board 13, a plurality of general winning holes 63 are arranged, into which ten balls are paid out as prize balls when a ball wins.

[0069] In addition, a variable display unit 80 is disposed in the center of the game area. The variable display unit 80 is provided with a drum display unit 81 constituted by a drum type rotating device which performs a variable performance of a plurality of reels (left reel LR, center reel CR and right reel RR (see FIG. 4) described later) on which a third symbol is printed, in synchronization with the dynamic display of the first special symbol or the second special symbol on the special symbol display device 37, triggered by a ball entering the first start hole 64a (start winning) or a ball entering the second start hole 64b (start winning), and a normal symbol display device 83 constituted by an LED which displays a variable normal symbol (hereinafter, the variable display of the normal symbol is referred to as a "variable display"), triggered by the passage of a ball through the through gate 67. In addition, a center frame 86 is disposed in the variable display unit 80 so as to surround the outer periphery of the drum display device 81.

[0070] The drum display device 81 is assembled to the back panel unit 300 (see FIG. 5) described later, and has a drum unit 81a integrally formed with a left reel unit 81a1 having a left reel LR, a center reel unit 81a2 having a center reel CR, and a right reel unit 81a3 having a right reel RR, and is variably driven by a display control device 114 (see FIG. 26) described later, to variably display each of the reels LR, CR, and RR. Note that the effective lines in the drum display device 81 are set as the effective lines within a range visible from a central opening 431 of a display area forming member 430 (see FIG. 10) of the light guide unit 400 described later on the front side of the pachinko machine 10.

[0071] A plurality of symbols are printed on each of the reels LR, CR, and RR, and these symbols are vertically scrolled for each of the reels LR, CR, and RR, so that the third symbol is variably displayed on the drum display device 81. In the pachinko machine 10, the game status display accompanying the control of the main control device 110 is performed on the special symbol display device 37, while a decorative display corresponding to the display of the special symbol display device 37 is performed on the drum display device 81. Note that instead of the drum type rotating device, for example, a liquid crystal display or the like may be used to configure the display device for the third symbol.

[0072] In addition, instead of the drum type rotating device, for example, a dot matrix display device or a seven-segment display device may be used to configure a display device that variably displays the third symbol.

[0073] Here, the symbol arrangement of each reel LR, CR, RR of the drum display device 81 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the symbol arrangement arranged on each reel LR, CR, RR of the drum display device 81. As shown in Fig. 4, each of the reels LR, CR, RR has 16 symbol areas formed thereon, and with some exceptions (i.e., the "543" symbol on the center reel CR), the third symbols and blank (empty) areas are arranged alternately.

[0074] For example, the left reel LR is arranged with the following symbols from top to bottom: "1", blank area, "2", blank area, "3", blank area, "5", blank area, "6", blank area, "7", blank area, "8", blank area, "chance" symbol, blank area. Therefore, when the left reel LR is spun downward, the symbols are displayed in descending numerical order, such as "8" → "7" → "6" → ...

[0075] Also, on the right reel RR, the symbols are arranged in the following order from top to bottom: "8", blank area, "7", blank area, "6", blank area, "5", blank area, "3", blank area, "2", blank area, "1", blank area, "chance" symbol, blank area. Therefore, when the right reel RR is spun downward, the symbols are displayed in ascending numerical order, such as "1" → "2" → "3" → ...

[0076] Furthermore, the middle reel CR has the following symbols arranged from top to bottom: "8", blank area, "7", blank area, "6", blank area, "543", blank area, "2", blank area, "1", blank area, "chance", blank area. Therefore, when the middle reel CR is rotated downward, the symbols are displayed in ascending numerical order, such as "1" → "2" → "3" → ..., just like the right reel RR.

[0077] In the pachinko machine 10 of the first embodiment, three symbols on each of the reels LR, CR, and RR are visible through the central opening of the display area forming member 430 (see FIG. 10), which will be described later. Therefore, when the reels LR, CR, and RR are all stopped, 3×3=9 symbols are visible through the central opening of the display area forming member 430. In other words, in the pachinko machine 10 of the first embodiment, a total of five effective lines are set as effective lines for the variable display of the third pattern: an upper parallel line formed by the pattern at the top of the left reel LR, the pattern at the top of the middle reel CR, and the pattern at the top of the right reel RR; a middle parallel line formed by the pattern at the center of the left reel LR, the pattern at the center of the middle reel CR, and the pattern at the center of the right reel RR; a lower parallel line formed by the pattern at the bottom of the left reel LR, the pattern at the bottom of the middle reel CR, and the pattern at the bottom of the right reel RR; a downward sloping line formed by the pattern at the top of the left reel LR, the pattern at the center of the middle reel CR, and the pattern at the bottom of the right reel RR; and a right upward sloping line formed by the pattern at the bottom of the left reel LR, the pattern at the center of the middle reel CR, and the pattern at the top of the right reel RR.

[0078] More specifically, in the pachinko machine 10 of the first embodiment, three number symbols (third symbols, hereinafter sometimes referred to as "main symbols") and blank areas on each of the reels LR, CR, and RR are visible through the central opening of the display area forming member 430 (see FIG. 10), which will be described later. Therefore, when the reels LR, CR, and RR are all stopped, 3×3=9 number symbols and blank areas are visible through the central opening of the display area forming member 430. That is, in the pachinko machine 10 of the first embodiment, as the effective lines for the variable display of the third symbol, the upper parallel lines formed by the number symbols or blank areas in the upper part of the left reel LR, the number symbols or blank areas in the upper part of the middle reel CR, and the number symbols or blank areas in the upper part of the right reel RR, the middle parallel lines formed by the number symbols or blank areas in the middle part of the left reel LR, the number symbols or blank areas in the middle part of the middle reel CR, and the number symbols or blank areas in the middle part of the right reel RR, the number symbols or blank areas in the lower part of the left reel LR, the lower part of the middle reel CR, There are five valid lines in total: a downward parallel line formed by the number symbols or blank area at the bottom of the right reel RR, a downward right line formed by the number symbols or blank area at the top of the left reel LR, the number symbols or blank area in the middle of the middle reel CR, and the number symbols or blank area at the bottom of the right reel RR, and a right upward line formed by the number symbols or blank area at the bottom of the left reel LR, the number symbols or blank area in the middle of the middle reel CR, and the number symbols or blank area at the top of the right reel RR.

[0079] In the pachinko machine 10 of this embodiment, when the result of the lottery by the main control device 110 (see FIG. 26), which will be described later, is a jackpot, a variable display (variable performance) is performed in which the same main symbols are aligned on one of the effective lines, and the jackpot occurs after the variable display ends. When a high probability state (high probability state) is entered after the jackpot ends, a variable display is performed in which main symbols with odd numbers (corresponding to "high probability symbols") are aligned on one of the effective lines. On the other hand, when a low probability state is entered after the jackpot ends, a variable display is performed in which main symbols with even numbers (corresponding to "low probability symbols") are aligned on one of the effective lines.

[0080] In addition, in the pachinko machine 10 of this embodiment, the third symbols are stopped and displayed in the order of the left reel LR, right reel RR, and center reel CR during each variable performance. If the third symbols are stopped and a combination of jackpot symbols (a combination of the same main symbols) is lined up on any of the active lines, a jackpot performance (for example, a rainbow light display) is executed as a jackpot. In addition, since the symbol arrangements of the left reel LR and the right reel RR are reversed (ascending and descending), the same symbols can be stopped on one or two active lines when the left reel LR and the right reel RR are stopped. In other words, the single reach in which the same symbols are stopped and displayed only on one active line and the double reach in which the same symbols are stopped and displayed on two active lines can be generated.

[0081] Returning to Fig. 3, the explanation will be continued. When a ball enters the first starting hole 64a while the drum display device 81 (special symbol display device 37) is performing a variable performance (dynamic display) of the third symbol corresponding to the first special symbol or the second special symbol, the number of times the ball enters (number of reserved balls) is reserved up to a maximum of four times. The number of reserved balls is displayed by the special symbol display device 37, and is also displayed in the special symbol 1 first to fourth reserved symbol display sections Db1a to Db1d of the first reserved symbol display section Db1 corresponding to the first special symbol of the reserved symbol display section Db provided at the bottom of the drum display device 81 when viewed from the front. The first to fourth reserved pattern display sections Db1a to Db1d of Special Chart 1 each display one reserved pattern (in the normal display mode, a "○" pattern (white circle pattern)) for one reserved ball of the first special pattern (one reserved ball count), and the number of reserved balls for the variable performance of the first special pattern is displayed according to the number of reserved patterns displayed on the first to fourth reserved pattern display sections Db1a to Db1d of Special Chart 1.

[0082] That is, in the first to fourth reserved pattern display sections Db1a to Db1d of Special Chart 1, when one reserved pattern is displayed in the first reserved pattern display section Db1a of Special Chart 1, it indicates that the number of reserved balls of the first special pattern is one, when two reserved patterns, one each in the first and second reserved pattern display sections Db1a and Db1b of Special Chart 1, are displayed, it indicates that the number of reserved balls of the first special pattern is two, when three reserved patterns, one each in the first to third reserved pattern display sections Db1a to Db1c of Special Chart 1, are displayed, it indicates that the number of reserved balls of the first special pattern is three, and when four reserved patterns, one each in the first to fourth reserved pattern display sections Db1a to Db1d of Special Chart 1, are displayed, it indicates that the number of reserved balls of the first special pattern is four. In addition, when no reserved patterns are displayed in the first to fourth reserved pattern display sections Db1a to Db1d of Special Chart 1, this indicates that the number of reserved balls for the first special pattern is 0 and there are no reserved variable effects.

[0083] In addition, if a ball enters the second starting hole 64b while the drum display device 81 (special symbol display device 37) is performing a variable performance (dynamic display) of the third symbol corresponding to the first special symbol or the second special symbol, the number of times the ball enters (number of reserved balls) is reserved up to a maximum of four times. The number of reserved balls is displayed by the special symbol display device 37, and is also displayed in the special symbol 2 first to fourth reserved symbol display sections Db2a to Db2d of the second reserved symbol display section Db2 corresponding to the second special symbol of the reserved symbol display section Db provided at the bottom of the drum display device 81 when viewed from the front. The first to fourth reserved pattern display sections Db2a to Db2d of Special Chart 2 each display one reserved pattern (in the normal display mode, a "○" pattern (white circle pattern)) for one reserved ball of the second special pattern (one reserved ball count), and the number of reserved balls for the variable performance of the second special pattern is displayed according to the number of reserved patterns displayed on the first to fourth reserved pattern display sections Db2a to Db2d of Special Chart 2.

[0084] That is, in the first to fourth reserved pattern display sections Db2a to Db2d of Special Chart 2, when one reserved pattern is displayed in the first reserved pattern display section Db2a of Special Chart 2, it indicates that the number of reserved balls of the second special pattern is one, when two reserved patterns, one each in the first and second reserved pattern display sections Db2a and Db2b of Special Chart 2, are displayed, it indicates that the number of reserved balls of the second special pattern is two, when three reserved patterns, one each in the first to third reserved pattern display sections Db2a to Db2c of Special Chart 2, it indicates that the number of reserved balls of the second special pattern is three, and when four reserved patterns, one each in the first to fourth reserved pattern display sections Db2a to Db2d of Special Chart 2, are displayed, it indicates that the number of reserved balls of the second special pattern is four. In addition, when no reserved patterns are displayed in the first to fourth reserved pattern display sections Db2a to Db2d of Special Chart 2, this indicates that the number of reserved balls for the second special pattern is 0 and there are no reserved variable effects.

[0085] In the pachinko machine 10 of the first embodiment, the first lottery game of the first special symbol and the second lottery game of the second special symbol are not executed simultaneously, and only one of the lottery games is executed. In addition, in the pachinko machine 10 of the first embodiment, when one of the lottery games being executed is finished, if the reserved ball of the first special symbol and the reserved ball of the second special symbol are stored, respectively, the second lottery game of the second special symbol is executed preferentially over the first lottery game of the first special symbol (so-called special symbol 2 priority change). In addition, the lottery games may be executed in the order of winning (so-called winning order change), or the first lottery game of the first special symbol and the second lottery game of the second special symbol may be executed simultaneously (so-called special symbol 1 special symbol 2 simultaneous change).

[0086] In the center of the reserved pattern display section Db, an execution pattern display section Db0 is provided, which displays an execution pattern indicating that a variable performance is being executed on the drum display device 81. This execution pattern display section Db0 is provided in the center of the reserved pattern display section Db, that is, on the right side of the special pattern 1 first reserved pattern display section Db1a and on the left side of the special pattern 2 first reserved pattern display section Db2a, and is configured to display an execution pattern larger than each reserved pattern displayed in each reserved pattern display section Db1a to Db1d, Db2a to Db2d. In addition, in this execution pattern display section Db0, the reserved pattern displayed in the special pattern 1 first reserved pattern display section Db1a or the special pattern 2 first reserved pattern display section Db2a is shifted (shifted) and displayed as an execution pattern.

[0087] The execution pattern displayed in the execution pattern display section Db0 is erased when the variable performance ends, and with the erasure of the execution pattern, the reserved pattern displayed is moved and displayed as a reserved pattern on the lower side (the right side if it is the first special pattern, and the left side if it is the second special pattern). Specifically, for example, in a situation where there is no reserved pattern of the second special pattern and there are four reserved patterns of the first special pattern, when the execution pattern displayed in the execution pattern display section Db0 is erased with the end of the variable performance of the first special pattern or the second special pattern, the reserved pattern displayed in the special pattern 1 first reserved pattern display section Db1a is moved (shifted) and displayed as the execution pattern in the execution pattern display section Db0. Also, the reserved pattern displayed in the special pattern 1 second reserved pattern display section Db1b is moved (shifted) and displayed as a reserved pattern in the special pattern 1 first reserved pattern display section Db1a. Furthermore, the reserved pattern displayed in the third reserved pattern display section Db1c of the special drawing 1 is shifted and displayed as a reserved pattern in the second reserved pattern display section Db1b of the special drawing 1. Also, the reserved pattern displayed in the fourth reserved pattern display section Db1d of the special drawing 1 is shifted and displayed as a reserved pattern in the third reserved pattern display section Db1c of the special drawing 1.

[0088] Also, for example, in a situation where there are four reserved patterns of the second special pattern, when the execution pattern displayed in the execution pattern display section Db0 is erased with the end of the variable performance of the first special pattern or the second special pattern, the reserved pattern displayed in the special pattern 2 first reserved pattern display section Db2a is moved (shifted) and displayed as the execution pattern in the execution pattern display section Db0. Also, the reserved pattern displayed in the special pattern 2 second reserved pattern display section Db2b is moved (shifted) and displayed as the reserved pattern in the special pattern 2 first reserved pattern display section Db2a. Furthermore, the reserved pattern displayed in the special pattern 2 third reserved pattern display section Db2c is moved (shifted) and displayed as the reserved pattern in the special pattern 2 second reserved pattern display section Db2b. In addition, the reserved pattern displayed in the special chart 2, fourth reserved pattern display section Db2d is moved (shifted) and displayed as the reserved pattern in the special chart 2, third reserved pattern display section Db2c.

[0089] In the first embodiment, the number of reserved balls for the variable performance based on the ball entering the first starting hole 64a or the second starting hole 64b is configured to be reserved up to four times, but the maximum number of reserved balls is not limited to four times, and may be set to three times or less, or five times or more (e.g., eight times). Also, instead of displaying the reserved patterns in the reserved pattern display section Db, the number of reserved balls may be displayed in a part of a display device (e.g., a liquid crystal display device, etc.) other than the reserved pattern display section Db as numbers, or in four divided areas with different modes (e.g., colors or lighting patterns) according to the number of reserved balls. Also, since the number of reserved balls is indicated by the special pattern display section 37, it is not necessary to display the number of reserved balls on the reserved pattern display section Db. Furthermore, the variable display unit 80 may be provided with four reserved lamps indicating the number of reserved balls, each of which corresponds to the maximum number of reserved first special patterns and second special patterns, and the number of reserved balls may be displayed according to the number of reserved lamps in the lit state.

[0090] The normal symbol display device 83 performs a variable display by alternately lighting a symbol "○" and a symbol "X" as a display symbol (normal symbol) each time the ball passes through the through gate 67. The pachinko machine 10 is configured such that when the variable display in the normal symbol display device 83 stops at a predetermined symbol (the symbol "○" in the first embodiment), the normal electric role 64c above the second starting hole 64b as viewed from the front is activated (opened) for a predetermined time.

[0091] The number of reserved balls in the through gate 67 can be reserved up to four times, and the number of reserved balls is displayed by the above-mentioned special symbol display device 37 and is also displayed by lighting the normal symbol reservation lamp 84. There are four normal symbol reservation lamps 84, the maximum number of reserved balls, and they are arranged symmetrically above the drum display device 81. The number of reserved balls is displayed by the number of lit normal symbol reservation lamps 84.

[0092] In addition, the variable display of the normal symbol may be performed by switching on and off a plurality of lamps in the normal symbol display device 83 as in the first embodiment, or may be performed using a part of the special symbol display device 37 or the drum display device 81. Similarly, the normal symbol reserved lamp 84 may be lit by a part of the drum display device 81. In addition, the maximum number of reserved balls passing through the through gate 67 is not limited to four times, and may be set to three times or less, or five times or more (for example, eight times). In addition, since the number of reserved balls is indicated by the special symbol display device 37, the normal symbol reserved lamp 84 may not be lit.

[0093] More specifically, the variable display of the normal symbol may be performed using a part other than the third symbol execution part of the special symbol display device 37 or the drum display device 81. Similarly, the lighting of the normal symbol reservation lamp 84 may be performed using a part other than the third symbol execution part of the drum display device 81.

[0094] On the front side of the variable display device unit 80 when viewed from the front, there is provided a light guide unit 400 which is unitized by arranging, in order from the front side of the pachinko machine 10, a display area forming member 430, a front light guide plate 410, and a rear light guide plate 420 (see Figure 8).

[0095] The display area forming member 430 is made of a transparent resin (e.g., polycarbonate), and is formed in a shape that follows (corresponds to) the outer peripheral shape of the drum display device 81 arranged on the rear side of the pachinko machine 10 of the light guide unit 400, and is also formed in a shape that follows (corresponds to) the shapes of the front light guide plate 410 and the rear light guide plate 420, which will be described later and are assembled to the light guide unit 400. In addition, the display area forming member 430 has a central opening 431 formed so that three symbols on each of the reels LR, CR, and RR on the drum display device 81 can be seen from the front side of the pachinko machine 10. A predetermined lens cut 432 is applied to the periphery of the central opening 431, and is configured so that the rear side of the lens cut 432 cannot be seen or is difficult to see from the front side of the pachinko machine 10. Therefore, the lens cut 432 on the periphery of the central opening 431 clearly shows the display area and pay lines of the symbols on the drum display device 81 to the player. The display area forming member 430 will be described in detail later.

[0096] The front light guide plate 410 is made of a transparent resin material (e.g., acrylic) and, like the display area forming member 430, is formed into a shape that follows (corresponds to) the outer peripheral shape of the drum display device 81, and is also formed into a shape that follows (corresponds to) the shapes of the display area forming member 430 and the rear light guide plate 420 that are assembled to the light guide unit 400. In addition, the front light guide plate 410 is configured so that the drum display device 81 and a part of the rear light guide plate 420 arranged on the rear side of the front light guide plate 410 of the pachinko machine 10 can be viewed from a central opening 431 of the display area forming member 430. Furthermore, the rear side of the front light guide plate 410 (i.e., the rear side of the pachinko machine 10) is provided with lens cuts of various uneven shapes, and by lighting each of the LEDs 414c, 415c, and 416c of the lower LED unit 414, the front right LED unit 415, or the front left LED unit 416 (see Figs. 8 and 9) described later, a second decorative pattern group 411, which is a pattern imitating multiple cherry blossom petals (so-called cherry blossom snowstorm pattern), a third decorative pattern 412, which is a pattern imitating a sunfish, and a fourth decorative pattern group 413, which is a pattern imitating multiple bubbles (so-called bubble group pattern) (see Fig. 17), are configured to be displayed so as to be visible from the front side of the pachinko machine 10. Details of the front light guide plate 410 will be described later.

[0097] The rear light guide plate 420, like the front light guide plate 410, is made of a transparent resin material (e.g., acrylic), and like the display area forming member 430 and the front light guide plate 410, is formed into a shape that follows (corresponds to) the outer circumferential shape of the drum display device 81, and is also formed into a shape that follows (corresponds to) the shapes of the display area forming member 430 and the front light guide plate 410 that are assembled to the light guide unit 400. Also, like the front light guide plate 410, the rear light guide plate 420 is configured so that the drum display device 81 arranged on the rear side of the pachinko machine 10 of the rear light guide plate 420 can be seen from the central opening 431 of the display area forming member 430. Furthermore, the rear side of the rear light guide plate 420 (i.e., the rear side of the pachinko machine 10) is provided with lens cuts of various uneven shapes, and by lighting each LED 422c, 424 of the rear upper LED unit 422 and / or the lower LED unit 414 (see Figs. 8 and 9) described later, a first decorative pattern group 421 (see Fig. 12) which is a pattern imitating a plurality of kinds of fish (so-called school of fish pattern) is configured to be displayed so as to be visible from the front side of the pachinko machine 10. Details of the rear light guide plate 420 will be described later.

