gaming machines

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of suitably increasing a degree of attention to a game.SOLUTION: A diffusion lens 425 for a backside lower part has plural first recessed parts formed by a leftward diffusion part 425a, a front direction diffusion part 425b, and a rightward diffusion part 425c at least by the width of an emission surface of an LED 424 for a backside lower part. Accordingly, light applied from the first LED 424 for a backside lower part is diffused by optical paths in three directions within a backside light guide plate 420 by plural recessed parts of the diffusion lens 425 for a backside lower part. Since the diffusion part 425a for a leftward direction, the diffusion part 425b for a front direction, and the diffusion part 425c for a rightward direction are configured to have the same side length each, width of optical paths of light to be diffused is also configured to be identical.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, a lottery for winning or the like is conducted based on the establishment of a predetermined starting condition, and for example, when a winning is won, a predetermined game is given to the player in accordance with the establishment of a predetermined winning condition. value of Grantable There are gaming machines.

[0003] This gaming machine has a display unit that can change the patterns visible from the front of the gaming machine, a single color or a color that can change the light emission color, Light-emitting part etc. Direction The above means are provided according to the progress of the game. Direction By changing the display mode of the means, the presentation effect during the game is enhanced (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-126296 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] For such gaming machines, in order to increase the enjoyment of the game, Direction It is necessary to increase the attention to the game by improving the presentation effect of the means, and there is still room for improvement in this regard.

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

[0007] In order to achieve this object, the gaming machine described in claim 1 comprises a first presentation means for performing a first presentation by irradiating light from at least a predetermined direction as the game progresses, a second presentation means provided on the predetermined side of the first presentation means for performing a second presentation by emitting light, which is different from the first presentation, as the game progresses, a first presentation reduction means for reducing the presentation range of the first presentation for a predetermined period during the execution of the second presentation when the second presentation means starts to execute the second presentation while the first presentation means is executing the first presentation, and a reduction cancellation means for canceling the reduction of the presentation range of the first presentation by the first presentation reduction means after the end of the predetermined period, and is configured so that the execution contents of the first presentation and the execution contents of the second presentation can be separately selected by lottery. 、 The amount of light of the first effect being displayed may be reduced. When the second performance is started, the amount of light of the first performance can be reduced. . [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the gaming machine of claim 1, the gaming machine is provided with a first performance means for performing a first performance by irradiating light from at least a predetermined direction as the game progresses, a second performance means provided on the predetermined side of the first performance means for performing a second performance by emitting light, which is different from the first performance, as the game progresses, a first performance reduction means for reducing the performance range of the first performance during a predetermined period during which the second performance is being performed when the second performance means starts to perform the second performance while the first performance means is performing the first performance, and a reduction cancellation means for canceling the reduction in the performance range of the first performance by the first performance reduction means after the end of the predetermined period, and is configured so that the execution content of the first performance and the execution content of the second performance can be separately selected by lottery. 、 The amount of light of the first effect being displayed may be reduced. When the second performance is started, the amount of light of the first performance can be reduced. This has the effect of favorably increasing the level of attention to the game. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the pachinko machine. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a front view of the game board of a pachinko machine. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an arrangement of symbols arranged on each reel of a drum display device. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the light guide unit. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the front side of the light guide unit. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the rear side of the light guide unit. [Figure 10] 8 is a diagram showing the positional relationship of the drum display device 81 and the positional relationship of the confirmation lamp and the display area forming member with respect to the schematic side cross-sectional view of the light guide unit 400 taken along the line XX in FIG. 7. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a front light guide plate and a rear light guide plate. [Figure 12] 10 is a schematic front view showing the positional relationship between the first decorative pattern group that can be lit and displayed on the rear light guide plate, and the rear upper LEDs of the rear upper LED unit and the rear lower LEDs of the lower LED unit. FIG. [Figure 13] 13 is a schematic enlarged view of part A in FIG. 12, and is a schematic front view showing the relationship between the rear downward diffusion lens formed on the lower end surface of the rear light guide plate and the rear downward LED of the lower LED unit. [Figure 14] 14 is a schematic enlarged view of part B in FIG. 13, showing the optical path of light through the rear downward diffusion lens. FIG. [Figure 15]Figures showing the lighting mode of the first decorative pattern group displayed on the rear light guide plate, where (a) is a schematic diagram showing the lighting mode of the first decorative pattern group when the rear upper LEDs and rear lower LEDs corresponding to the right area of ​​the rear light guide plate are lit, and (b) is a schematic diagram showing the lighting mode of the first decorative pattern group when the rear upper LEDs and rear lower LEDs corresponding to the central area of ​​the rear light guide plate are additionally lit from the state of (a). [Figure 16] 15(a) is a diagram showing the lighting mode of the first decorative pattern group displayed on the rear light guide plate, where (a) is a diagram showing a schematic view of the lighting mode of the first decorative pattern group when the rear upper LEDs and rear lower LEDs corresponding to the left region of the rear light guide plate are additionally turned on from the state of FIG. 15(b), and (b) is a diagram showing a schematic view of the lighting mode of the first decorative pattern group when the rear upper LEDs and rear lower LEDs corresponding to the right region of the rear light guide plate are turned off from the state of (a). [Figure 17] Figures showing the lighting state of the first decorative pattern group that is lit and displayed on the rear light guide plate when the confirmation lamp is lit, where (a) is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the lighting state of the first decorative pattern group when the confirmation lamp is not lit and the rear upper LED and rear lower LED corresponding to the right region of the rear light guide plate are lit, and (b) is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the lighting state of the first decorative pattern group when, from the state of (a), the confirmation lamp is lit and the rear lower LED corresponding to the central region of the rear light guide plate is additionally lit, while the rear upper LED corresponding to the central region and right region of the rear light guide plate is turned off. [Figure 18]17(b) is a diagram showing the lighting mode of the first decorative pattern group that is lit on the rear light guide plate when the confirmation lamp 311 is turned on, where (a) is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the lighting mode of the first decorative pattern group when, from the state of FIG. 17(b), the confirmation lamp 311 continues to be lit and the rear lower LEDs corresponding to the left region of the rear light guide plate are additionally turned on, while the rear upper LEDs corresponding to the left region, central region, and right region of the rear light guide plate are turned off; and (b) is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the lighting mode of the first decorative pattern group when, from the state of (a), the confirmation lamp is turned off and the rear upper LEDs corresponding to the left region and central region of the rear light guide plate are additionally turned on, while the rear upper LEDs and rear lower LEDs corresponding to the right region of the rear light guide plate are turned off. [Figure 19] A schematic front view showing the relationship between the second decorative pattern group, the third decorative pattern group and the fourth decorative pattern group that can be lit and displayed on the front light guide plate, and the front lower LED unit, the front right LED unit and the front left LED unit. [Figure 20] FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating the optical path of light through each condenser lens. [Figure 21] (a) is a diagram showing the uneven shape forming the second decorative pattern group of the front light guide plate and the direction of light in which the second decorative pattern group can be lit up and displayed, and (b) is a diagram showing the uneven shape forming the fourth decorative pattern group of the front light guide plate and the direction of light in which the fourth decorative pattern group can be lit up and displayed. [Figure 22] Figures showing the lighting patterns of the second decorative pattern group, the third decorative pattern and the fourth decorative pattern group that are lit and displayed on the front light guide plate, where (a) is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the lighting pattern of the fourth decorative pattern group when the front right LED and the front left LED are lit relative to the front light guide plate, and (b) is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the lighting pattern of the second decorative pattern group when the front lower LEDs on the right and left ends of the front light guide plate are lit. [Figure 23]Figures showing the lighting patterns of the second decorative pattern group, the third decorative pattern and the fourth decorative pattern group that are lit and displayed on the front light guide plate, where (a) is a schematic diagram showing the lighting pattern of the third decorative pattern when the front lower LED in the center part of the front light guide plate is lit, and (b) is a schematic diagram showing the lighting pattern of the second decorative pattern group and the third decorative pattern when all the front lower LEDs on the front light guide plate are lit. [Figure 24] These are diagrams showing the effects produced by the front light guide plate, rear light guide plate, and drum display device, where (a) is a diagram schematically showing the unlit state of the first decorative pattern group, the second decorative pattern group, the third decorative pattern, and the fourth decorative pattern group, and (b) is a diagram schematically showing the unlit state of the first decorative pattern group, the second decorative pattern group, and the third decorative pattern while the fourth decorative pattern group is lit. [Figure 25] These are diagrams showing the effects performed by the front light guide plate, rear light guide plate, and drum display device, where (a) is a diagram schematically showing the second decorative pattern group and the third decorative pattern in a lit state while the first decorative pattern group and the fourth decorative pattern group in a non-lit state, and (b) is a diagram schematically showing the first decorative pattern group in a lit state while the second decorative pattern group, the third decorative pattern, and the fourth decorative pattern group in a non-lit state. [Figure 26] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine. [Figure 27] This is a diagram showing the configuration of various counters, each reserved ball storage area, and reserved ball execution area. [Figure 28] 10A is a diagram showing an example of a jackpot random number table, and FIG. 10B is a diagram showing an example of a jackpot type table. [Figure 29] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a reservation number table. [Figure 30] (a) is a diagram showing a schematic example of table A of the stop pattern table, (b) is a diagram showing a schematic example of table B of the stop pattern table, and (c) is a diagram showing a schematic example of table C of the stop pattern table. [Figure 31]A diagram showing a schematic example of a variation pattern table for misses. [Figure 32] This is a diagram showing a schematic example of a fluctuation pattern table for a jackpot. [Figure 33] 2 is a block diagram mainly showing the electrical configuration of the voice lamp control device. FIG. [Figure 34] FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a light guide plate lighting pattern table. [Figure 35] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a confirmation lamp lighting pattern table. [Figure 36] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of each of the retained information storage areas and the execution information storage area. [Figure 37] 10 is a flowchart showing the startup process executed by the MPU in the main control device. [Figure 38] 10 is a flowchart showing a setting change process executed by an MPU in the main control device. [Figure 39] 4 is a flowchart showing main processing executed by an MPU in the main control device. [Figure 40] 10 is a flowchart showing a timer interrupt process executed by an MPU in the main control device. [Figure 41] This is a flowchart showing the start-up winning process executed by the MPU in the main control unit. [Figure 42] This is a flowchart showing the special chart change processing executed by the MPU in the main control unit. [Figure 43] 10 is a flowchart showing the fluctuation start processing executed by the MPU in the main control device. [Figure 44] 10 is a flowchart showing an NMI interrupt process executed by an MPU in the main control device. [Figure 45] 10 is a flowchart showing the startup process executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device. [Figure 46] 10 is a flowchart showing the main processing executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device. [Figure 47]10 is a flowchart showing a command determination process executed by an MPU in the voice lamp control device. [Figure 48] 10 is a flowchart showing the variable performance processing executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device. [Figure 49] 10 is a flowchart showing a confirmation lamp lighting setting process executed by an MPU in the voice lamp control device. [Figure 50] 10 is a flowchart showing a light guide pattern setting process executed by an MPU in the voice lamp control device. [Figure 51] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the optical path of light distributed by the rear-downward diffusion lens when the rear-downward LED of FIG. 1 is lit. [Figure 52] 1A and 1B are schematic side cross-sectional views of a front light guide plate showing the light guide pattern of light guided within the front light guide plate when the front downward LED is lit, where (a) is a diagram showing the light guide pattern within the front light guide plate of light incident on the front light guide plate from the front downward LED at an upward angle of 45 degrees, (b) is a diagram showing the light guide pattern within the front light guide plate of light incident on the front light guide plate from the front downward LED at a downward angle of 45 degrees, and (c) is a diagram showing the light guide pattern within the front light guide plate of light incident on the front light guide plate in a direction directly ahead from the front downward LED. [Figure 53] 20 is a diagram showing the position of a switching point P in the front view of the front light guide plate shown in FIG. 19. FIG. [Figure 54] 10 is a perspective view schematically showing how light incident on the front light guide plate at an upward angle of 45 degrees from a front right LED is guided within the front light guide plate. FIG. [Figure 55] 10 is a diagram illustrating the positional relationship of a drum display device with respect to a schematic side cross-sectional view of a light guide unit according to a second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 56] A schematic front view showing the positional relationship between the third upper decorative pattern group and the third upward LED, the positional relationship between the third lower decorative pattern group and the third right LED of the third right LED unit, and the positional relationship between the third lower decorative pattern group and the third left LED of the third left LED unit, which can be lit and displayed on the third light guide plate in the third embodiment. [Figure 57] An explanatory diagram showing the patterns of pseudo-stopping symbols that can be stopped in the variable element of the "pseudo-variation" in the variable presentation of the third symbol in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 58] 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams showing the progression of the variable elements of the "pseudo fluctuation" performed by the drum display device in the fourth embodiment, where (a) is a schematic diagram showing the state in which the pseudo stop pattern as "pseudo stop 1" is stopped, (b) is a schematic diagram showing the state in which the pseudo stop pattern as "pseudo stop 2" is stopped from the state of (a), (c) is a schematic diagram showing the state in which the "reach forming pattern" is stopped from the state of (b), and (d) is a schematic diagram showing the state in which the "reach display" is performed from the state of (c). [Figure 59] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the left reel unit in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 60] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operating principle of a stepping motor according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 61] FIG. 11 is a connection diagram showing a drive system of a stepping motor in a fifth embodiment. [Figure 62] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between excitation data and excitation order pointers in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 63] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the driving characteristics of a stepping motor executed in a series of variable performances in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 64] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the driving characteristics of a stepping motor executed during the performance of a "full rotation" in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 65] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of an excitation pattern of a normal acceleration process in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 66] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of an excitation pattern of special acceleration processing in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 67] 13 is a timing chart showing the relationship between the driving mode of each reel and the output mode of music during the "full rotation" effect in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 68]10A and 10B are schematic diagrams showing the progression of the "full rotation" effect performed on the drum display device in the fifth embodiment, in which (a) is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the provisional jackpot result based on the "1" symbol has stopped, (b) is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the middle and right reels have started to rotate with normal acceleration processing from the state of (a), (c) is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the middle and right reels are rotating at a high speed and a constant speed and the left reel has started to rotate with special acceleration processing from the state of (b), (d) is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the left, middle and right reels are rotating at a high speed and a constant speed from the state of (c), (e) is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the left, middle and right reels are rotating at a high speed and a constant speed, similar to the state of (d), and (f) is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the provisional jackpot result based on the "2" symbol has stopped from the state of (e). [Figure 69] 13 is a flowchart showing a motor control process executed by an MPU in a display control device according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 70] 13 is a flowchart showing a reel spin start process executed by an MPU in a display control device according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 71] 13 is a timing chart showing the relationship between the driving mode of each reel and the output mode of music during the "full rotation" effect in the sixth embodiment. [Figure 72] 13 is a timing chart showing the relationship between the driving mode of each reel and the output mode of music during the "full rotation" effect in the seventh embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

