JP2007011420A - Authentication device and game device provided therewith - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To arrange an authentication position on an outer surface having a display part without restricting the size of the display part. <P>SOLUTION: This authentication device to be mounted on a game device comprises the display part 11 for displaying images; authentication information receiving parts 38 and 39 arranged on the back side of the display part and receiving authentication information (fingerprint pattern information) from an authentication object (the right hand forefinger of a player) which approaches or touches an image display screen of the display part; and an authentication part performing authentication processing based on the authentication information received by the authentication information receiving parts. According to this authentication device, the authentication position for the authentication object to approach or touch can be provided on the image display screen of the display part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an authentication apparatus that receives authentication information from an authentication object that is close to or in contact with a predetermined authentication position, and performs an authentication process based on the received authentication information, and a game apparatus including the authentication apparatus.

  One such authentication device is a biometric authentication device (Patent Document 1, etc.). The biometric authentication device performs an authentication process to determine whether a person who performs authentication is a person who has a legitimate authority using a biometric feature (such as a fingerprint pattern, a retina pattern, or a vein pattern) that can identify an individual. Specifically, when a body part (authentication target) that shows a biometric feature approaches or comes into contact with a reading surface (predetermined authentication position) of the reading unit, the biometric authentication device is configured to read the biological part from the body part. Biometric authentication information (fingerprint pattern information, retinal pattern information, vein pattern information, etc.) indicating features is read. Then, the biometric authentication device performs an authentication process based on the read biometric authentication information to determine whether the person having the biometric feature is a person who has a legitimate authority. As a result of the authentication processing by this biometric authentication device, for example, when it is determined by the authentication processing that the person has a legitimate authority, the person who has the legitimate authority is permitted to perform predetermined processing and work for the person. If it is determined that it is not, it is used for a processing operation such as prohibiting a predetermined process or work for the person.

  Further, as one of the authentication devices, there is one provided in a non-contact IC tag device (for example, Patent Document 2). The non-contact IC tag device brings the non-contact IC tag (authentication object) close to or in contact with a predetermined authentication position provided on the outer surface of the authentication device provided in the main body device, and the authentication information in the non-contact IC tag is obtained. The data is transmitted to the authentication device of the main device, and authentication processing is performed by the authentication device based on the authentication information. Generally, this authentication apparatus performs an authentication process for determining whether or not the non-contact IC tag is valid. Then, for example, the authentication result is used in the main unit as follows. That is, when it is determined that the authentication process is valid, the main body device allows the individual who possesses the non-contact IC tag to perform a predetermined process or work, or between the non-contact IC tag. In this case, data communication is enabled and predetermined data processing is performed. On the other hand, if it is determined that the authentication process is not legitimate, the main body apparatus prohibits an individual possessing the non-contact IC tag from performing predetermined processing or work, or between the non-contact IC tag. Do not perform or prohibit data communication on the Internet.

JP 2002-318648 A (paragraphs 0018 to 0019) JP 2001-325572 A

  In addition to the authentication devices described above, there are various authentication devices that perform authentication processing based on authentication information received from an authentication object that is close to or in contact with a predetermined authentication position. However, in any of the conventional authentication devices, the authentication position for bringing the authentication object in proximity or in contact is a dedicated area on the outer surface of the authentication apparatus, that is, an area used only for bringing the authentication object in proximity or in contact (hereinafter referred to as the authentication object). It was called “authentication space”). Therefore, the following problems may occur in various products equipped with the authentication device.

