gaming machines

Abstract

To improve the design of a reel tape. [Solution] The slot machine is equipped with a reel having a reel tape on which a plurality of symbols are arranged, and the plurality of symbols includes a symbol P11. In the symbol P11, yellow (YL) forms a solid portion formed by a solid color, pink (PK2) which is lighter than yellow (YL) forms a first dot portion Dt1 formed by dots, and black (BL) which is lighter than pink (PK2) forms a second dot portion Dt2 formed by dots. The symbol P11 has a light portion P11M which indicates an area where light is hitting it and a dark portion P11D which indicates an area where light is not hitting it, and the light portion P11M has an area expressed by a solid portion, and the dark portion P11D has an area expressed by overlapping the solid portion and the first dot portion Dt1 and an area ArM where a moire pattern is formed by overlapping the solid portion, the first dot portion Dt1, and the second dot portion Dt2.

Description

[Technical Field]

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

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

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

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-112605 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, in the designs formed by printing as described above, in order to improve the design, areas exposed to light and shaded areas not exposed to light (hereinafter referred to as "dark areas") may be formed. These dark areas need to be expressed so that they are darker than the light areas, but even if areas are simply formed using solid or halftone dots in dark colors such as black or brown, the design of the dark areas may be poor, which may in turn reduce the design of the reel tape.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine that can improve the design of the reel tape. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] (1) One aspect of the present invention is a gaming machine, A reel having a reel tape on which a plurality of patterns are arranged, The plurality of designs include a specific design, The specific design is formed using a plurality of paints, the plurality of paints include a first paint, a second paint, and a third paint; The first paint has a lower brightness than the third paint, The second paint has a lower brightness than the first paint, The third paint forms a solid portion formed of a solid color, the first paint forms a first halftone dot portion formed by halftone dots, the second paint forms a second halftone dot portion formed by halftone dots, The specific pattern has a light part indicating that light is hitting it and a dark part indicating that light is not hitting it compared to the light part, the bright portion has an area represented by the solid portion, The dark area has an area expressed by overlapping the solid area and the first halftone dot area, and an area expressed as a moire pattern by overlapping the solid area, the first halftone dot area, and the second halftone dot area. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, the design of the reel tape can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a gaming machine according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram illustrating the functional blocks of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view showing a reel of a reel unit of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram showing a reel tape of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing the symbols related to the first embodiment, in which (a) is a diagram showing the 7 symbol, (b) is a diagram showing the BAR symbol, (c) is a diagram showing the watermelon symbol, (d) is a diagram showing the Bell A symbol, (e) is a diagram showing the Bell B symbol, (f) is a diagram showing the Replay symbol, (g) is a diagram showing the Blank A symbol, and (h) is a diagram showing the Blank B symbol. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing details of the Bell A symbol according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a cross section of a reel tape with seven symbols according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] These are diagrams showing the symbols related to the second embodiment, where (a) is a diagram showing a bell symbol, (b) is a diagram showing a replay A symbol, (c) is a diagram showing a replay B symbol, (d) is a diagram showing a cherry symbol, (e) is a diagram showing a watermelon symbol, (f) is a diagram showing a white 7 symbol, (g) is a diagram showing a silver BAR symbol, (h) is a diagram showing a black BAR symbol, (i) is a diagram showing a blank symbol, and (j) is a diagram showing a bonus symbol. [Figure 9] (a) is a diagram showing details of the bell symbol, and (b) is a diagram showing details of the replay A symbol. [Figure 10] (a) is a diagram showing details of the cherry design, and (b) is a diagram showing details of the watermelon design. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing details of a blank pattern according to a second embodiment. [Figure 12]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a background pattern in one section according to the second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a cross section of a reel tape in a Replay A pattern according to the second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between ink types and layers according to the second embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a background pattern in one section according to the third embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a cross section of a reel tape in a Replay A pattern according to the third embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 10(a) is a diagram showing the background pattern in one section when the backlight is off according to the fourth embodiment, and FIG. 10(b) is a diagram showing the background pattern in one section when the backlight is on according to the fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] First Embodiment An embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Note that the embodiment described below does not unduly limit the content of the present invention described in the claims. Furthermore, not all of the configurations described in the embodiment are necessarily essential components of the present invention. Furthermore, in the following description, the side toward the player (nearby) will be referred to as "front" and the opposite side as "rear."

[0011] [Overview of gaming machine configuration] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the exterior configuration of a slot machine 1 according to this embodiment of the present invention. The slot machine 1 of this embodiment is a so-called reel-type gaming machine, and is configured as a medal-less gaming machine in which gaming value available to a player is recorded electromagnetically based on a lending signal output from an external device provided outside the slot machine 1 and configured to electromagnetically lend and settle electronic medals that constitute gaming value, and a dedicated unit SU (see FIG. 2) serving as a specific unit. The slot machine 1 is configured to store information on the number of recorded electronic medals as the number of gaming medals and to transmit the stored number of gaming medals to the dedicated unit SU. The dedicated unit SU records the number of gaming medals received from the slot machine 1 on a recording medium such as an IC card and dispenses it to settle the electronic medals.

[0012] The slot machine 1 of this embodiment is housed in a box-shaped cabinet consisting of a cabinet BX, an upper front door UD, and a lower front door DD, and houses a reel unit RU consisting of multiple reels R1 to R3 (in order, R1 is the left reel, R2 is the center reel, and R3 is the left reel).The cabinet of the slot machine 1 of this embodiment also houses a control board that is equipped with a CPU, ROM (an example of an information storage medium), RAM, etc. and controls the operation of the slot machine 1.

[0013] The outer periphery of each of the reels R1 to R3 shown in FIG. 1 is divided into 20 regions (hereinafter, each region will be referred to as a "frame") at regular intervals, and one of several types of symbols is arranged in each frame.

[0014] The upper front door UD and the lower front door DD are provided so that they can be opened and closed separately. The upper front door UD is provided with a display device 410 as a display means for displaying effects consisting of various videos and images to assist and enhance the game. 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 up of a translucent liquid crystal display, so that the rotating and stopped states of the reels R1 to R3 can be observed through the display device 410. When the reels R1 to R3 are stopped, three symbols (top, middle, and bottom symbols) arranged consecutively on the outer periphery of each of the reels R1 to R3, among the multiple types of symbols arranged at regular intervals on the outer periphery, 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, an upper row, a middle row, and a lower row are provided for each reel as display positions for observing symbols through the display device 410, and an activated line L1 is set for an activated line formed by a combination of the display positions of each reel. In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the number of electronic medals required for one game, the so-called specified number (specified number), is set to three (first specified number) or two (second specified number), and when electronic medals equivalent to the specified number are inserted, the activated line L1 formed by the middle row of reels R1 to R3 is activated.

[0016] The game result is determined by the symbol combination stopped and displayed on the valid line L1 (valid line), and if the symbol combination on the valid line L1 is a symbol combination corresponding to a predetermined role, that role is considered to have won, and control according to the winning role is executed.

[0017] The lower front door DD is provided with various operating means, such as a max bet button MB as an inserting operation means for setting the electronic medals stored in the slot machine 1 to an inserted state, a start lever SL as a game start operation means for allowing the player to perform a start operation that triggers the rotation of the reels R1 to R3 and start a game, stop buttons B1 to B3 as stop operation means for allowing the player to perform a stop operation that triggers the stopping of each of the reels R1 to R3 that are driven to rotate by the stepping motor, a counting button KB as a counting operation means for transmitting the number of game medals stored in the slot machine 1 to the dedicated unit SU, and a settlement button AB for performing a settlement operation that cancels the inserted state and returns the electronic medals that have been set to the inserted state to the medal count counter 311 (see FIG. 2).

[0018] Furthermore, the lower front door DD is provided with a main control display device 10D controlled by the CPU of the main control board 1000 (see FIG. 2). The main control display device 10D is made up of a 7-segment display or the like, and displays various game information such as information on the winning combination in the current game, and information (alert display) suggesting how to press stop button B1, stop button B2, and stop button B3 related to the payout of electronic medals. The alert display displayed on the main control display device 10D corresponds to a winning combination command, which is a control signal created based on winning information, which is information on the winning combination in the current game, when a specified number of electronic medals are inserted and the start lever SL is operated.

[0019] In addition, the front lower door DD is provided with a game medal count display device MD controlled by a medal count control CPU 3001 (see FIG. 2). The game medal count display device MD is made up of a 7-segment display or the like, and functions as a conceptual receptacle by displaying the number of game medals stored in the slot machine 1.

[0020] The front lower door DD is provided with a plurality of sound devices 420 for producing sound effects. The sound devices 420 output a variety of sounds to assist and liven up the game.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the slot machine 1 of this embodiment. The slot machine 1 of this embodiment has, as control boards, a main control board 1000, a sub-control board 2000, and a medal count control board 3000. 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 values. The sub-control board 2000 has a sub-control CPU 2001 that controls the presentation related to the game. The medal count control board 3000 has a medal count control CPU 3001 that manages electronic medals and controls the number of game medals by being configured to be able to communicate with a dedicated unit SU.

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

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

[0024] In the setting change permitted state, the setting change means 100 cyclically changes the setting value in the order of Setting 1 → Setting 2 →... → Setting 6 → Setting 1 →... each time it receives an input signal output by operating the setting change button BS provided on the power supply device, and determines the setting value based on receiving a start signal output by operating the start lever SL. In the slot machine 1, the winning probability of some of the winning areas that can be won in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 is changed according to the setting value determined in the setting value storage means 191. In other words, the setting change means 100 is configured to be able to change the setting value, which is a value that can change the winning probability of a combination in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120.

[0025] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the setting change control is executed by the setting change means 100, the control relating to the game state executed by the game state transition control means 160 and the control relating to the advantageous zone executed by the AT control means 170 are configured to be initialized, the game state is set to a non-replay time (hereinafter, replay time is also referred to as "RT") state described later, and the control relating to the auxiliary game executed by the AT control means 170 before the setting change is also initialized and a normal zone is set. Meanwhile, in the slot machine 1, when the power supply to the main control CPU 1001 is cut off (power interruption) and then the power supply is resumed, the control relating to the game state executed by the game state transition control means 160 and the control relating to the advantageous zone executed by the AT control means 170 are configured to be resumed from the state before the power interruption, and the control relating to the auxiliary game executed by the AT control means 170 before the power interruption is also configured to be maintained in the state before the power interruption.

[0026] The deposit acceptance means 105 accepts an input signal output when the max bet button MB is operated (bet operation) while a number of game medals equal to or greater than a specified number is stored in the medal number counter 311 described below during the deposit acceptance period for accepting the deposit of electronic medals, and sets the electronic medals stored in the medal number counter 311 to an inserted state up to the specified number set for each game state, and performs processing to enable the game start operation on the start lever SL based on the fact that electronic medals equivalent to the specified number have been set to the inserted state.

[0027] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the first pressing of the start lever SL, which is enabled based on the setting of the inserted state of electronic medals equivalent to the specified number, is accepted as a game start operation by the player, which triggers the start of rotation of the reels R1 to R3 and also triggers the internal lottery means 120, which will be described later, to execute an internal lottery. The specified number set for each game state will be described later in detail.

[0028] In addition, the deposit acceptance means 105 accepts an input signal output when the settlement button AB is operated during the period from when the electronic medals are set to the inserted state until the start lever SL is operated to cancel the inserted state and adds the same number of electronic medals set to the inserted state to the number of game medals stored in the medal number counter 311, thereby settling the electronic medals set to the inserted state.

[0029] The random number generation means 110 is a means for generating random numbers for lotteries. In this embodiment, the term "random number" includes not only values ​​that are generated randomly in the mathematical sense, but also values ​​that may be generated regularly but whose acquisition timing is irregular, and therefore may function as random numbers.

[0030] The internal lottery means 120 is a means for conducting an internal lottery to determine whether a winning combination will be achieved based on the start signal output when the 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, an internal lottery table to be used for the internal lottery is selected based on the current game state from among the multiple internal lottery tables stored in the internal lottery table storage means 192 of the main storage means 190. In each internal lottery table, various combinations such as replays, small combinations, and bonuses, and non-wins (misses) are associated with each of multiple random numbers (for example, 65,536 random numbers from 0 to 65,535).

[0032] In the following description, a bonus means a role that activates a reel or a reel continuous operation device when won, a bonus being activated means that a bonus is won and activates a reel or a reel continuous operation device, and a bonus state means that the reel or reel continuous operation device is activated.

[0033] In the random number determination process, a random number (random number for lottery) generated by the random number generation means 110 is obtained for each game based on the start signal output when the start lever SL is operated to start, and the obtained random number is compared with the internal lottery table selected in the lottery table selection process, and it is determined based on the comparison result 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 a established state (second flag state, ON state). In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when two or more types of combinations are simultaneously won, the lottery flags corresponding to the two or more types of combinations are set to an established state. Note that the slot machine 1 of this embodiment provides a lottery flag (carry-over flag) that can carry over its established state to the next game or thereafter until a prize is won, and a lottery flag (non-carry-over flag) that is reset to an unestablished state without carrying over its established state to the next game or thereafter regardless of whether a prize is won or not. In addition, the lottery flag setting information is stored in the lottery flag storage means 193 of the main storage means 190.

[0035] The reel control means 130 executes reel rotation control, which starts the rotation of the reels R1 to R3 and controls the rotation pattern of the reels R1 to R3, based on the player's start operation of the start lever SL and the output of a start signal. Furthermore, when the reels R1 to R3 are in a steady rotation state at a predetermined speed (for example, approximately 80 rpm), the reel control means 130 executes control to validate a stop operation by operating the stop buttons B1 to B3 corresponding to each reel. When the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated to stop and a reel stop signal is output, the reel control means 130 executes control (reel stop control) to stop each of the reels R1 to R3 corresponding to the stop button B1 to B3 that was operated to stop.

[0036] In the following description, when the reel control means 130 starts the rotation of the reels R1 to R3 and the player operates each of the active 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, the reels R1 to R3 that are spinning corresponding to the pressed stop button are stopped within a predetermined period of 190 ms (milliseconds, msec) from the time when the stop button B1 to B3 is pressed. In the following description, pressing the stop buttons B1 to B3 is also referred to as an 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 when, for example, an operation of pressing and releasing the pressed stop buttons B1 to B3 is performed.

[0038] Here, when the rotating reels are stopped within 190 ms from the time the stop button is pressed, the stop position of each rotating reel is configured to be able to rotate a maximum of four frames from the time the stop button is pressed until the reel stops, depending on the diameter and rotation speed of each reel. Therefore, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, for reels R1 to R3, the range in which symbols can be pulled onto the pay line L1 (pull-in range) is a total of five frames, from the frame displayed on the pay line L1 at the time the stop button is pressed until the reel rotates four frames.

[0039] When executing reel stop control, the reel control means 130 performs a logic calculation process to determine the stop position of the spinning reel based on a predetermined priority through logic calculations including a pull-in process to stop the spinning reel so that a winning combination for which the lottery flag is set to a hit state can be won as much as possible, and a kick-off process to stop the spinning reel so that a winning combination for which the lottery flag is set to a non-hit state cannot be won, and a table reference process to determine the stop position of the spinning reel by referring to a stop control table stored in the reel control data storage means 194 of the main storage means 190, thereby stopping the spinning reel and displaying a pattern on the pay line L1 (hereinafter, stopping the spinning reel by reel stop control and displaying a pattern on the pay line L1 is also referred to as a "stop display").

[0040] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when multiple types of small winning combinations are won in the internal lottery, there are two methods for determining the priority of the candidate stop positions: a method for determining the priority according to the number of symbol combinations that can be displayed on the activated line L1 (number priority control), and a method for determining the priority according to the number of electronic medals to be paid out based on the payout predetermined for the small winning combination (number priority control). However, when the number priority control is executed, if multiple small winning combinations with the same payout are won, the priority of the candidate stop positions that can win each small winning combination is treated as being the same.

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

[0042] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, each process is executed based on the determination result of the winning determination process by the winning determination means 140. As each process executed based on the determination result of the winning combination, for example, when a small combination is won, a process is executed to determine the number of game medals to be paid out of electronic medals by the payout control means 150, when a replay is won, a process is executed to make the payout control means 150 execute the next game without consuming electronic medals, and when a combination that triggers a transition of the game state, such as a bonus, is won, a process is executed to make the game state transition control means 160 transition the game state.

[0043] The payout control means 150 performs a payout process for paying out electronic medals according to the game results. Specifically, when a small winning combination is achieved, the payout number of electronic medals in the game is determined based on the payout amount predetermined for each combination, and the number of game medals corresponding to the determined payout number is added to the medal number counter 311 to virtually pay out the medals.

[0044] Furthermore, when the winning determination means 140 determines that a symbol combination indicating a winning replay among a plurality of types of replay roles described later has been stopped and displayed on the pay line L1, and the replay wins, the payout control means 150 performs a replay process (replay process) to set the machine to a ready state in which the next game can be played without inserting electronic medals. That is, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when a replay wins, an automatic insertion process is performed to automatically insert a specified number of electronic medals without using the electronic medals in the player's possession, and the machine waits for the start operation of the start lever SL to be performed next time, with the same pay line L1 as in the previous game set.