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

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

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

[0013] The front side of the inner frame 12 is provided with a front frame 14 that covers the upper front side, and a lower tray unit 15 that covers the lower side. Metal hinges 19 are attached to two locations, top and bottom, on the left side when viewed from the front (see Figure 1), to support the front frame 14 and the lower tray unit 15, and the side where the hinges 19 are provided serves as the opening and closing axis, allowing the front frame 14 and the lower tray unit 15 to open and close toward the front. The inner frame 12 and the front frame 14 are each unlocked by inserting a dedicated key into the keyhole 21 of the cylinder lock 20 and performing a predetermined operation. The pachinko machine 10 is also provided with a door opening switch (not shown) that detects when either the inner frame 12 or the front frame 14 has been unlocked and opened (the door has been opened).

[0014] The front frame 14 is fitted with decorative resin parts, electrical parts, etc., and has a window 14c formed as a roughly oval opening in its approximate center. A glass unit 16 having two glass plates is disposed on the back side of the front frame 14, and the front of the game board 13 can be seen from the front side of the pachinko machine 10 through the glass unit 16.

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0021] On the selection screen, a plurality of candidate effect elements that can be selected as the "Super Reach" effect element are displayed, and one of the candidate effect elements is selected. If the player presses the frame button 22 while the selection screen is displayed, the selected candidate effect element is changed. Then, the content of the "Super Reach" effect element is determined based on the candidate effect element that was selected when the "Super Reach" effect element was developed (i.e., when the selection screen is closed), and the "Super Reach" effect element is executed on the drum display device 81 according to the content.

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

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

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

[0025] A ball dispensing operation unit 40 is disposed below the window 14c. The ball dispensing operation unit 40 is provided with a power display unit 41, a ball dispensing button 42, and a return button 43. When the ball dispensing operation unit 40 is operated with bills, cards, etc. inserted into a card unit (ball dispensing unit) (not shown) located on the side of the pachinko machine 10, balls are dispensed in accordance with the operation. Specifically, the power display unit 41 is an area where the remaining balance information of the card, etc. is displayed, and an internal LED lights up to display the remaining balance numerically as the remaining balance information. The ball dispensing button 42 is operated to obtain dispensed balls based on information recorded on a card, etc. (recording medium), and dispensed balls are supplied to the upper tray 17 as long as there is a remaining balance on the card, etc. The return button 43 is operated to request the return of a card, etc. inserted into the card unit.

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

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

[0028] When the operating handle 51 is rotated clockwise by the player, the touch sensor 51a is turned on and the resistance value of the variable resistor changes in accordance with the amount of rotation, causing the ball to be launched with a strength corresponding to the resistance value of the variable resistor, which changes in accordance with the amount of rotation of the operating handle 51, thereby hitting the ball toward the front of the game board 13 at a distance corresponding to the player's operation. The interval between ball launches from the ball launching unit 112a is set to approximately 0.6 seconds. When the operating handle 51 is not being operated by the player, the touch sensor 51a and the shot stop switch 51b are off.

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

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

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

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

[0033] Furthermore, the board box 100 (main control device 110) and the board box 102 (dispensing control device 111 and launch control device 112) have their box bases and box covers connected (connected by a crimping structure) by a sealing unit (not shown) so that they cannot be opened. A sealing seal (not shown) is attached to the connecting portion between the box base and the box cover, spanning the box base and the box cover. This sealing seal is made of a brittle material, and if an attempt is made to peel off the sealing seal to open the board box 100, 102 or to forcibly open the board box 100, 102, it will be cut into the box base side and the box cover side. Therefore, by checking the sealing unit or sealing seal, it is possible to know whether the board box 100, 102 has been opened.

[0034] The payout unit 93 comprises a tank 130 located at the top of the back pack unit 94 and opening upward, a tank rail 131 connected to the bottom of the tank 130 and gently sloping downstream, a case rail 132 connected vertically to the downstream side of the tank rail 131, and a payout device 133 provided at the most downstream part of the case rail 132 and dispensing balls using a predetermined electrical configuration of a payout motor 216 (see Figure 26). Balls are successively replenished in the tank 130 from the island equipment of the gaming hall, and the required number of balls are dispensed by the payout device 133 as appropriate. A vibrator 134 is attached to the tank rail 131 to impart vibrations to the tank rail 131.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0044] Here, we will explain the startup mode when the power is turned on in the pachinko machine 10 of the first embodiment. The pachinko machine 10 of the first embodiment is configured to determine the startup mode of the pachinko machine 10 according to the states of the RAM erase switch 503 and the setting key 501 when the power of the pachinko machine 10 is turned on.

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

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

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

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

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

[0050] "Normal mode" is a startup mode other than these "RAM clear mode," "setting change mode," and "setting confirmation mode," and is a mode in which various startup processes are performed to resume play on the pachinko machine 10 from the state before the power was cut off, while retaining the data stored in RAM 203, except when information about the power cut is not stored in RAM 203 or when the data stored in RAM 203 is corrupted.

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0057] Here, if the probability setting value is changed, the jackpot probability in the game is changed. Therefore, if the game is continued by inheriting the game state before the power failure, for example, a discrepancy may occur between the jackpot probability in the pending variable effect and the jackpot probability of the variable effect to be acquired, or the jackpots counted as the limit number of times described below may be accumulated with different jackpot probabilities, and the pachinko machine 10 may not be able to demonstrate its intended gaming performance. For this reason, when the probability setting value is changed in the "setting change mode," the pachinko machine 10 erases (clears) the data stored in RAM 203. On the other hand, since the "setting confirmation mode" is a startup mode that only confirms the probability setting value, the data stored in RAM 203 is retained (not cleared) so that the game state before the power failure can be inherited and the game can be continued.

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

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

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

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

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

[0063] This is because, in order to change or check the probability setting value, hall personnel and the like must visually confirm the probability setting value displayed on the probability display device 504 on the back side of the pachinko machine 10, and therefore the inner frame 12 must be open. Therefore, if the pachinko machine 10 is turned on without the inner frame 12 being opened despite the setting key 501 being in the on state, the pachinko machine 10 is not started in the "setting change mode" or "setting confirmation mode." Instead, as with the case where the setting key 501 is in the off state, the pachinko machine 10 is started in the "normal mode" if the RAM clear switch 503 is off, or in the "RAM clear mode" if the RAM clear switch 503 is on. This prevents the pachinko machine 10 from being turned on and starting in the "setting change mode" or "setting confirmation mode," preventing game play from starting on the pachinko machine 10, even though the setting key 501 is in the on state and the inner frame 12 is closed. Furthermore, a dedicated key managed by the hall is required to open the inner frame 12. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a player from arbitrarily opening the inner frame 12, checking the probability setting value, searching for a pachinko machine 10 with a high probability of winning, or arbitrarily changing the probability setting value to a high probability.

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

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

[0066] The two rails 61, 62 are provided to guide the ball launched from the ball launching unit 112a (see FIG. 26) to the top of the game board 13. A ball return prevention member 68 is attached to the tip (upper left in FIG. 2) of the inner rail 61, preventing a ball that has been guided to the top of the game board 13 from returning to the ball guide passage. A return rubber 69 is attached to the tip (upper right in FIG. 2) of the outer rail 62 at a position corresponding to the maximum flight point of the ball. A ball launched with more than a predetermined force hits the return rubber 69, reducing its momentum and bouncing back toward the center. In addition, a resin arc member 70, formed with an arc on the inner surface connecting the rails, is driven into the base plate 60 between the tip on the lower right side of the inner rail 61 and the tip on the upper right side of the outer rail 62.