That is, a display (display unit) is generally mounted on various products such as game devices installed in casinos, portable electronic devices such as mobile phones and notebook personal computers. And such a product has the request | requirement of the enlargement of a display. When an authentication device is mounted on such a product, the authentication position should be placed at a position where the user can handle the product, specifically, at the front portion facing the user when the user uses the product. Is desired. However, since a display is usually arranged on the front portion, if a space for authentication is secured on the front portion, the size of the display may be limited accordingly. As a result, there may be a problem that it becomes difficult to meet the demand for a larger display.
In particular, when an authentication device is to be mounted on a product that is strongly desired to be downsized, such as the above-described portable electronic device, an increase in size is required in order to secure an authentication space. The problem is more serious because the size of the display must be reduced.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the object of the present invention is to place the authentication position on the outer surface provided with the display unit without limiting the size of the display unit. An authentication device that can be used and a game device including the authentication device.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 provides authentication information from a display unit that displays an image, and an authentication object that is disposed on the back side of the display unit and is close to or in contact with the image display surface of the display unit. And an authentication unit that performs an authentication process based on the authentication information received by the authentication information receiving unit.
In this authentication apparatus, an authentication information receiving unit that receives authentication information from an authentication target that is close to or in contact with the image display surface of the display unit is disposed on the back side of the display unit. That is, in this authentication apparatus, the authentication position where the authentication target should be brought close to or in contact exists on the image display surface of the display unit. Therefore, it is possible to arrange the authentication position on the outer surface provided with the display unit without limiting the size of the display unit.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the authentication device of the first aspect, the authentication information receiving unit transmits an electromagnetic wave for receiving authentication information from an authentication target to the image display surface side of the display unit via the display unit. And a receiving unit that receives authentication information from an authentication target that has received the electromagnetic wave.
In this authentication apparatus, an electromagnetic wave for receiving authentication information from the authentication target is emitted from the emitting unit arranged on the back side of the display unit to the image display surface side through the display unit. And the authentication information from the authentication object which received this electromagnetic wave is received by the receiving part arrange | positioned at the back side of a display part. With such a configuration, for example, the authentication information receiving unit arranged on the back side of the display unit emits electromagnetic waves such as infrared rays and the biometric features (fingerprint, retina, veins) of the body part of the individual to be authenticated The authentication position can be arranged on the outer surface provided with the display unit without limiting the size of the display unit, even when reading biometric information (authentication information) indicating the like. In addition, for example, an authentication information receiving unit arranged on the back side of the display unit emits information for requesting authentication information on an electromagnetic wave, and wirelessly transmits it from an authentication information storage device or the like that is an authentication target. Even in the case where the authentication information transmitted by communication is received by the receiving unit, the authentication position can be arranged on the outer surface provided with the display unit without limiting the size of the display unit.

Further, the invention of claim 3 is the authentication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the authentication information receiving unit generates a magnetic field for receiving authentication information from an authentication target on the image display surface side of the display unit; And a receiving unit that receives authentication information from an authentication target that has received the magnetic field.
In this authentication apparatus, a magnetic field for receiving authentication information from an authentication target is generated on the image display surface side of the display unit by a magnetic field generator disposed on the back side of the display unit. And the authentication information from the authentication object which received this magnetic field is received by the receiving part arrange | positioned at the back side of a display part. With such a configuration, for example, the authentication information receiving unit disposed on the back side of the display unit generates a magnetic field, and the authentication information storage device or the like (IC tag or the like) that is the authentication target that has received the magnetic field Even if the receiver receives authentication information transmitted by wireless communication using the energy source as an energy source, the authentication position is placed on the outer surface provided with the display without limiting the size of the display can do.

Further, the invention of claim 4 is the authentication device according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising a detection unit that detects that the authentication target is close to or in contact with the image display surface of the display unit, The electromagnetic wave is emitted according to a detection result of the detection unit.
In this authentication device, when the detection unit detects that the authentication target is close to or in contact with the image display surface of the display unit, the emission unit emits electromagnetic waves according to the detection result. The electromagnetic wave emitted by the emitting unit is used when the authentication target is close to or in contact with the image display surface of the display unit. Therefore, according to the authentication apparatus, it is possible to emit electromagnetic waves only when necessary.

Further, the invention of claim 5 is the authentication apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a detection unit that detects that the authentication target is close to or in contact with the image display surface of the display unit, and the magnetic field generation unit The magnetic field is generated according to the detection result of the detection unit.
In this authentication apparatus, when the detection unit detects that the authentication target is close to or in contact with the image display surface of the display unit, the magnetic field generation unit generates a magnetic field according to the detection result. The magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generation unit is used when the authentication target is close to or in contact with the image display surface of the display unit. Therefore, according to this authentication apparatus, a magnetic field can be generated only when necessary.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the authentication device according to the fourth or fifth aspect, the detection unit is a transparent touch sensor provided on an image display surface of the display unit.
In this authentication device, it is possible to detect that the authentication target has touched the image display surface of the display unit with a widely known configuration called a touch sensor. This touch sensor includes any touch sensor that can detect contact with the image display surface of the display unit. Specific examples include an analog capacitive coupling touch sensor and a touch using ultrasonic surface acoustic waves. Examples include sensors.