[0045] In addition, in the slot machine 1, during the period from the game in which a replay is won until the start of the next game, i.e., during the period in which a specified number of electronic medals are automatically inserted by the replay process but the game has not started, even if the settlement button AB is operated, the number of game medals equal to the specified number will not be added to the medal number counter 311.

[0046] The game state transition control means 160 performs a process for transitioning game states between multiple game states and a process for activation and termination of bonuses. Here, the transition condition for each game state may be one condition or multiple conditions. When 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 the fulfillment of all of the multiple predetermined conditions.

[0047] The AT control means 170 uses data stored in the AT control data storage means 196 to control the transition between an advantageous zone (advantageous period), which is a zone (period) during which control related to instruction functions including auxiliary games that display notifications on the main control display device 10D to assist in winning specific roles, and a normal zone (non-advantageous period), which is a zone (period) during 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, and constitutes an auxiliary game control means that performs control related to the normal zone, advantageous zone, and auxiliary games.

[0048] The AT control data storage means 196 stores data (various flags, counters, etc. that are set to ON or OFF by specified control processing) used in various controls related to multiple types of presentation states, including normal states and AT states, that are executed within the advantageous zone.

[0049] The AT control means 170 sets the presentation state to the AT state (assist time state) under predetermined conditions in the advantageous zone, and displays information (an example of operation instruction information) corresponding to the operation mode of the stop buttons B1 to B3 that makes it possible to win the specific role that has been won on the main control display device 10D consisting of a 7-segment display, thereby performing an operation notification to assist in the winning of the specific role. Furthermore, in the slot machine 1, when the operation notification by the AT control means 170 is executed, the presentation control means 200, which will be described later, executes a navigation effect in which an indicator corresponding to the correct batting order is displayed on the display device 410. In this way, in the slot machine 1, in the AT state, the operation mode of the stop buttons B1 to B3 is notified by the operation notification and the winning assistance of the navigation effect, thereby executing an auxiliary game (AT game, notification game) that is advantageous to the player.

[0050] More specifically, when a predetermined termination condition for terminating the advantageous zone, which will be described later, is met, the AT control means 170 executes a predetermined termination process that terminates the advantageous zone and starts the normal zone from the next game, and a predetermined initialization process that initializes information related to the advantageous zone, such as various flags and numerical values ​​set within the advantageous zone.

[0051] The AT control means 170 executes an update process (advantageous zone difference number update process) that cumulatively records in the advantageous zone counter 196a the difference value (difference in number of medals, number of medals won) obtained by subtracting the number of electronic medals paid out by the number of electronic medals inserted from the game that started the advantageous zone. When the AT control means 170 is in control of the advantageous zone, regardless of the game state, it executes advantageous zone difference number update process that cumulatively updates the value stored in the advantageous zone counter 196a to a value equivalent to the difference in number of electronic medals.

[0052] Furthermore, in the advantageous zone difference number update process, when the stored value of the advantageous zone counter 196a is subtracted because the number of electronic medals paid out in the game is less than the specified number, the AT control means 170 also sets the subtracted result in the advantageous zone counter 196a even if the stored value of the advantageous zone counter 196a becomes less than the value "0." In other words, the AT control means 170 is configured to be able to set a negative value in the advantageous zone counter 196a.

[0053] When more than 2400 electronic medals are won in the advantageous zone, that is, when the value stored in the advantageous zone counter 196a exceeds the value "2400," the AT control means 170 determines that a specific termination condition has been met as a predetermined termination condition for ending the advantageous zone, and executes a predetermined termination process that ends the advantageous zone and starts the normal zone from the next game. Therefore, in the slot machine 1, for example, if the value stored in the advantageous zone counter 196a is a negative value of "-900" before the transition to a presentation state in which electronic medals can be won, a total of 3301 electronic medals can be won in the presentation state in which electronic medals can be won: 900 medals until the value stored in the advantageous zone counter 196a becomes "0" and 2401 medals until the value stored in the advantageous zone counter 196a becomes "2401" or more.

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

[0055] The complete control means 180 controls the activation of a complete function, which is a function that stops the slot machine 1 when the cumulative number of electronic medals won since the slot machine 1 was powered on reaches a predetermined value (for example, 19,000 medals). The complete control means 180 executes an update process (complete acquired number update process) that cumulatively records the difference value (number of medals difference, number of medals won) obtained by subtracting the number of electronic medals paid out in each game by the number of electronic medals inserted into the medal acquired number counter 197a of the complete storage means 197. Note that the complete control means 180 does not update the stored value of the medal acquired number counter 197a when a replay wins.

[0056] In a complete winning number update process that updates the stored value of the earned medal counter 197a, if the stored value of the earned medal counter 197a becomes less than the value "0" when the stored value of the earned medal counter 197a is subtracted because the number of electronic medals paid out in the game is less than the specified number, the complete control means 180 sets the stored value of the earned medal counter 197a to the value "0." This allows the complete control means 180 to fix the value when the stored value of the earned medal counter 197a reaches its lowest point to the value "0." Therefore, in the control process that uses the stored value of the earned medal counter 197a, it is not necessary to vary the value that serves as the judgment threshold depending on the specific numerical value at the lowest point, and the load of the control process that uses the stored value of the earned medal counter 197a can be reduced.

[0057] The complete control means 180 determines that the conditions for activating the complete function are 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 turned on reaches 19,000, that is, when the stored value of the medal acquisition number counter 197a reaches the value "19,000."

[0058] When none of the Regular Bonus (RB) as a first type special feature, the Regular Big Bonus (RBB) as a feature continuous operation device related to the first type special feature, and the Challenge Big Bonus (CBB) as a feature continuous operation device related to the second type special feature is operating, the complete control means 180 activates the complete function after the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated to stop and the reels R1 to R3 are stopped in a game in which the conditions for activating the complete function are met, based on the establishment of the conditions for activating the complete function.

[0059] On the other hand, when any of RB, RBB or CBB is activated, the complete control means 180 activates the complete function after the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated to stop and the reels R1 to R3 stop in a game in which the activated RB, RBB or CBB has ended.

[0060] When the complete function is activated, 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 the complete function activation flag is set to the ON state, the slot machine 1 enters a play-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 that has been set to the ON state is reset to the OFF state by opening the upper front door UD of the slot machine 1 and operating the setting change button BS provided inside. With this configuration, when the complete function is activated, the slot machine 1 is configured so that the complete function cannot be released by an operation by the player.

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

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

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

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

[0065] The medal count control means 300 mainly 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 operation of the count button KB incorporating the count switch 126. The medal count control means 300 also displays the number of game medals updated in this way on the game medal number display device MD.

[0066] Specifically, when the counting button KB is operated while play is possible, the medal count control means 300 transmits a value corresponding to the number of game medals stored in the medal count counter 311 to the dedicated unit SU via the lending device connection terminal board 40, and subtracts the number of medals corresponding to the transmitted value from the medal count counter 311. Here, "while play is possible" means a state in which the gaming machine and the dedicated unit SU are electrically connected, both the gaming machine and the dedicated unit SU are powered on, neither the gaming machine nor the dedicated unit SU is undergoing maintenance, and no errors that prevent play from occurring. Furthermore, when the slot machine 1 is not connected to the dedicated unit SU, the slot machine 1 controls the counting button KB so that the stored value of the medal count counter 311 is not decremented by operation of the counting button KB, thereby preventing a situation in which a signal is not sent to the dedicated unit SU even though the stored value of the medal count counter 311 has been decremented.

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

[0068] When the stored value of the medal count counter 311 becomes equal to or greater than the value "16369," the medal count control means 300 determines that a medal overflow has occurred, in which the number of game medals stored exceeds 16368, which is the limit set for storage in the slot machine 1. In the slot machine 1, a medal overflow error occurs based on the determination that a medal overflow has occurred, and when the count button KB is operated to count the number of game medals stored in the medal count counter 311 and the stored value of the medal count counter 311 becomes equal to or less than the value "16368," the medal overflow error is canceled.

[0069] When the power is turned on with a medal count clear button CL provided inside the gaming machine pressed, the medal count control means 300 initializes the medal count counter 311 and clears (initializes) the medal count by setting the stored value of the medal count counter 311 to the value "0." This allows the slot machine 1 to initialize, when the power is turned on, the information on the number of medals remaining in the medal count counter 311 before the power was turned off.

[0070] [Reel unit details] Next, the reel unit RU will be described in detail. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the reels of the reel unit of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3, the reel unit RU includes a stepping motor M provided for each of the reels R1 to R3 to rotate the reels, the reels R1 to R3 supported on the drive shafts of the stepping motors M, and a reel sensor 26, which is a transmission optical sensor provided corresponding to each of the reels R1 to R3 and detects the rotational position of each of the reels 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 that reflects and guides light from the reel backlight BLi forward. The reel backlight BLi has a plurality of LEDs (light emitting diodes) as light sources and a backlight substrate BLB on which the LEDs as light sources are mounted, and on the backlight substrate BLB, a total of six LEDs, for example, arranged in three columns and two rows, are arranged in each opening of the reflector RL. Note that, although not shown in the figure in this embodiment, reel illumination lights are also arranged, for example, above and below the specific area 410b (see FIG. 1), to illuminate the surfaces of the reels R1 to R3 from the outside.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 3, the reel R1 has a reel frame FR1, a thin, strip-shaped reel tape T1 on which a plurality of symbols visible from the front side are arranged in a line along the longitudinal direction (circumferential direction) Y, and an index portion 27. The second reel R2 has a reel frame FR2, a thin, strip-shaped reel tape T2 on which a plurality of symbols visible from the front side are arranged in a line along the longitudinal direction (circumferential direction) Y, and an index portion 27. The third reel R3 has a reel frame FR3, a thin, strip-shaped reel tape T3 on which a plurality of symbols visible from the front side are arranged in a line along the longitudinal direction (circumferential direction) Y, and an index portion 27. The index portion 27 is held by the reel frames FR1 to FR3 so as to be able to block the optical axis of the reel sensor 26, and allows the reel sensor 26 to detect the rotational position of each reel based on the timing at which the index portion 27 blocks and transmits the optical axis of the reel sensor 26.

[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 connection portions 23 connecting the first and second rim portions 21, 22, and a plurality of spoke portions 25, and is integrally formed from a synthetic resin with high translucency (transparent in this embodiment).

[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 side direction (width direction) X perpendicular to the longitudinal direction Y of the reel tapes T1 to T3. A plurality of connection portions 23 are provided at different positions on the circumference of the first rim portion 21 and the second rim portion 22, and extend in the short side direction X to bridge between the first rim portion 21 and the second rim portion 22, connecting the first rim portion 21 and the second rim portion 22.

[0074] The reel frame may have no connecting portion, and the first and second rim portions may be formed independently and connected via the reel tape. The reel frame may also be made of a colored synthetic resin, and if it is made of a colored synthetic resin (e.g., black synthetic resin), it becomes possible to form the index portion integrally with the reel frame.

[0075] A plurality of spokes 25 are provided at different circumferential positions on either the first rim portion 21 or the second rim portion 22, connect either the first rim portion 21 or the second rim portion 22 to the hub portion 24, and transmit 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 to the second rim portion 22.

[0076] The first rim portion 21 and the second rim portion 22 each have a cylindrical end support surface 21a, 22a formed on their outer peripheries. The end support surface 21a has a predetermined width in the left-right direction (for example, approximately 3.5 mm to 6.5 mm) and abuts against the back surface (inner surface) of the reel tapes T1 to T3 to support 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 so that the width of the end support surface 21a and the width of the end support surface 22a in the short direction X are approximately the same. The first rim portion and the second rim portion may also be formed so that the widths of the end support surfaces are different.

[0077] Additionally, the first rim portion 21 and the second rim portion 22 have flange portions 21b, 22b that are located outboard of the end support surfaces 21a, 22a in the left-right direction and can come into contact with the ends of the reel tapes T1 to T3 in the short direction X. The flange portions 21b, 22b are formed to have a width of, for example, approximately 0.7 mm to 1.5 mm in the left-right direction, and regulate the left-right positions of the reel tapes T1 to T3.

[0078] The connection portion 23 is formed with a connection support surface 23a that is continuous with the end support surfaces 21a, 22a of the first rim portion 21 and the second rim portion 22 and that supports the reel tapes T1 to T3 in the radial direction of the reel between the first rim portion 21 and the second rim portion 22. This connection support surface 23a and the above-mentioned end support surfaces 21a, 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 attachment structure of the reel tapes T1 to T3 will be described with reference to Figures 3, 4, and 7. Figure 4 is a diagram showing the reel tape of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment, and Figure 7 is a diagram showing a cross section of the reel tape for the 7 symbol. Note that the attachment structures of the reel tapes T1 to T3 are similar, so the attachment structure of the reel tape T1 will be described below as an example, and details of the attachment structures of the reel tapes T2 and T3 will be omitted.

[0080] As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 7, adhesive regions are formed on the backsides of both ends of the reel tape T1 in the transverse direction X. 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 to adhere the reel tape T1 to the end support surface 21a of the first rim portion 21 and the end support surface 22a of the second rim portion 22. When viewed from the obverse side of the reel tape T1, these adhesive regions include the left-hand adhesive region, which is within a distance b inward from the end support surface 21a. For example, the distance b is set to approximately 4 mm, and is desirably approximately 1 mm smaller in the left-right direction (transverse direction X) than the end support surfaces 21a, 22a. In other words, as shown in FIG. 7, the end support surface 21a of the first rim portion 21 and the end support surface 22a of the second rim portion 22 have a distance a that is approximately 1 mm larger in the left-right direction (transverse direction X) than the adhesive members 65, 65.

[0081] The reel tape T1 wound (wound) around the reel frame FR1 is held by the reel frame FR1 with the adhesive member 65 adhering 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] As described above, the reel tape T1 is formed so that its length in the longitudinal direction Y is longer than the circumferential length (circumferential length) of the end support surfaces 21a, 22a, and is wound (wound) around the reel frame FR1 so that one end (starting end) T11 on one side in the longitudinal direction Y and the other end (terminating end) T12 on the other side overlap from the radial outside of the reel. When the reel tape T1 is wound around the reel frame FR1, the transparent portion 63 and the pattern P4, which is the pattern (pattern No. 19) located on the farthest other side in the longitudinal direction Y, overlap in the radial direction of the reel. In other words, when the reel tape T1 is wound around the reel frame FR1, the outer surface (front surface, outer periphery) of the transparent portion 63 is covered by the other end T12 in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0083] When the reel tape T1 is wound around the reel frame FR1, the other end T12, which is the other end of the reel tape T1 in the longitudinal direction Y, and the one end T11, which is one end of the reel tape T1, are adhered to each other 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 adhesive member 66 enables the back surface of the other end T12 and the front surface of the one end T11 of the reel tape T1 to maintain close contact. Note that the distance c is set to, for example, a distance between 8 mm and 12 mm. The adhesive members 65 and 66 are preferably made of double-sided tape or the like made of a material that is white, milky white, transparent, or the like and that easily transmits light from the reel backlight BLi, but may also be made of an adhesive or the like applied to the back surface of the reel tape T1.

[0084] [Reel tape details] As shown in Figure 3, the reel tape T1 (and the same for reel tape T2 and reel tape T3) is wound around the support surface FRa of the reel frame FR1 (reel frame FR2, reel frame FR3) in a cylindrical (endless) shape, with one end T11 on the Y1 side in the longitudinal direction Y overlapping the other end T12 on the Y2 side in the longitudinal direction Y from the outside.

[0085] The reel tape T1 shown in Fig. 4 is a view from the front side (the outer peripheral side when wound around the reel frame FR1 (see Fig. 3)). As shown in Fig. 4, the multiple designs arranged on the reel tape T1 (and the reel tapes T2 to T3 as well) are composed of, for example, numbers, character strings, fruits, characters, etc., designed specifically for each model, or a combination of these.

[0086] These multiple symbols include, for example, symbol P1 (symbol "7"), symbol P2 (symbol "BAR"), symbol P3 (symbol "watermelon"), symbol P4 (symbol "Bell A"), symbol P5 (symbol "Bell B"), symbol P6 (symbol "Replay"), symbol P7 (symbol "Blank A"), symbol P8 (symbol "Blank B"), etc. (See FIG. 5.) Details of the color schemes of these symbols (the ink colors used) and the background H will be described later.

[0087] The symbols P1 (symbol "7") and P2 (symbol "BAR") are formed to have a larger width in the short direction X than the other symbols, making them more visible, and are symbols that can be displayed on the valid line L1 or within the specific area 410b when the stop button is operated at a predetermined timing depending on the results of the internal lottery, etc., and are symbols that form a symbol combination that will trigger a transition to a state advantageous to the player, such as a bonus state or an AT state (assist state).

[0088] Pattern P3 (pattern "watermelon") is a pattern that can be displayed on the valid line L1 or within the specific area 410b when the stop button is operated at a predetermined timing depending on the results of the internal lottery, etc., and is a pattern that can be used to form a pattern combination of a chance role (a so-called rare role) that will trigger a lottery that is advantageous to the player, or a pattern combination that will trigger a bonus that is advantageous to the player.