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

[0068] In the game area of ​​the game board 13, a plurality of general winning holes 63 are arranged, from which 10 balls are paid out as prize balls when a ball wins.

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

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

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

[0072] In addition, instead of the drum type rotating device, for example, a dot matrix display device or a 7-segment display may be used to configure a display device that variably displays the third symbol.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0080] Furthermore, in the pachinko machine 10 of this embodiment, the third symbol is stopped and displayed in the order of left reel LR → right reel RR → center reel CR during each variable effect. If a jackpot symbol combination (a combination of the same main symbols) is aligned on any of the pay lines when the third symbol stops, a jackpot effect (for example, a rainbow light display) is executed as a jackpot. Furthermore, because the symbol arrangements on the left reel LR and the right reel RR are reversed (ascending and descending order), when the left reel LR and the right reel RR stop, the same symbol can stop on either one or two pay lines. In other words, a single reach, in which the same symbol stops and displays only on one pay line, and a double reach, in which the same symbol stops and displays on both pay lines, can occur.

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

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

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

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

[0085] In the pachinko machine 10 of the first embodiment, the first lottery game for the first special symbol and the second lottery game for the second special symbol are not executed simultaneously, but only one of the lottery games is executed. Furthermore, in the pachinko machine 10 of the first embodiment, when one of the lottery games currently being executed ends, if reserved balls for the first special symbol and reserved balls for the second special symbol are stored, the second lottery game for the second special symbol is executed preferentially over the first lottery game for the first special symbol (so-called special symbol 2 priority variation). The lottery games may be executed in the order of winning (so-called winning order variation), or the first lottery game for the first special symbol and the second lottery game for the second special symbol may be executed simultaneously (so-called special symbol 1 and special symbol 2 simultaneous variation).

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

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

[0088] Also, for example, in a situation where there are four reserved symbols of the second special symbol, if the execution symbol displayed in the execution symbol display unit Db0 is erased as the variable performance of the first special symbol or the second special symbol ends, the reserved symbol displayed in the special symbol 2 first reserved symbol display unit Db2a will be moved (shifted) and displayed as the execution symbol in the execution symbol display unit Db0. Also, the reserved symbol displayed in the special symbol 2 second reserved symbol display unit Db2b will be moved (shifted) and displayed as the reserved symbol in the special symbol 2 first reserved symbol display unit Db2a. Furthermore, the reserved symbol displayed in the special symbol 2 third reserved symbol display unit Db2c will be moved (shifted) and displayed as the reserved symbol in the special symbol 2 second reserved symbol display unit Db2b. In addition, the reserved pattern displayed in the Special Chart 2 fourth reserved pattern display section Db2d is moved (shifted) and displayed as the reserved pattern in the Special Chart 2 third reserved pattern display section Db2c.

[0089] In the first embodiment, the number of reserved balls for the variable effects based on balls entering the first starting hole 64a or the second starting hole 64b is set to a maximum of four times. However, the maximum number of reserved balls is not limited to four and may be set to three or less, or five or more times (e.g., eight). Instead of displaying the reserved symbols on the reserved display unit Db, the number of reserved balls may be displayed numerically on a display device (e.g., a liquid crystal display device) separate from the reserved display unit Db, or in four separate areas with different modes (e.g., colors or lighting patterns) corresponding to the number of reserved balls. Since the number of reserved balls is indicated by the special symbol display unit 37, the number of reserved balls does not need to be displayed on the reserved display unit Db. Furthermore, the variable display unit 80 may be provided with four reserved lamps indicating the number of reserved balls, each corresponding to the maximum number of reserved first and second special symbols, and the number of reserved balls may be displayed according to the number of lit reserved lamps.

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

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

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

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

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

[0095] The display area forming member 430 is made of a transparent resin (e.g., polycarbonate) and is formed in a shape that follows (corresponds to) the outer periphery of the drum display device 81, which is disposed behind the light guide unit 400 of the pachinko machine 10, and also follows (corresponds to) the shapes of a front light guide plate 410 and a rear light guide plate 420, which are described below and are assembled to the light guide unit 400. The display area forming member 430 has a central opening 431 formed therein so that three symbols on each of the reels LR, CR, and RR on the drum display device 81 can be seen from the front side of the pachinko machine 10. A predetermined lens cut 432 is formed around the periphery of the central opening 431, and is configured to make it difficult or impossible to see behind the lens cut 432 from the front side of the pachinko machine 10. Therefore, the lens cut 432 around the periphery of the central opening 431 clearly shows the display area and pay lines of the symbols on the drum display device 81 to the player. The display area forming member 430 will be described in detail later.

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

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

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

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

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

[0101] More specifically, based on the above appearance rates resulting from the fluctuations in the variable presentation, the jackpot reliability (expectation) of each decorative pattern group 411, 412, 413, 421 is preset to increase in the following order: fourth decorative pattern group 413 < second decorative pattern group 411 only < third decorative pattern 412 only < second decorative pattern group 411 & third decorative pattern 412 < first decorative pattern group 421.

[0102] In the pachinko machine 10 of the first embodiment, the probability of a jackpot when the first decorative symbol group 421, the second decorative symbol group 411, the third decorative symbol 412, and the fourth decorative symbol group 413 appear is set by setting the appearance rates for a jackpot and a loss, respectively, but instead, the probability of a jackpot when the decorative symbols appear may be set regardless of their appearance frequency. For example, decorative symbols may be provided that have a low appearance rate for a jackpot and a low appearance rate for a loss, resulting in a low probability of a jackpot, or decorative symbols may be provided that have a high appearance rate for a loss and a high appearance rate for a jackpot and a high probability of a jackpot.

[0103] In this way, each of the members 430, 410, and 420 of the light-guiding unit 400 is formed in a shape that follows (corresponds to) the outer periphery of the drum display device 81 located on the rear side when viewed from the front, and is configured to be able to light (guide light) and display a first decorative symbol group 421, a second decorative symbol group 411, a third decorative symbol 412, and a fourth decorative symbol group 413, which will be described later. Therefore, by performing a combination of the variable third symbol effect of the drum display device 81 and the effect of the light-guiding unit 400, a variety of effects can be performed, enhancing the effect of each device 81, 400 and increasing attention to the game. Furthermore, the light-guiding unit 400 is configured in a shape that follows the outer periphery of the effect device located on the rear side when viewed from the front so that the effect device (i.e., the drum display device 81) can be placed in the back space, thereby increasing the design flexibility of the effect device located on the rear side of the light-guiding unit 400 when viewed from the front.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0115] In this way, in the presentation of the first decorative pattern group 60a, the first decorative pattern group 421 and the second decorative pattern group 60b on the board, the presentation on the rear light guide plate 420 and the presentation on the game board 13 are executed in an integrated manner, and by eliminating the problem that when each LED is lit sequentially, patterns that are different from the lighting timing are lit due to the light from the lighting of other LEDs, it is possible to provide a series of powerful presentations using the entire game board 13, thereby increasing the enjoyment of the game.

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

[0117] A second starting hole 64b is located below the first starting hole 64a and can receive a ball only when the normal electric role 64c is open. When a ball enters this second starting hole 64b, a second starting hole switch (not shown) located on the back side of the game board 13 is turned on. This turns on the second starting hole switch, which triggers a lottery for a second special symbol jackpot in the main control device 110 (see FIG. 26), described below. The result of the lottery is displayed on the lower LED group 37b2 of the special LED group 37b of the special symbol display device 37, and the drum display device 81 displays a variable third symbol corresponding to the second special symbol. The second starting hole 64b also serves as one of the prize holes from which a ball is paid out as a prize ball when the ball enters.

[0118] As described above, above the second starting hole 64b as viewed from the front, there is provided a normal electric component 64c that can displace the second starting hole 64b into an open state (expanded state) or a closed state (reduced state) by opening and closing two blade members that cover the opening through which the ball enters the second starting hole 64b. The normal electric component 64c is normally in a closed state with its blades closed (standing up), making it impossible or difficult for the ball to enter the second starting hole 64b.

[0119] On the other hand, when the variable display on the normal symbol display device 83 stops on the "○" symbol, the normal electric role 64c is activated for a predetermined period of time. While the normal electric role 64c is activated, the wings of the normal electric role 64c move from an upwardly raised state to a roughly V-shaped (inverted V-shaped) state, and the second start opening 64b is in an open state. When the second start opening 64b is in an open state, the ball can enter the second start opening 64b, or it becomes easier for the ball to enter compared to a closed state. In other words, when the variable display on the normal symbol display device 83 stops on the "○" symbol, resulting in a win, and the second start opening 64b is in an open state, the ball can enter the second start opening 64b, resulting in a win, and the ball can enter the second start opening 64b, allowing for more jackpot draws.

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

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

[0122] Specifically, the variable winning device 65 includes a horizontally long rectangular opening / closing plate that covers the large winning opening 65a, and a large winning opening solenoid (not shown) that drives the opening / closing plate to open and close forward around the lower edge of the opening / closing plate. The large winning opening 65a is normally in a closed state in which balls cannot or do not easily win a prize. When a jackpot is hit, the large winning opening solenoid is driven to tilt the opening / closing plate downward toward the front, temporarily creating an open state in which balls can easily win a prize in the large winning opening 65a, and the device operates to alternate between this open state and the normal closed state.

[0123] The variable prize-winning device 65 is positioned so that a ball can enter the large prize opening 65a in either left-handed or right-handed play. When a ball enters the large prize opening 65a, a large prize opening switch (not shown) located on the back side of the game board 13 turns on. By counting the number of times the large prize opening switch turns on, the number of balls that have entered the large prize opening 65a is counted, and the closing condition of the large prize opening 65a is determined. Furthermore, when the large prize opening switch is turned on, 15 balls are paid out as prize balls. Then, by repeatedly opening and closing the large prize opening 65a upon a jackpot, many balls are likely to enter the large prize opening 65a, and the player is paid out a larger number of prize balls than usual as a reward for the game. This state is one form of a special game state that is advantageous to the player.

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

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

[0126] If the result of the lottery for the normal symbol performed on the ball that passed through the through gate 67 is determined to be a win, the normal symbol display device 83 displays a variable normal symbol followed by a stopped display of a "○" symbol, and then the normal electric role 64c provided above the second starting hole 64b as viewed from the front is activated. As a result, the state in which the plate of the normal electric role 64c, which makes it difficult for the ball to enter the second starting hole 64b, closes the second starting hole 64b, changes to a state in which the ball can enter the second starting hole 64b for a predetermined time, or a state in which the ball is easier to enter compared to the closed state.

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

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

[0129] It should be noted that a "round" in a jackpot refers to the period from when the large prize opening 65a, which will be described later in this document, opens to when it closes in order to determine the number of winning balls in a jackpot. In the pachinko machine 10 of the first embodiment, one "round" is executed when "30 seconds" have elapsed since the large prize opening 65a began to open, or when 10 balls enter the large prize opening 65a while it is open.