[0098] In the pachinko machine 10 of the first embodiment, the first decorative pattern group 421, the second decorative pattern group 411, the third decorative pattern 412 and / or the fourth decorative pattern group 413 are configured to be lit and displayed during the execution of the third pattern variable performance (for example, when a reach display is formed) depending on the lottery result of the third pattern variable performance. Specifically, when a jackpot result appears in the variable presentation, the first decorative pattern group 421, the second decorative pattern group 411 & the third decorative pattern 412, the third decorative pattern 412 only, the second decorative pattern group 411 only, and the fourth decorative pattern group 413 are likely to be lit up in this order, whereas when a losing result appears in the variable presentation, the fourth decorative pattern group 413, the second decorative pattern group 411 only, the third decorative pattern 412 only, the second decorative pattern group 411 & the third decorative pattern 412, and the first decorative pattern group 421 are likely to be lit up in this order.

[0099] More specifically, in the pachinko machine 10 of the first embodiment, depending on the lottery result of the third pattern variable performance, any one of the first decorative pattern group 421, the second decorative pattern group 411, the third decorative pattern 412 or the fourth decorative pattern group 413, or a combination of at least two or more of the first decorative pattern group 421, the second decorative pattern group 411, the third decorative pattern 412 or the fourth decorative pattern group 413 is illuminated during the execution of the variable performance (for example, when a reach display is formed). Specifically, when a jackpot result appears in the variable presentation, the first decorative pattern group 421, the second decorative pattern group 411 & the third decorative pattern 412, the third decorative pattern 412 only, the second decorative pattern group 411 only, and the fourth decorative pattern group 413 are likely to be lit up in this order, whereas when a losing result appears in the variable presentation, the fourth decorative pattern group 413, the second decorative pattern group 411 only, the third decorative pattern 412 only, the second decorative pattern group 411 & the third decorative pattern 412, and the first decorative pattern group 421 are likely to be lit up in this order.

[0100] In other words, based on the above appearance ratio resulting from the fluctuation of the variable performance, the jackpot reliability (expectation) of each decorative pattern group 411, 412, 413, 421 is preset to increase in the following order: first decorative pattern group 421 > second decorative pattern group 411 & third decorative pattern 412 > third decorative pattern 412 only > second decorative pattern group 411 only > fourth decorative pattern group 413.

[0101] More specifically, based on the above appearance ratios resulting from the fluctuations in the variable presentation, the jackpot reliability (expectation) of each decorative pattern group 411, 412, 413, 421 is preset to increase in the following order: 4th decorative pattern group 413 < 2nd decorative pattern group 411 only < 3rd decorative pattern 412 only < 2nd decorative pattern group 411 & 3rd decorative pattern 412 < 1st decorative pattern group 421.

[0102] In the pachinko machine 10 of the first embodiment, the appearance rate at the time of the big win and the loss is set to set the big win expectation rate at the time of the appearance of the first decorative symbol group 421, the second decorative symbol group 411, the third decorative symbol group 412, and the fourth decorative symbol group 413, but instead of this, the big win expectation rate of the decorative symbols may be set regardless of the appearance frequency. For example, a decorative symbol may be provided that has a low appearance rate at the time of the big win and a low appearance rate at the time of the loss, so that the big win expectation rate is low, or a decorative symbol may be provided that has a high appearance rate at the time of the loss and a high appearance rate at the time of the big win, so that the big win expectation rate is high.

[0103] In this way, each of the members 430, 410, 420 of the light-guiding unit 400 is formed in a shape that follows (corresponds to) the outer periphery of the drum display device 81 located on the rear side in front view, and is configured to be able to light (guide light) and display the first decorative pattern group 421, the second decorative pattern group 411, the third decorative pattern 412, and the fourth decorative pattern group 413 described later. Therefore, by performing the variable performance of the third pattern in the drum display device 81 and the performance in the light-guiding unit 400 in a composite manner, it is possible to perform a variety of performances, thereby enhancing the performance effects of each device 81, 400, and increasing the attention to the game. In addition, the light-guiding unit 400 is configured in a shape that follows the outer periphery of the performance device so that the performance device (i.e., the drum display device 81) located on the rear side in front view can be arranged in the back space, thereby increasing the design freedom of the performance device located on the rear side in front view of the light-guiding unit 400.

[0104] Furthermore, by unitizing and fixing at least the front light guide plate 410, the front downward LED 414c, the front right LED 415c, and the front left LED 416c, as well as the rear light guide plate 420, the rear upper LED 422c, and the rear downward LED 424 as a light guide unit 400 while positioning them using through holes and screws, etc., it is possible to suppress positional misalignment between each LED 414c etc. and each light guide plate 410, 420. This makes it possible to appropriately irradiate light from each LED 414c etc. onto each light guide plate 410, 420, and accurately express each decorative pattern group 411, 412, 413, 421 on the front light guide plate 410 and the rear light guide plate 420.

[0105] The specific selection rates of the first decorative pattern group 421, the second decorative pattern group 411 & the third decorative pattern 412, the third decorative pattern 412 only, the second decorative pattern group 411 only, and the fourth decorative pattern group 413 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "each decorative pattern 411, 412, 413, 421") upon a jackpot or a miss will be described later in Figure 34.

[0106] A first board decorative pattern group 60a, which is a pattern similar to the first decorative pattern group 421 provided on the rear light guide plate 420, is provided on the surface of the game board 13 (base plate 60) on the right side of the front view of the variable display unit 80, and a second board decorative pattern group 60b, which is a pattern similar to the first decorative pattern group 421 and the first board decorative pattern group 60a provided on the rear light guide plate 420, is provided on the surface of the game board 13 (base plate 60) on the left side of the front view of the variable display unit 80. The first board decorative pattern group 60a and the second board decorative pattern group 60b are configured to be lit and displayed in conjunction with the lighting of the first decorative pattern group 421 of the rear light guide plate 420. Specifically, when performing a performance related to the first decorative pattern group 421 in the variable performance of the third pattern, first, the first decorative pattern group 60a on the board surface on the right side as viewed from the front of the variable display unit 80 is first lit, then the first decorative pattern group 421 on the rear light guide plate 420 is lit in order from the right side as viewed from the front to the left side, and then the second decorative pattern group 60b on the board surface on the left side as viewed from the front of the variable display unit 80 is lit. By configuring in this way, in the performance related to the first decorative pattern group 421, the performance on the rear light guide plate 420 and the performance on the game board 13 are executed in an integrated manner, providing a powerful performance using the entire game board 13, and improving the interest of the game.

[0107] More specifically, in the third symbol variation presentation, when the lighting lottery for the first decorative symbol group 421 is won and the timing for lighting the first decorative symbol group 421 arrives, first, the light emission presentation on the game board 13 and the drum display device 81 is stopped or suppressed, and the entire game board 13 is darkened (darkened). Then, an LED (not shown) arranged on the back side of the first decorative symbol group 60a on the right side of the game board 13 is lit up as if the first decorative symbol group 60a moves from right to left when viewed from the front. Then, when the leftmost part of the first decorative pattern group 60a on the panel is lit, the rear upper LED 422c and the rear lower LED 424 (see Figure 8; hereinafter, these may be simply referred to as "LEDs 422c, 424") corresponding to the rightmost part of the first decorative pattern group 421 provided in the right area of ​​the rear light guide plate 420, among the first decorative pattern group 421 provided on the rear light guide plate 420, are lit, so that the rightmost first decorative pattern group 421 in the right area of ​​the rear light guide plate 420 can be viewed from the front side (front side; same below) of the pachinko machine 10.

[0108] At this time, in order to prevent the light emitted from the LEDs corresponding to the first decorative pattern group 60a on the board from leaking to the rear light guide plate 420 (front light guide plate 410), the front right base 415a (see FIG. 8) of the front right LED unit 415 is configured to block the light from the LEDs corresponding to the first decorative pattern group 60a on the board to the rear light guide plate 420. By configuring in this way, it is possible to prevent a problem in which the light emitted from the LEDs corresponding to the first decorative pattern group 60a on the board is guided to the rear light guide plate 420 (front light guide plate 410) and the first decorative pattern group 421 of the rear light guide plate 420 emits light at a stage earlier than the light emission timing.

[0109] Next, with the first decorative pattern group 60a on the panel lit, the LEDs 422c, 424 (see Figure 8) corresponding to the first decorative pattern group 421 in the right-hand region of the rear light guide plate 420, those located to the left of the right-most LED 422c, 424 in a front view in the right-hand region are sequentially lit from the right side when viewed from the front, and when the LED 422c, 424 corresponding to the first decorative pattern group 421 located at the leftmost end in the right-hand region of the rear light guide plate 420 is lit, the LED 422c, 424 corresponding to the rightmost end of the first decorative pattern group 421 provided in the central region of the rear light guide plate 420 is lit, thereby making the first decorative pattern group 421 at the rightmost end in the central region of the rear light guide plate 420 visible from the front side of the pachinko machine 10. As a result, the first decorative pattern group 60a on the board and the first decorative pattern group 421 in the right and central areas of the rear light guide plate 420 create an effect that looks as if a series of school of fish patterns are moving from the right to the left side of the pachinko machine 10.

[0110] More specifically, among the LEDs 422c, 424 (see Figure 8) corresponding to the first decorative pattern group 421 in the right region of the rear light guide plate 420, when the LED 422c, 424 located to the left of the rightmost LED 422c, 424 when viewed from the front (i.e., in the center of the right region) from the rightmost LED 422c, 424 in the right region is turned on, it takes over the light color that was on the rightmost LED 422c, 424, and when the LED 422c, 424 located further to the left of the leftmost LED 422c, 424 when viewed from the front (i.e., the leftmost LED in the right region) is turned on, it takes over the light color that was on the LED 422c, 424 located on the left side when viewed from the front. For example, when the rightmost LED 422c, 424 in the right area emits red light, the LED 422c, 424 located to the left of the rightmost LED 422c, 424 as seen from the front is lit up in red light, and further, the LED 422c, 424 located to the left of the LED 422c, 424 as seen from the front (i.e., the leftmost LED in the right area) is lit up in red light. By configuring in this way, it is possible to perform an effect in which the same fish symbol in the first decorative symbol group 421 is displayed moving.

[0111] Next, among the LEDs 422c, 424 (see Figure 8) corresponding to the first decorative pattern group 421 in the central region of the rear light guide plate 420, the LEDs 422c, 424 located to the left of the rightmost LED 422c, 424 in the central region when viewed from the front are sequentially lit from the right side, and when the LED 422c, 424 corresponding to the first decorative pattern group 421 located at the leftmost end in the central region of the rear light guide plate 420 is lit, the LED 422c, 424 corresponding to the rightmost first decorative pattern group 421 provided in the left region of the rear light guide plate 420 is lit, thereby making the first decorative pattern group 421 at the rightmost end in the left region of the rear light guide plate 420 visible from the front side of the pachinko machine 10. At this time, the LEDs (not shown) corresponding to the first decorative pattern group 60a on the board are turned off in sequence from the right side as viewed from the front at the timing when the LEDs 422c, 424 corresponding to the first decorative pattern group 421 located at the leftmost end in the central area of ​​the rear light guide plate 420 are turned on. As a result, the first decorative pattern group 60a on the board and the first decorative pattern groups 421 in the right, central and left areas of the rear light guide plate 420 perform an effect in which a series of fish school patterns of a certain width (i.e., the width of the central and right areas of the rear light guide plate 420 and the display width of the first decorative pattern group 60a on the board) move from the right side to the left side of the pachinko machine 10.

[0112] Next, among the LEDs 422c, 424 (see FIG. 8) corresponding to the first decorative pattern group 421 in the left side region of the rear light guide plate 420, the LEDs 422c, 424 located to the left of the rightmost LED 422c, 424 in the left side region as viewed from the front are sequentially lit from the right side, and at the timing when the LEDs 422c, 424 corresponding to the first decorative pattern group 421 located at the leftmost end in the left side region of the rear light guide plate 420 are lit, the LED (not shown) corresponding to the rightmost end of the board surface second decorative pattern group 60b provided on the left side of the game board 13 is lit, thereby lighting and displaying the board surface second decorative pattern group 60b. At this time, at the timing when the LED corresponding to the leftmost end of the board surface second decorative pattern group 60b is lit, the LEDs 422c, 424 corresponding to the first decorative pattern group 421 in the right side region of the rear light guide plate 420 are configured to be turned off sequentially from the right side as viewed from the front. As a result, the second decorative pattern group 60b on the board and the first decorative pattern group 421 in the left area, central area and right area of ​​the rear light guide plate 420 create an effect in which a school of fish pattern of a constant width (i.e., the combined width of the left area, central area and right area of ​​the rear light guide plate 420, or the combined width of the left area and central area of ​​the rear light guide plate 420 and the display width of the second decorative pattern group 60b on the board) moves in a continuous manner from the right side to the left side of the pachinko machine 10.

[0113] Thereafter, the LEDs 422c, 424 corresponding to the first decorative pattern group 421 in the central region of the rear light guide plate 420 are turned off in sequence from the right side as viewed from the front. Then, at the timing when the LEDs 422c, 424 corresponding to the first decorative pattern group 421 in the central region of the rear light guide plate 420 are turned off, the LEDs 422c, 424 corresponding to the first decorative pattern group 421 in the left region of the rear light guide plate 420 are turned off in sequence from the right side as viewed from the front. Furthermore, at the timing when the LEDs 422c, 424 corresponding to the first decorative pattern group 421 in the left region of the rear light guide plate 420 are turned off, the LEDs (not shown) corresponding to the second decorative pattern group 60b on the board are turned off in preparation from the right side as viewed from the front. By configuring in this manner, the first decorative pattern group 60a on the board, the first decorative pattern group 421 on the rear light guide plate 420, and the second decorative pattern group 60b on the board create an effect in which a series of fish school patterns of a constant width move in unison from the right side to the left side of the pachinko machine 10.

[0114] At this time, in order to prevent the light emitted from the LEDs corresponding to the second decorative pattern group 60b on the board from leaking to the rear light guide plate 420 (front light guide plate 410), the front left base 416a (see FIG. 8) of the front left LED unit 416 is configured to block the light from the LEDs corresponding to the second decorative pattern group 60b on the board to the rear light guide plate 420. By configuring in this way, it is possible to prevent a problem in which the light emitted from the LEDs corresponding to the second decorative pattern group 60b on the board is guided to the rear light guide plate 420 (front light guide plate 410) and the first decorative pattern group 421 of the rear light guide plate 420 emits light at a stage later than the light emission timing.

[0115] In this way, in the presentation relating to the first decorative pattern group 60a, the first decorative pattern group 421 and the second decorative pattern group 60b on the board, the presentation on the rear light guide plate 420 and the presentation on the game board 13 are executed in an integrated manner, and the problem of patterns being lit at different times due to the light from other LEDs being lit when the LEDs are lit in sequence is eliminated, thereby providing a series of powerful presentations using the entire game board 13, thereby improving the enjoyment of the game.

[0116] A first starting hole 64a into which a ball can enter is disposed below the variable display unit 80. When a ball enters the first starting hole 64a, a first starting hole switch (not shown) provided on the back side of the game board 13 is turned on, and when the first starting hole switch is turned on, a lottery for a first special symbol is performed by the main control device 110 (see FIG. 26) described later. Then, a display according to the lottery result is displayed by the upper LED group 37b1 of the special LED group 37b of the special symbol display device 37, and a variable performance of a third symbol corresponding to the first special symbol is executed by the drum display device 81. The first starting hole 64a is also one of the winning holes from which five balls are paid out as prize balls when a ball enters the first starting hole 64a.

[0117] A second start hole 64b is disposed below the first start hole 64a, into which a ball can enter only when the normal electric role 64c is in an open state. When a ball enters the second start hole 64b, a second start hole switch (not shown) provided on the back side of the game board 13 is turned on, and when the second start hole switch is turned on, a lottery for a jackpot of a second special symbol is performed by the main control device 110 (see FIG. 26) described later. Then, a display according to the lottery result is displayed by the lower LED group 37b2 of the special LED group 37b of the special symbol display device 37, and a variable performance of a third symbol corresponding to the second special symbol is executed by the drum display device 81. The second start hole 64b is also one of the winning holes from which one ball is paid out as a prize ball when the ball enters the second start hole 64b.

[0118] As described above, above the second starting hole 64b as viewed from the front, there is provided a normal electric actuator 64c that can displace the second starting hole 64b to an open state (enlarged state) or closed state (reduced state) by opening and closing two blade members that cover the opening through which the ball enters the second starting hole 64b. The normal electric actuator 64c is normally in a closed state with the blades closed (standing upward), and the ball cannot enter the second starting hole 64b or is difficult to enter.

[0119] On the other hand, when the variable display in the normal pattern display device 83 stops at the "○" pattern, the normal electric role 64c is operated for a predetermined time. While the normal electric role 64c is operated, the wings of the normal electric role 64c move from an upwardly standing state to an approximately V-shaped (inverted V-shaped) state, and the second starting hole 64b is in an open state. When the second starting hole 64b is in an open state, the ball can enter the second starting hole 64b, or the ball is easier to enter than in a closed state. In other words, when the variable display in the normal pattern display device 83 stops at the "○" pattern and hits, and the second starting hole 64b is in an open state, the ball can enter the second starting hole 64b, and the jackpot lottery can be held more frequently.

[0120] A variable winning device 65 is disposed below the first starting hole 64a and the second starting hole 64b, and a horizontally long rectangular large winning hole (also called a large opening hole or a specific winning hole) 65a is disposed in the approximate center of the variable winning device. In the pachinko machine 10, when the lottery by the main control device 110 results in a jackpot, after a predetermined time (variable time) has elapsed, the special LED group 37b of the special symbol display device 37 is turned on to show a jackpot stop symbol, and the stop symbol corresponding to the jackpot is displayed on the drum display device 81 to indicate the occurrence of the jackpot. After that, the game state transitions to a special game state (jackpot) in which the ball is likely to win. As the special game state, the large winning hole 65a, which is normally closed, is opened for a predetermined number of times (10 times or 5 times) and for a predetermined time (for example, until 30 seconds have elapsed or until 10 balls win).

[0121] When the big prize opening 65a is opened, it is closed when a predetermined time has elapsed since it was opened or when a predetermined number of wins are detected, and after it is closed, the big prize opening 65a is opened again. The opening and closing operation of the big prize opening 65a can be repeated up to, for example, 10 times (10 rounds). The state in which this opening and closing operation is being performed is one form of a special game state (big win state) that is advantageous to the player, and by making a ball win the big prize opening 65a, the player is paid out a larger number of prize balls than usual as a grant of game value (game value).

[0122] Specifically, the variable winning device 65 includes a horizontally long rectangular opening / closing plate that covers the large winning opening 65a, and a large winning opening solenoid (not shown) for driving the opening / closing plate to open and close forward around the lower side of the opening / closing plate. The large winning opening 65a is normally in a closed state in which balls cannot or do not easily win. When a large win occurs, the large winning opening solenoid is driven to tilt the opening / closing plate downward toward the front, temporarily creating an open state in which balls can easily win the large winning opening 65a, and the opening state and the normal closed state are alternately repeated.

[0123] The variable winning device 65 is disposed at a position where a ball can enter the big prize opening 65a in either left-handed or right-handed play. When a ball enters the big prize opening 65a, a big prize opening switch (not shown) provided on the back side of the game board 13 is turned on. By counting the number of times the big prize opening switch is turned on, the number of balls that have entered the big prize opening 65a is counted, and the closing condition of the big prize opening 65a is determined. In addition, 15 balls are paid out as prize balls due to the big prize opening switch being turned on. Then, by repeatedly opening and closing the big prize opening 65a due to a big win, many balls are easily allowed to enter the big prize opening 65a, and a larger amount of prize balls than usual is paid out to the player as a grant of game value (game value). This state is one form of a special game state that is advantageous to the player.

[0124] The special game state is not limited to the above-mentioned form. A special winning hole and a large opening hole that opens and closes separately from the special winning hole may be provided in the game area, and when the special LED group 37b corresponding to a big win is lit in the special symbol display device 37, the special winning hole is opened for a predetermined time, and when a ball enters the special winning hole while the special winning hole is open, the large opening hole is opened for a predetermined time and a predetermined number of times, forming a special game state.

[0125] A through gate 67 is provided on each of the left and right sides of the variable display unit 80 when viewed from the front. A through hole (not shown) for the ball to pass through is provided in the up and down direction in the through gate 67. When a ball shot into the play area passes through the through gate 67, a through gate switch (not shown) provided in the through hole is turned on, and as a result of the on-state, a lottery for a winning normal symbol is performed in the main control device 110.

[0126] When a ball that has passed through the through gate 67 is determined to be a winner as a result of the drawing of the normal symbol, the normal symbol display device 83 displays the normal symbol in a variable manner, and then displays the "○" symbol in a static manner, and the normal electric role 64c provided above the second starting hole 64b as viewed from the front is activated. This changes the state in which the plate of the normal electric role 64c, which makes it difficult for the ball to enter the second starting hole 64b, closes the second starting hole 64b, to a state in which the ball can enter the second starting hole 64b for a predetermined period of time, or a state in which the ball can enter the second starting hole 64b more easily than in the closed state.

[0127] A special symbol display device 37 is provided in the upper right side of the game area when viewed from the front (upper right side of FIG. 3), which is provided with a status LED group 37a and a special LED group 37b, each of which is composed of a plurality of LEDs that are light-emitting means. The special symbol display device 37 performs a variable display (hereinafter, the variable display of both special symbols may be referred to as a "dynamic display") of a first special symbol (hereinafter, the first special symbol may be referred to as a "special symbol 1") and a second special symbol (hereinafter, the second special symbol may be referred to as a "special symbol 2") in response to each control performed by the main control device 110 (see FIG. 2), and also displays the game status of the pachinko machine 10.

[0128] The status LED group 37a indicates the number of reserved balls, which is the number of balls (reserved balls) that have not yet been displayed among the balls that have entered the first start hole 64a or the second start hole 64b described below, by the lighting state. The number of rounds of the jackpot and error display are also indicated by the lighting state of the status LED group 37a corresponding to the state. The status LED group 37a is configured so that each LED has a different light emission color (e.g., red, green, blue), and various game states of the pachinko machine 10 can be indicated by a small number of LEDs by combining the light emission colors.