[0089] The symbols P4 (symbol "Bell A"), P5 (symbol "Bell B"), and P6 (symbol "Replay") are symbols that can be displayed on the valid line L1 or within the specific area 410b regardless of when the stop button is pressed depending on the results of the internal lottery, etc., and are symbols that form symbol combinations for small wins and replays when a win is won.

[0090] The symbols P7 ("blank A") and P8 ("blank B") are symbols that can be displayed on the pay line L1 or in the specific area 410b when the stop button is pressed at a predetermined timing based on the results of an internal lottery. Even if they line up in a straight line on the pay line L1 or in the specific area 410b, they do not constitute a winning combination; they are symbols that constitute a losing combination. Note that, depending on the machine, the symbols P7 ("blank A") and P8 ("blank B"), when stopped in a straight line or in a specific shape (such as a mountain or L-shape), do not constitute a winning combination, but may trigger a chance lottery favorable to the player or notify the player of a favorable state. Furthermore, the symbols P7 ("blank A") and P8 ("blank B") may be combined with other symbols to form special minor combinations (such as a single-piece combination).

[0091] Each of the above-mentioned patterns P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, and P6 has edge portions P1a, P2a, P3a, P4a, P5a, and P6a that form the outer edges (contours) of the patterns by being printed with paint, as will be described in detail later, and colored portions P1b, P2b, P3b, P4b, P5b, and P6b that are colored inside the edge portions P1a, P2a, P3a, P4a, P5a, and P6a.

[0092] When viewed from the radial direction, the above-mentioned patterns P1 and P2 are arranged so that the edge portions P1a and P2a partially overlap the first rim portion 21, the second rim portion 22, and the adhesive members 65, 65 in the short-side direction X, and the colored portions P1b and P2b do not overlap either the first rim portion 21 or the second rim portion 22. This allows the light from the reel backlight BLi that passes through the colored portions P1b and P2b to be unobstructed by the first rim portion 21 and the second rim portion 22, making the patterns P1 and P2 appear larger in the short-side direction X.

[0093] Meanwhile, the above-mentioned designs P7 and P8 each have colored portions P7b and P8b that form the design of the design. Note that in the designs P7 and P8, the colored portions P7b and P8b are drawn with lines, and the background forming layer 61 that forms the background H, which is the background portion described in detail later, is printed inside the designs for the remaining portions. In other words, the portions other than the lines in the colored portions P7b and P8b of the designs P7 and P8 are the same color as the background H.

[0094] As shown in Fig. 4, the reel tape T1 is wound around the reel frame FR1 (i.e., with the other end T12 overlapping the transparent portion 63), and the longitudinal direction Y is equally divided into 20 virtual regions (i.e., one frame), i.e., in each of a predetermined number (20) of regions aligned in the longitudinal direction Y of the reel tapes T1 to T3, one of the patterns P1 to P8 is arranged. The numbers on the left side of the reel tape T1 shown in Fig. 4 indicate the pattern number, with the side closest to one end T11 being pattern 0, and from there, in order in the Y2 direction, one of the patterns P1 to P8 is arranged in the arrangement shown in Fig. 4 as pattern 1, pattern 2, pattern 3, ..., pattern 19. In addition, in reel tape T2 and reel tape T3, the arrangement is different from the arrangement of reel tape T1 shown in Figure 4, and one of the above patterns P1 to P8 is similarly arranged in the case virtual area as patterns 0 to 19.

[0095] In this embodiment, the symbols arranged in each virtual area (one frame) are arranged so that the center of the virtual area, where the center line of the X-direction (width direction) and the center line of the Y-direction (circumferential direction) of the virtual area intersect, coincides with the center of the virtual area, where the center line of each symbol at both ends in the X-direction (width direction) and the center line of each symbol at both ends in the Y-direction (circumferential direction) intersect. However, this is not limited to this, and the center of the symbol may be arranged so that it is offset from the center of the virtual area depending on the shape and arrangement of the symbol. In this embodiment, particularly for the No. 19 symbol, where the adhesive member 66 is arranged on the back side, the adhesive member 66 is arranged so that it overlaps the edge P4a of the symbol P4 but does not overlap the colored portion P4b. This prevents the colored portion P4b from becoming dark, and the symbol P4 is configured to be neat and easy to see. For example, if the height distance of this pattern P4 in the Y direction (circumferential direction) is even greater, the center of the pattern can be shifted in the Y1 direction relative to the center of the virtual area, thereby preventing the colored portion P4b of the pattern P4 from becoming difficult to see due to the shadow of the adhesive material 66.

[0096] 7 is a cross-sectional view of the reel tape T1 at a portion where, for example, the design P1 (design "7") is arranged. The reel tapes T1 (and the reel tapes T2 to T3 as well) differ in the arrangement of the designs (the type of design, the number of specific designs, the order in which the designs are arranged, etc.) and the identification markings 70 for identifying them, but other configurations are similar. Therefore, the following description will be given using the reel tape T1 as an example, and descriptions of the same configurations as the reel tape T1 in the reel tapes T2 and T3 will be omitted.

[0097] As shown in Figures 4 and 7, the reel tape T1 is constructed by laminating printed layers that are silk-screened with multiple types of paint or the like having different colors (Y, M, C, K, and WH (background)) and transparency (crinkle) on the back surface of a transparent synthetic resin substrate 60.For example, from the side closest to the back surface of the substrate 60, there are a pattern forming layer (pattern portion) 67 that forms multiple patterns, a background forming layer 61 that forms the background H, which is the area extending around the pattern when viewed from the front side, a transparent crinkle forming layer (diffusion layer) 64 that diffuses light from the reel backlight BLi in the area where the second background forming layer 61b described later is not formed, and a complementary color forming layer 69 that complements the colored portion of the pattern from the back of the pattern forming layer 67, and each layer is formed by screen printing or the like. In this first embodiment, no backing layer is formed on the reel tapes T1 to T3, allowing the light from the reel backlight BLi to easily pass through, and the entire reel tapes T1 to T3 are brightly illuminated within the specific area 410b, so that even when an image is displayed on liquid crystal in the specific area 410b, the patterns on the reel tapes T1 to T3 are easily visible.

[0098] In this embodiment, the silkscreen printing of the designs uses four colors: Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black). The four Y, M, C, and K ink dots or solid areas are adjacent or overlapping to create intermediate colors. In addition to these four color printing layers, a white (WH) background layer 61 is formed in two layers to form the background H for the designs P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, P7, and P8. However, if the colored portions P1b, P2b, P3b, P4b, P5b, and P6b of the reel tape T1 are formed using this four-color ink printing method, the color of the colored portions of the designs may fade due to gaps between the dots of each color. For this reason, a complementary color forming layer 69 of a complementary color is printed on the back side of each colored portion to prevent the color of each pattern from becoming lighter. In this embodiment, the complementary color forming layer 69 is formed on the back side of the transparent crinkle forming layer 64, but this order may be reversed. The ink color used to form the complementary color forming layer 69 is preferably the main color of the pattern. For example, in the case of pattern P1 (pattern "7"), the main color of the pattern is dark pink (see FIG. 5(a)), as will be described in detail later, so red or pink is preferable. Also, in the case of pattern P3 (pattern "watermelon"), the main color of the pattern is green (see FIG. 5(c)), as will be described in detail later, so green is preferable. Also, in the case of pattern P4 (pattern "Bell A") or pattern P5 (pattern "Bell B"), the main color of the pattern is yellow (see FIGS. 5(d) and 5(e)), as will be described in detail later, so yellow is preferable. For example, in the case of the symbol P6 (the symbol "replay"), the main color of the symbol is light blue (see FIG. 5(f)), as will be described in detail later, so blue or light blue is preferable.

[0099] As shown in FIG. 7, the pattern-forming layer 67 is roughly composed of a border-forming layer 67a and a color-forming layer 67b. The border-forming layer 67a is formed by printing a black (K) layer (ink layer) that forms the borders P1a-P6a of the patterns P1-P6. That is, the borders P1a-P6a form the outlines (contours) of the patterns and are formed in black with the black paint so as to impede the transmission of light (visible light) from the reel backlight BLi, i.e., to reduce brightness. The border-forming layer 67a only needs to form at least the borders of the patterns, and a portion of the interior area of ​​the borders may be formed with the same paint or the like as the paint that forms the borders. Furthermore, the border-forming layer 67a is not limited to being formed with the same paint or the like between the patterns, but may be formed with different paints between the patterns. In addition, although the borders of this embodiment are described as being formed in black with black paint, they may also be dark gray, dark navy blue, or the like.

[0100] The color forming layer 67b is formed by layering the four colors of paint. That is, the border forming layer 67a and the color forming layer 67b form the shape (design) of each pattern when viewed from the front of the reel tape T1. The color forming layer 67b is formed, for example, by printing a black (K) layer, a cyan (C) layer, a magenta (M) layer, and a yellow (Y) layer in order from the side closest to the back of the base material 60 so as to form the color scheme of each pattern P1 to P8, which will be described in detail later. The color forming layer 67b is formed so as to partially overlap the border forming layer 67a, and the printing area is set so that even if printing misalignment occurs, no gap will occur between the border forming layer 67a and the color forming layer 67b. The black (K) layer is basically used for the border forming layer 67a, but depending on the pattern, it can also be used as the color forming layer 67b for the pattern or the outline of each pattern.

[0101] The color forming layer 67b is formed, for example, from paints of cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y), which are mostly higher in saturation and brightness than the border forming layer 67a (black). Although the color forming layer 67b is shown as a single layer in Fig. 7, it is printed so that the proportions of the paint colors are in an appropriate area ratio so that the dots of cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) become the colors you want to express.

[0102] 7, the background forming layer 61 includes a first background forming layer 61a printed on the side closer to the back surface of the substrate 60 as the first layer of the background H, and a second background forming layer 61b printed on the opposite side of the substrate 60 across the first background forming layer 61a. In the first embodiment, the first background forming layer 61a is formed by a white first layer (hereinafter referred to as "white 1 (WH1)"), and the second background forming layer 61b is formed by a white second layer (hereinafter referred to as "white 2 (WH2)"). The white 1 (WH1) layer and the white 2 (WH2) layer are made of the same ink, and the background H is basically printed with a white 1 (WH1) layer and a white 2 (WH2) layer. In other words, the background H is formed to have a two-layer white ink structure.

[0103] In the coloring formation layer 67b of the pattern formation layer 67, only the white 1 (WH1) layer used for the background H is printed in the portion where white is desired to be expressed (see FIG. 5(a)), and the white 2 (WH2) layer is not printed. This allows the white portion of the coloring formation layer 67b to transmit light from the reel backlight BLi more easily than the two-layer structure of the background H, and is configured to be able to express a bright white color.

[0104] 4, a transparent portion 63 is formed at one end T11 on one side in the longitudinal direction Y of the reel tape T1 (the Y1 direction side, the lower side in FIG. 4), where neither the pattern forming layer 67 nor the background forming layer 61 is formed. The transparent portion 63 (one end T11) is arranged 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 connected around at least one circumference.

[0105] As shown in FIG. 7, the transparent crinkle-forming layer 64 is a layer printed on the opposite side of the background-forming layer 61 of the substrate 60. The transparent crinkle-forming layer 64 is formed by, for example, printing a transparent ultraviolet-curable paint (ink) and then irradiating it with ultraviolet light to cure and shrink the paint, thereby generating wrinkles (fine irregularities). In the first embodiment, the transparent crinkle-forming layer 64 is printed so as to overlap and cover the design-forming layer 67, i.e., to cover the areas of the designs P1 to P6. This causes light from the reel backlights BLi that passes through the colored portions P1b to P6b of the designs P1 to P6 to be irregularly bent or reflected by the transparent crinkle-forming layer 64 and diffused, preventing the LEDs of the reel backlights BLi from shining in a dotted pattern, or so-called point light. This prevents the designs P1 to P6 from looking bad and improves their visibility. In this embodiment, the transparent crinkle-forming layer 64 is not formed on the patterns P7 to P8.

[0106] [Details of each design] Next, detailed color schemes of the symbols P1 to P8 will be explained using Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing symbols according to the first embodiment, with (a) showing a 7 symbol, (b) showing a BAR symbol, (c) showing a watermelon symbol, (d) showing a bell A symbol, (e) showing a bell B symbol, (f) showing a replay symbol, (g) showing a blank A symbol, and (h) showing a blank B symbol.

[0107] As shown in Figure 5(a), the pattern P1 (pattern "7") is formed with black (K) ink so that the edge P1a is black (BL) as the edge forming layer 67a, and the colored portion P1b is formed with a pattern (inner contour) made of YMCK ink blended to be dark pink (PK1) as the color forming layer 67b, and a pattern (painted portion inside the edge P1a) made of white 1 (WH1) ink, and further, a layer of crepe (TP) ink is formed as the transparent crepe forming layer 64 so as to cover the entire back side of the pattern P1.

[0108] As shown in Figure 5(b), the pattern P2 (pattern "BAR") is formed with black (K) ink so that the edge P2a is black (BL) as the edge forming layer 67a, and a pattern (outline of the BAR letters) and a pattern (painted part inside the edge P2a, painted part inside the BAR letters) are formed with YMCK inks blended so that the colored part P2b is pink (PK2) as the color forming layer 67b, and further, a layer of crepe (TP) ink is formed as a transparent crepe forming layer 64 so as to cover the entire back side of the pattern P2.

[0109] As shown in Figure 5(c), the pattern P3 (pattern "watermelon") has an edge P3a formed as an edge forming layer 67a using black (BL) ink, and a colored portion P3b formed as a color forming layer 67b, with a pattern (watermelon stripes and seeds) using black (K) ink to form black (BL), a pattern (watermelon cross-section pattern) using YMCK ink blended to form dark pink (PK1), a pattern (watermelon surface pattern, orange stem pattern) using YMCK ink blended to form green (GN), a pattern (orange surface pattern) using YMCK ink blended to form orange (OL), a pattern (orange shadow pattern) using black (K) ink to form gray (GR), and a pattern (watermelon skin cross-section pattern, orange depression pattern) using white 1 (WH1) ink. Furthermore, a layer of chijimi (TP) ink is formed as a transparent chijimi forming layer 64 so as to cover the entire back side of the pattern P3.

[0110] As shown in Figure 5(d), the pattern P4 (pattern "Bell A") is formed with black (K) ink so that the edge P4a is black (BL) as the edge forming layer 67a, and the colored portion P4b is formed with the color forming layer 67b, and a pattern with black (K) ink so that it is black (BL) (the pattern of the outline of the bell), a pattern with YMCK ink mixed to be yellow (YL) (the surface pattern of the bell), a pattern with YMCK ink mixed to be orange (OL) (the pattern of the darkened parts of the bell), and a pattern with YMCK ink containing magenta (M) dots and black (K) dots to be moire black (MBL) (the pattern of the shadowed parts of the bell), which will be described in more detail later, and further a pattern in which the background H (a layer formed of two layers of white 1 (WH1) and white 2 (WH2)) is exposed (the shiny pattern of the bell) is formed. Also, as a transparent crepe-forming layer 64, a layer of crepe (TP) ink is formed so as to cover the entire back side of the design P4.

[0111] As shown in Figure 5(e), pattern P5 (pattern "Bell B") is also formed with black (K) ink so that the edge P5a is black (BL) as the edge forming layer 67a, and the colored portion P5b is formed with the color forming layer 67b, and a pattern with black (K) ink so that it is black (BL) (pattern of the outline of the bell), a pattern with yellow (Y) ink so that it is yellow (YL) (pattern of the surface of the bell), a pattern with magenta (M), yellow (Y) and black (K) ink so that it is orange (OL) (pattern of the darkened parts of the bell), and a pattern with YMCK ink including magenta (M) dots and black (K) dots so that it is moire black (MBL) (pattern of the shadowed parts of the bell), which will be described in detail later, and further, a pattern in which the background H (a layer formed of two layers of white 1 (WH1) and white 2 (WH2)) is exposed (shiny pattern of the bell) is formed. Furthermore, a layer of chijimi (TP) ink is formed to cover the entire back side of the design P5 as the transparent chijimi-forming layer 64. Note that the design P5 (design "Bell B") has the bell tongue in a different position than the design P4 (design "Bell A"), and the other parts are formed in the same way as the design P4 (design "Bell A"), so the design P4 (design "Bell A") and the design P5 (design "Bell B") are designs that can be recognized by a player as being of the same type.

[0112] As shown in Figure 5(f), the pattern P6 (pattern "REPLAY") is formed with black (K) ink so that the edge P6a is black (BL) as the edge forming layer 67a, and the colored portion P6b is formed with the color forming layer 67b, and a pattern with black (K) ink (inner outline of the edge P6a) so that it is black (BL), a pattern with YMCK ink blended to be light blue (WB) (painted portion surrounding the outline of REP), and a pattern with white 1 (WH1) ink (painted portion inside the edge P4a, painted portion inside the letters REP), and further, a layer of crepe (TP) ink is formed as a transparent crepe forming layer 64 so as to cover the entire back side of the pattern P6.