The invention according to claim 7 is the authentication apparatus according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, wherein the display unit brings the authentication object close to or in contact with the authentication position on the image display surface. A guidance image for guidance is displayed on the image display surface.
In this authentication apparatus, a guide image for guiding an authentication target to approach or contact an authentication position on the image display surface is displayed on the image display surface. Therefore, the user can grasp the location on the image display surface where the authentication position where the authentication target should be brought close to or in contact with.

The authentication device according to claim 8 is the authentication apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the display unit displays a plurality of different guide images respectively guiding a plurality of different authentication positions on the image display surface, and the authentication information. The receiving unit receives only authentication information from an authentication object that is close to or in contact with a part of the plurality of authentication positions, and does not receive authentication information from an authentication object that is close to or in contact with another authentication position. It is comprised so that it may be comprised.
In this authentication apparatus, a plurality of guide images are displayed on the image display surface, authentication information is received at an authentication position guided by a part of the guide images, and authentication information is received at an authentication position guided by another guide image. Is not received. Thus, by displaying the guide image that guides to the correct authentication position and the guide image that guides to the wrong authentication position, it becomes possible to provide a new authentication process that has never existed before. For example, the user is asked a selection question, and a plurality of guidance images are displayed for guidance to the authentication positions corresponding to each correct answer branch. In this case, by registering in advance an answer that only the user can know, it is possible to perform more accurate authentication than simply authentication by the authentication target. In addition, it is possible to realize an authentication device to which a service that gives some privilege to the user is added when authentication is performed by bringing the authentication object close to or in contact with the authentication position corresponding to the correct answer branch. Become.

The invention according to claim 9 is the authentication device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8, and after the authentication unit finishes the authentication process, It has a data communication part which performs data communication.
In this authentication device, data communication can be performed with an authentication target having a wireless data communication function. In addition, since data communication with the authentication target is performed after the authentication process is completed, there is also an effect of preventing unauthorized data communication with the authentication target that has not completed the authentication process.

The invention of claim 10 is the authentication apparatus according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8, wherein the authentication information receiving unit is a biometric authentication indicating a biometric feature that can identify an individual. It is characterized by receiving information.
In this authentication apparatus, authentication processing based on biometric authentication information can be performed.

The invention of claim 11 is a game control unit for controlling the progress of a game based on a predetermined game program, and the authentication device of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10. The display unit displays a game screen corresponding to the game progress of the game progress means on the image display surface.
In this game apparatus, an authentication position where an authentication target should be brought close to or in contact exists on an image display surface of a display unit that displays a game screen. Therefore, it is possible to arrange the authentication position on the outer surface provided with the display unit without limiting the size of the display unit.

As described above, according to the first to eleventh aspects, there is an excellent effect that the authentication position can be arranged on the outer surface on which the display unit is provided without limiting the size of the display unit.
In particular, according to the invention of claim 2, there is an excellent effect that it can be applied to an authentication target that outputs authentication information by receiving electromagnetic waves.
Further, according to the invention of claim 3, there is an excellent effect that it can be applied to an authentication target that outputs authentication information by receiving a magnetic field.
According to the invention of claim 4, since the electromagnetic wave is emitted only when necessary, an excellent effect that energy saving can be achieved as compared with the case where the electromagnetic wave is always emitted is exhibited.
Further, according to the invention of claim 5, since the magnetic field is generated only when necessary, an excellent effect that energy saving can be achieved as compared with the case where the magnetic field is always generated is achieved.
According to the invention of claim 6, an excellent effect that it is possible to detect that the authentication target is in contact with the image display surface of the display unit is achieved by the widely known configuration of the touch sensor.
In addition, according to the invention of claim 7, an excellent effect of improving the convenience for the user is achieved.
According to the invention of claim 8, it is possible to provide an unprecedented new authentication process by displaying the guide image for guiding to the correct authentication position and the guide image for guiding to the wrong authentication position. Excellent effect is achieved.
According to the ninth aspect of the invention, there is an excellent effect that it is possible to prevent unauthorized data communication with an authentication target having a wireless data communication function.
Further, according to the invention of claim 10, an excellent effect is achieved that authentication processing based on biometric authentication information becomes possible.