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

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

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

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

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

[0135] The types of jackpots that are determined here are "Probable A" corresponding to a "10-round (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as "R") special jackpot," "Probable B" corresponding to a "5R special jackpot," and "Time-saving A" corresponding to a "10R time-saving jackpot" (see Figure 24(b)).

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

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

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

[0139] Here, each gaming state will be explained in more detail. In the pachinko machine 10 of the first embodiment, the "normal gaming state" refers to a gaming state that is not in the "probability variable state" or the "time shortened state," in which the jackpot probability of each special symbol and the winning probability of the normal symbol are normal (i.e., a low probability state), and the opening time of the normal electric role 64c is short (so-called non-opening extended state). In other words, the "normal gaming state" is a state in which the jackpot probability of each special symbol is lower than in the "probability variable state," the winning probability of the normal symbol is lower than in the "probability variable state" and the "time shortened state," and the opening time of the normal electric role 64c is also short. Therefore, it is not a gaming state in which a ball is likely to enter the second start hole 64b (hereinafter, the state in which a ball is likely to enter the second start hole 64b is sometimes referred to as the "winning support state"), but is the most unfavorable (least advantageous) gaming state for the player.

[0140] Next, in the "time-shortened state," the jackpot probability for each special symbol is low, just like in the "normal game state," but the probability of winning for normal symbols increases, and the opening time of the normal electric symbol 64c becomes longer, making it easier for the ball to enter the second starting hole 64b (hereinafter, the function of increasing the winning probability for normal symbols and lengthening the opening time of the normal electric symbol 64c may be referred to as the "winning assist function." Also, the state in which the winning probability for normal symbols increases, and the opening time of the normal electric symbol 64c becomes longer, making it easier for the ball to enter the second starting hole 64b may be referred to as the "state in which the winning assist function is activated."). In other words, in the "time-shortened state," the jackpot probability for special symbols is the same as in the "normal game state," but winning for normal symbols is easier to derive, and the opening state of the normal electric symbol 64c becomes longer. Therefore, in the "time-shortened state," it is easier to make the fired ball enter the second starting hole 64b, so that the dynamic display of special chart 2 can be executed continuously, and it becomes possible to obtain a prize ball (for example, 1 ball / entry) based on the ball entering the second starting hole 64b, and play while minimizing the reduction in the number of balls in hand.

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

[0142] Next, in the "probability-changing state," after a jackpot, the probability of a subsequent jackpot for each special symbol increases as an added value. The probability of a normal symbol also increases, and the winning support function of the normal electric symbol 64c is activated. In other words, the "probability-changing state" is a state in which a jackpot result based on a special symbol is more likely to be derived, a winning result based on a normal symbol is more likely to be derived, and the normal electric symbol 64c remains open for a longer period of time. Therefore, in the "probability-changing state," the winning support function is activated, and the shot ball is more likely to enter the second starting hole 64b. This allows the dynamic display of special symbol 2 to be continuously executed, and by winning a prize ball (e.g., one ball per winning ball) based on the entry into the second starting hole 64b, the player can play while minimizing the reduction in the number of balls available. Furthermore, the player can play in a state in which a jackpot game (special game state) based on the dynamic display of special symbol 2 is more likely to occur.

[0143] Here, the display mode of the special LED group 37b for each jackpot type will be explained. The upper LED group 37b1 and the lower LED group 37b2 for the first special symbol are provided with a total of 64 display patterns, including one display pattern corresponding to a loss, 21 display patterns corresponding to the jackpot type "Probable Variable A," 21 display patterns corresponding to the jackpot type "Probable Variable B," and 21 display patterns corresponding to the jackpot type "Time-saving A." Each display pattern does not have a specific regularity for each jackpot type, and random display patterns are pre-assigned. Therefore, when a player sees the display pattern of the upper LED group 37b1 or the lower LED group 37b2, they can recognize that a loss has been displayed, but the display is configured to make it difficult to distinguish whether the jackpot type is "Probable Variable A," "Probable Variable B," or "Time-saving A."

[0144] With this configuration, even if each jackpot type is displayed in the stop display of the special LED group 37b of the special symbol display device 37, it is difficult for the player to recognize the jackpot type that has been won unless they understand all of the jackpot types corresponding to each stop display. Therefore, for example, even if "Probable Variation A" is won in the lottery for the first or second special symbol, it is possible to make it difficult to determine which game state the player is in by displaying a jackpot result corresponding to "Time Reduction A" as a provisional display on the drum display device 81. As a result, it is possible to create a gameplay experience that allows the player to guess which game state the player is playing in, thereby increasing the interest in the game. In addition, by performing promotion effects during or after the jackpot, it is possible to provide an unexpected gameplay and increase the interest in the game.

[0145] Instead of changing the probability of winning a normal symbol, the time for which a normal electric symbol 64c (described later) associated with the second start slot 64b is released or the number of times the normal electric symbol 64c is released per one win with a normal symbol may be changed according to the gaming state of the pachinko machine 10. Specifically, in the "time-shortened state," the time for which the normal electric symbol 64c associated with the second start slot 64b is released may be made longer than in the "normal gaming state," or the number of times the normal electric symbol 64c is released per one win may be made greater than in the "normal gaming state." Furthermore, in the "time-shortened state," at least two of the following may be simultaneously performed: increasing the probability of winning a normal symbol; lengthening the release time of the normal electric symbol 64c; and increasing the number of times the normal electric symbol 64c is released.

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

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

[0148] The game board 13 is provided with a large number of nails to appropriately distribute and adjust the direction in which the balls fall, and is also provided with various components (apparatuses) such as windmills.

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

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

[0151] 6, the backboard unit 300 is composed of a backboard unit base 301, a light guide unit 400, a right-side notification lamp LED board 302, a right-side notification lamp member 303, a left-side notification lamp LED board 304, a left-side notification lamp member 305, a notification lamp assembly part 306, and a confirmation lamp unit 310. First, the light guide unit 400, the right-side notification lamp LED board 302, the left-side notification lamp LED board 304, and the confirmation lamp unit 310 are respectively attached to the front side of the pachinko machine 10 of the backboard unit base 301 by fastening with screws, and then the right-side notification lamp member 303 is attached to correspond to the right-side notification lamp LED board 302, and the left-side notification lamp member 305 is attached to correspond to the left-side notification lamp LED board 304, and in this state the notification lamp assembly part 306 is fixed to the backboard unit base 301 by fastening with screws, thereby forming the backboard unit 300.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0160] More specifically, the uneven lens cuts (horizontal grooves) corresponding to the patterns of the second decorative pattern group 411 are configured so that, of the light guided to the flat plate portion, light incident from the upward direction when viewed from the front and the downward direction when viewed from the front (light guided in the upward direction when viewed from the front and the downward direction when viewed from the front) is emitted toward the front side of the pachinko machine 10, while light incident from the lateral direction when viewed from the front (light guided in the left direction when viewed from the front and the right direction when viewed from the front) is not emitted toward the front side of the pachinko machine 10 due to the uneven lens cuts corresponding to the second decorative pattern group 411. Here, the lens cut may be shaped so that light irradiated onto the concave-convex lens cut (horizontal groove) corresponding to the symbols of the second decorative symbol group 411 is emitted toward the front side of the pachinko machine 10 only when light incident from either the upward direction as viewed from the front or the downward direction as viewed from the front (light guided in the upward and downward directions as viewed from the front) among the light guided to the flat plate portion is incident, but in that case, the shape of the lens cut must be sophisticated, which may increase the processing costs of the lens cut. Therefore, by using a lens cut with a concave-convex shape that emits light irradiated onto the second decorative symbol group 411 toward the front side of the pachinko machine 10 regardless of whether the light incident from either the upward direction as viewed from the front or the downward direction as viewed from the front (light guided in the upward and downward directions as viewed from the front) among the light guided to the flat plate portion is incident, it is possible to suppress an increase in the processing costs of the lens cut.

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

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

[0163] In the first embodiment, the second decorative pattern group 411 of the front light guide plate 410 is lit only by the front-downward LEDs 414c arranged below the front light guide plate 410 as seen from the front, but instead, the second decorative pattern group 411 may be lit only by the front-upward LEDs arranged above the front light guide plate 410 as seen from the front, or the second decorative pattern group 411 may be lit only by the front-upward LEDs and the front-downward LEDs 414c. Also, the third decorative pattern 412 may be lit only by the front-upward LEDs and / or the front-downward LEDs 414c.

[0164] The concave-convex lens cuts (horizontal grooves) corresponding to the design of the third decorative design 412 are configured to emit guided light toward the front side of the pachinko machine 10 when light is incident upward from the lower end face of the lower flat plate portion of the front light guide plate 410 from the front lower LEDs 414c other than the left and right ends mounted on the lower LED substrate 414b of the lower LED unit 414. Therefore, the third decorative design 412 is illuminated from the front side of the pachinko machine 10 by the light incident upward from other than the both ends of the lower end face of the lower flat plate portion of the front light guide plate 410 (i.e., the central part of the lower end face), making it visible.

[0165] The concave-convex lens cuts (horizontal grooves) corresponding to the designs of this third decorative design 412, like the concave-convex lens cuts corresponding to the designs of the second decorative design group 411, are configured so that, of the light guided to the flat plate portion, only light that is incident from above is emitted toward the front side of the pachinko machine 10, and light that is incident from other directions (for example, the lateral direction) is not emitted toward the front side of the pachinko machine 10 by the concave-convex lens cuts corresponding to the third decorative design 412. In other words, the third decorative design 412 is configured so that only light that is incident from the lower end face of the flat plate portion below the front light guide plate 410 is emitted toward the front side of the pachinko machine 10, and light that is incident from other directions is not emitted toward the front side of the pachinko machine 10, but passes directly through the area where the second decorative design group 411 is formed and does not emit light (is not visible or is difficult to see).

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

[0167] The concave-convex lens cuts (vertical grooves) corresponding to the designs of this fourth decorative design group 413 are configured so that, of the light guided to the flat plate portion, only light that is incident laterally is emitted toward the front side of the pachinko machine 10, and light that is incident from other directions (for example, from below to above) is not emitted toward the front side of the pachinko machine 10 by the concave-convex lens cuts corresponding to the fourth decorative design group 413. In other words, the fourth decorative design group 413 is configured so that only light that is incident from the left end face or the right end face of the flat plate portion below the front light guide plate 410 is emitted toward the front side of the pachinko machine 10, and light that is incident from other directions is not emitted toward the front side of the pachinko machine 10, but passes directly through the portion where the fourth decorative design group 413 is formed and does not emit light (is not visible or is difficult to see). Details of the illumination modes of the second decorative symbol group 411, the third decorative symbol group 412, and the fourth decorative symbol group 413 will be described later.

[0168] Similar to the front light guide plate 410, the rear light guide plate 420 is configured such that upper and lower flat plate portions extending in a direction parallel to the surface of the base plate 60 are formed continuously with respect to a regular R-shaped portion that follows the outer circumferential shape of the drum display device 81. More specifically, an upper inverted R-shaped portion is formed from the upper flat plate portion of the rear light guide plate 420, bending toward the front side of the game board 13 with a size of approximately R30, and continuing from there, a regular R-shaped portion is formed that bulges toward the front side of the game board 13 with a size of approximately R75 along the outer circumferential shape of the drum display device 81 (front light guide plate 410), and further continuing from there, a downward inverted R-shaped portion is formed that is bent toward the front side of the game board 13 with a size of approximately R30, and a lower flat plate portion is formed continuously from the lower inverted R-shaped portion.

