Patent Publication Number: US-2011065514-A1

Title: Gaming machine

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is based on and claims a priority from the prior Japanese 
     Patent Application No. 2009-211271 filed on Sep. 14, 2009, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present invention relates to a gaming machine for illuminating a front-surface panel with the use of a light source such as an LED. 
     2. Background Art 
     Conventionally, there has existed a display device employing a light guide panel, the whole of which is formed to have a surface in convex curved shape in a light-exiting direction. This light guide panel is provided to the display device so as to be spaced at a longer distance from a liquid crystal display panel in a position closer to the side surfaces of the light guide panel (refer to Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. Hei 9-219109). In this manner, the conventional display device has been intended to achieve high-quality display by uniforming brightness across the entire area of a display surface and eliminating the unevenness in contrast. 
     In this conventional display device, a light source is provided at an end portion of the light guide panel so that the light guide panel can guide light emitted by the light source to exit through the light guide panel and to enter the liquid crystal display panel. Such a configuration causes a problem that the liquid crystal display panel, generally, can be illuminated brightly in a position near the light source but not in a position distant from the light source. The conventional display device described above has been proposed to solve such a problem. Specifically, the light guide panel is formed in a convex curved shape and positioned with respect to the liquid crystal display panel so as to be spaced from the liquid crystal display panel in a position near the light source and approached to the liquid crystal display panel in a position distant from the light source. In this manner, the conventional display device uniforms brightness across the entire area of the display surface without thickening the display device in a depth direction. 
     As described above, the conventional display device achieves the uniform brightness across the entire area of the display surface without thickening of the display device in its depth direction. However, the conventional device requires the light guide panel, the whole of which is formed in a convex curved shape, to be prepared and disposed in a predetermined position so as to gradually enlarge a distance from the liquid crystal display panel. Therefore, the light guide panel needs to be processed or deformed into a convex curved shape, which inevitably increases production cost, as compared to a flat-shaped device. Furthermore, compared to the flat-shaped light guide panel, the light guide panel having such a convex curved shape requires more difficult work for installation to a rear surface of the liquid crystal display panel or sometimes requires an additional component for facilitating the installation, inevitably resulting in cost increase, complicated work, and so on. 
     Depending on type of an illuminated object which is to be illuminated with light emitted by the light source, for example, a light-transmission panel such as a pattern-printed panel, it may be desired to illuminate a specific area brightly to bring it into prominence and the other area uniformly and less brightly than the specific area. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumference and aims to provide a gaming machine which is capable of illuminating an illuminated object with substantially uniform brightness and facilitating installation work at low cost. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a gaming machine has an illuminated object made up of a specific area and a non-specific area different from the specific area, the illuminated object being disposed on a front surface of the gaming machine. The gaming machine includes: a first light source for emitting light caused to enter the specific area from a rear-surface side of the illuminated object; a second light source for emitting light, the second light source being different from the first light source, and a light guide body for causing the light emitted by the second light source to enter the non-specific area through the rear-surface side of the illuminated object, the light guide body being disposed in a position spaced apart from the illuminated object. 
     According to this embodiment, the non-specific area can be illuminated by the second light source with substantially uniform brightness while the specific area can be illuminated by the first light source more brightly than the non-specific area. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, the light guide body is disposed at a predetermined distance from the illuminated object. 
     According to this embodiment, the non-specific area can be illuminated with substantially uniform brightness without complicating the light guide body in shape or disposition. 
     In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the predetermined distance is set to be larger than 40 millimeters. 
     According to this embodiment, the non-specific area can be precisely illuminated with substantially uniform brightness. 
     In still another embodiment of the present invention, the first light source is disposed based on a pattern drawn on the specific area of the illuminated object. 
     According to this embodiment, the specific area can be illuminated in a desired light-emission mode depending on shape or size of a pattern drawn on the specific area. 
     In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, the gaming machine includes a display device for displaying predetermined information; a first controller for controlling progress of a game; and a second controller for controlling light emission of the first light source. The first controller and the second controller are programmed to execute the following processing (A 1 ) to (A 3 ). The first controller executes processing (A 1 ) of transmitting, to the second controller, an instruction signal of instructing a light-emission mode of the first light source in accordance with the progress of the game. The second controller executes processing (A 2 ) of transmitting a confirmation signal to the first controller upon receipt of the instruction signal. The first controller executes processing (A 3 ) of displaying an error message on the display device, in a case where the first controller has not received the confirmation signal before a predetermined time elapses. 
     According to this embodiment, even with a configuration in which the first and second controllers are separately configured and connected to each other via connection line such as a cable, a judgment can be made as to whether or not a connection condition between the first and second controllers is appropriate. 
     The present invention provides a gaming machine which is capable of illuminating an illuminated object with substantially uniform brightness and facilitating installation work at low cost. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view showing a configuration of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a view illustrating a function flow of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a view illustrating a game system including the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a view illustrating an overall configuration of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating a main control processing for the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating coin-insertion/start-check processing for the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart illustrating jackpot-related processing for the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a flowchart illustrating symbol lottery processing for the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a flowchart illustrating symbol display control processing for the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 11  is a flowchart illustrating number-of-payouts determination processing for the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a front view illustrating a first mode of a pattern displayed on an upper image display panel  131 . 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view illustrating disposition of LEDs and light guide panels corresponding to the first mode of the pattern. 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view illustrating the light guide panels and a backlight panel corresponding to the first mode of the pattern. 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of the light guide panels. 
         FIG. 16  is a front view illustrating a second mode of the pattern displayed on the upper image display panel  131 . 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view illustrating disposition of the LEDs and the light guide panels corresponding to the second mode of the pattern. 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view illustrating the light guide panels and the backlight panel corresponding to the second mode of the pattern. 
         FIG. 19  is a front view illustrating a third mode of the pattern displayed on the upper image display panel  131 . 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective view illustrating disposition of the LEDs and the light guide panels corresponding to the third mode of the pattern. 
         FIG. 21  is a perspective view illustrating the light guide panelss and the backlight panel corresponding to the third mode of the pattern. 
         FIG. 22  is a schematic block diagram illustrating a sub-control circuit  400  and various types of LEDs for emitting light under control of the sub-control circuit  400 . 
         FIG. 23  is a flowchart illustrating a subroutine of light-emission-pattern-number-determination processing to be executed by a main CPU  71 . 
         FIG. 24  is a table as an example of a light-emission-pattern-number-determination table. 
         FIG. 25  is a flowchart illustrating a subroutine of light-emission-pattern-number-reception processing to be executed by a sub-CPU  422 . 
         FIG. 26  is a table as an example of a light-emission-pattern table. 
         FIG. 27  is a flowchart illustrating a subroutine of confirmation-signal-reception processing to be executed by the main CPU  71 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 
     &lt;&lt;Outline of Gaming Machine&gt;&gt; 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic view showing a configuration of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     The gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention has an illuminated object made up of a specific area and a non-specific area different from the specific area, the illuminated object being disposed on a front surface of the gaming machine. The gaming machine includes: a first light source for emitting light caused to enter the specific area from a rear-surface side of the illuminated object; a second light source for emitting light, the second light source being different from the first light source, and a light guide body for causing the light emitted by the second light source to enter the non-specific area through the rear-surface side of the illuminated object, the light guide body being disposed in a position spaced apart from the illuminated object. 
     The gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention includes the illuminated object. This illuminated object is disposed on a front surface of the gaming machine. Typically, the front surface of the gaming machine may be the one disposed on a side on which a player is positioned to play a game on the gaming machine. The illuminated object is made up of the specific area and the non-specific area. Typically, the non-specific area may be any area other than the specific area. The illuminated object may have at least one specific area. These specific and non-specific areas may be unchanged or changed in size or position over time. 
     The gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention includes the first light source, the second light source, and the light guide body. It is preferable that the first light source and the second light source emit light having a wavelength in a visible light range. The light emitted by the first light source enters the specific area from the rear-surface side of the illuminated object. The first light source is preferably disposed on the rear-surface side of the illuminated object but not limited to this position. 
     The light guide body is disposed in a position spaced apart from the illuminated object. Light emitted by the second light source is caused to enter the light guide body. The light having entered is repeatedly reflected inside the light guide body and then exits therefrom through a predetermined surface (hereinafter, referred to as light-exiting surface) of the light guide body. The light having exited from the light guide body enters the non-specific area from the rear-surface side of the illuminated object. Repeated reflection inside the light guide body enables the light to exit through the light-exiting surface while exhibiting substantially uniform brightness, so that the non-specific area can be illuminated with substantially uniform brightness. Further, because the light guide body is spaced apart from the illuminated object, the light exiting from the light guide body may be reflected more than once between the light guide body and the illuminated object. The light having exited from the light guide body exhibits brightness which is rendered substantially uniform through repeated reflection between the light guide body and the illuminated object, thereby being able to illuminate the non-specific area with substantially uniform brightness. Yet further, even in a case where another component adapted for the purpose of producing effects is disposed between the light guide body and the illuminated object, such a component hardly casts a shade because the light exiting from the light guide body is reflected more than once between the light guide body and the illuminated object, thereby being able to reach the non-specific area. 
     It is preferable that the light guide body and the illuminated object be disposed so that a predetermined surface of the light guide body is faced to the rear surface of the illuminated object. In this manner, the light exiting through the predetermined surface can precisely enter the rear surface of the illuminated object. 
     It is preferable that the light guide body be disposed so that the first light source is placed between the light guide body and the illuminated object. In this manner, the light emitted by the first light source can enter the specific area of the illuminated object without being shielded by the light guide body. 
     It is more preferable that the first light source be disposed at a predetermined distance from the illuminated object. In this manner, the light emitted by the second light source can be propagated between the illuminated object and the first light source and caused to enter the non-specific area of the illuminated object without interference by the first light source. In this manner, because the light emitted by the second source can be propagated between the illuminated object and the first light source, even in a case where not only the first light source but also another component such as a circuit board, a connector, or a cable is disposed between the illuminated object and the light guide body, the light emitted by the second light source can be caused to enter the non-specific area of the illuminated object without being affected by the aforementioned component, thereby achieving precise illumination on the non-specific area. Further, even in a case where the first light source is turned off, the light emitted by the second light source can still be caused to enter the specific area of the illuminated object, so that the specific area can be prevented from becoming less bright due to the shade of the first light source, as compared to the non-specific area. 
     It is preferable that the light-exiting surface of the light guide body be larger in area or width than the first light source. This allows the light exiting through the light-exiting surface of the light guide body to enter the non-specific area of the illuminated object without interference by the first light source. 
     With such a configuration, the non-specific area can be illuminated by the second light source with substantially uniform brightness while the specific area can be illuminated by the first light source more brightly than the non-specific area. 
     It is preferable that the light guide body be disposed at a certain distance from the illuminated object. It is more preferable that such a distance be set to be larger than 40 millimeters. With such a configuration, the non-specific area can be illuminated with substantially uniform brightness without complicating a shape of the light guide body or making the disposition of the light guide body difficult. Further, not only the first light source but also other component such as a circuit board, a connector, or a cable can be disposed in a space between the light guide body and the illuminated object. At the same time, the light emitted by the second light source can be caused to enter the non-specific area of the illuminated object without being affected by the aforementioned component, thereby being able to precisely illuminate the non-specific area with substantially uniform brightness. 
     It is preferable that the first light source be disposed based on a pattern drawn on the specific area of the illuminated object. In this manner, the specific area can be illuminated in a desired light-emission mode in accordance with the shape or the size of the pattern drawn as the specific area, thereby giving light effects to such a pattern. The light effects can be independently given to each of the specific and non-specific areas without the light emitted by the first light source affecting illumination on the non-specific area or the light emitted by the second light source affecting illumination on the special area. 
