JP7638243B2 - Gaming Machines - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to gaming machines such as pachinko machines.

In gaming machines such as pachinko machines, a plurality of winning holes including a starting winning hole are arranged in a gaming area formed on the front side of a gaming board, a pattern is changed based on a gaming ball shot by a shooting means toward the gaming area entering the starting winning hole, and a profitable state advantageous to a player is generated when the stopped pattern after the change becomes a specific pattern. The gaming board comprises a base plate and an image display means arranged on the rear side of the base plate, and a display window is formed in a front structure attached to the base plate to allow the display screen of the image display means to be viewed from the front side.
Many of these types of gaming machines also use a so-called transparent gaming board. Not only is the base plate transparent, but the front structure attached to the base plate is often also formed transparent, which makes it possible to place not only image display means but also decorative members equipped with illuminants on the rear side of the base plate.

JP 2022-9970 A

In gaming machines with this type of transparent gaming board, the gaming ball passing area within the gaming area through which the gaming balls can pass is also transparent and the rear side can be seen through, so the question arises as to what kind of member to place behind the gaming ball passing area. That is, in order to ensure that the display area of the image display means is as large as possible, it is necessary to place a display screen behind the gaming ball passing area as well, but in that case, there is a possibility that the gaming balls will make it difficult to see part of the display screen, or conversely, the image displayed on the display screen will make it difficult to see the movement of the gaming balls.
The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a gaming machine which, when using a so-called transparent gaming board, can ensure as wide a display area as possible for the image display means while minimizing the interference with the visibility of the gaming ball and the screen display with each other.

The present invention is provided with a game board having an image display means, a launch means capable of launching game balls toward a game area formed on the front side of the game board, a plurality of winning holes arranged in the game area and including a start winning hole, a special variable winning hole, and a normal winning hole, a plurality of outlet holes arranged in the game area, a pattern display means capable of variably displaying decorative patterns by the image display means based on the entry of a game ball into the start winning hole, and a profit state generating means for changing the actuated special variable winning hole from a closed state to an open state allowing the game ball to enter when a stopped pattern after variation by the pattern display means becomes a specific mode, and the game board is provided with a transparent base plate arranged in front of the image display means, a front structure arranged in the game area of the base plate and having a display window for viewing the display screen of the image display means from the front, and a display unit for displaying a display screen of the image display means from the front side of the base plate. a light-emitting decorative member disposed at the rear and emitting light from a light-emitting body; a game ball that is launched by the launching means and enters the upper part of the game area flows down either the A flow-down area on one side of the front structure or the B flow-down area on the other side, and enters one of the multiple winning holes or enters the out-hole and is discharged outside the game area; the front structure is provided with a predetermined ball entry port through which game balls flowing down the A flow-down area can enter, a guide passage for guiding game balls that have entered the predetermined ball entry port, and a stage for allowing game balls guided by the guide passage to roll freely left and right and then flow down to the lower side; the start winning port includes a non-operable first start winning port and an operable second start winning port that can be changed between an open state through which game balls can enter and a closed state in which game balls cannot enter or are more difficult to enter than the open state; and the normal winning port is provided with a first flow-down area, a plurality of A normal winning ports arranged in a direction parallel to the axis of the arrows, the special variable winning port, the second start winning port, and a B normal winning port among the normal winning ports are provided in the B flow-down area, the plurality of outlets include a first outlet arranged in the vicinity of the A normal winning port, a second outlet arranged downstream of the first outlet, and a third outlet arranged in the B flow-down area, the A flow-down area has a larger area overlapping with the luminous decorative member than the area overlapping with the display screen of the image display means upstream of the predetermined winning port, the guide passage and the stage are formed to be transparent in almost the entire area, and at least a part of the guide passage is arranged to overlap in front of the display screen, and in the area corresponding to the guide passage and the stage in a front view, the area not overlapping with the display screen is larger than the area overlapping with the display screen, and the stage has a plurality of outlets arranged in a direction parallel to the axis of the arrows, the plurality of outlets including a first outlet arranged in the vicinity of the A normal winning port, a second outlet arranged downstream of the first outlet, and a third outlet arranged in the B flow-down area, a first blocking section is provided below the stage for blocking the movement of game balls toward the B flow-down area, a second blocking section is provided below the stage for blocking game balls flowing down from the stage toward the B flow-down area and entering an entry port on the B flow-down area side , and a third blocking section is provided below the stage for blocking game balls that have flowed down the B flow-down area without entering the third out port and the special variable entry port from entering the first start entry port below the stage without blocking the game balls from entering the B normal entry port, and the A flow- down area is wider in the direction in which the game balls flow down than the B flow-down area and has more branching points which branch off the direction in which the game balls travel than the B flow-down area, so that the average time it takes for game balls to flow down the A flow-down area is longer than the average time it takes for game balls to flow down the B flow-down area.

When using a so-called transparent game board, this invention makes it possible to ensure that the display area of the image display means is as large as possible while minimizing the interference between the game ball and the screen display with each other's visibility.

1 is an overall front view of a pachinko machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 2 is a front view of the game board of the pachinko machine. This is a front view of the rear support member and fixed decorative means that make up the game board of the pachinko machine. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a main part (upper side) of the game board of the pachinko machine. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a main part (lower part) of the game board of the pachinko machine. This is a front view of the main part (lower left) of the game board of the pachinko machine. This is a front view of the main part (lower right) of the game board of the pachinko machine. This is a front view of the rear support member and movable performance means that make up the game board of the pachinko machine. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the division of the display area and the light-emitting area on the game board of the pachinko machine and their area ratios. FIG. This is a diagram showing the design values for the number of winning balls and winning rate for each winning slot of the pachinko machine. 2 is a diagram showing a display example of the liquid crystal display means of the pachinko machine. FIG. 13A to 13C are diagrams showing the display modes of decorative patterns for each game mode of the pachinko machine. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the changes in decorative and mini patterns of the pachinko machine. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a reach effect of the pachinko machine. A figure showing an example of the performance during a jackpot round (performance during a jackpot) of the same pachinko machine.

Below, an embodiment of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Figures 1 to 16 show an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a pachinko machine. In Figures 1 and 2, the gaming machine main body 1 comprises an outer frame 2 and a front frame 3 arranged in front of the outer frame 2. The front frame 3 is pivotally attached to the outer frame 2 via a first hinge 4 in the up-down direction arranged at one end in the left-right direction, for example the left end, so that it can be opened, closed, and detached freely, and can be locked in the closed state relative to the outer frame 2 by a locking means 5 provided on the opposite side in the left-right direction to the first hinge 4, for example the right end.

The front frame 3 comprises a main frame 6 and a glass door 7 arranged in front of the main frame 6. The glass door 7 is pivotally attached to the main frame 6 via a second hinge 8 arranged in the vertical direction at one end in the left-right direction, for example at the left end, so that it can be opened, closed, and detached freely, and can be locked in the closed state relative to the main frame 6 by a locking means 5. The first hinge 4 and the second hinge 8 are arranged, for example, to be coaxial.

As shown in FIG. 2, the outer frame 2 is formed in a rectangular shape by a pair of left and right vertical frame members 2a, 2b and a pair of upper and lower horizontal frame members 2c, 2d. A resin front cover member 9 is attached to the lower front side of the outer frame 2 so as to connect the lower front sides of the left and right vertical frame members 2a, 2b along the front edge of the lower horizontal frame member 2d. The front cover member 9 protrudes forward from the left and right vertical frame members 2a, 2b, and the main frame 6 is disposed above it. In addition, the outer frame 2 has an upper outer frame hinge metal fitting 11 constituting the first hinge 4 disposed, for example, at the upper left, and a lower outer frame hinge metal fitting 12 disposed above the front cover member 9 at the lower left.

The main body frame 6 is made of resin and includes, for example, a rectangular frame portion 13 that can be brought into contact with the front edge of the outer frame 2 above the front cover member 9, a game board mounting portion 14 provided on the upper side of the frame portion 13, and a lower mounting portion 15 provided on the lower side of the frame portion 13. The game board 16 is detachably mounted on the game board mounting portion 14, for example, from the front side, and the lower mounting portion 15 has a launching means 17 that can launch game balls toward the game area 23, a lower speaker 18, etc., provided on its front side. In addition, the main body frame 6 has, for example, a main body frame upper hinge metal fitting 19 that constitutes the first hinge 4 and a main body frame upper hinge metal fitting 20 that constitutes the second hinge 8, provided on the upper left side, and a main body frame lower hinge metal fitting 21 that constitutes the first and second hinges 4 and 8, provided on the lower left side, for example.

The glass door 7 is provided with a resin door base 22 formed in a rectangular shape corresponding to the front side of the main frame 6. In this door base 22, a window hole 24a of a glass window 24 is formed corresponding to a play area 23 formed on the front side of the play board 16, and multiple (four in this case) upper speakers 25, a blower effect device 26, and other presentation means are arranged around the window hole 24a, and an upper decorative cover 27 is attached to substantially cover the upper speakers 25 from the front side. At least a part of the upper decorative cover 27 forms a light-emitting lens part having translucency, and one or more LED boards 28 having a large number of LEDs 28a are arranged behind it.

Also arranged on the lower front side of the door base 22 are an upper tray 30 that stores game balls dispensed from the dispensing means 29 located on the rear side of the main frame 6 and supplies them to the launching means 17, a lower tray 31 that stores surplus balls when the upper tray 30 is full, and a launch handle 32 that is operated to activate the launching means 17, and furthermore a lower decorative cover 33 that substantially covers the upper tray 30, lower tray 31, etc. from the front is attached. The lower decorative cover 33 is formed in a forward-facing bulge, and on its upper side are operating means such as a performance button 34 that can be pressed by the player and a cross operating means 35.

A glass unit 36 is removably attached to the rear side of the door base 22 so as to substantially cover the window hole 24a from the rear side, and a vertical hinge end side reinforcing sheet metal 37 arranged along the edge of the first and second hinges 4, 8, a vertical opening/closing end side reinforcing sheet metal 38 arranged along the edge of the opening/closing end side, and a left-right lower reinforcing sheet metal 39 arranged below the window hole 24a are removably fixed by screws or the like. In addition, a glass door upper hinge metal 40 constituting the second hinge 8 is arranged on the upper left of the door base 22, and a glass door lower hinge metal 41 is arranged on the lower left.

For example, a ball feeding unit 42, a lower tray guide unit 43, etc. are attached to the back side of the lower reinforcing sheet metal 39. The ball feeding unit 42 is for supplying the game balls in the upper tray 30 one by one to the launching means 17, and is arranged corresponding to the front side of the launching means 17. The lower tray guide unit 43 is for guiding surplus balls when the upper tray 30 is full, and foul balls that have been launched by the launching means 17 but have returned without reaching the playing area 23, to the lower tray 31, and is arranged, for example, adjacent to the ball feeding unit 42 on the first and second hinges 4, 8 sides.

The game board 16 is a so-called transparent game board equipped with a transparent base plate 45 formed from a transparent resin such as polycarbonate, and as shown in FIG. 3, a guide rail 51, a central display frame unit 52, a normal winning unit 53, a start gate unit 54, a first start winning unit 55, a second start winning means 56, a big winning unit 57, a liquid crystal display means (image display means) 58, a movable performance means 59, a fixed decoration means 60, etc. are attached to the transparent base plate 45. Note that the second start winning means 56 is arranged on the central display frame unit 52, but it may be attached to the transparent base plate 45 as a unit separate from the central display frame unit 52.

The liquid crystal display means 58, movable presentation means 59, fixed decoration means 60, etc. are arranged on the rear side of the transparent base plate 45 via a rear support member 61, etc. As shown in Figures 4 to 6, etc., the rear support member 61 is integrally provided with a rear wall portion 62 arranged approximately parallel to the transparent base plate 45 and rearward of the transparent base plate 45, and a peripheral wall portion 63 extending approximately forward from the outer periphery of the rear wall portion 62, and is fixed by screws or the like with the front edge side of the peripheral wall portion 63 abutting against the back side of the transparent base plate 45.

A roughly rectangular opening 62a is formed in the rear wall 62 of the rear support member 61, and the liquid crystal display means 58 is removably fixed to the rear side of the rear wall 62 with the display screen 58a corresponding to the opening 62a. In addition, the movable performance means 59 and the fixed decoration means 60 are disposed within the rear support member 61, i.e., behind the transparent base plate 45 and in front of the liquid crystal display means 58, and are removably fixed to the rear wall 62 etc.

The guide rail 51 is for guiding the game balls launched from the launching means 17, and is arranged in a roughly annular shape on the front side of the transparent base plate 45 so as to surround the periphery of the game area 23. As shown in FIG. 3, the guide rail 51 is made up of multiple, for example, three, first to third rail members 51a to 51c. The first to third rail members 51a to 51c are made of, for example, transparent or translucent resin.

The first rail member 51a is formed in a generally arch shape from the lower left side of the transparent base plate 45, passing through approximately the center of the left edge, approximately the center of the upper edge, and reaching the upper right corner, and is integrally provided with a front wall portion 64 parallel to the transparent base plate 45, and a peripheral wall portion 65 of approximately constant width protruding rearward from the peripheral portion of the front wall portion 64, and is removably fixed to the transparent base plate 45 with the rear end side of the peripheral wall portion 65 abutting against the front surface of the transparent base plate 45. The peripheral wall portion 65a of the first rail member 51a on the play area 23 side is formed in a generally arc shape when viewed from the front, forming part of the guide rail 51.

