Gaming machine

Abstract

To reduce costs. [Solution] The slot machine is equipped with a reel having a predetermined reel tape T1 on which multiple symbols P1 to P10 are arranged, and the multiple symbols P1 to P10 consist of multiple types of symbols, including a specific symbol P5. Symbol P5 is a symbol that has a green area that makes the green color visible, and the number of ink types used for printing is a predetermined number (8 types). By using the predetermined number of ink types (8 types) that make up symbol P5, it is possible to make more than half (10 to, for example, 15) of the multiple symbols P1 to P10. This makes it possible to reduce costs.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to a gaming machine. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, gaming machines equipped with multiple reels on which patterns are arranged on their outer surface (slot machines) are known. These types of gaming machines assign a certain gaming value to gaming media such as medals or pachinko balls, and the game is played to acquire such media. Furthermore, these types of gaming machines perform an internal lottery and start the rotation of multiple reels when the player operates the start lever, and stop the multiple reels in a manner corresponding to the result of the internal lottery when the player operates the stop button. The result of the game is determined by the combination of patterns displayed on the winning judgment line when the multiple reels are stopped, and medals or other items are paid out according to the result of the game.

[0003] In this type of gaming machine, there is a reel tape that is wrapped around the outer circumference of the reel frame to form the reel, and multiple types of patterns are formed on this reel tape by printing multiple types of paint (each color or transparent) on a transparent base material in layers (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-124255 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] By the way, there is a problem in that increasing the number of types of paint used for printing on reel tapes leads to increased costs. Therefore, there was a request to reduce the cost of reel tapes by minimizing the number of paint types used.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a gaming machine that can reduce costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention relates to a gaming machine, It comprises a reel having a predetermined reel tape on which multiple patterns are arranged, The aforementioned multiple patterns consist of multiple types of patterns, including a specific pattern. The aforementioned specific design is a design having a green area that makes the green color visible, The aforementioned specific design is composed of a predetermined number of ink types used in printing. By using the predetermined number of inks that constitute the specific design, it is possible to print more than half of the designs among the multiple designs. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, cost reduction can be achieved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a gaming machine according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a diagram illustrating the functional block of a gaming machine according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view showing the reels of the reel unit of a gaming machine according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a diagram showing the reel tape of a gaming machine according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5]A diagram showing the symbols according to the first embodiment, where (a) is a diagram showing the 7A symbol, (b) is a diagram showing the 7B symbol, (c) is a diagram showing the 7C symbol, (d) is a diagram showing the BAR symbol, (e) is a diagram showing the watermelon A symbol, (f) is a diagram showing the watermelon B symbol, (g) is a diagram showing the bell symbol, (h) is a diagram showing the replay symbol, (i) is a diagram showing the blank A symbol, and (j) is a diagram showing the blank B symbol. [Figure 6] A diagram showing the cross-section of the reel tape. [Figure 7] (a) A diagram showing the background pattern of the first pattern, and (b) is a diagram showing the background pattern of the second pattern. [Figure 8] A diagram showing the relationship between the types of ink and each layer according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] A diagram showing the sheet of the reel tape after printing and before cutting of the gaming machine according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10] A diagram showing the symbols according to the second embodiment, where (a) is a diagram showing the bell symbol, (b) is a diagram showing the replay symbol, (c) is a diagram showing the cherry symbol, (d) is a diagram showing the watermelon symbol, (e) is a diagram showing the white 7 symbol, (f) is a diagram showing the silver BAR symbol, (g) is a diagram showing the black BAR symbol, (h) is a diagram showing the red 7 symbol, (i) is a diagram showing the diamond symbol, and (j) is a diagram showing the bonus symbol. [Figure 11] A diagram showing the relationship between the types of ink and each layer according to the second embodiment. [Modes for Carrying Out the Invention]

[0010] <First Embodiment> Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. Note that the embodiments described below do not unduly limit the content of the present invention described in the claims. Also, not all of the configurations described in the embodiments are essential constituent elements of the present invention. In the following description, the side of the player (front) is described as "front", and the opposite side is described as "rear".

[0011] [Overview of the Configuration of the Gaming Machine] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment of the present invention. The slot machine 1 of the present embodiment is a so-called rotary drum type gaming machine, and regarding the gaming value that can be used by the player for gaming, it is provided outside the slot machine 1 and has a configuration for lending and settling electronic medals that become gaming values by an electromagnetic method. It is composed of an external device and a so-called medal-less gaming machine that records gaming values by an electromagnetic method based on a lending signal output from a dedicated unit SU (see FIG. 2) as a specific unit. The slot machine 1 stores information on the number of recorded electronic medals as the number of gaming medals, and is configured to be able to transmit the stored number of gaming medals to the dedicated unit SU. The dedicated unit SU settles the electronic medals by recording the number of gaming medals received from the slot machine 1 on a recording medium such as an IC card and discharging it.

[0012] The slot machine 1 of the present embodiment has a reel unit RU composed of reels R1 to R3 (in order, R1 is the left reel, R2 is the middle reel, and R3 is the left reel) as a plurality of reels housed in a box-shaped housing composed of a housing BX, a front upper door UD, and a front lower door DD. Further, a control board that mounts a CPU, a ROM (an example of an information storage medium), a RAM, etc. and controls the operation of the slot machine 1 is also housed in the housing of the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment.

[0013] The reels R1 to R3 shown in FIG. 1 each have an outer peripheral surface partitioned into 20 regions at regular intervals (hereinafter, each region is referred to as a "frame"), and one of a plurality of types of symbols is arranged in each frame.

[0014] The front upper door UD and the front lower door DD are provided to be individually openable and closable. The front upper door UD is equipped with a display device 410, which serves as a display means for displaying various videos and images to assist or enhance the gameplay. The display device 410 has a display area 410a for displaying images, and a specific area 410b facing the reels R1 to R3 is made of a transparent liquid crystal display, allowing the rotation and stopped states of the reels R1 to R3 to be observed through the display device 410. When the reels R1 to R3 are stopped, three symbols (upper, middle, and lower) that are arranged consecutively on the outer surface of each of the multiple types of symbols arranged at regular intervals on the outer surface of each reel R1 to R3 can be observed from the front of the slot machine 1 through the display device 410.

[0015] Furthermore, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, each reel is provided with an upper, middle, and lower display position for observing the symbols through the display device 410, and an active line L1 is set for the combination of display positions of each reel. In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the number of electronic tokens required for one game, the so-called specified number (specified number), is set to 3 tokens (first specified number) or 2 tokens (second specified number), and when the specified number of electronic tokens is inserted, the active line L1, which is composed of the middle section of reels R1 to R3, is activated.

[0016] The game result is determined by the combination of symbols that stop and are displayed on the active line L1. If the combination of symbols on the active line L1 corresponds to a predetermined winning combination, that combination is considered to have been won, and control corresponding to the winning combination is executed.

[0017] The front lower door DD is equipped with various operating means. These operating means include a max bet button MB, which is an insertion operation means for setting the electronic tokens stored in the slot machine 1 to the insertion state; a start lever SL, which is a game start operation means for allowing the player to perform an operation to start the game by rotating the reels R1 to R3; stop buttons B1 to B3, which are stop operation means for allowing the player to perform an operation to stop each of the reels R1 to R3, which are driven to rotate by stepping motors; a counting button KB, which is a counting operation means for transmitting the number of game tokens stored in the slot machine 1 to a dedicated unit SU; and a settlement button AB, which is a settlement operation for releasing the insertion state and returning the electronic tokens set to the insertion state to the token counter 311 (see Figure 2).

[0018] Furthermore, the front lower door DD is equipped with a main control display device 10D controlled by the CPU of the main control board 1000 (see Figure 2). The main control display device 10D consists of a 7-segment display and other components, and displays various game information such as information on the winning combination in the current game, and information (notification display) indicating how to press stop buttons B1, B2, and B3, which are related to the payout of electronic tokens. The notification display shown on the main control display device 10D corresponds to the winning combination command, which is a control signal created based on the winning combination information in the current game when a specified number of electronic tokens are inserted and the start lever SL is operated.

[0019] Furthermore, the front lower door DD is equipped with a game token count display device MD controlled by the token count control CPU 31 (see Figure 2). The game token count display device MD consists of a 7-segment display and functions as a conceptual container by displaying the number of game tokens stored in the slot machine 1.

[0020] Furthermore, the front lower door DD is equipped with multiple sound devices 420 for sound-based effects. The sound devices 420 output various sounds to assist or enhance the gameplay.

[0021] Figure 2 is a functional block diagram of the slot machine 1 of this embodiment. The slot machine 1 of this embodiment has a main control board 1000, a sub-control board 2000, and a medal count control board 3000 as control boards. The main control board 1000 has a main control CPU 1001 (game control means) that controls the progress of the game by controlling the game played using game value. The sub-control board 2000 has a sub-control CPU 2001 that controls the effects related to the game. The medal count control board 3000 has a medal count control CPU 3001 that manages electronic medals and is configured to communicate with a dedicated unit SU to perform control related to the number of game medals.

[0022] The main control CPU 1001 functions as a setting change means 100, an input acceptance means 105, a random number generation means 110, an internal lottery means 120, a reel control means 130, a prize determination means 140, a payout control means 150, a game state transition control means 160, an assist time control means (AT control means) 170, and a complete control means 180. Each means constituting the main control CPU 1001 reads and executes the respective control program pre-stored in the main memory means 190 when executing each control process.

[0023] The setting change means 100 performs control (setting change control) to change the setting value stored in the setting value storage means 191 of the main memory means 190. The setting change means 100 operates when a setting key is inserted into the setting key cylinder KC provided on the main control board 1000 and the setting key is turned, causing the setting change switch SS provided inside the setting key cylinder KC to turn ON. When the setting change switch SS is ON and the power is turned on, the setting change means 100 transitions to a setting change permission state, which allows setting changes. On the other hand, the setting change means 100 is configured not to transition to the setting change permission state if the setting change switch SS is ON while the power is on.

[0024] The setting change means 100, in the setting change permission state, receives an input signal output when the setting change button BS on the power supply is operated, and cyclically changes the setting value in the order of setting 1 → setting 2 → ... → setting 6 → setting 1 → ..., and confirms the setting value based on the reception of a start signal output when the start lever SL is operated. In the slot machine 1, the probability of winning in some of the winning areas among the winning areas that can be won in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 is changed according to the setting value confirmed in the setting value storage means 191. In other words, the setting change means 100 is configured to change the setting value, which is a value that can change the probability of winning a role in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120.

[0025] In this embodiment, when the setting change control by the setting change means 100 is executed, the control related to the game state executed by the game state transition control means 160 and the control related to the advantageous section executed by the AT control means 170 are initialized, the game state is set to the non-replay time state (hereinafter, replay time is also referred to as "RT"), and the control related to auxiliary games that the AT control means 170 was executing before the setting change is also initialized and the normal section is set. On the other hand, in the slot machine 1, when the power supply to the main control CPU 1001 is cut off (power out) and then the power supply is resumed, the control related to the game state executed by the game state transition control means 160 and the control related to the advantageous section executed by the AT control means 170 are restarted from the state before the power outage, and the control related to auxiliary games that the AT control means 170 was executing before the power outage is also maintained in the state before the power outage.

[0026] The input receiving means 105, during the input receiving period for accepting the insertion of electronic tokens, receives an input signal output when the max bet button MB is operated (bet operation) while the number of game tokens stored in the token counter 311 (described later) is greater than or equal to a predetermined number. Based on this, it sets the electronic tokens stored in the token counter 311 to the insertion state, up to a predetermined number set for each game state, and activates the game start operation on the start lever SL based on the fact that the electronic tokens corresponding to the predetermined number have been set to the insertion state.

[0027] In this embodiment of the slot machine 1, the initial press of the start lever SL, which is activated based on the insertion of a predetermined number of electronic tokens, is accepted as the player's operation to start playing, triggering the rotation of reels R1 to R3 and also triggering the internal lottery means 120, which will be described later, to perform an internal lottery. Details of the predetermined numbers set for each game state will be described later.

[0028] Furthermore, the input receiving means 105, during the period between when the electronic tokens are set to the input state and when the start lever SL is started, receives an input signal output when the settlement button AB is operated, thereby releasing the input state and adding the same number of electronic tokens that were set to the input state to the number of game tokens stored in the token counter 311, thereby settling the electronic tokens that were set to the input state.

[0029] The random number generation means 110 is a means for generating random numbers for the lottery. In this embodiment, "random number" includes not only values ​​that are generated randomly in a mathematical sense, but also values ​​that, even if their generation is regular, can function as effectively random numbers because the timing of their acquisition is irregular.

[0030] The internal lottery means 120 is a means for performing an internal lottery to determine whether a winning combination is achieved based on a start signal output when a player performs a start operation on the start lever SL, and performs lottery table selection processing, random number determination processing, lottery flag setting processing, etc.

[0031] In the lottery table selection process, the system selects which of the multiple internal lottery tables stored in the internal lottery table storage means 192 of the main memory means 190 will be used to perform the internal lottery, based on the current game state. In each internal lottery table, each of the multiple random numbers (for example, 65,536 random numbers from 0 to 65,535) is associated with various roles such as replays, minor roles, and bonuses, as well as losses (misses).

[0032] In the following description, "bonus" refers to a feature that activates a special mechanism or a continuous special mechanism activation device upon winning; "bonus activated" means that a bonus is won and the special mechanism or continuous special mechanism activation device is activated; and "bonus state" means the state in which the special mechanism or continuous special mechanism activation device is activated.