[0129] In addition, a "round" in a jackpot refers to the period from when the large prize opening 65a, which will be described later in order to divide the number of winning balls in a jackpot, is opened to when it is closed. In the pachinko machine 10 of the first embodiment, one "round" is executed when "30 seconds" have elapsed since the large prize opening 65a began to open, or when 10 balls enter the large prize opening 65a while it is open.

[0130] The special LED group 37b is composed of a total of 12 LEDs, including an upper LED group 37b1 composed of 6 LEDs and a lower LED group 37b2 also composed of 6 LEDs. The upper LED group 37b1 dynamically displays a first special symbol indicating the result of the first lottery game. The lower LED group 37b2 dynamically displays a second special symbol indicating the result of the second lottery game.

[0131] Specifically, the upper LED group 37b1 displays a dynamic display (in the first embodiment, the LEDs in the upper LED group 37b1 are lit up one by one in sequence, starting from the top LED in the upper LED group 37b1 and the lower LEDs are repeatedly lit) until a variable time (dynamic display time) determined based on a winning entry into the first starting hole 64a provided in the center of the surface of the game board 13 has elapsed, and then displays a stopped pattern indicating the judgment result (in the first embodiment, any of a total of 64 types of stopping patterns depending on the combination of the lighting patterns of the six LEDs).

[0132] In addition, the lower LED group 37b2 displays a dynamic display (in the first embodiment, the LEDs in the lower LED group 37b2 are lit one by one in sequence, starting from the uppermost LED in the lower LED group 37b2, and this lighting pattern is repeatedly displayed) until a variable time (dynamic display time) determined based on a winning entry into the second starting hole 64b provided on the right side of the game board 13 has elapsed, and then displays a stopped pattern indicating the judgment result (in the first embodiment, any of a total of 64 types of stopping patterns depending on the combination of the lighting patterns of the six LEDs).

[0133] In both LED groups 37b1 and 37b2, if the result of the judgment is a miss, only the leftmost LED is lit, and if the result of the judgment is a jackpot, each LED group is lit in a lighting pattern corresponding to the type (category) of the jackpot. Details of the stop patterns of each LED group will be described later.

[0134] In addition, in this pachinko machine 10, a determination is made as to whether or not a ball that enters the first starting hole 64a or the second starting hole 64b is a jackpot (jackpot lottery), and if it is determined to be a jackpot, the type of jackpot is also determined.

[0135] The types of jackpots that are determined here include "High probability A" which corresponds to a "10 round (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as "R") high probability jackpot," "High probability B" which corresponds to a "5R high probability jackpot," and "Time-saving A" which corresponds to a "10R jackpot with time-saving" (see Figure 24(b)).

[0136] Here, the "Probable Variation A" jackpot type corresponding to a "10R Probable Variation Jackpot" refers to a jackpot type in which, after a jackpot with a maximum number of rounds of 10, the jackpot probability of each special symbol becomes higher than the "normal game state" until the occurrence of the next jackpot (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "next jackpot"), and the winning probability of normal symbols also becomes higher than the "normal game state" until the occurrence of the next jackpot, transitioning to a "probability variable state."

[0137] In addition, the "Chika B" jackpot type, which corresponds to a "5R Chika jackpot," is a jackpot type in which, after a jackpot with a maximum number of rounds of 5, the jackpot probability of each special symbol becomes higher than the "normal game state" until the occurrence of the next jackpot (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "next jackpot"), and the jackpot probability of normal symbols also becomes higher than the "normal game state" until the occurrence of the next jackpot, transitioning to a "probability variable state."

[0138] In addition, the "Time-saving A" jackpot type, which corresponds to a "10R time-saving jackpot," is a jackpot in which, after a jackpot with a maximum number of rounds of 10, the jackpot probability for each special symbol becomes a low-probability state equivalent to that of the "normal game state," while the hit probability for normal symbols becomes a high-probability state until the dynamic display of special symbols is executed 100 times (hereinafter, this may be referred to as the "time-saving state").

[0139] Here, each game state will be explained in more detail. In the pachinko machine 10 of the first embodiment, the "normal game state" refers to a game state that is not the "probability variable state" or the "time shortening state", and refers to a state in which the jackpot probability of each special symbol and the hit probability of the normal symbol are in a normal state (i.e., a low probability state) and the opening time of the normal electric role 64c is short (so-called non-opening extended state). That is, the "normal game state" is a state in which the jackpot probability of each special symbol is lower than that in the "probability variable state", and the hit probability of the normal symbol is lower than that in the "probability variable state" and the "time shortening state", and the opening time of the normal electric role 64c is also short, so it is not a game state in which the ball is likely to enter the second start hole 64b (hereinafter, the state in which the ball is likely to enter the second start hole 64b may be referred to as the "win support state"), but is the most disadvantageous (lowest advantage) game state for the player.

[0140] Next, in the "time-shortened state", the probability of winning each special symbol is low, as in the "normal game state", but the probability of winning with the normal symbol is increased, and the opening time of the normal electric role 64c is extended, making it easier to get the ball into the second starting hole 64b (hereinafter, the function of increasing the probability of winning with the normal symbol and lengthening the opening time of the normal electric role 64c may be referred to as the "winning assistance function". Also, the state in which the probability of winning with the normal symbol is increased, and the opening time of the normal electric role 64c is extended, making it easier to get the ball into the second starting hole 64b may be referred to as the "state in which the winning assistance function is activated".). In other words, the "time-shortened state" is a state in which the probability of winning with the special symbol is the same as in the "normal game state", but it is easier to get a win with the normal symbol, and the opening state of the normal electric role 64c is extended. Therefore, in the "time-shortened state", since it is easier to get the fired ball to enter the second starting hole 64b, it is possible to continuously execute the dynamic display of special chart 2, and it is possible to obtain prize balls (e.g., 1 ball / entry) based on the ball entering the second starting hole 64b, thereby enabling the player to play while minimizing the reduction in the number of balls in hand.

[0141] In the pachinko machine 10 of the first embodiment, as described above, the "time-shortened state" is maintained after a jackpot of the jackpot type "time-shortened A" (see FIG. 24(b)) until the dynamic display of the special symbols is executed a predetermined number of times (100 times in the first embodiment) for each jackpot. After the dynamic display of the special symbols is executed the predetermined number of times (i.e., after the "end of electric support"), the "time-shortened state" is switched to the "normal game state" (see FIG. 10).

[0142] Next, in the "probability change state", after the jackpot is over, the probability of winning each special symbol is increased as an added value, and the probability of winning the normal symbol is increased, and the winning assistance function of the normal electric role 64c is activated. That is, the "probability change state" is a state in which the jackpot result by the special symbol is easily derived, and the winning result by the normal symbol is easily derived, and further, the open state of the normal electric role 64c is long. Therefore, in the "probability change state", the winning assistance function is activated, and the shot ball is easily entered into the second starting hole 64b, so that the dynamic display of the special symbol 2 can be continuously executed, and the player can play while suppressing the decrease of the balls by obtaining the prize ball (for example, 1 ball / entry) based on the entry into the second starting hole 64b, and further, it is possible to play in a state in which the jackpot game (special game state) based on the dynamic display of the special symbol 2 is easily generated.

[0143] Here, the display mode of the special LED group 37b for each jackpot type will be described. As the stop display (lighting display) of the upper LED group 37b1 and the lower LED group 37b2 for the first special symbol, a total of 64 display patterns are provided, including one display pattern corresponding to a miss, 21 display patterns corresponding to the jackpot type "probable change A", 21 display patterns corresponding to the jackpot type "probable change B", and 21 display patterns corresponding to the jackpot type "time-saving A". Each display pattern does not have a specific regularity for each jackpot type, and a random display pattern is previously associated with each jackpot type. Therefore, when a player sees the display pattern of the upper LED group 37b1 or the lower LED group 37b2, he or she can recognize that the stop display of a miss has been stopped, while it is configured to be difficult to distinguish whether the stop display is for the jackpot type "probable change A", "probable change B", or "time-saving A".

[0144] By configuring in this way, even if each jackpot type is displayed in the stop display of the special LED group 37b of the special symbol display device 37, it is difficult for the player to recognize the jackpot type that has been won unless he / she understands all the jackpot types corresponding to each stop display. Therefore, for example, even if "probable variable A" is won in the lottery of the first special symbol or the second special symbol, it is possible to make it difficult to determine which game state is being played by displaying the jackpot result corresponding to "time-saving A" as a provisional display on the drum display device 81. As a result, it is possible to create a game that allows the player to guess which game state is being played in, thereby improving the interest of the game, and it is possible to provide a game with an element of surprise by performing a promotion performance during or after the jackpot.

[0145] Instead of changing the probability of winning the normal symbol, the time during which the normal electric role 64c associated with the second start hole 64b is opened or the number of times the normal electric role 64c is opened in one win by the normal symbol may be changed according to the game state of the pachinko machine 10. Specifically, in the "time-shortened state", the time during which the normal electric role 64c associated with the second start hole 64b is opened may be made longer than in the "normal game state", or the number of times the normal electric role 64c is opened in one win may be made greater than in the "normal game state". Also, in the "time-shortened state", at least two of the following may be performed simultaneously: increasing the probability of winning the normal symbol, lengthening the opening time of the normal electric role 64c, and increasing the number of times the normal electric role 64c is opened.

[0146] At the left and right corners of the lower side of the game board 13, there are provided attachment spaces K1 for attaching stamps, identification labels, etc., and the stamps, etc. affixed to the attachment spaces K1 can be viewed through a small window 35 in the front frame 14 (see Figure 1).

[0147] Furthermore, the game board 13 is provided with an out hole 66. Balls that do not enter any of the winning holes 63, 64a, 64b, 65a are guided through the out hole 66 to a ball discharge path (not shown). Balls that enter the winning holes 63, 64a, 64b, 65a pass through a switch for detecting balls that are provided for each winning hole, and are then guided to the ball discharge path. The balls guided to the ball discharge path pass through an out switch (not shown) for detecting the guided balls, and are then discharged to an island facility (not shown) on which the pachinko machine 10 is installed.

[0148] In addition, on the game board 13, a large number of nails are set in order to appropriately distribute and adjust the falling direction of the balls, and various components (gimmicks) such as windmills are also arranged.

[0149] 5 and 6, the base plate 60 constituting the game board 13, the back-of-board unit 300 constituting the game board 13 and disposed on the rear side of the base plate 60 in the pachinko machine 10, the light guide unit 400 assembled to the back-of-board unit 300, and the drum display device 81 disposed on the rear side of the light guide unit 400 in the pachinko machine 10 will be described. Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the game board 13, and Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the back-of-board unit 300.

[0150] First, as shown in FIG. 5, the game board 13 is composed of a base plate 60, a back-of-board unit 300 and a drum display device 81, and is constructed by assembling the back-of-board unit 300 to the rear side of the pachinko machine 10 of the base plate 60 which forms the game area, and assembling the drum display device 81 to the back-of-board unit 300.

[0151] 6, the back panel unit 300 is composed of a back panel unit base 301, a light guide unit 400, a right side notification lamp LED board 302, a right side notification lamp member 303, a left side notification lamp LED board 304, a left side notification lamp member 305, a notification lamp assembly part 306, and a confirmation lamp unit 310. First, the light guide unit 400, the right side notification lamp LED board 302, the left side notification lamp LED board 304, and the confirmation lamp unit 310 are assembled to the front side of the back panel unit base 301 of the pachinko machine 10 by screw fixing, and then the right side notification lamp member 303 is assembled so as to correspond to the right side notification lamp LED board 302, and the left side notification lamp member 305 is assembled so as to correspond to the left side notification lamp LED board 304, and in this state, the notification lamp assembly part 306 is fixed to the back panel unit base 301 by screw fixing, thereby forming the back panel unit 300.

[0152] The right-side notification lamp member 303 and the left-side notification lamp member 305 are lamps for informing the player of various game situations in the variable performance of the third symbol. In the pachinko machine 10 of the first embodiment, various information related to the variable performance of the third symbol and information related to the game status can be suggested to the player by the lighting patterns and lighting colors of the right-side notification lamp member 303 and the left-side notification lamp member 305.

[0153] The determination lamp unit 310 is a drive type lamp for indicating the occurrence of a jackpot by lighting and driving the determination lamp 311 when a jackpot occurs in the variable performance. This determination lamp unit 310 is composed of the determination lamp 311, a determination lamp LED (not shown) for lighting the determination lamp 311, and a rotation drive motor (not shown) for rotating the determination lamp 311. In the pachinko machine 10 of the first embodiment, when a jackpot occurs in the variable performance of the third symbol, the determination lamp 311 is turned on and rotated at a timing determined by lottery, so as to clearly indicate to the player that a jackpot has occurred. In addition, the determination lamp 311 is configured to light up in a long lighting pattern with a long lighting time (for example, "10 seconds") when a jackpot that generates a "probability variable state" is won, and to light up in a short lighting pattern with a short lighting time (for example, "2 seconds") when a jackpot that does not generate a "probability variable state" is won. The timing at which this confirmation lamp 311 lights up will be described later.

[0154] Here, a detailed configuration of the light guide unit 400 and a positional relationship between the light guide unit 400 and the drum display device 81 will be described with reference to Fig. 7 to Fig. 10. Fig. 7 is a rear perspective view of the light guide unit 400, Fig. 8 is an exploded front perspective view of the light guide unit 400, and Fig. 9 is an exploded rear perspective view of the light guide unit 400. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing a positional relationship of the drum display device 81 with respect to a schematic side cross-sectional view of the light guide unit 400 taken along line XX in Fig. 7.

[0155] As shown in Figures 7 to 9, the light guide unit 400 is composed of a front light guide plate 410, a lower LED unit 414, a front right LED unit 415, a front left LED unit 416, an upper spacer 417, a lower spacer 418, a rear light guide plate 420, a rear upper LED unit 422, and a display area forming member 430.

[0156] The front light guide plate 410 is configured such that upper and lower flat plate portions extending in a direction parallel to the surface of the base plate 60 are continuously formed with respect to a regular R-shaped portion along the outer peripheral shape of the drum display device 81. More specifically, an upper inverted R-shaped portion is formed from the upper flat plate portion of the front light guide plate 410, bending toward the front side of the game board 13 with a size of about R32, and continuing from there, a regular R-shaped portion is formed that bulges toward the front side of the game board 13 with a size of about R80 along the outer peripheral shape of the drum display device 81 (rear light guide plate 420), and further continuing from there, a lower inverted R-shaped portion is formed that is bent toward the front side of the game board 13 with a size of about R32, and the lower flat plate portion is formed continuously from the lower inverted R-shaped portion.

[0157] On the rear side of the front light guide plate 410 (the surface facing the rear side of the pachinko machine 10), as described above, various concave and convex lens cuts are applied so that various patterns, including a second decorative pattern group 411 imitating a cherry blossom snowstorm composed of multiple cherry blossom petals, a third decorative pattern 412 imitating a single sunfish, and a fourth decorative pattern group 413 imitating a bubble group composed of multiple bubbles, can be viewed from the front side of the pachinko machine 10 by guiding light incident from various directions to the front light guide plate 410. The second decorative pattern group 411 is formed in both left and right end regions in a front view of the regular R-shaped portion, the third decorative pattern is formed in a front view central region of the regular R-shaped portion, and the fourth decorative pattern group 413 is evenly formed on the entire lower inverted R-shaped portion and the lower flat plate portion.

[0158] The concave-convex lens cuts (horizontal grooves) corresponding to the symbols of the second decorative symbol group 411 are configured to emit guided light to the front side of the pachinko machine 10 when light is incident upward from the lower end face of the lower flat plate part of the front light guide plate 410 from the front lower LEDs 414c at both left and right ends mounted on the lower LED substrate 414b of the lower LED unit 414. Therefore, the second decorative symbol group 411 is illuminated from the front side of the pachinko machine 10 by the light incident upward from both ends of the lower end face of the lower flat plate part of the front light guide plate 410, and becomes visible.

[0159] The concave-convex lens cut (horizontal groove) corresponding to the second decorative pattern group 411 is configured so that only the light incident upward among the light guided to the flat plate portion is emitted toward the front side of the pachinko machine 10, and the light incident from other directions (for example, the horizontal direction) is not emitted toward the front side of the pachinko machine 10 by the concave-convex lens cut corresponding to the second decorative pattern group 411. In other words, the second decorative pattern group 411 is configured so that only the light incident from the lower end face of the flat plate portion below the front light guide plate 410 is emitted toward the front side of the pachinko machine 10, and the light incident from other directions is not emitted toward the front side of the pachinko machine 10, but passes through the portion where the second decorative pattern group 411 is formed and does not emit light (is not visible or is difficult to see).

[0160] More specifically, the uneven lens cuts (horizontal grooves) corresponding to the patterns of the second decorative pattern group 411 are configured so that, of the light guided to the flat plate portion, light incident from the upward direction when viewed from the front and the downward direction when viewed from the front (light guided in the upward direction when viewed from the front and the downward direction when viewed from the front) is emitted toward the front side of the pachinko machine 10, while light incident from the lateral direction when viewed from the front (light guided in the left direction when viewed from the front and the right direction when viewed from the front) is not emitted toward the front side of the pachinko machine 10 by the uneven lens cuts corresponding to the second decorative pattern group 411. Here, the lens cut may be shaped so that the light irradiated to the lens cut (horizontal groove) having a concave-convex shape corresponding to the pattern of the second decorative pattern group 411 is emitted toward the front side of the pachinko machine 10 only when the light is incident from the upper direction as viewed from the front or the lower direction as viewed from the front (light guided in the upper direction as viewed from the front and the lower direction as viewed from the front) among the light guided to the flat plate portion, but in that case, the shape of the lens cut is required to be precise, and there is a risk of an increase in the processing cost of the lens cut. Therefore, by making the lens cut into a concave-convex shape so that the light irradiated to the second decorative pattern group 411 is emitted toward the front side of the pachinko machine 10 regardless of whether the light is incident from the upper direction as viewed from the front or the lower direction as viewed from the front (light guided in the upper direction as viewed from the front and the lower direction as viewed from the front), the increase in the processing cost of the lens cut can be suppressed.

[0161] On the other hand, as described above, the lens cut may be configured so that the light irradiated onto the second decorative pattern group 411 is emitted toward the front side of the pachinko machine 10 only when the light is guided to the flat plate portion from either the upward direction when viewed from the front or the downward direction when viewed from the front (light guided in the upward direction and the downward direction when viewed from the front).

[0162] In addition, since the front light guide plate 410 is disposed closer to the front side (front direction side) of the pachinko machine 10 than the rear light guide plate 420, it is more susceptible to the influence of light irradiated from the confirmation lamp 311 disposed above the front light guide plate 410 and light irradiated from the indoor lighting provided on the ceiling of the game hall than the rear light guide plate 420. Therefore, it is preferable that the second decorative pattern group 411 (the same goes for the third decorative pattern 412 and the fourth decorative pattern group 413) formed on the front light guide plate 410 has an uneven lens cut that does not react to light from above when viewed from the front (does not light up erroneously) and lights up (emits light) only when light is from below when viewed from the front (or from the side when viewed from the front). Furthermore, by not arranging light-guiding LEDs above the front light-guiding plate 410 when viewed from the front, but arranging the front-down LEDs 414c below the front light-guiding plate 410 when viewed from the front, and configuring the second decorative pattern group 411 to be illuminated by the front-down LEDs 414c, it is possible to prevent erroneous lighting of the second decorative pattern group 411 due to the illumination of the confirmation lamp 311 or the indoor lighting of the gaming hall, etc.

[0163] In the first embodiment, the second decorative pattern group 411 of the front light guide plate 410 is lit only by the front lower LED 414c arranged below the front light guide plate 410 in a front view, but instead, the front upper LED may be arranged above the front light guide plate 410 in a front view, and the second decorative pattern group 411 may be lit only by the front upper LED, or the second decorative pattern group 411 may be lit by the front upper LED and the front lower LED 414c. Also, the third decorative pattern 412 may be lit by the front upper LED and / or the front lower LED 414c.

[0164] The lens cut (horizontal groove) of the uneven shape corresponding to the pattern of the third decorative pattern 412 is configured to emit the guided light to the front side of the pachinko machine 10 when light is incident upward from the lower end face of the lower flat plate part of the front light guide plate 410 from the front lower LEDs 414c other than the left and right ends mounted on the lower LED board 414b of the lower LED unit 414. Therefore, the third decorative pattern 412 is illuminated from the front side of the pachinko machine 10 by the light incident upward from other than both ends of the lower end face of the lower flat plate part of the front light guide plate 410 (i.e., the central part of the lower end face), and becomes visible.

[0165] The uneven lens cut (horizontal groove) corresponding to the third decorative pattern 412, like the uneven lens cut corresponding to the second decorative pattern group 411, is configured so that only the light incident upward among the light guided to the flat plate portion is emitted toward the front side of the pachinko machine 10, and the light incident from other directions (for example, horizontal direction) is not emitted toward the front side of the pachinko machine 10 by the uneven lens cut corresponding to the third decorative pattern 412. In other words, the third decorative pattern 412 is configured so that only the light incident from the lower end face of the flat plate portion below the front light guide plate 410 is emitted toward the front side of the pachinko machine 10, and the light incident from other directions is not emitted toward the front side of the pachinko machine 10, but passes through the portion where the second decorative pattern group 411 is formed and does not emit light (is not visible or is difficult to see).