[0113] As shown in Figure 5(g), pattern P7 (pattern "Blank A") has no border, and the colored portion P7b is formed as a color forming layer 67b with a pattern (outer outline and inner star pattern) in black (K) ink so that it is gray (GR), and the other parts leave the background H exposed as it is, meaning that the inside of the pattern is painted with the background H formed of two layers of white 1 (WH1) and white 2 (WH2). Note that for pattern P7 (pattern "Blank A"), the transparent crinkle forming layer 64 is not formed.

[0114] As shown in Figure 5(h), pattern P8 (pattern "Blank B") has no border, and the colored portion P8b is formed as a color forming layer 67b with a pattern (outer outline and inner star pattern) in black (K) ink so that it is gray (GR), and the other parts leave the background H exposed as it is, meaning that the inside of the pattern is painted with the background H formed of two layers of white 1 (WH1) and white 2 (WH2). Note that pattern P8 (pattern "Blank B") also does not have a transparent crinkle forming layer 64.

[0115] [Details of the printing composition of the "Bell A" and "Bell B" designs] Next, we will explain the details of the design P4 (design "Bell A") as the first specific design and the design P5 (design "Bell B") as the second specific design, particularly the method of expressing the light and dark areas in the design. As shown in FIG. 5(d), the design P4 (design "Bell A") has a light source in the upper left direction of the figure, and is designed to have a light area P4M as a first light area indicating that the design is illuminated by light from the light source, and a dark area P4D as a first dark area indicating that the design is less illuminated by light from the light source than the light area P4M. In particular, the light area P4M has a shiny area Tk indicating that light is being reflected, and conversely, the dark area P4D has a shadow Kg formed on the bell's tongue. The light area P4M and the dark area P4D are formed in this way to give the design P4 a visual three-dimensional effect and improve its design.

[0116] Similarly, as shown in FIG. 5(e), design P5 (design "Bell B") has a light source in the upper left direction of the figure, and is designed to have a bright portion P5M, which serves as a second bright portion indicating that the design is illuminated by light from the light source, and a dark portion P5D, which serves as a second dark portion indicating that the design is not illuminated by light from the light source. In particular, the bright portion P5M has a shiny portion Tk indicating that light is being reflected, while the dark portion P5D has a portion that serves as a shadow Kg formed on the bell's tongue. The formation of the bright portion P5M and the dark portion P5D in this way gives design P5 a visual three-dimensional effect and improves its design.

[0117] [Problems with creating dark areas (shadows)] Here, we will explain the problems involved in forming the shadow Kg portions in the dark areas P4D and P5D. If the shadow Kg portions were simply formed with a solid black (K) ink (i.e., by filling the entire area), the black would be intensified, resulting in a shiny black design. This not only makes the black more prominent than the other portions, but also makes the design appear flat and lacking a three-dimensional effect, creating a sense of incongruity in the dark areas P4D and P5D, which should not be particularly noticeable. Furthermore, even if the shadow Kg portions were formed with black (K) ink dots, for example, they would still appear flat and lacking a three-dimensional effect, potentially creating a sense of incongruity in a design that attempts to create a three-dimensional effect by forming light and dark areas. Therefore, in this embodiment, this problem is solved by forming the shadow Kg portions as follows.

[0118] [Moire formation in shadows] Next, a method for forming the dark portion P4D in the design P4 (design "Bell A") and the dark portion P5D in the design P5 (design "Bell B") in the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing details of the Bell A design according to the first embodiment, and is a particularly enlarged view of the shadow Kg portion. Note that the design P5 (design "Bell B") has a different position of the bell tongue compared to the design P4 (design "Bell A"), and the other parts are formed in the same manner as the design P4 (design "Bell A"). Therefore, the design P4 (design "Bell A") will be described as an example, and a description of the design P5 (design "Bell B") will be omitted.

[0119] As shown in FIG. 6, in the design P4 (design "Bell A"), the light portion P4M is yellow (YL) in the area other than the glossy portion Tk, and the entire area of ​​the colored portion P4b representing the bell other than the glossy portion Tk is formed so that yellow (Y) ink accounts for, for example, 100% of the area, i.e., the yellow (Y) ink is solid. The dark portion P4D is formed by overlaying the area formed so that the yellow (Y) ink is solid with a first dot portion Dt1 formed as a first halftone dot portion formed with magenta (M) ink halftone dots (hereinafter also referred to as "dots"). The first dot portion Dt1 is formed so that the magenta (M) ink dots account for, for example, 30% to 50% of the area, and the magenta (M) dots of the first dot portion Dt1 mix with the solid yellow (Y) to form an orange (OL), thereby forming the dark portion P4D, which is visually darker than the light portion P4M. The first direction D1 in which the magenta (M) dots in this first dot portion Dt1 are arranged (i.e., the direction in which the dots are lined up) is at an angle θ1 (30 degrees in this embodiment) with respect to the short-side direction of the reel tape T1 (the left-right direction in the figure).

[0120] The shadow Kg region ArM in the dark portion P4D is formed by overlaying a solid yellow (Y) ink on the region where the magenta (M) ink dots of the first dot portion Dt1 are formed with the second dot portion Dt2 as a second halftone dot portion formed with dots. The second dot portion Dt2 is formed so that the black (K) ink dots account for, for example, 30% to 50% of the area. The second direction D2 in which the black (K) dots of the second dot portion Dt2 are arranged (i.e., the direction in which the dots are aligned) is at an angle θ2 (60 degrees in this embodiment) with respect to the short-side direction of the reel tape T1 (the left-right direction in the figure), which is different from the angle θ2 with respect to the first direction D1 in which the magenta (M) dots are arranged. In the shadow Kg formed in this way, the magenta (M) dots and black (K) dots interfere with each other, generating interference fringes, resulting in a region ArM where so-called moire patterns are formed. Therefore, the shadow Kg area ArM of the dark portion P4D is formed in a blackish color, but is formed in a black interference fringe color (hereinafter referred to as "moiré black") that looks different from solid black or flat dot black. In this way, by having a moiré-formed area in the dark portion P4D as a shadow Kg area, it is possible to prevent the black from becoming too strong or the three-dimensional effect from being lost, thereby improving the design of the pattern, that is, the design of the reel tape T1.

[0121] The dark area P5D in the design P5 (design "Bell B") is also formed by superimposing a first dot area Dt1, which is a first halftone dot area formed with magenta (M) ink dots, on an area formed with solid yellow (Y) ink. Similarly, the shadow area ArM in the dark area P5D is also formed by superimposing a second dot area Dt2, which is a second halftone dot area formed with dots, on an area formed with solid yellow (Y) ink and with magenta (M) ink dots of the first dot area Dt1. Here, the first dot area Dt1 is formed in both the design P4 (design "Bell A") and the design P5 (design "Bell B"). However, this is because the same silkscreen printing plate is used to form the magenta (M) ink dots. Therefore, in this embodiment, the first dot area Dt1 is defined as the area where the magenta (M) ink dots are formed in each of the two designs. Similarly, the second dot portion Dt2 is formed in both the pattern P4 (pattern "Bell A") and the pattern P5 (pattern "Bell B"), but since the silk printing plate that forms the black (K) ink dots is the same, in this embodiment, the second dot portion Dt2 is defined as the portion where the black (K) ink dots are formed in each of the two patterns.

[0122] [Summary of the first embodiment] As described above, the pattern P4 on the reel tape T1 according to the first embodiment is formed using a plurality of paints, including magenta (M) paint (ink) and black (K) paint (ink). The magenta (M) paint forms first dot portions Dt1 formed with dots, and the black (K) paint forms second dot portions Dt2 formed with dots. The first dot portions Dt1 and the second dot portions Dt2 overlap to form a moiré pattern, which is a shadow Kg. The presence of the shadow Kg region ArM formed with moiré prevents the pattern P4 from appearing shiny with a solid black color or flat with simple black dots, improving the design of the pattern P4, and thus the design of the reel tape T1.

[0123] In particular, the pattern P4 has light portions P4M that indicate areas where light is hitting it and dark portions P4D that indicate areas where light is not hitting it, and the dark portions P4D have shadows Kg that are areas ArM where moire patterns are formed by the first dot portions Dt1 and the second dot portions Dt2 overlapping each other. In this way, in the pattern P4, which is given a visual three-dimensional effect by the light portions P4M and the dark portions P4D, the dark portions P4D have shadows Kg areas ArM formed by moire patterns, so that the design of the pattern P4, and therefore the design of the reel tape T1, is improved.

[0124] It is also possible to form a moire pattern by varying the dot regularity (dot size and spacing) of the first dot portion Dt1 and the dot regularity (dot size and spacing) of the second dot portion Dt2 and causing them to interfere with each other. However, changing the dot regularity requires changing the mesh of the printing plate for each color when silk-screening the paint, which can increase costs and lead to poor image quality in other areas, potentially damaging the design.

[0125] In the first embodiment, the moire pattern is formed by arranging the dots in the first dot portion Dt1 in a first direction D1 and arranging the dots in the second dot portion Dt2 in a second direction D2 at a different angle to the first direction D1. This allows the moire pattern to be formed without increasing costs or impairing the design of other parts, thereby improving the design of the reel tape T1.

[0126] The pattern P5 on the reel tape T1 according to the first embodiment, which a player can recognize as the same type of pattern as the pattern P4, is also formed with multiple paints, including magenta (M) paint (ink) and black (K) paint (ink), with the magenta (M) paint forming first dot portions Dt1 formed with dots and the black (K) paint forming second dot portions Dt2 formed with dots. The pattern P5 has light portions P5M that indicate areas where light is hitting it and dark portions P5D that indicate areas where light is not hitting it, and the dark portions P5D have shadows Kg that are areas ArM where moire patterns are formed by the first dot portions Dt1 and the second dot portions Dt2 overlapping. In this way, in the pattern P5, which is given a visual three-dimensional effect by the light areas P5M and dark areas P5D, the dark areas P5D have areas of shadow Kg ArM formed by moire, so that the pattern P5 is not formed, for example, as a solid black color that would make it shiny, or as a simple black dot that would make it flat, thereby improving the design of the pattern P5, and therefore the design of the reel tape T1.

[0127] [Modification of the first embodiment] In the first embodiment described above, designs and backgrounds are printed on the reel tapes T1 to T3 using four colors of ink: Y, M, C, and K, and in particular, the shadow Kg area ArM is formed so that moire is created using dots of magenta (M) paint (ink) and dots of black (K) paint (ink). However, this is not limited to this, and for example, as in the second embodiment described below, multiple layers of silk printing are performed using ink of each color, and moire is created using dots of different inks.

[0128] In the first embodiment, moiré is generated by arranging the magenta (M) ink dots in the first dot portion Dt1 in the shadow Kg area ArM in the first direction D1 and the black (K) ink dots in the second dot portion Dt2 in the second direction D2 at a different angle to the first direction D1. However, this is not limiting, and these dots may be arranged in the same direction. Even if two types of dots are arranged in the same direction, moiré can also be generated by, for example, making the spacing between dots of one ink different from the spacing between dots of the other ink.

[0129] Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, the magenta (M) ink dots and the black (K) ink dots are arranged in different directions, but this is not limited to this, and all ink dots may be aligned in the same direction (for example, 30 degrees, 45 degrees, or 60 degrees relative to the short direction of the reel tape T1).

[0130] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the magenta (M) ink dots are inclined at 30 degrees relative to the short-edge direction of the reel tape T1, and the black (K) ink dots are inclined at 60 degrees relative to the short-edge direction of the reel tape T1. However, these angles may be any. However, if the ink dots are arranged at 0 degrees or 90 degrees relative to the short-edge direction of the reel tape T1, there is a risk that they will overlap with the angle at which the liquid crystal elements of the display device 410, which is a transmissive liquid crystal display facing the reels R1 to R3, are arranged. In this case, the dots printed on the reel tapes T1 to T3 may interfere with the liquid crystal elements, impairing visibility. Therefore, the visibility of the reel tapes T1 to T3 can be improved by arranging the ink dots of each color at different angles relative to the short-edge direction of the reel tape T1, 0 degrees (horizontal) or 90 degrees (vertical, reel rotation direction).

[0131] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment, which is a partial modification of the first embodiment, will be described with reference to Figures 8 to 14. In the description of the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for the same parts as in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0132] In the first embodiment, designs and backgrounds are printed on the reel tapes T1 to T3 using four colors of ink: Y, M, C, and K. In the second embodiment, designs and backgrounds are formed by applying multi-layer silkscreen printing (see FIG. 14) to the reel tapes T1 to T3 using inks of each color (multiple paints including a first paint, a second paint, and a third paint). Furthermore, in the second embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, a background pattern Hm is formed on the background H. The multiple inks used to apply the multi-layer silkscreen printing shown in FIG. 14 are printed in order from the side closest to the substrate 60, and generally in order of decreasing brightness and saturation.

[0133] [Problems with reel tape design] Here, we will explain the design issues of reel tapes. The designs and backgrounds formed on the reel tapes T1 to T3 are required to have good visibility to ensure fairness in games. Therefore, some designs employ simple designs and backgrounds without printed areas that are halftone using dots. However, designs and backgrounds without dots may lack design quality. In other words, using dots allows for the expression of halftones, gradations, and the like, thereby improving design quality. However, when dots are used, there is a problem that if dots overlap, especially when printing multiple layers, moire may occur, which may impair the design quality. Therefore, the second embodiment aims to improve the design quality of reel tapes by using dots while preventing moire.

[0134] [About the background pattern] Next, the details of the background H as the background portion in the reel tapes T1 to T3 according to the second embodiment and the background pattern Hm thereof will be described with reference to FIGS. 12, 13, and 14. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the background pattern in one section according to the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a cross section of the reel tape in a replay pattern according to the second embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the relationship between the ink types and each layer according to the second embodiment. Note that the diagram shown in FIG. 12 shows one frame of one section with the patterns P11 to P20 omitted (erased) in order to explain the background H. Note that in this second embodiment, the reel tapes T2 to T3 have the same configuration as the reel tape T1, so the reel tape T1 will be described and the description of the reel tapes T2 to T3 will be omitted.

[0135] As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the background H is composed of, from the back surface of the substrate 60, a background pattern forming layer 61m, which is a layer printed with very light pink (PK4) ink, a first background forming layer 61a, which is a layer printed with white 1 (WH1) ink, and a second background forming layer 61b, which is a layer printed with white 2 (WH2) ink. Of these, the first background forming layer 61a is a solid layer printed with white 1 (WH1) ink. The second background forming layer 61b is also printed with white 2 (WH2) ink. In particular, the background pattern forming layer 61m (which includes a portion formed with dots of very light pink (PK4) ink, as described below) and the first background forming layer 61a (a solid layer of white 1 (WH1) ink) are arranged adjacent to each other in the layer direction relative to the substrate 60, i.e., in the front-to-back direction.

[0136] In the second embodiment, the background H is described as being made of white ink (WH1) and white ink (WH2) so that the base color is a whitish color. However, the background H may be any light color that is less noticeable (has less impact) than the patterns P11 to P20. That is, the base color of the background H may be, for example, light pink, light blue, light purple, light orange, etc. Also, in the second embodiment, the background pattern Hm is described as being made of ultra-light pink ink (PK4) with varying density (dot coarseness, i.e., dot area ratio). However, the background Hm may be any light color that is less noticeable (has less impact) than the patterns P11 to P20. That is, the background pattern Hm may be, for example, white, light pink, light blue, light purple, etc., as long as it is a light color that is different from the base color of the background H.

[0137] 12, the background H is configured to have a background pattern Hm on each end of the reel tape T1 in the short-side direction X, and a background center portion HC between them, i.e., the background H is printed on the reel tape T1 to both ends in the short-side direction X. The background center portion HC is an area where the background pattern Hm is not formed, that is, the portion where the patterns P11 to P20 are not formed is printed in white using two layers, the first background forming layer 61a and the second background forming layer 61b.

[0138] On the other hand, the background pattern Hm is printed closer to the base material 60 than the first background forming layer 61a and the second background forming layer 61b, and is formed to have a width of, for example, about 15 mm from the right end T1c and the left end T1d, which are both ends in the short direction X of the reel tape T1, and does not overlap with the pattern P11 (pattern "bell"), pattern P12 (pattern "replay A"), pattern P13 (pattern "replay B"), pattern P14 (pattern "cherry"), and pattern P15 (pattern "watermelon") of the patterns P11 to P20 described in detail below (see Figure 8).In other words, these patterns P11 to P15 are printed so as to fit within the area of ​​the background center HC.

[0139] Furthermore, the background pattern Hm is an end portion formed at both ends in the short direction X of the reel tape T1 after it has been cut, as will be described in detail later, and has a pattern end portion Hmed that is located at a distance d of, for example, about 2 mm from the right end T1c and the left end T1d, respectively, and in which the pattern shapes Hmk1 and Hmk2 described below are not formed, and a pattern forming portion Hmmn that is formed with a width of, for example, about 13 mm from the pattern end portion Hmed and that actually has the pattern shapes Hmk1 and Hmk2. The pattern end portion Hmed and the pattern forming portion Hmmn are printed so as to overlap at least a portion of the patterns P16 (pattern "white 7"), P17 (pattern "silver bar"), P18 (pattern "black bar"), P19 (pattern "blank"), and P20 (pattern "bonus") among the patterns P11 to P20, which will be described in detail later, and in particular, the pattern end portion Hmed is printed so as to overlap a portion of the edges P16a to P18a and P20a of the patterns P16 to P18 and P20 (see FIG. 8). As a result, the patterns P16 to P18 and P20 are arranged to occupy the largest size possible in the short-side direction X of the reel tape T1, and can be formed as patterns with the greatest impact among all the patterns.