[0033] In the random number determination process, a random number (random number for drawing) is obtained for each game based on the start signal output when the start lever SL is started. The obtained random number is then compared with the internal drawing table selected in the drawing table selection process, and a determination is made based on the comparison result as to whether or not a winning combination has been achieved.

[0034] In the lottery flag setting process, based on the result of the random number determination process, the lottery flag corresponding to the winning combination is set from a non-established state (first flag state, OFF state) to an established state (second flag state, ON state). In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, if two or more combinations are won simultaneously, the lottery flag corresponding to each of the two or more combinations that were won simultaneously is set to an established state. In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, there are lottery flags that can be carried over to subsequent games until a win is achieved (carry-over flags) and lottery flags that are reset to a non-established state without being carried over to subsequent games regardless of whether a win is achieved (carry-over non-carry-over flags). The lottery flag setting information is stored in the lottery flag storage means 193 of the main memory means 190.

[0035] The reel control means 130 starts the rotation drive of reels R1 to R3 and performs reel rotation control to control the rotation pattern of reels R1 to R3 based on the fact that the player has performed a start operation on the start lever SL and a start signal has been output. Furthermore, when the rotation state of reels R1 to R3 reaches a state of steady rotation at a predetermined speed (for example, about 80 rpm), the reel control means 130 performs control to activate the stop operation by operating the stop buttons B1 to B3 corresponding to each reel. Then, when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are stopped and a reel stop signal is output, the reel control means 130 performs control (reel stop control) to stop each of the reels R1 to R3 corresponding to the stopped stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0036] In the following description, when the reel control means 130 starts the rotation of reels R1 to R3 and the player operates the valid stop buttons B1 to B3, the first operation will be referred to as the first stop operation, the second operation as the second stop operation, and the third operation as the third stop operation.

[0037] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, for reels R1 to R3, the rotating reel corresponding to the pressed stop button is stopped within a predetermined period of 190 ms (milliseconds, msec) from the time the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed. In the following description, pressing the stop buttons B1 to B3 will also be referred to as the operation. Furthermore, the slot machine 1 may be configured to output a stop signal not only when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed, but also, for example, when an operation is performed in which the pressed stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed and then released.

[0038] In this case, if the spinning reels are to be stopped within 190ms from the time the stop button is pressed, the stopping position of each spinning reel is configured such that, based on the diameter and rotation speed of each reel, it is possible for the reels to rotate a maximum of 4 frames from the time the stop button is pressed until they stop. Therefore, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, for reels R1 to R3, the range in which symbols can be drawn onto the active line L1 (draw-in range) is a total of 5 frames from the frame displayed on the active line L1 at the time the stop button is pressed until it rotates 4 frames.

[0039] When reel stop control is executed, the reel control means 130 performs a logic calculation process to determine the stopping position of the rotating reel based on a predetermined priority order, which includes a pull-in process that stops the rotating reel so that as many winning combinations as possible with the lottery flag set to the "established" state can be awarded, and a kick-off process that stops the rotating reel so that winning combinations with the lottery flag set to the "not established" state cannot be awarded, and a table reference process that determines the stopping position of the rotating reel by referring to the stop control table stored in the reel control data storage means 194 of the main memory means 190, thereby stopping the rotating reel and displaying a symbol on the active line L1 (hereinafter, stopping the rotating reel by reel stop control and displaying a symbol on the active line L1 is also referred to as "stop display").

[0040] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when multiple types of small wins are won in the internal lottery, there are two methods for determining the priority of candidate stopping positions: one is to determine the priority according to the number of symbol combinations that can be displayed on the active line L1 (quantity priority control), and the other is to determine the priority according to the number of electronic medals dispensed based on the predetermined payout for each small win (coin priority control). However, when executing coin priority control, if the same small win with the same payout is won multiple times, the priority of candidate stopping positions that can award each of these small wins is treated as the same.

[0041] The prize determination means 140 performs a prize determination process to determine whether or not a winning combination has been achieved based on the stopping patterns of reels R1 to R3. Specifically, while referring to the prize determination table stored in the prize determination table storage means 195 of the main memory means 190, it determines whether or not the symbol combinations displayed on the active line L1 when all reels R1 to R3 have stopped represent predetermined winning combinations. The prize determination table is provided so that the presence or absence of a bonus, replay, or minor win can be determined (hereinafter referred to as "prize determination") based on the symbol combinations displayed on the active line L1 in the state in which each reel has stopped. In the following description, the symbol combinations that indicate the winning combination will also be referred to as "prize symbol combinations".

[0042] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, each process is executed based on the result of the prize determination means 140 in the prize determination process. As for each process executed based on the result of the prize determination, for example, if a small prize is won, the payout control means 150 is instructed to determine the number of game tokens to be dispensed as electronic tokens; if a replay is won, the payout control means 150 is instructed to execute a process that will allow the next game to be played without consuming electronic tokens; and if a prize that triggers a transition to a game state such as a bonus is won, the game state transition control means 160 is instructed to transition to a game state.

[0043] The payout control means 150 performs payout processing related to the payout of electronic tokens according to the game result. Specifically, when a minor win occurs, it determines the number of electronic tokens to be paid out in the game based on the predetermined payout for each win, and virtually controls the payout by adding the number of game tokens corresponding to the determined payout number to the token counter 311.

[0044] Furthermore, the payout control means 150, when it is determined by the winning determination means 140 that a combination of symbols indicating the winning of one of the multiple types of replay symbols described later has stopped and is displayed on the active line L1, performs a replay process (re-play process) to set the machine to a ready state that allows the next game to be played without requiring the insertion of electronic tokens. In other words, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when a replay is won, an automatic insertion process is performed in which a predetermined number of electronic tokens are automatically inserted without using the electronic tokens held by the player, and the machine waits for the start operation of the next start lever SL with the same active line L1 as the previous game set.

[0045] In slot machine 1, the system is configured so that even if the settlement buttons A and B are operated during the period from when a replay is awarded until the start of the next game, that is, during the period when a predetermined number of electronic tokens are automatically inserted due to the replay process and the game has not yet started, the same number of game tokens as the predetermined number will not be added to the token counter 311.

[0046] The game state transition control means 160 performs the process of transitioning game states between multiple game states, and the process of activating and terminating bonuses. Here, the transition conditions for each game state may be defined as one condition or multiple conditions. If multiple conditions are defined, the game state can be transitioned to another game state based on the fulfillment of any one of the multiple predetermined conditions, or on the fulfillment of all of the multiple predetermined conditions.

[0047] The AT control means 170 is an auxiliary game control means that performs control related to the transition between an advantageous section (advantageous period), which is a section (period) in which control related to instruction functions, including auxiliary games that display notifications assisting in winning specific roles on the main control display device 10D, can be executed, and a normal section (non-advantageous period, non-advantageous section), which is a section (period) in which control related to auxiliary games (control related to instruction functions) based on the results of internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 cannot be executed, using data stored in the AT control data storage means 196, thereby performing control related to the normal section, advantageous section, and auxiliary games.

[0048] The AT control data storage means 196 stores data used in various controls related to multiple types of performance states, including the normal state and the AT state, which are executed within the advantageous period (various flags, counters, etc., which are set to the ON state or OFF state in a predetermined control process).

[0049] The AT control means 170 sets the performance state to the AT state (assist time state) under predetermined conditions during the advantageous section, and provides operation notification to assist in winning specific roles by displaying information (an example of operation instruction information) corresponding to the operation patterns of stop buttons B1 to B3 that enable the winning of specific roles on the main control display device 10D, which consists of a 7-segment display. Furthermore, in the slot machine 1, when operation notification by the AT control means 170 is executed, the performance control means 200, described later, executes a navigation performance that displays an indicator corresponding to the correct sequence of hits on the display device 410. In this way, in the slot machine 1, in the AT state, the operation patterns of stop buttons B1 to B3 are notified through operation notification and navigation performance assistance for winning, thereby executing an advantageous auxiliary game (AT game, notification game) for the player.

[0050] The AT control means 170, when a predetermined termination condition for ending the advantageous period, as will be described in more detail later, is met, executes a predetermined termination process that ends the advantageous period and starts the normal period from the next game, and a predetermined initialization process that initializes various flags, numerical values, and other information related to the advantageous period that were set within the advantageous period.

[0051] The AT control means 170 performs an update process (advantageous section difference in tokens update process) that cumulatively records the difference (difference in tokens, number of tokens acquired) obtained by subtracting the number of electronic tokens dispensed from the game in which the advantageous section started by the number of electronic tokens inserted into the advantageous section counter 196a. When the AT control means 170 is in an advantageous section, it performs an advantageous section difference in tokens update process that cumulatively updates the value stored in the advantageous section counter 196a to a value equivalent to the difference in electronic tokens, regardless of the game state.

[0052] Furthermore, in the process of updating the difference in the number of tokens in the advantageous section, the AT control means 170 subtracts the stored value of the advantageous section counter 196a when the number of electronic tokens dispensed in the game is less than a specified number, and if the stored value of the advantageous section counter 196a becomes less than "0", the AT control means 170 also sets the result of the subtraction to the advantageous section counter 196a. In other words, the AT control means 170 is configured to be able to set a negative value to the advantageous section counter 196a.

[0053] The AT control means 170 determines that a specific termination condition has been met as a predetermined termination condition for ending the advantageous section when more than 2400 electronic medals are acquired during the advantageous section, that is, when the stored value of the advantageous section counter 196a exceeds the value "2400", and executes a predetermined termination process to end the advantageous section and start the normal section from the next game. For example, in slot machine 1, if the stored value of the advantageous section counter 196a was a negative value of "-900" before transitioning to a performance state in which electronic medals can be acquired, a total of 3301 electronic medals can be acquired: 900 medals until the stored value of the advantageous section counter 196a becomes "0", and 2401 medals until the stored value of the advantageous section counter 196a becomes "2401" or more.

[0054] The AT control means 170 initializes all information used in various control processes during the advantageous period, such as each flag set to the ON state during the advantageous period and values ​​set during the advantageous period, during a predetermined initialization process. The AT control means 170 can also terminate the advantageous period if a predetermined termination condition (normal termination condition) other than the specific termination condition is met, and executes the predetermined initialization process and predetermined termination process when the normal termination condition is met. Details of the normal termination conditions set by the AT control means 170 in this embodiment will be described later.

[0055] The complete control means 180 controls the slot machine 1 to activate a complete function, which stops the game when the cumulative number of electronic tokens acquired since the slot machine 1 was powered on reaches a predetermined value (for example, 19,000 tokens). The complete control means 180 performs an update process (complete acquired number update process) in which the difference (difference in tokens, acquired number) obtained by subtracting the number of electronic tokens dispensed in each game from the number of electronic tokens inserted after the slot machine 1 is powered on is cumulatively recorded in the token acquired counter 197a of the complete storage means 197. However, the complete control means 180 does not update the stored value of the token acquired counter 197a when a replay is awarded.

[0056] In the complete medal acquisition update process, which updates the stored value of the medal acquisition counter 197a, the complete control means 180 subtracts the stored value of the medal acquisition counter 197a when the number of electronic medals dispensed in the game is less than a predetermined number, and if the stored value of the medal acquisition counter 197a becomes less than "0", the complete control means 180 sets the stored value of the medal acquisition counter 197a to "0". As a result, the complete control means 180 can fix the value of the stored value of the medal acquisition counter 197a to "0" when it reaches its lowest point, eliminating the need to change the threshold value for judgment according to the specific numerical value at the lowest point in the control process using the stored value of the medal acquisition counter 197a, thereby reducing the load on the control process using the stored value of the medal acquisition counter 197a.

[0057] The complete control means 180 determines that the conditions for activating the complete function have been met when the number of medals acquired from the lowest point of the number of electronic medals paid out after the slot machine 1 is powered on reaches 19,000, that is, when the stored value of the medal acquisition counter 197a reaches the value "19,000".

[0058] The complete control means 180 activates the complete function when none of the following are activated: the regular bonus (RB) as a first-class special feature, the regular big bonus (RBB) as a continuous feature activation device related to the first-class special feature, and the challenge big bonus (CBB) as a continuous feature activation device related to the second-class special feature. Based on the fulfillment of the conditions for activating the complete function, the complete function is activated in the game in which the conditions are met, after the stop buttons B1 to B3 are stopped and the reels R1 to R3 have stopped.

[0059] On the other hand, if RB, RBB, or CBB is in operation, the complete control means 180 activates the complete function after the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed and the reels R1 to R3 stop during a game in which the operating RB, RBB, or CBB has finished.

[0060] The complete control means 180 sets the complete function activation flag stored in the complete flag storage means 197b of the complete storage means 197 to the ON state when activating the complete function. When the complete function activation flag is set to the ON state, the slot machine 1 enters a stop state, and no further play can be performed until the complete function activation flag is set to the OFF state. The complete function activation flag, which is set to the ON state, is reset to the OFF state when the front upper door UD of the slot machine 1 is opened and the setting change button BS located inside is operated to initialize it. Due to this configuration, the slot machine 1 is configured so that when the complete function is activated, the complete function cannot be deactivated by the player's operation.

[0061] The sub-control CPU 2001 functions as a performance control means 200. Each means constituting the sub-control CPU 2001 reads and executes the control program pre-stored in the sub-storage means 210 when executing each control process.

[0062] The performance control means 200 controls game-related effects based on performance data stored in the performance control data storage means 211 of the sub-storage means 210, such as image and video effects using the display device 410 and sound effects using the sound device 420. Specifically, when a player operates various components of the slot machine 1, such as the max bet button MB, start lever SL, stop buttons B1-B3, and counting button KB, or when a game event occurs, such as a change in the game state, the performance control means 200 controls the execution of effects that enhance the game, assist the game, or notify the player that an operation has been performed, by lighting or flashing lamps and LEDs, outputting sound from the sound device 420, etc. Furthermore, the performance control means 200 causes each component of the performance device 400 to execute effects based on each performance state.