The second rail member 51b is formed as a plate of a constant width in the front-rear direction that stands approximately vertically on the front side of the transparent base plate 45, and is arranged in an approximately arc shape parallel to the inside of the first rail member 51a from the upper left to the lower left of the transparent base plate 45. The portion sandwiched between the first rail member 51a and the second rail member 51b forms a launch guide passage 66 that guides the game ball launched by the launching means 17 to the game area 23.

The third rail member 51c is formed in a generally L-shape in front view along the right and bottom edges of the transparent base plate 45 so as to connect the upper right end of the first rail member 51a and the lower left end of the second rail member 51b, and is integrally provided with a front wall portion 67 parallel to the transparent base plate 45 and a peripheral wall portion 68 of a generally constant width protruding rearward from the peripheral portion of the front wall portion 67, and is removably fixed to the transparent base plate 45 with the rear end side of the peripheral wall portion 68 abutting against the front surface of the transparent base plate 45. The peripheral wall portion 68a of the third rail member 51c on the play area 23 side forms part of the guide rail 51.

The central display frame unit (front structure) 52 constitutes the display frame of the liquid crystal display means 58, and is provided with a display window 74 in the approximate center for viewing the display screen 58a of the liquid crystal display means 58 from the front side, and is detachably attached from the front side to a mounting hole (not shown) formed in the transparent base plate 45 that penetrates in the front-rear direction. This central display frame unit 52 is made of transparent or translucent resin, and as shown in Figures 3, 5, 6, etc., is provided with a front mounting plate 71 that is arranged outside the mounting hole along the front surface of the transparent base plate 45 and through which game balls can pass, a decorative frame 72 that is arranged in a roughly gate-like shape when viewed from the front with left and right side decorative frames 72a and an upper decorative frame 72b above it, and that protrudes forward from the inner periphery of the front mounting plate 71, a stage 73 that is arranged between the left and right lower ends of the decorative frame 72, and a light-emitting display means 75 that is arranged corresponding to the display window 74 surrounded by the decorative frame 72 and the stage 73. The game ball that is launched by the launching means 17 and enters the upper part of the game area 23 is divided to the left and right at the top of the upper decorative frame 72b, and flows down either the left flow area (flow area A) 76 on the left side of the central display frame unit 52 or the right flow area (flow area B) 77 on the right side.

The left downstream area 76 can be broadly divided into a left upstream area 76a on the upstream side, a left downstream area 76c on the downstream side, and a left middle area 76b between them. The left upstream area 76a is formed on the front side of the front mounting plate 71 of the central display frame unit 52, and has a passage width (width in the downstream direction of the game balls) of two or more game balls, and a number of obstacles 69 for changing the downstream direction of the game balls are integrally protruded from the front side of the front mounting plate 71. The left middle area 76b and the left downstream area 76c are formed with a passage width wider than the left upstream area 76a, and each has a large number of game nails 70 arranged therein.

The right downstream area 77 can be broadly divided into an upper right upstream area 77a on the upstream side, a lower right downstream area 77c on the downstream side, and a right middle area 77b between them. The upper right upstream area 77a is formed in front of the front mounting plate 71 of the central display frame unit 52, and has a passage width of about one game ball. The right middle area 77b and the right downstream area 77c are formed with a passage width wider than the upper right downstream area 77a, and each has a large number of game nails 70 arranged therein.

Comparing the left flow-down area 76 and the right flow-down area 77, the left flow-down area 76 has a wider passageway overall than the right flow-down area 77, and has a greater number of obstacles 69 and game pins 70, and therefore a greater number of branching points at which the direction of travel of the game ball branches. As a result, the average flow-down speed of the game ball in the left flow-down area 76 (calculated based on the average time it takes for the game ball launched by the launching means 17 to reach the outlet 114 at the bottom of the board after entering the game area 23) is slower than the average flow-down speed of the game ball in the right flow-down area 77 (calculated based on the average time it takes for the game ball launched by the launching means 17 to reach the normal winning port 123 after entering the game area 23), and therefore the average time it takes for the game ball to flow down the left flow-down area 76 is longer than the average time it takes for the game ball to flow down the right flow-down area 77.

The central display frame unit 52 is provided with a warp ball entrance 78 through which game balls can enter, corresponding to either the left flow-down area 76 or the right flow-down area 77, for example, the left middle area 76b of the left flow-down area 76. Game balls that enter the warp ball entrance (predetermined ball entrance) 78 from the left middle area 76b are guided to a stage guide passage (guidance passage) 79 and flow into the stage 73 from its left end side. The stage 73 is formed in a gentle V-shape when viewed from the front, with the center lower than both the left and right ends, and the game balls guided by the stage guide passage 79 are allowed to roll freely in the left and right directions, and then dropped to the front from either the center drop section 80 or the other parts. A blocking wall (first blocking section) 81 is erected on the end side (right end side) opposite the warp ball entrance 78 of the stage 73, which blocks the movement of game balls to the flow-down area (right flow-down area 77) opposite the warp ball entrance 78. The stage guide passage 79 and the stage 73 are almost entirely made transparent.

In addition, various display means are provided on the central display frame unit 52, such as a normal symbol display means 91, a normal reserved number display means 92, a first special symbol display means 93, and a second special symbol display means 94. Of course, these display means 91 to 94 can be arranged not only on the central display frame unit 52, but also at any position on the front side of the game board 16 so that they can be seen from the front.

The light-emitting display means (decorative member) 75 is a so-called illumination panel display device, and as shown in Figs. 3, 5, 6, etc., includes a transparent resin light guide plate (second light receiving portion) 82 arranged substantially parallel to the display screen 58a on the front side of the liquid crystal display means 58, and an LED board 83 arranged along a predetermined edge portion (here, the upper edge portion) of the light guide plate 82. The light guide plate 82 is arranged on the rear side so as to substantially cover the display window 74. A plurality of LEDs (second light emitters) 83a are mounted on the LED board 83 at regular intervals and arranged in a direction facing (here, downward) the end face (here, the upper end face) of the light guide plate 82. In addition, the light guide plate 82 has a reflecting portion 84 consisting of a group of minute recesses on at least one side (here, the back side) thereof, as shown by the dashed line in Fig. 3, so as to form any pattern, character, figure, etc. (here, a pattern of a kappa character) when viewed from the front.

When the LED 83a is turned on, the light enters the light guide plate 82 from the end face on the upper edge side, and is then reflected forward by the reflector 84. This allows any image or the like to appear on the light guide plate 82 in front of the display screen 58a. The LED 83a may be positioned at any position relative to the light guide plate 82, and may be positioned on any one edge, top, bottom, left or right, or on multiple edges, such as the top edge and left edge.

In this way, the light-emitting display means 75 is configured so that the light irradiated in the in-plane direction of the light guide plate 82 (here, the up-down direction) is reflected forward by the reflecting portion 84, making it visible from the front, so the light guide plate 82 does not need to be treated to reduce light transmittance, as is the case with the decorative surfaces of the movable performance means 59, fixed decorative means 60, etc., which will be described later. Therefore, when the LED 83a is not lit, the image displayed on the display screen 58a of the liquid crystal display means 58 can be clearly seen from the front through the light guide plate 82 arranged in front of it. The light guide plate 82 may be arranged to cover only a part of the display window 74, rather than the entirety of it.

The normal winning unit 53 is disposed along the guide rail 51 in the lower left portion of the game area 23, i.e., the left downstream area 76c in the left flow-down area 76, and is detachably attached to a front-rear through-hole formed in the transparent base plate 45. As shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 7, etc., the normal winning unit 53 includes a normal winning main body 53a formed at least partially, for example entirely, transparent or translucent, a plurality of normal winning ports (A normal winning ports) 101, 102 formed integrally with the normal winning main body 53a, one or more, for example one outlet 103 formed integrally with the normal winning main body 53a, and a game ball detection means 104 for detecting game balls that have entered the normal winning ports 101, 102. Although the normal winning unit 53 does not have an LED board, it is entirely transparent or translucent, and as described below, a fixed decoration means 60 is placed on the rear side, so that the area in which the normal winning unit 53 is placed when viewed from the front is almost entirely an illuminated area by the LEDs on the fixed decoration means 60 side.

The normal winning openings 101, 102 open upward or diagonally upward, and are arranged adjacent to each other on the left and right near the downstream end of the normal winning main body 53a. After a game ball enters the normal winning openings 101, 102, it is detected by the game ball detection means 104, guided to the rear side of the game board 16, and discharged outside the machine. For each game ball that enters the normal winning openings 101, 102, a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out. In this embodiment, the number of prize balls for both the normal winning openings 101, 102 is set to five, as shown in FIG. 11.

The game ball detection means 104 is not disposed near the normal winning openings 101, 102, but is disposed outside (below) the game area 23 in a position that is difficult (or impossible) to see from the front, for example, behind the third rail member 51c. In this embodiment, the normal winning openings 101, 102 have the same number of prize balls (five for both), so the game ball detection means 104 is used in common for the normal winning openings 101, 102, but game ball detection means may be provided separately for each of the normal winning openings 101, 102.

The outlet 103 opens almost upward and is disposed adjacent to the normal winning holes 101 and 102, that is, on the left side. A game ball that enters the outlet 103 is guided to the rear of the game board 16 and discharged outside the machine. Naturally, no game ball detection means is disposed in the outlet 103, and no game ball detection means is disposed in the vicinity of the adjacent normal winning holes 101 and 102, so it is difficult to determine whether or not it is an outlet based on the presence or absence of a game ball detection means. Of course, on the front side of the normal winning unit 53, an outlet identification information 105 indicating that it is an outlet is displayed at a position corresponding to the outlet 103, which makes it possible to recognize that it is an outlet. The outlet identification information 105 is, for example, composed of the letters "OUT".

The start gate unit 54 is located on the right side of the game area 23, i.e., in the right middle area 77b in the right flow-down area 77, and is removably attached from the front side to a front-rear through mounting hole formed in the transparent base plate 45. As shown in Figures 3 and 8, the start gate unit 54a is at least partially, for example entirely, formed to be transparent or translucent, a normal pattern start gate 106 formed integrally with the start gate main body 54a and through which game balls can pass in the vertical direction, and a game ball detection means 107 for detecting game balls that have passed through the normal pattern start gate 106. The normal symbol start gate 106 is used to start the variation of the normal symbol by the normal symbol display means 91, and multiple game pins 70 are arranged above it. The game ball that flows down from the upper right flow area 77a to the right middle area 77b changes its flow direction due to the game pins 70, so that it either passes through the normal symbol start gate 106, or flows downstream without passing through the normal symbol start gate 106.

Here, the normal pattern display means 91 is for displaying normal patterns in a variable manner, and is provided with a plurality of light-emitting elements (e.g., LEDs) corresponding to a plurality of normal patterns (e.g., two types, "○" and "X"). When a game ball flowing down the right flow-down area 77 passes through the normal pattern start gate 106 and is detected by the game ball detection means 107, the plurality of light-emitting elements blink to emit light in a predetermined sequence. If the winning judgment random number value included in the normal random number information acquired when the game ball is detected by the game ball detection means 107 matches a predetermined winning judgment value, the light-emitting element on the "○" side, for example, corresponding to the winning mode (predetermined mode) lights up, and otherwise the light-emitting element on the "X" side, for example, corresponding to the losing mode lights up and stops. If the stopped pattern after the variation of the normal pattern display means 91 becomes a winning mode, a normal profit state occurs. The normal profit state will be described later.

In addition, when a game ball passes through the normal symbol start gate 106 during a normal hold period, which includes when the normal symbol display means 91 is changing symbols and during a normal profit state, the normal random number information acquired thereby is held and stored up to a predetermined upper limit of the number of reserved symbols, for example up to four, and each time the normal hold period ends, one is consumed at a time to cause the normal symbol to change. The number of stored normal random number information (normal hold number) is notified to the player by the normal hold number display means 92, etc.

The first start winning unit 55 is located at the lower side in the approximate left-right center of the game area 23, i.e., between the central display frame unit 52 and the guide rail 51 below it, and is detachably attached from the front side to a front-rear through mounting hole formed in the transparent base plate 45. As shown in Figures 3, 7, 8, etc., it is equipped with a first start winning main body part 55a formed at least partially, for example entirely, to be transparent or translucent, a first start winning opening (start winning opening) 111 formed integrally with this first start winning main body part 55a, a game ball detection means 112 that detects a game ball that has entered this first start winning opening 111, and one or more LED boards 113 having multiple LEDs 113a on the front side.

A predetermined light transmittance suppression treatment is applied to the light-transmitting area formed in correspondence with the LED 113a on the front side of the first start-up winning unit 55, which reduces the so-called point light that is emitted in a concentrated manner near the light source, and makes the internal LED board 113 and the like difficult to see from the front. Possible light transmittance suppression treatments include attaching a non-transmitting or low-transmitting decorative sticker, and a light diffusion treatment for diffusing (diffuse reflection) light. Due to the LED board 113, the placement area of the first start-up winning unit 55 in a front view is almost entirely a light-emitting area due to the LED 113a. Note that the placement area of the first start-up winning unit 55 may be made a light-emitting area by arranging a fixed decorative means 60 behind the first start-up winning unit 55 without providing an LED board.