[0140] In this embodiment, the pattern forming portion Hmmn of the background pattern Hm is formed with the second paint, ultra-light pink (PK4), and is formed so that the boundary portion of the pattern end portion Hmed is the darkest of the ultra-light pink (PK4) (e.g., 70% ultra-light pink (PK4)), and the darkness of the ultra-light pink (PK4) gradually changes continuously or in stages to become lighter and disappear up to the background center portion HC (i.e., toward the center of the reel tape T1 in the short direction), creating a so-called gradation. The pattern shape Hmk1 formed in this pattern forming portion Hmmn is formed so that it is the darkest color of the pattern end portion Hmed (e.g., 70% ultra-light pink (PK4)), creating a so-called solid state, while the pattern shape Hmk2 is formed so that there is no ink of the background pattern Hm (e.g., 0% ultra-light pink (PK4)), creating a so-called outline pattern. Therefore, while the pattern-forming portion Hmmn of the background pattern Hm has pattern shapes Hmk1 and Hmk2, it is printed so that the patterns are formed entirely with one type (one color) of ink: very light pink (PK4). The lighter-colored portions of this background pattern Hm, other than the darkest portion (e.g., 70% very light pink (PK4)), are formed with dots of very light pink (PK4) ink as background halftone dots, and the density is defined as the area ratio (%) of the mesh of the silk-screen printing plate that forms the dots to the area. In other words, the reason the darkest color is, for example, 70% very light pink (PK4) is that when the dots are printed, the ink spreads across the surface of the reel tapes T1 to T3, connecting adjacent dots and resulting in a solid print. In other words, the area ratio (%) of the dots to the area, which is a unit of density, can be said to be the area ratio of the mesh of the silk-screen printing plate that allows the ink to pass through.

[0141] 12 forms a pattern for one frame, which is the area where the symbols P11 to P20 are arranged, and is printed so that the pattern HmP is repeatedly arranged in the longitudinal direction Y of the reel tape T1. In other words, the background pattern of the pattern HmP is printed so as to be arranged as the background for the symbols 0 to 19 (see FIG. 4).

[0142] 4, the background forming layer 61 that forms the background H is formed to be longer in the longitudinal direction Y1 than the area of ​​the No. 0 symbol. That is, the background forming layer 61 has a background overlapping portion 61ov that is the area where the other end T1b of the reel tape T1 overlaps, and the end portion 61Aa (61Ba) of the background forming layer 61 is positioned to protrude further in the longitudinal direction Y1 than the area of ​​the No. 0 symbol. In other words, the background H is formed to be longer than the area of ​​the No. 0 to No. 19 symbols in which the symbols P11 to P20 are arranged. The pattern shape Hmk1 and the pattern shape Hmk2 are not formed in this background overlapping portion 61ov. As a result, even if a misalignment occurs in the attachment position when the other end T1b of the reel tape T1 is overlapped on the transparent portion 63 and wound around the reel frame FR1 and adhered, the pattern shape Hmk1 and pattern shape Hmk2 will not be interrupted, and since the pattern forming portion Hmmn and pattern end Hmed of the background pattern Hm are formed up to the background overlap portion 61ov, the transparent portion 63 is prevented from being exposed and the light from the reel backlight BLi is prevented from leaking out directly, thereby preventing a deterioration in appearance.

[0143] (About the edges of the background pattern) The three reel tapes T1 to T3 are printed on a single sheet-like substrate 60, arranged side by side in the short direction X, and then cut to produce the respective reel tapes T1 to T3. The three reel tapes T to T3 are printed side by side with no gaps between them, but the outer edges of the reel tape T1 and reel tape T3 (for example, the left edge T1d of the reel tape T1 (see FIG. 4)) are also cut as margins. When this cutting is performed, there is a risk that the cutting position may be off by up to about 0.5 mm due to errors in the cutting machine. However, in the reel tapes T1 to T3 of the second embodiment, as described above, the background pattern Hm is printed with a uniform density at a predetermined distance d (e.g., 2 mm) from the pattern end Hmed of the background pattern Hm, which is larger than the cutting error. Therefore, even if a deviation in the cutting position occurs, the background pattern Hm does not change significantly, preventing a deterioration in the appearance of the reel tapes T1 to T3 after cutting. This also reduces individual differences between gaming machines due to deviation in the cutting position, preventing players from misunderstanding the product. When cutting the reel tapes T1 to T3, the longitudinal ends (e.g., one end T1a and the other end T1b (see FIG. 4)) are also cut, but because the above-mentioned background overlap portion 61ov is formed by, for example, about 2 mm, a deterioration in the appearance can be similarly prevented even if a deviation in the cutting position occurs.

[0144] In this embodiment, the pattern end Hmed is 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, at most about 0.5 mm, it is sufficient if the predetermined distance d is equal to or greater than the error of the cutting machine. However, since there is a risk that the pattern end Hmed will be lost due to misalignment during cutting, the predetermined distance d is preferably 1 mm or more and 5 mm or less so as not to compress the background pattern Hm area. In this case, the width of the adhesive member 65 (see FIG. 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 as to make the adhesive member 65 less noticeable.

[0145] [Details of each design] Next, the detailed sizes and color schemes (types of ink used) of the symbols P11 to P20 arranged on the reel tapes T1 to T3 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing symbols according to the second embodiment, with (a) showing a bell symbol, (b) showing a replay A symbol, (c) showing a replay B symbol, (d) showing a cherry symbol, (e) showing a watermelon symbol, (f) showing a white 7 symbol, (g) showing a silver BAR symbol, (h) showing a black BAR symbol, (i) showing a blank symbol, and (j) showing a bonus symbol.

[0146] 14, in the pattern forming layer 67, a gold (GL) ink layer is provided as part of the color forming layer 67b on the side closer to the back surface of the base material 60 than the black (BL) ink that is the border forming layer 67a that forms the borders P11a to P18a, P20a of each of the patterns P11 to P18, P20. The color forming layer 67b is formed, for example, by printing, in order from the side closer to the back surface of the base material 60, a gold (GL) layer, a black (BL) 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 brown (BW) layer so as to form the color scheme of each of the patterns P11 to P20, which will be described in detail later. 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, and the second background forming layer 61b is formed of a white 2 (WH2) layer. In other words, in this second embodiment, 16 types (16 colors) of ink are used. Also in this second embodiment, no backing forming layer is formed on the reel tapes T1-T3, allowing light from the reel backlight BLi to easily pass through. Therefore, the entire reel tapes T1-T3 are brightly illuminated within the specific area 410b, and even when a liquid crystal image is displayed in the specific area 410b, the patterns on the reel tapes T1-T3 are easily visible.

[0147] As shown in Figure 8(a), the pattern P11 (pattern "bell") has an edge P11a formed with black (BL) ink as the edge forming layer 67a, and a colored portion P11b formed with the colored forming layer 67b, with a pattern formed with black (BL) ink (pattern of the bell's outline), a pattern formed with yellow (YL) ink (pattern of the bell's surface), an orange (OL) pattern formed by overlapping yellow (YL) ink and pink (PK2) ink (pattern of the bell's darkened surface), and a moire black (MBL) pattern formed by overlapping yellow (YL) ink, pink (PK2) ink and black (BL) ink (pattern of the shadow kg of the darkened part of the bell), and further with a pattern (pattern of the bell's gloss Tk) in which the background H (a layer formed of two layers of white 1 (WH1) and white 2 (WH2)) is exposed.

[0148] Note that yellow (YL) ink has a lower lightness (saturation) than white 1 (WH1) ink, and pink (PK2) ink has a lower lightness (saturation) than yellow (YL) ink, and black (BL) ink has a lower lightness (saturation) than pink (PK2) ink. Also, as shown in FIG. 14, the printing order is as follows: black (BL) ink is printed first, followed by pink (PK2), then yellow (YL), and finally white 1 (WH1). In other words, in the area where design P11 (design "bell") is printed, black (BL), pink (PK2), yellow (YL), and white 1 (WH1) ink are printed in descending order of lightness. While the inks are printed in descending order of lightness here, the inks may be printed in ascending order of saturation. In other words, it is acceptable for the inks to be printed in the order of decreasing saturation, such as black (BL) ink, pink (PK2) ink, yellow (YL) ink, and white 1 (WH1) ink.

[0149] As shown in Figure 8(b), the specific pattern or first specific pattern, pattern P12 (pattern "REPLAY A"), has an edge P12a formed as edge forming layer 67a with black (BL) ink, and a colored portion P12b formed as colored forming layer 67b with a pattern (outline of the REP letters) with blue (BU) ink, a pattern (fan-shaped portion inside edge P12a) with blue (BU) ink and light blue (WB) ink, and a pattern (fan-shaped portion inside edge P12a) with light blue (WB) ink, and the background H is exposed in the other parts, meaning that the inside of the pattern is painted with background H formed of two layers of white 1 (WH1) and white 2 (WH2).

[0150] Note that light blue (WB) ink has a lower lightness (saturation) than white 1 (WH1) ink, and further, blue (BU) ink has a lower lightness (saturation) than light blue (WB) ink, and further, black (BL) ink has a lower lightness (saturation) than blue (BU) ink. Also, as shown in FIG. 14, the printing order is as follows: black (BL) ink is printed first, then blue (BU) ink, then light blue (WB) ink, and then white 1 (WH1) ink. That is, in the area where design P12 (design "Replay A") is printed, black (BL) ink, blue (BU) ink, light blue (WB) ink, and white 1 (WH1) ink are printed in order of decreasing lightness. Note that, although the description here is of inks printed in order of decreasing lightness, the order may be different and the inks may be printed in order of decreasing saturation. In other words, it is acceptable for the inks to be printed in the order of decreasing saturation, i.e., black (BL) ink, blue (BU) ink, light blue (WB) ink, and white 1 (WH1) ink.

[0151] As shown in Figure 8(c), pattern P13 (pattern "Replay B") as the second specific pattern is a pattern similar to pattern P12 (pattern "Replay A"), and is a pattern that can be recognized by a player as the same pattern, and has the same design as pattern P12 (pattern "Replay A") except that the REP font is solid (the entire letter is filled in without any gaps). In detail, the design P13 (design "REPLAY B") has an edge P13a formed as an edge forming layer 67a with black (BL) ink, and a colored portion P13b formed as a color forming layer 67b with a pattern (letter REP) with blue (BU) ink, a pattern (a fan-shaped portion inside the edge P13a) with blue (BU) ink and light blue (WB) ink, and a pattern (a fan-shaped portion inside the edge P13a) with light blue (WB) ink. The other portions leave the background H exposed as it is, that is, the interior of the design is painted with the background H formed of two layers of white 1 (WH1) and white 2 (WH2). The printing order (order of brightness and saturation) is the same as that of the design P12 (design "REPLAY A"), so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0152] As shown in Figure 8(d), the pattern P14 (pattern "cherry") has an edge P14a formed as an edge forming layer 67a using black (BL) ink, and a colored portion P14b formed as a color forming layer 67b, with a pattern (fruit part) using red (RD) ink, a gloss Tk pattern (fruit gloss Tk pattern) using white 1 (WH1) and red (RD) ink, a shadow Kg pattern (fruit shadow Kg pattern) using red (RD) and black (BL) ink, a green pattern (leaf part) using light blue (WB) and yellow (YL) ink, and a pattern (leaf shadow) using gray (GR) ink.

[0153] Note that gray (GR) ink has a lower lightness (saturation) than white 1 (WH1) ink, and furthermore, red (RD) ink has a lower lightness (saturation) than gray (GR) ink, and furthermore, black (BL) ink has a lower lightness (saturation) than red (RD) ink. Also, as shown in FIG. 14, the printing order is black (BL) ink printed first, followed by red (RD) ink, then gray (GR) ink, and then white 1 (WH1) ink. That is, in the area where design P14 (design "cherry") is printed, black (BL) ink, red (RD) ink, gray (GR) ink, and white 1 (WH1) ink are printed in order of decreasing lightness. Note that, although the inks are printed in order of decreasing lightness, the printing order is not limited to this, and the inks may be printed in order of decreasing saturation. In other words, it is acceptable for the inks to be printed in the order of decreasing saturation, i.e., black (BL) ink, red (RD) ink, gray (GR) ink, and white 1 (WH1) ink.

[0154] As shown in Figure 8(e), the pattern P15 (pattern "watermelon") has an edge portion P15a formed with black (BL) ink as the edge forming layer 67a, and a colored portion P15b formed with the color forming layer 67b, with a pattern formed with black (BL) ink (watermelon stripes and seeds), a pattern formed with dark pink (PK1) ink (watermelon cross-section pattern), a green pattern formed with light blue (WB) and yellow (YL) ink (watermelon surface pattern), a pattern formed with light pink (PK3) ink (heart pattern), and a pattern formed with gray (GR) ink (heart shadow pattern), and further with a pattern (pattern of the skin of the watermelon cross-section) that exposes the background H (a layer formed of two layers of white 1 (WH1) and white 2 (WH2)).

[0155] Furthermore, gray (GR) ink has a lower brightness (saturation) than white 1 (WH1) ink, and furthermore, yellow (YL) ink has a lower brightness (saturation) than gray (GR) ink, and furthermore, light pink (PK3) ink has a lower brightness (saturation) than yellow (YL) ink, and furthermore, dark pink (PK1) ink has a lower brightness (saturation) than light pink (PK3) ink, and furthermore, light blue (WB) ink has a lower brightness (saturation) than dark pink (PK1) ink, and furthermore, black (BL) ink has a lower brightness (saturation) than light blue (WB) ink. 14, the printing order is as follows: black (BL) ink is printed first, followed by light blue (WB) ink, then dark pink (PK1) ink, then light pink (PK3) ink, then yellow (YL) ink, then gray (GR) ink, and then white 1 (WH1) ink. In other words, in the area where design P15 (design "watermelon") is printed, black (BL) ink, gray (GR) ink, light blue (WB) ink, dark pink (PK1) ink, light pink (PK3) ink, yellow (YL) ink, gray (GR) ink, and white 1 (WH1) ink are printed in order of decreasing lightness. Note that, although the printing order is described here as decreasing lightness, it is not limited thereto, and the printing order may also be decreasing saturation. In other words, it is acceptable for the inks to be printed in the order of decreasing saturation, namely, black (BL) ink, gray (GR) ink, light blue (WB) ink, dark pink (PK1) ink, light pink (PK3) ink, yellow (YL) ink, gray (GR) ink, and white 1 (WH1) ink.

[0156] 8(f), the pattern P16 (pattern "White 7") has an edge P16a formed as the edge forming layer 67a with black (BL) ink, and a colored portion P16b formed as the color forming layer 67b with a pattern (the decorative line pattern of the edge P16a) with gold (GL) ink and a pattern (the diagonal line pattern and petal pattern inside) with purple (PU) ink, with the background H remaining exposed in other portions, meaning that the inside of the pattern is painted with the background H formed of two layers of white 1 (WH1) and white 2 (WH2). Note that the printing order (order of brightness and saturation) of each ink in the area where the pattern P16 (pattern "White 7") is printed is the order shown in FIG. 14, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0157] 8(g), the pattern P17 (pattern "silver BAR") has an edge P17a formed with black (BL) ink as the edge forming layer 67a, and a colored portion P17b formed with gray (GR) ink as the color forming layer 67b (a pattern (painted portion inside the edge P17a)), and further has a pattern (pattern of the BAR font) in which the background H (a layer formed of two layers of white 1 (WH1) and white 2 (WH2)) is exposed. Note that the printing order (order of brightness and saturation) of each ink in the area where the pattern P17 (pattern "silver BAR") is printed is also the order shown in FIG. 14, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0158] 8(h), the pattern P18 (pattern "black BAR") has an edge P18a formed as the edge forming layer 67a with black (BL) ink, and a colored portion P18b formed as the color forming layer 67b with a pattern (the painted portion inside the edge P18a) with red (RD) ink, and further has a pattern (the pattern of the letters BAR) in which the background H (a layer formed of two layers of white 1 (WH1) and white 2 (WH2)) is exposed. Note that the printing order (order of brightness and saturation) of each ink in the area where the pattern P18 (pattern "black BAR") is printed is also the order shown in FIG. 14, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0159] As shown in Figure 8(i), the design P19 (design "blank") has no border, and the colored portion P19b serves as the colored formation layer 67b, forming patterns using brown (BW) ink (the outer diamond pattern, the inner diamond pattern, and the cross pattern), and more specifically, patterns using brown (BW) ink dots (light brown (BWD)) described later (between the outer diamond pattern and the inner diamond pattern, and inside the inner diamond pattern), and further forming a pattern (the letter pattern of BAR) in which the background H (a layer formed of two layers of white 1 (WH1) and white 2 (WH2)) is exposed. Note that the printing order (order of brightness and saturation) of each ink in the area where the design P19 (design "blank") is printed is also the order shown in Figure 14, and therefore its description will be omitted.