[0063] The medal count control CPU 3001 functions as a medal count control means 300. Each means constituting the medal count control CPU 3001 reads and executes the control program pre-stored in the medal count storage means 310 when executing each control process.

[0064] The medal count control means 300 is configured to transmit signals to the dedicated unit SU via the dispensing device connection terminal board 40, and to receive signals transmitted from the dedicated unit SU via the dispensing device connection terminal board 40. The medal count control CPU 3001 stores the total number of electronic medals that can be used for playing games in the slot machine 1, which is the number of game medals, using the medal count counter 311, and displays the number of game medals stored in the medal count counter 311 on the game medal count display device MD.

[0065] The medal count control means 300 primarily updates (adds or subtracts) the number of game medals stored (held) in the medal count counter 311 in response to commands received from the main control board 1000, notifications received from the dedicated unit SU, or operations on the counting button KB which has a built-in counting switch 126. The medal count control means 300 also displays the updated number of game medals on the game medal count display device MD.

[0066] Specifically, the medal count control means 300, when the counting button KB is operated while the game is playable, transmits a value corresponding to the number of game medals stored in the medal count counter 311 to the dedicated unit SU via the dispensing device connection terminal board 40, and subtracts the number of medals corresponding to the transmitted value from the medal count counter 311. Here, "while the game is playable" means that the game machine and the dedicated unit SU are electrically connected, power is supplied to both the game machine and the dedicated unit SU, neither the game machine nor the dedicated unit SU is undergoing maintenance, and no error has occurred that would prevent the game from being played. Furthermore, the slot machine 1 is controlled so that the stored value of the medal count counter 311 is not subtracted by operation of the counting button KB when it is not connected to the dedicated unit SU, thereby preventing a situation in which the stored value of the medal count counter 311 is subtracted but no signal is transmitted to the dedicated unit SU.

[0067] If the counting button KB is pressed for less than 500ms, the medal count control means 300 transmits a value of "1" equivalent to one medal to the dedicated unit SU via the lending device connection terminal board 40, and subtracts the stored value of the medal count counter 311 by the value of "1". If the counting button KB is pressed for 500ms or more, the medal count control means 300 transmits a value of "50" equivalent to 50 medals to the dedicated unit SU via the lending device connection terminal board 40 at the counting timing after 500ms have elapsed, and subtracts the stored value of the medal count counter 311 by the value of "50". Thereafter, every 300ms that elapse while the counting button KB is pressed, a value of "50" equivalent to 50 medals is transmitted to the dedicated unit SU via the lending device connection terminal board 40, and the stored value of the medal count counter 311 is subtracted by the value of "50". Furthermore, when 500ms or more have elapsed since the counting button KB was pressed, if the stored value of the medal counter 311 is less than "50", the medal count control means 300 transmits a value corresponding to the stored value of the medal counter 311 to the dedicated unit SU via the dispensing device connection terminal board 40, and subtracts the stored value of the medal counter 311 by the value corresponding to that stored value, thereby setting the stored value of the medal counter 311 to "0".

[0068] The medal count control means 300 determines that a medal overflow has occurred when the stored value of the medal count counter 311 exceeds the value "16369", which is set as the limit of 16368 medals to be stored in the slot machine 1. Based on the determination that a medal overflow has occurred, the slot machine 1 issues a medal overflow error, and when the counting button KB is operated and the stored number of medals in the medal count counter 311 is counted, the stored value of the medal count counter 311 becomes "16368" or less, the medal overflow error is cleared.

[0069] When the coin count control means 300 is powered on while the coin count clear button CL, which is located inside the gaming machine, is pressed, it initializes the coin count counter 311 and clears (initializes) the coin count, setting the stored value of the coin count counter 311 to "0". As a result, the slot machine 1 can initialize the information on the number of coins that remained in the coin count counter 311 before the power was turned off when the power is turned on.

[0070] [Reel unit details] Next, the details of the reel unit RU will be described. Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the reels of the reel unit of a gaming machine according to the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, the reel unit RU includes a stepping motor M provided for each of the reels R1 to R3 to rotate and drive each reel, reels R1 to R3 supported on the drive shafts of each stepping motor M, and a reel sensor 26 which is a transmissive optical sensor provided corresponding to each of the reels R1 to R3 to detect the rotational position of each reel R1 to R3. The reel unit RU also includes a reel backlight BLi provided for each of the reels R1 to R3 to illuminate each reel from the inside toward the front, and a reflector RL which reflects the light from the reel backlight BLi and guides it toward the front. The reel backlight BLi has multiple LEDs (light-emitting diodes) as light sources and a backlight substrate BLB on which these multiple LEDs are installed. On the backlight substrate BLB, a total of 6 LEDs are arranged in, for example, 3 rows and 2 columns in each opening of the reflector RL. In this embodiment, although not shown in the figures, reel illumination lights are also arranged above and below a specific region 410b (see Figure 1) to illuminate the surface of the reels R1 to R3 from the outside.

[0071] As shown in Figure 3, reel R1 has a reel frame FR1, a thin strip-shaped reel tape T1 on which multiple patterns are arranged in a row along the longitudinal direction (circumferential direction) Y, and an index section 27. Second reel R2 has a reel frame FR2, a thin strip-shaped reel tape T2 on which multiple patterns are arranged in a row along the longitudinal direction (circumferential direction) Y, and an index section 27. Third reel R3 has a reel frame FR3, a thin strip-shaped reel tape T3 on which multiple patterns are arranged in a row along the longitudinal direction (circumferential direction) Y, and an index section 27. The index section 27 is held on reel frames FR1 to FR3 so as to be able to shield the optical axis of the reel sensor 26, and the timing of shielding and transmitting the optical axis of the reel sensor 26 causes the reel sensor 26 to detect the rotational position of each reel.

[0072] Each of the reel frames FR1 to FR3 has a hub portion 24 attached to the rotating shaft of the stepping motor M, a first rim portion 21 and a second rim portion 22, a plurality of connecting portions 23 connecting the first and second rim portions 21 and 22, and a plurality of spoke portions 25, and is integrally formed from a highly translucent (transparent in this embodiment) synthetic resin.

[0073] The first rim portion 21 and the second rim portion 22 are formed in an annular shape concentric with the rotation axis of the stepping motor M and are spaced apart in the left-right direction (axial direction), i.e., in the short direction (width direction) X which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction Y of the reel tapes T1 to T3. Multiple connecting portions 23 are provided at different positions on the circumference of the first rim portion 21 and the second rim portion 22, extending along the short direction X to bridge the gap between the first rim portion 21 and the second rim portion 22, and connecting the first rim portion 21 and the second rim portion 22.

[0074] Furthermore, the reel frame may not have a connecting portion, and the first rim portion and the second rim portion may be formed independently, with the first rim portion and the second rim portion connected via the reel tape. Also, the reel frame may be formed of a colored synthetic resin, and if it is formed of a colored synthetic resin (for example, black synthetic resin), the above-mentioned index portion can be formed integrally with the reel frame.

[0075] Multiple spokes 25 are provided at different positions in the circumferential direction of either the first rim portion 21 or the second rim portion 22, connecting either the first rim portion 21 or the second rim portion 22 to the hub portion 24, and transmitting the rotational force of the stepping motor from the hub portion 24 to the first rim portion 21 and the second rim portion 22. In this embodiment, the spokes 25 connect the hub portion 24 and the second rim portion 22.

[0076] The outer circumference of the first rim portion 21 and the second rim portion 22 are formed with cylindrical end support surfaces 21a and 22a, each having a predetermined width (for example, about 3.5 mm to 6.5 mm) in the left-right direction. These end support surfaces contact the back surface (inner surface) of the reel tapes T1 to T3, supporting the left and right ends of the reel tapes T1 to T3 in the radial direction of the reel. In this embodiment, the first rim portion 21 and the second rim portion 22 are formed such that the width of the end support surface 21a and the width of the end support surface 22a in the short-side direction X are approximately the same. However, the first rim portion and the second rim portion may be formed so that the widths of their respective end support surfaces are different.

[0077] Furthermore, the first rim portion 21 and the second rim portion 22 have flange portions 21b and 22b located outside the end support surfaces 21a and 22a in the left-right direction, which can contact the short-side X end of the reel tapes T1 to T3. The flange portions 21b and 22b are formed to have a width of approximately 0.7 mm to 1.5 mm in the left-right direction, for example, and regulate the left-right position of the reel tapes T1 to T3.

[0078] The connecting portion 23 is continuous with the end support surfaces 21a and 22a of the first rim portion 21 and the second rim portion 22, and a connecting support surface 23a is formed between the first rim portion 21 and the second rim portion 22 for supporting the reel tapes T1 to T3 in the radial direction of the reel. This connecting support surface 23a and the aforementioned end support surfaces 21a and 22a form a support surface FRa that supports the reel tapes T1 to T3 in the radial direction of the reel.

[0079] [Reel tape mounting structure] Next, the mounting structures of reel tapes T1 to T3 will be described with reference to Figures 3, 4, and 6. Figure 4 shows the reel tape of a gaming machine according to the first embodiment, and Figure 6 shows a cross-section of the reel tape. Since the mounting structures of reel tapes T1 to T3 are the same, the mounting structure of reel tape T1 will be described below as an example, and the details of the mounting structures of reel tapes T2 and T3 will be omitted.

[0080] As shown in Figures 3, 4, and 6, adhesive areas are formed on the back surfaces of both ends of the reel tape T1 in the short direction X, where adhesive members 65, 65 such as double-sided tape are attached to the end support surface 21a of the first rim portion 21 and the end support surface 22a of the second rim portion 22 for bonding the reel tape T1. When the reel tape T1 is viewed from the front side, this adhesive area includes a right-side adhesive area that extends inward from the right end T1c in the short direction X of the reel tape T1 at a distance b, and a left-side adhesive area that extends inward from the left end (edge ​​on the X2 direction side) T1d in the short direction X of the reel tape T1 at a distance b. For example, the distance b is set to a distance in the range of 4 mm to 6 mm, and it is desirable that it is formed to be about 1 mm (e.g., 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm) larger in the left-right direction (short direction X) than the end support surfaces 21a and 22a.

[0081] The reel tape T1, which is wound around the reel frame FR1, is held in place by the adhesive member 65, which adheres the right adhesive area formed on the inner surface (back surface) to the end support surface 21a, and the left adhesive area formed on the inner surface to the end support surface 22a.

[0082] Furthermore, as described above, the reel tape T1 is formed such that its length in the longitudinal direction Y is longer than the circumferential length (circumferential length) of the end support surfaces 21a and 22a, and is wound around the reel frame FR1 such that one end (start end) T11 on one side in the longitudinal direction Y is superimposed on the other end (end end) T12 on the other side from the radially outside of the reel. With the reel tape T1 wound around the reel frame FR1, the transparent portion 63 and the pattern P6, which is the pattern (pattern 19) located on the farther side in the longitudinal direction Y, overlap in the radial direction of the reel. In other words, with the reel tape T1 wound around the reel frame FR1, the outer surface (surface, outer circumference) of the transparent portion 63 is covered by the other end T12 in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0083] Furthermore, when the reel tape T1 is wound around the reel frame FR1, the other end T12, which is the other end in the longitudinal direction Y of the reel tape T1, and the one end T11, which is the other end, are bonded together by an adhesive member 66 such as double-sided tape. This adhesive member 66 extends inward from the other end T1b along the short direction X within a distance c. The reel tape T1 is able to maintain a state in which the back surface of the other end T12 and the surface of the one end T11 are in close contact by the adhesive member 66. The distance c is set, for example, in the range of 8 mm to 12 mm. In addition, it is preferable that the adhesive members 65 and 66 are made of double-sided tape or the like made of a material that allows light from the reel backlight BL to easily pass through, such as white, milky white, or transparent, but they may also be made of an adhesive applied to the back surface of the reel tape T1.

[0084] [Details of the reel tape] As shown in Figure 3, the reel tape T1 (and similarly the reel tapes T2 and T3) is wound around the support surface FRa of the reel frame FR1 (and similarly the reel tapes T2 and T3) in a cylindrical (endless) shape, such that one end T11 on the Y1 side in the longitudinal direction Y is overlapped from the outside by the other end T12 on the Y2 side in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0085] The diagram of reel tape T1 shown in Figure 4 is a view from the surface side (the outer surface side when wound around the reel frame FR1 (see Figure 3)). As shown in Figure 4, the multiple patterns arranged on reel tapes T1 to T3 consist of, for example, numbers, strings of characters, fruits, characters, etc., which are designed specifically for each model, or combinations thereof.

[0086] These multiple symbols include, for example, symbol P1 (symbol "7A"), symbol P2 (symbol "7B"), symbol P3 (symbol "7C"), symbol P4 (symbol "BAR"), symbol P5 (symbol "Watermelon A"), symbol P6 (symbol "Watermelon B"), symbol P7 (symbol "Bell"), symbol P8 (symbol "Replay"), symbol P9 (symbol "Blank A"), symbol P10 (symbol "Blank B"), etc. (see Figure 5). Details regarding the color schemes (ink colors used) of these symbols and background H will be discussed later.

[0087] Symbols P1 (symbol "7A"), P2 (symbol "7B"), P3 (symbol "7C"), and P4 (symbol "BAR") are formed to have a larger width in the short direction X compared to other symbols, thereby increasing their visibility. These symbols can be displayed on the active line L1 or within a specific area 410b when the stop button is pressed at a predetermined timing according to the results of an internal lottery, etc., and are symbols that form symbol combinations that trigger transitions to advantageous states for the player, such as a bonus state or an AT state (assist state).