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

[0170] As described above, on the rear side of the rear light guide plate 420 (the surface facing the rear side of the pachinko machine 10), various concave and convex lens cuts are applied so that the first decorative pattern group 421, which resembles a school of fish made up of multiple types of fish, can be seen from the front side of the pachinko machine 10 by guiding light incident on the rear light guide plate 420 from above and / or below. The first decorative pattern group 421 is formed evenly over the entire regular R-shaped portion.

[0171] The concave-convex lens cuts corresponding to the symbols of the first decorative symbol group 421 are configured so that when light is incident from the rear-downward LEDs 424 mounted on the downward LED substrate 414b of the lower LED unit 414 and / or the plurality of rear-upward LEDs 422c (see FIG. 12) mounted on the rear-upper LED substrate 422b of the rear-upper LED unit 422 toward the lower flat plate portion and / or the upper flat plate portion of the rear light guide plate 420, the guided light is emitted toward the front side of the pachinko machine 10. Therefore, the first decorative symbol group 421 is illuminated and becomes visible from the front side of the pachinko machine 10 by the light incident from the lower end (surface) of the lower flat plate portion and / or the upper end (surface) of the upper flat plate portion of the rear light guide plate 420.

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

[0173] More specifically, the concave-convex lens cuts corresponding to the designs of first decorative design group 421 are configured to emit light that is guided to the flat plate portion and that is incident from directions parallel to the flat plate portion of rear light guide plate 420, such as upward when viewed from the front, downward when viewed from the front, rightward when viewed from the front, and leftward when viewed from the front, toward the front side of pachinko machine 10. When light is incident from the non-flat plate portion of rear light guide plate 420, i.e., the upper inverted R-shaped portion, the regular R-shaped portion, or the lower inverted R-shaped portion, the light that is repeatedly reflected within rear light guide plate 420 is guided with slightly different angles of incidence and reflection on the front and back surfaces when reflected by the R-shaped portions of the upper inverted R-shaped portion, the regular R-shaped portion, or the lower inverted R-shaped portion. For this reason, even if light is incident on the upper inverted R-shaped portion, the normal R-shaped portion, or the lower inverted R-shaped portion from the lateral direction when viewed from the front, the light is not guided in the lateral direction when viewed from the front, but is guided diagonally upward or diagonally downward when viewed from the front, and the light is guided unevenly (non-homogeneously) to the first decorative pattern group 421 applied to the rear side of the rear light guide plate 420, which may result in the first decorative pattern group 421 lighting up more or less strongly depending on the location, resulting in sparse lighting. For this reason, by irradiating light from the end faces of the upper flat plate portion and the lower flat plate portion of the rear light guide plate 420, light can be evenly incident on the first decorative pattern group 421, and the lighting of the first decorative pattern group 421 can be maintained uniformly.

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

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

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

[0177] Therefore, by introducing light into the end faces (side faces) of the upper and lower flat plate portions of each light guide plate 410, 420, the light that repeatedly reflects within each light guide plate 410, 420, while being guided at least within the upper and lower flat plate portions, repeatedly reflects off the front or back surface of each planar light guide plate 410, 420, and is guided with the incident angle and reflection angle always uniform. As a result, first, light is guided stably within the upper and lower flat plate portions of each light guide plate 410, 420, and then light is guided uniformly (homogeneously) to each of the decorative pattern groups 411, 412, 413, 421 provided on the back surface of each light guide plate 410, 420, making it possible to properly light up each of the decorative pattern groups 411, 412, 413, 421.

[0178] The second reason is to improve the design freedom regarding the arrangement of each LED 414c, 415c, 416c, 422c, 424. Because the side end faces of the R-shaped portions (i.e., the upper inverted R-shaped portion, the normal R-shaped portion, and the lower inverted R-shaped portion) of each light guide plate 410, 420 in a front view are shaped to conform to the R-shaped portions, when light is to be incident from the side end faces of the R-shaped portions, the arrangement of each LED on the LED substrate must also conform to the side end faces of the R-shaped portions. In particular, when arranging the LEDs while taking into consideration the arrangement of each decorative pattern group 411, 412, 413, 421, adjustment of the position and spacing of each LED on the LED substrate becomes complicated, which may reduce the design freedom.

[0179] Therefore, the LEDs 414c, 415c, 416c, 422c, and 424 on the LED substrates 414b, 415b, 416b, and 422b are arranged so that light is incident from the end faces (side faces) of the upper and lower flat plate portions of the light guide plates 410 and 420, and the LED substrates and LEDs are not arranged on the end faces (side faces) of the R-shaped portions of the light guide plates 410 and 420. With this arrangement, the LEDs 414c, 415c, 416c, 422c, and 424 on the LED substrates 414b, 415b, 416b, and 422b can be simply arranged (i.e., arranged in a straight line and at equal intervals) according to the shapes of the end faces of the upper and lower flat plate portions, thereby improving design freedom.

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

[0181] Therefore, in order to allow light to enter from the end faces (side faces) of the upper flat plate portion and the lower flat plate portion of each light guide plate 410, 420, the LEDs 414c, 415c, 416c, 422c, 424 on the LED boards 414b, 415b, 416b, 422b are arranged on the upper side of the upper flat plate portion as viewed from the front, and on the lower side, right side, and left side as viewed from the front of the lower flat plate portion, and the LED boards and LEDs are not arranged at positions to the side of the R-shaped portion as viewed from the front of each light guide plate 410, 420. With this configuration, when a performance device is installed on the back side or side of each light guide plate 410, 420, the LED boards etc. do not obstruct the placement of the performance device, thereby improving the degree of freedom in designing each performance device.

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

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

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

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

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

[0187] Furthermore, the front right base 415a has a predetermined partition rib formed thereon so that light emitted from the front right LEDs 415c (see FIG. 19) mounted on the front right LED substrate 415b is directed only to the lower flat portion of the front light guide plate 410 via the front right condensing lens 415d. This allows the light emitted from the front right LEDs 415c to be accurately directed to the front light guide plate 410, so that the fourth decorative pattern group 413 can be accurately illuminated at the appropriate timing, and display abnormalities such as the illumination of unintended patterns can be suppressed. Details of the manner in which light is illuminated (passed) by the front right condensing lens 415d will be described later.

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

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

[0190] Furthermore, the front-left base 416a has a predetermined partition rib formed thereon so that light emitted from the front-left LEDs 416c (see FIG. 19) mounted on the front-left LED substrate 416b is directed only to the lower flat portion of the front light guide plate 410 via the front-left condensing lens 416d. This allows the light emitted from the front-left LEDs 416c to be accurately directed to the front light guide plate 410, so that the fourth decorative pattern group 413 can be accurately illuminated at an appropriate timing, and display abnormalities such as the illumination of unintended patterns can be suppressed. Details of the manner in which light is illuminated (passed) by the front-left condensing lens 416d will be described later.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0198] As shown in FIG. 10, when the pachinko machine 10 is viewed from the front side, the display area forming member 430, the front light guide plate 410, the rear light guide plate 420, and the drum display device 81 are arranged in this order from the outside (the front side of the pachinko machine 10 (left side of the drawing)). A total of nine symbol display areas, three for each of the reels LR, CR, and RR of the drum display device 81, are visible from the central opening 431 of the display area forming member 430, and the other symbol areas (third symbols) are covered by lens cuts 432 and are therefore invisible or difficult to see. In addition, the second decorative symbol group 411 and the third decorative symbol 412 of the front light guide plate 410 and the first decorative symbol group 421 of the rear light guide plate 420 are configured to be visible from the central opening 431 of the display area forming member 430 when they are lit up and displayed. Furthermore, since the lower side of the lens cut 432 on the lower side of the central opening 431 of the display area forming member 430 is transparent, when the fourth decorative symbol group 413 formed on the flat plate portion below the front light guide plate 410 is lit up, it can be seen from the front side of the pachinko machine 10. Therefore, the display area forming member 430 clarifies the effective lines of the variable effects in the drum display device 81, and when the first decorative symbol group 421, the second decorative symbol group 411, the third decorative symbol 412, and the fourth decorative symbol group 413 are lit up, they can each be seen while avoiding the lens cut 432 of the display area forming member 430.

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

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

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

[0202] Furthermore, lens cuts 432 may also be applied to the inner surfaces of the upright walls (the entire bulging portion) on the sides of the central opening 431 of the display area forming member 430 when viewed from the front. By configuring it in this way, the display area showing the effective line of the variable effect is clarified in a square shape, and light that may be incident from the sides of the light guide unit 400 when viewed from the front is dispersed by the lens cuts 432, thereby reducing the amount of light transmitted through the lens cuts 432.

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

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

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

[0206] Furthermore, in the present pachinko machine 10, the front light guide plate 410 is disposed on the front side of the pachinko machine 10 of the first decorative symbol group 421, which has the highest jackpot reliability (expectation), and therefore the front light guide plate 410 can also suppress the incidence of light incident from the front side of the pachinko machine 10 onto the rear light guide plate 420. Therefore, by disposing the front light guide plate 410 as a noise cover on the front side of the rear light guide plate 420, the light incident by the front light guide plate 410 is somewhat diffused (weakened), and it is possible to suppress the abnormal lighting of the first decorative symbol group 421, which has a large effect discrepancy when erroneously lit up. As a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of an effect discrepancy such as the abnormal lighting of each of the decorative symbol groups 411, 412, 413, and 421.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0217] Furthermore, because the rear-upper diffusion lens 423 and the rear-downward diffusion lens 425 have the same shape, the optical paths of the light diffused from the rear-upper diffusion lens 423 and the rear-downward diffusion lens 425 are the same, making it easier to set (understand) at the design stage the destinations of the optical paths of the diffused light and the overlapping portions of the optical paths of the light. Specifically, in the case of the first embodiment, the optical paths of the light irradiated from the rear-upper diffusion lens 423 and the rear-downward diffusion lens 425 may overlap at one or more locations in the positively curved portion of the rear light guide plate 420. More specifically, for example, the optical path of the light irradiated from one frontward diffusion portion 425b of the rear-downward diffusion lens 425 overlaps at all optical path portions with the optical path of the light irradiated from a frontward diffusion portion (not numbered) opposite the rear-upper diffusion lens 423. Furthermore, the optical path of light emitted from the leftward diffusion portion 425a of one of the rear-downward diffusion lenses 425 overlaps with the optical path of light emitted from the leftward diffusion portion (no reference number) of the opposite recess of the rear-upward diffusion lens 423, and also overlaps with the optical path of light emitted from the frontward diffusion portion (no reference number) of the recess immediately to the left of the opposite recess. Furthermore, the optical path of light emitted from the rightward diffusion portion 425c of one of the rear-downward diffusion lenses 425 overlaps with the optical path of light emitted from the rightward diffusion portion (no reference number) of the opposite recess of the rear-upward diffusion lens 423, and also overlaps with the optical path of light emitted from the frontward diffusion portion (no reference number) of the recess immediately to the right of the opposite recess. As a result, it becomes easier to arrange decorative patterns on the rear light guide plate 420, the decorative patterns on the rear light guide plate 420 can be illuminated accurately, and the decorative patterns that are to be highlighted can be arranged in the overlapping portions, thereby highlighting the decorative patterns.