     The gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention further includes a display device for displaying predetermined information; a first controller for controlling progress of a game; and a second controller for controlling light emission of the first light source. The first controller and the second controller are programmed to execute the following processing (A 1 ) to (A 3 ). The first controller executes processing (A 1 ) of transmitting, to the second controller, an instruction signal of instructing a light-emission mode of the first light source in accordance with the progress of the game. The second controller executes processing (A 2 ) of transmitting a confirmation signal to the first controller upon receipt of the instruction signal. The first controller executes processing (A 3 ) of displaying an error message on the display device, in a case where the first controller has not received the confirmation signal before a predetermined time elapses. 
     The gaming machine includes the display device, the first controller, and the second controller. The display device displays predetermined information. It is especially preferable that the display device display an image concerning a game to progress the game. The first controller executes a program for performing the game. The second controller controls light emission of the first light source. The first controller and the second controller are programmed to execute the following processing (A 1 ) to (A 3 ). 
     Processing (A 1 ), which is to be executed by the first controller, is processing of transmitting, to the second controller, an instruction signal of instructing a light-emission mode of the first light source in accordance with the progress of the game. Processing (A 2 ), which is to be executed by the second controller, is processing of transmitting a confirmation signal to the first controller upon receipt of the instruction signal therefrom. Processing (A 3 ), which is to be executed by the first controller, is processing of displaying an error message on the display device in a case where the first controller has not received the confirmation signal before a predetermined time elapses. 
     In this manner, the first controller and the second controller are configured as separate bodies. At the same time, even in a case where these first controller and the second controller are configured to be connected to a connection line such as a cable in a detachably attachable manner, these controllers can accurately detect disconnection of the connection line such as a cable, thereby being able to determine whether or not a connection condition between the first controller and the second controller is appropriate. Further, because the first controller and the second controller are configured as separate bodies, the gaming machine is still usable without connecting the connection line such as a cable to the second controller in a case where the illuminated object is not necessary or not available for use. As described above, the present invention provides a gaming machine which is capable of increasing the degree of freedom for installation depending on the environment in which the gaming machine is to be installed. Further, because the processing can be dispersed between the first controller and the second controller, the processing burden can be reduced. Yet further, because the first controller and the second controller can be separately developed, the development work is also shared, to thereby promote the development efficiency. 
     [Explanation of Function Flow Diagram] 
     With reference to  FIG. 2 , basic functions of the gaming machine according to the present embodiment are described. 
       FIG. 2  is a view illustrating a function flow of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
     &lt;Coin-Insertion/Start-Check&gt; 
     First, the gaming machine checks whether or not a BET button has been pressed by the player, and subsequently checks whether or not a spin button has been pressed by the player. 
     &lt;Symbol Determination&gt; 
     Next, when the spin button has been pressed by the player, the gaming machine extracts random values for symbol determination, and determines symbols to be displayed at the time of stopping scrolling of symbol arrays for the player, for a plurality of respective video reels displayed to a display. 
     &lt;Symbol Display&gt; 
     Next, the gaming machine starts scrolling of the symbol array of each of the video reels and then stops scrolling so that the determined symbols are displayed for the player. 
     &lt;Winning Determination&gt; 
     When scrolling of the symbol array of each video reel has been stopped, the gaming machine determines whether or not a combination of symbols displayed for the player is a combination related to winning. 
     &lt;Payout&gt; 
     When the combination of symbols displayed for the player is a combination related to winning, the gaming machine offers benefits according to the combination to the player. 
     For example, when a combination of symbols related to a payout of coins has been displayed, the gaming machine pays out coins of the number corresponding to the combination of symbols to the player. 
     Further, when a combination of symbols (trigger symbols) related to a free game trigger has been displayed, the gaming machine starts the free game. This embodiment adopts a three-choice bonus game as a bonus game, in which a bonus game trigger is established when three bonus symbols are stopped and a player is allowed to select one of the three stop-displayed symbols, so that a payment is paid out and various types of games are executed according to a result of the selection made by the player. 
     When a combination of symbols related to a jackpot trigger is displayed, the gaming machine pays out coins in an amount of jackpot to the player. The jackpot refers to a function which accumulates parts of coins used by players at the respective gaming machines as the amount of jackpot and which, when the jackpot trigger has been established in any of the gaming machines, pays out coins of the accumulated amount of jackpot to that gaming machine. 
     In each game, the gaming machine calculates the amount (amount for accumulation) to be accumulated to the amount of jackpot and transmits to an external control device. The external control device accumulates to the amount of jackpot the amounts for accumulation transmitted from the respective gaming machines. 
     Further, in addition to the aforementioned benefits, the gaming machine is provided with benefits such as a mystery bonus or the like. 
     The mystery bonus is a bonus in which a predetermined amount of coins are paid out for winning of a lottery that is intended for the mystery bonus. When the spin button has been pressed, the gaming machine extracts a random value for mystery bonus and determines whether or not to establish a mystery bonus by lottery. 
     &lt;Determination of Effects&gt; 
     The gaming machine produces effects by displaying images to the display, outputting the light from lamps, and outputting sounds from speakers. The gaming machine extracts a random value for effect and determines contents of the effects based on the symbols and the like determined by lottery. 
     [Overall Game System] 
     The basic functions of the gaming machine have been described above. Next, with reference to  FIG. 3 , a game system including the gaming machine is described. 
       FIG. 3  is a view illustrating the game system including the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
     A game system  300  includes the plurality of gaming machines  1 , and an external control device  200  that is connected to each of the gaming machines  1  through a communication line  301 . 
     The external control device  200  is for controlling the plurality of gaming machines  1 . In the present embodiment, the external control device  200  is a so-called hall server which is installed in a game facility having the plurality of gaming machines  1 . Each of the gaming machines  1  is provided with a unique identification number, and the external control device  200  identifies transmission sources of data transmitted from the respective gaming machines  1  by using the identification numbers. Also in the case where the external control device  200  transmits data to a gaming machine  1 , the identification numbers are used for specifying the transmission destination. 
     Further, the external control device  200  accumulates the amount of jackpot based on the number of gaming media having been betted through each of the gaming machines  1 . 
     It is to be noted that the game system  300  may be constructed within a single game facility where various games can be conducted, such as a casino, or may be constructed among a plurality of game facilities. Further, when the game system  300  is constructed in a single game facility, the game system  300  may be constructed in each floor or section of the game facility. The communication line  301  may be a wired or wireless line, and can adopt a dedicated line, an exchange line or the like. 
     This embodiment describes a case in which the plurality of gaming machines  1  are connected through the communication line  301  so as to be able to communicate with each other. However, the gaming machine according to the present invention may be a stand-alone type which is not network-connected. 
     [Overall Configuration of Gaming Machine] 
     The game system according to the present embodiment has been described above. Next, with reference to  FIG. 4 , an overall configuration of the gaming machine  1  is described. 
       FIG. 4  is a view illustrating the overall configuration of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
     A coin, a bill, or electrically valuable information corresponding to these is used as a game medium in the gaming machine  1 . Further, in the present embodiment, a later-described ticket with a barcode is also used. It is to be noted that the game medium is not limited to these, and for example a medal, a token, electric money or the like can be adopted. 
     The gaming machine  1  includes a cabinet  11 , a top box  12  installed on the upper side of the cabinet  11 , and a main door  13  provided at the front face of the cabinet  11 . 
     A lower image display panel  141  is provided at the center of the main door  13 . The lower image display panel  141  includes a liquid crystal panel, and forms the display. The lower image display panel  141  has a symbol display region  4 . To the symbol display region  4 , five video reels  3  ( 3   a,    3   b,    3   c,    3   d,    3   e ) are displayed. The symbol display region  4  is further provided with fifteen display blocks  28 , in which the display blocks  28  are assigned three by three to positions corresponding to the video reels  3 , respectively. 
     In the present embodiment, a video reel depicts through videos the rotational and stop motions of a mechanical reel having a plurality of symbols drawn on the peripheral surface thereof. To each of the video reels  3 , a symbol array comprised of a previously determined plurality of symbols is assigned. 
     In the symbol display region  4 , the symbol arrays assigned to the respective video reels  3  are separately scrolled, and are stopped after predetermined time has elapsed. As a result, a part (four consecutive symbols in the present embodiment) of each of the symbol arrays is displayed for the player. 
     The symbol display region  4  has three regions, namely, an upper region, a central region, and a lower region, for each of the video reels  3 , and a single symbol is to be displayed to each of the regions. That is, 15 (=5 columns×3 symbols) symbols are to be displayed in the symbol display region  4 . 
     In the present embodiment, a line formed by selecting one of the aforementioned three regions for each of the video reels  3  and connecting the respective regions is referred to as a winning line (hereinafter also referred to as a “pay line”). 
     It is to be noted that any desired shape of the winning line can be adopted, and examples of the shape of the winning line may include a straight line formed by connecting the central regions for the respective video reels  3 , a V-shaped line, and a bent line. Also, whereas the number of lines is 30 lines in this embodiment, any desired number of lines can be adopted. 
     As described with reference to  FIG. 1 , the lower image display panel  141  displays a number-of-credits display portion  201 , a number-of-BETs display portion  202 , a number-of-payouts display portion  203 , a HELP display button  204 , a payout-table display button  205 , a denomination display portion  206 , a payline-generation portion  65 , and the like. 
     A payline-generation portion  65 L and a payline-generation portion  65 R make a pair to generate a payline. 
     The lower image display panel  141  has a built-in touch panel  114 . The player can input various commands by touching the lower image display panel  141 . 
     A ticket printer  171 , a card slot  176 , a data display  174 , and a keypad  173  are provided on the lower side of the lower image display panel  141 . 
     The ticket printer  171  prints on a ticket a barcode representing encoded data of the number of credits, date, the identification number of the gaming machine  1 , and the like, and outputs the ticket as the ticket  175  with a barcode. The player can make a gaming machine read the ticket  175  with a barcode so as to play a game thereon, and can also exchange the ticket  175  with a barcode with a bill or the like at a predetermined place (e.g. a cashier in a casino) in the game facility. 
     The card slot  176  is for inserting a card in which predetermined data is stored. For example, the card stores data for identifying the player, and data about the history of games played by the player. 
     When the card is inserted into the card slot  176 , a later-described card reader  172  reads data from the card or writes data into the card. It is to be noted that the card may store data corresponding to a coin, a bill or a credit. 
     The data display  174  includes a fluorescent display, LEDs and the like, and displays the data read by the card reader  172  or the data inputted by the player via the keypad  173 , for example. The keypad  173  is for inputting a command and data related to ticket issuance or the like. 
     On the lower side of the ticket printer  171  or the like, there are arranged various buttons set in a control panel  30 , and various devices to be operated by the player. 
     A spin button  31  is used when starting scrolling of the symbol arrays of the respective video reels  3 . A change button  32  is used when requesting a game facility staff member to exchange money. A CASHOUT button  33  is used when paying out the coins retained inside the gaming machine  1  to a coin tray  15 . 
     A 1-BET button  34  and a maximum BET button  35  are used for determining the number of coins (hereinafter also referred to as “the number of BETs”) to be used in the game from the coins retained inside the gaming machine  1 . The 1-BET button  34  is used when determining one coin at a time for the aforementioned number of BETs. The maximum BET button  35  is used when setting the aforementioned number of BETs to a defined upper limit number. 
     A coin accepting slot  36  is provided to accept coins. A bill validator  115  is provided to accept bills. The bill validator  115  validates a bill, and accepts a valid bill into the cabinet  11 . It is to be noted that the bill validator  115  may be configured so as to be capable of reading a later-described ticket  175  with a barcode. 
     An upper image display panel  131  is provided at the front face of the top box  12 . The upper image display panel  131  includes a liquid crystal panel, and forms the display. The upper image display panel  131  displays images or the like related to effects. 
     A jackpot display portion  210  for displaying the current amount of jackpot is provided on the upper side of the upper image display panel  131 . 
     The upper image display panel  131  is provided with a clock-like roulette portion  220  which imitates a clock. The clock-like roulette portion  220  is provided with twelve hand portions  221   a  to  221   l  and twelve numeral portions  222   a  to  222   l.    
