JP2006034411A - Game machine and ball position detector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the satisfaction degree of a player by detecting the movement of a game ball freely moving without being restrained by a route or the like without contacting, acquiring the position coordinates of the game ball and executing various performances based on them. <P>SOLUTION: A game machine which allows the movement of the game ball in a game part and then allows the entry of the game ball to a winning port is provided with a image pickup means for picking up the image of the game ball moving in the game part, a position discrimination means for discriminating the position of the game ball from the picked-up image by the image pickup means and a performance means for executing the performance on the basis of the discriminated position. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine that allows a game using, for example, a gaming ball and a ball position detection device that is mounted on the gaming machine.

  In conventional gaming machines, a plurality of paths (passages) for passing game balls are provided around the liquid crystal display, and sensors for detecting the game balls are arranged on the respective paths, and how many game balls pass through which path. Proposals have been made to change the jackpot notice and give the player a sense of novelty and expectation. (See Patent Document 1).

  In the gaming machine, as shown in the front view of (Y) in FIG. 21 and the front sectional view of (Z), the game ball entered from the upper ball entrance 201 passes through a path 203 called a warp ball path. , And is discharged from the lower ball outlet 204.

  The route 203 is divided into right and left, and as an indicator showing how many game balls have passed through which route, five LEDs are arranged on the left and right to display the number of passing game balls.

  Depending on the number of game balls passing through such left and right paths, the jackpot notice pattern displayed on the liquid crystal display 205 can be changed to increase the player's interest in the game.

  However, in the above configuration, the sensors are arranged only in the path through which the game ball passes, and the movement of the game ball is limited to the path, so the game is not very diverse and the player is likely to get bored. It was.

JP 2002-95813 A

  In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention can detect the movement of a game ball that moves freely without being restricted by a route or the like, and obtains the position coordinates of the game ball to perform various effects based on this. And to improve the player's satisfaction.

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine that allows a game ball to move to a winning opening after allowing the game ball to move in the game unit, and that captures the game ball moving through the game unit And a position discriminating unit that discriminates the position of the game ball from an image captured by the imaging unit, and an effecting unit that produces an effect based on the discriminated position.

  The game unit includes a stage that allows the game ball to roll and a game board that allows the game ball to move, or both, in preparation for the stage before the game ball reaches the winning opening such as a V chucker. .

  The effect means is a display device such as a liquid crystal display for displaying an image, an illumination device such as a lamp or LED for turning on / off, a sound generation device such as a speaker for generating sound, or a combination of these devices. Including the configuration.

  With the above configuration, it is possible to determine the position of the game ball and perform an effect corresponding to this to improve the amusement of the game.

As an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an operation acquisition unit that executes the imaging by the imaging unit and the position determination by the position determination unit a plurality of times, acquires the determined position in time series, and acquires the operation of the game ball, The effect executed by the effect means can be set to be determined based on the action of the game ball acquired by the action acquisition means.
Thereby, it becomes possible to perform a complicated performance corresponding to the operation of the game ball.

Further, as an aspect of the present invention, the imaging means may be disposed on the opposite side of the game unit from the game ball, and the game unit may be formed of a transmissive member that transmits light.
The transparent member includes forming with a member that transmits light, such as a transparent or translucent resin member or a glass member.

  With the above-described configuration, it is possible to provide an imaging unit on the other side of the game unit as viewed from the player so as not to hinder the player from visually recognizing the game ball moving through the game unit.

As an aspect of the present invention, the position determining means can be set to detect a game ball using a circular template.
Thereby, the game ball appearing in a circle in the captured image can be properly detected.

  Also, as an aspect of the present invention, when the position discriminating unit detects the presence of a game ball by line processing and detects the game ball a plurality of times, if the detected distance of each position is equal to or smaller than a certain distance, It can be set to be handled as a game ball.

The line processing may be processing for detecting the presence of a game ball for each line, such as a top-to-bottom or left-to-right, of a captured image that is a two-dimensional image.
The predetermined distance includes being configured with an appropriate distance such as less than the diameter or less than the radius of the game ball.
With the above-described configuration, the position of the moving game ball can be detected at high speed and with good quality.

Also, the present invention provides a ball position detection device comprising an imaging means for imaging a game ball moving in a game unit of a gaming machine, and a position determination means for determining the position of the game ball from an image captured by the imaging means. It can be.
Thereby, a ball position detecting device can be incorporated in a normal gaming machine, and a gaming machine capable of producing effects based on the position of the gaming ball can be obtained.