Embodiment 1
Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a video slot machine as a game apparatus installed in a casino (hereinafter, this embodiment will be referred to as “Embodiment 1”) will be described.
First, a basic configuration of the slot machine according to the first embodiment will be described.
FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the slot machine according to the first embodiment. The slot machine 1 includes a box-shaped casing 2 and a front panel 3 attached to the front side of the casing 2 so as to be openable and closable. The front panel 3 has a display window 4 for viewing the monitor 11 from the outside, a coin insertion slot 5a and a bill insertion slot 5b constituting a money receiving portion, a spin button 6a, a credit check button 6b, and a player for a game. Various BET buttons 7a, 7b, 7c, 8a, 8b, 8c for paying coins to the slot machine, a coin tray 9 having a coin payout tray 9a, various lamps 10a, 10b, and the like are provided. The spin button 6a, the credit check button 6b, and the various BET buttons 7a, 7b, 7c, 8a, 8b, and 8c are lamp buttons each having a light emitting unit.

  Inside the slot machine 1, a monitor 11 as a display unit is provided. The monitor 11 displays a plurality of identical or different symbols arranged in a predetermined order on each of the five symbol display areas 11a. The monitor 11 is composed of a liquid crystal display, but may be another flat panel display such as a plasma display. However, as a condition of the monitor 11 in the first embodiment, as described later, it is necessary that infrared light can pass between the back side of the monitor 11 and the image display surface side. The monitor 11 also includes a credit display unit 11b for displaying a credit amount corresponding to the amount of money inserted by the player from the coin insertion slot 5a or the bill insertion slot 5b, and various BET buttons 7a, 7b, 7c, 8a, 8b, A bet display unit 11c that displays a bet amount that the player has bet by operating 8c, and an acquired amount display unit 11d that displays an acquired amount acquired by the player according to the game result are displayed above the five symbol display areas 11a. Is displayed. Further, inside the slot machine 1, an inspection device for confirming whether the received coin or bill is not a fake, a coin withdrawal device (not shown) having a hopper capable of storing a large number of coins, a speaker as a sound output unit, a CPU A main control unit and a sub control unit in which an electronic circuit is formed by various electronic components such as ROM, ROM, and the like are also incorporated.

  In the first embodiment, a touch panel 17 including a transparent touch sensor is provided on the image display surface of the monitor 11. As the touch panel 17, a known touch sensor composed of an analog capacitive coupling method is used, but other touch sensors such as a touch sensor composed of an ultrasonic surface acoustic wave method may be used.

  A reset switch 12 is provided on the side surface of the slot machine 1. The reset switch 12 has a keyhole corresponding to a dedicated key possessed by the casino attendant in which the slot machine 1 is installed, and is operated by inserting the dedicated key into the keyhole. Therefore, the player cannot operate the reset switch 12.

  In addition, a card insertion slot 13 and a display device 14 for inserting a house card as a portable recording medium used in a casino are provided on the upper portion of the slot machine 1. The house card is used for managing personal information registered by a player at a casino reception or the like. A player ID, which is individual identification information for each player, is recorded on the house card. In addition, the casino management device manages personal information of each player in association with the player ID. This house card is used, for example, to manage points according to the amount spent for the game by the player using the management device. Thereby, according to the point, privileges, such as providing services, such as a free accommodation ticket, can be provided to a player. Further, the display device 14 displays points and the like possessed by the player. In the first embodiment, the house card is also used when the money previously deposited by the player at the casino is used in the game of the slot machine 1. This point will be described later.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a main control unit constituting the control unit of the slot machine 1.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a sub-control unit that configures the control unit of the slot machine 1.