[0166] The concave-convex lens cut (vertical groove) corresponding to the pattern of the fourth decorative pattern group 413 is configured to emit guided light to the front side of the pachinko machine 10 when light is incident laterally from the left end face and / or right end face of the flat plate portion below the front light guide plate 410 from the front right LED 415c (see FIG. 19) mounted on the front right LED board 415b of the front right LED unit 415 and / or the front left LED 416c (see FIG. 19) mounted on the front left LED board 416b of the front left LED unit 416. Therefore, the fourth decorative pattern group 413 is illuminated from the front side of the pachinko machine 10 by the light incident laterally from the left end face and / or right end face of the flat plate portion below the front light guide plate 410, and becomes visible.

[0167] The uneven lens cut (vertical groove) corresponding to the pattern of the fourth decorative pattern group 413 is configured so that only the light incident in the horizontal direction among the light guided to the flat plate portion is emitted to the front side of the pachinko machine 10, and the light incident from other directions (for example, from below to above) is not emitted to the front side of the pachinko machine 10 by the uneven lens cut corresponding to the fourth decorative pattern group 413. In other words, the fourth decorative pattern group 413 is configured so that only the light incident from the left end face or the right end face of the flat plate portion below the front light guide plate 410 is emitted to the front side of the pachinko machine 10, and the light incident from other directions is not emitted to the front side of the pachinko machine 10, but passes through the part where the fourth decorative pattern group 413 is formed and does not emit light (is not visible or is difficult to see). Details of the illumination modes of the second decorative pattern group 411, the third decorative pattern group 412 and the fourth decorative pattern group 413 will be described later.

[0168] The rear light guide plate 420, like the front light guide plate 410, is configured by continuously forming upper and lower flat plate portions extending in a direction parallel to the surface of the base plate 60 with respect to a regular R-shaped portion along the outer peripheral shape of the drum display device 81. More specifically, an upper inverted R-shaped portion is formed by bending toward the front side of the game board 13 with a size of about R30 from the upper flat plate portion of the rear light guide plate 420, and a regular R-shaped portion is formed by continuously bending toward the front side of the game board 13 with a size of about R75 along the outer peripheral shape of the drum display device 81 (front light guide plate 410), and further, a lower inverted R-shaped portion is formed by continuously bending toward the front side of the game board 13 with a size of about R30, and a lower flat plate portion is formed by continuously forming the lower inverted R-shaped portion.

[0169] Further, a rear upper diffusion lens 423 is provided on an upper end (surface) of the rear light guide plate 420 in a front view, which diffuses light emitted from a plurality of rear upper LEDs 422c (see FIG. 12) mounted on a rear upper LED substrate 422b of the rear upper LED unit 422 in a plurality of directions inside the rear light guide plate 420. Further, a rear lower diffusion lens 425 is provided on a lower end (surface) of the rear light guide plate 420 in a front view, which diffuses light emitted from a plurality of rear lower LEDs 424 mounted on a lower LED substrate 414b of the lower LED unit 414 in a plurality of directions inside the rear light guide plate 420. Details of the irradiation (passage) mode of light by the rear upper diffusion lens 423 and the rear lower diffusion lens 425 will be described later.

[0170] On the rear side of the rear light guide plate 420 (the surface facing the rear side of the pachinko machine 10), as described above, various concave and convex lens cuts are applied so that the first decorative pattern group 421 imitating a school of fish consisting of a plurality of kinds of fish can be viewed from the front side of the pachinko machine 10 by guiding the light incident from above and / or below the rear light guide plate 420. The first decorative pattern group 421 is formed evenly over the entire regular R-shaped portion.

[0171] The concave-convex lens cut corresponding to the patterns of the first decorative pattern group 421 is configured to emit guided light toward the front side of the pachinko machine 10 when light is incident from the rear lower LED 424 mounted on the lower LED board 414b of the lower LED unit 414 and / or the rear upper LED 422c (see FIG. 12) mounted on the rear upper LED board 422b of the rear upper LED unit 422 toward the lower flat plate portion and / or the upper flat plate portion of the rear light guide plate 420. Therefore, the first decorative pattern group 421 is illuminated from the front side of the pachinko machine 10 by the light incident from the lower end (surface) of the lower flat plate portion and / or the upper end (surface) of the upper flat plate portion of the rear light guide plate 420, and becomes visible.

[0172] The lens cuts of the concave and convex shapes corresponding to the patterns of the first decorative pattern group 421 are configured to emit light incident from various directions among the light guided to the flat plate portion, toward the front side of the pachinko machine 10. Details of the light emission mode of the first decorative pattern group 421 will be described later.

[0173] More specifically, the lens cuts having a concave-convex shape corresponding to the patterns of the first decorative pattern group 421 are configured to emit light incident from a direction parallel to the flat plate portion of the rear light guide plate 420, such as the upward direction as seen from the front, the downward direction as seen from the front, the right direction as seen from the front, and the left direction as seen from the front, among the light guided to the flat plate portion, to the front side of the pachinko machine 10. When light is incident from the non-flat plate portion of the rear light guide plate 420, i.e., the upper inverted R-shaped portion, the normal R-shaped portion, or the lower inverted R-shaped portion, the light that is repeatedly reflected within the rear light guide plate 420 is guided with the incidence angle and reflection angle slightly different between the front surface and the back surface when it is reflected by the R-shaped portion of the upper inverted R-shaped portion, the normal R-shaped portion, or the lower inverted R-shaped portion. Therefore, even if light is incident from the lateral direction of the upper inverted R-shaped portion, the normal R-shaped portion, or the lower inverted R-shaped portion as viewed from the front, the light is not guided in the lateral direction as viewed from the front, but is guided in the diagonally upward direction or the diagonally downward direction as viewed from the front, and the light is guided unevenly (non-homogeneously) to the first decorative pattern group 421 respectively applied to the back side of the rear light guide plate 420, and depending on the part, the first decorative pattern group 421 may be lit with varying intensity, resulting in sparse lighting. Therefore, by illuminating the light from the end faces of the upper flat plate portion and the lower flat plate portion of the rear light guide plate 420, the light can be evenly incident on the first decorative pattern group 421, and the lighting of the first decorative pattern group 421 can be kept uniform.

[0174] In the first embodiment, when light is incident (guided) to the front light guide plate 410 and the rear light guide plate 420, the light is configured to be incident from the end face (part) of any flat plate part of each light guide plate 410, 420, and the light is not configured to be incident from the R-shaped part (i.e., the normal R-shaped part, the upper inverted R-shaped part, or the lower inverted R-shaped part). This is because, when light is attempted to be incident from the R-shaped part, the incident light's traveling direction is changed by the R-shaped part, and it may be difficult or impossible to properly light up the desired pattern. In addition, LEDs and the like must be arranged along the shape of the end face of the R-shaped part, which may reduce the design freedom. Furthermore, the R-shaped part is formed along the outer shape of the performance member such as the drum display device 81 and the movable prop, and if an LED board or the like is arranged on the side of the R-shaped part, the design freedom of the performance member may be restricted. Therefore, in each of the light guide plates 410, 420 having a rounded portion, by making light incident from an end face (portion) of any of the flat plate portions, the above problem can be suitably solved and the degree of freedom in designing each member can be increased.

[0175] More specifically, in the pachinko machine 10 of the first embodiment, the upper flat plate portion (upper flat plate portion), upper inverted R-shaped portion, normal R-shaped portion, lower inverted R-shaped portion and lower flat plate portion (lower flat plate portion) which respectively constitute the front light guide plate 410 and the rear light guide plate 420 are configured so that light from each of the LEDs 414c, 415c, 416c, 422c, 424 is incident from the end faces (side faces) of the upper flat plate portion and the lower flat plate portion on the upper side when viewed from the front, the right side when viewed from the front, the left side when viewed from the front, and the lower side when viewed from the front.

[0176] The first reason is to appropriately light up each of the decorative pattern groups 411, 412, 413, 421 of each light guide plate 410, 420. The non-flat plate portion of each light guide plate 410, 420, i.e., the upper inverted R-shaped portion, the normal R-shaped portion, or the lower inverted R-shaped portion, is formed so that the radius of the R-shape is slightly different between the front and back sides by the thickness of each light guide plate 410, 420. Therefore, when light is incident from the end face (side face) of the upper inverted R-shaped portion, the normal R-shaped portion, or the lower inverted R-shaped portion of each light guide plate 410, 420, the light that is repeatedly reflected within each light guide plate 410, 420 is guided with the incidence angle and reflection angle being slightly different between the front and back sides when it is reflected by the R-shaped portion of the upper inverted R-shaped portion, the normal R-shaped portion, or the lower inverted R-shaped portion. As a result, light is guided unevenly (non-homogeneously) to the decorative pattern groups 411, 412, 413, 421 applied to the back side of each light guide plate 410, 420, and the lighting of each decorative pattern group 411, 412, 413, 421 may vary in intensity depending on the location, resulting in sparse lighting.

[0177] Therefore, by making light incident from the end faces (side faces) of the upper and lower flat plate parts of each light guide plate 410, 420, the light that is repeatedly reflected in each light guide plate 410, 420 is repeatedly reflected from the front or back surface of each planar light guide plate 410, 420 while being guided at least in the upper and lower flat plate parts, and is guided while the angle of incidence and the angle of reflection are always uniform. As a result, first, the light is guided stably in the upper and lower flat plate parts of each light guide plate 410, 420, and the light is guided uniformly (homogeneously) to each decorative pattern group 411, 412, 413, 421 provided on the back side of each light guide plate 410, 420, so that each decorative pattern group 411, 412, 413, 421 can be appropriately lit.

[0178] The second reason is to improve the design freedom regarding the arrangement of each LED 414c, 415c, 416c, 422c, 424. Since the side end faces of the R-shaped parts (i.e., the upper inverted R-shaped part, the normal R-shaped part, and the lower inverted R-shaped part) of each light guide plate 410, 420 in the front view are shaped along the R-shaped parts, when light is to be incident from the side end faces of the R-shaped parts, the arrangement of each LED on the LED board must also be along the side end faces of the R-shaped parts. In particular, when the LEDs are arranged while taking into consideration the arrangement of each decorative pattern group 411, 412, 413, 421, adjustments regarding the position and interval of each LED on the LED board become complicated, and the design freedom may decrease.

[0179] Therefore, the LEDs 414c, 415c, 416c, 422c, 424 in the LED substrates 414b, 415b, 416b, 422b are arranged so that light is incident from the end faces (side faces) of the upper and lower flat plate parts of the light guide plates 410, 420, and the LED substrates and LEDs are not arranged on the end faces (side faces) of the R-shaped parts of the light guide plates 410, 420. By configuring in this way, it becomes possible to arrange the LEDs 414c, 415c, 416c, 422c, 424 in the LED substrates 414b, 415b, 416b, 422b simply in accordance with the shapes of the end faces of the upper and lower flat plate parts (i.e., arranged in a straight line and at equal intervals), improving the design freedom.

[0180] Furthermore, the third reason is to improve the degree of freedom in design of the performance devices (drum display device 81, movable role objects, etc.) on the back side and side side of each light guide plate 410, 420. On the back side and side side of each R-shaped part of each light guide plate 410, 420, performance devices (drum display device 81 that performs the variable performance itself, movable role objects that perform various performances in the variable performance, etc.) related to the variable performance of the third pattern, which is the main game of the pachinko machine 10, are arranged. Here, if an LED board is arranged on the side part of each R-shaped part of each light guide plate 410, 420 when viewed from the front, the degree of freedom in design of each performance device may be restricted by the installation of the LED board.

[0181] Therefore, in order to allow light to enter from the end faces (side faces) of the upper flat plate portion and the lower flat plate portion of each light guide plate 410, 420, the LEDs 414c, 415c, 416c, 422c, 424 of the LED boards 414b, 415b, 416b, 422b are arranged on the upper side of the upper flat plate portion as viewed from the front, and on the lower side, right side, and left side as viewed from the front of the lower flat plate portion, and the LED boards and LEDs are not arranged at the lateral positions as viewed from the front of the R-shaped portion of each light guide plate 410, 420. By configuring in this way, when a performance device is installed on the back side and lateral side of each light guide plate 410, 420, the LED boards and the like are not obstructed from the arrangement of the performance device, so that the design freedom of each performance device can be improved.

[0182] The downward LED unit 414 is provided at a position below the front light guide plate 410 and the rear light guide plate 420 when viewed from the front, and is composed of a downward base 414a, a downward LED substrate 414b equipped with front downward LEDs 414c and rear downward LEDs 424, and a front downward focusing lens 414d.

[0183] The downward base 414a is configured to be able to hold the downward LED board 414b with screws or the like, and is also configured to be able to position and fix the front light guide plate 410, the rear light guide plate 420, and the front downward focusing lens 414d by connecting and fixing them to the front right LED unit 415, the front left LED unit 416, and the display area forming member 430 with screws or the like while holding them in predetermined positions with respective positioning bosses (ribs) or the like.

[0184] In addition, the lower base 414a has a predetermined partition rib formed so that the light irradiated from the front lower LED 414c mounted on the lower LED substrate 414b is emitted only to the front light guide plate 410 through the front lower condensing lens 414d, and the light emitted from the rear lower LED 424 is emitted only to the rear lower diffusing lens 425 formed on the lower end (surface) of the rear light guide plate 420. As a result, the light irradiated from each LED 414c, 424 can be accurately emitted to the front light guide plate 410 or the rear light guide plate 420, so that the first decorative pattern group 421, the second decorative pattern group 411, or the third decorative pattern 412 can be accurately lit at an appropriate timing, and display abnormalities such as unintended lighting of decorative patterns can be suppressed. The manner in which light is irradiated (passed) by the front-downward condensing lens 414d and the manner in which light is irradiated (diffused) by the rear-downward diffusing lens 425 will be described in detail later.

[0185] The front right LED unit 415 is provided at a right position when viewed from the front of the front light guide plate 410 and the rear light guide plate 420, and is composed of a front right base 415a, a front right LED board 415b on which a plurality of front right LEDs 415c (see Figure 19) are mounted, and a front right focusing lens 415d.

[0186] The front right base 415a is configured to be able to hold the front right LED board 415b with screws or the like, and is provided with a positioning rib that conforms to the shapes (outer shapes of the ends of the upper flat plate portion, the upper inverted R-shaped portion, the normal R-shaped portion, the lower inverted R-shaped portion, and the lower flat plate portion) of each right end face of the front light guide plate 410 and the rear light guide plate 420. The front light guide plate 410, the rear light guide plate 420, and the front right condensing lens 415d are held at predetermined positions by the positioning bosses and positioning ribs, respectively, and are connected and fixed to the lower LED unit 414, the rear upper LED unit 422, and the display area forming member 430 by screws or the like, respectively, thereby allowing each to be positioned and fixed.

[0187] In addition, the front right base 415a has a predetermined partition rib formed so that the light irradiated from the front right LED 415c (see FIG. 19) mounted on the front right LED board 415b is emitted only to the lower flat plate portion of the front light guide plate 410 through the front right condensing lens 415d. This allows the light irradiated from the front right LED 415c to be accurately emitted to the front light guide plate 410, so that the fourth decorative pattern group 413 can be accurately lit at an appropriate timing, and display abnormalities such as lighting of unintended patterns can be suppressed. Details of the irradiation (passage) mode of light by the front right condensing lens 415d will be described later.

[0188] The front left LED unit 416 is provided at a position to the left of the front light guide plate 410 and the rear light guide plate 420 when viewed from the front, and is composed of a front left base 416a, a front left LED board 416b on which a plurality of front left LEDs 416c (see Figure 19) are mounted, and a front left focusing lens 416d.

[0189] The front left base 416a is configured to be able to hold the front left LED board 416b with screws or the like, and is provided with a positioning rib that conforms to the shapes (outer shapes of the ends of the upper flat plate portion, the upper inverted R-shaped portion, the normal R-shaped portion, the lower inverted R-shaped portion, and the lower flat plate portion) of the left end faces of the front light guide plate 410 and the rear light guide plate 420. The front light guide plate 410, the rear light guide plate 420, and the front left condenser lens 416d are held in predetermined positions by the positioning bosses and positioning ribs, respectively, and are connected and fixed to the lower LED unit 414, the rear upper LED unit 422, and the display area forming member 430 by screws or the like, respectively, thereby allowing each to be positioned and fixed.

[0190] In addition, the front left base 416a has a predetermined partition rib formed so that the light irradiated from the front left LED 416c (see FIG. 19) mounted on the front left LED board 416b is emitted only to the lower flat plate portion of the front light guide plate 410 through the front left condensing lens 416d. This allows the light irradiated from the front left LED 416c to be accurately emitted to the front light guide plate 410, so that the fourth decorative pattern group 413 can be accurately lit at an appropriate timing, and display abnormalities such as lighting of unintended patterns can be suppressed. Details of the irradiation (passage) mode of light by the front left condensing lens 416d will be described later.

[0191] The rear upper LED unit 422 is provided at an upper position when viewed from the front of the front light guide plate 410 and the rear light guide plate 420, and is composed of a rear upper base 422a and a rear upper LED board 422b equipped with a rear upper LED 422c (see Figure 12).

[0192] The rear upper base 422a is configured to be able to hold the rear upper LED board 422b with screws or the like, and is also configured to be able to position and fix the front light guide plate 410 and the rear light guide plate 420 by connecting and fixing them to the front right LED unit 415, front left LED unit 416 and display area forming member 430 with screws or the like while holding them in predetermined positions with respective positioning bosses (ribs) or the like.

[0193] In addition, the rear-upper base 422a has a predetermined partition rib formed thereon so that the light emitted from the rear-upper LED 422c (see FIG. 12) is emitted only to the rear-upper diffusion lens 423 formed on the upper end (surface) of the rear light guide plate 420. This allows the light irradiated from the rear-upper LED 422c to be accurately emitted to the rear light guide plate 420, so that the first decorative pattern group 421 can be accurately lit at an appropriate timing, and display abnormalities such as lighting of unintended patterns can be suppressed. Details of the light irradiation (diffusion) mode by the rear-upper diffusion lens 423 will be described later.

[0194] The upper spacer 417 and the lower spacer 418 have a predetermined thickness (for example, 5 mm) and are formed in a flat plate shape extending in the longitudinal direction. The upper spacer 417 and the lower spacer 418 are disposed between the front light guide plate 410 and the rear light guide plate 420 in order to provide a predetermined space between the front light guide plate 410 and the rear light guide plate 420. In this way, by providing a space between the front light guide plate 410 and the rear light guide plate 420, it is possible to make it difficult for light incident on one light guide plate 410, 420 to be incident on the other light guide plate 420, 410, and it is possible to prevent unintended lighting of the decorative patterns 411, 412, 413, 421, etc.

[0195] As described above, the display area forming member 430 is arranged on the front side of the front light guide plate 410 and the rear light guide plate 420 (drum display device 81) when viewed from the front, and a central opening 431 is formed so that the drum display device 81 (the positive R-shaped portion of the front light guide plate 410 and the rear light guide plate 420) can be viewed from the front side of the pachinko machine 10, and a lens cut 432 is formed on the outer edge portion of the central opening 431.

[0196] This lens cut 432 is provided to clarify the display area (effective line) of the display pattern on the drum display device 81, and is also provided to suppress (prevent) the light irradiated from the confirmation lamp 311 located in the upper part of the display area forming member 430 when viewed from the front, from being irradiated onto the front light guide plate 410 and the rear light guide plate 420 (drum display device 81) when the confirmation lamp 311 is lit.

[0197] Here, the positional relationship between the display area forming member 430, the front light guide plate 410, the rear light guide plate 420, the drum display device 81, and the confirmation lamp 311 will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the drum display device 81 and the positional relationship between the confirmation lamp 311 and the display area forming member 430 with respect to the schematic side cross-sectional view of the light guide unit 400 taken along line XX in Fig. 7. Note that in Fig. 10, for convenience of explanation, the intervals between the display area forming member 430, the front light guide plate 410, the rear light guide plate 420, and the drum display device 81 are shown enlarged.

[0198] As shown in FIG. 10, when the pachinko machine 10 is viewed from the front side, the display area forming member 430, the front light guide plate 410, the rear light guide plate 420, and the drum display device 81 are arranged in this order from the outside (the front side of the pachinko machine 10 (left side of the drawing)). A total of nine pattern display areas, three for each of the reels LR, CR, and RR of the drum display device 81, are visible from the central opening 431 of the display area forming member 430, and the other pattern areas (third patterns) are covered by the lens cut 432 and therefore cannot be seen or are difficult to see. In addition, the second decorative pattern group 411 and the third decorative pattern 412 of the front light guide plate 410 and the first decorative pattern group 421 of the rear light guide plate 420 are configured to be visible from the central opening 431 of the display area forming member 430 when they are lit up and displayed. Furthermore, since the lower side of the lens cut 432 on the lower side of the central opening 431 of the display area forming member 430 is transparent, the fourth decorative symbol group 413 formed on the flat plate portion below the front light guide plate 410 is configured to be visible from the front side of the pachinko machine 10 when it is lit up. Therefore, the effective line of the variable performance in the drum display device 81 is clarified by the display area forming member 430, and when the first decorative symbol group 421, the second decorative symbol group 411, the third decorative symbol 412, and the fourth decorative symbol group 413 are lit up, they can each be viewed while avoiding the lens cut 432 of the display area forming member 430.

[0199] In addition, the lens cut 432 is located in the upper part (lower part, both side parts) of the positive R-shaped portion of each light guide plate 410, 420 so that when the confirmation lamp 311 is lit, the light irradiated from the confirmation lamp 311 is not or is unlikely to be guided to the front light guide plate 410 and the rear light guide plate 420, i.e., so as to block the light of the confirmation lamp 311.

[0200] More specifically, lens cut 432 is configured in a rib shape with multiple ribs standing continuously on its rear side (the rear side of pachinko machine 10), and is configured to disperse light incident on lens cut 432 and reduce the amount of light transmitted through lens cut 432.

[0201] In addition, in the lens cut 432, instead of the multiple rib shape, the lens cut 432 may be configured by knurling or mirror finishing to reduce the amount of light transmitted through the lens cut 432.