According to the present invention, it is possible to acquire the position of free movement of the game ball and perform various effects based on the position.
Since the position is obtained by imaging the game ball with the imaging means, the degree of freedom for the shape of the game unit allowing the movement of the game ball is high, and it can be used even if the shape of the game unit is changed. It is possible to easily provide variations and version upgrades.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
First, an external configuration of the gaming machine 1 will be described with a front view shown in FIG.

  The gaming machine 1 is a pachinko machine, and on the gaming board 3, a plurality of normal winning openings 11, special winning openings (V chuckers) 12, a liquid crystal display 14, a stage space 20, a center case 21, and a game ball input and discharge. An upper plate 4, a lower plate 5 for holding the discharged game ball, and a handle 6 operated by the player are provided.

  The stage space 20 indicates an upper portion of the stage 22 (described later) at an inner portion surrounded by the center case 21, and indicates a space where the game ball can roll as a front stage portion for guiding the game ball to the special winning opening 12. .

  The center case 21 is formed of a transparent, translucent, or opaque plastic member, and is formed in a frame shape with the center cut out so as to decorate the periphery of the liquid crystal display 14.

  The stage 22 is a sloping surface that allows the game ball to roll down, has a sufficient width in the front, rear, left, and right so that the game ball can roll thereon, and is provided near the center of the game board 3. The liquid crystal display 14 is provided close to the lower front side.

  Thus, the player can see the operation of the game ball on the stage space 20 and can see the image display on the liquid crystal display 14.

  On the right side of the stage 22, there is provided a stage entrance passage 15 for sending out game balls toward the rolling guide. The stage entrance passage 15 has a stage entrance 15a at the entrance. Thus, when a part of the game balls existing on the game board 3 enters the stage entrance 15a, the game balls are guided from the stage entrance passage 15 to the stage space 20.

  With the above configuration, the player throws in the game ball from the upper plate 4, operates the handle 6 to inject the game ball onto the game board 3, and wins the game ball in the normal winning port 11 or the special winning port 12. It becomes possible to make it.

  The special winning opening 12 may not only be used for normal winning, but may also be awarded after the game ball that has entered the stage entrance passage 15 rolls on the stage 22.

  When winning the normal winning slot 11, a predetermined number of game balls are paid out to the upper plate 4, and when winning a special winning port 12, more game balls are paid out to the upper plate 4.

  Next, the configuration of the stage space 20 including the stage 22 and the two-dimensional imaging device 30 will be described together with a perspective view seen from slightly above the front shown in FIG. 2 and a side sectional view shown in FIG.

  The stage 22 is formed in a square shape in plan view, and has a plurality of obstacles 22a formed on the upper surface thereof in a triangular shape in plan view and with a thickness that does not allow the game ball (pachinko ball) 100 to get over.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the stage 22 is disposed in front of the liquid crystal display 14 by being inclined by an angle θ so that the front side is lowered downward. As a result, the game ball 100 rolls forward on the stage 22.

At the ceiling of the stage space 20, which is above the stage 22, a two-dimensional imaging device 30 configured with a digital camera or the like such as a CCD or CMOS sensor is provided in the center with the imaging direction facing downward.
The two-dimensional imaging device 30 is provided with the height adjusted so that the entire stage 22 is within the imaging range.

  With the above configuration, the game ball 100 riding on the stage 22 rolls in a complicated manner and passes through one of the routes [1] to [8] (FIG. 2), and the game ball passes. It is possible to determine the route and perform an effect based on the route.

  That is, as shown in the perspective view of the stage 22 as viewed from the front upper side of FIG. 4, the game ball passes through any of the areas A and B, passes through any of the areas C, D, and E, and further enters the area F. , G, H, or I, it can be determined which of the routes [1] to [8] has been passed by determining which of these passes.

  When the game ball passes through one of the routes, as shown in the front view of FIG. 5, the bar graphs [1] to [8] corresponding to the routes [1] to [8] displayed on the liquid crystal display 14 are displayed. The bar graph of the part corresponding to the route passed is extended and displayed. Thereby, the liquid crystal display 14 is used as a route passage number display.

  When five game balls pass through all the routes, a premium image that cannot be normally viewed is displayed on the liquid crystal display 14. Thereby, it is possible to keep the player interested in the game by performing an effect in which the premium image is seen depending on the skill, rather than making the player interested only in the ball.