  The main control unit 20 includes a CPU 21, an input / output port 21a, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, a random number generation circuit 24, a display control unit 25, an illumination control unit 26, an acoustic control unit 27, a refund control unit 28, and the like. The input / output port 21 a is used for data communication with the sub-control unit 30. The ROM 22 stores data such as various programs used by the CPU 21 and various databases, and outputs these to the CPU 21. The RAM 23 temporarily stores variable data calculated by the CPU 21. The random number generation circuit 24 generates a random number every predetermined cycle and outputs the data to the CPU 21. The display control unit 25 constitutes a display unit together with the monitor 11, and performs display control of the monitor 11 that displays the symbol display area 11 a and the like under the control of the CPU 21. The illumination control unit 26 performs lighting control of the various lamps 10a and 10b under the control of the CPU 21. The sound control unit 27 controls announcements, production sounds, and the like that are output from the speaker 15 under the control of the CPU 21. Under the control of the CPU 21, the payout control unit 28 controls the coin payout device 16 as a payout means in order to pay back coins from the coin payout tray 9 a to the coin tray 9.

  The CPU 21 of the main control unit 20 is connected to an operation unit including a spin button 6a, a credit settlement button 6b, various BET buttons 7a, 7b, 7c, 8a, 8b, 8c, a touch panel 17, and the like. The CPU 21 is also connected to an insertion amount counting device (not shown) that counts the amount inserted into the coin insertion slot 5a and the bill insertion slot 5b.

  The sub-control unit 30 includes a CPU 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, a card reader 34 as a contact-type reading unit, a display control unit 35, a main control unit side input / output port 36, a management device side input / output port 37, and an infrared emission as a launch unit. The unit 38, the fingerprint reading unit 39 as a receiving unit, and the like. The ROM 32 stores various programs used by the CPU 31 and data such as various databases, and outputs them to the CPU 31. The RAM 33 temporarily stores variable data calculated by the CPU 31. The card reader 34 reads the player ID recorded on the house card inserted from the card insertion slot 13 and outputs the player ID to the CPU 31. The display control unit 35 performs display control of the display device 14 under the control of the CPU 31. The main control unit side input / output port 36 is used for data communication with the main control unit 20. The management device side input / output port 37 is used for data communication with a management device 40 that manages and manages a plurality of game devices installed in the casino. In the first embodiment, the management device 40 stores credit data corresponding to money previously deposited by the player in the casino in a state associated with the player ID of the player.

  The infrared emitting unit 38 and the fingerprint reading unit 39 constitute an authentication information receiving unit, and both are arranged on the back side of the monitor 11 as shown in FIG. Specifically, the infrared emitting unit 38 is arranged so that the infrared irradiation surface faces the back surface of the monitor 11, and the fingerprint reading unit 39 is also arranged so that the reading surface faces the back surface of the monitor 11. In the first embodiment, the infrared emitting unit 38 and the fingerprint reading unit 39 are disposed on the back of the monitor in the lower right portion of the screen on the image display surface when viewed from the player side (image display surface side). Therefore, the part from the lower right of the screen on the image display surface of the monitor 11 is the authentication position in the first embodiment.

  The infrared emitting unit 38 emits infrared rays from the infrared irradiation surface under the control of the CPU 31. Infrared rays emitted from the infrared emitting unit 38 pass through the monitor 11 and the touch panel 17 and are irradiated to the image display surface side, and are reflected by the finger of the player existing at the authentication position. The reflected light reflected by the player's finger passes through the monitor 11 and the touch panel 17 to the back side. The fingerprint reading unit 39 receives the reflected light, recognizes the fingerprint pattern of the player's finger existing at the authentication position from the received reflected light, and generates fingerprint pattern information indicating the fingerprint pattern. The fingerprint reading unit 39 sends the generated fingerprint pattern information to the CPU 31.

Next, the operation of each unit will be described according to the game flow by the slot machine 1.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of one game in the first embodiment.
When a player inserts a coin (not shown) into the coin insertion slot 5a or inserts a bill into the bill insertion slot 5b, the coin is counted by an insertion amount counting device (not shown). Then, the investment amount counting device outputs the investment amount data to the CPU 21 of the main control unit 20. The CPU 21 that has received the inserted amount data records credit data corresponding to the inserted amount data in the RAM 23. Alternatively, when the credit withdrawal process described later is performed to use the credits deposited in advance in the casino, the credit data is recorded in the RAM 23.