[0088] Symbols P5 (symbol "Watermelon A") and P6 (symbol "Watermelon B") are symbols that can be displayed on the active line L1 or within a specific area 410b when the stop button is pressed at a predetermined timing according to the results of an internal lottery, etc. These symbols are used to form combinations of symbols that are chance roles (so-called rare roles) that trigger a lottery favorable to the player, or combinations of symbols that trigger a reward favorable to the player.

[0089] Symbols P7 ("Bell" symbol) and P8 ("Replay" symbol) are symbols that can be displayed on the active line L1 or within a specific area 410b regardless of when the stop button is pressed, depending on the results of the internal lottery, etc., and are symbols that, when hit, form combinations of symbols for small wins or replays.

[0090] Symbols P9 ("Blank A") and P10 ("Blank B") are symbols that can be displayed on the active line L1 or within a specific area 410b when the stop button is operated at a predetermined timing according to the results of an internal lottery, etc. Even if they line up in a straight line on the active line L1 or within the specific area 410b, they do not constitute a winning combination and are symbols that constitute a loss, etc. In addition, if symbols P9 ("Blank A") and P10 ("Blank B") stop to line up in a straight line or to stop in a predetermined shape (such as a mountain shape or L shape), they may not result in a winning combination depending on the machine, but may serve as a chance to trigger a lottery that is advantageous to the player, or they may be used to inform the player that they are in an advantageous state. Furthermore, symbols P9 ("Blank A") and P10 ("Blank B") may be used in combination with other symbols as special small wins (such as a single-coin win).

[0091] Each of the above-mentioned patterns P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, P7, and P8 has edges P1a, P2a, P3a, P4a, P5a, P6a, P7a, and P8a that form the outline (contour) of the pattern by being printed with paint, as will be described in detail later, and colored parts P1b, P2b, P3b, P4b, P5a, P6a, P7a, and P8b that are colored inside the edges P1a, P2a, P3a, P4a, P5a, P6a, P7a, and P8a.

[0092] Furthermore, when viewed from the radial direction, the edges P1a, P2a, P3a, and P4a of the above-mentioned patterns P1, P2, P3, and P4a are arranged such that a portion of them overlaps with the first rim portion 21, the second rim portion 22, and the adhesive members 65, 65 in the short-side direction X, while the colored portions P1b, P2b, P3b, and P4b do not overlap with either the first rim portion 21 or the second rim portion 22. As a result, the light from the reel backlight BL that passes through the colored portions P1b, P2b, P3b, and P4b is not obstructed by the first rim portion 21 and the second rim portion 22, allowing the patterns P1, P2, P3, and P4 to be displayed larger in the short-side direction X.

[0093] On the other hand, each of the above-mentioned patterns P9 and P10 has edge parts P9a and P10a that form the outline of the pattern, and colored parts P9b and P10b that form a pattern inside the edge parts P9a and P10a. In addition, the edge parts P9a and P10a and the colored parts P9b and P10b of patterns P9 and P10 are drawn with lines, and the other parts are printed with a background forming layer 61 that forms the background H, which will be described in more detail later, so that the parts of the colored parts P9b and P10b of patterns P9 and P10 other than the lines are the same color as the background H.

[0094] As shown in Figure 4, the reel tape T1, when wound around the reel frame FR1 (i.e., with the other end T12 overlapping the transparent part 63), has its longitudinal direction Y virtually divided into 20 equal virtual regions (i.e., 1 frame), and one of the patterns P1 to P10 is placed in each of the 20 virtual regions arranged along the longitudinal direction Y of the reel tapes T1 to T3. The numbers on the left side of the reel tape T1 shown in Figure 4 indicate the pattern numbers, with the side closest to one end T11 being pattern number 0, and sequentially in the Y2 direction, pattern numbers 1, 2, 3, ... 19, with one of the patterns P1 to P10 arranged in the order shown in Figure 4. In addition, in reel tapes T2 and T3, one of the symbols P1 to P10 is placed in each virtual area as symbols 0 to 19, in a different arrangement from that of reel tape T1 shown in Figure 4.

[0095] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the patterns placed in each virtual region (1 frame) are positioned such that the center of the pattern where the center lines for both ends in the X direction (width direction) intersect with the center lines for both ends in the Y direction (circumferential direction) coincides with the center of the virtual region where the center line for both ends in the X direction (width direction) intersects with the center line for both ends in the Y direction (circumferential direction) of the pattern. However, this is not limited to this, and the center of the pattern may be positioned so that it is offset from the center of the virtual region depending on the shape and arrangement of the pattern. In particular, for pattern 19, in which the adhesive member 66 is placed on the back surface, the adhesive member 66 is positioned so that it overlaps with the edge 7a of pattern P7 but does not overlap with the colored portion P7b, so that the colored portion P7b does not become dark, and pattern P7 is made to look nice and easy to see. For example, if the height distance of the pattern P7 in the Y direction (circumferential direction) is even greater, the center of the pattern can be offset in the Y1 direction relative to the center of the virtual area, thereby preventing the colored portion P7b of the pattern P7 from becoming difficult to see due to the shadow of the adhesive member 66.

[0096] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the reel tape T1 in the portion where, for example, pattern P1 is placed. Reel tapes T1 to T3 differ in the arrangement of patterns (type of pattern, number of specific patterns, order in which patterns are arranged, etc.) and the identification markings 70 used to identify them, but the other configurations are the same. Therefore, the following explanation will use reel tape T1 as an example, and the explanation of the configurations of reel tapes T2 and T3, which are similar to those of reel tape T1, will be omitted.

[0097] Figure 8 is a diagram showing the relationship between the types of ink and each layer according to the first embodiment. As shown in Figures 4, 6, and 8, the reel tape T1 is constructed by laminating printed layers, which are silk-screen printed with multiple types of paints of different colors and transparency, on the back surface of a transparent synthetic resin substrate 60. For example, starting from the side closest to the back surface of the substrate 60, a pattern forming layer (pattern section) 67 that forms multiple patterns, a background forming layer 61 that forms the background H which is the region extending around the pattern when viewed from the front surface, a backing forming layer 68 for blocking the light of the reel backlight BL in the pattern forming layer 67 and background H, and a transparent shrinkage forming layer (diffusion layer) 64 for diffusing the light from the reel backlight BL in the areas where the backing forming layer 68 is not formed. Each layer is formed by screen printing or the like. Note that the order of the paint layers (ink layers) of each color shown in Figure 8 is such that the ink layers closest to the back surface of the substrate 60 are on the left side of the figure, and the order of printing progresses from the left side to the right side of the figure.

[0098] As shown in Figures 6 and 8, the pattern-forming layer 67 is roughly formed by an edge-forming layer 67a and a color-forming layer 67b. As shown in Figure 8, the edge-forming layer 67a is formed by printing a black (BL) layer (ink layer) that forms the edges P1a to P10a of each of the patterns P1 to P10. That is, the edges P1a to P10a form the outline of the pattern and are formed in black with the black paint so that light (visible light) from the reel backlight BL does not easily pass through, i.e., they are formed to have low brightness. Note that the edge-forming layer 67a only needs to form the edges of the pattern, and a part of the internal area of ​​the edge may be formed with the same paint as the paint that forms the edges. Furthermore, the edge-forming layer 67a is not limited to being formed with the same paint for each pattern, but may be formed with different paints for each pattern. Furthermore, although this embodiment describes the edges being formed in black with black paint, they may also be dark gray, dark blue, or the like.

[0099] Furthermore, the color-forming layer 67b is formed by layering multiple types of colored paints. That is, the edge-forming layer 67a and the color-forming layer 67b form the shape (design) of each pattern when viewed from the surface of the reel tape T1. The color-forming layer 67b is formed, for example, by printing layers of black (BK), dark pink (PK1), light blue (WB), pale pink (PK2), orange (OL), yellow (YL), and gray (GR) in order from the side closest to the back of the base material 60, so as to correspond to the color schemes of each pattern P1 to P10, which will be described in detail later. Note that, as shown in Figure 6, the color-forming layer 67b is formed so that a portion overlaps with the edge-forming layer 67a, so that even if printing misalignment occurs, no gap will be created between the edge-forming layer 67a and the color-forming layer 67b, and the printing area is set accordingly. Furthermore, while the black (BK) layer is basically used as the edge-forming layer 67a, depending on the design, it may also be used as the color-forming layer 67b for patterns or the outlines of each pattern.

[0100] The color-forming layer 67b is formed, for example, mostly with paints that have higher saturation and brightness than the edge-forming layer 67a (black), such as pink, light blue, and yellow. In Figure 6, the color-forming layer 67b is shown as a single color, meaning it is a single layer. However, as will be explained in more detail later, the paint forming the color-forming layer 67b consists of multiple colors, each different for each design. In other words, it is formed by layering multiple color-forming layers. Details of this color-forming layer 67b will be explained later.

[0101] In this embodiment, the pattern-forming layer 67 is described as having layers of light blue paint and pink paint as intermediate colors to improve the design of the pattern. However, it may also be formed only with layers of the four primary colors of the printed material, or even with additional layers of other intermediate colors.

[0102] As shown in Figures 6 and 8, the background forming layer 61 includes a background pattern forming layer 61m printed on the side of the substrate 60 closer to the back surface to form a background pattern Hm, which will be described in more detail later; a first background forming layer 61a printed on the side of the substrate 60 closer to the back surface after the background pattern forming layer 61m as the first layer of background H; and a second background forming layer 61b printed on the side of the substrate 60 opposite to the first background forming layer 61a. In this first embodiment, the background pattern forming layer 61m is formed of a light orange (LW) layer, and the first background forming layer 61a is formed of a white first layer (hereinafter referred to as "white 1 (WH1)"), and the second background forming layer 61b is formed of a white second layer (hereinafter referred to as "white 2 (WH2)"). These layers of white 1 (WH1) and white 2 (WH2) consist of the same ink layer, and in background H, the layers of white 1 (WH1) and white 2 (WH2) are basically printed, meaning that background H is formed to have a two-layer structure of white ink layers.

[0103] Furthermore, in the coloring layer 67b of the pattern forming layer 67, as shown in Figure 6, only the white 1 (WH1) layer used for the background H is printed in the areas where white is to be represented, and the white 2 (WH2) layer is not printed. As a result, the white areas in the coloring layer 67b are configured to allow light from the reel backlight BL to pass through more easily than the two-layer structure of the background H, thereby enabling the representation of a brighter white.

[0104] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, a transparent portion 63 is formed at one end T11 on one side (Y1 direction side, the lower side shown in Figure 4) of the reel tape T1 in the longitudinal direction Y, where neither the pattern forming layer 67 nor the background forming layer 61 is formed. The transparent portion 63 (end T11) is positioned so as to overlap and be hidden by the other end T12 when the reel tape T1 is wound around the reel frame FR1, in other words, it is formed so that the background H is continuous at least once around.

[0105] As shown in Figures 6 and 8, the backing layer 68 is printed on the opposite side of the background layer 61 from the substrate 60 and is formed of a silver (SL) layer. The paint (ink) in this silver (SL) layer is made of a light-shielding paint, that is, it is configured to make it difficult for light from the reel backlight BL to pass through. In this first embodiment, the backing layer 68 is printed so as not to overlap with the coloring layer 67b of the pattern forming layer 67, but so as to partially overlap with the edge forming layer 67a, that is, it is printed in the same area as the second background forming layer 61b (white 2 (WH2) layer) of the background H. As a result, the colored parts P1b to P10b of each pattern P1 to P10 are configured to allow light from the reel backlight BL to pass through easily, that is, the patterns of patterns P1 to P10 are made brighter. Furthermore, the backing layer 68 is printed so that it partially overlaps the edge forming layer 67a, thereby preventing light from the reel backlight BL from passing through the outside of the edge forming layer 67a even if printing misalignment occurs.

[0106] As shown in Figures 6 and 8, the transparent wrinkle-forming layer 64 is printed on the opposite side of the substrate 60 from the backing layer 68, meaning it is the last layer to be formed among all the printed layers. It is formed by a layer of wrinkles (TP) created by curing and shrinking the paint (ink) by irradiating it with ultraviolet light after printing, for example, by ultraviolet light, thereby generating wrinkles (fine irregularities). In this first embodiment, the transparent wrinkle-forming layer 64 is printed so as to overlap and cover the pattern forming layer 67, that is, so as to cover the areas of each pattern P1 to P10. As a result, the light from the reel backlight BL transmitted through the colored parts P1b to P10b of each pattern P1 to P10 is diffused by being irregularly bent or reflected by the transparent shrinkage-forming layer 64, preventing the occurrence of point-like light emission from the LEDs of the reel backlight BL, thereby suppressing deterioration of the appearance of the patterns P1 to P10 and improving the visibility of the patterns P1 to P10.

[0107] [About the background pattern] Next, the details of the background H and its background pattern Hm will be explained using Figures 6, 7, and 8. Figure 7(a) shows the background pattern of the first pattern, and Figure 7(b) shows the background pattern of the second pattern. Note that the figures in Figures 7(a) and 7(b) show one frame with patterns P1 to P10 omitted (erased) in order to explain background H.

[0108] As described above, the background H is composed of, in order from the back surface of the substrate 60 as shown in Figures 6 and 8, a background pattern forming layer 61m on which light orange (LW) ink is printed, a first background forming layer 61a on which white 1 (WH1) ink is printed, and a second background forming layer 61b on which white 2 (WH2) ink is printed.