Next, the internal configuration of the gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG.
The gaming machine 1 includes a gaming ball position detection device 40, a gaming machine effect control unit 80, a liquid crystal unit 82, a lamp unit 84, and an acoustic unit 86.

  The gaming ball position detection device 40 includes a two-dimensional imaging device 30, a ball detection unit 50, and an illumination unit 70, and transmits image data obtained by imaging with the two-dimensional imaging device 30 to the ball detection unit 50. The ball position coordinates obtained by the ball detection unit 50 are transmitted to the gaming machine effect control unit 80. The illumination unit 70 is disposed at an appropriate position around the stage space 20 (FIG. 1), and illuminates the stage 22 (FIG. 2) brightly.

The gaming machine effect control unit 80 receives the ball position coordinates from the ball detection unit 50, and based on this, transmits a control signal to the liquid crystal unit 82, the lamp unit 84, and the sound unit 86, and displays, lights, and sound. Produce by.
The liquid crystal unit 82 is a unit including the liquid crystal display 14 (FIG. 1), and performs an effect by displaying a color image according to the control of the gaming machine effect control unit 80.

The lamp unit 84 turns on / off the lamp according to the control of the gaming machine effect control unit 80, and performs an effect based thereon.
The sound unit 86 emits a sound such as a sound effect or music in accordance with the control of the gaming machine effect control unit 80 and performs the effect.

  With the above configuration, the position of the game ball 100 on the stage 22 can be detected, and an effect corresponding to this can be performed. This effect can be performed in such a manner that the number of paths [1] to [8] passed through is displayed on the bar graphs [1] to [8] as described above.

Next, the detailed configuration of the ball detection unit 50 and the operation of detection processing for detecting a game ball will be described with the block diagrams shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, 11, and 13.
First, the overall configuration and operation of the sphere detector 50 will be described with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG.

  The sphere detection unit 50 includes a binarization circuit 51, a first line memory 52, a resolution conversion & noise cut circuit 53, a second line memory 54, a template matching circuit 55, a third line memory 56, and a coordinate value integration circuit 57. It is composed.

The binarization circuit 51 binarizes the RGB multi-value image input from the two-dimensional imaging device (converts it into a monochrome image) and sends it to the first line memory 52.
The first line memory 52 stores binarized images (binary images) for six lines.

  The resolution conversion & noise cut circuit 53 performs resolution conversion (reduction in resolution) and noise removal using the image data in the first line memory 52. Thereby, for example, the resolution of 3 pixels / mm can be reduced to a resolution of about 0.5 pixels / mm, and at the same time, a fine noise component can be removed.

  The second line memory 54 stores six lines of the resolution-converted and noise-cut images.

  The template matching circuit 55 detects the presence or absence of a game ball using the image stored in the second line memory 54.

  The third line memory 56 stores the output (hit point) of the template matching circuit 55 for three lines.

  When a plurality of hit points are output from one game ball, the coordinate value integration circuit 57 integrates them and outputs one ball position coordinate. This corresponds to the fact that a plurality of hit points can be output from one game ball by performing template matching using a low-resolution image.

Specifically, the plurality of game ball positions stored in the third line memory 56 are sequentially viewed, and when the distance between the hit point and the hit point is less than a predetermined distance, the output of the ball position coordinates is output. I do not do it.
As a result, a plurality of ball position coordinates are prevented from being transmitted to the gaming machine effect control unit 80 and extra time is prevented, and real-time processing is enabled.

Next, the configuration and operation of the binarization circuit 51 will be described with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG.
The binarization circuit 51 includes an R component comparator 51r, a G component comparator 51g, a B component comparator 51b, and an AND circuit 51a.
With this configuration, if the R component, G component, and B component are between the predetermined lower limit threshold value and the upper limit threshold value, “1” is output.

  In this embodiment, the R component, the G component, and the B component have 8-bit gradations of 0 to 255, with 0 being dark and 255 being bright. The lower limit threshold values of the R component, the G component, and the B component are set to 200, and the upper limit threshold values are set to 255. The white pixels output “1”, and the other color pixels output “0”. Since the game ball 100 is silver, it looks white, and by setting such a threshold value, only “1” can be output for the pixels that image the game ball.