[0202] In addition, the lens cut 432 may also be applied to the inner surface of the upright wall (whole bulging portion) on the side of the central opening 431 of the display area forming member 430 when viewed from the front. By configuring in this way, the display area showing the effective line of the variable performance is clarified in a square shape, and the light that may be incident from the side of the light guide unit 400 when viewed from the front is dispersed by the lens cut 432, thereby reducing the amount of light transmitted through the lens cut 432.

[0203] In addition, the effect of the confirmation lamp 311 located above the light-guiding unit 400 when viewed from the front is an effect that suggests (notifies) that a jackpot will occur in the variable display, and is an effect that is more important in the game than the effects of the first decorative symbol group 421, the second decorative symbol group 411, the third decorative symbol group 412, or the fourth decorative symbol group 413 of the light-guiding unit 400 (i.e., suggestion of the expectation of a jackpot), so it is configured to have a stronger lighting brightness than the effects of the first decorative symbol group 421, the second decorative symbol group 411, the third decorative symbol group 412, or the fourth decorative symbol group 413. This is to make it easier for the player to recognize the effect of the confirmation lamp 311, which is more important, if these effects are combined.

[0204] The front light guide plate 410 and the rear light guide plate 420 are formed in a shape (regular R-shaped portion) that follows the outer peripheral shape of the drum display device 81, and when a lamp or the like is turned on at the upper or lower position of the regular R-shaped portion, the light from the lamp is incident on the regular R-shaped portion and each of the decorative pattern groups 411, 412, 413, 421 is abnormally lit, which may result in a discrepancy between the lighting state of the decorative pattern groups 411, 412, 413, 421 and the change results of the variable performance.

[0205] Therefore, by arranging the lens cut 432 between the confirmation lamp 311 and the up-down position of the positive R-shaped portion of the front light guide plate 410 and the rear light guide plate 420, the light incident by the lens cut 432 can be diffused (weakened). Therefore, by suppressing light other than the light incident by the lighting of each LED 414c, 415c, 416c, 422c, 424 to the front light guide plate 410 and the rear light guide plate 420 from being incident on the front light guide plate 410 and the rear light guide plate 420, it is possible to suppress the abnormal lighting of each decorative pattern group 411, 412, 413, 421. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a performance discrepancy such as the abnormal lighting of each decorative pattern group 411, 412, 413, 421.

[0206] In addition, in this pachinko machine 10, the front light guide plate 410 is arranged on the front side of the pachinko machine 10 of the first decorative symbol group 421, which has the highest jackpot reliability (expectation), so that the front light guide plate 410 can also suppress the incidence of light entering the rear light guide plate 420 from the front side of the pachinko machine 10. Therefore, by arranging the front light guide plate 410 as a noise cover on the front side of the rear light guide plate 420, the light entered by the front light guide plate 410 is somewhat diffused (weakened), and it is possible to suppress the first decorative symbol group 421, which has a large performance discrepancy, from being abnormally lit when it is erroneously lit and displayed. As a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a performance discrepancy such as the abnormal lighting of each decorative symbol group 411, 412, 413, 421.

[0207] Next, with reference to Figures 11 to 25, the direction of light travel (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "light path") from the rear upward diffusion lens 423 and the rear downward diffusion lens 425 relative to the rear light guide plate 420, and the light paths of light from the front downward focusing lens 414d, the front right focusing lens 415d, and the front left focusing lens 416d relative to the front light guide plate 410 will be explained, while the light emission mode of the first decorative pattern group 421 on the rear light guide plate 420, the light emission modes of the second decorative pattern group 411, the third decorative pattern 412, and the fourth decorative pattern group 413 on the front light guide plate 410, and the presentation modes of the confirmation lamp 311, the front light guide plate 410, the rear light guide plate 420, and the drum display device 81 will be explained.

[0208] First, the positional relationship between the front light guide plate 410 and the rear light guide plate 420 will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is a schematic perspective view of the front light guide plate 410 and the rear light guide plate 420. In Fig. 11, for convenience of explanation, the second decorative pattern group 411, the third decorative pattern 412, and the fourth decorative pattern group 413 provided on the front light guide plate 410, and the first decorative pattern group 421 provided on the rear light guide plate 420 are arranged differently from Fig. 12 described later.

[0209] 11, the front light guide plate 410 is located on the front side (left side of the drawing) of the pachinko machine 10, and the rear light guide plate 420 is located on the rear side (right side of the drawing). As described above, the front light guide plate 410 has a third decorative pattern 412 imitating a sunfish formed in the center of the positive R-shaped portion of the front light guide plate 410, and a second decorative pattern group 411 imitating cherry blossom petals formed on both the left and right sides of the positive R-shaped portion on which the third decorative pattern 412 is formed, and further, a fourth decorative pattern group 413 imitating a bubble pattern formed in the entire area of ​​the lower inverted R-shaped portion continuing from the lower flat plate portion of the front light guide plate 410.

[0210] As described above, the rear light guide plate 420 has the first decorative pattern group 421 formed in the shape of a school of fish formed over the entire area of ​​the regular R-shape portion of the rear light guide plate 420 .

[0211] Therefore, when the front light guide plate 410 and the rear light guide plate 420 are connected to form the light guide unit 400, the display areas of the second decorative pattern group 411 and the third decorative pattern 412 of the front light guide plate 410 and the first decorative pattern group 421 of the rear light guide plate 420 are configured to overlap (superimpose). In this way, in the presentation in the light guide unit 400, a variety of presentations can be executed in one display area, thereby enhancing the presentation effect of the light guide unit 400 and increasing attention to the game.

[0212] Next, referring to Figs. 12 to 16, the light paths of the light from the rear upper diffusion lens 423 and the rear lower diffusion lens 425 to the rear light guide plate 420 and the light emission mode (lighting mode or display mode; the same applies below) of the first decorative pattern group 421 on the rear light guide plate 420 will be described. Fig. 12 is a schematic front view showing the positional relationship between the first decorative pattern group 421 that can be lit and displayed on the rear light guide plate 420, the rear upper LEDs 422c of the rear upper LED unit 422, and the rear lower LEDs 424 of the lower LED unit 414. Fig. 13 is a schematic enlarged view of part A in Fig. 12, and is a schematic front view showing the relationship between the rear lower diffusion lens 425 formed on the lower end face of the rear light guide plate 420 and the rear lower LEDs 424 of the lower LED unit 414. Fig. 14 is a diagram showing the light paths of the light by the rear lower diffusion lens. Figure 15 is a diagram showing the lighting mode of the first decorative pattern group 421 displayed on the rear light guide plate 420, where Figure 15(a) is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the lighting mode of the first decorative pattern group 421 when the rear upper LED 422c and the rear lower LED 424 corresponding to the right side area of ​​the rear light guide plate 420 are lit, and Figure 15(b) is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the lighting mode of the first decorative pattern group 421 when the rear upper LED 422c and the rear lower LED 424 corresponding to the central area of ​​the rear light guide plate 420 are additionally lit from the state of Figure 15(a). Fig. 16 is a diagram showing the lighting state of the first decorative pattern group 421 displayed on the rear light guide plate 420, Fig. 16(a) is a diagram showing the lighting state of the first decorative pattern group 421 when the rear upper LED 422c and the rear lower LED 424 corresponding to the left region of the rear light guide plate 420 are additionally turned on from the state of Fig. 15(b), and Fig. 16(b) is a diagram showing the lighting state of the first decorative pattern group 421 when the rear upper LED 422c and the rear lower LED 424 corresponding to the right region of the rear light guide plate 420 are turned off from the state of Fig. 16(a). Note that in Figs. 12, 15, and 16, the LEDs 414c, 415c, 416c, 422c, 424 and the diffusing lenses 423 and 425 are omitted or represented diagrammatically for convenience of explanation.

[0213] 12, a first decorative pattern group 421 is formed on the entirety of the positive R-shaped portion of the rear light guide plate 420 as a school of fish pattern that is a pattern imitating a school of fish of multiple types. When light is irradiated onto a rear upper diffusion lens 423 formed on the upper end surface of the rear light guide plate 420 and a rear lower diffusion lens 425 formed on the lower end surface of the rear light guide plate 420 by rear upper LEDs 422c and rear lower LEDs 424 provided above and below the rear light guide plate 420, the light is diffused in multiple directions (three directions, left, center, and right, in the first embodiment) from each of the diffusion lenses 423, 425.

[0214] The rear upper LEDs 422c and the rear lower LEDs 424 are arranged such that one rear upper LED 422c and one rear lower LED 424 form pairs in the up-down direction (vertical direction).

[0215] Here, the diffusion mode of light by the rear downward diffusion lens 425 (rear upward diffusion lens 423) will be described with reference to Fig. 13 and Fig. 14. Fig. 13 is a schematic enlarged view of part A in Fig. 12, and is a schematic front view showing the relationship between the rear downward diffusion lens 425 formed on the lower end face of the rear light guide plate 420 and the rear downward LEDs 424 of the lower LED unit 414. Fig. 14 is a schematic enlarged view of part B in Fig. 13, and is a diagram showing a schematic optical path of light by the rear downward diffusion lens 425. Note that the configuration of the rear upward diffusion lens 423 is the same as that of the rear downward diffusion lens 425, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0216] More specifically, the rear upper diffusion lens 423 and the rear lower diffusion lens 425 are configured to have completely the same shape, with the only difference being that they are disposed at an upper end face and a lower end face in a front view of the rear light guide plate 420. Therefore, when the rear upper diffusion lens 423 and the rear lower diffusion lens 425 are molded, the rear upper diffusion lens 423 and the rear lower diffusion lens 425 can be molded by the same forming process (manufacturing process, same mold, etc.), and an increase in the manufacturing cost of the rear light guide plate 420 can be suppressed.

[0217] In addition, since the rear-upper diffusion lens 423 and the rear-downward diffusion lens 425 have the same shape, the optical path of the light diffused from the rear-upper diffusion lens 423 and the optical path of the light diffused from the rear-downward diffusion lens 425 are the same, and it is possible to easily set (understand) the destination of the optical path of the diffused light and the overlapping portion of the optical path of the light at the design stage. Specifically, in the case of the first embodiment, the optical path of the light irradiated from the rear-upper diffusion lens 423 and the optical path of the light irradiated from the rear-downward diffusion lens 425 may overlap one or more times in the positive R-shaped portion of the rear light guide plate 420. More specifically, for example, the optical path of the light irradiated from one front-direction diffusion portion 425b of the rear-downward diffusion lens 425 overlaps with the optical path of the light irradiated from the front-direction diffusion portion (no reference number) facing the rear-upper diffusion lens 423 in all optical path portions. The optical path of light irradiated from the leftward diffusion section 425a of one of the rear downward diffusion lenses 425 overlaps with the optical path of light irradiated from the leftward diffusion section (no number) of the recess on the opposite side of the rear upward diffusion lens 423, and also overlaps with the optical path of light irradiated from the frontward diffusion section (no number) of the recess on the left of the recess on the opposite side. Furthermore, the optical path of light irradiated from the rightward diffusion section 425c of one of the rear downward diffusion lenses 425 overlaps with the optical path of light irradiated from the rightward diffusion section (no number) of the recess on the opposite side of the rear upward diffusion lens 423, and also overlaps with the optical path of light irradiated from the frontward diffusion section (no number) of the recess on the right of the recess on the opposite side. As a result, it becomes easier to arrange the decorative pattern on the rear light guide plate 420, the decorative pattern on the rear light guide plate 420 can be accurately lit, and the decorative pattern that is to be highlighted can be arranged in the overlapping portion, thereby highlighting the decorative pattern.

[0218] 13, rear-downward diffusion lenses 425 are formed on the lower end surface of the rear light guide plate 420 so as to correspond to the multiple rear-downward LEDs 424 of the lower LED unit 414. Then, as shown in Fig. 14, the rear-downward diffusion lens 425 is formed so as to have multiple recesses connected together, and one recess is composed of a leftward diffusion portion 425a, a frontward diffusion portion 425b, and a rightward diffusion portion 425c, which have the same side length.

[0219] The front-direction diffusing portion 425b is formed in a plane perpendicular to the irradiation direction of the light from the rear-downward LED 424. The left-direction diffusing portion 425a is formed in a plane inclined about 50 degrees (θ1=50°) to the left with respect to the front-direction diffusing portion 425b. The right-direction diffusing portion 425c is formed in a plane inclined about 50 degrees (θ1=50°) to the right with respect to the front-direction diffusing portion 425b. A recess constituted by the left-direction diffusing portion 425a, the front-direction diffusing portion 425b, and the right-direction diffusing portion 425c is formed in the lower end surface of the rear light guide plate 420 continuously over the width of the light-emitting surface of at least one rear-downward LED 424.

[0220] In the first embodiment, the rear light guide plate 420 is made of acrylic resin (PMMA). When the refractive index of the acrylic resin is set to 1.49 to 1.53, the optical path of light incident from the rear downward LED 424 to the front direction diffusion section 425b is straight (toward the upper side of the drawing in FIG. 14) and is emitted to the inside of the rear light guide plate 420. The light incident from the rear downward LED 424 to the left direction diffusion section 425a is refracted in a direction inclined by about 20 degrees (θ2 = 20°) to the left with respect to the light emitted from the front direction diffusion section 425b and is emitted to the inside of the rear light guide plate 420. The light incident from the rear downward LED 424 to the right direction diffusion section 425c is refracted in a direction inclined by about 20 degrees (θ3 = 20°) to the right with respect to the light emitted from the front direction diffusion section 425b and is emitted to the inside of the rear light guide plate 420.

[0221] The rear-downward diffusion lens 425 is provided with a plurality of recesses, each of which is formed by the leftward diffusion portion 425a, the frontward diffusion portion 425b, and the rightward diffusion portion 425c, and which are at least as wide as the light-emitting surface of the rear-downward LED 424. For this reason, the light irradiated from one rear-downward LED 424 is diffused in three directions (i.e., the frontward direction, the direction tilted 20 degrees left from the frontward direction, and the direction tilted 20 degrees right from the frontward direction) inside the rear light guide plate 420 by the plurality of recesses of the rear-downward diffusion lens 425. In addition, since the leftward diffusion portion 425a, the frontward diffusion portion 425b, and the rightward diffusion portion 425c are each configured to have the same side length, the width of the optical path of the diffused light is also configured to be the same. As a result, when one LED is turned on, multiple first decorative pattern groups 421, each formed at a position corresponding to each diffused light path, can be made to emit light in the same color, and even with a small number of LEDs, a variety of effects can be produced, enhancing the presentation effect of the rear light guide plate 420 and drawing attention to the game.

[0222] Here, the rear downward diffusion lens 425 will be described with reference to Fig. 51. Fig. 51 is a schematic enlarged view of Fig. 14, showing a light distribution pattern of the leftward diffusion section 425a, the frontward diffusion section 425b, and the rightward diffusion section 425c.

[0223] As shown in FIG. 51, the rear downward diffusion lens 425 is configured with a leftward diffusion section 425a, a frontward diffusion section 425b, and a rightward diffusion section 425c, each of which is formed with a predetermined side length (for example, the side irradiating light in the front direction is 50 micrometers, and the side irradiating light in the left and right directions is 62.5 micrometers. Hereinafter, micrometers may be referred to as "μm"). Each of the diffusion sections 425a to 425c is configured so that the light path width of the light irradiated from each of the diffusion sections 425a to 425c is the same. Specifically, in each of the recesses, the side length irradiating light in the front direction is configured to be the same length (for example, 50 μm), and the side lengths irradiating light in the left and right directions are each configured to be the same length (for example, 62.5 μm), so that the light path width of the light irradiated from each of the diffusion sections 425a to 425c is all the same. A plurality of the recesses are configured in a continuous line. That is, the horizontal width of the first recess is 130.35 μm obtained by adding the horizontal width X (cos50°=x / 62.5, x=40.175, X=2x=80.35 μm) of the leftward diffusion portion 425a and the rightward diffusion portion 425c to the length of the frontward diffusion portion 425b (50 μm). Therefore, for example, if the light emitting surface (irradiation width) of the first LED 424 is 3 mm wide, about 23 rear downward diffusion lenses 425 for the first LED 424 are formed.

[0224] Here, when one rear downward LED 424 emits light and the light is irradiated to each recess, the width of the light distributed in the front direction by the front direction diffusion portion 425b in the first recess is 50 μm, the width of the light distributed in the left direction by the left direction diffusion portion 425a in the first recess is also 50 μm, and the width of the light distributed in the right direction by the right direction diffusion portion 425c in the first recess is also 50 μm. Then, the light distributed in the front direction, left direction, and right direction by each recess is gathered together for each recess, forming an optical path of at least a predetermined width (for example, 50 μm × 26 = 1300 μm). In this case, for example, the front direction diffusion section 425b constituting recess 1 and the front direction diffusion section 425b constituting the recess adjacent to the right of the recess are separated by the lateral distance between the right direction diffusion section 425c constituting recess 1 and the left direction diffusion section 425a constituting the recess adjacent to the right. Therefore, the front direction light paths distributed from the front direction diffusion section 425b constituting recess 1 and the front direction diffusion section 425b constituting the recess adjacent to the right are also separated by the above-mentioned lateral distance. However, due to the diffusion effect of the light distributed from the right direction diffusion section 425c and the left direction diffusion section 425a, and the light distributed from the front direction diffusion section 425b itself, the light is distributed comprehensively within the front light guide plate 410.

[0225] As a result, when one rear-lower LED 424 is illuminated, the light diffused by the rear-lower diffusion lens 425 formed of multiple recesses can illuminate the multiple first decorative pattern groups 421 formed (arranged) in the same color at positions corresponding to the optical paths and the periphery of the optical paths of the diffused light, and it is possible to light up the first decorative pattern groups 421 in a wider range than the light-emitting surface of one rear-lower LED 424. As a result, even with a small number of LEDs, a variety of effects can be performed over a wide range, enhancing the presentation effect of the rear light guide plate 420 and increasing attention to the game. Furthermore, by configuring the side lengths of each diffusion section 425a-425c so that the optical path width of the light irradiated from each diffusion section 425a-425c is the same, the optical path width of the light irradiated from each diffusion section 425a-425c becomes the same, making it easier to set (understand) the optical path of the light guided into the rear light guide plate 420, and making it possible to easily understand the pattern arrangement that allows the first decorative pattern group 421 to emit light accurately during the setting stage.

[0226] Returning to Fig. 12, the explanation will be continued. In the pachinko machine 10 of the first embodiment, nine rear-upper LEDs 422c and nine rear-lower LEDs 424 are provided, and one rear-upper LED 422c and one rear-lower LED 424 are arranged so as to overlap in the vertical direction. Therefore, the light irradiated from one rear-upper LED 422c to the lower side as viewed from the front (lower side in the drawing) through the front-direction diffusion portion (not shown) of the rear-upper diffusion lens 423 and the light irradiated from one rear-lower LED 424 to the upper side as viewed from the front (upper side in the drawing) through the front-direction diffusion portion 425b (see Fig. 14) of the rear-lower diffusion lens 425 are configured to overlap (superimpose). In addition, the light irradiated (diffused) in the left or right direction from one rear upper LED 422c through the leftward or rightward diffusion section (both not shown) of the rear upper diffusion lens 423 is configured to overlap (superimpose) with the light irradiated in each direction from the other rear upper LED 422c through each diffusion section (not shown) of the rear upper diffusion lens 423, and the light irradiated in each direction from the rear lower LED 424 through each diffusion section 425a, 425b, 425c of the rear lower diffusion lens 425, at the portions where their respective optical paths intersect.

[0227] Specifically, for example, when the LEDs of the rear upper LED 422c are lit in three colors, namely, "red", "blue", "green", "red", "blue", "green", "red", "blue", and "green", and the LEDs of the rear lower LED 424 are lit in three colors, namely, "red", "blue", "green", "red", "blue", "green", from the right, the "red" light is diffused in a light path of a predetermined width from the diffusion lenses 423, 425 corresponding to the rightmost LEDs of the rear upper LED 422c and the rear lower LED 424, and the "red" light is diffused in a light path of a predetermined width from the diffusion lenses 423, 425 corresponding to the rightmost LEDs of the rear upper LED 422c and the rear lower LED 424. From the diffusion lenses 423, 425 corresponding to the second LED from the right (i.e., the eighth from the left) of the upper LED 422c and the rear lower LED 424, "blue" light is diffused in an optical path of a predetermined width, from the diffusion lenses 423, 425 corresponding to the third LED from the right (i.e., the seventh from the left) of the rear upper LED 422c and the rear lower LED 424, "green" light is diffused in an optical path of a predetermined width, and from the diffusion lenses 423, 425 corresponding to the fourth LED from the right (i.e., the sixth from the left) of the rear upper LED 422c and the rear lower LED 424, "green" light is diffused in an optical path of a predetermined width. From the diffusion lenses 423, 425 corresponding to the fifth LED from the right of the rear upper LED 422c and the fifth LED from the left (i.e., the fifth from the left; center), "blue" light is diffused in an optical path of a predetermined width, from the diffusion lenses 423, 425 corresponding to the sixth LED from the right of the rear upper LED 422c and the sixth LED from the left (i.e., the fourth from the left; center), "green" light is diffused in an optical path of a predetermined width, from the diffusion lenses 423, 425 corresponding to the sixth LED from the right of the rear upper LED 422c and the sixth LED from the right of the rear lower LED 424 (i.e., the fourth from the left), From each diffusion lens 423, 425 corresponding to the seventh LED from the right (i.e., the third from the left), "red" light is diffused over an optical path of a predetermined width, from each diffusion lens 423, 425 corresponding to the eighth LED from the right of the rear upper LED 422c and the rear lower LED 424 (i.e., the second from the left), "blue" light is diffused over an optical path of a predetermined width, and from each diffusion lens 423, 425 corresponding to the ninth LED from the right of the rear upper LED 422c and the rear lower LED 424 (i.e., the leftmost) LED, "green" light is diffused over an optical path of a predetermined width.