     As described later, these twelve hand portions  221   a  to  221   l  and twelve numeral portions  222   a  to  2221  can be brightly displayed by causing light emission of LED light emitting portion  231   a  to  231   l  and twelve LED light emitting portions  232   a  to  232   l  (see  FIG. 13 ) provided on a rear-surface side of the clock-like roulette portion  220 . 
     On the right and left of a lower portion of the clock-like roulette portion  220 , character images  223   a,    223   b  indicative of game characters are displayed, respectively. On the right and left of an upper portion of the clock-like roulette portion  220 , background areas  224   a,    224   b  are displayed, respectively. 
     As described later, this mode of the upper image display panel  131  corresponds to the first mode of the top box  12 . 
     Further, the top box  12  is provided with a decoration member  211 , a speaker  112 , and a lamp  111 . The gaming machine  1  produces effects by displaying images, outputting sounds, and outputting the light. 
     The overall configuration of the gaming machine  1  has been described above. Next, with reference to  FIG. 5 , a configuration of a circuit included in the gaming machine  1  is described. 
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
     A gaming board  50  is provided with: a CPU  51 , a ROM  52 , and a boot ROM  53 , which are mutually connected by an internal bus; a card slot  55  corresponding to a memory card  54 ; and an IC socket  57  corresponding to a GAL (Generic Array Logic)  56 . 
     The memory card  54  includes a non-volatile memory, and stores a game program and a game system program. The game program includes a program related to game progression, a lottery program, and a program for producing effects by images and sounds (e.g. see  FIGS. 6 to 11 ,  23 ,  25 , and  27  which are described later). Further, the aforementioned game program includes data (see  FIG. 5 ) specifying the configuration of the symbol array assigned to each video reel  3 . 
     The lottery program is a program for determining to-be stopped symbol of each video reel  3  by lottery. The to-be stopped symbol is data for determining three symbols to be displayed to the symbol display region  4  out of the plurality of symbols forming each symbol array. The gaming machine  1  of the present embodiment determines as the to-be stopped symbol the symbol to be displayed in a predetermined region (the upper region) out of the three regions provided for each of the video reels  3  of the symbol display region  4 . 
     The aforementioned lottery program includes symbol determination data. The symbol determination data is data that specifies random values so that each of the plurality of symbols forming the symbol array is determined at an equal probability, for each video reel  3 . 
     The probabilities of the respective plural symbols being determined are basically equal. However, the numbers of the respective types of symbols included in the plurality of symbols vary, and thus the probabilities of the respective types of symbols being determined vary (i.e. different weights on the probabilities are generated). 
     It is to be noted that, although the data specifies that the equal numbers of symbols be provided to form the symbol arrays of the respective video reels  3  in the present embodiment, different numbers of symbols may form the respective video reels  3 . For example, the symbol array of the first video reel  3   a  may consist of 22 symbols whereas the symbol array of the second video reel  3   b  may consist of 30 symbols. Such a configuration increases the degree of freedom in setting the probabilities of the respective types of symbols being determined for each video reel  3 . 
     Further, the card slot  55  is configured so that the memory card  54  can be inserted thereinto and removed therefrom, and is connected to a motherboard  70  by an IDE bus. 
     The GAL  56  is a type of PLD (Programmable Logic Device) having a fixed OR array structure. The GAL  56  is provided with a plurality of input ports and output ports, and predetermined input into the input port causes output of the corresponding data from the output port. 
     Further, the IC socket  57  is configured so that the GAL  56  can be inserted thereinto and removed therefrom, and is connected to the motherboard  70  by a PCI bus. The contents of the game to be played on the gaming machine  1  can be changed by replacing the memory card  54  with another memory card  54  having another program written therein or by rewriting the program written into the memory card  54  as another program. 
     The CPU  51 , the ROM  52  and the boot ROM  53  mutually connected by the internal bus are connected to the motherboard  70  by a PCI bus. The PCI bus enables a signal transmission between the motherboard  70  and the gaming board  50 , and power supply from the motherboard  70  to the gaming board  50 . 
     The ROM  52  stores an authentication program. The boot ROM  53  stores a pre-authentication program, a program (boot code) to be used by the CPU  51  for activating the pre-authentication program, and the like. The authentication program is a program (tamper check program) for authenticating the game program and the game system program. The pre-authentication program is a program for authenticating the aforementioned authentication program. The authentication program and the pre-authentication program are written along a procedure (authentication procedure) for proving that the program to be the subject has not been tampered. 
     The motherboard  70  is provided with a main CPU  71 , a ROM  72 , a RAM  73 , and a communication interface  82 . The motherboard  70  corresponds to the controller of the present invention. In this embodiment, the controller is made up of a single CPU referred to as a main CPU  71 . However, the controller of the present invention may be made up of a plurality of CPUs. 
     The ROM  72  includes a memory device such as a flash memory, and stores a program such as BIOS to be executed by the main CPU  71 , and permanent data. When the BIOS is executed by the main CPU  71 , processing for initializing predetermined peripheral devices is conducted; further, through the gaming board  50 , processing of loading the game program and the game system program store d  in the memory card  54  is started. 
     The RAM  73  stores data and programs which are used in operation of the main CPU  71 . For example, when the processing of loading the aforementioned game program, game system program or authentication program is conducted, the RAM  73  can store the program. The RAM  73  is provided with working areas used for operations in execution of these programs. Examples of the areas include: an area that stores a counter for managing the number of games, the number of BETs, the number of payouts, the number of credits and the like; and an area that stores symbols (code numbers) determined by lottery. 
     The communication interface  82  is for communicating with the external control device  200  such as a server, through the communication line  301 . Further, the motherboard  70  is connected with a later-described door PCB (Printed Circuit Board)  90  and a body PCB  110  by respective USBs. The motherboard  70  is also connected with a power supply unit  81 . 
     When the power is supplied from the power supply unit  81  to the motherboard  70 , the main CPU  71  of the motherboard  70  is activated, and then the power is supplied to the gaming board  50  through the PCI bus so as to activate the CPU  51 . 
     The door PCB  90  and the body PCB  110  are connected with input devices such as a switch and a sensor, and peripheral devices the operations of which are controlled by the main CPU  71 . 
     The door PCB  70  is connected with a control panel  30 , a reverter  91 , a coin counter  92 C and a cold cathode tube  93 . 
     The control panel  30  is provided with a spin switch  31 S, a change switch  32 S, a CASHOUT switch  33 S, a  1 -BET switch  34 S and a maximum BET switch  35 S which correspond to the aforementioned respective buttons. Each of the switches outputs a signal to the main CPU  71  upon detection of press of the button corresponding thereto by the player. 
     The coin counter  92 C validates a coin inserted into the coin accepting slot  36  based on its material, shape and the like, and outputs a signal to the main CPU  71  upon detection of a valid coin. Invalid coins are discharged from a coin payout exit  15 A. 
     The reverter  91  operates based on a control signal outputted from the main CPU  71 , and distributes valid coins validated by the coin counter  92 C into a hopper  113  or a cash box (not illustrated). That is, coins are distributed into the hopper  113  when the hopper  113  is not filled with coins, while coins arc distributed into the cash box when the hopper  113  is filled with coins. 
     The cold cathode tube  93  functions as a backlight installed on the rear face sides of the upper image display panel  131  and the lower image display panel  141 , and lights up based on a control signal outputted from the main CPU  71 . 
     The body PCB  110  is connected with the lamp  111 , the speaker  112 , the hopper  113 , a coin detecting portion  113 S, the touch panel  114 , the bill validator  115 , a graphic board  130 , the ticket printer  171 , the card reader  172 , a key switch  173 S and the data display  174 . 
     The lamp  111  lights up based on a control signal outputted from the main CPU  71 . The speaker  112  outputs sounds such as BGM, based on a control signal outputted from the main CPU  71 . 
     The hopper  113  operates based on a control signal outputted from the main CPU  71 , and pays out coins of the specified number of payouts from the coin payout exit  15 A to the coin tray  15 . The coin detecting portion  113 S outputs a signal to the main CPU  71  upon detection of coins paid out by the hopper  113 . 
     The touch panel  114  detects a place on the lower image display panel touched by the player&#39;s finger or the like, and outputs to the main CPU  71  a signal corresponding to the detected place. Upon acceptance of a valid bill, the bill validator  115  outputs to the main CPU  71  a signal corresponding to the face amount of the bill. 
     The graphic board  130  controls display of images conducted by the respective upper image display panel  131  and lower image display panel  141 , based on a control signal outputted from the main CPU  71 . The symbol display region  4  of the lower image display panel  141  displays the five video reels  3  by which the scrolling and stop motions of the symbol arrays included in the respective video reels  3  are displayed. 
     The graphic board  130  is provided with a VDP generating image data, a video RAM temporarily storing the image data generated by the VDP, and the like. The number-of-credits display portion  201  of the lower image display panel  141  displays the number of credits stored in the RAM  73 . The number-of-payouts display portion  203  of the lower image display panel  141  displays the number of paid-out coins. 
     The graphic board  130  is provided with the VDP (Video Display Processor) generating image data based on a control signal outputted from the main CPU  71 , the video RAM temporarily storing the image data generated by the VDP, and the like. It is to be noted that the image data used in generation of image data by the VDP is included in the game program that has been read from the memory card  54  and stored into the RAM  73 . 
     Based on a control signal outputted from the main CPU  71 , the ticket printer  171  prints on a ticket a barcode representing encoded data of the number of credits stored in the RAM  73 , date, the identification number of the gaming machine  1 , and the like, and then outputs the ticket as the ticket  175  with a barcode. 
     The card reader  172  reads data stored in a card inserted into the card slot  176  and transmits the data to the main CPU  71 , or writes data into the card based on a control signal outputted from the main CPU  71 . 
     The key switch  173 S is provided in the keypad  173 , and outputs a predetermined signal to the main CPU  71  when the keypad  173  has been operated by the player. 
     The data display  174  displays data read by the card reader  172  and data inputted by the player through the keypad  173 , based on a control signal outputted from the main CPU  71 . 
     The body PCB  110  is electrically connected to an interface circuit  180 . The interface circuit  180  is a circuit to establish communication between the body PCB  110  and a sub-control circuit  400  to be described later and to achieve bidirectional communication. For example, specifications such as RS-232C or USB may be employed. 
     The interface circuit  180  is electrically connected to a connector of a predetermined specification (not shown). The connecter can be connected in a detachably attachable manner to a cable  185  for making communication. For example, the RC-232C cable or USB cable may be connected to the connector in a detachably attachable manner. The sub-control circuit  400  to be described later is connected to the body PCB  110  via this cable  185 . This achieves a bidirectional communication between the main CPU  71  and the sub-control circuit  400 . 
     [Contents of program] 
     The circuit configuration of the gaming machine  1  has been described above. Next, with reference to  FIGS. 6 to 11 , the program to be executed by the gaming machine  1  is described. 
     &lt;Main Control Processing&gt; 
     First, with reference to  FIG. 6 , main control processing is described. 
       FIG. 6  is a view illustrating a flowchart of the main control processing for the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
     First, when the power is supplied to the gaming machine  1 , the main CPU  71  reads the authenticated game program and game system program from the memory card  54  through the gaming board  50 , and writes the programs into the RAM  73  (step S 11 ). 
     Next, the main CPU  71  conducts at-one-game-end initialization processing (step S 12 ). For example, data that becomes unnecessary after each game in the working areas of the RAM  73 , such as the number of BETs and the symbols determined by lottery, is cleared. 
     The main CPU  71  conducts coin-insertion/start-check processing which is described later with reference to  FIG. 7  (step S 13 ). In the processing, input from the BET switch and the spin switch is checked. 
     The main CPU  71  then conducts symbol lottery processing which is described later with reference to  FIG. 9  (step S 14 ). In the processing, to-be stopped symbols are determined based on the random values for symbol determination. 