The first start winning hole 111 is a non-operating winning hole for starting the variation of the first special symbol by the first special symbol display means 93, and is formed in an upward opening shape corresponding to the lower side of the central drop section 80 provided on the stage 73. After the game ball that enters the first start winning hole 111 is detected by the game ball detection means 112, it is guided to the rear side of the game board 16 and discharged outside the machine. For each game ball that enters the first start winning hole 111, a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the number of prize balls for the first start winning hole 111 is set to three. In addition, an outlet 114 is provided below the first start winning unit 55 in correspondence with the most downstream position of the game area 23. The game ball that enters the outlet 114 is guided to the rear side of the game board 16 and discharged outside the machine.

The first special symbol display means 93 is configured with a seven-segment display means or the like capable of variably displaying one or more first special symbols, for example one, and variably displays the first special symbol for a predetermined period of time on the condition that a game ball enters the first start winning hole 111 and is detected by the game ball detection means 112. If the jackpot determination random number value included in the first special random number information acquired when the game ball is detected by the game ball detection means 112 matches a predetermined jackpot determination value, the first special symbol stops in the first jackpot mode, and otherwise stops in the first miss mode. If the stopped symbol after the variance of the first special symbol display means 93 becomes the first jackpot mode, a special advantage state occurs. The special advantage state will be described later.

Note that while game balls that have flowed down the left flow area 76 can enter the first start winning hole 111, it is impossible (or very difficult) for game balls that have flowed down the right flow area 77 to enter the first start winning hole 111 due to the presence of game nails 70b (third blocking section) described below, etc.

The second start winning means 56 is disposed on the front mounting plate 71 on the right side of the central display frame unit 52, downstream of the start gate unit 54 in the right flow down area 77 (here, the right middle area 77b), and is equipped with a second start winning port 115 formed on the front mounting plate 71, an opening/closing member 116 that can change this second start winning port 115 between an open state where a game ball can enter and a closed state where a game ball cannot enter (or is more difficult to enter than in the open state), and a game ball detection means 117 that detects a game ball that has entered the second start winning port 115, as shown in Figures 3 and 8.

The second start winning hole 115 is an actuation winning hole for starting the variation of the second special symbol by the second special symbol display means 94, and is formed as a forward opening. The opening/closing member 116 can swing around a left-right rotation axis provided on the lower side, for example, and in the closed state, it is approximately flush with the front mounting plate 71 to close the second start winning hole 115, allowing the game ball to pass through the front side, and in the open state, it is inclined backward and downward in front of the front mounting plate 71 to guide the game ball into the second start winning hole 115. This opening/closing member 116 changes from a closed state to an open state for a predetermined time when the stopped symbol after the variation of the normal symbol display means 91 becomes a winning state and a normal profit state occurs, and the second start winning hole 115 becomes a state in which the game ball can enter. A game ball that enters the second start winning port 115 is detected by the game ball detection means 117, and then guided to the rear side of the game board 16 and discharged outside the machine. A predetermined number of prize balls are paid out for each game ball that enters the second start winning port 115. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the number of prize balls for the second start winning port 115 is set to one.

Here, the second special symbol display means 94 is configured with a display means such as a seven-segment type capable of variably displaying one or more, for example one, second special symbols, and variably displays the second special symbol for a predetermined period of time on the condition that a game ball enters the second start winning hole 115 that has been opened during the normal winning state and is detected by the game ball detection means 117, and when the jackpot determination random number value included in the second special random number information acquired when the game ball is detected by the game ball detection means 117 matches a predetermined jackpot determination value, the second special symbol stops in the second jackpot mode, and otherwise stops in the second miss mode. When the stopped symbol after the variation of the second special symbol display means 94 becomes the second jackpot mode, a special winning state occurs.

In addition, when a game ball enters the first and second start winning holes 111 and 115 during a special reservation period including the pattern change of the first special pattern display means 93, the pattern change of the second special pattern display means 94, and the special profit state, the first and second special random number information acquired thereby is reserved and stored up to a predetermined upper limit of reserved numbers, for example, four each. Then, when the special reservation period ends, if the reserved memory on the second special pattern side is 1 or more (if the pattern change start condition for the second special pattern is established), the reserved memory of the second special pattern is consumed and the second special pattern is changed, and if only the reserved memory on the first special pattern side is 1 or more (if the pattern change start condition for the first special pattern is established), the reserved memory of the first special pattern is consumed and the first special pattern is changed. In this embodiment, the first and second special symbols are never both changing, and when there is reserved memory on both the first and second special symbols, the second special symbol is given priority. The number of first and second special random number information stored (number of first and second special reserved numbers) is notified to the player by the liquid crystal display means 58 or the like, as described below.

The large prize unit 57 is positioned downstream of the second start-up prize-winning means 56 in the right flow-down area 77, i.e., in the right downstream area 77c, along the guide rail 51, and is removably attached from the front side to a front-to-rear through mounting hole formed in the transparent base plate 45. As shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 8, etc., the big prize unit 57 includes a big prize main body 57a formed to be at least partially, for example entirely, transparent or translucent, a big prize opening (special variable winning opening) 121 formed in the big prize main body 57a, an opening/closing member 122 that can change the big prize opening 121 between an open state where game balls can enter and a closed state where balls cannot enter, one or more, for example, one normal prize opening 123 formed in the big prize main body 57a, one or more, for example, one outlet 124 formed in the big prize main body 57a, a game ball detection means 125 that detects game balls that have entered the big prize opening 121, a game ball detection means 126 that detects game balls that have entered the normal prize opening 123, and one or more LED boards 127 having multiple LEDs 127a on the front side.

A specified light transmittance suppression treatment is applied to the light-transmitting area formed in correspondence with the LED 127a on the front side of the big prize unit 57, which reduces so-called point light and makes the internal LED board 127 and the like less visible from the front. In addition, due to the LED board 127, the area in which the big prize unit 57 is placed when viewed from the front is almost entirely an area illuminated by the LED 127a.

The front upper portion of the large prize winning main body 57a is provided with a left-downward inclined surface 128 that guides the game ball toward the inside (left side) of the game area 23, and the large prize winning opening 121 is formed in a horizontally elongated, approximately rectangular shape that opens approximately upward on the inclined surface 128. The opening/closing member 122 is a plate-shaped member corresponding to the large prize winning opening 121, and is formed in a left-downward inclined shape to match the inclined surface 128. It can slide back and forth between a closed state in which it protrudes forward from the front surface of the transparent base plate 45 to close the large prize winning opening 121, and an open state in which it retreats to the rear of the large prize winning opening 121 to open the large prize winning opening 121. The game ball that enters the large prize winning opening 121 is detected by the game ball detection means 125, and then guided to the rear side of the game board 16 and discharged outside the machine. When the opening/closing member 122 is in the closed state, the game ball that falls onto the inclined surface 128 is guided downstream (to the left) by the opening/closing member 122, etc.

When a special profit state occurs as a result of the first and second special symbols of the first and second special symbol display means 93, 94 stopping in the first and second big win modes after fluctuating, the opening and closing member 122 of the big prize unit 57 opens according to a predetermined opening pattern under the control of the profit state generating means configured on the main control board, and allows the game balls flowing down the inclined surface 128 to enter the big prize opening 121. Here, the opening pattern of the opening and closing member 122 is configured to execute a predetermined unit opening operation for a predetermined number of rounds such as 5R, 10R, etc. The unit opening operation is an operation of closing the big prize opening 121 (switching from an open state to a closed state) on the condition that a predetermined upper limit time (e.g., 28 seconds) has elapsed since the big prize opening 121 was opened (switched from a closed state to an open state) or a predetermined upper limit number of game balls (e.g., 9 balls) have entered by that time. A predetermined number of prize balls are paid out for each ball that enters the large prize opening 121. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the number of prize balls for the large prize opening 121 is set to 15.

After the special advantage state ends, a special game state advantageous to the player occurs with a predetermined probability. In this embodiment, depending on the jackpot pattern random number value when the jackpot determination random number value included in the first and second special random number information matches the jackpot determination value, a special game state of either a time-saving state or a probability variable state is generated after the special advantage state ends.

During the time-saving state, the fluctuation time of the first and second special symbols is switched to a shortened fluctuation time that is shorter than the normal fluctuation time, the probability that the normal symbols will be in a winning state is switched from the normal probability (e.g., 1/10) to a high probability (e.g., 1/1.3), the fluctuation time of the normal symbols is switched from the normal fluctuation time (e.g., 27 seconds) to a shortened fluctuation time (e.g., 2.7 seconds), and the opening and closing pattern of the second start winning hole 115 is switched from the normal opening and closing pattern (e.g., 0.2 seconds x 1 opening) to an extended opening and closing pattern (e.g., 2 seconds x 3 openings). The time-saving state begins after the special advantage state ends and ends when the next special advantage state occurs or when the first and second special symbols have changed a predetermined number of times (e.g., 50 times) before that.

During the high probability state, the probability that the first and second special symbols will become the first and second jackpot patterns is switched to a higher probability (e.g., 1/35) than the normal probability (e.g., 1/350). In addition, during the high probability state, in principle, switching is also performed in the same way as in the time-saving state. The high probability state begins after the special advantage state ends, and ends when the next special advantage state occurs, but other ending conditions, such as the number of times the first and second special symbols change, may be added.

The normal winning hole (B normal winning hole) 123 is arranged in an upward opening manner on the downstream side (left side) of the inclined surface 128 on which the large winning hole 121 is provided. A game ball that falls onto the inclined surface 128 and flows downstream without entering the large winning hole 121 is guided to a plurality of game nails 70 arranged on the upper side of the normal winning hole 123, so that the ball enters the normal winning hole 123 with a high probability. Since the normal winning hole 123 is arranged on the downstream side of the inclined surface 128 and the large winning hole 121 is arranged on the inclined surface 128, it goes without saying that it is easier for the ball to enter the normal winning hole 123 when the large winning hole 121 is closed than when it is open. After the game ball that enters the normal winning hole 123 is detected by the game ball detection means 126, it is guided to the rear side of the game board 16 and discharged outside the machine. When a game ball enters the normal winning opening 123, a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out per ball. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the number of prize balls for the normal winning opening 123 is set to one. When a game ball enters this normal winning opening 123, the normal pattern display means 91 may be configured to start varying the normal pattern. By using the normal winning opening 123 as the normal pattern start opening instead of the normal pattern start gate 106, the start gate unit 54 is no longer necessary, and manufacturing costs can be reduced.

The outlet 124 opens substantially upward and is located adjacent to the upstream side of the inclined surface 128, i.e., on the right side. A game ball that enters the outlet 124 is guided to the rear of the game board 16 and ejected outside the machine. On the front side of the big winning unit 57, in a position corresponding to the outlet 124, outlet identification information 105 consisting of the letters "OUT" or the like indicating that it is an outlet is displayed, which makes it possible to recognize that it is an outlet.

Next, the arrangement of the game nails 70 and the like in the game area 23 will be described. First, in the left downstream area 76, since the front side of the transparent base plate 45 in the left upstream area 76a is almost covered by the front mounting plate 71 of the central display frame unit 52, obstacles 69 formed integrally with the front mounting plate 71 are arranged instead of game nails 70, but a large number of game nails 70 are arranged in the left middle area 76b and the left downstream area 76c. Also, as shown in Figures 3 and 7, a windmill 130 that can rotate around an axis in the front-rear direction is arranged near the boundary between the left middle area 76b and the left downstream area 76c, for example, near the upstream side of the normal winning unit 53.

In the left downstream area 76c, as shown in Fig. 7, two nail rows are provided, one above the other, parallel to the flow direction of the game ball (downward to the right), by arranging the game nails 70 in a substantially single row, and these two nail rows form roughly two game ball flow paths. The upper upper nail row 131 is arranged in a substantially straight line from the vicinity of the downstream side of the windmill 130 to the vicinity of the first start winning hole 111, and the upper side along this upper nail row 131 is the first path (first path A) 133. The lower lower nail row 132 is arranged in the vicinity of the upper side of the normal winning unit 53, and the second path (second path A) 134 is between this lower nail row 132 and the upper nail row 131. A game ball that flows down the left middle area 76b without entering the warp ball entrance 78 is sorted into the first path 133 and the second path 134 when it passes through the windmill 130 and flows into the left downstream area 76c. That is, the windmill 130 is disposed at the branching section (first branching section) 130a that branches into the first path 133 and the second path 134.

The upper nail row 131 has one or more missing row sections 131a with a nail spacing larger than one game ball, and game balls flowing down the first path 133 can pass through these missing row sections 131a and move to the second path 134 side. In addition, the lower nail row 132 has multiple missing row sections 132a with a nail spacing larger than one game ball corresponding to at least the normal winning holes 101, 102 and the outlet 103, and game balls flowing down the second path 134 can pass through these missing row sections 132a and enter the normal winning holes 101, 102 or the outlet 103.

A gaming ball that passes through the windmill 130 and flows down the first path 133 side can enter the first start winning hole 111, and can also enter the regular winning holes 101 and 102 by passing through the missing row section 131a and passing through the second path 134. On the other hand, a gaming ball that passes through the windmill 130 and flows down the second path 134 side can enter the regular winning holes 101 and 102, but it is difficult (or impossible) for the ball to enter the first start winning hole 111.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the design values of the winning rate (pieces/min) for the first start winning port 111 and the normal winning ports 101 and 102 during normal times when there is neither a special profit state nor a special game state are 5.71, 2.50, and 0.50, respectively, and when a game ball flows down the left flow area 76, the winning rate for the first start winning port 111 (5.71) is higher than the sum of the winning rates for the normal winning ports 101 and 102 (2.50 + 0.50 = 3.00). On the other hand, in terms of the number of prize balls, the number of prize balls at the first start winning port 111 (here, 3) is less than the total number of prize balls at the regular winning ports 101, 102 (here, 10), and is also less than the maximum number of prize balls at the regular winning ports 101, 102 (here, 5), and is also less than the minimum number of prize balls at the regular winning ports 101, 102 (here, 5).