[0228] In this case, the first decorative pattern group 421 formed on the rear light guide plate 420 includes a portion where the optical path of "red" light and the optical path of "red" light are displayed overlapping each other ("dark red"), a portion displayed only by the optical path of "red" light ("light red"), a portion where the optical path of "red" light and the optical path of "blue" light are displayed overlapping each other ("purple"), a portion where the optical path of "red" light and the optical path of "green" light are displayed overlapping each other ("yellow"), a portion where the optical path of "red" light and the optical path of "blue" light and the optical path of "green" light are displayed overlapping each other ("yellow"), and a portion where the optical path of "red" light and the optical path of "blue" light and the optical path of "green" light are displayed overlapping each other ("yellow"). Each pattern of the first decorative pattern group 421 is displayed in a total of 10 different display colors, including a portion where the optical path of the "blue" light and the optical path of the "blue" light overlap ("dark blue"), a portion where only the optical path of the "blue" light is displayed ("light blue"), a portion where the optical path of the "blue" light and the optical path of the "green" light overlap ("blue-green"), a portion where the optical path of the "green" light and the optical path of the "green" light overlap ("dark green"), and a portion where only the optical path of the "green" light is displayed ("light green").The patterns of the first decorative pattern group 421 are arranged in each overlapping portion.

[0229] As a result, even in a lighting pattern with a small number of colors (for example, three colors), the light is diffused by the diffusion lenses 423, 425 arranged above and below, and the optical paths of the diffused light overlap, making it possible to display a greater number of colors than the color scheme, by making the light emission colors different between non-overlapping and overlapping parts. Thus, by realizing a variety of display colors even with a small number of emitted colors, the light emission control of the LEDs is simplified and the control burden of the LED light emission control can be reduced. In particular, when the above control is performed by arranging multiple types of monochromatic light emitting diodes instead of using full-color LEDs, it is possible to reduce costs by using monochromatic light emitting diodes that are less expensive than full-color LEDs, and the light emission control of the LEDs is simplified and the control burden of the LED light emission control can be reduced.

[0230] Also, for pattern 1 of first decorative pattern group 421, a predetermined portion is arranged so as to overlap with the optical path of light of color 1, while a portion other than the predetermined portion is arranged so as to overlap with the optical path of light of other colors. That is, by forming pattern 1 of first decorative pattern group 421 so as to fit within a size range of a plurality of optical path widths, the luminous color of each portion of pattern 1 can be made different, and pattern 1 can be expressed in a variety of colors.

[0231] Here, the lighting (presentation) mode of the first decorative pattern group 421 of the rear light guide plate 420 will be described with reference to Fig. 15 and Fig. 16. Fig. 15 is a diagram showing the lighting mode of the first decorative pattern group 421 displayed on the rear light guide plate 420, Fig. 15(a) is a diagram showing the lighting mode of the first decorative pattern group 421 when the rear upper LED 422c and the rear lower LED 424 corresponding to the right area of ​​the rear light guide plate 420 are lit, and Fig. 15(b) is a diagram showing the lighting mode of the first decorative pattern group 421 when the rear upper LED 422c and the rear lower LED 424 corresponding to the central area of ​​the rear light guide plate 420 are additionally lit from the state of Fig. 15(a). Figure 16 is a diagram showing the lighting mode of the first decorative pattern group 421 displayed on the rear light guide plate 420, where Figure 16(a) is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the lighting mode of the first decorative pattern group 421 when the rear upper LED 422c and the rear lower LED 424 corresponding to the left side area of ​​the rear light guide plate 420 are additionally turned on from the state of Figure 15(b), and Figure 16(b) is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the lighting mode of the first decorative pattern group 421 when the rear upper LED 422c and the rear lower LED 424 corresponding to the right side area of ​​the rear light guide plate 420 are turned off from the state of Figure 16(a).

[0232] First, as shown in FIG. 15(a), when the rear upper LEDs 422c arranged to correspond to the right region of the rear light guide plate 420 are turned on sequentially from the right side, the light emitted from the rear upper LEDs 422c corresponding to the right region of the rear light guide plate 420 is diffused with a predetermined light path width in three directions (i.e., downward to the right, downward to the front, and downward to the left) inside the rear light guide plate 420 in accordance with the shape of the rear upper diffusion lens 423. Similarly, when the rear downward LEDs 424 arranged to correspond to the right side region of the rear light guide plate 420 are lit up sequentially from the right side, the light emitted from the rear downward LEDs 424 corresponding to the right side region of the rear light guide plate 420 is diffused in three directions (i.e., upward right direction, upward front direction, and upward left direction) inside the rear downward light guide plate 420 in accordance with the shape of the rear downward diffusion lens 425, with a predetermined optical path width corresponding to the lens edge width of each diffusion lens 423, 425.

[0233] For example, in the right region of the rear light guide plate 420, when the right rear upper LED 422c is lit in "red," the central rear upper LED 422c is lit in "blue," the left rear upper LED 422c is lit in "green," and the right rear lower LED 424 is lit in "red," the central rear lower LED 424 is lit in "blue," and the left rear lower LED 424 is lit in "green," for a total of three colors, the portion where the "red" light path and the "red" light path overlap (intersect; the same applies below) is a "dark red," and the portion where the "red" light path and the "blue" light path overlap is a "dark red." Each first decorative pattern group 421 is lit up in a total of 10 colors: "purple" where the red light path and the green light path overlap, "yellow" where the red light path, "blue" light path and the green light path overlap, "white" where the red light path and the blue light path overlap, "dark blue" where the blue light path and the green light path overlap, "blue-green" where the blue light path and the green light path overlap, "dark green" where the green light path and the green light path overlap, "red" where there is only the red light path, "blue" where there is only the blue light path, and "green" where there is only the green light path.

[0234] More specifically, of the multiple fish patterns that make up the first decorative pattern group 421, each fish pattern is lit up in one of a total of 10 colors: dark red, purple, yellow, white, dark blue, blue-green, dark green, red, blue, and green.

[0235] The first decorative pattern group 421 includes a small pattern formed within the range of the optical path width of the first light, a medium pattern formed within the range of the optical path width of the second light, and a large pattern formed within the range of the optical path width of the third or more lights. With respect to the first decorative pattern group 421, the small pattern formed within the range of the optical path width of the first display color is lit and displayed in a single display color, and when each part of the medium pattern or the large pattern is located within the range of the optical path width of multiple display colors, each part of the medium pattern or the large pattern is lit and displayed in the luminous color of the optical path where it overlaps. Therefore, in the first decorative pattern group 421 composed of multiple patterns, by expressing each pattern in a different color or expressing the pattern 1 in multiple colors, it is possible to provide a colorful and varied presentation.

[0236] In this case, the first decorative pattern group 421 formed in the left and central regions of the rear light guide plate 420 remains in an unlit state because light from the rear upper LED 422c and the rear lower LED 424, which are arranged to correspond to the right region of the rear light guide plate 420, does not reach them, and they remain difficult to see from the front of the pachinko machine 10.

[0237] Next, as shown in FIG. 15(b), when the rear upper LEDs 422c arranged to correspond to the right side region of the rear light guide plate 420 are turned on from the state of FIG. 15(a), and further the rear upper LEDs 422c arranged to correspond to the central region of the rear light guide plate 420 are turned on sequentially from the right side, the light emitted from the rear upper LEDs 422c corresponding to the central and right side regions of the rear light guide plate 420 is diffused with a predetermined light path width in three directions (i.e., downward to the right, downward to the front, and downward to the left) inside the rear upper diffusion lens 423 according to the shape of the rear upper diffusion lens 423. Similarly, when the rear downward LEDs 424 arranged to correspond to the right side region of the rear light guide plate 420 are lit and the rear downward LEDs 424 arranged to correspond to the central region of the rear light guide plate 420 are lit sequentially from the right side, the light emitted from the rear downward LEDs 424 corresponding to the central and right side regions of the rear light guide plate 420 is diffused in three directions (i.e., upward rightward, upward frontward, and upward leftward) inside the rear light guide plate 420 in accordance with the shape of the rear downward diffusion lens 425, with a predetermined optical path width corresponding to the lens edge width of each diffusion lens 423, 425.

[0238] For example, in each of the right and central regions of the rear light guide plate 420, when the right rear upper LED 422c is lit in "red," the central rear upper LED 422c is lit in "blue," the left rear upper LED 422c is lit in "green," and the right rear lower LED 424 is lit in "red," the central rear lower LED 424 is lit in "blue," and the left rear lower LED 424 is lit in "green," for a total of three colors, the portion where the light path of "red" and the light path of "red" overlap is "dark red," and the portion where the light path of "red" and the light path of "blue" overlap is "dark red." Each of the first decorative pattern groups 421 is lit up in a total of 10 colors: "purple" where the red light path and the green light path overlap, "yellow" where the red light path, the blue light path and the green light path overlap, "white" where the blue light path and the blue light path overlap, "dark blue" where the blue light path and the green light path overlap, "blue-green" where the blue light path and the green light path overlap, "dark green" where the green light path and the green light path overlap, "red" where there is only the red light path, "blue" where there is only the blue light path, and "green" where there is only the green light path.

[0239] More specifically, of the multiple fish patterns that make up the first decorative pattern group 421, each fish pattern is lit up in one of a total of 10 colors: dark red, purple, yellow, white, dark blue, blue-green, dark green, red, blue, and green.

[0240] In this case, the first decorative pattern group 421 formed in the left region of the rear light guide plate 420 remains in an unlit state because light from the rear upper LED 422c and the rear lower LED 424, which are arranged to correspond to the central and right regions of the rear light guide plate 420, does not reach them, and they remain difficult to see from the front of the pachinko machine 10.

[0241] Next, as shown in Figure 16(a), when the rear upper LEDs 422c arranged to correspond to the right side and central regions of the rear light guide plate 420 are turned on from the state of Figure 15(b), and further the rear upper LEDs 422c arranged to correspond to the left side region of the rear light guide plate 420 are turned on sequentially from the right side, the light emitted from the rear upper LEDs 422c corresponding to the left side, central region and right side region (i.e., the entire region) of the rear light guide plate 420 is diffused with a predetermined light path width in three directions (i.e., downward right direction, downward front direction and downward left direction) inside the rear light guide plate 420 in accordance with the shape of the rear upper diffusion lens 423. Similarly, when the rear downward LEDs 424 arranged to correspond to the right side and central regions of the rear light guide plate 420 are lit and the rear downward LEDs 424 arranged to correspond to the left side region of the rear light guide plate 420 are lit sequentially from the right side, the light emitted from the rear downward LEDs 424 corresponding to the left side, central region and right side region of the rear light guide plate 420 is diffused in three directions (i.e., upward right direction, upward front direction and upward left direction) inside the rear downward light guide plate 420 in accordance with the shape of the rear downward diffusion lens 425, with a predetermined light path width corresponding to the lens edge width of each diffusion lens 423, 425.

[0242] For example, in each of the entire regions of the rear light guide plate 420 (i.e., the left region, the central region, and the right region), when the right-side rear upper LED 422c is lit in "red," the central rear upper LED 422c is lit in "blue," the left-side rear upper LED 422c is lit in "green," and the right-side rear lower LED 424 is lit in "red," the central rear lower LED 424 is lit in "blue," and the left-side rear lower LED 424 is lit in "green," a total of three colors, the portions where the "red" light path and the "red" light path overlap are "dark red," the portions where the "red" light path and the "blue" light path overlap are "dark red," and the portions where the "red" light path and the "blue" light path overlap are "dark red." Each of the first decorative pattern groups 421 is displayed in a total of 10 colors: "purple" where the red light path and the green light path overlap, "yellow" where the red light path, the blue light path and the green light path overlap, "white" where the blue light path and the blue light path overlap, "dark blue" where the blue light path and the green light path overlap, "blue-green" where the green light path and the green light path overlap, "dark green" where only the red light path overlaps, "red" where only the blue light path overlaps, "blue" where only the blue light path overlaps, and "green" where only the green light path overlaps.

[0243] More specifically, of the multiple fish patterns that make up the first decorative pattern group 421, each fish pattern is lit up in one of a total of 10 colors: dark red, purple, yellow, white, dark blue, blue-green, dark green, red, blue, and green.

[0244] Next, as shown in Figure 16(b), when, from the state of Figure 16(a), the rear upper LEDs 422c arranged to correspond to the left region and central region of the rear light guide plate 420 are turned on while the rear upper LEDs 422c arranged to correspond to the right region of the rear light guide plate 420 are turned off sequentially from the right side, the light emitted from the rear upper LEDs 422c corresponding to the left region and central region of the rear light guide plate 420 is diffused with a predetermined optical path width in three directions (i.e., downward to the right, downward to the front, and downward to the left) inside the rear light guide plate 420 in accordance with the shape of the rear upper diffusion lens 423. Similarly, when the rear downward LEDs 424 arranged to correspond to the left and central regions of the rear light guide plate 420 are turned on and the rear downward LEDs 424 arranged to correspond to the right region of the rear light guide plate 420 are turned off sequentially from the right side, the light emitted from the rear downward LEDs 424 corresponding to the left and central regions of the rear light guide plate 420 is diffused in three directions (i.e., upward right direction, upward front direction, and upward left direction) inside the rear light guide plate 420 in accordance with the shape of the rear downward diffusion lens 425, with a predetermined optical path width corresponding to the lens edge width of each diffusion lens 423, 425.

[0245] For example, in each of the left and central regions of the rear light guide plate 420, when the right rear upper LED 422c is lit in "red," the central rear upper LED 422c is lit in "blue," the left rear upper LED 422c is lit in "green," and the right rear lower LED 424 is lit in "red," the central rear lower LED 424 is lit in "blue," and the left rear lower LED 424 is lit in "green," for a total of three colors, the portion where the light path of "red" and the light path of "red" overlap is "dark red," and the portion where the light path of "red" and the light path of "blue" overlap is "dark red." Each of the first decorative pattern groups 421 is lit up in a total of 10 colors: "purple" where the red light path and the green light path overlap, "yellow" where the red light path, the blue light path and the green light path overlap, "white" where the blue light path and the blue light path overlap, "dark blue" where the blue light path and the green light path overlap, "blue-green" where the blue light path and the green light path overlap, "dark green" where the green light path and the green light path overlap, "red" where there is only the red light path, "blue" where there is only the blue light path, and "green" where there is only the green light path.

[0246] More specifically, of the multiple fish patterns that make up the first decorative pattern group 421, each fish pattern is lit up in one of a total of 10 colors: dark red, purple, yellow, white, dark blue, blue-green, dark green, red, blue, and green.

[0247] In this case, the first decorative pattern group 421 formed in the right region of the rear light guide plate 420 is not illuminated because light from the rear upper LED 422c and the rear lower LED 424, which are arranged to correspond to the left and central regions of the rear light guide plate 420, does not reach them, making them difficult to see from the front of the pachinko machine 10.

[0248] In this way, even if the rear upper LEDs 422c and the rear lower LEDs 424 are controlled to emit light with only about three colors, the first decorative pattern group 421 formed on the rear light guide plate 420 can be expressed with lighting colors equal to or greater than the above-mentioned emission colors due to overlapping of light diffused by each diffusion lens 423, 425. Therefore, even if the emission is controlled with only a few emission patterns, colorful expression can be performed, and a variety of effects can be performed to increase the interest of the game.

[0249] In addition, of the three rear upper LEDs 422c and three rear lower LEDs 424 arranged in each of the right, central and left regions of the rear light guide plate 420, the rear upper LED 422c and three rear lower LEDs 424 located on the far right side, the rear upper LED 422c and the rear lower LED 424 located in the center, and the rear upper LED 422c and the rear lower LED 424 located on the left side, creating an effect as if a school of fish, which is the first decorative pattern group 421, were swimming from right to left.

[0250] Furthermore, by lighting the rear upper LED 422c and the rear lower LED 424 sequentially from the right side in conjunction with the lighting of the first board surface decorative pattern group 60a and the second board surface decorative pattern group 60b (see Figure 3) of the base plate 60 of the game board 13, the presentation on the rear light guide plate 420 and the presentation on the game board 13 surface can be executed in an integrated manner, providing a powerful presentation using the entire game board 13 surface and increasing the interest of the game.

[0251] Next, referring to Figures 17 and 18, the optical path of light from the rear upward diffusion lens 423 and the rear downward diffusion lens 425 relative to the rear light guide plate 420 when the confirmation lamp 311 is lit will be described, as well as the light emission mode of the first decorative pattern group 421 on the rear light guide plate 420.

[0252] Figure 17 is a diagram showing the lighting mode of the first decorative pattern group 421 displayed on the rear light guide plate 420 when the confirmation lamp 311 is turned on. Figure 17(a) is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the lighting mode of the first decorative pattern group 421 when the confirmation lamp 311 is not turned on and the rear upper LED 422c and the rear lower LED 424 corresponding to the right side region of the rear light guide plate 420 are turned on. Figure 17(b) is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the lighting mode of the first decorative pattern group 421 when, from the state of Figure 17(a), the confirmation lamp 311 is turned on and the rear lower LED 424 corresponding to the central region of the rear light guide plate 420 is additionally turned on, while the rear upper LED 422c corresponding to the central region and right side region of the rear light guide plate 420 is turned off. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a typical lighting state of the first decorative pattern group 421 displayed on the rear light guide plate 420 when the confirmation lamp 311 is turned on. FIG. 18(a) shows a state in which the confirmation lamp 311 continues to be turned on from the state shown in FIG. 17(b), and the rear lower LED 424 corresponding to the left region of the rear light guide plate 420 is additionally turned on, while the rear upper LED 422c corresponding to the left region, center region, and right region of the rear light guide plate 420 is turned off. FIG. 18(b) is a schematic diagram showing the lighting state of the first decorative pattern group 421 when the confirmation lamp 311 is turned off from the state of FIG. 18(a) and the rear upper LED 422c corresponding to the left and central regions of the rear light guide plate 420 is additionally turned on, while the rear upper LED 422c and the rear lower LED 424 corresponding to the right region of the rear light guide plate 420 are turned off.

[0253] In the pachinko machine 10 of the first embodiment, when a jackpot occurs in the variable performance, the confirmation lamp 311 is turned on at some timing of the variable performance, clearly indicating to the player that a jackpot will occur. Also, in order to indicate to the player the reliability of the jackpot in the variable performance, the first decorative pattern group 421 formed on the rear light guide plate 420 may be turned on.

[0254] Here, the notification by the lighting of the confirmation lamp 311 is an effect suggesting that a jackpot will occur, and is a so-called jackpot confirmation effect. On the other hand, the notification by the lighting of the first decorative symbol group 421 is an effect suggesting whether a jackpot will occur or not, and does not definitively suggest that a jackpot will occur. Therefore, in terms of the importance of the effects of the game in the pachinko machine 10, the notification by the confirmation lamp 311 is considered to be more important than the notification by the first decorative symbol group 421.

[0255] However, when the presentation by the confirmation lamp 311 is executed during the execution of the presentation by the first decorative symbol group 421, there is a risk that the presentation by the confirmation lamp 311, which is more important in the game, will be hindered (low visibility, low recognition, etc. due to overlapping presentation) by the presentation of the first decorative symbol group 421. In addition, when the notification by the confirmation lamp 311 is executed, it is possible to consider measures such as not executing the presentation by the first decorative symbol group 421, or not executing the notification by the confirmation lamp 311 while the first decorative symbol group 421 is being executed, but this may result in restrictions on the presentation, an increase in the control burden, and a decrease in the presentation variation.

[0256] Therefore, in the pachinko machine 10 of the first embodiment, when the performance by the confirmation lamp 311 is executed (during execution), the scale of the performance by the first decorative symbol group 421 is reduced and executed, so that the performance by the confirmation lamp 311, which is important for the game, is made to stand out. Specifically, when the first decorative symbol group 421 is executed at the timing when the confirmation lamp 311 is lit, the performance width of the first decorative symbol group 421 is reduced and executed. In particular, by making the side where the confirmation lamp 311 is arranged (i.e., the upper side when viewed from the front of the rear light guide plate 420) of the first decorative symbol group 421 unlit or lighted to a small extent, the performance of the first decorative symbol group 421 and the performance of the confirmation lamp 311 can be partitioned so that they do not overlap or are unlikely to overlap, and the performance by the confirmation lamp 311 can be made more noticeable. Therefore, it is possible to configure it so as not to obstruct the performance of the confirmation lamp 311, which is important for the game. In addition, it becomes easy to simultaneously execute the performance using the confirmation lamp 311 and the performance using the first decorative pattern group 421 without performing complex control, thereby increasing the variety of performances.

[0257] Here, a specific performance mode by the confirmation lamp 311 and the first decorative pattern group 421 will be described. First, as shown in Fig. 17(a), when the confirmation lamp 311 is not lit (turned off), the rear upper LEDs 422c provided to correspond to the right region of the rear light guide plate 420 are sequentially lit from the right, the light emitted from the rear upper LEDs 422c corresponding to the right region of the rear light guide plate 420 is diffused with a predetermined light path width in three directions (i.e., downward right direction, downward front direction, and downward left direction) inside the rear light guide plate 420 according to the shape of the rear upper diffusion lens 423. Similarly, when the rear downward LEDs 424 arranged to correspond to the right side region of the rear light guide plate 420 are lit up sequentially from the right side, the light emitted from the rear downward LEDs 424 corresponding to the right side region of the rear light guide plate 420 is diffused in three directions (i.e., upward right direction, upward front direction, and upward left direction) inside the rear downward light guide plate 420 in accordance with the shape of the rear downward diffusion lens 425, with a predetermined optical path width corresponding to the lens edge width of each diffusion lens 423, 425.