     Next, the main CPU  71  conducts mystery bonus lottery processing (step S 15 ). In the processing, lottery determining whether or not to establish a mystery bonus trigger is held. For example, the main CPU  71  extracts a random value for mystery bonus from the numbers in a range of “0 to 99”, and establishes the mystery bonus trigger when the extracted random value is “0”. 
     The main CPU  71  conducts effect contents determination processing (step S 16 ). The main CPU  31  extracts a random value for effect, and determines any of the effect contents from the preset plurality of effect contents by lottery. 
     The main CPU  71  then conducts symbol display control processing which is described later with reference to  FIG. 10  (step S 17 ). In the processing, scrolling of the symbol array of each video reel  3  is started, and the to-be stopped symbol determined in the symbol lottery processing of step S 14  is stopped at a predetermined position (e.g. the upper region in the symbol display region  4 ). That is, three symbols including the to-be stopped symbol are displayed in the symbol display region  4 . For example, when the to-be stopped symbol is the symbol associated with the code number of “10” and it is to be displayed to the upper region, the symbols associated with the respective code numbers of “11” and “12” are to be displayed to the central region and lower region in the symbol display region  4 , respectively. 
     Next, the main CPU  71  conducts number-of-payouts determination processing which is described later with reference to  FIG. 11  (step S 18 ). In the processing, the number of payouts is determined based on the combination of symbols displayed along one of the winning lines, and is stored into a number-of-payouts storage area provided in the RAM  73 . 
     Next, the main CPU  71  determines whether or not the bonus game trigger is established (step S 19 ). As described above, the bonus game trigger according to this embodiment is established when three bonus symbols  250  are stopped within the symbol display region  4 . When determining that the bonus game trigger has been established, the main CPU  71  conducts the bonus game processing (step S 20 ). 
     It is to be noted that a feature game to be described later is a game which is executed depending on a result of the bonus game executed in this step S 20 . 
     After the processing of step S 20  or when determining in step S 19  that the bonus game trigger has not been established, the main CPU  71  determines whether or not the mystery bonus trigger is established (step S 21 ). When determining that the mystery bonus trigger has been established, the main CPU  71  conducts mystery bonus processing (step S 22 ). In this processing, the number of payouts being set for the mystery bonus is stored in the number-of-payouts storage area provided in the RAM  73 . 
     After the processing of step S 22  or when determining in step S 21  that the mystery bonus trigger has not been established, the main CPU  71  conducts payout processing (step S 24 ). The main CPU  71  adds a value stored in the number-of-payouts storage area to a value stored in the number-of-credits storage area provided in the RAM  73 . It is to be noted that operation of the hopper  113  may be controlled based on input from the CASHOUT switch  33 S, and coins of the number corresponding to a value stored in the number-of-payouts storage area may be discharged from the coin payout exit  15 A. Further, operations of the ticket printer  171  may be controlled and a ticket with a barcode may be issued on which a value stored in the number-of-payouts storage area is recorded. After the processing has been conducted, the processing is shifted to step S 12 . 
     The game executed through steps S 12  to  18  of the main control processing corresponds to a normal game according to the present invention. 
     &lt;Coin-Insertion/Start-Check Processing&gt; 
     Next, with reference to  FIG. 7 , coin-insertion/start-check processing is described. 
       FIG. 7  is a view illustrating a flowchart of the coin-insertion/start-check processing for the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
     First, the main CPU  71  determines whether or not insertion of a coin has been detected by the coin counter  92 C (step S 41 ). When determining that the insertion of a coin has been detected, the main CPU  71  makes an addition to the number-of-credits storage area (step S 42 ). It is to be noted that, in addition to the insertion of a coin, the main CPU  71  may determine whether or not insertion of a bill has been detected by the bill validator  115 , and when determining that the insertion of a bill has been detected, the main CPU  71  may add a value according to the bill to the number-of-credits storage area. 
     After step S 42  or when determining in step S 41  that the insertion of a coin has not been detected, the main CPU  71  determines whether or not the number-of-credits storage area is zero (step S 43 ). When the main CPU  71  determines that the number-of-credits storage area is not zero, the main CPU  71  permits operation acceptance of the BET buttons (step S 44 ). 
     Next, the main CPU  71  determines whether or not operation of any of the BET buttons has been detected (step S 45 ). When the main CPU  71  determines that the BET switch has detected press of the BET button by the player, the main CPU  71  makes an addition to a number-of-BETs storage area provided in the RAM  73  and makes a subtraction from the number-of-credits storage area, based on the type of the BET button (step S 46 ). 
     The main CPU  71  then determines whether or not a value stored in the number-of-BETs storage area is at its maximum (step S 47 ). When the main CPU  71  determines that a value stored in the number-of-BETs storage area is at its maximum, the main CPU  71  prohibits updating of a value stored in the number-of-BETs storage area (step S 48 ). After step S 48  or when determining in step S 47  that a value stored in the number-of-BETS storage area is not at its maximum, the main CPU  71  permits operation acceptance of the spin button (step S 49 ). 
     After step S 49  or when determining in step S 45  that the operation of any of the BET buttons has not been detected, or when determining in step S 43  that a value stored in the number-of-credits storage area is zero, the main CPU  71  determines whether or not operation of the spin button has been detected (step S 50 ). When the main CPU  71  determines that the operation of the spin button has not been detected, the processing is shifted to step S 41 . 
     When the main CPU  71  determines that the operation of the spin button has been detected, the main CPU  71  conducts jackpot-related processing which is described later with reference to  FIG. 8  (step S 51 ). In the processing, the amount to be accumulated to the amount of jackpot is calculated, and the amount is transmitted to the external control device  200 . After the processing has been conducted, the coin-insertion/start-check processing is completed. 
     &lt;Jackpot-Related Processing&gt; 
     Now, with reference to  FIG. 8 , the jackpot-related processing is described. 
       FIG. 8  is a view illustrating a flowchart of the jackpot-related processing for the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
     First, the main CPU  71  calculates the amount for accumulation (step S 71 ). The main CPU  71  obtains the product of the value of the number-of-BETs storage area and a preset accumulation ratio, so that the amount for accumulation to the amount of jackpot is calculated. 
     Next, the main CPU  71  transmits the calculated amount for accumulation to the external control device  200  (step S 72 ). Upon reception of the amount for accumulation, the external control device  200  updates the amount of jackpot. After the processing has been conducted, the jackpot-related processing is completed. 
     &lt;Symbol Lottery Processing&gt; 
     Next, with reference to  FIG. 9  the symbol lottery processing is described. 
       FIG. 9  is a view illustrating a flowchart of the symbol lottery processing for the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
     First, the main CPU  71  extracts random values for symbol determination (step S 111 ). The main CPU  71  then determines to-be stopped symbols for the respective video reels  3  by lottery (step S 112 ). 
     Each of video reels  3  (a first video reel  3   a,  a second video reel  3   b,  a third video reel  3   c,  a fourth video reel  3   d,  and a fifth video reel  3   e ) included in the gaming machine  1  of this embodiment is assigned with a symbol array made up of the plurality of symbols corresponding to code numbers. The ROM  72  stores a data table indicative of a correspondence relationship between the video reels  3  and the symbol arrays, respectively. 
     The main CPU  71  holds a lottery for each video reel  3 , and determines any one of the plurality of symbols as a to-be stopped symbol. At this time, each of the plural symbols is determined at an equal probability. 
     The main CPU  71  then stores the determined to-be stopped symbols for the respective video reels  3  into a symbol storage area provided in the RAM  73  (step S 113 ). Next, the main CPU  71  references the number-of-payouts determination table ( FIG. 8 ) and determines a winning combination based on the symbol storage area (step S 114 ). 
     The symbol combination table specifies a combination of symbols according to a winning prize and the number of payouts. In the gaming machine  1 , when scroll of the symbol array of each video reel  3  is stopped, a winning prize is established in a case where a combination of symbols displayed on a payline is coincident with a combination of symbols specified in the symbol combination table. In a case where a combination of the symbols displayed on the payline fails to coincide with any combination of symbols specified in the symbol combination table, no winning prize (so called “losing”) is established. 
     In step S 114 , the main CPU  71  determines whether or not a combination of symbols displayed on the winning line by each of the video reels  3  coincides with a combination of symbols specified in the symbol combination table, thereby determining a winning combination. After the processing has been conducted, the symbol lottery processing is completed. 
     In this embodiment, when determining in the symbol lottery processing that three bonus symbols  250  are to be stop-displayed, the main CPU  71  determines which benefits (credit award, a free game, or a twenty-nine-choice game) is to be correlated with each of the bonus symbols  250 . The main CPU  71  made this determination based on the data table indicative of a correspondence relationship between a position in which the bonus symbol  250  is stopped and a benefit (credit award, a free game, or a twenty-nine-choice game). This data table is stored in the ROM. 
     &lt;Symbol Display Control Processing&gt; 
     Next, with reference to  FIG. 10 , the symbol display control processing is described. 
       FIG. 10  is a view illustrating a flowchart of the symbol display control processing for the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
     First, the main CPU  71  starts scrolling of the symbol arrays of the respective video reels  3  that are displayed to the symbol display region  4  of the lower image display panel  141  (step S 131 ). The main CPU  71  then stops the scrolling of the symbol arrays of the respective video reels  3 , based on the aforementioned symbol storage area (step S 132 ). After the processing has been conducted, the symbol display control processing is completed. 
     Whereas this embodiment describes a case in which each of the symbols makes up symbol arrays which are longitudinally scrolled, a mode of scroll-display of symbols according to this invention is not limitative thereto. For example, the symbols may be horizontally scrolled or each of the symbols may be independently scrolled within the display region. 
     &lt;Number-of-Payouts Determination Processing&gt; 
     Next, with reference to  FIG. 11 , the number-of-payouts determination processing is described. 
       FIG. 11  is a view illustrating a flowchart of the number-of-payouts determination processing for the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
     The main CPU  71  first determines whether or not the winning combination is the jackpot (step S 151 ). When the main CPU  71  determines that the winning combination is not the jackpot, the main CPU  71  determines the number of payouts corresponding to the winning combination (step S 152 ). It is to be noted that the main CPU  71  determines “0” as the number of payouts in the case where the game is lost. Next, the main CPU  71  stores the determined number of payouts into the number-of-payouts storage area (step S 153 ). After the processing has been conducted, the number-of-payouts determination processing is completed. 
     When the main CPU  71  determines that the winning combination is the jackpot, the main CPU  71  notifies the external control device  200  of the winning of the jackpot (step S 154 ). It is to be noted that, upon reception of the notification, the external control device  200  transmits to the gaming machine  1  the amount of jackpot having updated up to that time. At this time, a part (e.g. 80%) of the amount of jackpot may be the payout subject and the rest (e.g. 20%) may be carried over for the upcoming establishment of the jackpot trigger. 
     Next, the main CPU  71  receives the amount of jackpot from the external control device  200  (step S 155 ). The main CPU  71  then stores the received amount of jackpot into the number-of-payouts counter (step S 156 ). After the processing has been conducted, the number-of-payouts determination processing is completed. 
     &lt;&lt;First Mode of Top Box  12 &gt;&gt; 
       FIG. 12  is a front view illustrating the first mode of a pattern drawn on the upper image display panel  131  of the top box  12 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the first mode of the pattern includes the clock-like roulette portion  220  imitating a clock. The clock-like roulette portion  220  is provided with the twelve hand portions  221   a  to  2211  and the twelve numeral portions  222   a  to  2221 . 
     The twelve numeral portions  222   a  to  2221  are made up of the numeral portion  222   a  indicative of a number “100”, the numeral portion  222   b  indicative of a number “ 200 ”, the numeral portion  222   c  indicative of a number “300”, the numeral portion  222   d  indicative of a number “400”, the numeral portion  222   e  indicative of a number “500”, the numeral portion  222   f  indicative of a number “600”, the numeral portion  222   g  indicative of a number “700”, the numeral portion  222   h  indicative of a number “ 800 ”, the numeral portion  222   i  indicative of a number “900”, the numeral portion  222   j  indicative of a number “1000”, the numeral portion  222   k  indicative of a number “1100” , and the numeral portion  222   l  indicative of a number “1200”. The hand portions  221   a  to  221   l  correspond to the numeral portions  222   a  to  222   l , respectively, in alphabetical order. 