In the above embodiment, the threshold values of the R component, the G component, and the B component are made constant.
The description of the binarization circuit 51 has been described for the case of RGB input, but a component configuration corresponding to input in another image format such as YUV may be used.
Further, only the luminance signal may be used, and processing such as edge enhancement may be added.

Next, the configuration and operation of the resolution conversion & noise cut circuit 53 will be described with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG.
The resolution conversion & noise cut circuit 53 includes a storage element 53a, a pixel counting circuit 53b, and a comparator 53c.

  The storage element 53a configured by a flip-flop cuts out an image of 6 × 6 pixels from the first line memory 52 and temporarily stores it.

  The pixel counting circuit 53b counts the number of “1” pixels (represented in black in FIG. 10) among the 6 × 6 pixels stored in the storage element 53a.

  The comparator 53c, which is a comparator, compares whether or not the number of pixels “1” is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (for example, 20), and outputs “1” if it is equal to or greater than the threshold. “0” is output.

  Here, (A) to (D) in FIG. 10 show examples of pixels. In the case of (A), since there are four “1” pixels, the threshold value is 20 or less, and the output is ( It becomes “0” as shown in B).

  In the case of (C), since there are 23 “1” pixels, the threshold is 20 or more, and the output is “1” as shown in (D).

  As a result, the data in the area of 6 × 6 pixels becomes data for one pixel, so that the resolution is converted to 1/6 and the data amount is converted to 1/36. It also plays a role of noise cut for cutting noise due to dust and scratches shown in (A).

  In the image processing by the resolution conversion & noise cut circuit 53 described above, the area to be input to the storage element 53a for 6 × 6 pixels is moved every 6 pixels vertically and horizontally. That is, 6 × 6 pixels in the window are input to the storage element 53a, and then 6 × 6 pixels in the window adjacent to the window are input to the storage element 53a. Image processing is performed sequentially by moving the processing range in units of 6-pixel windows.

  Data is input from the first line memory 52 to the storage element 53a by generating an address of the line memory to be accessed by a counter circuit (not shown).

  In this embodiment, since a two-dimensional imaging device 30 having a 100,000-pixel imaging device is used and a 10 cm square area (stage 22) is read, a captured image with a resolution of 3 pixels / mm is acquired. Yes.

  Although it is possible to perform subsequent image processing with this resolution, a high resolution results in a large amount of data, which is disadvantageous in terms of processing speed and cost. The resolution is suitable for detecting a sphere, for example, 0.5 pixels / mm. In addition, when improving detection accuracy (a distinction with a position or another modeling object), you may raise the resolution.

Next, the configuration and operation of the template matching circuit 55 will be described with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG.
The template matching circuit 55 is a circuit that determines whether or not there is a circular image that is a game ball in the image data whose resolution has been reduced by the resolution conversion & noise cut circuit 53 described above.

  The template matching circuit 55 includes a storage element 55a for 6 × 6 pixels, a peripheral pixel counting circuit 55b, a comparator 55c, a central pixel counting circuit 55d, a comparator 55e, and an AND circuit 55f.

  The storage element 55a constituted by a flip-flop cuts out an image of 6 × 6 pixels from the second line memory 54 and temporarily stores it.

  The peripheral pixel counting circuit 55b counts the number of “0” pixels in the four corners that are the stored peripheral portion 55y of the 6 × 6 pixels (the hatched portion shown in FIG. 12F).

  12 (F) and 12 (G) show a circular template 55x, and the circular template 55x includes a circular central portion 55z and a peripheral portion 55y around the circular central portion 55z.

  The comparator 55c compares whether or not the number of pixels counted by the peripheral pixel counting circuit 55b is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value.

  The central pixel counting circuit 55d counts the number of “1” pixels in the stored central portion 55z of the 6 × 6 pixels (hatched portion shown in FIG. 12G).

  The comparator 55e compares whether or not the number of pixels counted by the central pixel counting circuit 55d is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value.

  When the outputs of both the comparators 55c and 55e are “1”, the AND circuit 55f outputs a game ball to the succeeding circuit as having been found (hit).

  As a result, it is possible to detect a game ball by allowing noise and digital error, even if the number of “0” s of peripheral pixels, which are ideal values, is 0 and the number of “1” s of the central pixel is not 24. It is adjusted.