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

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

[0220] In the first embodiment, the rear light guide plate 420 is made of acrylic resin (PMMA). When the refractive index of the acrylic resin is set to 1.49 to 1.53, the optical path of light incident on the front-direction diffusing section 425b from the rear-downward LEDs 424 is such that the light is emitted straight (toward the upper side of the drawing in FIG. 14) into the interior of the rear light guide plate 420; light incident on the left-direction diffusing section 425a from the rear-downward LEDs 424 is refracted in a direction tilted to the left by approximately 20 degrees (θ2 = 20°) relative to the light emitted from the front-direction diffusing section 425b and is emitted into the interior of the rear light guide plate 420; and light incident on the right-direction diffusing section 425c from the rear-downward LEDs 424 is refracted in a direction tilted to the right by approximately 20 degrees (θ3 = 20°) relative to the light emitted from the front-direction diffusing section 425b and is emitted into the interior of the rear light guide plate 420.

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

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

[0223] As shown in FIG. 51, rear downward diffusion lens 425 is configured with left-direction diffusion section 425a, front-direction diffusion section 425b, and right-direction diffusion section 425c, each having a predetermined side length (for example, 50 micrometers for the side irradiating light in the front direction, and 62.5 micrometers for the side irradiating light in the left and right directions. Micrometers will hereinafter be referred to as "μm" in some cases). Diffusion sections 425a to 425c are configured so that the light path widths of light irradiated from each of diffusion sections 425a to 425c are the same. Specifically, in each recess, the side length irradiating light in the front direction is the same (for example, 50 μm), and the side lengths irradiating light in the left and right directions are the same (for example, 62.5 μm), so that the light path widths of light irradiated from each of diffusion sections 425a to 425c are all the same. A plurality of such recesses are configured in a continuous line. That is, the horizontal width of the first recess is 130.35 μm, which is the sum of the length 50 μm of the front-direction diffusing portion 425b and the horizontal width X (cos50°=x / 62.5, x=40.175, X=2x=80.35 μm) of the left-direction diffusing portion 425a and the right-direction diffusing portion 425c. Therefore, for example, if the light-emitting surface (illumination width) of one LED 424 is 3 millimeters wide, approximately 23 rear-downward diffusing lenses 425 for that one LED 424 will be formed.

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

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

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

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

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

[0229] As a result, even in a lighting pattern with a limited number of colors (e.g., three colors), the light is diffused by the upper and lower diffusion lenses 423, 425, and the optical paths of the diffused light overlap, causing the emitted colors to differ between the non-overlapping and overlapping areas, making it possible to display a greater number of colors than the color scheme. Therefore, by realizing a wide variety of display colors even with a limited number of emitted colors, LED light emission control is simplified and the control burden associated with LED light emission control can be reduced. In particular, if multiple types of monochromatic light-emitting diodes are arranged and controlled as described above rather than using full-color LEDs, costs can be reduced by using monochromatic light-emitting diodes, which are less expensive than full-color LEDs, and LED light emission control is simplified and the control burden associated with LED light emission control can be reduced.

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

[0231] Here, with reference to Figures 15 and 16, a description will be given of the lighting (effect) mode of the first decorative symbol group 421 of the rear light guide plate 420. Figure 15 is a diagram showing the lighting mode of the first decorative symbol group 421 lit and displayed on the rear light guide plate 420, in which Figure 15(a) is a diagram schematically showing the lighting mode of the first decorative symbol group 421 when the rear upper LED 422c and the rear lower LED 424 corresponding to the right region of the rear light guide plate 420 are lit, and Figure 15(b) is a diagram schematically showing the lighting mode of the first decorative symbol group 421 when the rear upper LED 422c and the rear lower LED 424 corresponding to the central region of the rear light guide plate 420 are additionally lit from the state of Figure 15(a). Figure 16 is a diagram showing the lighting mode of the first decorative pattern group 421 displayed on the rear light guide plate 420, where Figure 16(a) is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the lighting mode of the first decorative pattern group 421 when the rear upper LED 422c and the rear lower LED 424 corresponding to the left region of the rear light guide plate 420 are additionally lit from the state of Figure 15(b), and Figure 16(b) is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the lighting mode of the first decorative pattern group 421 when the rear upper LED 422c and the rear lower LED 424 corresponding to the right region of the rear light guide plate 420 are turned off from the state of Figure 16(a).

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

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

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

[0235] The first decorative pattern group 421 includes small patterns formed within the range of the optical path width of light 1, medium patterns formed within the range of the optical path width of light 2, and large patterns formed within the range of the optical path width of light 3 or more. Regarding the first decorative pattern group 421, small patterns formed within the range of the optical path width of display color 1 are illuminated in a single display color, and when portions of the medium or large patterns are located within the range of the optical path widths of multiple display colors, the portions of the medium or large patterns are illuminated in the luminous color of the optical path where they overlap. Therefore, in the first decorative pattern group 421 consisting of multiple patterns, by expressing each pattern in a different color or by expressing pattern 1 in multiple colors, it is possible to provide a variety of effects.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0248] In this way, even when the light emission of the rear upper LEDs 422c and the rear lower LEDs 424 is controlled with only about three light emission colors, the first decorative pattern group 421 formed on the rear light guide plate 420 can be expressed with lighting colors equal to or greater than the above light emission colors due to the overlap of light diffused by each of the diffusion lenses 423, 425. Therefore, even with light emission control using only a few light emission patterns, colorful expressions can be produced, and the enjoyment of the game can be improved by reducing the control burden on the rear upper LEDs 422c and the rear lower LEDs 424.

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0255] However, when an effect by the confirmation lamp 311 is executed while an effect by the first decorative symbol group 421 is being executed, there is a risk that the effect by the confirmation lamp 311, which is more important in the game, will be hindered (low visibility, low recognition, etc. due to overlapping effects) by the effect of the first decorative symbol group 421. Also, when an announcement by the confirmation lamp 311 is to be executed, it is possible to consider measures such as not executing an effect by the first decorative symbol group 421, or not executing an announcement by the confirmation lamp 311 while the first decorative symbol group 421 is being executed, but this would impose restrictions on the presentation, which could increase the control burden and reduce the presentation variation.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0265] Therefore, when the rear-upper LEDs 422c are lit, the first decorative pattern group 421 formed on the upper portion of the rear light guide plate 420 in a front view can (are likely to) be lit, and when the rear-lower LEDs 424 are lit, the first decorative pattern group 421 formed on the lower portion of the rear light guide plate 420 in a front view can (are likely to) be lit. On the other hand, among the first decorative pattern group 421 of the rear light guide plate 420, the first decorative pattern group 421 formed on the upper portion of the rear light guide plate 420 in a front view is not (is unlikely to) be lit even when the rear-lower LEDs 424 are lit, and is not (is unlikely to be lit; the lit pattern is thinned out) when the rear-upper LEDs 422c are off.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0281] In the front light guide plate 410, the decorative symbol groups 411, 412, 413 are arranged in the normal R-shaped portion or the lower flat portion and the lower inverted R-shaped portion, but none of the decorative symbol groups 411, 412, 413 are arranged in the transition point (area) between the lower inverted R-shaped portion and the normal R-shaped portion. This is because, when decorative symbols to be displayed by light guide are arranged in the transition point (area) between the lower inverted R-shaped portion and the normal R-shaped portion, it is difficult for the light reflected (guided) inside the front light guide plate 410 to properly reach the portion arranged in the normal R-shaped portion and the portion arranged in the lower inverted R-shaped portion, and there is a risk that the image will appear unintended depending on the position of the player's line of sight. Therefore, by configuring the transition point (area) between the downward inverted R-shaped portion and the normal R-shaped portion so that none of the decorative pattern groups 411, 412, 413 are placed, the expression of the patterns displayed by light can be made appropriate, and a performance without any discrepancies can be executed.

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

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

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

[0285] 52(a) to 52(c), the light beams incident on the front light guide plate 410 from the front lower LEDs 414c at an upward angle of 45 degrees (45 degrees toward the front of the pachinko machine 10; see FIG. 52(a)), a downward angle of 45 degrees (45 degrees toward the back of the pachinko machine 10; see FIG. 52(b)), and directly in the front direction (vertically above the pachinko machine 10; see FIG. 52(c)) are guided through the front lower flat plate portion 410a. , and repeatedly reflects light, but the fourth decorative pattern group 413 provided on the back side of the front lower flat plate portion 410a is configured so that, as described above, it does not or does not easily reflect light in the front direction of the pachinko machine 10 (upper side of Figure 52) depending on the light from the front lower LED 414c, and therefore the fourth decorative pattern group 413 is configured so that it is difficult or impossible to see from the front direction of the pachinko machine 10 depending on the light irradiated (guided) from the front lower LED 414c.

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

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

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

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

[0290] As mentioned above, this is because the amount of light that strikes the back surface of the front light guide plate 410 at the transition point P between the front lower inverted R-shaped portion 410b and the front normal R-shaped portion 410c tends to be sparse, and even if the decorative pattern group 411, 412, 413 is placed at this point P, the decorative pattern group 411, 412, 413 will not emit light appropriately, and there is a risk that the decorative pattern group 411, 412, 413 will not be visible at the appropriate time from the front side of the pachinko machine 10. Furthermore, while each decorative symbol group 411, 412, 413 is configured to be illuminated (visible) only by light from a predetermined direction, if the decorative symbol groups 411, 412, 413 are placed at point P, there is a possibility that each decorative symbol group 411, 412, 413 may be visible from the front side of the pachinko machine 10 due to irradiation with light from a direction in which they would not normally be illuminated, and there is a risk that lighting up at an unintended timing may cause inconsistencies in the presentation content. Therefore, by not placing any of the decorative symbol groups 411, 412, 413 at point P where the front lower inverted R-shaped portion 410b and the front normal R-shaped portion 410c change, each decorative symbol group 411, 412, 413 can be made visible from the front side of the pachinko machine 10 at the appropriate timing, and inconsistencies in the presentation content can be made less likely to occur, thereby providing a suitable game.

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

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

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

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

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

[0296] The front light guide plate 410 in the first embodiment is made of acrylic resin (PMMA), similar to the rear light guide plate 420. When the refractive index of the acrylic resin is set to 1.49 to 1.53, light incident on the first end face of each of the focusing lenses 414d, 415d, and 416d is emitted in a straight direction (or almost straight, toward the upper side of the drawing in Figure 20) from the second end face. As a result, light incident from the first end faces of the condenser lenses 414d, 415d, 416d can be emitted in one direction in a condensed state rather than diffused from the second end faces formed into a plurality of semicircular convex shapes, so that when the LEDs 414c, 415c, 416c corresponding to the decorative symbols 411, 412, 413 to be displayed are turned on, the other decorative symbols 411, 412, 413 are not turned on, and only the decorative symbols 411, 412, 413 to be displayed can be properly turned on and displayed. In particular, when attempting to light the fourth decorative symbol group 413, which has the lowest jackpot reliability, if the second decorative symbol group 411 or the third decorative symbol 412, which are formed on the same front light guide plate 410 and have a higher jackpot reliability than the fourth decorative symbol group 413, are turned on, inconsistencies in the presentation may occur, and the game may not be able to be played as specified in the game specifications. Therefore, by configuring each condenser lens 415d, 416d so that light directed at at least the fourth decorative pattern group 413, which has a low probability of expecting a jackpot, is not diffused, it is possible to display only the fourth decorative pattern group 413 at the appropriate timing, making it less likely that inconsistencies will occur in the presentation content.