     The upper image display panel  131  of the first mode displays the character images  223   a,    223   b  indicative of two game characters on the right and left of the lower portion of the clock-like roulette portion  220 , respectively. Further, the background regions  224   a,    224   b  are displayed on the right and left of the upper portion of the clock-like roulette portion  220 , respectively. 
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view illustrating disposition of the twelve LED light emitting portions  231   a  to  231   l , the twelve LED light emitting portions  232   a  to  232   l , the four LED light emitting portions  233   a  to  233   d,  the four LED light emitting portions  233   e  to  233   h,  and light guide panels  234   a,    234   b,  all of which are disposed in accordance with the first mode of the pattern. 
     The twelve LED light emitting portions  232   a  to  232   l  are disposed on the rear surface of the aforementioned twelve numeral portions  222   a  to  222   l  so that the LED light emitting portions  232   a  to  232   l  correspond to the numeral portions  222   a  to  222   l , respectively, in alphabetical order. 
     Each of the twelve LED light emitting portions  232   a  to  232   l  is made up of four LEDs. The four LEDs making up one of the twelve LED light emitting portions  232   a  to  232   l  are simultaneously turned on so that the corresponding one of the LED light emitting portions  232   a  to  232   l  emits light, thereby illuminating one of the numeral portions corresponding to this LED light emitting portion. In this manner, the numeral portion can be illuminated brightly. For example, the four LEDs making up the LED light emitting portion  232   c,  which is one of the twelve LED light emitting portions  232   a  to  232   l , are simultaneously turned on so that the LED light emitting portion  232   c  emits light, thereby illuminating the numeral portion  222   c  corresponding to the LED light emitting portion  232   c.  In this manner, the numeral portion  222   c  can be illuminated brightly. 
     Similarly, the twelve LED light emitting portions  231   a  to  231   l  are disposed on the rear surface of the twelve hand portions  221   a  to  221   l  so that the LED light emitting portions  231   a  to  231   l  correspond to the hand portions  221   a  to  221   l , respectively, in alphabetical order. 
     Each of the twelve LED light emitting portions  231   a  to  231   l  is made up of three LEDs. The three LEDs making up one of the twelve LED light emitting portions  231   a  to  231   l  are simultaneously turned on so that the corresponding one of the LED light emitting portions  231   a  to  231   l  emits light, thereby illuminating one of the numeral portions corresponding to this LED light emitting portion. In this manner, the numeral portion can be illuminated brightly. For example, the three LEDs making up the LED light emitting portion  231   f , which is one of the twelve LED light emitting portions  231   a  to  231   l , are simultaneously turned on so that the LED light emitting portion  231   f  emits light, thereby illuminating the hand portion  221   f  corresponding to the LED light emitting portion  231   f.  In this manner, the hand portion  221  f can be illuminated brightly. 
     As described above, the twelve hand portions  221  a to  221   l  and the twelve numeral portions  222   a  to  222   l  make up the clock-like roulette portion  220 . More specifically, the hand portion  221   a  and the numeral portion  222   a  can be brightly illuminated by turning on the LED emitting portions  231   a,    232   a,  simultaneously. Next, these hand portion  221   a  and numeral portion  222   a  can be blacked out by turning off the LED emitting portions  231   a,    232   a,  simultaneously. At the same instant, the hand portion  221   b  and the numeral portion  222   b  can be brightly illuminated by turning on the LED light emitting portions  231   b,    232   b,  simultaneously. Repeated operation of this produces visual effects as if the hand gradually rotates along the numbers from “100” to “1200” on the clock. In this manner, a roulette game can be performed. 
     The aforementioned twelve LED light emitting portions  232   a  to  232   l  and twelve LED light emitting portions  231   a  to  231   l  are disposed between two light guide panels  234   a,    234   b,  to be described later, and the upper image display panel  131 , in a position at a predetermined distance from the upper image display panel  131 . Further, a shielding partition  238  is formed in each of interspaces between the adjacent LED light emitting portions  232   a  to  232   l  and the adjacent LED light emitting portions  231   a  to  231   l . With the aid of this shielding partition  238 , one LED light emitting portion can emit light in a manner to illuminate only the corresponding numeration portion and hand portion, while being prevented from illuminating other numeral portions or hand portions corresponding to other LED light emitting portions. In this manner, only a corresponding numeral portion or hand portion can be brightly displayed by one LED light emitting portion, thereby preventing a player from misreading these portions. 
     The upper image display panel  131  of this first mode displays the two character images  223   a,    223   b,  indicative of two game characters. The four LED light emitting portions  233   a  to  233   d  are disposed on a rear surface of the character image  223   a.  The four LED light emitting portions  233   e  to  233   h  are disposed on a rear surface of the character image  223   b.  Each of the four LED light emitting portions  233   a  to  233   d  and the four LED light emitting portions  233   e  to  233   h  is made up of four 
     LEDs. All of the LEDs making up the four LED light emitting portions  233   a  to  233   d  are simultaneously turned on so that the character image  223   a  can be brightened up by illumination from the rear surface thereof. Similarly, all of the LEDs making up the four LED light emitting portions  233   e  to  233   h  are simultaneously turned on so that the character image  223   b  can be brightened up by illumination from the rear surface thereof. With this configuration, one of the character images  223   a,    223   b  can be selected as a partner to play a game with. 
     The top box  12  according to the first mode is provided with the two light guide panels  234   a,    234   b.  The light guide panel  234   a  is disposed on a rear surface of the background area  224   a  so as to be aligned with the background area  224   a.  The light guide panel  234   b  is disposed on a rear surface of the background area  224   b  so as to be aligned with the background area  224   b.  As shown in  FIG. 14 , the two light guide panels  234   a,    234   b  are provided on a backlight panel  235 . The backlight panel  235  has a substantially plate-like shape and is provided with a panel surface  237  formed thereon. The backlight panel  235  is fixed to a bottom surface of the top box  12  so that the panel surface  237  of the backlight panel  235  is faced to the upper image display panel  131 . The two light guide panels  234   a,    234   b  are fixed to the panel surface  237  by means of a predetermined supporting member (not shown) through a light guide panel case  243  to be described later, so that these light guide panels  234   a ,  234   b  are disposed substantially parallel to the panel surface  237 . 
     The backlight panel  235  further provided with two backlights  236   a,    236   b  (not shown) disposed thereon. Light emitted by the backlight  236   a  enters the light guide panel  234   a.  Light emitted by the backlight  236   b  enters the light guide panel  234   b.    
     As shown in  FIG. 15 , each of the two light guide panels  234   a,    234   b  is made up of a light guide panel acrylic  241 , a light guide panel reflector  242 , and the light guide panel case  243 . The light guide panel acrylic  241  has a plate-like shape with a substantially uniform thickness. The light guide panel reflector  242  is affixed to an end portion of the light guide panel acrylic  241 . The light that has reached the end portion of the light guide panel acrylic  241  and then emitted from the light guide panel acrylic  241  can be reflected by the light guide panel reflector  242 , so that this light can be caused to re-enter the light guide panel acrylic  241 . The light guide panel case  243  is configured to receive the light guide panel acrylic  241  so as to dispose the light guide panel case  243  in a predetermined position of the backlight panel  235 . 
     Light that has entered the light guide panel acrylic  241  through a predetermined surface thereof as a light-entering surface is repeatedly reflected inside the light guide panel acrylic  241 , and thereafter, exits therefrom through a light-exiting surface  244 . As just described, the light having entered the light guide panel acrylic  241  exits therefrom after being reflected more than once inside the light guide panel acrylic  241 . Thus, the light having substantially uniform brightness across the entire area of the light-exiting surface  244  can be caused to exit through the light-exiting surface  244 , thereby causing the light having the brightness free from unevenness to exit the light-exiting surface  244 . As shown in  FIG. 13 , the two light guide panels  234   a,    234   b  are each disposed so that the light-exiting surface  244  of the light guide panel acrylic  241  (light guide panels  234   a,    234   b ) is faced to the background area  224   a  or  224   b.  In this manner, the background areas  224   a,    224   b  can be illuminated with substantially uniform brightness, so that the background areas  224   a,    224   b  can be brightened up without unevenness in brightness. 
     As described above, the background areas  224   a,    224   b  are illuminated with the light exiting through the light-exiting surface  244  of the light guide panel acrylic  241 . Therefore, a position, size, the number, or the like of the two backlights  236   a,    236   b  and a position or the like of the two light guide panels  234   a,    234   b  with respect to these two backlights  236   a,    236   b  can be appropriately determined so that the light can enter the light guide panel acrylic  241  so as to exit through the light-exiting surface  244  of the light guide panel acrylic  241 . 
     As described above, the light guide panel case  243  receives the light guide panel acrylic  241 . As illustrated in  FIG. 15 , the light guide panel case  243  is provided with a holding wall  246  and a holding surface  247  for holding the light guide panel acrylic  241 , which are formed along the periphery of the light guide panel case  243 . The holding wall  246  and the holding surface  247  are provided with an opening (not shown) for allowing the light emitted by the backlight  236   a  or  236   b  to enter the light guide panel acrylic  241 . The backlight  236   a  or  236   b  is disposed so as to be aligned with this opening. The light emitted by the backlight  236   a  or  236   b  can be caused to enter the light guide panel acrylic  241  through this opening. Further, a reflection member (not shown) is provided inside the holding wall  246  and the holding surface  247 . Even in a case where the light having entered the light guide panel acrylic  241  exits through a surface other than the light-exiting surface  244 , this light having exited is reflected so as to re-enter the light guide panel acrylic  241 . Thus, the light can be caused to exit therefrom through the light-exiting surface  244  efficiently. 
     The light-exiting surface  244  of the light guide panel acrylic  241  is disposed with the aid of the backlight panel  235  so as to be spaced at a predetermined distance of, e.g., larger than 40 millimeters, from the rear surface of the upper image display panel  131 . The light emitted from the light-exiting surface  244  of the light guide panel acrylic  241  travels radially so as to spread at various angles. Because the light-exiting surface  244  of the light guide panel acrylic  241  is disposed at a distance from the rear surface of the upper image display panel  131 , the light which travels radially from the light-exiting surface  244  of the light guide panel acrylic  241  can reach the rear surface of the upper image display panel  131  through optical paths at various angles. Therefore, even in a case where an additional member such as a cable needs to be disposed between the light-exiting surface  244  and the rear surface of the upper image display panel  131 , the background areas  224   a,    224   b  can be illuminated without being shielded by the member such as a cable. 
     &lt;&lt;Second Mode of Pattern&gt;&gt; 
       FIG. 16  is a front view illustrating a second mode of a pattern drawn on the upper image display panel  131  of the top box  12 . The upper image display panel  131  of the second mode is provided with four numeral display portions each in a heart shape. A first numeral display portion is made up of four numeral portions  252   a  to  252   d.  A second numeral display portion is made up of four numeral portions  252   e  to  252   h.  A third numeral display portion is made up of four numeral portions  252   i  to  252   l . A fourth numeral display portion is made up of four numeral portions  252   m  to  252   p.    
     The four numeral portions  252   a  to  252   d  are made up of the numeral portion  252   a  indicative of a number “300”, the numeral portion  252   b  indicative of a number “450”, the numeral portion  252   c  indicative of a number “750”, and the numeral portion  252   d  indicative of a number “1500”. The four numeral portions  252   e  to  252   h  are made up of the numeral portion  252   e  indicative of a number “300”, the numeral portion  252   f  indicative of a number “450”, the numeral portion  252   g  indicative of a number “750”, and the numeral portion  252   h  indicative of a number “1500”. The four numeral portions  252   i  to  252   l  are made up of the numeral portion  252   i  indicative of a number “300”, the numeral portion  252   j  indicative of a number “ 450 ”, the numeral portion  252   k  indicative of a number “750”, and the numeral portion  252   l  indicative of a number “1500”. The four numeral portions  252   m  to  252   p  are made up of the numeral portion  252   m  indicative of a number “300”, the numeral portion  252   n  indicative of a number “450”, the numeral portion  252   o  indicative of a number “750”, and the numeral portion  252   p  indicative of a number “1500”. 