In this embodiment, when the game ball flows down the left flow area 76, the winning rate of the first start winning port 111 is made higher than that of the normal winning ports 101 and 102, making it easier to change the first special pattern display means 93, while the number of winning balls in the first start winning port 111 is kept low to prevent excessive pressure on the hall's profits.

Next, in the right flow down area 77, the right upper flow area 77a has a narrow passage width of about one game ball, so no game pins 70 are arranged therein, but in the right middle area 77b and the right downstream area 77c, a large number of game pins 70 are arranged upstream of the normal symbol start gate 106 and upstream and downstream of the big prize unit 57. For example, in the right downstream area 77c, as shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of game pins 70a are arranged downstream of the inclined surface 128 of the big prize unit 57 so as to guide the game ball to the normal prize opening 123, and a game ball that has flowed down the inclined surface 128 without entering the big prize opening 121 is guided by the plurality of game pins 70a and can enter the normal prize opening 123 with a high probability.

Of course, while the probability that a gaming ball that has flowed down the inclined surface 128 will land in the normal winning hole 123 is high, it is not 100%, and there is still room for the ball to flow down to the out hole 114 side without entering the normal winning hole 123. By leaving such room, the profits of the hall can be secured without significantly compromising the profits of the player. Thus, in this embodiment, when a gaming ball that has flowed down the right flow-down area 77 flows downstream without entering the big winning hole 121, the probability that the gaming ball will land in the normal winning hole 123 is higher than the probability that the gaming ball will land in the out hole 114 downstream of that without entering the normal winning hole 123.

Comparing the case where the game ball flows down the left flow area 76 side with the case where the game ball flows down the right flow area 77 side, when the game ball flows down the left flow area 76 side, there is a high probability that the game ball will enter the out hole 103, 114 without entering the normal winning hole 101, 102, etc., whereas when the game ball flows down the right flow area 77 side, there is a high probability that the game ball will enter the normal winning hole 123 rather than the out hole 114, 124. However, the number of winning balls is greater in the normal winning hole 101, 102 (here, five each) than in the normal winning hole 123 (here, one) (Figure 11).

In addition, when a game ball flows down the right flow area 77, the rate at which the game ball enters either the second start winning hole 115 or the normal winning hole 123 is higher than the rate at which the game ball enters either the first start winning hole 111 or the normal winning hole 101, 102 when the game ball flows down the left flow area 76. That is, as shown in FIG. 11, the total ball entry rate (pieces/minute) for the first start winning hole 111 and the normal winning holes 101, 102 during normal play is 8.71 (= 5.71 + 2.50 + 0.50), while the total ball entry rate (pieces/minute) for the second start winning hole 115 and the normal winning hole 123 during the special play state is 95.20 (= 82.19 + 13.01). On the other hand, the number of prize balls for the second start winning hole 115 and the regular winning hole 123 is both set to 1, which is less than the number of prize balls for the first start winning hole 111 and the regular winning holes 101 and 102 (3, 5, and 5, respectively).

Also, as shown in FIG. 8, below the stage 73, multiple game nails (second blocking portion) 70b are arranged to prevent game balls that have fallen from the stage 73 from moving toward the right-downstream area 77. The multiple game nails 70b are arranged in a row on the lower right side of the stage 73, sloping downward to the left, and their upstream ends are close to the lower end of the blocking wall 81. Even if a game ball that has flown into the stage 73 flies out of the stage 73, for example, toward the right while freely rolling, it is prevented from moving toward the right-downstream area 77 by the blocking wall 81 and the game nails 70b, and is guided leftward to flow down, for example, toward the first start winning opening 111 or the out opening 114.

The multiple game pins 70b function as a second blocking section that blocks the game ball that flows down from the stage 73 from moving toward the right flow-down area 77, but also function as a third blocking section that blocks the game ball that flows down the right flow-down area 77 from entering the first start winning hole 111. In other words, a game ball that flows down the right flow-down area 77 and is bounced off the game pins 70a or the like and misses entering the normal winning hole 123 is prevented from moving toward the first start winning hole 111 by the game pins 70b, and flows down to the out hole 114 with a high probability.

Next, the liquid crystal display means 58, the movable performance means 59, the fixed decoration means (decorative member) 60, etc., which are arranged behind the transparent base plate 45, will be described. The liquid crystal display means 58 has a rectangular display screen 58a, and as shown in Figures 3 to 6, etc., is arranged behind the display window 74 so that the display screen 58a is vertically long, and is supported by the rear support member 61. The display screen 58a of the liquid crystal display means 58 is located in the display window 74 in a front view, not in its entirety, but in part, in the front view. The area where the display screen 58a and the central display frame unit 52 (excluding the light guide plate 82 of the light-emitting display means 75) overlap in the front-to-back direction, i.e., the area of the area of the display screen 58a that protrudes outside the display window 74 in a front view, is larger above and below the display window 74 than to the left and right. On the display screen 58a, the decorative patterns 161 are often arranged side by side in the left-right direction by the decorative pattern display means 153, as described below. Therefore, if the area of the area that extends outside the display window 74 on the left and right sides of the display screen 58a is increased, the decorative patterns 161 cannot be displayed at a sufficient size. The decorative patterns 161 are scrolled in the vertical direction while the patterns are changing, but when the change stops, the decorative patterns 161 are displayed stationary in approximately the center in the vertical direction. Therefore, even if the area that extends outside the display window 74 is made wider vertically than horizontally, there is little effect on the display of the decorative patterns 161.

In addition, even if a part of the display screen 58a is located outside the display window 74 when viewed from the front, if the part in front is transparent, that part can be seen from the front. However, for parts where opaque members (predetermined parts on the game board) such as the movable body 141 and the fixed decorative means 60 overlap in front, even if an image is displayed, it is not visible or difficult to see from the front (hereinafter referred to as a non-visible display area). The area of this non-visible display area is also wider at the top and bottom of the display window 74 than at the left and right. Decorations such as logos on the movable body 141 and the fixed decorative means 60 are often placed above and below the display window 74. By making the movable body 141 move in the vertical direction, the increased movement speed due to gravity makes it easier to make an impact on the player. In addition, since the logo is more easily conveyed as the model name when displayed horizontally, it is often formed in a horizontally elongated rectangular shape at the top and bottom of the display window 74, so the area of the non-visible display area is made wider at the top and bottom of the display window 74 than at the left and right.

As shown in Figures 3, 5, 9, etc., the movable performance means 59 comprises a movable body 141, a movable body guide means 142 that movably supports the movable body 141, and a drive means (not shown) that drives the movable body 141. The movable body (illuminating decorative member) 141 comprises a base movable part 141a, a first sub-movable part 141b that can move in a first direction (here, upward) relative to the base movable part 141a, and a second sub-movable part 141c that can move in a second direction (here, downward) relative to the base movable part 141a.

The base movable part 141a is formed in a horizontally long rectangle, and its front side is a decorative surface 143 decorated with the main character or logo of the model (here, a decoration of an airplane with a kappa, the main character of the gaming machine, on board), and inside is an LED board 144 having a large number of LEDs (first light emitters) 144a that can illuminate the decorative surface (first light receiving part) 143 by irradiating light substantially forward. A predetermined light transmittance suppression treatment is applied to the transparent areas of the decorative surface 143 formed in correspondence with the LEDs 144a, which reduces so-called point light and makes the internal LED board 144 and the like difficult to see from the front.

The first sub-movable part 141b is formed in a horizontally long rectangular plate shape, is arranged on the rear side of the base movable part 141a, and is attached in a state where it can move up and down relative to the base movable part 141a. The first sub-movable part 141b is, for example, non-translucent (including cases where the translucency is extremely low) and is decorated with any decoration (here, the letters "Emergency Departure"). The second sub-movable part 141c is formed in a horizontally long rectangular plate shape, is arranged on the rear side of the base movable part 141a and the first sub-movable part 141b, and is attached in a state where it can move up and down relative to the base movable part 141a. The second sub-movable part 141c is, for example, non-translucent (including cases where the translucency is extremely low) and is decorated with any decoration (here, the letters "SCRAMBLE").

The movable body guide means 142 supports the movable body 141 in a state in which it can move in a predetermined direction (here, the vertical direction) along the front side of the display screen 58a of the liquid crystal display means 58, and is arranged along both the left and right sides of the liquid crystal display means 58 and is removably fixed to the front side of the rear wall portion 62 of the rear support member 61. The movable body guide means 142 has a pair of left and right guide rails 142a arranged in the vertical direction, and each of the guide rails 142a supports both the left and right ends of the base movable part 141a so that they can move in the vertical direction.

The movable body 141 is driven by a driving means such as a stepping motor, and is guided by the movable body guide means 142 to be movable in the vertical direction between an upper position (origin position) on the upper side of the liquid crystal display means 58 (FIG. 9(a)) and a lower position (performance position) on the front side of the liquid crystal display means 58 (FIG. 9(b)). The movable body 141 is usually held in the upper position, which is the origin position. The origin position (upper position) of the movable body 141 is set above the display window 74 and behind the upper decorative frame 72b, and the lower position of the movable body 141 is set inside the display window 74 (here, approximately in the vertical center). Therefore, the movable body 141 is usually retreated to the rear side of the upper decorative frame 72b (origin position) above the display window 74, and at a predetermined timing such as during a reach performance, it descends to the lower position, which is the performance position, and appears inside the display window 74 so as to partially hide the display screen 58a of the liquid crystal display means 58.

In addition, in the upper position (origin position), the first sub-movable part 141b and the second sub-movable part 141c of the movable body 141 are hidden behind the base movable part 141a (FIG. 9(a)). When or during the movement from the upper position (origin position) to the lower position (performance position), the first sub-movable part 141b slides to the upper side of the base movable part 141a, and the second sub-movable part 141c slides to the lower side of the base movable part 141a (FIG. 9(b)). In this way, in the lower position (performance position), the movable body 141 is in a state in which the non-translucent first sub-movable part 141b and the second sub-movable part 141c are arranged above and below the base movable part 141a, respectively, that is, non-translucent areas that do not have translucency (or have extremely low translucency) are arranged above and below the translucent area corresponding to the LED 144a. As a result, when the LED 144a is turned on while the movable body 141 is in a lower position (performance position) in front of the display screen 58a, non-translucent areas exist above and below the light-emitting translucent area, preventing the light-emitting part (translucent area) of the movable body 141 from becoming obscured by the light from the display screen 58a.

The upper decorative frame 72b is given an arbitrary decoration (here, decoration of a kappa character) and is at least partially made transparent, with the upper fixed decorative means 60a (described later) disposed at the rear, at least a portion of which is visible from the front through the transparent portion of the upper decorative frame 72b. In the origin position (upper position), the movable body 141 is hidden behind the upper decorative frame 72b and upper fixed decorative means 60a, making it invisible (or difficult to see) from the front.

In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 4 to 6, the fixed decorative means 60 fixedly arranged on the rear side of the transparent base plate 45 include an upper fixed decorative means 60a corresponding to the upper side of the display window 74, a lower fixed decorative means 60b corresponding to the lower side of the display window 74, a left fixed decorative means 60c corresponding to the left side of the display window 74, and a right fixed decorative means 60d corresponding to the right side of the display window 74.

The upper fixed decorative means 60a is horizontally elongated and roughly rectangular, and is positioned behind the transparent base plate 45 and in front of the movable body 141 and the liquid crystal display means 58, corresponding to the area above the display window 74 in the play area 23 (the upper decorative frame 72b of the central display frame unit 52 and part of the left flow-down area 76 to the left of it). As a result, the area of the display screen 58a of the liquid crystal display means 58 above the display window 74 is almost entirely located behind the upper fixed decorative means 60a.

The upper fixed decorative means (decorative member, light-emitting decorative member) 60a has a decorative surface 145 on the front side with any decoration (not shown), and inside is an LED board 146 with a large number of LEDs (first light emitters) 146a that can illuminate the decorative surface (first light receiving unit) 145 by irradiating light generally forward. In addition, a predetermined light transmittance suppression treatment is applied to the transparent areas of the decorative surface 145 that are formed corresponding to the LEDs 146a, which reduces so-called point light and makes the internal LED board 146 and the like difficult to see from the front.

The lower fixed decorative means 60b is a horizontally elongated, roughly rectangular shape, and is located behind the stage 73 and in front of the liquid crystal display means 58; as is clear from FIG. 3 etc., part of the upper side is located within the display window 74 when viewed from the front, and the other part is located below the display window 74, i.e., behind the stage 73 etc. In this way, since the lower fixed decorative means 60b is located behind the stage 73, corresponding to almost the entire stage 73, it is only the lower fixed decorative means 60b that can be seen from the front through the transparent stage 73, and the area of the display screen 58a that corresponds to the rear of the lower fixed decorative means 60b cannot be seen from the front through the stage 73.