[0258] For example, when the confirmation lamp 311 is turned off, in the right region of the rear light guide plate 420, the right upper rear LED 422c is lit in "red," the central upper rear LED 422c is lit in "blue," the left upper rear LED 422c is lit in "green," and the right lower rear LED 424 is lit in "red," the central lower rear LED 424 is lit in "blue," and the left lower rear LED 424 is lit in "green," for a total of three colors. In this case, the portion where the "red" optical path and the "red" optical path overlap (intersect; the same applies below) is a "dark red," and the portion where the "red" optical path and the "blue" optical path overlap (intersect; the same applies below) is a "dark red." Each first decorative pattern group 421 is lit up in a total of 10 colors: "purple" where the light paths overlap, "yellow" where the "red" light path and the "green" light path overlap, "white" where the "red" light path, "blue" light path and the "green" light path overlap, "dark blue" where the "blue" light path and the "blue" light path overlap, "blue-green" where the "blue" light path and the "green" light path overlap, "dark green" where the "green" light path and the "green" light path overlap, "red" where only the red light path is, "blue" where only the blue light path is, and "green" where only the green light path is.

[0259] In this case, the first decorative pattern group 421 formed in the left and central regions of the rear light guide plate 420 remains in an unlit state because light from the rear upper LED 422c and the rear lower LED 424, which are arranged to correspond to the right region of the rear light guide plate 420, does not reach them, and they remain difficult to see from the front of the pachinko machine 10.

[0260] Next, as shown in FIG. 17(b), when the confirmation lamp 311 is turned on from the state of FIG. 17(a), when the rear downward LEDs 424 arranged corresponding to the right side region of the rear light guide plate 420 are turned on and further the rear downward LEDs 424 arranged corresponding to the central region of the rear light guide plate 420 are turned on sequentially from the right side, the light emitted from the rear downward LEDs 424 corresponding to the central and right side regions of the rear light guide plate 420 is diffused in three directions (i.e., upward rightward, upward frontward, and upward leftward) inside the rear downward diffusion plate 420 according to the shape of the rear downward diffusion lens 425, with a predetermined optical path width according to the lens edge width of the rear downward diffusion lens 425. On the other hand, when the confirmation lamp 311 is turned on from the state shown in FIG. 17(a), the rear upper LED 422c arranged to correspond to the right side region of the rear light guide plate 420 switches from a lit state to an off state, and the rear upper LED 422c arranged to correspond to the central region of the rear light guide plate 420 also does not light (is off).

[0261] In other words, of the rear lower LEDs 424 arranged in a position far from the confirmation lamp 311, only the rear lower LEDs 424 provided in the central and right side regions of the rear light guide plate 420 are configured to be lit, and the rear upper LEDs 422c arranged in a position close to the confirmation lamp 311 are configured to be turned off.

[0262] In this case, the first decorative pattern group 421 arranged at the position of each light (each light path) emitted from the rear lower LED 424 and diffused by the rear lower diffusion lens 425 is lit up, while the first decorative pattern group 421 arranged at the position of each light (each light path) that would be diffused by the rear upper diffusion lens 423 when the rear upper LED 422c emits light is not lit (is turned off).

[0263] Here, the first decorative pattern group 421 arranged in the upper part of the rear light guide plate 420 when viewed from the front, close to the confirmation lamp 311, is not provided in a position that is lit by the light emitted by the rear lower LED 424 (there are only a few of them), and many of them are formed in positions that are lit by the light emitted by the rear upper LED 422c.

[0264] On the other hand, the first decorative pattern group 421 arranged in the lower part of the rear light guide plate 420 as viewed from the front, which is far from the confirmation lamp 311, is provided at a position where it is lit by the emission of the rear lower LED 424 (there are many of them provided). Note that the first decorative pattern group 421 arranged in the lower part of the rear light guide plate 420 as viewed from the front, which is far from the confirmation lamp 311, may be provided at a position where it is lit by the emission of the rear upper LED 422c, or may be provided at a position where it is not lit by the emission of the rear upper LED 422c.

[0265] Therefore, when the rear upper LED 422c is turned on, the first decorative pattern group 421 formed on the upper part of the rear light guide plate 420 in the front view can be (easier to be) lit, and when the rear lower LED 424 is turned on, the first decorative pattern group 421 formed on the lower part of the rear light guide plate 420 in the front view can be (easier to be) lit. On the other hand, among the first decorative pattern group 421 of the rear light guide plate 420, the first decorative pattern group 421 formed on the upper part of the rear light guide plate 420 in the front view is not (hard to be) lit even when the rear lower LED 424 is turned on, and is not (hard to be) lit when the rear upper LED 422c is turned off. It is lit in a thinned-out manner.

[0266] With this configuration, depending on whether the rear upper LED 422c is lit or not, it is possible to switch between lighting and extinguishing the first decorative pattern group 421 in the upper part of the rear light guide plate 420 in the front view, which is adjacent to the confirmation lamp 311. Then, when the confirmation lamp 311 is lit and displayed, even if the first decorative pattern group 421 is being executed, by turning off the rear upper LED 422c, it is possible to execute an effect in which the light emission of the confirmation lamp 311 and the lighting of the first decorative pattern group 421 do not interfere with each other.

[0267] For example, in each of the right and central regions of the rear light guide plate 420, when the right rear lower LED 424 is lit up in three colors, namely, "red," the central rear lower LED 424 is lit up in "blue," and the left rear lower LED 424 is lit up in "green," each of the first decorative pattern groups 421 is lit up in a total of seven colors, namely, "purple" where the "red" light path and the "blue" light path overlap, "yellow" where the "red" light path and the "green" light path overlap, "white" where the "red" light path and the "blue" light path overlap, "blue-green" where the "blue" light path and the "green" light path overlap, "red" where only the "red" light path is, "blue" where only the "blue" light path is, and "green" where only the "green" light path is.

[0268] In this case, the first decorative pattern group 421 formed in the left region of the rear light guide plate 420 remains in an unlit state because light from the rear downward LED 424 arranged to correspond to the central and right regions of the rear light guide plate 420 does not reach them, and they remain difficult to see from the front of the pachinko machine 10.

[0269] Next, as shown in Figure 18(a), if the confirmation lamp 311 continues to be lit from the state of Figure 17(b), when the rear downward LEDs 424 arranged corresponding to the central and right side regions of the rear light guide plate 420 are lit and further the rear downward LEDs 424 arranged corresponding to the left side region of the rear light guide plate 420 are lit sequentially from the right side, the light emitted from the rear downward LEDs 424 corresponding to the left side region, central region and right side region (i.e., the entire region) of the rear downward light guide plate 420 is diffused in three directions (i.e., upward right direction, upward front direction and upward left direction) inside the rear downward diffusion lens 425 according to the shape of the rear downward diffusion lens 425, with a predetermined light path width according to the lens edge width of the rear downward diffusion lens 425. On the other hand, when the confirmation lamp 311 remains lit from the state shown in FIG. 17(b), the rear upper LEDs 422c arranged to correspond to the left, central and right areas (i.e., the entire area) of the rear light guide plate 420 do not light up (are turned off).

[0270] That is, only the rear lower LED 424 disposed at a position far from the confirmation lamp 311 is turned on, and the rear upper LED 422c disposed at a position close to the confirmation lamp 311 is turned off.

[0271] In this case, as in Figure 17 (b), the first decorative pattern group 421 arranged at the position of each light (each light path) emitted from the rear lower LED 424 and diffused by the rear lower diffusion lens 425 is lit up, while the first decorative pattern group 421 arranged at the position of each light (each light path) that would be diffused by the rear upper diffusion lens 423 when the rear upper LED 422c emits light is not lit (is turned off).

[0272] For example, in each of the left, central and right regions of the rear light guide plate 420, if the right rear lower LED 424 is lit up in a total of three colors, namely, "red," the central rear lower LED 424 is lit up in a total of three colors, namely, "blue," the part where the "red" light path and the "blue" light path overlap is "purple," the part where the "red" light path and the "green" light path overlap is "yellow," the part where the "red" light path and the "green" light path overlap is "white," the part where the "blue" light path and the "green" light path overlap is "blue-green," the part where only the "red" light path is "red," the part where only the "blue" light path is "blue," and the part where only the "green" light path is "green." In total, each of the first decorative pattern groups 421 is lit up and displayed in seven colors, namely,

[0273] Next, as shown in Figure 18(b), when the confirmation lamp 311 is turned off from the state of Figure 18(a), when the rear upper LEDs 422c arranged to correspond to the left region and central region of the rear light guide plate 420 are turned on while the rear upper LEDs 422c arranged to correspond to the right region of the rear light guide plate 420 are turned off sequentially from the right side, the light emitted from the rear upper LEDs 422c corresponding to the left region and central region of the rear light guide plate 420 is diffused with a predetermined optical path width in three directions (i.e., downward to the right, downward to the front, and downward to the left) inside the rear light guide plate 420 in accordance with the shape of the rear upper diffusion lens 423. Similarly, when the rear downward LEDs 424 arranged to correspond to the left and central regions of the rear light guide plate 420 are turned on and the rear downward LEDs 424 arranged to correspond to the right region of the rear light guide plate 420 are turned off sequentially from the right side, the light emitted from the rear downward LEDs 424 corresponding to the left and central regions of the rear light guide plate 420 is diffused in three directions (i.e., upward right direction, upward front direction, and upward left direction) inside the rear light guide plate 420 in accordance with the shape of the rear downward diffusion lens 425, with a predetermined optical path width corresponding to the lens edge width of each diffusion lens 423, 425.

[0274] For example, in each of the left and central regions of the rear light guide plate 420, when the right rear upper LED 422c is lit in "red," the central rear upper LED 422c is lit in "blue," the left rear upper LED 422c is lit in "green," and the right rear lower LED 424 is lit in "red," the central rear lower LED 424 is lit in "blue," and the left rear lower LED 424 is lit in "green," for a total of three colors, the portion where the light path of "red" and the light path of "red" overlap is "dark red," and the portion where the light path of "red" and the light path of "blue" overlap is "dark red." Each of the first decorative pattern groups 421 is lit up in a total of 10 colors: "purple" where the red light path and the green light path overlap, "yellow" where the red light path, the blue light path and the green light path overlap, "white" where the blue light path and the blue light path overlap, "dark blue" where the blue light path and the green light path overlap, "blue-green" where the blue light path and the green light path overlap, "dark green" where the green light path and the green light path overlap, "red" where there is only the red light path, "blue" where there is only the blue light path, and "green" where there is only the green light path.

[0275] In this case, the first decorative pattern group 421 formed in the right region of the rear light guide plate 420 is not illuminated because light from the rear upper LED 422c and the rear lower LED 424, which are arranged to correspond to the left and central regions of the rear light guide plate 420, does not reach them, making them difficult to see from the front of the pachinko machine 10.

[0276] In this way, when the effect by the confirmation lamp 311 is executed (during execution), the scale of the effect by the first decorative symbol group 421 is reduced and executed, so that the effect by the confirmation lamp 311, which is important for the game, is made to stand out. Specifically, when the first decorative symbol group 421 is executed at the timing when the confirmation lamp 311 is lit, the effect width of the first decorative symbol group 421 is reduced and executed. In particular, by making the side where the confirmation lamp 311 is arranged (i.e., the upper side when viewed from the front of the rear light guide plate 420) in the first decorative symbol group 421 unlit or lighted to a small extent, the effect of the first decorative symbol group 421 and the effect of the confirmation lamp 311 can be partitioned so that they do not overlap or are unlikely to overlap, and the effect by the confirmation lamp 311 can be made to stand out more. Therefore, it is possible to configure it so as not to obstruct the effect of the confirmation lamp 311, which is important for the game. In addition, it becomes easy to simultaneously execute the performance using the confirmation lamp 311 and the performance using the first decorative pattern group 421 without performing complex control, thereby increasing the variety of performances.

[0277] Next, referring to Fig. 19 to Fig. 21, the optical paths of light from the front lower condenser lens 414d, the front right condenser lens 415d, and the front left condenser lens 416d (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "each condenser lens 414d, 415d, 416d") relative to the front light guide plate 410, and the light emission modes of the second decorative pattern group 411, the third decorative pattern 412, and the fourth decorative pattern group 413 that can be lit and displayed on the front light guide plate 410 will be described. Fig. 19 is a schematic front view showing the relationship between the second decorative pattern group 411, the third decorative pattern 412, and the fourth decorative pattern group 413 that can be lit and displayed on the front light guide plate 410, and the lower LED unit 414, the front right LED unit 415, and the front left LED unit 416. Fig. 20 is a diagram showing the optical path of light by each of the condenser lenses 414d, 415d, and 416d. Fig. 21(a) is a diagram showing the uneven shape forming the second decorative pattern group 411 of the front light guide plate 410 and the direction of light that can light up the second decorative pattern group 411, and Fig. 21(b) is a diagram showing the uneven shape forming the fourth decorative pattern group 413 of the front light guide plate 410 and the direction of light that can light up the fourth decorative pattern group 413.

[0278] As shown in Figure 19, on the front light guide plate 410, a second decorative pattern group 411 as a cherry blossom storm pattern imitating multiple cherry blossom petals is formed in the left and right end regions excluding the central portion of the forward R-shaped portion, a third decorative pattern 412 as a sunfish pattern imitating a sunfish is formed in the central portion of the forward R-shaped portion, and a fourth decorative pattern group 413 as a bubble group pattern imitating multiple bubbles is formed in the entire area of ​​the lower flat portion and the lower inverted R-shaped portion.

[0279] In addition, when the front-down LED 414c provided below the front light guide plate 410 irradiates the lower end face of the front-down condensing lens 414d disposed on the lower side of the front light guide plate 410 with light, the light proceeds straight (upward) without being diffused from the upper end face of the front-down condensing lens 414d. In addition, when the front-right LED 415c provided on the right side of the lower flat plate portion of the front light guide plate 410 irradiates the right end face of the front-right condensing lens 415d disposed on the right side of the lower flat plate portion of the front light guide plate 410 with light, the light proceeds straight (leftward) without being diffused from the left end face of the front-right condensing lens 415d. In addition, when light is irradiated onto the left end face of the front left focusing lens 416d arranged on the left side of the lower flat plate portion of the front light guide plate 410 by the front left LED 416c provided on the left side of the lower flat plate portion of the front light guide plate 410, the light is configured to travel straight (to the right) from the right end face of the front left focusing lens 416d without being diffused.

[0280] The front right LEDs 415c and the front left LEDs 416c are positioned such that one front right LED 415c and one front left LED 416c are paired in the left-right direction (horizontal direction).

[0281] In the front light guide plate 410, the normal R-shaped portion or the lower flat plate portion and the lower inverted R-shaped portion are provided with the respective decorative pattern groups 411, 412, 413, but none of the decorative pattern groups 411, 412, 413 are provided at the switching point (area) between the lower inverted R-shaped portion and the normal R-shaped portion. This is because, when a decorative pattern to be light-guided is provided at the switching point (area) between the lower inverted R-shaped portion and the normal R-shaped portion, the light reflected (guided) inside the front light guide plate 410 does not properly reach the portion provided in the normal R-shaped portion and the portion provided in the lower inverted R-shaped portion, and depending on the position of the player's line of sight, it may appear in an unintended way. Therefore, by configuring the transition point (area) between the downward inverted R-shaped portion and the normal R-shaped portion so that none of the decorative pattern groups 411, 412, 413 are placed, the expression of the patterns displayed by light guiding can be made appropriate, and a performance without discrepancies can be executed.

[0282] The arrangement of the decorative pattern at the switching point (hereinafter referred to as "switching point P") of the front light guide plate 410 will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 52, 53, and 54. Figure 52 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of the front light guide plate 410 showing the light guide state of light guided within the front light guide plate 410 when the front downward LED 414c is turned on, Figure 52(a) is a diagram showing the light guide state within the front light guide plate 410 of light incident on the front light guide plate 410 at an upward angle of 45 degrees (45 degrees in the front direction of the pachinko machine 10) from the front downward LED 414c, and Figure 52(b) is a diagram showing the light guide state within the front light guide plate 410 of light incident on the front light guide plate 410 at an upward angle of 45 degrees from the front downward LED 414c, and 52(c) is a diagram showing a light guide state in the front light guide plate 410 of light incident from the front lower LED 414c to the front light guide plate 410 at a downward angle of 45 degrees (45 degrees toward the back of the pachinko machine 10), and FIG. 52(c) is a diagram showing a light guide state in the front light guide plate 410 of light incident from the front lower LED 414c to the front light guide plate 410 in a straight front direction (vertically upward direction of the pachinko machine 10). FIG. 53 is a diagram showing the position of the switching point P in the front view of the front light guide plate 410 shown in FIG. 19. Furthermore, FIG. 54 is a perspective view showing a light guide state in the front light guide plate 410 of light incident from the front right LED 415c to the front light guide plate 410 at an upward angle of 45 degrees (45 degrees toward the front of the pachinko machine 10). For convenience of explanation, the fourth decorative pattern group 413 described in Fig. 52 will be described as being configured to be illuminated by light incident in the upward direction from the front lower LED 414c in addition to light incident in the horizontal direction from the front right LED 415c and the front left LED 416c. Also, in Fig. 54, a case will be described in which the fourth decorative pattern group 413 can be lit by light incident in the left direction from the front right LED 415c, and a description of light incident in the right direction from the front left LED 416c will be omitted, but the light incident in the right direction from the front left LED 416c also has the same action and effect as the light incident in the left direction from the front right LED 415c.

[0283] First, as shown in FIG. 52, the front light guide plate 410 is composed of a lower flat portion when viewed from the front (hereinafter, may be referred to as the "front lower flat portion 410a"), a lower inverted R-shaped portion formed continuously from the front lower flat portion 410a (hereinafter, may be referred to as the "front lower inverted R-shaped portion 410b"), a normal R-shaped portion formed continuously from the front lower inverted R-shaped portion 410b (hereinafter, may be referred to as the "front normal R-shaped portion 410c"), an upper inverted R-shaped portion formed continuously from the front normal R-shaped portion 410c (hereinafter, may be referred to as the "front upper inverted R-shaped portion"), and an upper flat portion formed continuously from the front upper inverted R-shaped portion (hereinafter, may be referred to as the "front upper flat portion").

[0284] In addition, a fourth decorative pattern group 413 is formed on the back side (lower side in FIG. 52) of the front lower flat plate portion 410a and the front lower inverted R-shaped portion 410b, and a second decorative pattern group 411 and a third decorative pattern 412 are formed on the back side of the front normal R-shaped portion 410c. When the front lower LED 414c is lit, the second decorative pattern group 411 or the third decorative pattern 412 becomes visible from the front direction of the pachinko machine 10 (upper side in FIG. 52), and when the front right LED 415c and the front left LED 416c are lit, the fourth decorative pattern group 413 becomes visible from the front direction of the pachinko machine 10.

[0285] Here, as shown in Figures 52(a) to 52(c), the light incident on the front light guide plate 410 from the front lower LEDs 414c at an upward angle of 45 degrees (45 degrees toward the front of the pachinko machine 10; see Figure 52(a)), a downward angle of 45 degrees (45 degrees toward the back of the pachinko machine 10; see Figure 52(b)), and a direct front direction (vertically upward of the pachinko machine 10; see Figure 52(c)) is guided within the front lower flat plate portion 410a. , and repeatedly reflects light, but the fourth decorative pattern group 413 provided on the back side of the front-lower flat plate portion 410a is configured, as described above, to not or hardly reflect light in the front direction of the pachinko machine 10 (upper side of Figure 52) due to the light from the front-lower LED 414c, and therefore is configured such that the fourth decorative pattern group 413 is difficult or impossible to see from the front direction of the pachinko machine 10 due to the light irradiated (guided) from the front-lower LED 414c.

[0286] Then, each light that is incident on the front light guide plate 410 at an upward angle of 45 degrees, a downward angle of 45 degrees, and in a direct front direction is repeatedly reflected in the front lower flat plate portion 410a, or reaches the front lower inverted R-shaped portion 410b directly. In this case, the light that collides with the surface of the front lower inverted R-shaped portion 410b on the rear side of the pachinko machine 10 is reflected into the front light guide plate 410 at an angle (e.g., 40 degrees) smaller than the reflection angle (e.g., 45 degrees) when it collides with the front lower flat plate portion 410a. On the other hand, the light that collides with the surface of the front lower inverted R-shaped portion 410b on the front side of the pachinko machine 10 is reflected into the front light guide plate 410 at an angle (e.g., 50 degrees) larger than the reflection angle (e.g., 45 degrees) when it collides with the front lower flat plate portion 410a.

[0287] Then, the light guided through the front lower inverted R-shaped portion 410b next reaches the front positive R-shaped portion 410c, which is a R-shaped portion in the opposite direction to the front lower inverted R-shaped portion. In this case, the light that collides with the surface of the front positive R-shaped portion 410c on the rear side of the pachinko machine 10 is reflected into the front light guide plate 410 at an angle (e.g., 50 degrees) larger than the reflection angle (e.g., 40 degrees) when it collides with the front lower inverted R-shaped portion 410b. On the other hand, the light that collides with the surface of the front positive R-shaped portion 410c on the front side of the pachinko machine 10 is reflected into the front light guide plate 410 at an angle (e.g., 40 degrees) smaller than the reflection angle (e.g., 50 degrees) when it collides with the front lower inverted R-shaped portion 410b.

[0288] That is, the light guided to the front lower inverted R-shaped portion 410b and the front positive R-shaped portion 410c via the front lower flat portion 410a collides with a dense amount of light on the front side surface of the front light guide plate 410 at the switching point between the front lower inverted R-shaped portion 410b and the front positive R-shaped portion 410c (hereinafter, the switching point between the front lower inverted R-shaped portion 410b and the front positive R-shaped portion 410c may be referred to as the "switching point P").