[0160] As shown in FIG. 8(j), the design P20 (design "BONUS") has an edge P20a formed as the edge forming layer 67a with black (BL) ink, and a colored portion P20b formed as the color forming layer 67b with a pattern (the outline of the "ONUS" lettering), a pattern (the painted portion of the "B" lettering), a pattern (the painted portion of the interior of the edge 20a) with gold (GL) ink, a pattern (the star pattern) with blue (BU) ink, a pattern (the painted portion of the interior of the light blue (WB) ink, a pattern (the "OL" lettering), and a pattern (the "BAR" lettering) in which the background H (a layer formed of two layers of white 1 (WH1) and white 2 (WH2)) is exposed is formed. Note that the printing order (order of brightness and saturation) of each ink in the area where the design P20 (design "BONUS") is printed is also the order shown in FIG. 14, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0161] [Details of printing composition for each design] Next, the configuration of the second embodiment in which the symbols P11 (symbol "bell"), P12 (symbol "replay A"), P13 (symbol "replay B"), P14 (symbol "cherry"), P15 (symbol "watermelon"), and P19 (symbol "blank") are formed by multi-layer (multi-color) silk printing will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11 and 13. FIG. 9(a) is a diagram showing details of the bell symbol, and (b) is a diagram showing details of the replay A symbol. FIG. 10(a) is a diagram showing details of the cherry symbol, and (b) is a diagram showing details of the watermelon symbol. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing details of the blank symbol according to the second embodiment.

[0162] (Details of the "Bell" design) First, details of the design P11 (design "bell") will be described with reference to FIG. 9(a). As shown in FIG. 9(a), the design P11 (design "bell"), like the design P4 (design "bell A") of the first embodiment, has a light source in the upper left direction in the figure, and the colored portion P11b is designed to have a light portion P11M indicating that the design is illuminated by light from the light source and a dark portion P11D indicating that the design is not illuminated by light from the light source. In particular, the light portion P11M has a shiny portion Tk indicating that light is being reflected, and conversely, the dark portion P11D has a portion that represents the shadow Kg formed on the bell's tongue. The light portion P11M and the dark portion P11D thus formed give the design P11 a visual three-dimensional effect, improving the design.

[0163] In the design P11 (design "bell"), the light portion P11M is yellow (YL) in the area other than the gloss Tk, and the entire area of ​​the colored portion P11b representing the bell other than the gloss Tk is formed so that yellow (YL) ink as the third paint is solid (for example, 70%) as a solid portion (solid layer). The dark portion P11D is formed by overlapping the area formed so that the yellow (YL) ink is solid with the first dot portion Dt1 as the first halftone dot portion formed with dots of pink (PK2) ink as the first paint.

[0164] In the areas of the bright portion P11M other than the glossy area Tk, a layer formed in a solid state with yellow (YL) ink is printed on the substrate 60, forming a solid area ArM1. Then, on the opposite side of the substrate 60 from the solid layer of yellow (YL) ink, a first background forming layer 61a is formed in a solid state (applied without gaps) with white 1 (WH1) ink. Furthermore, on the opposite side of the substrate 60 from the first background forming layer 61a formed in white 1 (WH1) ink, a second background forming layer 61b is further formed in a solid state (applied without gaps) with white 2 (WH2) ink. In the glossy area Tk, since yellow (YL) ink is not printed, the first background forming layer 61a formed in white 1 (WH1) ink is printed on the substrate 60.

[0165] In the dark area P11D, pink (PK2) ink dots as the first dot portion Dt1 are printed on the substrate 60 so that their area ratio is, for example, 30% to 50%. That is, an area ArD1 is formed by overlapping a solid portion with a first halftone dot portion. Furthermore, on the opposite side of the substrate 60 from the pink (PK2) ink dots, a solid layer formed with yellow (YL) ink (i.e., a solid layer) is printed. As a result, the pink (PK2) dots of the first dot portion Dt1 blend with the solid yellow (YL) to form an orange (OL), forming a dark area P11D that is visually darker than the light area P11M. The first direction D1 in which the pink (PK2) dots of the first dot portion Dt1 are arranged (i.e., the direction in which the dots are lined up) is at an angle θ1 (30 degrees in this embodiment) with respect to the short-side direction of the reel tape T1 (the left-right direction in the figure).

[0166] The shadow Kg region ArM in the dark portion P11D is formed by solid yellow (Y) ink, and by overlapping the second dot portion Dt2 formed as a second halftone dot portion with dots of black (BL) ink as a second paint on the region where dots of pink (PK2) ink of the first dot portion Dt1 are formed. That is, in the shadow Kg region ArM, the pink (PK2) ink dots as the first dot portion Dt1 are printed and formed on the substrate 60 so that they occupy, for example, 30% to 50% in area ratio. Furthermore, on the opposite side of the pink (PK2) ink dots from the substrate 60, the black (BL) ink dots as the second dot portion Dt2 are formed so that they occupy, for example, 30% to 50% in area ratio. The second direction D2 (i.e., the direction in which the dots are lined up) in which the black (BL) dots of the second dot portion Dt2 are arranged is at an angle θ2 (60 degrees in this embodiment) with respect to the short-side direction of the reel tape T1 (the left-right direction in the figure), which is a different angle from the first direction D1 in which the pink (PK2) dots are arranged. The size of each of the pink (PK2) ink dots is larger than the size of each of the black (BL) ink dots. A solid layer of yellow (YL) ink is printed and formed on the side opposite the substrate 60 from the solid layer of yellow (YL) ink. A first background forming layer 61a is formed solidly (applied without gaps) with white 1 (WH1) ink on the side opposite the substrate 60 from the solid layer of yellow (YL) ink. In addition, on the opposite side of the substrate 60 of the first background forming layer 61a made of white 1 (WH1) ink, a second background forming layer 61b is further formed solidly (applied without gaps) using white 2 (WH2) ink.

[0167] In the shadow Kg formed in this way, the pink (PK2) dots and black (BL) dots interfere with each other to generate interference fringes, forming a region ArM where so-called moire patterns are formed. Therefore, the shadow Kg region ArM of the dark portion P11D is formed as a blackish-colored moire black of interference fringes, which appears different from the solid black or the black of flat dots. In this way, by having the dark portion P11D have a region where moire patterns are formed (expressed) as a shadow Kg region, it is possible to prevent the black from becoming too strong or the three-dimensional effect from being lost, thereby improving the design of the pattern, that is, the design of the reel tape T1.

[0168] In this embodiment, the size of each dot of pink (PK2) ink is described as being larger than the size of each dot of black (BL) ink, but this is not limited to this, and each dot of pink (PK2) ink may be larger than each dot of black (BL) ink, or may be the same size.

[0169] (Details of the design "Replay A") Next, details of the design P12 (design "Replay A") will be explained using Figures 9(b) and 13. As mentioned above, the design P13 (design "Replay B"), which is similar to the design P12 (design "Replay A"), is basically printed and formed in the same way, so the design P12 (design "Replay A") will be explained in detail, and a detailed explanation of the design P13 (design "Replay B") will be omitted.

[0170] As shown in FIG. 9(b), in the colored portion P12b of the design P12 (design "Replay A"), the fan-shaped first region ArT1 and the fan-shaped second region ArT2 are formed so as to be alternately arranged in the circumferential direction. That is, similar to the design P11 (design "Bell"), the light source is located in the upper left direction in the figure, and the design is expressed as having a light portion P12M in the first region ArT1 indicating that the design is illuminated by the light from the light source, and a dark portion P12D in the second region ArT2 indicating that the design is not illuminated by the light from the light source. In short, the first region ArT1 and the second region ArT2 are arranged three-dimensionally, alternately adjacent to each other, forming a sawtooth shape like a fan in cross section, and each representing a plane with a different angle.

[0171] Of these, the first area ArT1 is an area formed so that light blue (WB) ink is solid as a solid layer, and a third dot area Dt3 formed with blue (BU) ink dots as a second pattern halftone dot area is superimposed on it, and the blue (BU) ink dots are formed so that they gradually become thinner from the center. That is, the third dot area Dt3 is formed so that the blue (BU) ink dots are, for example, 70% in area ratio at the center and 0% toward the outside, thereby forming a gradation that gradually becomes thinner from the center. By having this gradation, the center is expressed as being in the background and the outside as being in the foreground by using light and dark.

[0172] In addition, the second area ArT2 is formed by overlaying a pattern halftone dot area formed with dots of light blue (WB) ink as the first paint or a fourth dot area Dt4 as the first pattern halftone dot area on an area formed so that the ink (white 1 (WH1) and white 2 (WH2)) of the background H is solid (i.e., white 1 (WH1) is printed as a solid layer), and the light blue (WB) ink dots are formed so as to form a gradation that gradually becomes lighter from the center. That is, the fourth dot area Dt4 is formed so that the light blue (WB) ink dots are, for example, 70% in area at the center and 0% toward the outside, thereby forming a gradation that gradually becomes lighter from the center. By having this gradation, the center is expressed as being in the background and the outside as being in the foreground, using light and dark.

[0173] In addition, in this design P12 (design "Replay A"), the third dot portion Dt3 formed with dots of blue (BU) ink has dots arranged in a second direction D2 that is at an angle θ2 (60 degrees in this embodiment) with respect to the short-side direction of the reel tape T1 (the left-right direction in the drawing). On the other hand, the fourth dot portion Dt4 formed with dots of light blue (WB) ink has dots arranged in a first direction D1 that is at an angle θ1 (30 degrees in this embodiment) with respect to the short-side direction of the reel tape T1 (the left-right direction in the drawing). In this way, by differentiating the arrangement direction of the blue (BU) ink dots in the third dot portion Dt3 from the arrangement direction of the light (WB) ink dots in the fourth dot portion Dt4, it is possible to create a more distinct contrast between the light portion P12M and the dark portion P12D, thereby improving the design. Furthermore, the edge of the third dot portion Dt3 and the edge of the fourth dot portion Dt4 are depicted as being in contact with each other, thereby forming a boundary line BD between the light portion P12M and the dark portion P12D, effectively depicting the area where the light portion P12M and the dark portion P12D change over suddenly.

[0174] In addition, in the portion of the boundary line BD between the first area ArT1 and the second area ArT2, the solid light blue (WB) ink in the first area ArT1 may be formed so that it extends beyond the blue (BU) ink dots to form a margin, i.e., the solid light blue (WB) ink may be formed so that it is interposed between the third dot area Dt3 and the fourth dot area Dt4. This may prevent the blue (BU) ink dots in the first area ArT1 and the light blue (WB) ink dots in the second area ArT2 from intersecting and interfering with each other, even if misalignment occurs in at least one of the third dot area Dt3 and the fourth dot area Dt4 during printing, for example.

[0175] (Regarding the order of printing layers in the "Replay A" design) Next, the order of the printing layers (ink layers) in the design P12 (design "Replay A") will be described with reference to FIG. 13. As shown in FIG. 13, in the area where the background H is formed, the background pattern forming layer 61m that forms the pattern forming portion Hmmn is formed on the substrate 60 as described above by printing it with very light pink (PK4) ink in a dot or solid gradation (see FIG. 12). Then, on the opposite side of the background pattern forming layer 61m from the substrate 60, a first background forming layer 61a is formed as a solid layer (applied without gaps) as a second solid portion using white 1 (WH1) ink as a third paint. In other words, the background pattern forming layer 61m and the first background forming layer 61a are formed adjacently in the front-to-back direction. Note that, on the opposite side of the substrate 60 from the first background forming layer 61a made of white 1 (WH1) ink, a second background forming layer 61b is further formed as a solid layer (applied without gaps) using white 2 (WH2) ink. White 1 (WH1) ink and white 2 (WH2) ink are shown separately because they form two layers, but in this embodiment they are the same ink.

[0176] On the other hand, in the region where the colored portion P12b of the design P12 (design "Replay A") is formed, in the first region ArT1, third dot portions Dt3 as second halftone dot portions formed by dots of blue (BU) ink as the second paint are printed on the base material 60 (see FIG. 9(b)). Furthermore, on the opposite side of the base material 60 from the blue (BU) ink dots, a solid layer formed in a solid state as a first solid portion is printed with light blue (WB) ink. Then, on the opposite side of the base material 60 from the light blue (WB) ink solid layer, a first background forming layer 61a is formed in a solid state (applied without gaps) with white 1 (WH1) ink. Furthermore, on the opposite side of the base material 60 from the first background forming layer 61a made of white 1 (WH1) ink, a second background forming layer 61b is further formed in a solid state (applied without gaps) with white 2 (WH2) ink.

[0177] Furthermore, in the region where the colored portion P12b of the design P12 (design "Replay A") is formed, in the second region ArT2, a fourth dot portion Dt4 is printed on the base material 60 as a first halftone dot portion formed of dots using light blue (WB) ink as the first paint (see FIG. 9(b)). Then, on the opposite side of the base material 60 from the light blue (WB) ink dots, a first background forming layer 61a is formed solidly (applied without gaps) using white 1 (WH1) ink; that is, the fourth dot portion Dt4 and the first background forming layer 61a are formed adjacently in the front-to-back direction. Furthermore, on the opposite side of the base material 60 from the first background forming layer 61a made of white 1 (WH1) ink, a second background forming layer 61b is further formed solidly (applied without gaps) using white 2 (WH2) ink.

[0178] In this way, the very light pink (PK4) ink dots in the pattern forming section Hmmn, the blue (BU) ink dots in the first area ArT1, and the light blue (WB) ink dots in the second area ArT2 are all formed so that solid ink layers overlap on the side opposite the substrate 60 (i.e., the back side); in other words, all dots are covered with solid ink, preventing the dots from overlapping and causing moire.

[0179] (About the design "Replay B") As mentioned above, the design of the pattern P13 (pattern "Replay B") is the same as that of the pattern P12 (pattern "Replay A") except for the letters REP. That is, the light source is located in the upper left direction in the figure, and the design is expressed so that the pattern has a light part in the first area ArT1 indicating that the pattern is illuminated by the light from the light source, and a dark part in the second area ArT2 indicating that the pattern is not illuminated by the light from the light source.

[0180] In the area where the colored portion P13b of this pattern P13 (pattern "Replay B") is formed, in the second area ArT2, a fourth dot portion Dt4 is printed on the base material 60 as a second pattern halftone portion formed with dots using light blue (WB) ink, and on the opposite side of the base material 60 from the light blue (WB) ink dots, a first background forming layer 61a is formed solidly (applied so that there are no gaps) using white 1 (WH1) ink.In other words, even in this pattern P13 (pattern "Replay B"), the fourth dot portion Dt4 and the first background forming layer 61a are formed adjacent to each other in the front-to-back direction.

[0181] Furthermore, in this symbol P13 (symbol "Replay B"), the third dot portion Dt3 formed with dots of blue (BU) ink is arranged in a second direction D2 at an angle θ2 (60 degrees in this embodiment) with respect to the short-side direction of the reel tape T1 (left-right direction in the figure). Furthermore, the fourth dot portion Dt4 formed with dots of light blue (WB) ink is arranged in a first direction D1 at an angle θ1 (30 degrees in this embodiment) with respect to the short-side direction of the reel tape T1 (left-right direction in the figure). Therefore, even when a player compares the symbol P12 (symbol "Replay A") and the symbol P13 (symbol "Replay B"), the dots are arranged in the same direction, and there is no difference in visibility in the areas where the dots are formed. This allows the player to recognize them as the same symbol, or in other words, prevents the player from mistaking them for different symbols.

[0182] (Details of the "Cherry" design) Next, details of the design P14 (design "cherry") will be explained using Fig. 10(a). As shown in Fig. 10(a), in the colored portion P14b of the design P14 (design "cherry"), as described above, the fruit portion is formed with red (RD) ink as the first paint, the gloss pattern Tk is formed with white 1 (WH1) and red (RD) ink as the third paint, the shadow pattern Kg is formed with red (RD) and black (BL) ink as the second paint, the leaf portion is formed with light blue (WB) and yellow (YL) ink, and the leaf shadow pattern is formed with gray (GR) ink. That is, similar to the above-mentioned design P11 (design "bell"), the light source is in the upper left direction in the drawing, and the design is expressed as having bright areas P14M in the shiny pattern of the fruit Tk and the part above the leaves, which indicate that the pattern is illuminated by the light of the light source, and dark areas P14D in the shadow pattern of the fruit Kg and the part below the leaves on the fruit, which indicate that the light of the light source is not shining on them. In a broad sense, the parts of the fruit other than the shiny pattern of the Tk, the shadow pattern of the Kg, and the shadow pattern of the leaves can also be called bright areas where light is shining on them, but in this specification they are defined as intermediate areas between the bright areas P14M and the dark areas P14D.

[0183] In the fruit area, except for the shiny Tk pattern, a solid layer of red (RD) ink is formed on the substrate 60 as a first solid portion. The shiny Tk pattern area is formed by printing a fifth dot portion Dt5 as a first halftone dot portion formed of red (RD) ink dots on the substrate 60. On the opposite side of the substrate 60 from the red (RD) ink dots, a first background forming layer 61a is formed solidly (applied without gaps) with white 1 (WH1) ink. Furthermore, a second background forming layer 61b is formed solidly (applied without gaps) with white 2 (WH2) ink. Therefore, the shiny Tk pattern area, in particular, forms an area ArM2 formed (expressed) by overlapping red (RD) ink dots on a solid white 1 (WH1) ink, thereby expressing a bright portion P14M illuminated by light from the light source.