As shown in Figures 4, 6, etc., the lower fixed decorative means (decorative member, light-emitting decorative member) 60b comprises a decorative lens plate (second light receiving portion) 147 arranged approximately parallel to the display screen 58a, an LED board 148 arranged along a specific edge (here, the lower edge) of the decorative lens plate 147, and a back plate 147a arranged parallel to the decorative lens plate 147 so as to approximately cover the rear side of the decorative lens plate 147. A plurality of LEDs (second light emitters) 148a are mounted at regular intervals on the LED board 148 and are arranged facing (here, facing upward) the end face (here, the lower end face) of the decorative lens plate 147.

The decorative lens plate 147 has a reflecting portion 147b on at least one side (here, the back side) that reflects light from the LED 148a forward, as shown by the solid line in Figure 4, so as to form any pattern, letter, figure, etc. (here, the letters "Kappa Legend") when viewed from the front. In addition, the back plate 147a is non-translucent, and its front side is provided with any decoration (here, a flower pattern, see Figure 4) that forms the background of the decoration on the decorative lens plate 147 side (the letters "Kappa Legend").

When LED 148a is turned on, the light enters decorative lens plate 147 from the end face on the lower edge side, and is then reflected forward by reflecting portion 147b. This allows any desired image or pattern to appear on decorative lens plate 147. The position of LED 148a relative to decorative lens plate 147 is arbitrary, and it may be placed on any one edge, top, bottom, left or right, or on multiple edges, such as the bottom edge and left edge.

In this way, the lower fixed decorative means 60b is configured so that the light irradiated in the in-plane direction of the decorative lens plate 147 (here, the vertical direction) is reflected forward by the reflecting portion 147a so that it can be seen from the front side. Therefore, the decorative lens plate 147 does not need to be subjected to a light transmittance suppression treatment like the decorative surfaces of the movable performance means 59, upper fixed decorative means 60a, etc. Therefore, the decoration applied to the rear back plate 147a can be seen from the front side through the decorative lens plate 147, making it possible to create a more three-dimensional decoration. In this embodiment, a non-translucent back plate 147a is placed behind the decorative lens plate 147 so that the display screen 58a cannot be seen through the decorative lens plate 147, but the display screen 58a may be made visible through the decorative lens plate 147 by not placing the back plate 147a.

The left fixed decorative means 60c is located behind the transparent base plate 45 and in front of the liquid crystal display means 58, corresponding to the area extending from the left side of the display window 74 to the lower left side. The left fixed decorative means (decorative member, luminous decorative member) 60c has a decorative surface 149 on the front side with any decoration (not shown), and inside is an LED board 150 having a number of LEDs (first light emitters) 150a that can emit light from the decorative surface (first light receiving unit) 149 by irradiating light substantially forward. In addition, a predetermined light transmittance suppression treatment is applied to the transparent area of the decorative surface 149 formed corresponding to the LEDs 150a, which reduces so-called point light and makes the internal LED board 150 and the like difficult to see from the front side.

The right fixed decorative means 60d is disposed behind the transparent base plate 45 and in front of the liquid crystal display means 58, corresponding to the area extending from the right side of the display window 74 to the lower right side. The right fixed decorative means (decorative member, luminous decorative member) 60d has a decorative surface 151 on the front side with any decoration (not shown), and an LED board 152 having a large number of LEDs (first light emitters) 152a that can illuminate the decorative surface (first light receiving unit) 151 by irradiating light substantially forward is disposed inside. In addition, a predetermined light transmittance suppression treatment is applied to the transparent area of the decorative surface 151 formed corresponding to the LEDs 152a, which reduces so-called point light and makes the internal LED board 152 and the like difficult to see from the front side.

As described above, the movable performance means 59, upper fixed decorative means 60a, left fixed decorative means 60c, right fixed decorative means 60d, etc. are equipped with LEDs (first light emitters) 144a, 146a, 150a, 152a that emit light generally forward, and decorative surfaces (first light receiving parts) 145, 149, 151 that receive the light and emit light, and by applying a light transmittance suppression treatment to the decorative surfaces (first light receiving parts) 143, 145, 149, 151, the so-called point light is mitigated and the internal LED boards, etc. are made difficult to see from the front. On the other hand, the above-mentioned light-emitting display means 75 and lower fixed decorative means 60b are equipped with LEDs (second light emitters) 83a, 148a that emit light in a direction other than forward, and a light guide plate (second light receiving portion) 82 and decorative lens plate (second light receiving portion) 147 that receive the light and reflect it forward by reflecting portions 84, 147b, respectively.Not only is it not necessary to suppress the light transmittance of the light guide plate 82 and decorative lens plate 147 to reduce point light or conceal the interior, as in the upper fixed decorative means 60a, but it is also necessary to increase the light transmittance of the light guide plate 82 and decorative lens plate 147 so that light can reach a wide range of the light guide plate 82 and decorative lens plate 147 and be emitted. Therefore, in this embodiment, the light transmittance of the light guide plate (second light receiving part) 82 and decorative lens plate (second light receiving part) 147 in the light emitting display means 75 and lower fixed decorative means 60b is higher than that of the decorative surfaces (first light receiving part) 143, 145, 149, 151 in the movable performance means 59, upper fixed decorative means 60a, left fixed decorative means 60c, right fixed decorative means 60d, etc.

Figure 10 divides the area in the play area 23 into a "display area" (light gray) and a "light-emitting area" (dark gray). Figure 10(a) shows the movable body 141 in the upper position, which is the origin position, and Figure 10(b) shows the movable body 141 in the lower position, which is the performance position. Here, the "display area" is the area of the display screen 58a of the liquid crystal display means 58 that is visible when viewed from the front, and the "light-emitting area" is the area other than the display area that can be illuminated by a light-emitting body such as an LED. In this embodiment, the light guide plate 82 of the light-emitting display means 75 is disposed in front of the display screen 58a, but this light guide plate 82 does not completely obstruct the visibility of the display screen 58a, and the display screen 58a can be seen from the front even when the light-emitting display means 75 is in the light-emitting state. Therefore, the area where the light guide plate 82 of the light-emitting display means 75 overlaps in front of the display screen 58a is called the "display area" rather than the "light-emitting area".

The "display area" includes an area inside the display window 74 when viewed from the front (hereinafter referred to as the "non-overlapping display area"), and an area outside the display window 74 when viewed from the front (hereinafter referred to as the "overlapping display area"). The overlapping display area is an area where the display screen 58a can be seen through a transparent member such as the stage guide passage 79 or a part of the central display frame unit 52 (excluding the light guide plate 82 of the light-emitting display means 75).

As is clear from FIG. 10, when the movable body 141 is in the origin position (upper position) (FIG. 10(a)), the display area and the light-emitting area in the play area 23 are larger than the latter in terms of area, with an area ratio of, for example, 115:100. On the other hand, when the movable body 141 is moved from the origin position to the lower position (FIG. 10(b)), the overlapping area between the display screen 58a and the movable body 141 in front of it (the base movable part 141a, the first auxiliary movable part 141b, and the second auxiliary movable part 141c) expands, so that the size relationship between the display area and the light-emitting area is reversed, with an area ratio of, for example, 40:100. Thus, in this embodiment, the size of the light-emitting area can be greatly changed by moving the movable body 141 from the upper position (origin position) to the lower position (performance position), which allows the player to intuitively feel that there is a high possibility that the player will be in a favorable state. In FIG. 10, only the area within the play area 23 is targeted, but the target area may be wider than the play area 23 (for example, the area within the glass window 24 when viewed from the front), and within that area, the display area may be wider than the light-emitting area when the movable body 141 is in the origin position (upper position), and the light-emitting area may be wider than the display area when the movable body 141 moves from the origin position to the performance position.

In addition, even when the movable body 141 moves to the lower position (performance position) and overlaps the front of the display screen 58a (overlapping area), the image is displayed by the liquid crystal display means 58 on the entire display screen 58a including the overlapping area. This has the advantage that there is no need to perform complex control to display an image while avoiding the overlapping area, and the light from the display screen 58a that corresponds to the overlapping area is also added, enhancing the performance effect.

In addition, most of the areas of the game area 23 through which the game ball can pass are luminous areas, but as shown in FIG. 10(a), a part of the left upstream area 76a in the left flow area 76 (the area shaded in FIG. 10(a)) does not have a fixed decorative means 60 or the like arranged on the rear side, and is an overlapping display area where the display screen 58a can be seen from the front side. In this way, although there is a part of the left flow area 76 that corresponds to the display area (overlapping display area), the area that corresponds to the luminous area is wider. For example, in the left flow area 76, upstream of the warp ball entrance 78, the area that corresponds to the luminous area (area that overlaps with the luminous decorative member) is wider than the area that corresponds to the display area (area that overlaps with the display screen), and the movement of the game ball is made easier to see by the upper fixed decorative means 60a and the left fixed decorative means 60c illuminating on the rear side.

As shown in FIG. 10(a), at least a part of the stage guide passage 79 is arranged in the area corresponding to the display area (area overlapping with the display screen) (the area shaded in FIG. 10(a)), but since the stage guide passage 79 is formed transparently, the display screen 58a on the rear side can be seen through the transparent stage guide passage 79 (overlapping display area). On the other hand, the lower fixed decorative means 60b is arranged on the rear side corresponding to almost the entire stage 73, and the lower fixed decorative means 60b can be seen through the transparent stage 73. Thus, in the area corresponding to the stage guide passage 79 and stage 73 in a front view, the area where the display screen 58a cannot be seen because it does not overlap with the display screen 58a and overlaps with the lower fixed decorative means 60b, etc. is wider than the area where the display screen 58a can be seen because it overlaps with the display screen 58a. This is because when a game ball enters the warp ball entry port 78, the player focuses on whether the game ball will pass through the stage 73 and enter the first start winning port 111, so the player is not distracted by the performance image being displayed behind the stage 73, etc.

Next, the effects centered on image display on the liquid crystal display means 58 will be described. The liquid crystal display means 58 displays various effect images, notification images, etc., and as shown in FIG. 12, comprises a decorative pattern display means 153, a mini pattern display means 154, a reserved image display means 155, etc., and in parallel with the variable display of the first and second special patterns by the first and second special pattern display means 93, 94, the decorative pattern display means 153 can display the decorative pattern 161, and the mini pattern display means 154 can display the mini pattern 162, respectively. In addition, the reserved image display means 155 can display various images such as the first and second reserved images X1-X4, Y1-Y4, which indicate the number of first and second special reserved items.

The decorative symbol display means (symbol display means) 153 is configured to be able to variably display decorative symbols 161 by the liquid crystal display means 58 based on the entry of a game ball into the first and second start winning holes 111 and 115 (establishment of a predetermined symbol start condition). The decorative symbols 161 include a left decorative symbol (first decorative symbol) 161a variably displayed on the left end side of the display screen 58a, a right decorative symbol (second decorative symbol) 161b variably displayed on the right end side of the display screen 58a, and a middle decorative symbol (third decorative symbol) 161c variably displayed approximately in the center of the left-right direction of the display screen 58a, and each of the decorative symbols 161a to 161c is composed of a symbol row in which a plurality of symbols are arranged endlessly. Each decorative pattern 161a-161c has a main body (number portion) 164 consisting of numbers such as "1"-"8" and other elements, and characters and other decorative portions 165 associated with this main body 164. The display can be changed to a number of different display modes, including a non-decorative display mode in which the main body 164 is displayed but the decorative portion 165 is not, and a decorative display mode in which both the main body 164 and the decorative portion 165 are displayed, and it is also possible to enlarge, reduce, change the display position, etc.

The decorative symbols 161a to 161c start to change by vertical scrolling or the like all at once according to a predetermined change pattern at approximately the same time as the first and second special symbols start to change, and stop in a predetermined order such as left, right, center, etc., or approximately at the same time, so as to finally stop in accordance with the stop of the first and second special symbols. Note that when the decorative symbols 161a to 161c stop in a combination (predetermined combination) that is all the same symbol, such as "2-2-2" or "7-7-7", it is a jackpot performance mode (specific mode), and otherwise it is a miss performance mode, etc. When the first and second special symbols are in the first and second jackpot modes, the decorative symbols 161a to 161c are in the jackpot performance mode, and when the first and second special symbols are in the first and second miss modes, the decorative symbols 161a to 161c are in the miss performance mode.

In this embodiment, the game can be switched between multiple types of game modes, for example, three types of game modes, first to third. In the first game mode, all of the decorative patterns 161a to 161c change in a decorative display mode (displaying the main body portion 164 and the decorative portion 165) (Figure 13(a)). In the second game mode, all of the decorative patterns 161a to 161c change in a non-decorative display mode (displaying only the main body portion 164) (Figure 13(b)). In the third game mode, of the decorative patterns 161a to 161c, the middle decorative pattern (third decorative pattern) 161c that stops last changes in a non-decorative display mode (displaying only the main body portion 164), and the remaining left decorative pattern (first decorative pattern) 161a and right decorative pattern (second decorative pattern) 161b change in a decorative display mode (displaying the main body portion 164 and the decorative portion 165) (Figure 13(c)).

In addition, the left decorative pattern (first decorative pattern) 161a and the right decorative pattern (second decorative pattern) 161b in the third game mode (Figure 13(c)) are displayed in a wider area, i.e., larger, than the left decorative pattern (first decorative pattern) 161a and the right decorative pattern (second decorative pattern) 161b in the first game mode (Figure 13(a)), and the middle decorative pattern (third decorative pattern) 161c in the third game mode (Figure 13(c)) is displayed in a narrower area, i.e., smaller, than the middle decorative pattern (third decorative pattern) 161c in the first game mode (Figure 13(a)).