[0289] Here, as shown in Figures 52(a) to 52(c) and 53, a fourth decorative pattern group 413 is arranged at the transition point (portion) between the front lower flat portion 410a and the front lower inverted R-shaped portion 410b, while none of the decorative patterns 411, 412, 413 are arranged at the transition point P between the front lower inverted R-shaped portion 410b and the front normal R-shaped portion 410c.

[0290] This is because, as described above, the amount of light that strikes the back surface of the front light guide plate 410 at the transition point P between the front lower inverted R-shaped portion 410b and the front positive R-shaped portion 410c tends to be sparse, and even if the decorative pattern group 411, 412, 413 is arranged at the point P, the decorative pattern group 411, 412, 413 will not emit light appropriately, and there is a risk that the decorative pattern group 411, 412, 413 may not be visible at the appropriate time from the front side of the pachinko machine 10. Also, while each of the decorative symbol groups 411, 412, 413 is configured to be lit (visible) only by light from a predetermined direction, if the decorative symbol groups 411, 412, 413 are arranged at the point P, each of the decorative symbol groups 411, 412, 413 may be visible from the front side of the pachinko machine 10 due to irradiation with light from a direction in which they would not normally be lit, and there is a risk of inconsistency in the performance content due to lighting at an unintended timing. Therefore, by not arranging any of the decorative symbol groups 411, 412, 413 at the switching point P between the front lower inverted R-shaped portion 410b and the front normal R-shaped portion 410c, each of the decorative symbol groups 411, 412, 413 can be made visible from the front side of the pachinko machine 10 at the appropriate timing, and inconsistency in the performance content can be made less likely to occur, thereby providing an appropriate game.

[0291] Next, as shown in Figure 54, when light emitted from the front right LED 415c is incident on the right end face of the front lower flat portion 410a of the front light guide plate 410 at an upward angle of 45 degrees (45 degrees toward the front of the pachinko machine 10; see Figure 54) when viewed from the front, via the front right focusing lens 415d, while being guided within the front lower flat portion 410a, the light is repeatedly reflected by the front side and back side of the front light guide plate 410, and is guided straight to the left when viewed from the front, arriving at the left side of the front light guide plate 410. As described above, the fourth decorative pattern group 413 formed on the back side of the front light guide plate 410 is configured to reflect light from the front right LED 415c in the front direction of the pachinko machine 10, and is therefore configured so that the fourth decorative pattern group 413 can be accurately viewed from the front direction of the pachinko machine 10 by the light irradiated (guided) from the front right LED 415c.

[0292] On the other hand, if an LED and a condenser lens are provided on the right side of the front lower inverted R-shaped portion 410b of the front light guide plate 410 as viewed from the front, and light is incident from the right end face of the front lower inverted R-shaped portion 410b as viewed from the front at an upward angle of 45 degrees (45 degrees toward the front of the pachinko machine 10. See FIG. 54.), when the light guided in the front light guide plate 410 collides with the front side surface of the front lower inverted R-shaped portion 410b, it is not reflected straight to the left as viewed from the front, but is reflected to the upper side of the front light guide plate 410 as viewed from the front, in accordance with the R shape. Then, when the reflected light then collides with the back side surface of the front lower inverted R-shaped portion 410b, it is not reflected straight to the left as viewed from the front, but is reflected further upward of the front light guide plate 410, in accordance with the R shape. Then, the light is guided to the left side of the front light guide plate as viewed from the front, while repeating the above reflection several times. In such a case, if a decorative pattern is arranged near the transition point P between the front lower inverted R-shaped portion 410b and the front normal R-shaped portion 410c of the front light guide plate 410, there may be a portion where the light is not guided, and the light cannot be guided accurately to the decorative pattern, making it difficult to realize a desired light emission mode. Therefore, in the pachinko machine 10 of the first embodiment, the LED and the condenser lens are not arranged from the lateral direction of the front lower inverted R-shaped portion 410b when viewed from the front, and the front lower inverted R-shaped portion 410b is not irradiated from the lateral direction when viewed from the front, and the decorative pattern is not arranged near the transition point P, so that each decorative pattern 411, 412, 413 can be appropriately illuminated and displayed.

[0293] In the pachinko machine 10 of the first embodiment, the decorative patterns 411, 412, 413 may not be arranged at the transition point (portion) between the front normal R-shaped portion and the front upper inverted R-shaped portion. By configuring in this way, the same effect as the above effect can be achieved.

[0294] Also, the decorative pattern groups 411, 412, 413 may not be arranged at the transition point (portion) between the front lower flat portion 410a and the front lower inverted R-shaped portion 410b, or at the transition point (portion) between the front upper inverted R-shaped portion and the front upper flat portion. Since the amount of light impinging on the back surface of the front light guide plate 410 may be sparse (sparse) at the transition point (portion) between the front lower flat portion 410a and the front lower inverted R-shaped portion 410b, or at the transition point (portion) between the front upper inverted R-shaped portion and the front upper flat portion, the same effect as the above effect is achieved by configuring the decorative pattern groups 411, 412, 413 not to be arranged at the transition point (portion) between the front upper inverted R-shaped portion and the front upper flat portion.

[0295] Here, the manner in which light is collected by the front downward collecting lens 414d, the front right collecting lens 415d, and the front left collecting lens 416d will be described with reference to Fig. 20. As shown in Fig. 20, each of the collecting lenses 414d, 415d, and 416d has a first end face (lower end face in Fig. 20) formed in a straight line shape (or a nearly straight line shape) on one side, and a second end face (upper end face in Fig. 20) formed on the opposite side to the first end face is formed in a plurality of semicircular convex shapes formed by continuing semicircular shapes.

[0296] The front light guide plate 410 in the first embodiment is made of acrylic resin (PMMA) like the rear light guide plate 420. When the refractive index of the acrylic resin is set to 1.49 to 1.53, light incident on the first end face of each of the focusing lenses 414d, 415d, 416d is emitted in a straight direction (or almost straight; toward the upper side of the drawing in Figure 20) from the second end face. As a result, the light incident from the first end face of each condenser lens 414d, 415d, 416d can be emitted in one direction in a condensed state without being diffused from the second end face side formed in a plurality of semicircular convex shapes, so that when the LEDs 414c, 415c, 416c corresponding to the decorative patterns 411, 412, 413 to be displayed are lit, the other decorative patterns 411, 412, 413 are not lit, and only the decorative patterns 411, 412, 413 to be displayed can be appropriately lit. In particular, when attempting to light the fourth decorative pattern group 413, which has the lowest jackpot reliability, if the second decorative pattern group 411 or the third decorative pattern 412, which are formed on the same front light guide plate 410 and have a higher jackpot reliability than the fourth decorative pattern group 413, are lit, there is a risk that inconsistency will occur in the performance content, and the gameplay will not be realized according to the game specifications. Therefore, by configuring each focusing lens 415d, 416d not to diffuse light toward the fourth decorative pattern group 413, which has a low expectation of a jackpot, it is possible to display only the fourth decorative pattern group 413 at the appropriate timing, making it less likely that inconsistencies will occur in the presentation content.

[0297] In the pachinko machine 10 of the first embodiment, the condensing lenses 414d, 415d, and 416d are provided for the decorative symbol groups 411, 412, and 413 of the front light guide plate 410, and the condensed light is irradiated. In contrast, for the decorative symbol group with a high expectation of a jackpot, i.e., the third decorative symbol 412, etc., a diffusing lens such as that used for lighting the first decorative symbol group 421 may be adopted instead of the condensing lens. The third decorative symbol 412 is a performance with a higher expectation of a jackpot than at least the fourth decorative symbol group 413, and is located in front of the drum display device 81 that the player pays attention to during the game, so it is necessary to comprehensively irradiate the third decorative symbol 412 with light by the diffusing lens so that the player can clearly recognize the third decorative symbol 412. In addition, when the fourth decorative symbol group 413 is lit, if the third decorative symbol 412, which has a higher jackpot expectation than the fourth decorative symbol group 413, is lit, a discrepancy in performance occurs, but when the third decorative symbol 412 is lit, even if the fourth decorative symbol group 413, which has a lower jackpot expectation than the third decorative symbol 412, is lit, the player focuses on the execution of the third decorative symbol 412, which has a higher jackpot expectation, and does not pay much attention to the execution of the fourth decorative symbol group 413, which has a lower jackpot expectation, so that a discrepancy in performance is unlikely to occur. Therefore, by adopting the condenser lenses 415d, 416d for the fourth decorative symbol group 413, which has a lower jackpot expectation, and adopting a diffusion lens for the third decorative symbol 412, which has a higher jackpot expectation, the performance effect of the front light guide plate 410 can be enhanced and attention to the game can be increased.

[0298] Here, with reference to Fig. 21, the decorative symbols 411, 412, 413 that are illuminated in the direction of light guided into the front light guide plate 410 will be described. In the pachinko machine 10 of the first embodiment, the fourth decorative symbol group 413 is configured to be illuminated in response to light in the horizontal direction (left and right direction) of the front light guide plate 410 when viewed from the front, and the second decorative symbol group 411 and the third decorative symbol 412 are configured to be illuminated in response to light in the vertical direction (up and down direction) of the front light guide plate 410 when viewed from the front. Note that the third decorative symbol 412 that can be illuminated in response to light in the vertical direction when viewed from the front is illuminated by light in the same direction as the second decorative symbol group 411, so for convenience of explanation, the explanation of the third decorative symbol 412 will be omitted and only the second decorative symbol group 411 will be described.

[0299] First, as shown in Fig. 21(a), one bubble pattern forming the fourth decorative pattern group 413 is configured to be able to express one bubble pattern by continuously forming a plurality of vertical grooves (unevenness) in the vertical direction as viewed from the front on the front light guide plate 410 along the pattern of the bubble pattern. By configuring in this way, light guided in the horizontal direction (left-right direction) as viewed from the front inside the front light guide plate 410 (for example, light emitted from the front left LED 416c) collides with the vertical grooves and is reflected (emitted) to the front side of the front light guide plate 410, so that the bubble pattern is visibly illuminated and displayed from the front side of the front light guide plate 410 (i.e., the front side of the pachinko machine 10). On the other hand, light guided within the front light guide plate 410 in the vertical direction (up and down direction) when viewed from the front (for example, light emitted from the front downward LED 414c) is not reflected or is difficult to be reflected toward the front side of the front light guide plate 410 even if it collides with the vertical groove, and is configured to be not visible or difficult to be visible as a bubble pattern from the front side of the front light guide plate 410.

[0300] 21(b), one cherry blossom pattern forming the second decorative pattern group 411 is configured to be able to be expressed by continuously forming a plurality of horizontal grooves (concave and convex) in the horizontal direction as seen from the front on the front light guide plate 410 along the pattern of the cherry blossom pattern. By configuring in this way, light guided in the vertical direction (up and down direction) as seen from the front inside the front light guide plate 410 (for example, light emitted from the front downward LED 414c) collides with the horizontal grooves and is reflected (emitted) toward the front side of the front light guide plate 410, so that the cherry blossom pattern is visibly illuminated and displayed from the front side of the front light guide plate 410 (i.e., the front side of the pachinko machine 10). On the other hand, light guided within the front light guide plate 410 in the lateral direction (left and right direction) when viewed from the front (for example, light emitted from the front left LED 416c) is not reflected or is difficult to be reflected toward the front side of the front light guide plate 410 even if it collides with the above-mentioned lateral groove, and is configured to be not visible or difficult to be visible as a bubble pattern from the front side of the front light guide plate 410.

[0301] In this way, by configuring one front light guide plate 410 so that the decorative patterns 411, 412, 413 that can be lit up and displayed differ depending on the direction (incident direction) of the light guided into the front light guide plate 410, it is possible to light up and display the multiple decorative patterns 411, 412, 413 individually on one front light guide plate 410, thereby improving the expressiveness of one light guide plate and increasing attention to the game.

[0302] In addition, by using the entirety of one front light guide plate 410 to perform effects using the decorative pattern groups 411, 412, 413 on the front side and periphery of the drum display device 81, it is possible to perform effects in a range expanded from the arrangement part of the drum display device 81. Therefore, it is possible to perform powerful effects using the drum display device 81 and the front light guide plate 410, thereby improving the interest of the game.

[0303] In addition, the front light guide plate 410 may be configured to be capable of expressing two decorative patterns (for example, the third decorative pattern 412 and the fourth decorative pattern group 413) in the same portion (for example, the portion on the front side of the drum display device 81 (i.e., the front positive R-shaped portion)), and one decorative pattern (for example, the fourth decorative pattern group 413) may be lit for light incident on the front light guide plate 410 from the horizontal direction, and the other decorative pattern (for example, the third decorative pattern 412) may be lit for light incident on the front light guide plate 410 from the vertical direction. However, in order to configure different decorative patterns to be lit in one portion in this way according to light from multiple directions, the unevenness in that portion must be configured with a complex shape, and it is necessary to note that the design is more difficult than when one decorative pattern is expressed in one portion.

[0304] Next, referring to Fig. 22 and Fig. 23, the lighting (presentation) modes of the second decorative pattern group 411, the third decorative pattern 412, and the fourth decorative pattern group 413 of the front light guide plate 410 will be described. Fig. 22 is a diagram showing the lighting modes of the second decorative pattern group 411, the third decorative pattern 412, and the fourth decorative pattern group 413 displayed on the front light guide plate 410, Fig. 22(a) is a diagram showing the lighting mode of the fourth decorative pattern group 413 when the front right LED 415c and the front left LED 416c are lit with respect to the front light guide plate 410, and Fig. 22(b) is a diagram showing the lighting mode of the second decorative pattern group 411 when the front lower LED 414c on the right end side and the left end side with respect to the front light guide plate 410 are lit. Figure 23 is a diagram showing the lighting modes of the second decorative pattern group 411, the third decorative pattern 412 and the fourth decorative pattern group 413 displayed on the front light guide plate 410, where Figure 23(a) is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the lighting mode of the third decorative pattern 412 when the front downward LEDs 414c in the central part of the front light guide plate 410 excluding the right and left ends are lit, and Figure 23(b) is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the lighting mode of the second decorative pattern group 411 and the third decorative pattern 412 when all the front downward LEDs 414c on the front light guide plate 410 are lit.

[0305] First, as shown in FIG. 22(a), when the front right LED 415c located on the right side of the lower flat portion of the front light guide plate 410 is lit up in light blue, the light emitted from the front right LED 415c is collected by the front right collecting lens 415d and is irradiated straight to the left onto the lower flat portion of the front light guide plate 410 with an optical path width in a range equivalent to the vertical width of the front right collecting lens 415d. In addition, when the front left LED 416c located to the left of the flat portion below the front light guide plate 410 is lit up in light blue, the light emitted from the front left LED 416c is collected by the front left collecting lens 416d and is irradiated straight to the right onto the flat portion below the front light guide plate 410 with an optical path width in the same range as the vertical width of the front left collecting lens 416d.

[0306] In this case, the light irradiated straight to the left and right by the front right focusing lens 415d and the front left focusing lens 416d onto the lower flat portion of the front light guide plate 410 collides with the vertical grooves of the fourth decorative pattern group 413 formed on the lower flat portion and the lower inverted R-shaped portion of the front light guide plate 410, and the horizontal light is emitted to the front side of the front light guide plate 410, causing the fourth decorative pattern group 413 to be visibly lit up in "light blue" on the front side of the front light guide plate 410. At this time, the light focused by each focusing lens 415d, 416d does not reach the second decorative pattern group 411 and the third decorative pattern 412 formed on the positive R-shaped portion of the front light guide plate 410, and the second decorative pattern group 411 and the third decorative pattern 412 are invisible or difficult to see on the front side of the front light guide plate 410.

[0307] More specifically, light incident from the side of the lower flat portion of the front light guide plate 410 by the front right focusing lens 415d and the front left focusing lens 416d is guided straight in the left-right direction through the lower flat portion and is slightly diffused upward when viewed from the front in the lower flat portion, reaching the lower inverted R-shaped portion of the front light guide plate 410, but does not or has difficulty reaching the normal R-shaped portion, the upper inverted R-shaped portion, and the upper flat portion. As a result, by the light guided into the front light guide plate 410 by the front right focusing lens 415d and the front left focusing lens 416d, only the fourth decorative pattern group 413 arranged on the lower flat plate portion and the lower inverted R-shaped portion of the front light guide plate 410 are lit up and displayed so as to be visible from the player's line of sight at the front side of the pachinko machine 10 (for example, the horizontal position where the drum display device 81 is arranged), and the second decorative pattern group 411 and the third decorative pattern 412 arranged on the forward R-shaped portion are invisible or difficult to see from the player's line of sight at the front side of the pachinko machine 10.

[0308] In addition, the front right LED 415c and the front left LED 416c may be lit sequentially from bottom to top, so that the fourth decorative pattern group 413 appears to float from below to above the front light-guiding plate 410.

[0309] Next, as shown in FIG. 22(b), when the front lower LEDs 414c located at the right and left ends of the front lower LEDs 414c provided below the front light guide plate 410 are lit up in "pink," the light emitted from the front lower LEDs 414c is collected by a semicircular portion at the right end and left end of the front lower collecting lens 414d, respectively, and is irradiated straight upward onto the lower flat portion, lower inverted R-shaped portion, normal R-shaped portion, upper inverted R-shaped portion and upper flat portion of the front light guide plate 410, with an optical path width in the same range as the horizontal width of the one semicircular portion.

[0310] In this case, the light irradiated by the front-downward condensing lens 414d on the lower flat plate portion, the lower inverted R-shaped portion, the normal R-shaped portion, the upper inverted R-shaped portion, and the upper flat plate portion of the front light guide plate 410 in a straight upward direction collides with the horizontal grooves of the second decorative pattern group 411 formed on the normal R-shaped portion of the front light guide plate 410, and the vertical light is emitted to the front side of the front light guide plate 410, so that the second decorative pattern group 411 is lit and displayed visibly in "pink" on the front side of the front light guide plate 410. At this time, when the light emitted from the front-downward LEDs 414c located at the right end and the left end is condensed by the front-downward condensing lens 414d, the condensed light does not reach the third decorative pattern 412, and the third decorative pattern 412 is in a state where it is not visible or difficult to see on the front side of the front light guide plate 410.

[0311] More specifically, light incident on the lower side of the right and left parts of the lower flat portion of the front light guide plate 410 by the front downward focusing lens 414d is guided straight upward through the lower flat portion, lower inverted R-shaped portion, normal R-shaped portion, upper inverted R-shaped portion and upper flat portion, and is slightly diffused in the left and right directions when viewed from the front in the lower flat portion, lower inverted R-shaped portion, normal R-shaped portion, upper inverted R-shaped portion and upper flat portion, but since the positions of the second decorative pattern group 411 arranged in the normal R-shaped portion and the third decorative pattern 412 are located a predetermined distance apart, it does not reach the position of the third decorative pattern 412 in the normal R-shaped portion. As a result, by the light guided into the front light guide plate 410 by the front downward focusing lens 414d, only the second decorative pattern group 411 arranged on the right and left parts of the positive R-shaped portion of the front light guide plate 410 are visibly lit up and displayed, and the third decorative pattern 412 arranged in the central part of the positive R-shaped portion becomes invisible or difficult to see.

[0312] In addition, the lower flat plate portion, the lower inverted R-shaped portion, the normal R-shaped portion, the upper inverted R-shaped portion, and the upper flat plate portion of the front light guide plate 410 are optical paths of light irradiated straight upward through the lower flat plate portion and the lower inverted R-shaped portion, but the fourth decorative pattern group 413 of the vertical groove is configured in a shape that does not or makes it difficult for the light irradiated vertically from the front lower LEDs 414c at the right and left ends to exit to the front side of the front light guide plate 410. For this reason, the fourth decorative pattern group 413 is not lit up on the front side of the front light guide plate 410, and is not visible or is difficult to see.

[0313] Next, as shown in FIG. 23(a), when the front lower LEDs 414c located oth...

Claims

[Claim 1] A launching means capable of launching a game ball; A first ball entry means into which the game ball launched by the launching means can enter; A movable means capable of changing between a first state in which it is difficult or impossible for a game ball to enter the first ball entry means and a second state in which it is easy or possible for a game ball to enter the first ball entry means; A second ball entry means into which the game ball launched by the launching means can enter; A predetermined information acquisition means capable of acquiring predetermined information based on a ball entering the second ball entry means; a predetermined determination means for determining the predetermined information acquired by the predetermined information acquisition means; a first dynamic display execution means for executing a first dynamic display of the first identification information based on a result of the determination by the predetermined determination means; a driving means for driving the movable means to open and close based on a result of the determination by the predetermined determination means; and a second dynamic display execution means for executing a second dynamic display of second identification information different from the first identification information. an opening / closing change means for opening / closing the movable means in at least a first opening / closing state or a second opening / closing state different from the first opening / closing state by the driving means; The opening / closing change means is When the first dynamic display is started or when an opening / closing operation of the movable means is started, the opening / closing state of the movable means is switchable; The first opening and closing mode is The first difficult-to-score period during which the first ball scoring means is in the first state may be longer than the first possible-to-score period during which the first ball scoring means is in the second state; The second opening and closing mode is The second possible ball scoring period during which the first ball scoring means is in the second state is configured to be longer than the second difficult ball scoring period during which the first ball scoring means is in the first state, The second dynamic display execution means is a special variation execution means for executing the second dynamic display immediately before switching from a first game state to a second game state which is more advantageous to a player than the first game state, by a special variation different from a predetermined miss variation; This gaming machine is A variation time of the special variation is configured to be longer than a total time of an execution time of the specific first dynamic display and an opening / closing time of the movable means resulting from the specific first dynamic display. A gaming machine characterized by:

Images