[0297] In the pachinko machine 10 of the first embodiment, condenser lenses 414d, 415d, and 416d are provided for the decorative symbol groups 411, 412, and 413 of the front light guide plate 410, respectively, and are configured to irradiate the respective condensed light. In contrast, for decorative symbol groups with a high probability of winning, i.e., the third decorative symbol 412, etc., a diffusing lens, such as that used for lighting the first decorative symbol group 421, may be used instead of a condensing lens. The third decorative symbol 412 has a higher probability of winning than at least the fourth decorative symbol group 413, and is located in front of the drum display device 81, which is the player's focus during play. Therefore, it is necessary to comprehensively irradiate the third decorative symbol 412 with light using a diffusing lens so that the player can clearly recognize the third decorative symbol 412. Furthermore, when lighting the fourth decorative symbol group 413, if the third decorative symbol 412, which has a higher jackpot expectation rate than the fourth decorative symbol group 413, is also lit, an inconsistency in presentation will occur, but when lighting the third decorative symbol 412, even if the fourth decorative symbol group 413, which has a lower jackpot expectation rate than the third decorative symbol 412, is lit, the player will focus on the execution of the third decorative symbol 412, which has a higher jackpot expectation rate, and will not pay much attention to the execution of the fourth decorative symbol group 413, which has a lower jackpot expectation rate, so an inconsistency in presentation is unlikely to occur. Therefore, by employing condenser lenses 415d, 416d for the fourth decorative symbol group 413, which has a lower jackpot expectation rate, and employing a diffusing lens for the third decorative symbol 412, which has a higher jackpot expectation rate, the presentation effect of the front light guide plate 410 can be enhanced, and attention to the game can be increased.

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

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

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

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

[0302] Furthermore, by using the entire front light guide plate 410 to perform effects using the decorative pattern groups 411, 412, 413 on the front side and periphery of the drum display device 81, it is possible to perform effects in an area expanded from the location of the drum display device 81. Therefore, it is possible to perform powerful effects using the drum display device 81 and the front light guide plate 410, thereby increasing the enjoyment of the game.

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

[0304] Next, referring to Figures 22 and 23, a description will be given of the lighting (effect) modes of the second decorative symbol group 411, the third decorative symbol 412, and the fourth decorative symbol group 413 of the front light guide plate 410. Figure 22 is a diagram showing lighting modes of the second decorative symbol group 411, the third decorative symbol 412, and the fourth decorative symbol group 413 that are lit and displayed on the front light guide plate 410, in which Figure 22(a) is a diagram showing a typical lighting mode of the fourth decorative symbol group 413 when the front right LED 415c and the front left LED 416c are lit with respect to the front light guide plate 410, and Figure 22(b) is a diagram showing a typical lighting mode of the second decorative symbol group 411 when the front lower LEDs 414c on the right and left ends with respect to the front light guide plate 410 are lit. Figure 23 is a diagram showing the lighting modes of the second decorative pattern group 411, the third decorative pattern 412 and the fourth decorative pattern group 413 that are lit and displayed on the front light guide plate 410, where Figure 23(a) is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the lighting mode of the third decorative pattern 412 when the front lower LEDs 414c in the center part of the front light guide plate 410 excluding the right and left ends are lit, and Figure 23(b) is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the lighting mode of the second decorative pattern group 411 and the third decorative pattern 412 when all the front lower LEDs 414c in the front light guide plate 410 are lit.

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

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

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

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

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

[0310] In this case, light irradiated straight upward by front-downward focusing lens 414d onto the lower flat plate portion, lower inverted R-shaped portion, normal R-shaped portion, upper inverted R-shaped portion, and upper flat plate portion of front light guide plate 410 collides with the horizontal grooves of second decorative pattern group 411 formed in the normal R-shaped portion of front light guide plate 410, and the vertical light is emitted toward the front side of front light guide plate 410, causing second decorative pattern group 411 to be visibly lit in "pink" on the front side of front light guide plate 410. At this time, when light emitted from front-downward LEDs 414c located at the right and left ends is focused by front-downward focusing lens 414d, the focused light does not reach third decorative pattern 412, making third decorative pattern 412 invisible or difficult to view on the front side of front light guide plate 410.

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

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

[0313] Next, as shown in Figure 23(a), when a front-down LED 414c located other than at the right end or left end among the front-down LEDs 414c provided below the front light guide plate 410 is lit up in green, the light emitted from the front-down LED 414c is collected by the semicircular portions other than the right end and left end of the front-down collecting lens 414d, and is irradiated straight upward onto the lower flat portion, lower inverted R-shaped portion, normal R-shaped portion, upper inverted R-shaped portion and upper flat portion of the front light guide plate 410 with an optical path width in the same range as the width of the semicircular portion corresponding to the emitting front-down LED 414c.

[0314] In this case, light irradiated straight upward by front-downward focusing lens 414d onto the lower flat plate portion, lower inverted R-shaped portion, normal R-shaped portion, upper inverted R-shaped portion, and upper flat plate portion of front light guide plate 410 collides with the horizontal grooves of third decorative pattern 412 formed in the normal R-shaped portion of front light guide plate 410, and the vertical light is emitted toward the front side of front light guide plate 410, causing third decorative pattern 412 to be visibly lit in "green" on the front side of front light guide plate 410. At this time, if light emitted from front-downward LEDs 414c located in a position other than the right end or the left end is focused by front-downward focusing lens 414d, the focused light does not reach second decorative pattern group 411, and second decorative pattern group 411 becomes invisible or difficult to view on the front side of front light guide plate 410.

[0315] More specifically, light incident on the lower side of the central part of the lower flat portion of the front light guide plate 410 by the front downward focusing lens 414d is guided straight upward through the lower flat portion, lower inverted R-shaped portion, normal R-shaped portion, upper inverted R-shaped portion and upper flat portion, and is slightly diffused in the left and right directions when viewed from the front in the lower flat portion, lower inverted R-shaped portion, normal R-shaped portion, upper inverted R-shaped portion and upper flat portion, but since the positions of the second decorative pattern group 411 arranged in the normal R-shaped portion and the third decorative pattern 412 are located a predetermined distance apart, the light does not reach the position of the second decorative pattern group 411 in the normal R-shaped portion. As a result, the light guided into the front light guide plate 410 by the front downward focusing lens 414d causes only the third decorative pattern 412 arranged in the central part of the regular R-shaped part of the front light guide plate 410 to be visibly lit up and displayed, while the second decorative pattern group 411 arranged on the right and left parts of the regular R-shaped part becomes invisible or difficult to see.

[0316] Furthermore, a fourth decorative pattern group 413 formed by vertical grooves is formed on the lower flat plate portion and the lower inverted R-shaped portion, which are the optical paths of light that is irradiated straight upward through the lower flat plate portion, the lower inverted R-shaped portion, the normal R-shaped portion, the upper inverted R-shaped portion, and the upper flat plate portion of the front light guide plate 410, but the fourth decorative pattern group 413 of the vertical grooves is configured in a shape that does not or makes it difficult for light irradiated vertically from the front downward LEDs 414c other than those at the right and left ends to exit to the front side of the front light guide plate 410. For this reason, the fourth decorative pattern group 413 is not lit up on the front side of the front light guide plate 410, and is therefore not visible or is difficult to see.

[0317] Next, as shown in Figure 23(b), when the front-down LEDs 414c located at the right and left ends of the front-down LEDs 414c provided below the front light guide plate 410 are lit up in "pink," the light emitted from the front-down LEDs 414c is focused by one semicircular portion at the right end and one semicircular portion at the left end of the front-down focusing lens 414d, respectively, and is irradiated straight upward onto the lower flat portion, lower inverted R-shaped portion, normal R-shaped portion, upper inverted R-shaped portion and upper flat portion of the front light guide plate 410 with an optical path width in the same range as the horizontal width of the one semicircular portion. Furthermore, when any of the front-downward LEDs 414c provided below the front light guide plate 410 that are located other than at the right and left ends is lit up in green, the light emitted from the front-downward LED 414c is focused by the semicircular portions of the front-downward focusing lens 414d other than the right and left ends, and is irradiated straight upward onto the lower flat portion, lower inverted R-shaped portion, normal R-shaped portion, upper inverted R-shaped portion and upper flat portion of the front light guide plate 410 with an optical path width within the same range as the width of the semicircular portion corresponding to the emitting front-downward LED 414c.

[0318] In this case, the light emitted straight upward by the front downward focusing lens 414d onto the lower flat portion, lower inverted R-shaped portion, normal R-shaped portion, upper inverted R-shaped portion and upper flat portion of the front light guide plate 410 collides with the horizontal grooves of the second decorative pattern group 411 formed on the normal R-shaped portion of the front light guide plate 410, and the vertical light is emitted toward the front side of the front light guide plate 410, so that the second decorative pattern group 411 is visibly lit up in "pink" and the third decorative pattern 412 is visibly lit up in "green" on the front side of the front light guide plate 410.

[0319] More specifically, the "green" light incident on the lower side of the central part of the lower flat portion of the front light guide plate 410 by the front downward focusing lens 414d is guided straight upward through the lower flat portion, lower inverted R-shaped portion, normal R-shaped portion, upper inverted R-shaped portion and upper flat portion, and is diffused slightly in the left and right directions when viewed from the front in the lower flat portion, lower inverted R-shaped portion, normal R-shaped portion, upper inverted R-shaped portion and upper flat portion, but since the positions of the second decorative pattern group 411 arranged in the normal R-shaped portion and the third decorative pattern 412 are located a predetermined distance apart, the light does not reach the position of the second decorative pattern 411 in the normal R-shaped portion. In addition, the ``pink'' light incident on the lower side of the right and left parts of the lower flat plate portion of the front light guide plate 410 by the front downward focusing lens 414d is guided straight upward through the lower flat plate portion, lower inverted R-shaped portion, normal R-shaped portion, upper inverted R-shaped portion and upper flat plate portion, and is diffused slightly in the left and right directions when viewed from the front in the lower flat plate portion, lower inverted R-shaped portion, normal R-shaped portion, upper inverted R-shaped portion and upper flat plate portion, but since the positions of the second decorative pattern group 411 arranged in the normal R-shaped portion and the third decorative pattern 412 are located a predetermined distance apart, it does not reach the position of the third decorative pattern 412 in the normal R-shaped portion. As a result, when different decorative patterns 411, 412 arranged in the regular R-shaped portion of the front light guide plate 410 are illuminated by light guided into the front light guide plate 410 by the front downward focusing lens 414d, even if light is guided to each decorative pattern 411, 412 in a different illumination color, the lights can be illuminated in their individual display colors without mixing.