In addition, in the third game mode (FIG. 13(c)), when the left decorative pattern (first decorative pattern) 161a and the right decorative pattern (second decorative pattern) 161b, which fluctuate on both the left and right ends of the display screen 58a, are stopped and displayed, the decorative portion 165 is displayed in a state in which it is partially invisible when viewed from the front (part of it extends outside the display area), but the main portion (number portion) 164 is displayed in a state in which it is entirely visible when viewed from the front. In addition, in any of the first to third game modes, when the decorative patterns 161a to 161c stop in a jackpot performance mode, all of those decorative patterns 161a to 161c are displayed in a non-decorative display mode (see FIG. 14(g1)).

In this embodiment, in the third game mode (FIG. 13(c)), the font (display mode) of the main body (number portion) 164 of the middle decorative pattern 161c displayed in the non-decorative display mode is different from the font (display mode) of the main body (number portion) 164 of the left and right decorative patterns 161a, 161b displayed in the decorative display mode, but they may be the same. Also, the font (display mode) of the main body (number portion) 164 of the middle decorative pattern 161c is the same as the font (display mode) of the main body (number portion) 164 in the SP reach performance (predetermined reach performance). In the SP reach performance, all of the decorative patterns 161a to 161c are variably displayed in the non-decorative display mode regardless of the game mode. Furthermore, for the decorative portion 165, a character that is the motif of the gaming machine is often used, and it is desirable to display the character as large as possible to make it stand out, but if the entire character is to be displayed within the display area, the character will become small, so in order to display the decorative portion 165 as large as possible, it is acceptable for some of it to extend beyond the display area and become hidden, but it is desirable for the main body portion 164 to be displayed entirely within the display area, preferably within a non-overlapping display area. This is the same for all of the first to third gaming modes.

The mini symbol display means 154 is configured to be able to variably display a mini symbol (small symbol) 162 by the liquid crystal display means 58 in response to the variable display of the decorative symbol 161 based on the entry of a game ball into the first and second start winning holes 111 and 115. The decorative symbol 161 is not always displayed even during the variable of the first and second special symbols, and may disappear partly or entirely from the screen depending on the content of the performance such as a reach performance, whereas the mini symbol 162 is always displayed on the liquid crystal display means 58 during the variable of the first and second special symbols. Note that the mini symbol 162 may disappear from the screen for a part of the period during which the first and second special symbols are variable. Also, the mini symbol 162 may be difficult to see for a part of the period during which the movable body moves.

The mini pattern 162 shares with the decorative pattern 161 the number of pattern rows (here, three) and the types of patterns (here, numerical patterns 1 to 8) that make up each pattern row, but has only a main body consisting of numbers such as "1" to "8" and no decorative portion, and is displayed in a smaller size than the decorative pattern 161 near the periphery of the display screen 58a, as shown in FIG. 12. However, the mini pattern 162 is displayed entirely within a non-overlapping display area within the display area, and is not displayed within an overlapping area such as the rear of the stage guide passage 79.

The display state of the mini pattern 162 is only a "change stopped state" and a "high-speed change state", and there is no speed change (deceleration, frame-by-frame advance, etc.) during the change like the decorative pattern 161. When the first and second special patterns start to change, the change stopped state based on a predetermined change start result, or from the previous stop result, is instantly switched to a predetermined change start result, and then switched to a high-speed change state, and when the first and second special patterns stop changing, the high-speed change state is switched to a change stopped state based on a predetermined change stop result. Also, the change (high-speed change) of the mini pattern 162 is not a scroll change, but is performed by switching the patterns by repeatedly adding 1 to each pattern (returning to the minimum value if it exceeds the maximum value) or subtracting 1 (returning to the maximum value if it exceeds the minimum value).

In addition, for the decorative symbol 161, the variation stop result is the variation start result for the next variation, but for the mini symbol 162, a predetermined variation start result is always used, and when the variation starts, the variation stop result of the previous variation is instantly switched to the predetermined variation start result, and then high-speed variation starts from that variation start result. This is because if the previous variation was a reach-miss variation or a jackpot variation, if the variation stop result is used as the variation start result to start the variation of the mini symbol 162, the high-speed variation will occur with the left and right symbols or all symbols aligned, which may give the player the mistaken impression that it will be a reach or jackpot again. Therefore, the variation start result of the mini symbol 162 needs to be set to a result unrelated to a reach or jackpot, such as "1, 2, 3". The variation stop result of the mini symbol 162 is the same as the variation stop result of the decorative symbol 161.

As shown in FIG. 12, the reserved image display means 155 is configured to display the first and second reserved images X1-X4, Y1-Y4, etc., which indicate the number of first and second special reserved items, on the liquid crystal display means 58. The reserved image display means 155 displays one additional first and second reserved image X1-, Y1- on the liquid crystal display means 58 when the number of first and second special reserved items increases based on game balls entering the first and second start winning holes 111, 115, and shifts the first and second reserved images X1-, Y1- by one toward the front of the queue (e.g., the right side of the screen) when the number of first and second special reserved items decreases based on the start of a new variation of the first and second special patterns by the first and second special pattern display means 93, 94.

In addition, when a special advantage state occurs by the first and second special symbols stopping in the first and second jackpot modes, a jackpot performance is performed during the special advantage state. The jackpot performance is composed of a jackpot start interval performance performed during the jackpot start interval, a jackpot round performance performed during the jackpot round, and a jackpot end interval performance performed during the jackpot end interval. For example, in the jackpot round performance, as shown in FIG. 16, a launch direction notification image 166 for notifying the target launch direction (here, the right side), a round number notification image 167 indicating the ongoing round, a ball number notification image 168 indicating the number of balls acquired in the special advantage state, and a jackpot performance image 169 of a character or the like are displayed on the liquid crystal display means 58.

Next, the flow of the game in this pachinko machine will be specifically explained. In this pachinko machine, during the normal game state other than the special game state, even if the game ball passes through the normal symbol start gate 106 and the normal symbol display means 91 changes, and the normal symbol becomes a winning state and a normal profit state occurs, the opening time (normal opening time) of the second start winning hole 115 to start the variation of the second special symbol is short (for example, 0.2 seconds), so even if the player shoots the game ball aiming at the right flow down area 77 side where the normal symbol start gate 106 and the second start winning hole 115 are present (hereinafter referred to as "right hit"), the possibility of the ball entering the second start winning hole 115 is extremely low. On the other hand, the difficulty of the first start winning hole 111, which is a non-operating winning hole, does not change depending on the game state, and stable ball entry can be expected even during the normal game state. Therefore, instead of hitting the ball to the right from the normal game state, aiming at the normal symbol start gate 106 and the second start winning hole 115 on the right flow down area 77 side, the player should first aim the game ball at the left flow down area 76 side, where the ball is expected to enter the first start winning hole 111, in order to generate the special game state (hereinafter referred to as "left hit").

When a player hits with the left hand during normal play, the released game ball enters the left flow-down area 76 from the upper side of the play area 23, and flows down from the left upstream area 76a to the left middle area 76b. At this time, the left upstream area 76a and the left middle area 76b have a larger area that corresponds to the light-emitting area (area that overlaps with the light-emitting decorative member) than the area that corresponds to the display area (area that overlaps with the display screen) (Figure 10(a)), so the upper fixed decorative means 60a and the left fixed decorative means 60c at the rear emit light, making the movement of the game ball easier to see.

When flowing down the left middle area 76b, the game ball either enters the warp ball entry port 78 or flows downstream without entering the warp ball entry port 78. The game ball that enters the warp ball entry port 78 passes through the stage guide passage 79, rolls freely left and right on the stage 73, and then falls forward from either the central drop section 80 or another part, and either enters the first start entry port 111 below the central drop section 80, or flows into the out port 114 without entering the first start entry port 111. In addition, a blocking wall (first blocking part) 81 is erected on the side (right side) of the stage 73, and multiple game nails (second blocking part) 70b are arranged in a row on the lower side (right side) of the stage 73 so that they slope downward to the left. Therefore, game balls that fall from the stage 73 are prevented from entering the right flow area 77 by the blocking wall 81 and game nails 70b, making it impossible (or difficult) for the ball to enter the normal winning hole 123, etc.

On the other hand, a game ball that flows down the left middle area 76b without entering the warp ball entry port 78 passes through the windmill 130 as it flows into the left downstream area 76c, and is sorted into the upper first path 133 and the lower second path 134. If the game ball guided to the first path 133 side by the windmill 130 flows down along the upper nail row 131 to the most downstream side, it may enter the first start winning hole 111, but if it flows down from the missing row part 131a on the way to the second path 134 side, it may enter the normal winning holes 101 and 102, but it is extremely unlikely (or impossible) to enter the first start winning hole 111.

In addition, a game ball that flows down along the upper nail row 131 to the most downstream side of the first path 133, i.e., near the first start winning hole 111, but misses the first start winning hole 111, has an extremely low (or impossible) chance of entering other winning holes, i.e., the normal winning hole 102, and so on, so it enters the out hole 114. In addition, a game ball guided to the second path 134 by the windmill 130, like a game ball that flows into the second path 134 from the middle of the first path 133, has an extremely low (or impossible) chance of entering the first start winning hole 111, although it has a chance of entering the normal winning holes 101, 102.

In this embodiment, when a game ball flows down the left flow area 76 due to a left hit, the rate at which the ball enters the outlet 114 without entering either the first start winning hole 111 or the normal winning holes 101 and 102 is higher than the rate at which the ball enters either the first start winning hole 111 or the normal winning holes 101 and 102. That is, as shown in FIG. 11, the design values of the ball entry rate (pieces/min) for the first start winning hole 111 and the normal winning holes 101 and 102 during normal times are 5.71, 2.50, and 0.50, respectively, and more than 90% of the game balls shot per minute, about 100 balls, enter the outlets 103 and 114 without entering either the first start winning hole 111 or the normal winning holes 101 and 102.

In addition, in this embodiment, when a game ball flows down the left flow area 76 due to a left hit, as shown in FIG. 11, the ball entry rate for the first start winning port 111 (5.71 balls/min) is higher than the sum of the ball entry rates for the normal winning ports 101, 102 (2.50 + 0.50 = 3.00 balls/min), and the player can relatively easily cause the ball to enter the first start winning port 111 and change the first special pattern display means 93 by hitting with the left during normal game mode. On the other hand, the number of prize balls for the first start winning port 111 (here, 3 balls) is less than the total number of prize balls for the regular winning ports 101, 102 (here, 10 balls), less than the maximum number of prize balls for the regular winning ports 101, 102 (here, 5 balls), and less than the minimum number of prize balls for the regular winning ports 101, 102 (here, 5 balls). Therefore, even though the winning rate for the first start winning port 111 is higher than the winning rate for the regular winning ports 101, 102, it does not overly put pressure on the hall's profits.

When a game ball enters the first start winning hole 111, the first special symbol is changed by the first special symbol display means 93, and in parallel with this, the decorative symbol 161 is changed by the decorative symbol display means 153 and the mini symbol 162 is changed by the mini symbol display means 154 on the liquid crystal display means 58. Figure 14 shows a specific example of the change display of the decorative symbol 161 and the mini symbol 162 in the third game mode.

When the number of first special reserved balls is 0 and a game ball enters the first start winning hole 111, or when the number of first special reserved balls is 1 or more and the first special symbol display means 93 is enabled to change the symbols, the left, right, and center decorative symbols 161a-161c and the mini symbol 162 all start changing at the same time as the first special symbol display means 93 starts changing the first special symbol (FIG. 14(a)). Here, the decorative symbols 161a-161c start changing from the change stop result of the previous change, but the mini symbol 162 instantly switches from the change stop result of the previous change to a specified change start result (for example, "1, 2, 3"), and then starts changing at high speed from that change start result.

In addition, in the example of FIG. 14, since the third game mode is in progress, of the decorative patterns 161a to 161c, the center decorative pattern 161c is displayed in a non-decorative display mode (only the main body portion 164 is displayed), and the left and right decorative patterns 161a, 161b are displayed in a decorative display mode (the main body portion 164 and the decorative portion 165 are displayed), but the left and right decorative patterns 161a, 161b are displayed in a size such that the decorative portion 165 extends to the side of the display area and is partially hidden. Note that the main body portion 164 is displayed so that its entirety fits within the display area, and more preferably within a non-overlapping display area excluding the rear side of the stage guide passage 79, etc.

After the decorative patterns 161a to 161c start to change, when the left decorative pattern 161a and the right decorative pattern 161b stop in sequence at the same pattern (here, "7") and a reach state is established (Fig. 14(b)→(c)), the left and right decorative patterns 161a and 161b that constitute the reach state are displayed in a reduced size, while the center decorative pattern 161c is displayed in an enlarged size and continues to change (Fig. 14(c)→(d)→(e)). At this time, the display positions of the left and right decorative patterns 161a and 161b may also be changed at the same time (for example, moved upwards).

When the center decorative pattern 161c stops with the same pattern (here, "7") as the left and right decorative patterns 161a and 161b and a jackpot performance is achieved (Fig. 14(e)→(f1)), the decorative patterns 161a to 161c are all displayed in a non-decorative display mode (only the main body 164 is displayed) and at approximately the same size (Fig. 14(g1)). This allows the player to reliably recognize that the three decorative patterns 161a to 161c have lined up to achieve a jackpot performance, and the type of pattern. After that, a jackpot performance is executed on the liquid crystal display means 58 in conjunction with the occurrence of the special advantage state.