  Note that the area input to the storage element 55a for 6 × 6 pixels moves for each pixel in the vertical and horizontal directions. That is, a 6 × 6 pixel window in which pixels in a window of 6 × 6 pixels are input to the storage element 55a and then moved horizontally by one pixel (or one pixel vertically) so as to partially overlap the window. Image processing is sequentially performed by moving the processing range in units of pixels using a 6 × 6 pixel window as a processing range, such as inputting the pixels in the storage element 55a.

  Data 55a can be input from the second line memory 54 to the storage element by generating an address of the line memory to be accessed by a counter circuit (not shown).

  Further, in this embodiment, the circular shape that is a game ball is detected by template matching, but may be detected using Hough transform or the like.

Next, the configuration and operation of the coordinate value integration circuit 57 will be described with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG.
The coordinate value integration circuit 57 includes a hit position storage element 57a, a self pixel hit detection circuit 57b, a non-self pixel hit detection circuit 57c, an AND circuit 57e, a self pixel coordinate value creation counter circuit 57f, and a switch 57g.

  The hit position storage element 57a corresponds to 3 × 6 pixels (vertical direction) from the coordinates (hit points) where the game ball is located in the template matching circuit 55 stored in the third line memory 56 (FIG. 7). 3 pixels in the Y-axis direction and 6 pixels in the X-axis direction which is the left-right direction) are temporarily stored.

  The own pixel hit detection circuit 57b, the non-self pixel hit detection circuit 57c, and the AND circuit 57e have the own pixel 57x (hatched portion) shown in the pixel image diagram of FIG. If the other pixel 57y (dot portion) is “0” (no hit point), the coordinates of the hit point are output.

  The own pixel x is “1”, the own pixel 57x (hatched portion) shown in the pixel image diagram of FIG. 14 is “1” (there is a hit point), and the non-self pixel 57y is also “ In the case of “1”, the coordinates of the hit point are not output.

Here, the non-self pixel 57y is a pixel other than the self-pixel 57x, is an unreferenced pixel, and is a pixel in the vicinity of the self-pixel x within a predetermined range.
In this embodiment, as the predetermined range, the left-right direction is within the range of two pixels on the left and right of the own pixel 57x (that is, five columns centered on the own pixel 57x), and the up-down direction is the range of the lower two pixels from the row of the own pixel 57x. The range excluding the left two pixels in the inner row (that is, a total of three rows including the row of the own pixel 57x and the two rows below it) is employed.

  The own pixel coordinate value creation counter circuit 57f generates the coordinates to be finally output, and if the condition that the own pixel x is “1” and the other pixels y are “0”, the switch 57g is turned on. To output coordinate values.

  As a result, when the hit points are fixed, only one point of the lower right coordinate is output, and when the same game ball is detected a plurality of times, it is prevented from being output a plurality of times.

  The area input to the storage element 57a for 3 × 6 pixels moves vertically and horizontally for each pixel. That is, a window of 6 × 6 pixels is input by inputting pixels in the window of 6 × 6 pixels to the storage element 57a, and then moved horizontally by one pixel (or one pixel vertically) so as to partially overlap the window. Image processing is sequentially performed by moving the processing range in units of pixels using a 6 × 6 pixel window as a processing range, such as inputting the pixels in the storage element 57a.

  Data is input from the third line memory 56 to the storage element 57a by generating an address of a line memory to be accessed by a counter circuit (not shown).

  Next, a process from coordinate input to area determination, that is, a process for determining whether or not a game ball exists in a predetermined area will be described with a process flow diagram showing the operation of the gaming machine effect control unit 80 shown in FIG.

  First, when coordinates are input (step s1), it is determined whether the X and Y coordinates of the input coordinates are within the definition of the region to be determined (for example, region A) (steps s2 and s3). .

  If both the X coordinate and the Y coordinate are within the specified range (within ± 20 pixels), it is determined that a game ball is present in the region (for example, the region A) (step s4).

  If the coordinate value does not fall within the specified range for either the X coordinate or the Y coordinate (steps s2 and s3), after waiting for a fixed time (step s5), the process returns to step s1 to input the coordinates again.

  With the above operation, it can be determined whether or not a game ball exists in the region to be determined. By executing this determination process in all the areas (A to I), it is possible to determine whether or not there is a game ball for all the areas.

Next, the operation of the gaming machine effect control unit 80 will be described together with a process flow diagram showing the operation of the gaming machine effect control unit 80 shown in FIGS.
The gaming machine effect control unit 80 waits until the gaming ball 100 is detected (step n1).