[0109] In this first embodiment, the base color of the background H is described using white 1 (WH1) and white 2 (WH2) inks, but it is not limited to this. Any light color is acceptable as long as it is a subtle color that is less conspicuous (has less impact) than the patterns P1 to P10. In other words, any light color is acceptable. For example, the base color of the background H could be light pink, light blue, light purple, light orange, etc., and it is especially acceptable as long as it is a different color from the background pattern Hm. In this first embodiment, the background pattern Hm is described using light orange (LW) ink, but it is not limited to this. Any light color is acceptable as long as it is a subtle color that is less conspicuous (has less impact) than the patterns P1 to P10. In other words, any light color is acceptable as long as it is a different color from the base color of the background H.

[0110] As shown in Figures 7(a) and 7(b), the background H is configured such that, in the short direction X of the reel tape T1, it has background patterns Hm on both ends and a background central area HC in between them, meaning that it is printed to both ends in the short direction X on reel tapes T1 to T3. The background central area HC is an area where the background patterns Hm are not formed, that is, in the part where the patterns P1 to P10 are not formed, it is printed in white with two layers, the first background forming layer 61a and the second background forming layer 61b.

[0111] On the other hand, the background pattern Hm is printed on the substrate 60 side of the first background forming layer 61a and the second background forming layer 61b, and is formed to have a width of approximately 15 mm from the right end T1c and the left end T1d, which are the two ends in the short direction X of the reel tape T1, and does not overlap with patterns P5 (pattern "Watermelon A"), P6 (pattern "Watermelon B"), P7 (pattern "Bell"), P8 (pattern "Replay"), P9 (pattern "Blank A"), and P10 (pattern "Blank B") among the patterns P1 to P10 which will be described in more detail later (see Figure 5). In other words, these patterns P4 to P10 are printed to fit within the area of ​​the central part HC of the background.

[0112] Furthermore, the background pattern Hm is formed at both ends of the reel tape T1 in the short direction X after it has been cut, as will be described in more detail later. It has a pattern end Hmed, which is formed at a distance d of, for example, about 2 mm from the right end T1c and the left end T1d, respectively, where the pattern shapes Hmk1 and Hmk2 described later are not formed, and a pattern forming part Hmmn, which is formed at a width of, for example, about 13 mm from the pattern end Hmed, so that it actually has the pattern shapes Hmk1 and Hmk2. The pattern end Hmed and the pattern forming part Hmmn are printed so that they overlap at least a portion with the patterns P1 (pattern "7A"), P2 (pattern "7B"), P3 (pattern "7C"), and P4 (pattern "BAR") among the patterns P1 to P10 described in more detail later, and in particular the pattern end Hmed is printed so that it overlaps with a portion of the edges P1a to P4a of the patterns P1 to P4 (see Figure 5). As a result, patterns P1 to P4 are positioned to be the largest possible size in the short direction X of the reel tape T1, creating patterns that have a strong impact among all the patterns.

[0113] Furthermore, the pattern-forming portion Hmmn of the background pattern Hm is formed such that the boundary portion of the pattern edge Hmed is at the darkest level of light orange (WL) (for example, light orange (WL) is 70%), and the intensity of light orange (WL) gradually changes in a continuous or stepwise manner towards the center of the background HC (i.e., towards the center in the short direction of the reel tape T1), becoming lighter and disappearing, thus creating a so-called gradient. The pattern shape Hmk1 formed in this pattern-forming portion Hmmn is formed to be the darkest color of the pattern edge Hmed (for example, light orange (WL) is 70%), creating a so-called solid pattern, while the pattern shape Hmk2 is formed to be a so-called white-out pattern with no ink from the background pattern Hm (for example, light orange (WL) is 0%). Therefore, although the pattern-forming portion Hmmn of the background pattern Hm has pattern shapes Hmk1 and Hmk2, the pattern is printed using only one type (one color) of light orange (WL) ink.

[0114] Furthermore, there are two types of background patterns Hm: the first pattern HmP1 shown in Figure 7(a) and the second pattern HmP2 shown in Figure 7(b). These form a pattern for one frame, which is the area where each of the patterns P1 to P10 is placed, and are printed so that the first pattern HmP1 and the second pattern HmP2 are arranged alternately along the longitudinal direction Y of the reel tape T1. Specifically, the first pattern HmP1 shown in Figure 7(a) is a pattern in which, for example, pattern shapes Hmk2, pattern shapes Hmk1, and pattern shapes Hmk2 are arranged in order along the longitudinal direction Y, and the second pattern HmP2 shown in Figure 7(b) is a pattern in which, for example, pattern shapes Hmk1, pattern shapes Hmk2, and pattern shapes Hmk1 are arranged in order along the longitudinal direction Y. These first pattern HmP1 and second pattern HmP2 are printed so that they are placed as the background for patterns 0 to 19 (see Figure 4).

[0115] Incidentally, the background forming layer 61 that forms the background H and the backing forming layer 68 formed on the back of it are formed to be longer in the longitudinal direction Y1 than the area of ​​pattern 0, as shown in Figure 4. That is, the background forming layer 61 has a background overlapping portion 61ov which is the area where the other end T1b of the reel tape T1 overlaps, and the backing forming layer 68 has a backing overlapping portion 68ov which is the area where the other end T1b of the reel tape T1 overlaps. As a result, the end 61ed of the background forming layer 61 and the end ed of the backing forming layer 68 protrude further in the longitudinal direction Y1 than the area of ​​pattern 0, and in short, the background H is formed to be longer than the area of ​​patterns 0 to 19 where patterns P1 to P10 are placed. Furthermore, the pattern shapes Hmk1 and Hmk2 are not formed in this background overlapping portion 61ov. As a result, when overlapping the other end T1b of the reel tape T1 with the transparent part 63 and winding and bonding it to the reel frame FR1, even if there is a misalignment in the bonding position, the pattern shape Hmk1 and pattern shape Hmk2 will not be interrupted, and the pattern forming part Hmmn and pattern end Hmed of the background pattern Hm are formed up to the background overlapping part 61ov, so that the transparent part 63 is not exposed and the light of the reel backlight BLi does not directly leak out, thereby preventing a decrease in appearance.

[0116] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 7(a) and 7(b), the pattern edges Hmed of the background pattern Hm are printed with a uniform density, for example, light orange (WL) at 70% density, at a predetermined distance d (e.g., 2 mm) from the right end T1c and left end T1d, which are the two ends in the short direction X of the reel tape T1. This 70% refers to the state in which the mesh size (mesh area ratio) of the screen printing plate is set to 70% of the area to be printed. In the actual printed state, the ink applied through the mesh spreads on the back surface of the reel tape T1, resulting in a print that is almost completely gapless.

[0117] (Regarding the edges of the background pattern) Incidentally, the three reel tapes T1 to T3 are printed on a single sheet-like base material 60, for example, in parallel in the short direction X, and then cut out by cutting to produce each reel tape T1 to T3. The three reel tapes T to T3 are printed side by side without any gaps, but the outer edges on both sides of the reel tapes T1 and T3 located at the ends (for example, the left end T1d of reel tape T1 (see Figure 4)) are also cut off as margins. When performing this cutting, there is a risk that the cutting position may be off by up to approximately 0.5 mm due to the error of the cutting machine. However, in the reel tapes T1 to T3 of this first embodiment, as described above, the background pattern Hm is printed with uniform density at a predetermined distance d (for example, 2 mm) from the pattern edge Hmed that is larger than the cutting error. Therefore, even if there is a shift in the cutting position, the background pattern Hm does not change significantly, preventing a decrease in the appearance of the reel tapes T1 to T3 after cutting. Furthermore, individual differences in gaming machines due to shifts in the cutting position can be reduced, preventing misidentification by players. When cutting the reel tapes T1 to T3, the ends in the longitudinal direction (for example, one end T1a and the other end T1b (see Figure 4)) are also cut, but since the background overlap portion 61ov described above is formed for about 2 mm, even if there is a shift in the cutting position, a decrease in appearance can be prevented in the same way.

[0118] In this embodiment, the pattern edge Hmed is described as being formed at a predetermined distance d (for example, 2 mm) in the short direction X. However, since the error of the cutting machine is, for example, up to about 0.5 mm, it is sufficient if the predetermined distance d is greater than or equal to the error of the cutting machine. However, there is a risk that the pattern edge Hmed may disappear due to misalignment during cutting, so it is preferable that the predetermined distance d be 1 mm or more and 5 mm or less so as not to compress the area of ​​the background pattern Hm. In this case, the width of the adhesive member 65 (see Figure 4) that adheres the reel tapes T1 to T3 to the reel frames FR1 to FR3 may be made larger than or equal to the width of the adhesive member 65 so that the adhesive member 65 is not noticeable.

[0119] [Details of each design] Next, the detailed sizes and color schemes (types of ink used) of each design P1 to P10 will be explained using Figures 5 and 8. Figure 5 shows the designs according to the first embodiment, where (a) shows the 7A design, (b) shows the 7B design, (c) shows the 7C design, (d) shows the BAR design, (e) shows the Watermelon A design, (f) shows the Watermelon B design, (g) shows the Bell design, (h) shows the Replay design, (i) shows the Blank A design, and (j) shows the Blank B design.

[0120] As shown in Figure 5(a), the pattern P1 (pattern "7A") has a vertical (long side Y) size of "32.10 mm" and a horizontal (short side X) size of "76.50 mm". It is positioned to overlap with the background pattern Hm in the horizontal direction, and in particular, the edge P1a is positioned to overlap with the pattern edge Hmed of the background pattern Hm (see Figure 7(a)). This means that it is the pattern with the largest horizontal width, and combined with the types (number) of colors used, it is composed of a pattern that has a relatively strong impact among all the patterns. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 5(a) and 8, the design P1 (design "7A") has an edge P1a formed with black (BL) ink as an edge-forming layer 67a, and a colored area P1b has a color-forming layer 67b with patterns made of dark pink (PK1) ink (inner outline and spiral pattern), light blue (WB) ink (spiral pattern), pale pink (PK2) ink (petal pattern), and white 1 (WH1) ink (painted area inside the edge P1a). In addition, a transparent wrinkle-forming layer 64 is formed with wrinkle (TP) ink so as to cover the entire back of the design P1, meaning that a total of six colors of ink are used to form the shape of the design.

[0121] As shown in Figure 5(b), pattern P2 (pattern "7B") has a vertical (long side Y) size of "32.10 mm" and a horizontal (short side X) size of "76.50 mm". It is positioned to overlap with the background pattern Hm in the horizontal direction, and in particular, the edge P2a is positioned to overlap with the pattern edge Hmed of the background pattern Hm (see Figure 7(b)). This means that it is the pattern with the largest horizontal width, and combined with the types (number) of colors used, it is composed of patterns that have a relatively strong impact among all the patterns. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 5(b) and 8, the edge P2a of the design P2 (design "7B") is formed with black (BL) ink as the edge forming layer 67a, while the colored part P2b has a pattern (petal pattern) formed with light pink (PK2) ink and a pattern (painted area inside the edge P2a) formed with white 1 (WH1) ink as the color forming layer 67b. In addition, the transparent shrinkage forming layer 64 is not formed for the design P2 (design "7B"), meaning that a total of three colors of ink are used to form the shape of the design.

[0122] As shown in Figure 5(c), pattern P3 (pattern "7C") has a vertical (long side Y) size of "32.10 mm" and a horizontal (short side X) size of "76.50 mm". It is positioned to overlap with the background pattern Hm in the horizontal direction, and in particular, the edge P3a is positioned to overlap with the pattern edge Hmed of the background pattern Hm (see Figure 7(a)). This means that it is the pattern with the largest horizontal width, and combined with the types (number) of colors used, it is composed of patterns that have a relatively strong impact among all the patterns. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 5(c) and 8, the design P3 (design "7C") has an edge P3a formed with black (BL) ink as an edge-forming layer 67a, and a colored area P3b has a color-forming layer 67b with patterns (spiral pattern) made of dark pink (PK1) ink, a pattern (spiral pattern) made of light blue (WB) ink, a pattern (inner outline) made of yellow (YL) ink, and a pattern (painted area inside the edge P3a) made of white 1 (WH1) ink. In addition, a transparent shrink-forming layer 64 is formed with shrink (TP) ink so as to cover the entire back side of the design P3, meaning that a total of six colors of ink are used to form the shape of the design.

[0123] As shown in Figure 5(d), the pattern P4 (pattern "BAR") has a vertical (long side Y) size of "33.00 mm" and a horizontal (short side X) size of "76.50 mm". It is positioned to overlap with the background pattern Hm in the horizontal direction, and in particular, the edge P4a is positioned to overlap with the pattern edge Hmed of the background pattern Hm (see Figure 7(b)). This means that it is the pattern with the largest vertical width, and combined with the types (number) of colors used, it is composed of patterns that have a relatively strong impact among all the patterns. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 5(d) and 8, the design P4 (design "BAR") has an edge P4a formed with black (BL) ink as an edge-forming layer 67a, and a colored area P4b has a color-forming layer 67b with a pattern made of dark pink (PK1) ink (outline of the BAR lettering), a pattern made of light pink (PK2) ink (filled area inside the edge P4a), and a pattern made of white 1 (WH1) ink (filled area inside the BAR lettering). In addition, a transparent shrink-forming layer 64 is formed with shrink-type (TP) ink so as to cover the entire back of the design P4. In other words, a total of five colors of ink are used to form the shape of the design.