On the other hand, if the middle decorative pattern 161c stops on a pattern (here, "8") different from the decorative patterns 161a and 161b on the left and right, resulting in a miss performance (Fig. 14 (e) → (f2)), the change in the display mode (reduction/enlargement, change in display position) of the decorative patterns 161a to 161c that was made after the reach was achieved is released and returned to the original state (Fig. 14 (g2)), and then if the number of first special reserved symbols is 1 or more, the next pattern change will begin.

In this way, for the confirmation display (result display) when the change results in a miss performance mode, the next change must be started as is, so the decorative patterns 161a to 161c are returned to their normal display mode as shown in FIG. 14 (g2). However, for the confirmation display (result display) when the change results in a jackpot performance mode, the change does not proceed directly to the next change, but to a jackpot performance, so there is no need to worry about the connection with the next change, and the decorative patterns 161a to 161c can be displayed in any display mode and position without returning to their normal display mode. In other words, for the decorative patterns 161a to 161c, the display position and/or display mode of the confirmation display (result display) may be different depending on whether the change results in a miss performance mode or a jackpot performance mode.

Furthermore, in the variation of the decorative pattern 161 by the decorative pattern display means 153, various reach effects can be executed after the reach is established. FIG. 15 shows an example of a reach effect in which a jackpot effect is achieved by an operation effect involving the operation of the effect button 34 (FIG. 1). When an effective operation period during which the operation of the effect button 34 is effective begins after the reach is established, an effective operation notification image 171 is displayed on the display screen 58a to notify the user that the effective operation period is in progress (FIG. 15(a)). The effective operation notification image 171 is composed of an operation target notification image 171a representing the effect button 34, which is the operation target, and an operation content notification image 171b consisting of the letters "PUSH" or the like indicating the operation content for the operation target.

The operation validity notification image 171 is displayed so that at least the entire operation content notification image 171b fits within the display area, more preferably within a non-overlapping display area. In the example of FIG. 15, the left and right decorative patterns 161a, 161b that constitute the reach state are displayed in a non-decorative display mode (only the main body 164 is displayed), but even during the third game mode, the left and right decorative patterns 161a, 161b may be displayed in a non-decorative display mode during the reach performance.

When the player operates the effect button 34 during the operation valid period, the operation valid period ends at that point, and the display of the operation valid notification image 171 on the liquid crystal display means 58 ends, and a notice effect image 172 that notices the operation of the movable body 141 is displayed (FIG. 15(a)→(b)). This notice effect image 172 is an example of an effect image including one or more character information, and displays a first character string of "emergency launch" in kanji and a second character string of "SCRAMBLE" in alphabetic characters in two horizontal lines, one above the other. This notice effect image 172 is first displayed in a first mode (FIG. 15(b)) in which all the contents of the character strings can be read (identified), and then switched to a second mode (FIG. 15(c)) in which the first character string with a small display width can be read (identified), but the second character string with a large display width is expanded to a state in which a part of the first character string is not visible when viewed from the front (it extends beyond the display screen 58a or is displayed in a non-visible display area) and cannot be read (identified). As shown in FIG. 15(b), even in the first mode, it is desirable to display the character strings that make up the preview performance image 172 so that, while the entire string can be read (identified), a portion of it (here, both ends of "SCRAMBLE" that makes up the second string) is not visible when viewed from the front (it extends beyond the display screen 58a or is displayed in a non-visible display area). If all the characters of the first and second strings were visible, not only would the preview performance image become smaller and the characters be hard to read, but it would also be likely to lack impact as a performance. Therefore, by making a portion of the strings that are readable (identifiable) invisible when viewed from the front, it is possible to provide an impact as a performance while still allowing the player to read (identify) the strings.

After the preview performance image 172 is displayed, the movable body 141 descends from the upper position (origin position) to the lower position (performance position) (Figure 15 (d)), and then rises again to the upper position. After that, the center decorative pattern 161c stops at the same pattern (here, "7") as the left and right decorative patterns 161a and 161b, establishing a big win performance mode (Figure 15 (e)), and all of the decorative patterns 161a to 161c are displayed in a non-decorative display mode (only the main body portion 164 is displayed) and at approximately the same size (Figure 15 (f)).

When a jackpot performance is achieved during the variation of the decorative pattern 161 by the decorative pattern display means 153 as described above, a special advantage state occurs and the large prize opening 121 opens according to a predetermined opening pattern, so the player hits to the right, aiming at the right flow down area 77 side where the large prize opening 121 is located (right hitting period).

When a player hits the ball to the right during the special profit state, the ball enters the right flow area 77 from the upper side of the game area 23, and many of them enter the open large prize opening 121. For each ball that enters the large prize opening 121, 15 prize balls are paid out (FIG. 11), allowing the player to enjoy a large profit. Even if a player hits the ball to the right during the special profit state, the ball may enter the out hole 124 upstream of the large prize opening 121, or may flow downstream without entering the large prize opening 121. A ball that flows downstream along the inclined surface 128 without entering the large prize opening 121 is guided by the game nail 70a and enters the normal prize opening 123 with a high probability. For each ball that enters the normal prize opening 123, one prize ball is paid out (FIG. 11). In addition, in order to reduce the number of balls that enter the outlet 114 without entering the normal winning opening 123, the outlet 124 is provided upstream of the big winning opening 121 and close to the outside of the game area 23. This not only makes it difficult for players to notice game balls entering the outlet 124, but also allows players who focus on game balls entering the normal winning opening 123 to recognize that they almost never flow down to the outlet 114.

In addition, during the special benefit state, a jackpot performance is performed. Figure 16 shows an example of a display image on the liquid crystal display means 58 during a jackpot round performance performed during a jackpot round. During a jackpot round performance, a launch direction notification image 166, a round number notification image 167, a number of acquired balls notification image 168, a jackpot performance image 169, etc. are displayed on the liquid crystal display means 58, but the number of acquired balls displayed in the acquired ball number notification image 168 is the sum of only the prize balls paid out based on the ball entering the large prize opening 121, and does not include the prize balls paid out based on the ball entering the normal prize opening 123. The number of prize balls in this normal prize opening 123 is one, and even if a ball enters, the game ball that was launched is returned as it is. If this were to be added to the number of acquired balls displayed in the acquired ball number notification image 168, the game balls acquired by the player would be displayed as more than they actually are, which is inappropriate.

When the special advantage state ends, the special game state begins. During the special game state (high probability state or time-saving state), the normal symbol will win with a high probability (e.g., 1/1.3), so if the game ball passes through the normal symbol start gate 106, the normal advantage state will occur with a high probability after the normal symbol changes, and the second start winning hole 115 will open for a long period of time (e.g., 2 seconds x 3). Therefore, during this special game state, the player should continue to hit to the right, aiming at the right flow down area 77 side where the normal symbol start gate 106 and the second start winning hole 115 are located (right hit period).

When a game ball enters the second start winning hole 115, the second special symbol is changed by the second special symbol display means 94, and in parallel with this, the decorative symbol 161 is changed by the decorative symbol display means 153 and the mini symbol 162 is changed by the mini symbol display means 154 on the liquid crystal display means 58 (see the example in Figure 14 already described). Then, if a big win presentation mode is established in the change of the decorative symbol 161 by the decorative symbol display means 153, a special advantage state is generated and the big winning hole 121 is opened according to a predetermined opening pattern.

In addition, if a game ball is hit to the right during the special game state but does not enter the second start winning hole 115, it will either enter the out hole 124 or flow down along the inclined surface 128 and then be guided by the game pin 70a and will most likely enter the normal winning hole 123. Note that a game ball that flows down the inclined surface 128 may not enter the normal winning hole 123 because it is bounced off the game pin 70a, but even in this case, the game ball will flow down to the out hole 124 without entering the first start winning hole 111 because multiple game pins (third blocking section) 70b prevent the game ball from moving toward the first start winning hole 111.

The number of prize balls is set to one for the winning holes on the right flow down area 77 side through which game balls can enter during the special game state, i.e., the second start winning hole 115 and the normal winning hole 123 (FIG. 11). As a result, the number of prize balls obtained during the special game state does not exceed the number of balls fired. In other words, during the special game state in which the opening and closing pattern of the second start winning hole 115 is the extended opening pattern, the value obtained by dividing the number of game balls obtained by the number of game balls fired is limited to not exceed 1 (i.e., the number of prize balls is greater than the number of game balls fired), so it is possible to limit the number of prize balls during the special game state so that it does not exceed the number of game balls fired. In other words, since the number of balls fired per minute is limited by the rules to not exceed 100, it is easily possible to limit the total number of prize balls during the special game state so that it does not exceed 100.

As described above, the pachinko machine of this embodiment comprises a liquid crystal display means (image display means) 58 capable of displaying images, a central display frame unit (front structure) 52 arranged within the play area 23 and having a display window 74 for viewing the display screen 58a of the liquid crystal display means 58 from the front, a launching means 17 capable of launching game balls toward the play area 23, a number of winning holes arranged within the play area 23 and including the start winning holes 111, 115, the large winning hole (special variable winning hole) 121 and the normal winning holes 101, 102, 123, one or more out holes 103, 114, 124 arranged within the play area 23, and a game that is based on the entry of a game ball into the start winning hole 111, 115. and a profit state generating means for changing the large winning port 121 from a closed state to an open state in which the game ball can enter when the stopped pattern after the change by the decorative pattern display means 153 becomes a specific mode. The game ball that is launched by the launching means 17 and enters the upper part of the game area 23 flows down either the left flow down area (A flow down area) 76 on one side of the central display frame unit 52 or the right flow down area (B flow down area) 77 on the other side, and enters one of the multiple winning ports or enters the out port and is discharged outside the game area 23, and enters one of the multiple winning ports. When a game ball enters any of the winning ports, a predetermined number of prize balls (a predetermined number of prize balls) is awarded for each winning port. The start winning port includes a first start winning port 111 arranged below the central display frame unit 52. The normal winning port includes a plurality of normal winning ports (A normal winning port) 101, 102 arranged in the left flow-down area 76. An A branching section 130a is provided in the left flow-down area 76, which branches into a plurality of paths including a first path (A first path) 133 and a second path (A second path) 134. A game ball that flows down to the first path 133 side at the A branching section 130a can enter the first start winning port 111 and the normal winning ports 101, 102. A game ball that flows down the second path 134 at 30a has difficulty or is impossible to enter the first start winning port 111, but can enter the normal winning ports 101 and 102. A game ball that flows down near the first start winning port 111 via the first path 133 but misses entering the first start winning port 111 enters the out port 114 without entering any other winning port. When a game ball flows down the left flow area 76, the winning rate for the first start winning port 111 is made higher than the sum of the winning rates for the multiple normal winning ports 101 and 102, and the number of winning balls for the first start winning port 111 is made lower than the maximum number of winning balls for the multiple normal winning ports 101 and 102.

In addition, in the right flow-down area 77, a large prize winning opening 121, a second start prize winning opening 115 among the start prize winning openings, and a regular prize winning opening (B regular prize winning opening) 123 among the regular prize winning openings are provided, and the regular prize winning opening 123 is arranged downstream of the large prize winning opening 121, so that it is easier for a ball to enter the regular prize winning opening 123 when the large prize winning opening 121 is closed than when it is open, and when a game ball flows down the right flow-down area 77, a game ball that passes through the large prize winning opening 121 without entering the large prize winning opening 121 will not enter the regular prize winning opening 123. The percentage of balls that enter the normal winning port 123 is higher than the percentage of balls that enter the downstream out port 114, and when game balls flow down the left flow area 76, the percentage of balls that enter the out ports 103 and 114 without entering either the first start winning port 111 or the normal winning ports 101 and 102 is higher than the percentage of balls that enter either the first start winning port 111 or the normal winning ports 101 and 102, so that the number of winning balls for the normal winning ports 101 and 102 is greater than the number of winning balls for the normal winning port 123.

In addition, when a game ball flows down the right flow area 77, the probability of the game ball entering either the second start winning hole 115 or the regular winning hole 123 is higher than the probability of the game ball entering either the first start winning hole 111 or the regular winning hole 101, 102 when the game ball flows down the left flow area 76, and the number of winning balls for the second start winning hole 115 and the regular winning hole 123 is set to 1.

The game board 16 is provided with a liquid crystal display means 58 having a display screen 58a capable of displaying images, a fixed decorative means (decorative member) 60, and a movable body 141 capable of moving between an origin position and a performance position in front of the display screen 58a. LEDs (light emitters) are arranged on at least a portion of each of the fixed decorative means 60 and the movable body 141. The area of the display screen 58a that is visible when viewed from the front is the display area, and the area other than the display area that can be illuminated by the LED is the light emitting area. When the movable body 141 is in the origin position, the display area is wider than the light emitting area, and when the movable body 141 moves from the origin position to the performance position, the overlapping area between the display screen 58a and the movable body 141 in front of it expands, so that the light emitting area becomes wider than the display area, but the liquid crystal display means 58 displays images on the display screen 58a including the overlapping area.

The LEDs include LEDs (first light emitters) 144a, 146a, 148a, 150a, and 152a that emit light in a generally forward direction, and LEDs (second light emitters) 83a that emit light in a different, predetermined direction. The light transmittance of the light guide plate (second light receiver) 82 that receives light from the second light emitters is higher than that of the decorative surfaces (first light receivers) 145, 147, 149, and 151 that receive light from the first light emitters.