  After determining the desired number of winning lines and the bet amount, the player operates the BET buttons 7a, 7b, 7c and the winning line selection buttons 8a, 8b, 8c (S1). In this slot machine 1, the pay line selection buttons 8a, 8b, and 8c are operated to select 1 to 3 pay lines, and the BET buttons 7a, 7b, and 7c are operated to calculate the BET amount (1 to 3 credits). select. This operation content is sent to the CPU 21 of the main control unit 20 as an operation signal, and the CPU 21 performs a process of deducting the credit corresponding to the operation signal from the credit data in the RAM 23 (S2). For example, when 3 winning lines are selected as the number of winning lines and 2 credits are selected as the BET amount, 6 credits are reduced. Thereafter, the CPU 21 becomes ready to accept an operation signal from the spin button 6a, and the operation of the spin button 6a by the player becomes effective.

  When the player operates the spin button 6a (S3), the CPU 21 generates a start signal and sends the start signal to the display control unit 25. Upon receiving this start signal, the display control unit 25 performs variable display control for sequentially switching the symbols displayed in the symbol display areas 11a of the monitor 11 (S4). In the first embodiment, the switching order of symbols displayed in each symbol display area 11a is fixed in advance.

  The CPU 21 also sends the generated start signal to the random number generation circuit 24. Upon receiving this start signal, the random number generation circuit 24 generates five random numbers (S5) and sequentially sends these random numbers to the CPU 21. Each random number corresponds to each symbol display area 11 a displayed on the monitor 11. When the CPU 21 receives the five random numbers sent from the random number generation circuit 24, it compares each random number against a stop position table stored in the ROM 22. This stop position table is prepared individually for each symbol display area 11a. And the stop position of the variable display in each symbol display area 11a is determined by each random number and each stop position table. Therefore, the symbols to be stopped and displayed in each symbol display area 11a are determined by the five random numbers sent from the random number generation circuit 24.

  On the other hand, when the CPU 21 receives the five random numbers sent from the random number generation circuit 24, the CPU 21 has won a predetermined prize by checking the combination of these random numbers against the winning decision table stored in the ROM 22. The lottery process for determining whether or not is also performed (S6). Awards can be broadly divided into awards for paying a predetermined amount of credits to players (dividend payout awards), and awards for transition to bonus games such as events or free games or feature games that are in a special game state (bonus awards). and so on. Then, the CPU 21 determines a prize to be won in the current game, based on the combination of random numbers and the winning determination table, or determines a loss when no prize has been won. Note that the ROM 22 stores at least two types of winning determination tables, a winning determination table used in the normal game state and a winning determination table used when the special game state is entered. For the former type of winning determination table, an individual winning determination table is prepared for each number of winning lines that can be selected by the winning line selection buttons 8a, 8b, and 8c.

  After completing the lottery process, the CPU 21 controls the display control unit 25 to stop at the stop position where the variable display of each symbol display area 11a is determined (S7). As a result, the variable display is stopped at the determined stop position in the symbol display area 11a of the monitor 11, and the predetermined symbols corresponding to the five random numbers are stopped and displayed in each symbol display area 11a.

  When the payout of the payout is determined in the lottery process (S8, S9), the CPU 21 of the main control unit 20 stops the variable display of each symbol display area 11a, and then displays the illumination control unit 26 and the sound control unit. 27, a predetermined effect signal is output. Thereby, the illumination control unit 26 includes light emitting means of various lamps 10a and 10b and a spin button 6a that are turned on, a credit settlement button 6b, and various BET buttons 7a, 7b, 7c, 8a, 8b, and 8c. Lighting control is performed so that the lamp button blinks in a blinking pattern corresponding to the effect signal. In addition, the sound control unit 27 performs control to temporarily stop the music output from the speaker 15 as the effect sound and output the sound effect corresponding to the effect signal from the speaker 15. Then, the CPU 21 functions as a payout means, and performs a payout process in which a credit corresponding to the winning prize is added to the credit data recorded in the RAM 23.