[0124] As shown in Figure 5(e), the pattern P5 (pattern "Watermelon A") has a vertical (long side Y) size of "29.70 mm" and a horizontal (short side X) size of "41.50 mm". It is positioned so as not to overlap with the background pattern Hm in the horizontal direction (see Figure 7(a)), meaning that it is a pattern with a medium vertical and horizontal width. Combined with the types (number) of colors used, all the patterns are composed of designs with a relatively medium impact. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 5(e) and 8, the design P5 (design "Watermelon A") has an edge P5a formed with black (BL) ink as the edge forming layer 67a, and a colored part P5b has a color forming layer 67b with a pattern made of black (BL) ink (watermelon stripes and seed pattern), a pattern made of dark pink (PK1) ink (watermelon cross-section pattern), a green pattern made of light blue (WB) and yellow (YL) ink (watermelon surface pattern, orange stem pattern), and orange (OL) Patterns are formed using ink (the pattern on the orange surface), gray (GR) ink (the pattern of the orange shadow), and white 1 (WH1) ink (the pattern of the watermelon rind cross-section, the pattern of the orange depressions). Furthermore, a layer of shrinkage (TP) ink is formed as a transparent shrinkage-forming layer 64, covering the entire back of the design P5. In other words, a total of 8 colors of ink, the most variety (number) of colors among all designs, are used to form the shape of the design. In particular, the green patterns made with light blue (WB) and yellow (YL) inks form a green region ArG that makes the green color visible. In other words, design P5 (design "Watermelon A") is a design that has a green region ArG that makes the green color visible.

[0125] As shown in Figure 5(f), the pattern P6 (pattern "Watermelon B") has a vertical (long side Y) size of "28.60 mm" and a horizontal (short side X) size of "43.00 mm". It is positioned so as not to overlap with the background pattern Hm in the horizontal direction (see Figure 7(b)), meaning that it is a pattern with a medium vertical and horizontal width. Combined with the types (number) of colors used, all the patterns are composed of designs with a relatively medium impact. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 5(f) and 8, the design P6 (design "Watermelon B") has an edge P6a formed with black (BL) ink as an edge-forming layer 67a, and a colored part P6b has a color-forming layer 67b with patterns made of black (BL) ink (watermelon stripes and seeds), dark pink (PK1) ink (watermelon cross-section pattern), light blue (WB) and yellow (YL) inks for green patterns (watermelon surface pattern, orange stem pattern), orange (OL) ink for orange surface pattern, and white 1 (WH1) ink for white rind cross-section pattern, orange depression pattern. In addition, a transparent wrinkle-forming layer 64 is formed with wrinkle (TP) ink to cover the entire back of the design P6, meaning that a total of seven colors of ink are used to form the shape of the design. Note that this design P6 (design "Watermelon B") is not placed on reel tape T1 (see Figure 4), but it is placed on reel tapes T2 and T3.

[0126] As shown in Figure 5(g), the pattern P7 (the "bell" pattern) has a vertical (long side Y) size of "30.00 mm" and a horizontal (short side X) size of "43.30 mm". It is positioned so as not to overlap with the background pattern Hm in the horizontal direction (see Figure 7(a)), meaning that it is a pattern with a medium vertical and horizontal width. Combined with the types (number) of colors used, all the patterns are composed of designs with a relatively medium impact. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 5(g) and 8, the design P7 (design "Bell") has an edge P7a formed with black (BL) ink as an edge-forming layer 67a, and a colored part P7b formed with a color-forming layer 67b that has patterns made of black (BL) ink (the outline of the bell), yellow (YL) ink (the surface pattern of the bell), and orange (OL) ink (the pattern of the darkened parts of the bell). In addition, a layer of shrink (TP) ink is formed as a transparent shrink-forming layer 64 to cover the entire back of the design P7, meaning that a total of four colors of ink are used to form the shape of the design.

[0127] As shown in Figure 5(h), the symbol P8 (the "Replay" symbol) has a vertical (long side Y) size of "27.50 mm" and a horizontal (short side X) size of "37.00 mm". It is positioned so as not to overlap with the background pattern Hm in the horizontal direction (see Figure 7(b)), meaning that it is a symbol with a medium vertical and horizontal width, and is composed of symbols that have a relatively medium impact among all symbols. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 5(h) and 8, the design P8 (design "Replay") has an edge P8a formed with black (BL) ink as an edge-forming layer 67a, and a colored area P8b formed with a color-forming layer 67b that has a pattern made of black (BL) ink (the inner contour of the edge P8a), a pattern made of light blue (WB) ink (the REP font), and a pattern made of white 1 (WH1) ink (the painted area inside the edge P4a). In addition, a transparent shrink-forming layer 64 is formed with shrink (TP) ink so as to cover the entire back of the design P8, meaning that a total of four colors of ink are used to form the shape of the design.

[0128] As shown in Figure 5(i), the pattern P9 (pattern "Blank A") has a vertical (long side Y) size of "25.95 mm" and a horizontal (short side X) size of "35.70 mm". It is positioned so as not to overlap with the background pattern Hm in the horizontal direction (see Figure 7(a)), meaning it is the pattern with the smallest vertical and horizontal dimensions. Combined with the types (number) of colors used, it is composed of patterns that are relatively less impactful than all the other patterns. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 5(i) and 8, the pattern P9 (pattern "Blank A") has no edge, and the colored part P9b has a color-forming layer 67b with a pattern (outer outline and inner star pattern) made of gray (GR) ink, while the rest of the pattern has the background H exposed. In other words, the inside of the pattern is painted with a background H formed of two layers of white 1 (WH1) and white 2 (WH2). Furthermore, in the case of design P9 (design "Blank A"), the transparent shrinkage-forming layer 64 was not formed, meaning that the shape of the design was formed using only one color of ink in total.

[0129] As shown in Figure 5(j), the pattern P10 (pattern "Blank B") has a vertical (long side Y) size of "29.90 mm" and a horizontal (short side X) size of "40.95 mm". It is positioned so as not to overlap with the background pattern Hm in the horizontal direction (see Figure 7(a)), meaning that it is a pattern with medium vertical and horizontal dimensions. Combined with the types (number) of colors used, it is a pattern that is relatively less impactful than all the other patterns. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 5(j) and 8, the pattern P10 (pattern "Blank B") has no edge, and the colored part P10b has a color-forming layer 67b with a pattern (outer outline and inner star pattern) made of gray (GR) ink, while the rest of the pattern is left as is with the background H exposed. In other words, the inside of the pattern is painted with a background H formed of two layers of white 1 (WH1) and white 2 (WH2). Furthermore, for design P10 (design "Blank B"), the transparent shrinkage-forming layer 64 was not formed, meaning that the shape of the design was formed using only one color of ink in total.

[0130] (Regarding the number of ink printing steps for design P2 (design "7B") and design P1 (design "7A")) Next, we will explain the number of ink printing steps for design P2 (design "7B") and design P1 (design "7A"). As mentioned above, the design of design P2 (design "7B") is formed using a total of three colors (three types) of ink: black (BL), light pink (PK2), and white 1 (WH1) (see Figure 5(b)). The number of printing (coating) steps for these three inks is three. In other words, design P2 (design "7B") has the fewest number of ink types among all designs P1 to P10, and is the design that uses the fewest types of ink. On the other hand, the design P1 (design "7A") is formed using a total of six colors (six types) of ink: black (BL), dark pink (PK1), light blue (WB), pale pink (PK2), white 1 (WH1), and crinkle (TP) (see Figure 5(a)). The printing (coating) process of these six inks is performed six times. Of the inks that form design P1 (design "7A"), black (BL), pale pink (PK2), and white 1 (WH1) are the inks used in design P2 (design "7A"). Therefore, by completing the design P2 (design "7B"), which uses the fewest types of ink, more than half of the ink printing process for design P1 (design "7A") is completed. The remaining printing process consists of only three types of ink: dark pink (PK1), light blue (WB), and crinkle (TP). In other words, more than half of design P1 (design "7A") can be completed, and the remaining printing process can be reduced to less than half. This reduces the number of ink (paint) types used for design P1 (design "7A") while bringing it closer to completion, thus reducing the cost of completing reel tapes T1-T3 in which design P1 is arranged.

[0131] (Regarding the number of ink printing steps for design P2 (design "7B") and design P4 (design "BAR")) Next, we will explain the number of ink printing processes for the first design, design P2 (design "7B"), the second design, design P4 (design "BAR"), and the third design, design P1 (design "7A"). As mentioned above, the design of design P2 (design "7B") is formed by a total of three colors (three types) of ink: black (BL), light pink (PK2), and white 1 (WH1) (see Figure 5(a)). In other words, the number of ink types is three, and the number of printing (coating) processes for the three colors of ink is three. That is, design P2 (design "7B") has the fewest number of ink types among all designs P1 to P10, and is the design that uses the fewest types of ink. On the other hand, the design P4 (design "BAR") is formed using a total of five colors (five types) of ink: black (BL), dark pink (PK1), light pink (PK2), white 1 (WH1), and crinkle (TP) (see Figure 5(d)). In other words, the number of ink types is five, and the printing (coating) process for the five inks is performed five times. Furthermore, among the inks that form the design P4 (design "BAR"), black (BL), light pink (PK2), and white 1 (WH1) are the same inks used in the design P2 (design "7B"). Therefore, by completing the design P2 (design "7B"), which uses the fewest types of ink, more than half of the ink printing process for design P4 (design "BAR") is completed. The remaining printing processes consist of only two types: dark pink (PK1) and crinkle (TP). In other words, more than half of design P4 (design "BAR") can be completed, and the remaining printing processes can be reduced to less than half. This reduces the number of ink (paint) types used for design P4 (design "BAR") while bringing it closer to completion, thus reducing the cost of completing reel tapes T1-T3 in which design P4 is arranged.

[0132] (Summary of the effects of completing pattern P2 (pattern "7B")) As explained above, completing the printing process of three inks to finish design P2 (design "7B") allows for more than half of the other designs (at least design P1 (design "7A") and design P4 (design "BAR")) to be completed, meaning they are closer to completion. Therefore, completing design P2 (design "7B") completes more than half of the designs, resulting in overall cost savings for completing reel tapes T1-T3.

[0133] (Regarding the completion of multiple other types of patterns upon completion of pattern P5 (pattern "Watermelon A")) Next, we will explain how completing the specific design P5 (design "Watermelon A") completes several other types of designs. As mentioned above, the design P5 (design "Watermelon A") is formed using a total of eight colors (eight types) of ink: black (BL), dark pink (PK1), light blue (WB), yellow (YL), orange (OL), gray (GR), white 1 (WH1), and crinkle (TP) (see Figure 5(e)). In other words, the number of ink types is the predetermined number "8," and the number of printing (coating) processes for the eight ink colors is eight. That is, design P5 (design "Watermelon A") has the highest number of ink types among all designs P1 to P10, and is the design that uses the most types of ink.

[0134] On the other hand, the design P3 (design "7C") is formed using a total of six colors (six types) of ink: black (BL), dark pink (PK1), light blue (WB), yellow (YL), white 1 (WH1), and crinkle (TP) (see Figure 5(c)). The printing (coating) process of these six inks is performed six times. Furthermore, all six of these inks are the same inks used in design P5 (design "Watermelon A").

[0135] Furthermore, the design P6 (design "Watermelon B") is formed using a total of seven colors (seven types) of ink: black (BL), dark pink (PK1), light blue (WB), yellow (YL), orange (OL), white 1 (WH1), and crinkle (TP) (see Figure 5(f)). The printing (coating) process for these seven inks is performed seven times. These seven inks are all the same inks used in design P5 (design "Watermelon A").

[0136] Furthermore, the design P7 (design "Bell") is formed using a total of four colors (four types) of ink: black (BL), yellow (YL), orange (OL), and crinkle (TP) (see Figure 5(g)). The printing (coating) process of these four inks is performed four times. These four inks are all the same inks used in design P5 (design "Watermelon A").

[0137] The design P8 (design "Replay") is formed using a total of four colors (four types) of ink: black (BL), light blue (WB), white 1 (WH1), and crinkle (TP) (see Figure 5(i)). The printing (coating) process of these four inks is performed four times. These four inks are all the same inks used in design P5 (design "Watermelon A").

[0138] Therefore, by completing the design P5 (design "Watermelon A"), which is printed with eight colors of ink, five different designs are completed, including designs P3 (design "7C"), P6 (design "Watermelon B"), P7 (design "Bell"), and P8 (design "Replay"). In other words, five designs are completed, which is more than half of the ten designs in total (designs P1-P10). In short, by completing design P5 (design "Watermelon A"), more than half of the designs are completed, so there is no need to prepare different types of ink for the other designs (designs P3, P6, P7, and P8), thus reducing the number of ink types required. This allows for cost reduction in completing reel tapes T1-T3, which are arranged with multiple designs including design P5 (designs P3, P6, P7, and P8).

[0139] (Regarding the composition of more than half of the designs using the inks that make up design P5 (design "Watermelon A")) As described above, by using the eight inks that constitute (form) the pattern P5 (pattern "Watermelon A") (in other words, the pattern P5 is established), it is possible to constitute (form) (i.e., establish) the patterns P3 (pattern "7C"), P6 (pattern "Watermelon B"), P7 (pattern "Bell"), and P8 (pattern "Replay") in addition to the pattern P5 (pattern "Watermelon A"). As shown in Figure 4, on a predetermined reel tape (for example, the reel tape of the left reel), reel tape T1 has one pattern P3 (pattern "7C"), four patterns P5 (pattern "Watermelon A"), four patterns P7 (pattern "Bell"), and six patterns P8 (pattern "Replay") arranged on it. In total, there are 15 patterns arranged, which is more than half of the 20 patterns. In other words, by using the eight inks that make up pattern P5 (pattern "Watermelon A"), it is possible to create (form) 15 patterns, which is more than half of the multiple patterns on reel tape T1. This makes it possible to reduce the cost of completing reel tape T1, which has multiple types of patterns (patterns P3, P7, and P8) including pattern P5.