  If the game ball 100 exists in the area A (FIG. 4) (step n1), the process waits until the game ball 100 can be detected in the areas C and D (step n2).

  If the game ball 100 exists in the area C (step n2), the process waits until the game ball 100 can be detected in the areas F and G (step n3).

  If the game ball 100 exists in the area F (step n3), the number of passages of the route [1] (FIG. 2) is added by one (step n8), and the bar graph [1] of the liquid crystal display 14 corresponding to the route [1] is added. ] (FIG. 5) is added (step n9).

  The process returns to step n1 until the display of the bar graphs 1 to 8 corresponding to all the paths displayed on the liquid crystal display 14 which is the path passing number display unit becomes maximum (step n24).

  When the maximum value is reached (step n24), a premium image is displayed on the liquid crystal display 14 (step n25), and the process is terminated.

  Similarly, the other paths [2] to [8] are also detected, and the corresponding bar graphs [2] to [8] are additionally displayed (steps n4 to n7, n10 to n25).

Through the above operation, the game balls 100 rolling on the stage 22 are detected at regular time intervals, it is determined which path the game balls 100 have passed through, and the number of game balls that have passed through each path is counted. be able to.
As a result, an effect corresponding to the route through which the game ball 100 has passed can be performed, so that amusement can be improved and the player's satisfaction can be improved.

  The two-dimensional imaging device 30 is configured to capture the game ball 100 and a position away from the stage 22 on which the game ball 100 rolls, thereby detecting the game ball 100 in a non-contact manner, and thus restricting the movement of the game ball. The game ball 100 that rolls freely can be detected.

Even if the shape of the stage 22 is changed, the position of the game ball 100 can be detected without changing the game ball position detection device 40.
Accordingly, the number of game ball paths that can be detected is not limited to eight. By using the game ball position detection device 40, it is possible to set an infinite path pattern without increasing the number of sensors.

  By continuously and repeatedly executing the position detection of the game ball 100 by these operations, the ball detection unit 50 can output the change in the position of the game ball in time series, and the gaming machine effect control unit 80 can play the game ball. 100 actions can be acquired.

  The two-dimensional imaging device 30 may be configured to include a wide-angle lens 38 at a position below the two-dimensional imaging device 30 as shown in FIG. This is the case, for example, when the distance from the stage 22 serving as the detection surface to the two-dimensional imaging device of the two-dimensional imaging device 30 is 10 cm and the size of the stage 22 (detection surface) is 20 cm × 20 cm. This is effective when the angle of view required for the device 30 is 90 degrees and exceeds the angle of view of the two-dimensional imaging device 30.

  Further, as shown in (B), the two-dimensional imaging device 30 is installed so that the imaging direction is the front side, and the mirror 39 is tilted to a position beyond the imaging direction and above the stage 22. The image of the stage 22 reflected by the mirror 39 may be captured by the two-dimensional imaging device 30. If the optical path is bent using the mirror 39 in this way, a compact imaging device can be realized even if the distance from the detection surface to the two-dimensional imaging device is extended.

  By these methods, even if the space above the stage 22 is narrowed, the operation of the game ball can be clearly obtained.

Further, as shown in the side sectional view of FIG. 20, the two-dimensional imaging device 30 may be embedded in the gaming machine 1 at a position below the stage 22. In this case, the stage 22 is formed of a transparent member such as a transparent plastic member.
Thereby, the game ball 100 on the stage 22 can be detected without making the player aware of the presence of the two-dimensional imaging device 30.

  Further, not only the bar graph display is performed after the game ball 100 passes through one of the areas F, G, H, and I, which is the final stage area, but an effect is produced by detecting an intermediate area. May be.

  Specifically, for example, if the game ball 100 is detected in the region A (FIG. 4), the bar graphs [1] to [4] corresponding to the routes [1] to [4] (FIG. 2), which are routes that can be passed thereafter. 4] (FIG. 5) can be blinked.

Furthermore, if the game ball 100 is detected next in the area C, the bar graphs [1] to [2] corresponding to the paths [1] to [2] that can be passed thereafter can be flashed and displayed earlier. Finally, for example, when detection is performed in the region F, one bar graph [1] corresponding to the route [1] can be added and lit.
As a result, it is possible to perform a complicated performance corresponding to the operation of the game ball 100 tumbling.

  In addition, the liquid crystal display 14 is used as a path passage number display for performing a bar graph display. However, separately from the liquid crystal display 14, the LEDs are arranged in a matrix of eight horizontal and five vertical. May be used as a route passing number display.