  In addition, when the winning of the bonus prize is determined in the lottery process (S8, S9), the CPU 21 of the main control unit 20 stops the variable display of each symbol display area 11a, and then performs the lighting control unit 26 and the acoustic control. A predetermined effect signal is output to each unit 27. Thereby, the illumination control part 26 performs lighting control so that the various lamp buttons in the lighting state blink with a blinking pattern corresponding to the effect signal. In addition, the sound control unit 27 performs control to temporarily stop the music output from the speaker 15 as the effect sound and output the music as the effect sound according to the effect signal from the speaker 15. Then, the CPU 21 functions as a game mode changing means, and shifts from the current game state, which is the control mode in the normal game state, to a control mode in which a special game state such as an event corresponding to a winning prize or a bonus game is entered. Advance the bonus game.

  In the slot machine 1 according to the first embodiment, credits spent by the player are converted into points, and various services are provided to the player according to the points. A player who wishes to receive this service first performs registration processing at the reception of the casino in which the slot machine 1 is installed before starting the game in the slot machine 1. In this registration process, for example, personal information such as a player's name and address is entered on a predetermined sheet, and a house card recording the player's ID is received. The personal information entered on a predetermined form is registered in the database of the management apparatus 40 from a predetermined terminal.

  In the first embodiment, a service is also provided in which a game can be played using credit data corresponding to money previously deposited with a casino. Specifically, when a player deposits money at a casino reception or the like, credit data corresponding to the deposited money is registered in the database of the management device 40 in a state associated with the player ID of the player. In this case, since the player can play the game on the slot machine 1 without carrying money, convenience for the player is improved. However, in order to realize such a service, sufficient security is indispensable to prevent unauthorized use of one's own credit data registered in the management apparatus 40. Therefore, in the first embodiment, sufficient security is ensured as follows.

Hereinafter, a method of using credit data registered in the management apparatus 40, which is a characteristic part of the present invention, will be described.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control flow in the control unit of the slot machine 1 when the player plays a game of the slot machine 1 using the credit data registered in the management device 40.
First, when using a service that allows a player to play a game using credit data corresponding to money previously deposited at the casino, when the player deposits money at a casino reception, the credit corresponding to the money deposited Along with the data, the fingerprint pattern of his / her right index finger is also registered in the database of the management device 40. When a player plays a game in the slot machine 1 using the registered credit data, first, the player inserts a house card storing his player ID into the card insertion slot 13 (S21). Thereby, the card reader 34 of the sub-control unit 30 reads the player ID recorded on the inserted house card and sends the player ID to the CPU 31 of the sub-control unit 30 (S22). When receiving the player ID from the card reader 34, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the player ID is normal (S23).

  In the first embodiment, this determination is performed by the control unit of the slot machine 1, but may be performed by the management device 40. In this case, the CPU 31 that has received the player ID sends the player ID to the management device 40 and receives the determination result in the management device 40 as a response.

If it is determined that the determination (S23) is not normal, the CPU 31 notifies the CPU 21 of the main control unit 20 to that effect. Upon receiving this notification, the CPU 21 of the main control unit 20 controls the display control unit 25 to display an error message on the monitor 11 (S31). If the CPU 31 determines that the card is not normal, it sends a card discharge signal to the card reader 34 to discharge the house card (S32).
On the other hand, when it is determined that the determination is normal (S23), the CPU 31 notifies the CPU 21 of the main control unit 20 to that effect. Upon receiving this notification, the CPU 21 of the main control unit 20 controls the display control unit 25 to display a personal authentication screen as shown in FIG. 7 on the monitor 11 (S24). On this personal authentication screen, a guidance message 11e as a guidance image is displayed so as to overlap the symbol display area 11a. In the first embodiment, as described above, since the authentication position is located at the lower right of the image display surface, the right index finger (authentication object) of the player is displayed in the authentication frame that is the authentication position on the image display surface of the monitor 11. In order to contact the inside, a guidance message 11e “Please place your index finger on the right lower right authentication frame” is displayed. In the first embodiment, the character image 11g “authentication frame” and the authentication frame image 11f for guiding the position of the authentication frame are also displayed on the monitor 11 as a guide image.

  In the first embodiment, such a guidance image is displayed on the monitor 11 as shown in FIG. 7, but for example, an image similar to the character image 11g “authentication frame” and the image 11f of the authentication frame is displayed. The image may be displayed by drawing with ink or sticking a sticker on the image display surface of the monitor 11.