[0320] Meanwhile, a fourth decorative pattern group 413 formed by vertical grooves is formed on the lower flat plate portion and the lower inverted R-shaped portion, which are the optical paths of light irradiated straight upward through the lower flat plate portion, the lower inverted R-shaped portion, the normal R-shaped portion, the upper inverted R-shaped portion, and the upper flat plate portion of the front light guide plate 410, but the fourth decorative pattern group 413 of the vertical grooves is configured in a shape that does not or makes it difficult for light irradiated vertically from the front downward LEDs 414c to exit to the front side of the front light guide plate 410. For this reason, the fourth decorative pattern group 413 is not lit up on the front side of the front light guide plate 410, and is therefore not visible or is difficult to see.

[0321] In this way, when a plurality of decorative symbols 411, 412, 413 are formed on one front light guide plate 410, the light emitted from each of the LEDs 414c, 415c, 416c is condensed and irradiated, and whether or not the decorative symbols 411, 412, 413 are visible from the front side of the pachinko machine 10 is varied depending on the direction of light incidence. By configuring in this way, the decorative symbols 411, 412, 413 that are desired to be lit and displayed according to the game results are lit at appropriate timing, and the decorative symbols 411, 412, 413 that are not desired to be lit and displayed are reliably not lit, thereby executing a performance that utilizes the entire (full surface) of the front light guide plate 410 while preventing inconsistencies in performance, thereby enriching the variety of performances and increasing attention to the game.

[0322] In addition, a fourth decorative symbol group 413 having the lowest probability of winning a jackpot is formed in a portion where the optical path of the vertical light and the optical path of the horizontal light overlap (i.e., the lower flat portion and the lower inverted R-shaped portion), and the fourth decorative symbol group 413 is configured to be visible only with horizontal light. In addition, a second decorative symbol group 411 and a third decorative symbol 412 having a higher probability of winning a jackpot than the fourth decorative symbol group 413 are formed in a portion where the optical path of the vertical light and the optical path of the horizontal light do not overlap (i.e., the normal R-shaped portion and the upper inverted R-shaped portion), and the second decorative symbol group 411 and the third decorative symbol 412 are configured to be visible only with vertical light. Here, even if the fourth decorative symbol group 413 becomes visible from the front side of the pachinko machine 10 due to vertical light, the vertical light is turned on when the second decorative symbol group 411 or the third decorative symbol 412, which have a higher expectation of a jackpot than the fourth decorative symbol group 413, are turned on, and even if the fourth decorative symbol group 413 is turned on when the second decorative symbol group 411 or the third decorative symbol 412 is turned on, there is little inconsistency in the presentation. Therefore, by forming the fourth decorative symbol group 413, which has the lowest expectation of a jackpot, in the portion where the optical path of the vertical light and the optical path of the horizontal light overlap, even if the fourth decorative symbol group 413 becomes visible from the front side of the pachinko machine 10 at an unintended timing, it is possible to minimize inconsistency in the presentation and provide the player with a natural game experience.

[0323] Next, referring to Figures 24 and 25, a description will be given of the performance mode by the front light guide plate 410, the rear light guide plate 420, and the drum display device 81 of the first embodiment. Figure 24 is a diagram showing the performance performed by the front light guide plate 410, the rear light guide plate 420, and the drum display device 81, where Figure 24(a) is a diagram schematically showing the unlit state of the first decorative pattern group 421, the second decorative pattern group 411, the third decorative pattern 412, and the fourth decorative pattern group 413, and Figure 24(b) is a diagram schematically showing the unlit state of the first decorative pattern group 421, the second decorative pattern group 411, and the third decorative pattern 412 while the fourth decorative pattern group 413 is in the lit state. 25A and 25B are diagrams showing the effects performed by the front light guide plate 410, the rear light guide plate 420, and the drum display device 81. FIG. 25A is a diagram showing a state in which the second decorative symbol group 411 and the third decorative symbol 412 are lit, while the first decorative symbol group 421 and the fourth decorative symbol group 413 are not lit. FIG. 25B is a diagram showing a state in which the first decorative symbol group 421 is lit, while the second decorative symbol group 411, the third decorative symbol 412, and the fourth decorative symbol group 413 are not lit. Note that in FIGS. 24 and 25, the LEDs 414c, 415c, 416c, 422c, and 424 and the condenser lenses 414d, 415d, and 416d are omitted.

[0324] 24(a), the LEDs 414c, 415c, 416c, 422c, 424 corresponding to the second decorative symbol group 411, the third decorative symbol 412, and the fourth decorative symbol group 413 of the front light guide plate 410, and the first decorative symbol group 421 of the rear light guide plate 420, are in a non-lighted (off) state. Therefore, the first decorative symbol group 421, the second decorative symbol group 411, the third decorative symbol 412, and the fourth decorative symbol group 413 are in a non-lighted (off) state.

[0325] 24(a), the display contents (stop mode) of the drum display device 81 disposed on the rear side of the position where the third decorative symbol 412 of the front light guide plate 410 and the first decorative symbol group 421 of the rear light guide plate 420 are formed are visible. Specifically, the left reel LR displays a "7" in the upper row, a "blank symbol" in the middle row, and an "8" in the lower row, and the center reel CR and the right reel RR display a "7" in the upper row, a "blank symbol" in the middle row, and an "8" in the lower row, respectively, which can be seen from the front side of the pachinko machine 10.

[0326] In the first embodiment, a fourth decorative symbol group 413 having the lowest probability of winning is formed in a portion of the front light guide plate 410 where the optical path of vertical light and the optical path of horizontal light overlap (i.e., the lower flat portion and the lower inverted R-shaped portion), and the fourth decorative symbol group 413 is configured to be visible only with horizontal light. Also, a second decorative symbol group 411 and a third decorative symbol 412 having a higher probability of winning than the fourth decorative symbol group 413 are formed in a portion of the front light guide plate 410 where the optical path of vertical light and the optical path of horizontal light do not overlap (i.e., the regular R-shaped portion and the upper inverted R-shaped portion), and the second decorative symbol group 411 and the third decorative symbol 412 are configured to be visible only with vertical light. Furthermore, on the back side of the portion of the front light guide plate 410 where the optical path of the vertical light and the optical path of the horizontal light do not overlap (i.e., the normal R-shaped portion and the upper inverted R-shaped portion), the first decorative symbol group 421 of the rear light guide plate 420 is formed, and the drum display device 81 that executes the variable presentation of the third symbol, which is the main presentation of the game, is disposed. In this way, the drum display device 81 that executes the variable presentation of the third symbol, which is the main presentation of the game, is disposed on the portion of the front light guide plate 410 where the optical path of the vertical light and the optical path of the horizontal light do not overlap (i.e., the normal R-shaped portion and the upper inverted R-shaped portion), and is configured to be able to display the first decorative symbol group 421, which is the presentation with the highest expectation of a jackpot in the variable presentation, so as not to interfere with the display results of the variable presentation, which is important for the game, and the presentation with a high expectation of a jackpot, can be enhanced, and the presentation effects of the front light guide plate 410, the rear light guide plate 420, and the drum display device 81 can be enhanced, and attention to the game can be increased.

[0327] 24(b), the front right LED 415c and the front left LED 416c corresponding to the fourth decorative symbol group 413 of the front light guide plate 410 are both lit in "light blue," while the LEDs 414c, 422c, and 424 corresponding to the second decorative symbol group 411 and the third decorative symbol 412 of the front light guide plate 410 and the first decorative symbol group 421 of the rear light guide plate 420 are in a non-lit (unlit) state. Therefore, the fourth decorative symbol group 413 is visible from the front side of the pachinko machine 10, while the first decorative symbol group 421, the second decorative symbol group 411, and the third decorative symbol 412 are invisible or difficult to see from the front side of the pachinko machine 10.

[0328] 24(b), similarly to FIG. 24(a), the display contents (stop mode) of the drum display device 81 disposed on the rear side of the position where the third decorative symbol 412 of the front light guide plate 410 and the first decorative symbol group 421 of the rear light guide plate 420 are formed are visible. Specifically, the left reel LR displays a "7" in the upper row, a "blank symbol" in the middle row, and an "8" in the lower row, and the center reel CR and the right reel RR display a "7" in the upper row, a "blank symbol" in the middle row, and an "8" in the lower row, respectively, which can be seen from the front side of the pachinko machine 10.

[0329] Therefore, when the third pattern variable effect is executed on the drum display device 81 arranged on the back side of the front light guide plate 410 and the rear light guide plate 420, an effect is executed using the fourth decorative pattern group 413 formed on the flat portion and the lower inverted R-shaped portion of the front light guide plate 410, and by performing an integrated and three-dimensional powerful effect by the drum display device 81 and the front light guide plate 410, the effect of the effect of each device 81, 410 is enhanced and attention to the game can be increased.

[0330] 25(a), the right- and left-most front-downward LEDs 414c corresponding to the second decorative symbol group 411 of the front light guide plate 410 are lit in "pink," and the front-downward LEDs 414c other than the right- and left-most LEDs 414c corresponding to the third decorative symbol 412 of the front light guide plate 410 are lit in "green," while the LEDs 415c, 416c, 422c, and 424 corresponding to the fourth decorative symbol group 413 of the front light guide plate 410 and the first decorative symbol group 421 of the rear light guide plate 420 are unlit (turned off). Therefore, the second decorative symbol group 411 and the third decorative symbol 412 are visible from the front side of the pachinko machine 10, while the first decorative symbol group 421 and the fourth decorative symbol group 413 are invisible or difficult to see from the front side of the pachinko machine 10.

[0331] 24(a) and 24(b), the display contents (stop mode) of the drum display device 81 disposed on the rear side of the position where the third decorative symbol 412 of the front light guide plate 410 and the first decorative symbol group 421 of the rear light guide plate 420 are formed are visible. Specifically, the left reel LR displays a "7" in the upper row, a "blank symbol" in the middle row, and an "8" in the lower row, and the center reel CR and the right reel RR display a "7" in the upper row, a "blank symbol" in the middle row, and an "8" in the lower row, respectively, which can be seen from the front side of the pachinko machine 10.

[0332] Therefore, when the third pattern variable effect is executed on the drum display device 81 arranged on the rear side of the front light guide plate 410 and the rear light guide plate 420, an effect is executed using the second decorative pattern group 411...

Claims

[Claim 1] a first effect means for producing a first effect by irradiating light from at least a predetermined direction as the game progresses; a second effect means provided on the predetermined direction side of the first effect means and configured to perform a second effect that emits light and is different from the first effect as the game progresses; a first effect reduction means for reducing a range of the first effect during a predetermined period of execution of the second effect when the second effect starts to be executed by the second effect means during execution of the first effect by the first effect means; and a reduction cancellation means for canceling the reduction of the effect range of the first effect by the first effect reduction means after the end of the predetermined period, The lottery for the execution content of the first effect and the lottery for the execution content of the second effect are configured to be able to be drawn separately, The light amount of the first effect being displayed can be reduced, When the second performance is started, the amount of light of the first performance can be reduced. A gaming machine characterized by:

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