  In this case, symbol rotation display or the like is always performed on the liquid crystal display 14, and an effect based on the rolling of the game ball 100 on the stage 22 can be performed mainly on the path passing number display. In this case, the premium image may be displayed on the liquid crystal display 14 when all bar graphs are maximized.

In addition, the range in which the two-dimensional imaging device 30 images and detects the game ball 100 is set on the stage 22, but the two-dimensional imaging device 30 is installed so that the game board 3 can take an image, and the game ball on the game board 3 It may be configured to detect 100 positions and operations.
In this case, even if the game ball 100 does not enter the stage 22, it is possible to produce effects according to the position and operation of the game ball on the game board 3.

In correspondence between the configuration of the present invention and the above-described embodiment,
The winning opening of the present invention corresponds to the special winning opening 12 of the embodiment,
Similarly,
The game department corresponds to stage 22,
The imaging means corresponds to the two-dimensional imaging device 30,
The position determination means corresponds to the sphere detection unit 50,
The action acquisition means corresponds to the ball detection unit 50 and the gaming machine effect control unit 80,
The line processing corresponds to processing executed by the resolution conversion & noise cut circuit 53, the template matching circuit 55, and the coordinate value integration circuit 57,
The circular template corresponds to the circular template 55x,
The constant distance corresponds to the distance in the range of the pixel 57y other than the self,
The production means corresponds to the gaming machine production control unit 80 and the liquid crystal unit 82,
The transparent member corresponds to the transparent plastic member,
The present invention is not limited only to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, and many embodiments can be obtained.

The front view which shows the external appearance structure of a game machine. The perspective view which looked at the stage from the front upper direction. Side surface sectional drawing of a stage. The perspective view which looked at the stage from the front upper direction. The front view of a liquid crystal display. The block diagram which shows the internal structure of a game machine. The block diagram which shows the whole structure of a bulb | ball detection part. The block diagram which shows the structure of a binarization circuit. The block diagram which shows the structure of a resolution conversion & noise cut circuit. Explanatory drawing explaining resolution conversion and noise cut in the example of a pixel. The block diagram which shows the structure of a template matching circuit. Explanatory drawing of a circular template. The block diagram which shows the structure of a coordinate value integration circuit. The pixel image figure of a self pixel and a pixel other than self. The processing flow figure which shows operation | movement of a gaming machine effect control part. The processing flow which shows operation | movement of a game machine effect control part. The processing flow which shows operation | movement of a game machine effect control part. The processing flow which shows operation | movement of a game machine effect control part. Explanatory drawing explaining the structure of the two-dimensional imaging device of another Example. Explanatory drawing explaining the structure of the two-dimensional imaging device and stage of another Example. Explanatory drawing explaining a prior art.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Game machine 12 ... Special prize opening 22 ... Stage 30 ... Two-dimensional imaging device 40 ... Game ball position detection apparatus 50 ... Ball detection part 53 ... Resolution conversion & noise cut circuit 55 ... Template matching circuit 55x ... Circular template 57 ... Coordinate Value integration circuit 57y ... Pixel other than self 80 ... Game machine effect control unit 82 ... Liquid crystal unit 100 ... Game ball

Claims (6)

A gaming machine that allows a game ball to move in a game unit and then allows a prize to be entered into a winning opening of the game ball,
Imaging means for imaging a game ball moving in the game unit;
Position discriminating means for discriminating the position of a game ball from an image captured by the imaging means;
A gaming machine comprising rendering means for rendering based on the determined position. An operation acquisition unit that executes imaging by the imaging unit and position determination by the position determination unit a plurality of times, acquires the determined position in time series, and acquires the operation of the game ball,
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the effect executed by the effect means is set to be determined based on the operation of the game ball acquired by the action acquisition means. The imaging means is disposed on the opposite side of the game unit to the game ball,
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the gaming portion is formed of a transmissive member that transmits light. The gaming machine according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the position determining means is set to detect a game ball using a circular template. The position discriminating means is configured to detect the presence of a game ball by line processing and treat it as a single game ball if the distance of each detected position is less than a certain distance when the game ball is detected multiple times. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4. An imaging means for imaging a game ball moving in the gaming part of the gaming machine;
A ball position detecting device comprising position determining means for determining the position of the game ball from an image captured by the image capturing means.

Images