     The upper image display panel  131  of the second mode displays character images  253   a  to  253   d  indicative of four game characters so as to corresponds to the four heart-shaped numeral display portions, respectively. The character image  253   a  corresponds to the first numeral display portion. The character image  253   b  corresponds to the second numeral display portion. The character image  253   c  corresponds to the third numeral display portion. The character image  253   d  corresponds to the fourth numeral display portion. Further, three background areas  254   a,    254   b,    254   c  are displayed at the upper portion of the four heart-shaped numeral display portions. 
       FIG. 17  is a perspective view illustrating disposition of LEDs  262   a  to  262   p , the LEDs  263   a  to  263   d,  and the light guide panels  264   a,    264   b,    264   c,  all of which are disposed in accordance with the second mode of the pattern. 
     The four LED light emitting portions  262   a  to  262   d  are disposed on the rear surface of the four numeral portions  252   a  to  252   d  of the first numeral display portion so that the LED light emitting portions  262   a  to  262   d  correspond to the numeral portions  252   a  to  252   d,  respectively, in alphabetical order. 
     The four LED light emitting portions  262   e  to  262   h  are disposed on the rear surface of the four numeral portions  252   e  to  252   h  of the second numeral display portion so that the LED light emitting portions  262   e  to  262   h  correspond to the numeral portions  252   e  to  252   h,  respectively, in alphabetical order. 
     The four LED light emitting portions  262   i  to  262   l  are disposed on the rear surface of the four numeral portions  252   i  to  252   l  of the third numeral display portion so that the LED light emitting portions  262   i  to  262   l  correspond to the numeral portions  252   i  to  2521 , respectively, in alphabetical order. 
     The four LED light emitting portions  262   m  to  262   p  are disposed on the rear surface of the four numeral portions  252   m  to  252   p  of the fourth numeral display portion so that the LED light emitting portions  262   m  to  262   p  correspond to the numeral portions  252   m  to  252   p,  respectively, in alphabetical order. 
     As described above, the character images  253   a  to  253   d  indicative of four game characters are also displayed so as to correspond to the four heart-shaped numeral display portions, respectively. The LED light emitting portions  263   a  to  263   d  are disposed on the rear surface of the character images  253   a  to  253   d , respectively, in alphabetical order. 
     Each of the LED light emitting portions  262   a  to  262   p  and the LED light emitting portions  263   a  to  263   d  described above is made up of four LEDs. These four LEDs are simultaneously turned on so that the corresponding LED light emitting portion emits light, thereby illuminating the numeral portion or the character image corresponding to this LED light emitting portion. In this manner, the numeral portion or the character image can be displayed brightly. 
     The aforementioned LED light emitting portions  262   a  to  262   p  and LED light emitting portions  263   a  to  263   d  are disposed between the three light guide panels  264   a ,  264   b,    264   c,  and the upper image display panel  131 , in a position at a predetermined distance from the upper image display panel  131 . Further, a shielding portion  268  is formed in each of interspaces between the adjacent LED light emitting portions  252   a  to  252   p  and the adjacent LED light emitting portions  263   a  to  263   d.  With the aid of this shielding portion  268 , one LED light emitting portion can emit light in a manner to illuminate only the corresponding numeration portion or hand portion, while being prevented from illuminating other numeral portions or hand portions corresponding to other LED light emitting portions. In this manner, only a corresponding numeral portion or hand portion can be brightly displayed by one LED light emitting portion, thereby preventing a player from misreading these portions. 
     The top box  12  of the second mode is provided with the three light guide portions  264   a,    264   b,    264   c.  The light guide portion  264   a  is disposed on the rear surface of the background area  254   a  so as to be aligned with the background area  254   a.    
     The light guide portion  264   b  is disposed on the rear surface of the background area  254   b  so as to correspond to the background area  254   b.  The light guide portion  264   c  is disposed on the rear surface of the background area  254   c  so as to be aligned with the background area  254   c.  These light guide panels  264   a,    264   b,    264   c  are the same in configuration as the light guide panel  234   a  or  234   b  described above. Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 15 , each of the light guide panels  264   a,    264   b,    264   c  is made up of the light guide panel acrylic  241 , the light guide panel reflector  242 , and the light guide panel case  243 . Each of the light guide panels  264   a,    264   b,    264   c  has the light-exiting surface  244 . The light having entered the light guide panel acrylic  241  is caused to exit therefrom through the light-exiting surface  244  after being repeatedly reflected inside the light guide panel acrylic  241 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 18 , the three light guide panels  264   a,    264   b,    264   c  are provided on the backlight panel  265 . The backlight panel  265  has a substantially plate-like shape and is provided with a panel surface  267  formed thereon. The backlight panel  265  is fixed to the bottom surface of the top box  12  so that the panel surface  267  of the backlight panel  265  is faced to the upper image display panel  131 . The three light guide panels  264   a,    264   b,    264   c  are fixed to the panel surface  267  by means of a predetermined supporting member (not shown) through the light guide panel case  243  to be described later, so that these light guide panels  264   a,    264   b,    264   c  are disposed substantially parallel to the panel surface  267 . 
     Three backlights  266   a,    266   b,    266   c  (not shown) are disposed on the backlight panel  265 . Light emitted by the backlight  266   a  enters the light guide panel  264   a . Light emitted by the backlight  266   b  enters the light guide panel  264   b.  The light emitted by the backlight  266   c  enters the light guide panel  264   c.    
     As shown in  FIG. 17 , three light guide panels  264   a,    264   b,    264   c  are each disposed so that the light-exiting surface  244  of the light guide panel acrylic  241  (light guide panels  264   a,    264   b,    264   c ) is faced to the background area  254   a,    254   b,  or  254   c . In this manner, the background areas  254   a,    254   b,    254   c  can be illuminated with substantially uniform brightness and also be brightened up without unevenness in brightness. 
     As described above, the background areas  254   a,    254   b,    254   c  are illuminated with the light exiting through the light-exiting surface  244  of the light guide panel acrylic  241 . Therefore, a position, size, the number, or the like of the three backlights  266   a,    266   b,    266   c  and a position or the like of the three light guide panels  264   a,    264   b,    264   c  with respect to the three backlights  266   a,    266   b,    266   c  can be appropriately determined so that the light can enter the light guide panel acrylic  241  so as to exit therefrom through the light-exiting surface  244  of the light guide panel acrylic  241 . 
     The light-exiting surface  244  of the light guide panel acrylic  241  is disposed with the aid of the backlight panel  265  so as to be spaced at a predetermined distance of, e.g., larger than 40 millimeters, from the rear surface of the upper image display panel  131 . The light emitted from the light-exiting surface  244  of the light guide panel acrylic  241  travels radially so as to spread at various angles. Since the light-exiting surface  244  of the light guide panel acrylic  241  is disposed at a distance from the rear surface of the upper image display panel  131 , the light which travels radially from the light-exiting surface  244  of the light guide panel acrylic  241  reaches the rear surface of the upper image display panel  131  through optical paths at various angles. Therefore, even in a case where an additional member such as a cable needs to be disposed between the light-exiting surface  244  and the rear surface of the upper image display panel  131 , the background areas  254   a,    254   b,    254   c  can be illuminated without being shielded by the member such as a cable. 
     &lt;&lt;Third Mode of Pattern&gt;&gt; 
       FIG. 19  is a front view illustrating a third mode of a pattern drawn on the upper image display panel  131  of the top box  12 . The upper image display panel  131  of the third mode is provided with four numeral display portions each in a circular shape. A first numeral display portion is made up of four numeral portions  272   a  to  272   d.  A second numeral display portion is made up of four numeral portions  272   e  to  272   h.  A third numeral display portion is made up of four numeral portions  272   i  to  2721 . A fourth numeral display portion is made up of four numeral portions  272   m  to  272   p.    
     The four numeral portions  272   a  to  272   d  are made up of the numeral portion  272   a  indicative of a number “100”, the numeral portion  272   b  indicative of a number “ 150 ”, the numeral portion  272   c  indicative of a number “200”, and the numeral portion  272   d  indicative of a number “450”. The four numeral portions  272   e  to  272   h  are made up of the numeral portion  272   e  indicative of a number “150”, the numeral portion  272   f  indicative of a number “300”, the numeral portion  272   g  indicative of a number “450”, and the numeral portion  272   h  indicative of a number “1500”. The four numeral portions  272   i  to  272   l  are made up of the numeral portion  272   i  indicative of a number “100”, the numeral portion  272   j  indicative of a number “150”, the numeral portion  272   k  indicative of a number “250”, and the numeral portion  272   l  indicative of a number “500”. The four numeral portions  272   m  to  272   p  are made up of the numeral portion  272   m  indicative of a number “150”, the numeral portion  272   n  indicative of a number “250”, the numeral portion  272   o  indicative of a number “500”, and the numeral portion  272   p  indicative of a number “1000”. 
     The upper image display panel  131  of the third mode displays text images  273   a  to  273   d  indicative of four text images so as to correspond to the four circular-shaped numeral display portions, respectively. The text image  273   a  corresponds to the first numeral display portion. The text image  273   b  corresponds to the second numeral display portion. The text image  273   c  corresponds to the third numeral display portion. The text image  273   d  corresponds to the fourth numeral display portion. Two background areas  274   a,    274   b  are displayed between the four circular-shaped numeral display portions. A character image  273   e  indicative of a game character is also displayed at the center of the upper image display panel  131  of the third mode. 
       FIG. 20  is a perspective view illustrating disposition of LEDs  282   a  to  282   d , LEDs  283   a  to  283   e,  and light guide panels  284   a,    284   b,  all of which are disposed in accordance with the third mode of the pattern. 
     The four LED light emitting portions  282   a  to  282   d  are disposed on the rear surface of the four numeral portions  272   a  to  272   d  of the first numeral display portion so that the LED light emitting portion  282   a  to  282   d  correspond to the numeral portions  272   a  to  272   d,  respectively, in alphabetical order. 
     The four LED light emitting portions  282   e  to  282   h  are disposed on the rear surface of the four numeral portions  272   e  to  272   h  of the second numeral display portion so that the LED light emitting portions  282   e  to  282   h  correspond to the numeral portions  272   e  to  272   h,  respectively, in alphabetical order. 
     The four LED light emitting portions  282   i  to  282   l  are disposed on the rear surface of the four numeral portions  272   i  to  272   l  of the third numeral display portion so that the LED light emitting portions  282   i  to  282   l  correspond to the numeral portions  272   i  to  272   l , respectively, in alphabetical order. 
     The four LED light emitting portions  282   m  to  282   p  are disposed on the rear surface of the four numeral portions  272   m  to  272   p  of the fourth numeral display portion so that the LED light emitting portions  282   m  to  282   p  correspond to the numeral portions  272   m  to  272   p,  respectively, in alphabetical order. 
     As described above, the four text images  273   a  to  273   d  are also displayed so as to correspond to the four circular-shaped numeral display portions, respectively. 
     The LED light emitting portion  283   a  is disposed on the rear surface of the text image  273   a.  The LED light emitting portion  283   b  is disposed on the rear surface of the text image  273   b.  The LED light emitting portion  283   c  is disposed on the rear surface of the text image  273   c.  The LED light emitting portion  283   d  is disposed on the rear surface of the text image  273   d.    
     As described above, the character image  273   e  indicative of a game character is also displayed at the center of the upper image display panel  131 . Eight LED light emitting portions  283   e  are disposed on the rear surface of the character image  273   e.    