[0184] The shadow Kg pattern area is formed by printing a sixth dot portion Dt6 as a second halftone dot portion formed with dots of black (BL) ink on the base material 60. A solid layer formed with red (RD) ink is printed on the opposite side of the base material 60 from the black (BL) ink dots. A first background forming layer 61a is formed solidly (applied without gaps) with white 1 (WH1) ink on the opposite side of the base material 60 from the solid red (RD) ink layer. Furthermore, a second background forming layer 61b is formed solidly (applied without gaps) with white 2 (WH2) ink on the opposite side of the base material 60 from the first background forming layer 61a formed with white 1 (WH1) ink. Therefore, in particular, the area of ​​this shadow Kg pattern forms an area ArD2 that is formed (expressed) by overlapping dots of black (BL) ink on a solid area of ​​red (RD) ink, thereby expressing the dark area P14D that is not exposed to light from the light source.

[0185] The leaf pattern area is formed by printing seventh dot portions Dt7 formed with dots of light blue (WB) ink on the base material 60. A solid layer formed with yellow (YL) ink is printed on the opposite side of the base material 60 from the light blue (WB) ink dots. This allows the green color of the leaves to be expressed by the light blue (WB) ink dots and the solid yellow (YL) ink. A first background forming layer 61a is formed with white 1 (WH1) ink in a solid state (applied without gaps) on the opposite side of the base material 60 from the solid yellow (YL) ink layer. Furthermore, a second background forming layer 61b is formed with white 2 (WH2) ink in a solid state (applied without gaps) on the opposite side of the base material 60 from the first background forming layer 61a with white 1 (WH1) ink.

[0186] The leaf shadow pattern area is formed by printing a solid layer of red (RD) ink on the substrate 60, and an eighth dot portion Dt8 formed by dots of gray (GR) ink is printed on the opposite side of the substrate 60 from the solid red (RD) ink. As a result, the gray (dark portion) of the leaf shadow is expressed by the solid red (RD) ink and the dots of gray (GR). Then, on the opposite side of the substrate 60 from the layer of gray (GR) ink dots, a first background forming layer 61a is formed by solid white 1 (WH1) ink (applied without gaps). Furthermore, on the opposite side of the substrate 60 from the first background forming layer 61a by white 1 (WH1) ink, a second background forming layer 61b is formed by solid white 2 (WH2) ink (applied without gaps). Therefore, in particular, the area of ​​the shadow pattern on this leaf is represented by a solid red (RD) ink with gray (GR) ink dots formed on it, creating a dark area P14D that is not illuminated by the light source.

[0187] In this design P14 (design "cherry"), the fifth dot portion Dt5 formed with dots of red (RD) ink, the seventh dot portion Dt7 formed with dots of light blue (WB) ink, and the eighth dot portion Dt8 formed with dots of gray (GR) ink are arranged in a first direction D1 at an angle θ1 (30 degrees in this embodiment) with respect to the short-side direction of the reel tape T1 (the left-right direction in the drawing). As a result, even if the seventh dot portion Dt7 and the eighth dot portion Dt8 are adjacent to each other, for example, if a misalignment occurs in at least one of the seventh dot portion Dt7 and the eighth dot portion Dt8 during printing, causing the light blue (WB) dots in the seventh dot portion Dt7 and the gray (GR) dots in the eighth dot portion Dt8 to overlap, moiré is prevented from occurring.

[0188] On the other hand, the sixth dot portion Dt6 formed with dots of black (BL) ink in the region of the shadow Kg pattern that is the dark portion P14D has dots arranged in the second direction D2 that is at an angle θ2 (60 degrees in this embodiment) with respect to the short direction of the reel tape T1 (the left-right direction in the drawing). That is, the fifth dot portion Dt5 formed with dots of red (RD) ink in the region of the shiny Tk pattern that is the light portion P14M described above has dots arranged in the first direction D1, and the sixth dot portion Dt6 formed with dots of black (BL) ink in the region of the shadow Kg pattern that is the dark portion P14D has dots arranged in the second direction D2 that is different from the first direction D1. This makes it possible to emphasize the difference between the light portion P14M and the dark portion P14D and improve the design.

[0189] In addition, between the shiny Tk pattern area and the shadow Kg pattern area (fruit part), that is, between the fifth dot part Dt5 formed with red (RD) ink dots and the sixth dot part Dt6 formed with black (BL) ink dots, a solid red (RD) ink is interposed, which effectively expresses the part where the light part P14M switches to the dark part P14D (intermediate part).

[0190] (Details of the "Watermelon" design) Next, details of the design P15 (design "watermelon") will be explained using Fig. 10(b). As shown in Fig. 10(b), in the colored portion P15b of the design P15 (design "watermelon") as the third specific design, as described above, the watermelon stripes and seeds are formed in black (BL) ink, the watermelon cross-section is formed in dark pink (PK1) ink, the green watermelon surface is formed in light blue (WB) and yellow (YL) ink, the heart is formed in light pink (PK3) ink, the heart shadow is formed in gray (GR) ink, and the watermelon cross-section skin pattern where the background H (a layer formed of two layers of white 1 (WH1) and white 2 (WH2)) is exposed is formed.

[0191] Of these, the areas of the watermelon stripe and seed patterns are formed so that they are solidly covered with black (BL) ink on the substrate 60. Also, the area of ​​the watermelon cross section pattern is formed by printing a ninth dot portion Dt9 as a third pattern halftone dot portion formed with dots of dark pink (PK1) ink on the substrate 60, and on the opposite side of the substrate 60 from the dots of dark pink (PK1) ink, a first background forming layer 61a is formed solidly (i.e., a solid layer) with white 1 (WH1) ink. Furthermore, on the opposite side of the substrate 60 from the first background forming layer 61a made with white 1 (WH1) ink, a second background forming layer 61b is formed solidly (applied without gaps) with white 2 (WH2) ink.

[0192] In addition, the pattern area on the surface of the watermelon is formed by printing a tenth dot portion Dt10 formed with dots of light blue (WB) ink on the base material 60, and on the opposite side of the base material 60 from the dots of light blue (WB) ink, a solid layer formed with yellow (YL) ink is printed as a solid layer.

[0193] The heart pattern area is formed by printing an 11th dot portion Dt11 formed with dots of light pink (PK3) ink, and a first background forming layer 61a is formed in a solid state (i.e., a solid layer) with white 1 (WH1) ink on the opposite side of the base material 60 from the dots of light pink (PK3) ink. Furthermore, a second background forming layer 61b is formed in a solid state (applied without gaps) with white 2 (WH2) ink on the opposite side of the base material 60 from the first background forming layer 61a with white 1 (WH1) ink.

[0194] In this design P15 (design "watermelon"), the ninth dot portion Dt9 formed with dots of dark pink (PK1) ink, the tenth dot portion Dt10 formed with dots of light blue (WB) ink, and the eleventh dot portion Dt11 formed with dots of light pink (PK3) ink are all arranged in a first direction D1 at an angle θ1 (30 degrees in this embodiment) with respect to the short-side direction of the reel tape T1 (the left-right direction in the drawing). As a result, even if the tenth dot portion Dt10 and the eleventh dot portion Dt11 are adjacent to each other, for example, if a misalignment occurs between at least one of the tenth dot portion Dt10 and the eleventh dot portion Dt11 during printing, causing the light blue (WB) dots in the tenth dot portion Dt10 and the light pink (PK3) dots in the eleventh dot portion Dt11 to overlap, moiré is prevented from occurring.

[0195] (Details of the design "Blank") Next, details of design P19 (design "blank") will be explained using Figure 11. As shown in Figure 11, in the colored portion P19b of design P19 (design "blank"), as described above, the outer diamond pattern, inner diamond pattern, and cross pattern are formed with solid brown (BW) ink, and the area between the outer diamond pattern and the inner diamond pattern, and the area inside the inner diamond pattern are formed with brown (BW) ink dots (light brown (BWD)). That is, in design P19 (design "blank"), the colored portion P19b is formed only with the same brown (BW) ink.

[0196] Of these, the areas of the outer diamond pattern, the inner diamond pattern, and the cross pattern are formed so that brown (BW) ink is applied solidly to the substrate 60. Furthermore, the areas between the outer diamond pattern and the inner diamond pattern, and the area inside the inner diamond pattern, are formed by printing twelfth dot portions Dt12 formed with brown (BW) ink dots and in a light brown (BWD) color on the substrate 60, and on the opposite side of the substrate 60 from the brown (BW) ink dots, a first background forming layer 61a is formed solidly (i.e., a solid layer) with white 1 (WH1) ink. Furthermore, on the back side of the first background forming layer 61a, a second background forming layer 61b is formed solidly (applied without gaps) with white 2 (WH2) ink.

[0197] In addition, the brown (BW) ink dots (light brown (BWD)) in the 12th dot section Dt12 in the design P19 (design "blank") are formed in the same way as the brown (BW) dots in the second dot section Dt2 in the design P11 (design "bell"); in other words, the dots in the 12th dot section Dt12 and the second dot section Dt2 are the same color and the dots are arranged in the same direction.

[0198] [Summary of the second embodiment] As described above, the pattern P11 on the reel tapes T1 to T3 according to the second embodiment is formed using a plurality of paints, including pink (PK2) paint (ink) and black (BL) paint (ink). The pink (PK2) paint forms first dot portions Dt1 formed with dots, and the black (BL) paint forms second dot portions Dt2 formed with dots. The first dot portions Dt1 and the second dot portions Dt2 overlap to form a moiré pattern, which is a shadow Kg. The presence of the shadow Kg region ArM formed with moiré prevents the pattern P11 from appearing shiny with a solid black pattern or flat with simple black dots, improving the design of the pattern P11, and thus the design of the reel tape T1.

[0199] In particular, the pattern P11 has light portions P11M that indicate areas where light is hitting and dark portions P11D that indicate areas where light is not hitting, and the dark portions P11D have shadows Kg that are areas ArM where moire is formed by overlapping first dot portions Dt1 and second dot portions Dt2. In other words, the light portions P11M have an area expressed in solid yellow (YL), and the dark portions P11D have first dot portions Dt1 that are expressed by overlapping dots of pink (PK2) ink on solid yellow (YL), and second dot portions Dt2 that are expressed by overlapping dots of pink (PK2) ink and dots of black (BL) ink on solid yellow (YL). In this way, in the pattern P11, which is given a visual three-dimensional effect by the light areas P11M and dark areas P11D, the dark areas P11D have areas of shadow Kg ArM formed by moire, so that the pattern P11 is not formed, for example, as a solid black color that would make it shiny, or as a simple black dot that would make it flat, thereby improving the design of the pattern P11, and therefore the design of the reel tape T1.

[0200] In addition, in the design P14, the sixth dot portion Dt6 formed with black (BL) ink dots in the shadow Kg pattern area, which is the dark portion P14D, has dots arranged in the second direction D2, and the fifth dot portion Dt5 formed with red (RD) ink dots in the shiny Tk pattern area, which is the light portion P14M, has dots arranged in the first direction D1. In other words, the black (BL) ink dots in the shadow Kg pattern area, which is the dark portion P14D, are arranged in a different direction from the red (RD) ink dots in the shiny Tk pattern area, which makes it possible to create a clear distinction between the light portion P14M and the dark portion P14D, thereby improving the design.

[0201] Furthermore, in the design P14, between the shiny Tk pattern area and the shadow Kg pattern area (the fruit part), that is, between the fifth dot part Dt5 formed with red (RD) ink dots and the sixth dot part Dt6 formed with black (BL) ink dots, a solid red (RD) ink is interposed, thereby effectively expressing the part where the light part P14M switches to the dark part P14D (the intermediate part).

[0202] In addition, in the design P12, by differentiating the arrangement direction of the blue (BU) ink dots in the third dot portion Dt3 from the arrangement direction of the water color (WB) ink dots in the fourth dot portion Dt4, the difference between the light portion P12M and the dark portion P12D can be made more distinct, improving the design. Furthermore, the edges of the third dot portion Dt3 and the fourth dot portion Dt4 are expressed as touching each other, thereby forming a boundary line BD between the light portion P12M and the dark portion P12D, effectively expressing the area where the light portion P12M and the dark portion P12D change suddenly.

[0203] Furthermore, the first background forming layer 61a formed with a solid white 1 (WH1) ink is formed adjacent to the fourth dot portion Dt4 in the colored portion P12b of the pattern P12 (pattern "Replay A") and the dots of the background pattern Hm in the front-to-back direction, which makes it possible to express halftones, gradations, etc., while the first background forming layer 61a formed with a solid ink can prevent the fourth dot portion Dt4 and the dots of the background pattern Hm from overlapping with other dots and causing moire, thereby improving the design of the reel tape.

[0204] Furthermore, since the fourth dot portion Dt4 and the dots of the background pattern Hm are arranged in the same direction, the first direction D1, there is no difference in visibility, which improves the design of the reel tape T1.

[0205] Furthermore, the fourth dot portion Dt4 of light blue (WB) adjacent to the solid first background forming layer 61a on the back side as the first pattern halftone dot portion of the pattern P12 (pattern "Replay A"), and the fourth dot portion Dt4 of blue (BU) adjacent to the solid light blue (WB) on the back side as the second pattern halftone dot portion of the pattern P13 (pattern "Replay B") are arranged in the same direction, the first direction D1, so that no moire or the like occurs between them, and therefore there is no difference in visibility between the pattern P12 (pattern "Replay A") and the pattern P13 (pattern "Replay B"), and the player can recognize them as the same pattern, thereby improving the design of the reel tape T1.

[0206] The fourth dot portion Dt4, which serves as the first pattern halftone dot portion of the pattern P12 (pattern "Replay A") and is adjacent to the solid first background forming layer 61a on its back side, is formed with light blue (WB) ink, which is the first paint; the dots of the background pattern Hm, which serves as the background halftone dot portion and is adjacent to the solid first background forming layer 61a on its back side, are formed with very light pink (PK4) ink, which is the second paint; and the ninth dot portion Dt9, which serves as the third pattern halftone dot portion of the pattern P15 (pattern "Watermelon") and is adjacent to the solid first background forming layer 61a on its back side, is formed with dark pink (PK1) ink, which is the third paint.Thus, while it is possible to express halftones, gradations, etc. using a plurality of different colors, moire and the like does not occur in particular, thereby improving the design of the reel tape.

[0207] [Modification of the second embodiment] In the second embodiment, for example, the fourth dot portion Dt4, the dots of the background pattern Hm, the ninth dot portion Dt9, etc. are formed on the front side of the solid first background forming layer 61a and the light blue (WB) layer, but this is not limiting, and dots may be formed on the back side of a solid layer. Furthermore, even if printing is performed in the order of dot layer, solid layer, and dot layer, dots can be prevented from directly overlapping each other, thereby reducing the occurrence of moire.

[0208] Furthermore, in this second embodiment, the dots of each color are arranged in the first direction, except for the brown (BW) dots in the shadow Kg part of the pattern P11 (pattern "bell"), but this is not limited to this, and the dots may be formed so as to be arranged at different angles, especially when the areas do not overlap.

[0209] For example, in the pattern P12 (pattern "Replay A") and the pattern P13 (pattern "Replay B"), the dots in the third dot section Dt3 (blue (BU) dots) and the dots in the fourth dot section Dt4 (light blue (WB) dots) may be arranged at the same angle.

[0210] Similarly, for example, in the design P15 (design "watermelon"), two or three of the dots in the 9th dot section Dt9 (dark pink (PK1) dots), the dots in the 10th dot section Dt10 (light blue (WB) dots), and the dots in the 11th dot section Dt11 (light pink (PK3) dots) may be arranged at different angles. This gives the design a three-dimensional feel and improves the design of the reel tape.

[0211] In the second embodiment, the moiré pattern is generated by arranging the pink (PK2) ink dots in the first dot portion Dt1 in the first direction D1 and the brown (BW) ink dots in the second dot portion Dt2 in the second direction D2 at a different angle to the first direction D1 in the shadow Kg area ArM. However, this is not limiting, and these dots may be arranged in the same direction. Even if two types of dots are arranged in the same direction, it is also possible to generate moiré by, for example, making the spacing between dots of one ink different from the spacing between dots of the other ink.

[0212] Furthermore, in the second embodiment described above, the pink (PK2) ink dots and the brown (BW) ink dots are arranged in different directions, but this is not limited to this, and all ink dots may be aligned in the same direction (for example, 30 degrees, 45 degrees, or 60 degrees relative to the short direction of the reel tape T1).