[0140] Although the description of reel tape T1 does not include pattern P6 (pattern "Watermelon B"), you may change one or more of the four patterns P5 (pattern "Watermelon A") to pattern P6 (pattern "Watermelon B"). Even in this case, using the eight inks that make up pattern P5 (pattern "Watermelon A"), you can still create 15 patterns, which is more than half of the multiple patterns on reel tape T1.

[0141] <Second Embodiment> Next, a second embodiment, which is a modified version of the first embodiment described above, will be explained using Figures 9, 10, and 11. Figure 9 shows a sheet of reel tape of the gaming machine according to the second embodiment, printed and before cutting. Figure 10 shows the patterns according to the second embodiment, where (a) shows a bell pattern, (b) shows a replay pattern, (c) shows a cherry pattern, (d) shows a watermelon pattern, (e) shows a white 7 pattern, (f) shows a silver BAR pattern, (g) shows a black BAR pattern, (h) shows a red 7 pattern, (i) shows a diamond pattern, and (j) shows a bonus pattern. Figure 11 shows the relationship between the ink types and each layer according to the second embodiment. In this explanation of the second embodiment, the same reference numerals will be used for parts similar to those in the first embodiment, and their explanations will be omitted.

[0142] [About the background pattern] First, the background pattern Hm of the reel tapes T1 to T3 according to the second embodiment will be explained with reference to Figure 9. In the background pattern Hm of the first embodiment described above, the first pattern HmP1 and the second pattern HmP2 were arranged alternately in the longitudinal direction Y in patterns that make up one frame. In contrast, the background pattern Hm of this second embodiment, as shown in Figure 9, is constructed by repeating the left pattern HmP3 and the right pattern HmP4, each consisting of four frames, in the longitudinal direction Y, and printing them so that they are continuously connected. That is, the background pattern Hm according to the second embodiment is constructed by arranging multiple left pattern HmP3 and right pattern HmP4 in the longitudinal direction Y, each of which is a pattern shape formed by dividing a predetermined number (20) of areas into predetermined numbers (5). Furthermore, while the background pattern Hm in the first embodiment was described as being formed with light orange (LW) ink (see Figure 8), the background pattern Hm in this second embodiment is formed with very light pink (PK4) ink (see Figure 11).

[0143] In detail, the left pattern HmP3, located on the left side of the short direction X (the side in the X2 direction), has the pattern shape Hmk3, which is a so-called solid pattern, pattern shape Hmk4, which is a so-called outline pattern, and pattern shape Hmk5, which is a so-called outline pattern, arranged in a predetermined order and size. Similarly, the right pattern HmP4, located on the right side of the short direction X (the side in the X1 direction), also has the pattern shape Hmk3, which is a so-called solid pattern, pattern shape Hmk4, which is a so-called outline pattern, and pattern shape Hmk5, which is a so-called outline pattern, arranged in a predetermined order and size.

[0144] By arranging the left pattern HmP3 and the right pattern HmP4 alternately in the longitudinal direction Y, each in a pattern of 4 frames, the 20 frames (20 patterns) of reel tapes T1 to T3 are divisible by 4 frames, so 5 patterns are not left over. When these reel tapes T1 to T3 are wound and glued onto reel frames FR1 to FR3, the patterns are neatly arranged without interruption, improving the design and visibility.

[0145] Furthermore, the specific area 410b (see Figure 1) that makes reels R1 to R3 visible displays three frames (three symbols) when those reels R1 to R3 are stopped. Therefore, the left pattern HmP3 and the right pattern HmP4, which are four-frame patterns, can display four different background patterns Hm depending on the stopping position. That is, for example, if the symbol "white 7", which is the third symbol on reel tape T1 in Figure 9, stops at the top of the specific area 410b, if the symbol "watermelon", which is the second symbol, stops at the top of the specific area 410b, if the symbol "bell", which is the first symbol, stops at the top of the specific area 410b, or if the symbol "diamond", which is the zero symbol, stops at the top of the specific area 410b, the patterns displayed on the left pattern HmP3 and the right pattern HmP4 will differ at these four stopping positions. This prevents monotony in the variation of background patterns Hm when stopped, improving the design.

[0146] Furthermore, the left pattern HmP3 and the right pattern HmP4 each have a pattern shape Hmk5, which is a white outline pattern. This pattern shape Hmk5 is formed to be approximately 13mm to 14mm in width and height, and is shaped to match the pattern of the colored part P16b of the "Silver BAR" pattern, which is positioned as the 17th design on the reel tape T3 and will be described in more detail later. In other words, in this second embodiment, a design relationship is established between the background pattern Hm and the pattern of the colored part P16b, thereby improving the design quality.

[0147] (Regarding the edges of the background pattern) In this second embodiment, as in the first embodiment described above, the three reel tapes T1 to T3 are printed on a single sheet-like substrate 60 in parallel, for example, in the short direction X, as shown in Figure 9, and are cut out by cutting to produce each of the reel tapes T1 to T3. The three reel tapes T to T3 are printed in a state where they are lined up without gaps, but the outer edges on both sides of the reel tapes T1 and T3 located at both ends (for example, the left end T1d of reel tape T1 and the right end T3c of reel tape T3) are also cut off as margins. When performing this cutting, there is a risk that the cutting position may be shifted by, for example, up to about 0.5 mm due to the error of the cutting machine. However, in the reel tapes T1 to T3 of this second embodiment, as described above, the background pattern Hm is printed with uniform density at a predetermined distance d (for example, 2 mm) from the pattern edge Hmed that is larger than the cutting error. Therefore, even if there is a shift in the cutting position, the background pattern Hm will not change significantly, preventing a decrease in the appearance of the reel tapes T1 to T3 after cutting. Furthermore, individual differences in gaming machines due to shifts in the cutting position can be reduced, preventing misidentification by players. In addition, when cutting the reel tapes T1 to T3, the ends in the longitudinal direction (one end T1a and the other end T1b of reel tape T1, one end T2a and the other end T2b of reel tape T2, and one end T3a and the other end T3b of reel tape T3) are also cut, but since the background overlap portion 61ov described above is formed to a length of, for example, 2 mm, even if there is a shift in the cutting position, a decrease in appearance can be similarly prevented.

[0148] [Details of each design] Next, the detailed sizes and color schemes (types of ink used) of each pattern P11 to P20 arranged on the reel tapes T1 to T3 according to the second embodiment will be explained using Figures 10 and 11. In this second embodiment, as shown in Figure 11, the pattern forming layer 67 has a layer of gold (GL) ink as part of the color forming layer 67b, on the side closer to the back surface of the substrate 60 than the edge forming layer 67a, which is black (BL) ink that forms the edges P11a to P20a of each pattern P11 to P20. Furthermore, the color-forming layer 67b is formed by printing, for example, a gold (GL) layer, a black (BK) layer, a blue (BU) layer, a red (RD) layer, a light blue (WB) layer, a dark pink (PK1) layer, a pink (PK2) layer, a light pink (PK3) layer, a purple (PU) layer, an orange (OL) layer, a yellow (YL) layer, a gray (GR) layer, and a light orange (LW) layer, in order from the side closest to the back of the substrate 60, so that the colors correspond to the respective patterns P11 to P20 described in detail. The background pattern-forming layer 61m is formed of a very light pink (PK4) layer, the first background-forming layer 61a is formed of a white 1 (WH1) layer, the second background-forming layer 61b is formed of a white 2 (WH2) layer, and the transparent wrinkle-forming layer 64 is formed of a wrinkle (TP) layer. In other words, in this second embodiment, 17 types (17 colors) of ink are used. In this second embodiment, no backing layer 68 (see Figure 8) is formed on the reel tapes T1 to T3, allowing the light from the reel backlight BLi to pass through easily. The entire reel tapes T1 to T3 are brightly illuminated within a specific region 410b, and even when an image is displayed in the specific region 410b using liquid crystal, the individual patterns on the reel tapes T1 to T3 are easily visible.

[0149] As shown in Figure 10(a), the pattern P11 (the "bell" pattern) has a vertical (long side Y) size of "28.00 mm" and a horizontal (short side X) size of "42.00 mm". It is positioned so as not to overlap with the background pattern Hm in the horizontal direction (see Figure 9), meaning that it is a pattern with medium vertical and horizontal dimensions. Combined with the types (number) of colors used, all the patterns are composed of designs with a relatively medium impact. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 10(a) and 11, the design P11 (design "Bell") has an edge P11a formed with black (BL) ink as an edge-forming layer 67a, and the colored part P11b has a color-forming layer 67b in which patterns are formed with black (BL) ink (outline pattern of Bell), yellow (YL) ink (surface pattern of Bell), orange (OL) ink (darkened surface pattern of Bell), and gray (GR) ink (darkened part pattern of Bell). In addition, a pattern is formed where the background H (a layer formed by two layers of white 1 (WH1) and white 2 (WH2)) is exposed (shiny pattern of Bell). Furthermore, a transparent wrinkle-forming layer 64 is formed, consisting of wrinkle (TP) ink, so as to cover the entire back side of the design P11. In other words, a total of five colors of ink are used to form the shape of the design, excluding the white 1 (WH1) and white 2 (WH2) of the background H.

[0150] As shown in Figure 10(b), the pattern P12 (pattern "Replay") has a vertical (long side Y) size of "26.00 mm" and a horizontal (short side X) size of "40.00 mm". It is positioned so as not to overlap with the background pattern Hm in the horizontal direction (see Figure 9), meaning it is a pattern with the minimum vertical and horizontal dimensions, and in particular the area of ​​the region where the pattern is placed (1040 mm²) is calculated by adding the vertical (26 mm) and horizontal (40 mm) dimensions. 2) is the smallest of all the symbols P11 to P20, and is composed of symbols that have the least impact relative to all of them. Also, as shown in Figures 10(b) and 8, the edge P12a of symbol P12a is formed with black (BL) ink as the edge forming layer 67a, and the colored part P12b is formed with a pattern (the painted part inside the edge P12a, the REP font) made of light blue (WB) ink as the color forming layer 67b, and the rest of the part has the background H exposed as is, that is, the inside of the symbol is painted with background H which is made up of two layers of white 1 (WH1) and white 2 (WH2). Furthermore, a transparent shrinkage-forming layer 64 is formed, consisting of a layer of shrinkage (TP) ink, covering the entire back side of the design P8. In other words, the design P12 (design "Replay") is formed using a total of three inks, excluding the white 1 (WH1) and white 2 (WH2) of the background H.

[0151] As shown in Figure 10(c), the pattern P13 (the "cherry" pattern) has a vertical (long side Y) size of "26.00 mm" and a horizontal (short side X) size of "43.00 mm". It is positioned so as not to overlap with the background pattern Hm in the horizontal direction (see Figure 9), meaning that it is a pattern with a medium vertical and horizontal width. Combined with the types (number) of colors used, all the patterns are composed of designs with a relatively medium impact. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 10(c) and 11, the design P13 (design "Cherry") has an edge P13a formed with black (BL) ink as an edge-forming layer 67a, and the colored part P13b has a color-forming layer 67b with patterns made of black (BL) ink (watermelon stripes and seeds), a pattern made of dark pink (PK1) ink (watermelon cross-section pattern), a green pattern made of light blue (WB) and yellow (YL) ink (watermelon surface pattern, orange stem pattern), a pattern made of orange (OL) ink (orange surface pattern), and a pattern made of white 1 (WH1) ink (watermelon rind cross-section pattern, orange indentation pattern). In addition, a pattern is formed where the background H (a layer made up of two layers of white 1 (WH1) and white 2 (WH2)) is exposed (cherry gloss pattern). Furthermore, a transparent wrinkle-forming layer 64 is formed, consisting of wrinkle (TP) ink, so as to cover the entire back side of the design P13. In other words, excluding the white 1 (WH1) and white 2 (WH2) of the background H, a total of seven colors of ink are used to form the shape of the design.

[0152] As shown in Figure 10(d), the pattern P14 (the "watermelon" pattern) has a vertical (long side Y) size of "30.00 mm" and a horizontal (short side X) size of "47.00 mm". It is positioned so as not to overlap with the background pattern Hm in the horizontal direction (see Figure 9), meaning that it is a pattern with a medium vertical and horizontal width. Combined with the types (number) of colors used, all the patterns are composed of designs with a relatively medium impact. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 10(d) and 11, the design P14 (design "Watermelon") has an edge P14a formed with black (BL) ink as an edge-forming layer 67a, and the colored part P14b has a color-forming layer 67b in which patterns are formed with black (BL) ink (watermelon stripes and seeds), pink (PK2) ink (watermelon cross-section pattern), light blue (WB) and yellow (YL) inks to create green patterns (watermelon surface pattern), light pink (PK3) ink to create heart patterns, and gray (GR) ink to create heart shadow patterns. In addition, a pattern is formed where the background H (a layer formed by two layers of white 1 (WH1) and white 2 (WH2)) is exposed (pattern of the rind part of the watermelon cross-section). Furthermore, a transparent shrinkage-forming layer 64 is formed, consisting of shrinkage (TP) ink, so as to cover the entire back side of the design P14. In other words, excluding the white 1 (WH1) and white 2 (WH2) of the background H, a total of seven inks, the most variety (number) of colors among all the designs, are used to form the shape of the design.