     Each of the LED light emitting portions  282   a  to  282   p  and the LED light emitting portions  283   a  to  283   e  described above is made up of four LEDs. These four LEDs are simultaneously turned on so that the corresponding LED light emitting portion emits light, thereby illuminating the numeral portion, the text image, or the character image corresponding to this LED light emitting portion. In this manner, the numeral portion, the text image, or the character image can be brightly displayed. 
     The aforementioned LED light emitting portions  282   a  to  282   p  and LED light emitting portions  283   a  to  283   e  are disposed between the two light guide panels  284   a ,  284   b,  and the upper image display panel  131 , in a position at a predetermined distance from the upper image display panel  131 . Further, a shielding portion  288  is formed in each of interspaces between the adjacent LED light emitting portions  282   a  to  282   p  and the adjacent LED light emitting portions  283   a  to  283   e.  With the aid of this shielding portion  288 , one LED light emitting portion can emit light in a manner to illuminate only the corresponding numeral portion or hand portion, while being prevented from illuminating other numeral portions or hand portions corresponding to other LED light emitting portions. In this manner, only a corresponding numeral portion or hand portion can be brightly displayed by one LED light emitting portion, thereby preventing a player from misreading these portions. 
     The top box  12  of the third mode is provided with the two light guide portions  284   a,    284   b.  The light guide portion  284   a  is disposed on the rear surface of the background area  274   a  so as to be aligned with the background area  274   a.  The light guide panel  284   b  is disposed on the rear surface of the background area  274   b  so as to be aligned with the background area  274   b.  These light guide panels  284   a,    284   b  are the same in configuration as the light guide panel  234   a  or  234   b  described above. Specifically, likewise the light guide panel  234   a  or  234   b  shown in  FIG. 15 , each of the light guide panels  284   a,    284   b  is made up of the light guide panel acrylic  241 , the light guide panel reflector  242 , and the light guide panel case  243 . Each of the light guide panels  284   a,    284   b  has the light-exiting surface  244 . Light having entered the light guide panel acrylic  241  is caused to exit therefrom through the light-exiting surface  244  after being repeatedly reflected inside the light guide panel acrylic  241 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 21 , the two light guide panels  284   a,    284   b  are provided on the backlight panel  285 . The backlight panel  285  has a substantially plate-like shape and is provided with a panel surface  287 . The backlight panel  285  is fixed to the bottom surface of the top box  12  so that the panel surface  287  of the backlight panel  285  is faced to the upper image display panel  131 . The two light guide panels  284   a,    284   b  are fixed to the panel surface  287  by means of a predetermined supporting member (not shown) through the light guide panel case  243  to be described later so that these light guide panels  284   a,    284   b  are disposed substantially parallel to the panel surface  287 . 
     Two backlights  286   a,    286   b  (not shown) are also disposed on the backlight panel  285 . Light emitted by the backlight  286   a  enters the light guide panel  284   a . Light emitted by the backlight  286   b  enters the light guide panel  284   b.    
     As shown in  FIG. 20 , two light guide panels  284   a,    284   b  are each disposed so that the light-exiting surface  244  of the light guide panel acrylic  241  (light guide panels  284   a,    284   b ) is faced to the background area  274   a  or  274   b.  In this manner, the background areas  274   a,    274   b  can be illuminated with substantially uniform brightness and also be brightened up without unevenness in brightness. 
     As described above, the background areas  274   a,    274   b  are illuminated with the light exiting through the light-exiting surface  244  of the light guide panel acrylic  241 . Therefore, a position, size, the number, or the like of the two backlights  286   a,    286   b  and a position or the like of the two light guide panels  284   a,    284   b  with respect to the two backlights  286   a,    286   b  can be appropriately determined so that the light can enter the light guide panel acrylic  241  so as to exit therefrom through the light-exiting surface  244  of the light guide panel acrylic  241 . 
     The light-exiting surface  244  of the light guide panel acrylic  241  is disposed with the aid of the backlight panel  285  so as to be spaced at a predetermined distance of, e.g., larger than  40  millimeters, from the rear surface of the upper image display panel  131 . The light emitted from the light-exiting surface  244  of the light guide panel acrylic  241  travels radially so as to spread at various angles. Since the light-exiting surface  244  of the light guide panel acrylic  241  is disposed at a distance from the rear surface of the upper image display panel  131 , the light which travels radially from the light-exiting surface  244  of the light guide panel acrylic  241  reaches the rear surface of the upper image display panel  131  through optical paths at various angles. Therefore, even in a case where an additional member such as a cable needs to be disposed between the light-exiting surface  244  and the rear surface of the upper image display panel  131 , the background areas  274   a,    274   b  can be illuminated without being shielded by the member such as a cable. 
     &lt;&lt;Sub-Control Circuit  400 &gt;&gt; 
       FIG. 22  is a block diagram illustrating the sub-control circuit  400  and various types of LEDs for emitting light under control of the sub-control circuit  400 . Exemplified here is the sub-control circuit  400  configured to control the various types of LEDs of the top box  12  according to the first mode described above. 
     The sub-control circuit  400  is made up of a sub-PCB  410  and a sub-circuit  420 . The sub-PCB  410  performs bidirectional communication with the main CPU  71  via the body PCB  110 . As described above, the cable  185  is connected in a detachably attachable manner between the body PCB  110  and the sub-PCB  410 . As the cable  185 , RC-232C cable or USB cable can be employed. 
     The sub-PCB  410  and the sub-circuit  420  are connected to each other so as to establish a serial communication therebetween, which enables these sub-PCB  410  and sub-circuit  420  to transmit and receive predetermined data. In this manner, various types of commands or data transmitted from the main CPU  71  can be transmitted to the sub-circuit  420 . Further, an OUTPORT terminal of the sub-circuit  420  is electrically connected to an INPORT terminal of the sub-PCB  410 . Various types of control signals output from the OUTPORT terminal of the sub-circuit  420  is supplied to the sub-PCB  410 . Part of the control signals output from the sub-circuit  420  is transmitted to the main CPU  71 . For example, a confirmation signal is transmitted from the sub-circuit  420  to the main CPU  71  through the processing in step S 2513  to be described later. In accordance with the part of the control signals output from the sub-circuit  420 , turning-on, turning-off, or blinking is controlled in the twelve LED light emitting portions  231   a  to  231   l , the twelve LED light emitting portions  232   a  to  232   l , the four LED light emitting portions  233   a  to  233   d,  the four LED light emitting portions  233   e  to  233   h,  and the two backlights  236   a,    236   b.    
     The sub-circuit  420  has a sub-CPU  422 , sub-ROM  424 , and sub-RAM  426 . The sub-CPU  422  executes a subroutine shown in  FIG. 25 , to be described later. The sub-ROM  424  stores, for example, a program of a subroutine shown in  FIG. 25  and a light-emission-pattern shown in  FIG. 26 , which are described later. Upon execution of the subroutine shown in  FIG. 25 , the sub-RAM  426  temporarily stores values such as variables. 
     The sub-PCB  410  has an OUTPORT terminal. The twelve LED light emitting portions  231   a  to  231   l , the twelve LED light emitting portions  232   a  to  232   l , the four LED light emitting portions  233   a  to  233   d,  the four LED light emitting portions  233   e  to  233   h,  and the two backlights  236   a,    236   b  are electrically connected to this OUTPORT terminal. The sub-PCB  410  controls turning-on, turning-off, or blinking of the twelve LED light emitting portions  231   a  to  231   l , the twelve LED light emitting portions  232   a  to  232   l , the four LED light emitting portions  233   a  to  233   d,  the four LED light emitting portions  233   e  to  233   h,  and the two backlights  236   a,    236   b,  in accordance with a control signal transmitted from the sub-circuit  420 . 
     Turning-on, turning-off, or blinking of the twelve LED light emitting portions  231   a  to  231   l  and the twelve LED light emitting portions  232   a  to  232   l  can be controlled through the processing shown in  FIGS. 23 ,  25 , and  27  to be described later. Turning-on, turning-off, or blinking of the four LED light emitting portions  233   a  to  233   d  and the four LED light emitting portions  233   e  to  233   h  may be controlled through the processing shown in  FIGS. 23 ,  25 , and  27 . Only the numeral portion or the hand portion (see  FIG. 12 ) is turned on or turned off, thereby producing visual effects as if the hand gradually rotates along the numbers from “100” to “1200” on the clock. In this manner, a roulette game can be performed. 
     The two backlights  236   a,    236   b  are controlled so as to maintain certain brightness at all times without being turned on or off, or blinked by the sub-CPU  422 . Specifically, the background areas  224   a,    224   b  are illuminated with the certain brightness at all times. In this manner, a region for performing a roulette game can be changed in its brightness over time by the turning-on or turning-off of the LEDs, and thus the game can be progressed. On the other hand, the background areas  224   a ,  224   b  can be illuminated indistinctively to an extent that the player can visually recognize these regions. 
     The two backlights  236   a,    236   b  may be controlled by the sub-CPU  422  to be turned on, turned off, or blinked. In this manner, visual effects can be produced such that not only the numeral portion or the hand portion but also the background areas  224   a,    224   b  can be changed in its brightness over time. 
     As described above, the top box  12  of the first mode is provided with the twelve LED light emitting portions  231   a  to  231   l , the twelve LED light emitting portions  232   a  to  232   l , the four LED light emitting portions  233   a  to  233   d,  the four LED light emitting portions  233   e  to  233   h,  and the two backlights  236   a,    236   b.    
     The twelve LED light emitting portions  231   a  to  231   l  are configured to illuminate and brighten up the twelve hand portions  221   a  to  221   l , respectively. These twelve LED light emitting portions  231   a  to  231   l  are collectively denoted by “CK-BK-LED” in  FIG. 22 . The twelve LED light emitting portions  232   a  to  232   l  are configured to illuminate and brighten up the twelve numeral portions  222   a  to  222   l , respectively. These twelve LED light emitting portions  232   a  to  232   l  are collectively denoted by “CK-hd-LED” n  FIG. 22 . 
     The four LED light emitting portions  233   a  to  233   d  are configured to illuminate and brighten up the character image  223   a.  These four LED light emitting portions  233   a  to  233   d  are collectively denoted by “RB-LED” in  FIG. 22 . The four LED light emitting portions  233   e  to  233   h  are configured to illuminate and brighten up the character image  223   b.  These four LED light emitting portions  233   e  to  233   h  are collectively denoted by “LB-LED” in  FIG. 22 . 
     The backlight  236   a  is configured to illuminate and brighten up the background area  224   a  via the light guide panel  234   a.  This backlight  236   a  is denoted by “RM-BK-LED” in  FIG. 22 . The backlight  236   b  is configured to illuminate and brighten up the background area  224   b  via the light guide panel  234   a.  This backlight  236   b  is denoted by “LM-BK-LED” in  FIG. 22 . 
     With this configuration, the sub-circuit  420  (sub-CPU  422 ) can control turning-on, turning-off, or blinking of the twelve LED light emitting portions  231  a to  231   l , the twelve LED light emitting portions  232   a  to  232   l , the four LED light emitting portions  233   a  to  233   d,  the four LED light emitting portions  233   e  to  233   h,  the two backlights  236   a,    236   b.    
     As described above, the sub-control circuit  400  shown in  FIG. 22  is configured to control the various types of LEDs of the top box  12  according to the first mode described above. However, this sub-control circuit  400  can be adapted to the top box  12  according to the second or third mode by changing the LEDs to be connected to the sub-PCB  410 . 
     &lt;&lt;Light-Emission-Pattern-Number-Determination Processing&gt;&gt; 
       FIG. 23  illustrates a subroutine of light-emission-pattern-number-determination processing to be executed by the main CPU  71 . This subroutine is invoked and executed by the main CPU  71  at a time of shifting a game mode into a predetermined game such as, e.g., a specific feature game (not shown). It is preferable that the feature game provide a possibility of giving an advantage to a player. For example, this subroutine shown in  FIG. 23  is invoked and executed when a game mode is shifted into a feature game which is to be executed in accordance with a result of a bonus game executed in step S 20  of  FIG. 6  described above. 