[0213] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the pink (PK2) ink dots are inclined at 30 degrees relative to the short-edge direction of the reel tape T1, and the brown (BW) ink dots are inclined at 60 degrees relative to the short-edge direction of the reel tape T1. However, these angles may be any. However, if the ink dots are arranged at 0 degrees or 90 degrees relative to the short-edge direction of the reel tape T1, they may overlap with the angle at which the liquid crystal elements of the display device 410, which is a transmissive liquid crystal display facing the reels R1 to R3, are arranged. In this case, the dots printed on the reel tapes T1 to T3 may interfere with the liquid crystal elements, impairing visibility. Therefore, the visibility of the reel tapes T1 to T3 can be improved by arranging the ink dots of each color at different angles relative to the short-edge direction of the reel tape T1, 0 degrees (horizontal) or 90 degrees (vertical, reel rotation direction).

[0214] Furthermore, in this second embodiment, examples of solid layers have been described as the first background forming layer 61a in the background H, the solid yellow (YL) ink in the entire area of ​​the colored portion P11b in the specific design, and the solid light blue (WB) ink in the first area ArT1 in the specific design, but this is not limited to these, and it is sufficient that at least one solid layer is formed adjacent to the layer that will become the dots in the front-to-back direction, that is, it is sufficient that at least one of the printing layers is printed as a solid layer using multiple inks and is arranged adjacent to the dots.

[0215] Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment, which is a partial modification of the second embodiment, will be described with reference to Figures 15 and 16. Figure 15 is a diagram showing the background pattern in one section according to the third embodiment, and Figure 16 is a diagram showing a cross section of the reel tape in the Replay A symbol according to the third embodiment. In the description of this third embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for parts similar to those in the first and second embodiments, and their description will be omitted.

[0216] In the second embodiment described above, the background pattern Hm of the background H having the pattern shape Hmk1 and the pattern shape Hmk2 was formed by changing the color density (changing the dot area ratio) when printing the background pattern forming layer 61m with very light pink (PK4) ink. However, in the third embodiment, the pattern shape Hmk11 and the pattern shape Hmk21 are formed in the areas where the second background forming layer 61b is not printed, thereby forming the background pattern Hm.

[0217] 15 and 16, the background forming layer 61 has a first background forming layer 61a as a second forming layer printed on the back surface of the base material 60 as the first layer of the background H, and a second background forming layer 61b as a first forming layer printed on the opposite side of the base material 60 with the first background forming layer 61a in between. In the third embodiment, the first background forming layer 61a is formed of a layer of white 1 (WH1) ink, and the second background forming layer 61b is formed of a layer of white 2 (WH2) ink. Then, as shown in FIG. 16, the second background forming layer 61b is not printed, so that the pattern shape Hmk11 and the pattern shape Hmk21 are formed.

[0218] In the background pattern Hm thus formed, when the reel tapes T1 to T3 are illuminated by the reel backlight BLi, the pattern shapes Hmk11 and Hmk21, which are not printed with the second background forming layer 61b, are highly translucent and appear bright, while the other parts, which are printed with the first background forming layer 61a and the second background forming layer 61b, appear relatively darker than the pattern shapes Hmk11 and Hmk21. As a result, the background pattern Hm is configured such that the pattern shapes Hmk11 and Hmk21 stand out, as shown in FIG.

[0219] [Summary of the third embodiment] As described above, in the reel tapes T1 to T3 of this third embodiment, a background pattern Hm having pattern shapes Hmk11 and Hmk21 is formed on the background H, and since the pattern shapes Hmk11 and Hmk21 are formed by not printing the second background forming layer 61b, the translucency of the pattern shapes Hmk11 and Hmk21 is increased and they are displayed brightly, which adds to the design and improves the design of the reel tape.

[0220] [Modification of the third embodiment] In the third embodiment, the first background forming layer 61a serving as the second forming layer is printed on the substrate 60, and the second background forming layer 61b serving as the first forming layer is printed on the opposite side of the substrate 60, with the first background forming layer 61a sandwiched between them. However, the opposite may be true: the second background forming layer 61b serving as the first forming layer is printed on the substrate 60, and the first background forming layer 61a serving as the second forming layer is printed on the opposite side of the substrate 60, with the second background forming layer 61b sandwiched between them. In other words, the background forming layer 61 is formed of two layers, the first background forming layer 61a and the second background forming layer 61b, and a pattern shape may be formed by providing an unprinted portion in the first layer closer to the substrate 60. For example, if a background pattern is formed in the second layer, the edges of the background pattern may curl up, potentially causing the background forming layer to peel off. However, if a background pattern is formed on the first layer, the second layer will be printed on the back side of that, so the second layer can be printed to cover the parts that are not printed as a pattern shape, and the edges of the background pattern on the first layer will not be exposed, reducing the possibility of peeling off of the background forming layer as described above.

[0221] Furthermore, in the third embodiment, the background forming layer 61 is described as being formed of two layers, the first background forming layer 61a and the second background forming layer 61b. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first background forming layer 61a, the second background forming layer 61b, and the third background forming layer may be printed. In other words, the background forming layer 61 may be formed of three or more layers. In particular, when the background forming layer 61 is three layers, it is possible to form a pattern shape by leaving one or two of the layers unprinted. Furthermore, for example, when the background forming layer 61 is three layers and a pattern shape is formed by leaving two layers unprinted, it is possible to form the pattern shape of one of the layers slightly larger than the pattern shape of the other layers, thereby forming a so-called relief in the outline portion. This prevents the pattern shape from being unintentionally reduced in size or changed in shape even if misalignment occurs during printing of the layers. Furthermore, even when forming a pattern shape in two or one of the three layers in this manner, by forming the pattern shape in the first or second layer closest to the substrate 60 and covering the pattern shape with the second and third layers, or with only the third layer, the possibility of peeling of the background forming layer can be reduced, as described above.

[0222] In addition, in the third embodiment, the pattern shapes Hmk11 and Hmk21 are described as being square or diamond-shaped, but are not limited to these and may be any shape. In particular, the pattern shapes may be characters (kanji, hiragana, katakana, roman letters, numbers, symbols, etc.) to include the model name or copyright name of the gaming machine, or numbers to distinguish the reel tapes T1 to T3.

[0223] <Fourth embodiment> Next, a fourth embodiment, which is a partial modification of the second embodiment, will be described with reference to Fig. 17. Fig. 17(a) is a diagram showing the background pattern in one section when the backlight is off according to the fourth embodiment, and Fig. 17(b) is a diagram showing the background pattern in one section when the backlight is on according to the fourth embodiment. In the description of the fourth embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for parts similar to those in the first and second embodiments, and their description will be omitted.

[0224] In the second embodiment described above, the background pattern Hm of the background H is formed in a gradation such that the pattern end Hmed is the darkest shade of extremely light pink (PK4), and the pattern forming portion Hmmn gradually changes in a continuous or stepwise manner until the shade of extremely light pink (PK4) disappears all the way to the background center HC. However, in the fourth embodiment, the pattern forming portion Hmmn is formed so that it becomes lighter than the pattern end Hmed, that is, so that it has two levels of tone.

[0225] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 17(a), the pattern end Hmed of the background pattern Hm of the background H is formed within a range of distance d1 inward from the right end T1c of the reel tape T1 in the short-side direction X, and within a range of distance d1 inward from the left end T1d of the reel tape T1 in the short-side direction X. This pattern end Hmed is formed, for example, with dots of very light pink (PK4) ink, and is formed with a density of approximately 70% of the area ratio of the mesh of a silk-screen printing plate. The distance d1 of this pattern end Hmed is approximately 10 mm, which is greater than the 4 mm distance b of the adhesive region and greater than the 5 mm distance a between the end support surface 21a of the first rim portion 21 and the end support surface 22a of the second rim portion 22 of the reel frame FR1. In other words, the pattern end Hmed forms an overlapping region ArA that overlaps the first rim portion 21 and the second rim portion 22 of the reel frame FR1.

[0226] Furthermore, in the background pattern Hm of the background H, the pattern-forming portion Hmmn is formed within a range of a distance d2 inward from each of the pattern end portions Hmed at both ends of the reel tape T1. The distance d2 of this pattern-forming portion Hmmn is approximately 14 mm. In this embodiment, the distance d2 of the pattern-forming portion Hmmn is set so that it overlaps with the symbols P11 to P20. However, as in the second embodiment, the distance d2 of the pattern-forming portion Hmmn may be set so that it does not overlap with the symbols P11 (the "bell" symbol), P12 (the "replay A" symbol), P13 (the "replay B" symbol), P14 (the "cherry" symbol), and P15 (the "watermelon" symbol) among the symbols P11 to P20 (see FIG. 8). In other words, the pattern-forming portion Hmmn forms a non-overlapping area ArB that does not overlap with the first rim portion 21 and the second rim portion 22 of the reel frame FR1. Therefore, in the pattern forming portion Hmmn, the boundary between the overlapping area ArA that overlaps with the first rim portion 21 and the second rim portion 22 of the reel frame FR1 and the non-overlapping area ArB that does not overlap is located at a distance a inward from the right end T1c or the left end T1d in the short direction X of the reel tape T1, and can be represented by the boundary line LnB.

[0227] The background pattern Hm of the background H configured in this manner, excluding the pattern shapes Hmk1 and Hmk2, is roughly formed to have two levels of tone from both ends of the reel tape T1 by the pattern end Hmed and the pattern forming portion Hmmn.

[0228] As described above, the pattern shape Hmk1 and the pattern shape Hmk2 are formed in the background pattern Hm of the background H. The pattern shape Hmk1 and the pattern shape Hmk2 are arranged at positions that are more than a distance a inward from the right end T1c or the left end T1d in the short direction X of the reel tape T1. Therefore, the pattern shape Hmk1 and the pattern shape Hmk2 are formed so as not to overlap the boundary line LnB; in other words, the pattern shape Hmk1 and the pattern shape Hmk2 are not formed on the boundary line LnB.

[0229] Incidentally, the reel backlights BLi may be switched on and off depending on the progress of the game to produce an effect. Specifically, they must be turned on while the reels R1 to R3 are spinning, but can be turned off after the reels R1 to R3 have stopped spinning. In particular, it is conceivable to produce a backlight-off effect during a freeze effect, a simulated game, etc.

[0230] Therefore, in the reel tape T1 of the fourth embodiment, when the reel backlight BLi is turned on, the shadows of the first rim portion 21 and the second rim portion 22 of the reel frame FR1 appear on the pattern end Hmed, as shown in Fig. 17(b), and the pattern end Hmed is displayed in two tones. In other words, together with the pattern forming portion Hmmn, both ends of the reel tape T1 are displayed in three tones. Also, when the reel backlight BLi is turned off, both ends of the reel tape T1 are displayed in two tones, as shown in Fig. 17(a).

[0231] When the reel backlight BLi is lit in this manner, a boundary line LnB appears in the pattern forming portion Hmmn, which is the boundary between the overlapping area ArA that overlaps the first rim portion 21 and the second rim portion 22 of the reel frame FR1 and the non-overlapping area ArB that does not overlap. However, since this boundary line LnB does not overlap the pattern shape Hmk1 or the pattern shape Hmk2, it does not affect the visibility of the pattern shape Hmk1 or the pattern shape Hmk2.

[0232] [Summary of the Fourth Embodiment] As described above, in the reel tapes T1 to T3 of this fourth embodiment, the background H has an overlapping area ArA that overlaps with the first rim portion 21 and the second rim portion 22 of the reel frame FR1, and a non-overlapping area ArB that does not overlap with the first rim portion 21 and the second rim portion 22, and since the pattern shapes Hmk1 and Hmk2 are not formed on the boundary line LnB between the overlapping area ArA and the non-overlapping area ArB, the visibility of the pattern shapes Hmk1 and Hmk2 is not affected, thereby improving the design of the reel tape.

[0233] [Modification of the fourth embodiment] In this fourth embodiment, an example has been described in which the pattern shapes Hmk1 and Hmk2 are formed mainly on the pattern forming portion Hmmn, but this is not limited to this, and the pattern shapes may also be formed on the pattern end portion Hmed, that is, as long as the pattern shapes are not formed on the boundary line LnB, and in particular, the pattern shapes may be formed in the overlapping area ArA that overlaps with the first rim portion 21 and the second rim portion 22.

[0234] Furthermore, in the fourth embodiment, the pattern forming portion Hmmn is described as being halftone, but this is not limiting, and the pattern forming portion Hmmn may be a gradation as in the second embodiment.

[0235] Furthermore, in this fourth embodiment, the pattern forming portion Hmmn is described as being lighter in color than the pattern end portion Hmed (the dot density (area ratio) is smaller), but this is not limited to this, and the pattern forming portion Hmmn may also be darker in color than the pattern end portion Hmed.

[0236] <Possibilities for other embodiments> In the first to fourth embodiments, the first background forming layer 61a and the second background forming layer 61b are described as being formed of the same paint (for example, white 1 (WH1) and white 2 (WH2)), but this is not limited to this, and paints of similar colors may be used, and further, in particular, the second background forming layer 61b may be a light-blocking layer (a backing layer, a so-called silver backing) formed of a paint that blocks light (for example, a paint of black, dark gray, navy blue, etc.).

[0237] Furthermore, in the first to fourth embodiments, the background H is described as having a background color formed by the white paint of the first background forming layer 61A, but this is not limited to this and the background color may be any color, and a white-based background color is particularly preferable, and it may also be one that contains, for example, a lustrous pigment.

[0238] In the first to fourth embodiments, the edges of each design are described as being formed with a low-brightness paint (black (BL) ink), but this is not limiting. Any low-brightness paint, such as dark gray or dark blue, may be used. However, it is particularly preferable to use paint of similar colors for each design. Note that similar colors include not only the same color but also similar colors, such as magenta for red, cyan for blue, gray for black, etc. Specifically, similar colors are colors that have a color difference (ΔE * ab) is a color with a small color difference, preferably a color with a color difference of less than 10, more preferably less than 5.0. * ab is ΔE * ab=√((ΔL * ) 2 +(Δa * ) 2 +(Δb * ) 2 ) and the larger the value, the greater the difference in color when viewed visually.

[0239] Furthermore, in the second to fourth embodiments, each of the symbols P11 to P20 is described as having no light-transmitting portion formed as a crinkle with only a transparent paint that transmits the light of the reel backlight BLi, but this is not limiting, and for example, a light-transmitting portion may be formed in a star symbol, a shiny portion, etc., so that a portion of the symbol shines relatively brightly. In this case, it is preferable to form a crinkle on the back surface of the light-transmitting portion so that the light of the reel backlight BLi does not shine as a spotlight due to the light-transmitting portion.

[0240] Furthermore, in the first to fourth embodiments, the slot machine 1 has been described as a so-called full-screen LCD machine having the display device 410, which is a liquid crystal display, covering the specific area 410b, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the display device 410 may be disposed in a location other than the specific area 410b. Even in this case, by adding a transparent paint to the background H of the reel tapes T1 to T3 to make it easier for the illumination of the reel backlight BLi to pass through, the reels R1 to R3 can be brightened, and together with the ease of viewing the symbols, the appearance can be improved.

[0241] Furthermore, in the first to fourth 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, but this is not limited to this, and reels R1 to R3 may be positioned in any order, and there is also reel R4 (the fourth reel) in addition to reels R1 to R3, and it may be positioned in any position.

[0242] In the first to fourth embodiments, the background pattern Hm is described as a unit of 20 areas (20 frames) arranged consecutively in the longitudinal direction Y, with each unit being one of the 20 areas (20 frames). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the background pattern may be, for example, a unit of 20 divided areas (20 frames) arranged consecutively. Specifically, for example, the length of the 20-frame area divided by "5" (i.e., the background pattern is four frames long). The length of a 20-frame area divided by "4" (i.e., the background pattern is 5 frames long), the length of a 20-frame area divided by "2" (i.e., the background pattern is 10 frames long), the length of a 21-frame area divided by "7" (i.e., the background pattern is 3 frames long), the length of a 21-frame area divided by "3" (i.e., the background pattern is 7 frames long), the length of a 16-frame area divided by "4" (i.e., the background pattern is 4 frames long), etc. In other words, as long as it is divided so that it is divisible by the number of patterns to be placed on the reel tape, one pattern of the background pattern Hm can be of any length. [Explanation of symbols]

[0243] 1...Slot machine (amusement machine) ArD1…area ArM…Area ArM1…area BL...Black ink (second paint) Dt1: First dot area (first halftone dot area) Dt2: Second dot area (second halftone dot area) P11~P20...Design P11...Pattern (specific pattern) P11D…Dark part P11M…Akube PK2...Pink ink (first paint) R1~R3...Reel T1~T3...Reel tape YL...Yellow ink (third paint)

Claims

[Claim 1] A reel having a reel tape on which a plurality of patterns are arranged, The plurality of designs include a specific design, The specific design is formed using a plurality of paints, the plurality of paints include a first paint, a second paint, and a third paint, The first paint has a lower brightness than the third paint, The second paint has a lower brightness than the first paint, The third paint forms a solid portion formed of a solid color, the first paint forms a first halftone dot portion formed of halftone dots, the second paint forms a second halftone dot portion formed of halftone dots, The specific pattern has a light part indicating that light is hitting it and a dark part indicating that light is not hitting it compared to the light part, the bright portion has an area represented by the solid portion, The dark area has an area expressed by overlapping the solid area and the first halftone dot area, and an area expressed as a moire pattern by overlapping the solid area, the first halftone dot area, and the second halftone dot area.

Images