In addition, the machine is provided with a decorative pattern display means 153 capable of variably displaying the decorative pattern 161 by the liquid crystal display means 58 based on the establishment of a predetermined pattern start condition, and the decorative pattern display means 153 varies the three decorative patterns 161, namely the left decorative pattern (first decorative pattern) 161a, the right decorative pattern (second decorative pattern) 161b, and the middle decorative pattern (third decorative pattern) 161c, respectively, and is configured to generate a profitable state advantageous to the player when the left, right, and middle decorative patterns 161a to 161c stop in a predetermined combination, and is switchable to a plurality of types of game modes including the first to third game modes, and in the first game mode, all of the decorative patterns 161a to 161c vary in a decorative display mode that displays both the main body portion (number portion) 164 and the decorative portion 165, and in the second game mode, all of the decorative patterns 161a to 161c vary in a decorative display mode that displays both the main body portion 164 and the decorative portion 165, and In the third game mode, the decorative patterns 161a to 161c, which are the last to stop, change in a non-decorative display mode, but the other decorative patterns 161a and 161b change in a decorative display mode. In the third game mode, when the right decorative pattern 161b and the left decorative pattern 161a, which change at both ends of the display screen 58a, are stopped and displayed, the decorative portion 165 can be displayed in a state where it is partially invisible when viewed from the front, but the main body 164 can be displayed in a state where it is entirely visible when viewed from the front. In any of the first to third game modes, when the decorative patterns 161a to 161c stop in a predetermined combination, all of the decorative patterns 161a to 161c can be displayed in a non-decorative display mode.

In addition, in the third game mode, when the left decorative pattern 161a and the right decorative pattern 161b stop and enter a reach state, the left decorative pattern 161a and the right decorative pattern 161b are reduced in size and/or moved, and the changing center decorative pattern 161c is enlarged and displayed.

In addition, the left decorative pattern 161a and the right decorative pattern 161b in the third game mode are displayed in a larger area than the left decorative pattern 161a and the right decorative pattern 161b in the first game mode, and the middle decorative pattern 161c in the third game mode is displayed in a smaller area than the middle decorative pattern 161c in the first game mode.

The game board 16 has a liquid crystal display means 58, and the game board 16 has a transparent base plate (base plate) 45 arranged in front of the liquid crystal display means 58, a central display frame unit (front structure) 52 attached to the transparent base plate 45 and having a display window 74 for viewing the display screen 58a of the liquid crystal display means 58 from the front, and a movable body 141 arranged between the transparent base plate 45 and the liquid crystal display means 58, and of the entire area of the display screen 58a of the liquid crystal display means 58, the non-visible display area that is not visible or difficult to view from the front because the movable body 141 and other specified parts on the game board 16 overlap on the front side is wider at the top and bottom ends of the display screen 58a than at the left and right ends.

In addition, the preview performance image (performance image) 172 including the first character information and the second character information can be displayed in a first mode and a second mode that is an enlarged version of the first mode. When the preview performance image 172 is displayed in the first mode, a portion of the first character information or the second character information is displayed in a non-visual display area or is displayed so as to extend outside the display screen, but the contents of the first character information and the second character information are in a distinguishable state. When the preview performance image 172 is displayed in the second mode, an area larger than the portion of the first character information or the second character information in the first mode is displayed in a non-visual display area or is displayed so as to extend outside the display screen, so that one of the first character information and the second character information is difficult or indistinguishable, and the other is in a distinguishable state.

The game board 16 is provided with a liquid crystal display means 58, a launch means 17 capable of launching game balls toward a game area 23 formed on the front side of the game board 16, a plurality of winning holes including starting winning holes 111, 115 arranged in the game area 23, one or more exit holes 103, 114, 124 arranged in the game area 23, a decorative pattern display means 153 capable of varying and displaying decorative patterns 161a to 161c by the liquid crystal display means 58 based on the entry of a game ball into the starting winning holes 111, 115, and a profit state generating means for generating a profit state advantageous to the player when the stopped pattern after variation by the decorative pattern display means 153 becomes a specific pattern. The game board 16 is provided in front of the liquid crystal display means 58. The present invention is provided with a transparent base plate 45, a central display frame unit (front structure) 52 which is disposed within the game area 23 on the transparent base plate 45 and has a display window 74 for viewing a display screen 58a of a liquid crystal display means 58 from the front side, and a fixed decorative means (light-emitting decorative member) 60 which is disposed on the rear side of the transparent base plate 45 and emits light by an LED. A game ball which is launched by a launching means 17 and enters an upper part of the game area 23 flows down either a left flow-down area (a flow-down area) 76 on one side of the central display frame unit 52 or a right flow-down area (b flow-down area) 77 on the other side, and enters one of a plurality of winning holes or enters an out hole 103, 114, 124 and is discharged to the outside of the game area 23. 52, a warp ball entrance (predetermined ball entrance) 78 through which game balls flowing down the left flow-down area 76 can enter, a stage guide passage (guide passage) 79 for guiding game balls that have entered the warp ball entrance 78, and a stage 73 for allowing the game balls guided by the stage guide passage 79 to freely roll left and right and then flow down to the lower side are provided, and the area upstream of the warp ball entrance 78 in the left flow-down area 76 overlaps with the fixed decorative means 60 more widely than the area overlapping with the display screen 58a of the liquid crystal display means 58, the stage guide passage 79 and the stage 73 are formed transparently, and at least a part of the stage guide passage 79 is arranged to overlap the front side of the display screen 58a, In the area corresponding to the stage 73, the area that does not overlap with the display screen 58a is wider than the area that overlaps with it, the stage 73 is provided with a blocking wall (first blocking section) 81 that blocks the movement of the game ball toward the right flow down area 77, and below the blocking wall 81, a game nail 70b (second blocking section) that blocks the movement of the game ball that flows down from the stage 73 toward the right flow down area 77 is provided, and a game nail 70b (third blocking section) that blocks the game ball that flows down the right flow down area 77 from entering the first start winning hole 111 below the stage 73 is provided, the left flow down area 76 is wider in the direction in which the game ball flows down than the right flow down area 77, and the left flow down area 76 has more branching points that branch off the direction of the game ball's movement than the right flow down area 77.

In addition, mini patterns (small patterns) 162 can be displayed on the liquid crystal display means 58 in response to the change in the decorative patterns 161a to 161c, and the decorative patterns 161a to 161c can change with at least the main portion 164 of the main portion (number portion) 164 and the decorative portion 165 displayed. Of the entire area of the display screen 58a, in the area that overlaps with the stage guide passage 79 when viewed from the front, a part of the decorative patterns 161a to 161c that are changing can be displayed, but the main portion 164 and mini patterns 162 of the decorative patterns 161a to 161c are not displayed.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above in detail, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention. For example, in the embodiment, the outlet 124 on the right flow down area 77 side is positioned upstream of the large prize opening 121 to make it difficult for the player to notice the game ball entering the outlet 124, but the outlet 124 may be positioned downstream of the large prize opening 121 and adjacent to the upstream or downstream side of the normal prize opening 123. Also, an outlet may be positioned upstream of the normal prize opening 123 and upstream of the large prize opening 121, respectively.

Three or more regular winning ports may be arranged on the left flow-down area 76 side, and two or more regular winning ports may be arranged on the right flow-down area 77 side. The number of winning balls for the multiple regular winning ports on the left flow-down area 76 side may be different. The position of the outlet 103 on the left flow-down area 76 side is arbitrary, and it may be arranged between multiple regular winning ports. Multiple outlets may also be arranged on the left flow-down area 76 side.

In the embodiment, the movable body 141 is configured such that when it is in the lower position (performance position), the first and second sub-movable parts 141b and 141c, which are non-translucent, are arranged above and below the base movable part 141a, respectively, i.e., non-translucent areas that do not have translucency (or have extremely low translucency) are arranged above and below the translucent area corresponding to the LED 144a. However, a non-translucent area that does not have translucency (or has extremely low translucency) may be arranged around the translucent area corresponding to the LED 144a so as to surround the translucent area. As a result, when the movable body 141 is in the lower position (performance position) in front of the display screen 58a and the LED 144a is turned on, a non-translucent area is present around the translucent area that emits light, and it is possible to prevent the light from the display screen 58a from obscuring the light-emitting part (translucent area) of the movable body 141.

In the embodiment, an example was shown in which the movable body 141, which was in an inconspicuous (or difficult to see) state from the front side at the origin position because it was hidden behind the upper fixed decorative means 60a, etc., becomes visible from the front side by moving to a presentation position in front of the liquid crystal display means 58, thereby reducing the display area and expanding the light-emitting area. However, it may be configured such that when the movable body 141 is in the origin position, the light-emitting part caused by the LED 144a is hidden by a specified member on the movable body 141 and cannot be seen from the front side, and when the movable body 141 moves to a presentation position in front of the liquid crystal display means 58, the movable body 141 deforms or the position of the specified member changes so that the light-emitting part caused by the LED 144a becomes visible from the front side. Multiple movable bodies may be arranged on the game board.

In the embodiment, an example is shown in which the decorative patterns 161a to 161c are arranged in the left-right direction (left, right, center), but a game mode may be provided in which the decorative patterns 161a to 161c are arranged in a direction other than the left-right direction, for example, in a vertical direction (up, down, center). Also, the decorative portion 165 has the same display form in the first game mode and the third game mode, but the only difference is the size, but the decorative portion may have a different display form in each mode.

Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to pachinko machines, but can also be implemented in other gaming machines such as arrange ball machines and mahjong ball gaming machines.

17 Launching means 23 Play area 45 Transparent base plate 52 Central display frame unit (front structure)
58 Liquid crystal display means (image display means)
60 Fixed decorative means (luminous decorative member)
70b Game nail (second blocking portion, third blocking portion)
73 Stage 74 Display window 76 Left flow area (first flow area)
77 Right stream lower area (Otsu stream lower area)
78 Warp ball entrance (designated ball entrance)
79 Stage guide passage (guide passage)
81 Blocking wall (first blocking part)
101 Regular prize entry gate (Class A Regular prize entry gate)
102 Regular prize entry gate (Class A Regular prize entry gate)
103 Outlet 111 First start winning port 114 Outlet 115 Second start winning port 121 Large winning port (special variable winning port)
123 Regular prize entry gate (B Regular prize entry gate)
124 Outlet 130a Branching portion 133 First path 134 Second path 141 Movable body (illuminating decorative member)
153 Decorative pattern display means (pattern display means)
161 Decorative pattern 162 Mini pattern (small pattern)
164 Main body part (number part)
165 Decoration section

Claims (1)

A game board having an image display means;
A launching means capable of launching a game ball toward a game area formed on the front side of the game board;
A plurality of winning holes are arranged in the game area, the winning holes including a starting winning hole, a special variable winning hole, and a normal winning hole;
A plurality of outlets disposed within the play area;
A symbol display means for displaying a decorative symbol by the image display means based on the entry of a game ball into the start winning hole;
and a profit state generating means for changing the special variable winning hole of the operation type from a closed state to an open state in which a game ball can enter when the stopped pattern after the change by the pattern display means becomes a specific pattern,
The game board is
A transparent base plate disposed in front of the image display means;
A front structure is disposed within the play area of the base plate and has a display window for viewing the display screen of the image display means from the front side;
A luminous decorative member is disposed on the rear side of the base plate and emits light by a light emitting body.
The game ball that is launched by the launching means and enters the upper part of the game area flows down either the A flow-down area on one side of the front structure or the B flow-down area on the other side, and enters one of the plurality of winning holes or enters the out hole and is discharged outside the game area,
In the game machine, the front structure is provided with a predetermined ball inlet into which the game balls flowing down the A-flow area can enter, a guide passage for guiding the game balls that have entered the predetermined ball inlet, and a stage for allowing the game balls guided by the guide passage to freely roll left and right and then flow down the side,
The starting winning opening includes a non-operating first starting winning opening, and an operating second starting winning opening that can be changed between an open state in which the game ball can enter and a closed state in which the game ball cannot enter or is more difficult to enter than the open state,
The normal winning port includes a plurality of A normal winning ports arranged in the A flow area,
The special variable winning port, the second start winning port, and the B normal winning port among the normal winning ports are provided in the B flow area,
The plurality of outlets include a first outlet arranged in the vicinity of the A normal winning port, a second outlet arranged downstream of the first outlet , and a third outlet arranged in the B downstream area ,
In the downstream area, the area overlapping with the luminous decorative member is larger than the area overlapping with the display screen of the image display means on the upstream side of the predetermined ball inlet,
The guide passage and the stage are formed to be transparent throughout, and at least a portion of the guide passage is disposed so as to overlap the front side of the display screen;
In a region corresponding to the guide passage and the stage when viewed from the front, a region that does not overlap with the display screen is larger than a region that overlaps with the display screen;
A first blocking section is provided on the stage to block the movement of the game ball toward the B flow-down area,
A second blocking section is provided below the stage to block the game balls flowing down from the stage from entering a winning hole on the side of the second flow-down area due to the movement of the game balls to the side of the second flow-down area,
a third blocking section is provided below the stage for blocking a game ball that has flowed down the B flow area without entering the third out hole and the special variable winning hole from entering the first start winning hole below the stage without blocking the game ball from entering the B normal winning hole;
The A flow-down area is wider in the flow-down direction of the game ball than the B flow-down area,
The A-flow area has more branching points that branch the direction of travel of the game ball than the B-flow area,
A gaming machine characterized in that an average time required for a gaming ball to flow down the A flow area is made longer than an average time required for a gaming ball to flow down the B flow area.