     First, the main CPU  71  searches a light-emission-pattern-number-determination table based on a lottery result and a progressive phase of the feature game to determine a light-emission pattern (step S 231   l ). A correspondence relationship of a light-emission-pattern number, with respect to these lottery result and progressive phase of the feature game is predetermined and stored as the light-emission-pattern-number-determination table in the ROM  72 . The light-emission-pattern number can be determined by reading a light-emission-pattern number corresponding to the lottery result and progressive phase of the feature game, from the light-emission-pattern-number-determination table. 
     The correspondence relationship of a light-emission-pattern number, with respect to a lottery result and progressive phase of the feature game is predetermined and stored in the ROM  72 , as a light-emission-pattern-number-determination table shown in  FIG. 24 . In  FIG. 24 , the lottery result of the feature game is indicated as a first lottery result, a second lottery result, and the like. Further, the progressive phase of the feature game is indicated as a step  1 - 1 , a step  1 - 2 , and the like. For example, in a case where the lottery result is the first lottery result and the progressive phase of the feature game is a step  1 - 8 , the light-emission-pattern number is determined as “7” by searching the light-emission-pattern-number-determination table shown in  FIG. 24 . 
     The light-emission-pattern number may be determined using not only the feature game lottery result and progressive phase but also a value such as a random value generated by another lottery processing. In such a case, the random value may use a random number which is generated from integer numbers in a predetermined value range, by a lottery processing. The random value may be generated using either of hardware and software. In this manner, even under the condition of the same lottery result and progressive phase of the feature game, the plurality of LEDs can be turned on and turned off in accordance with different light-emission patterns by using the random values, thereby enabling the upper image display panel  131  to expand the range of visual effects. 
     As described above, the top box  12  according to the first mode is provided with the LED light emitting portions  231   a  to  231   l ,  232   a  to  232   l ,  233   a  to  233   d,    233   e  to  233   h,  a light-emission-pattern number of which is determined by executing the processing shown in  FIG. 23 . The top box  12  according to the second mode is provided with the LED light emitting portions  262   a  to  262   p,    263   a  to  263   d,  a light-emission-pattern number of which is determined by executing the processing shown in  FIG. 23 . The top box  12  according to the third mode is provided with the LED light emitting portions  282   a  to  282   p,    283   a  to  283   e,  a light-emission-pattern number of which is determined by executing the processing shown in  FIG. 23 . 
     The main CPU  71  then transmits the determined light-emission-pattern number to the sub-CPU  422  (step S 2313 ), and invokes to execute a subroutine of confirmation-signal-reception processing to be described later (step S 2315 ), thereby completing this subroutine. 
     &lt;&lt;Light-Emission-Pattern-Number-Reception Processing&gt;&gt; 
       FIG. 25  illustrates a subroutine of light-emission-pattern-number-reception processing to be executed by the sub-CPU  422 . The subroutine is invoked and executed by the sub-CPU  422 . 
     First, the sub-CPU  422  determines whether or not a light-emission-pattern number transmitted by the main CPU  71  has been received (step S 2511 ). In a case of determining that the light-emission-pattern number transmitted by the main CPU  71  has not been received (a case of “NO”), the sub-CPU  422  immediately terminates this subroutine. 
     On the other hand, in a case of determining that the light-emission-pattern number transmitted by the main CPU  71  has been received (a case of “YES”), the sub-CPU  422  transmits to the main CPU  71  a confirmation signal indicative of a status that the light-emission-pattern number has been received (step S 2513 ). 
     Next, the sub-CPU  422  searches the light-emission-pattern-determination table, based on the received light-emission-pattern number, to read out and determine a light-emission pattern (step S 2515 ). The sub-CPU  422  then writes and sets the read-out light-emission pattern into a predetermined area of the sub-RAM  426  (step S 2517 ), thereby terminating this subroutine. The sub-CPU  422  controls turning-on and turning-off of the LEDs in accordance with the light-emission pattern written into the predetermined area of the sub-RAM  426 . 
     A correspondence relationship between a light-emission-pattern number and a light-emission pattern is predetermined and stored as the light-emission-pattern-determination table in the sub-ROM  424 . The light-emission pattern can be determined by reading a light-emission pattern corresponding to the light-emission-pattern number, from the light-emission-pattern-determination table. 
     A correspondence relationship between a light-emission-pattern number and a light-emission pattern is predetermined in the light-emission-pattern-determination table illustrated in  FIG. 26 . As for the light-emission pattern, a plurality of unit light-emission patterns are determined for one light-emission-pattern number. Exemplified in  FIG. 26  is the light-emission-pattern-determination table used to control turning-on and turning-off of the twelve LEDs, in which each of the unit light-emission patterns determines turning-on and turning-off of the twelve LEDs. Each of the unit light-emission patterns is made up of a combination of numbers“0” and “1”. Number “1” indicates turning-on while number “0” indicates turning-off. 
     For example, serial number “000000000000” indicates that all of the twelve LEDs are to be turned off. Serial number “010000000000” indicates that only the second LED is to be turned on. Serial number “000000000010” indicates that only the eleventh LED is to be turned on. In this example, the light-emission pattern used to control turning-on and turning-off of the twelve LEDs. However, such a light-emission pattern may be appropriately determined in accordance with the number of disposed LEDs and a pattern drawn on the upper image display panel  131 . 
     In this matter, turning-on and turning-off of the twelve LEDs can be controlled by reading one unit light-emission pattern from the light-emission-pattern-determination table. As described above, the light-emission pattern is determined so as to contain the plurality unit light-emission patterns with respect to one light-emission-pattern number. The plurality of unit light-emission patterns are sequentially read out one by one at predetermined time intervals and written into a predetermined area of the sub-RAM426, thereby setting the unit light-emission pattern. The twelve LEDs are controlled by setting the unit light-emission pattern at predetermined time intervals as described above, so that not only turning-on and turning-off but also blinking of the twelve LEDs can be controlled. In this manner, the condition of turning-on and turning-off of the twelve LEDs can be changed over time. 
     As described above, the top box  12  of the first mode has the LED light emitting portions  231   a  to  231   l ,  232   a  to  232   l ,  233   a  to  233   d,    233   e  to  233   h.  The light-emission-pattern-determination table shown in  FIG. 26  is determined so as to correspond to these LED light emitting portions. These LED light emitting portions can be turned on, turned off, or blinked in accordance with a predetermined light-emission pattern through execution of the processing shown in  FIG. 25 . 
     Further, the top box  12  of the second mode has the LED light emitting portions  262   a  to  262   p,    263   a  to  263   p.  The light-emission-pattern-determination table shown in  FIG. 26  is determined so as to correspond to these LED light emitting portions. These LED light emitting portions can be turned on, turned off, or blinked in accordance with a predetermined light-emission pattern through execution of the processing shown in  FIG. 25 . 
     Yet further, the top box  12  of the third mode has the LED light emitting portions  282   a  to  282   p,    283   a  to  283   e.  The light-emission-pattern-determination table shown in  FIG. 26  is determined so as to correspond to these LED light emitting portions. These LED light emitting portions can be turned on, turned off, or blinked in accordance with a predetermined light-emission pattern through execution of the processing shown in  FIG. 25 . 
     &lt;&lt;Confirmation-Signal-Reception Processing&gt;&gt; 
       FIG. 27  illustrates the subroutine of the light-emission-pattern-number-determination processing to be executed by the main CPU  71 . This subroutine is invoked and executed through the processing in step S 2315  shown in  FIG. 23  described above. 
     First, the main CPU  71  determines whether or not a confirmation signal transmitted by the sub-CPU  422  has been received (step S 2711 ). In a case of determining that the confirmation signal has been received (a case of “YES”), the main CPU  71  immediately terminates this subroutine. 
     In a case of determining that the confirmation signal has not been received (a case of “NO”), the main CPU  71  determines whether or not the number of times that the confirmation signal is not received, namely, the number of retries, has reached a predetermined value or more (step S 2713 ). In a case of determining that the number of times that the confirmation signal is not received has not yet reached the predetermined value or more (a case of “NO”), the main CPU  71  returns the processing to step S 2711 . 
     On the other hand, in a case of determining that the number of times that the confirmation signal is not received has reached the predetermined value or more (in a case of “YES”), the main CPU  71  displays on the lower image display panel  141  an error message indicative of a status that the confirmation signal is not received from the sub-CPU  422  (step S 2715 ), and force-quits the game by terminating game-progressing processing (step S 2717 ), thereby terminating this subroutine. 
     &lt;&lt;Outline of Gaming Machine&gt;&gt; 
     The gaming machine  1  according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an illuminated object (upper image display panel  131 ) which is disposed on a front surface and made up of a specific area (hand portions  221   a  to  221   l , numeral portions  222   a  to  2221 , character images  223   a,    223   b,  numeral portions  252   a  to  252   p , character images  253   a  to  253   d,  numeral portions  272   a  to  272   p,  text images  273   a  to  273   d,  character image  273   e ) and a non-specific area (background areas  224   a,    224   b , background areas  254   a,    254   b,    254   c,  background areas  274   a,    274   b ) which is different from the specific area. The gaming machine  1  is characterized by including: a first light source (LED light emitting portions  231   a  to  231   l ,  232   a  to  232   l ,  233   a  to  233   d ,  233   e  to  233   h,    262   a  to  262   p,    263   a  to  263   p,    282   a  to  283   p,    283   a  to  283   e ) for emitting light caused to enter the specific area from a rear-surface side of the illuminated object; a second light source (backlights  236   a,    236   b,    266   a,    266   b,    266   c,    286   a,    286   b ) for emitting light; and a light guide body (light guide panels  234   a,    234   b,    264   a,    264   b ,  264   c,    284   a,    284   b ) for causing the light emitted by the second light source to enter the non-specific area from the rear-surface side of the illuminated object, the light guide body disposed in a position spaced apart from the illuminated object. 
     In this manner, the non-specific area can be illuminated by the second light source with substantially uniform brightness while the specific area can be illuminated by the first light source more brightly than the non-specific area. 
     Further, in the gaming machine  1  according to the embodiment of the present invention, the light guide body is disposed at a certain distance from the illuminated object. 
     In this manner, the non-specific area can be illuminated with substantially uniform brightness without complicating a shape of the light guide body or making disposition difficult. 
     In the gaming machine  1  according to the embodiment of the present invention, the aforementioned certain distance is set to be larger than 40 millimeters. 
     In this manner, the non-specific area can be precisely illuminated with substantially uniform brightness. 
     Still further, in the gaming machine  1  according to the embodiment of the present invention, the first light source is disposed in accordance with a pattern drawn in the specific area of the illuminated object. 
     In this manner, the specific area can be illuminated in a desired light-emission mode in accordance with the shape or the size of the picture drawn in the specific area. 
     Yet further, the gaming machine  1  according to the embodiment of the present invention further includes a display device (lower image display panel  141 ) configured to display predetermined information; a first controller (main CPU  71 ) configured to control progress of a game; and a second controller (sub-CPU  422 ) configured to control light emission of the first light source. The gaming machine  1  is characterized in that the first controller and the second controller are programmed to execute the following processing (A 1 ) to (A 3 ). The first controller executes processing (A 1 ) of transmitting, to the second controller, an instruction signal of instructing a light-emission mode of the first light source in accordance with the progress of the game (step S 2313 ). The second controller executes processing (A 2 ) of transmitting a confirmation signal to the first controller upon receipt of the instruction signal (step S 2513 ). The first controller executes processing (A 3 ) of displaying an error message on the display device in a case where the confirmation signal has not received before a predetermined time elapses (step S 2715 ). 
     In this manner, even in a case where the first controller and the second controller are configured as separate bodies and are connected to each other through a connection line such as a cable, a determination can be made as to whether a connection condition between the first controller and the second controller is appropriate or not.