[0153] As shown in Figure 10(e), pattern P15 (pattern "White 7") has a vertical (long side Y) size of "32.00 mm" and a horizontal (short side X) size of "76.00 mm". It is positioned to overlap with the background pattern Hm in the horizontal direction, and in particular, the edge P15a is positioned to overlap with the pattern edge Hmed of the background pattern Hm (see Figure 9). This means that it is the pattern with the largest horizontal width, and combined with the types (number) of colors used, it is composed of patterns that have a relatively strong impact among all the patterns. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 10(e) and 11, the pattern P15 (pattern "White 7") has an edge P15a formed with black (BL) ink as an edge-forming layer 67a, and a colored area P15b has a pattern formed with gold (GL) ink (decorative line pattern on the edge P15a) and a pattern formed with purple (PU) ink (internal diagonal line pattern and petal pattern) as a color-forming layer 67b. The rest of the pattern is left as is with the background H exposed, meaning the inside of the pattern is painted with a background H formed of two layers of white 1 (WH1) and white 2 (WH2). In addition, a layer of shrink (TP) ink is formed as a transparent shrink-forming layer 64 to cover the entire back of the pattern P15, meaning that a total of four colors of ink are used to form the shape of the pattern, excluding the white 1 (WH1) and white 2 (WH2) of the background H.

[0154] As shown in Figure 10(f), the pattern P16 (the "Silver BAR" pattern) has a vertical (long side Y) size of "29.00 mm" and a horizontal (short side X) size of "70.00 mm". It is positioned so as to overlap with the background pattern Hm in the horizontal direction (see Figure 9), meaning it is a relatively large pattern. Combined with the types (number) of colors used, it is composed of patterns that have a relatively strong impact compared to all the other patterns. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 10(f) and 11, the design P16 (design "Silver BAR") has an edge P16a formed with black (BL) ink as an edge-forming layer 67a, and a pattern (the painted area inside the edge P16a) formed with gray (GR) ink as a color-forming layer 67b for the colored area P16b. In addition, a pattern (the pattern of the BAR font, a circular pattern) is formed where the background H (a layer formed by two layers of white 1 (WH1) and white 2 (WH2)) is exposed. Moreover, a layer of shrinkage (TP) ink is formed as a transparent shrinkage-forming layer 64 to cover the entire back side of the design P16. In other words, a total of three colors of ink are used to form the shape of the design, excluding the white 1 (WH1) and white 2 (WH2) of the background H.

[0155] As shown in Figure 10(g), the pattern P17 (pattern "black BAR") has a vertical (long side Y) size of "30.50 mm" and a horizontal (short side X) size of "70.00 mm". It is positioned so as to overlap with the background pattern Hm in the horizontal direction (see Figure 9), meaning it is a relatively large pattern. Combined with the types (number) of colors used, it is composed of patterns that have a relatively strong impact compared to all the other patterns. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 10(g) and 11, the design P17 (design "Black BAR") has an edge P17a formed with black (BL) ink as an edge-forming layer 67a, and a pattern (the painted area inside the edge P17a) formed with red (RD) ink as a color-forming layer 67b in the colored area P17b. In addition, a pattern (the pattern of the BAR font) is formed where the background H (a layer formed by two layers of white 1 (WH1) and white 2 (WH2)) is exposed. Moreover, a layer of shrink (TP) ink is formed as a transparent shrink-forming layer 64 to cover the entire back side of the design P16. In other words, a total of three colors of ink are used to form the shape of the design, excluding the white 1 (WH1) and white 2 (WH2) of the background H.

[0156] As shown in Figure 10(h), the pattern P18 (pattern "Red 7") has a vertical (long side Y) size of "32.00 mm" and a horizontal (short side X) size of "76.00 mm". It is positioned to overlap with the background pattern Hm in the horizontal direction, and in particular, the edge P18a is positioned to overlap with the pattern edge Hmed of the background pattern Hm (see Figure 9). This means that it is the pattern with the largest horizontal width, and combined with the types (number) of colors used, it is composed of patterns that have a relatively strong impact among all the patterns. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 10(h) and 11, the design P18 (design "Red 7") has an edge P18a formed with black (BL) ink as the edge forming layer 67a, and the colored part P15b has a color forming layer 67b with patterns made of gold (GL) ink (decorative line pattern of edge P18a), red (RD) ink (painted area inside edge P17a), pink (PK) ink (pattern of the character's head), light orange (LW) ink (pattern of the character's face), and white 1 (WH1) ink (star pattern). In addition, a pattern (circle pattern) is formed where the background H (a layer formed of two layers of white 1 (WH1) and white 2 (WH2)) is exposed. Furthermore, a transparent wrinkle-forming layer 64 is formed, consisting of wrinkle (TP) ink, so as to cover the entire back side of the design P18. In other words, excluding the white 1 (WH1) and white 2 (WH2) of the background H, a total of seven colors (including the white 1 (WH1) pattern), which is the largest number of colors, are used to form the shape of the design.

[0157] As shown in Figure 10(i), the pattern P19 (the "diamond" pattern) has a vertical (long side Y) size of "28.00 mm" and a horizontal (short side X) size of "52.00 mm". It is positioned so as to overlap with the background pattern Hm in the horizontal direction (see Figure 9), meaning that it is a pattern with a medium vertical and horizontal width. Combined with the types (number) of colors used, all the patterns are composed of designs with a relatively medium impact. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 10(i) and 11, the design P19 (the "diamond" design) has an edge P19a formed with black (BL) ink as the edge-forming layer 67a, while the colored part P19b has a pattern formed with gold (GL) ink (the decorative line pattern of the edge P19a), a pattern with pink (PK2) ink (the diamond pattern part), a pattern with light pink (PK3) ink (the painted part inside the edge P19a), and a pattern where the background H (a layer formed by two layers of white 1 (WH1) and white 2 (WH2)) is exposed (the painted part inside the diamond). In addition, a layer of shrink (TP) ink is formed as a transparent shrink-forming layer 64 to cover the entire back side of the design P19, meaning that a total of five colors of ink are used to form the shape of the design, excluding the white 1 (WH1) and white 2 (WH2) of the background H.

[0158] As shown in Figure 10(j), the pattern P20 (pattern "Bonus") has a vertical (long side Y) dimension of "33.00 mm" and a horizontal (short side X) dimension of "74.00 mm". It is positioned to overlap with the background pattern Hm in the horizontal direction, and in particular, the edge P20a is positioned to overlap with the pattern edge Hmed of the background pattern Hm (see Figure 9), meaning it is a pattern with the maximum vertical width. Specifically, the area of ​​the region where the pattern is placed (2442 mm²) is calculated by adding the vertical width (33 mm) and the horizontal width (74 mm). 2) is the largest of all the symbols P11 to P20, and combined with the types (number) of colors used, it is composed of symbols that have the strongest relative impact among all the symbols. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 10(j) and 11, the edge P20a of symbol P20a is formed with black (BL) ink as the edge forming layer 67a, and the colored part P20b is formed with a pattern of gold (GL) ink (the outline pattern of the "ONUS" font), a pattern of blue (BU) ink (the filled part of the "B" font), a pattern of light blue (WB) ink (the filled part inside the edge 20a), a pattern of orange (OL) ink (the star pattern), and a pattern of yellow (YL) ink (the lightning pattern). Furthermore, a transparent wrinkle-forming layer 64 is formed, consisting of wrinkle (TP) ink, so as to cover the entire back of the design P20. In other words, excluding the white 1 (WH1) and white 2 (WH2) of the background H, a total of seven inks, which have the most color variations (number), are used to form the shape of the design.

[0159] [Regarding the difference in impact between the "Bonus" symbol and the "Replay" symbol] Next, I will explain the difference in impact between the above-mentioned symbol P20 (symbol "Bonus") and the above-mentioned symbol P12 (symbol "Replay"). As mentioned above, the symbol P20 (symbol "Bonus") has a vertical (long side Y) size of "33.00 mm" and a horizontal (short side X) size of "74.00 mm", and the area of ​​the region where the symbol is placed in relation to the long side Y and the short side X is (2442 mm²). 2 ) is the largest design among all designs P11-P20, and the number of ink types used is the largest, totaling 7 types. On the other hand, design P12 (design "Replay") has a vertical size (long side Y) of "26.00 mm" and a horizontal size (short side X) of "40.00 mm", and the area of ​​the region where the design is placed in relation to the long side Y and short side X is (1040 mm²). 2) is the smallest symbol among all symbols P11 to P20, and the number of ink types used is the fewest, totaling 3 types. In short, there are no symbols with more ink types than symbol P20 (symbol "Bonus"), and no symbols with fewer ink types than symbol P12 (symbol "Replay").

[0160] Thus, the symbol P20 (the "Bonus" symbol) has a strong impact due to the largest size of the area it occupies and the largest variety of inks used. These factors combine to make it the most impactful symbol among all symbols P11-P20. Conversely, the symbol P12 (the "Replay" symbol) has a weak impact due to the smallest size of the area it occupies and the smallest variety of inks used. These factors combine to make it the least impactful symbol among all symbols P11-P20. Therefore, a suitable difference in impact can be created between the symbol P20 (the "Bonus" symbol) (the largest symbol) and the symbol P12 (the "Replay" symbol) (the smallest symbol).

[0161] [Possibility of other embodiments] In the first and second embodiments, the first background forming layer 61A and the second background forming layer 61B were described as being formed of the same paint (for example, white 1 (WH1) and white 2 (WH2)), but the invention is not limited to this, and paints of similar colors may be used, and in particular in the second embodiment, the second background forming layer 61B may be a light-shielding layer (backing layer, so-called silver backing) formed of a light-shielding paint (for example, black, dark gray, dark blue, etc.).

[0162] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, the background H was described as having a background color formed by the white paint of the first background forming layer 61A, but it is not limited to this, and any color background color is acceptable, and a white background color is particularly preferred, and for example, one containing a luminous pigment is also acceptable.

[0163] Also, in the first and second embodiments, although the edges of each symbol have been described as being formed by a paint with a low lightness (black (BL) ink), the present invention is not limited to this. For example, any paint with a low lightness such as dark gray or dark blue may be used, but it is particularly preferable to use paints of the same color system for each symbol. The same color system refers to colors including, in addition to the same color, analogous colors, for example, magenta for red, cyan for blue, gray for black, etc. Specifically, the same color system is a color with a small color difference (ΔE * ab), preferably a color with a color difference of less than 10, more preferably less than 5.0. This ΔE * ab is a value represented by ΔE * ab = √((ΔL * ) 2 +(Δa * ) 2 +(Δb * ) 2 ), and the larger the value, the greater the color difference when visually observed.

[0164] Also, in the first and second embodiments, although it has been described that none of the symbols P1 to P20 have a light-transmitting portion formed only by a transparent paint that transmits the light of the reel backlight BLi as a crease, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a light-transmitting portion may be formed in the eyes of a character, a star symbol, a shiny portion, etc., so that a part of the symbol relatively shines brightly. In this case, it is preferable to form a crease on the back surface of the light-transmitting portion so that the light of the reel backlight BLi does not shine through the light-transmitting portion.

[0165] Also, in the first and second embodiments, although it has been described that the coloring formation layer 67b forms the colored portion inside the symbol with a single layer of a single color or a multi-layer mixture of various colors of paints, the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be a type that expresses gradation with dots or the like.

[0166] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, the slot machine 1 was described as a so-called full-screen liquid crystal display machine equipped with a display device 410, which is a liquid crystal display, so as to cover a specific area 410b. However, it is not limited to this, and for example, the display device 410 may be placed in a location different from the specific area 410b. Even in this case, by incorporating a transparent paint into the background H of the reel tapes T1 to T3 to allow illumination from the reel backlight BL to pass through easily, the reels R1 to R3 can be made brighter, and the appearance can be improved in combination with the visibility of the symbols.

[0167] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, reel R1 is positioned on the leftmost side, reel R2 is positioned to the right of reel R1, and reel R3 is positioned on the rightmost side. However, the order in which reels R1 to R3 are positioned does not matter, and there may be a reel R4 (a fourth reel) in addition to reels R1 to R3, which may be positioned at any location.

[0168] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the symbol P20 (symbol "Bonus") was described as an example of the largest symbol, where the area in which the symbol is placed is the largest, and the symbol P3 (symbol "Replay") was described as an example of the smallest symbol, where the area in which the symbol is placed is the smallest. However, the maximum symbol may be a symbol in which at least one of the longitudinal direction Y and the short direction X is the largest, and conversely, the smallest symbol may be a symbol in which at least one of the longitudinal direction Y and the short direction X is the smallest.

[0169] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the background pattern Hm was described as being composed of a pattern shape (left pattern HmP3 and right pattern HmP4) where 20 areas (20 frames) in the longitudinal direction Y are divided by "5" (i.e., the length of 4 frames), and these "5" pattern shapes are arranged continuously in the longitudinal direction. However, it is not limited to this, and for example, the length of one pattern of the background pattern Hm can be any length as long as the area is divided in such a way that the number of patterns on the reel tape is divisible by the number of frames, such as the length of 20 frames divided by "4" (i.e., the length of 5 frames), the length of 20 frames divided by "2" (i.e., the length of 10 frames), the length of 21 frames divided by "7" (i.e., the length of 3 frames), the length of 21 frames divided by "3" (i.e., the length of 7 frames), the length of 16 frames divided by "4" (i.e., the length of 4 frames), etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0170] 1…Slot machine (amusement machine) ArG…Green area P1~P4, P6~P10...Picture P5...Pattern (Specific pattern) R1~R3... Reels T1~T3…Reel tape

Claims

[Claim 1] It comprises a reel having a predetermined reel tape on which multiple patterns are arranged, The aforementioned multiple patterns consist of multiple types of patterns, including a specific pattern. The aforementioned specific design is a design having a green area that makes the green color visible, The aforementioned specific design is composed of a predetermined number of ink types used in printing. A gaming machine in which, by using the predetermined number of inks that constitute the specific patterns, it is possible to construct more than half of the patterns among the plurality of patterns.

Images