  When the player is guided by the above-described guide image and puts his / her right index finger into the image 11f of the authentication frame, this is detected by the touch panel 17 as a detection unit provided on the image display surface of the monitor 11 (S25). . The detection result is sent from the touch panel 17 to the CPU 31 of the sub-control unit 30 via the CPU 21 of the main control unit 20, and the CPU 31 receiving this sends an infrared emission command to the infrared emission unit 38. Thereby, the infrared emission part 38 irradiates infrared rays from the infrared irradiation surface. Infrared rays emitted from the infrared emitting unit 38 pass through the monitor 11 and the touch panel 17 and are irradiated to the image display surface side, and are reflected by the right index finger of the player existing at the authentication position. The reflected light passes through the monitor 11 and the touch panel 17 to the back side and is received by the fingerprint reading unit 39. The fingerprint reading unit 39 recognizes the fingerprint pattern of the player's right index finger present in the authentication frame from the received reflected light, generates fingerprint pattern information indicating the fingerprint pattern, and then uses the fingerprint pattern information to the CPU 31. (S26).

  When receiving the fingerprint pattern information from the fingerprint reading unit 39, the CPU 31 performs a fingerprint authentication process for determining whether the fingerprint pattern information matches the fingerprint pattern information corresponding to the player ID received from the card reader 34 (S27). ). Specifically, when the CPU 31 receives the fingerprint pattern information from the fingerprint reading unit 39, the CPU 31 sends an acquisition request for fingerprint pattern information corresponding to the player ID received from the card reader 34 from the management device side input / output port 37. Send to. In response to this acquisition request, the management device 40 reads out fingerprint pattern information associated with the player ID from the database, and transmits it to the management device side input / output port 37 of the sub-control unit 30 of the slot machine 1. The fingerprint pattern information received via the management device side input / output port 37 is sent to the CPU 31 of the sub-control unit 30. The CPU 31 determines whether the fingerprint pattern information matches the fingerprint pattern information from the fingerprint reading unit 39 or not. Judging. By performing such fingerprint authentication processing, the player is authorized to use credit data associated with the player ID in the house card inserted in the card reader 34, that is, the credit data is registered. It is possible to determine whether or not the person himself / herself is.

  In the first embodiment, the fingerprint authentication process is performed by the control unit of the slot machine 1, but may be performed by the management device 40. In this case, the CPU 31 sends the fingerprint pattern information received from the fingerprint reading unit 39 to the management device 40 and receives the determination result in the management device 40 as a response.

In the fingerprint authentication process, when it is determined that the fingerprint pattern information read from the player and the registered fingerprint pattern information do not match each other (S28), the CPU 31 notifies the CPU 21 of the main control unit 20 to that effect. Upon receiving this notification, the CPU 21 of the main control unit 20 controls the display control unit 25 to display an error message on the monitor 11 (S31). If the CPU 31 determines that the card is not normal, it sends a card discharge signal to the card reader 34 to discharge the house card (S32).
On the other hand, in the fingerprint authentication process, when it is determined that the fingerprint pattern information read from the player and the registered fingerprint pattern information match each other (S28), the CPU 31 stores the credit data related to the player ID received from the card reader 34. An acquisition process is performed (S29). Specifically, a credit data acquisition request related to the player ID received from the card reader 34 is sent from the management device side input / output port 37 to the management device 40. In response to this acquisition request, the management device 40 reads credit data associated with the player ID from the database, and transmits it to the management device side input / output port 37 of the sub-control unit 30 of the slot machine 1. The credit data received via the management apparatus side input / output port 37 is sent to the CPU 31 of the sub-control unit 30, and the CPU 31 sends this credit data to the CPU 21 of the main control unit 20. Then, the CPU 21 records the received credit data in the RAM 23 (S30) so that it can be used in the game of the slot machine 1.

  In the first embodiment, as described above, the management device 40 manages points according to the amount spent for the game by the player. Therefore, the point data associated with the player ID is also received together with the credit data as a response to the credit data acquisition request. When a house card is used for the first time, the player's point data is “0”, but if the player has used the card in the past, the player will receive the point data accumulated in the past game. The CPU 31 that has received the point data temporarily stores the point data in the RAM 33, and then outputs a display command corresponding to the point data to the display control unit 35. Thereby, the display control part 35 performs display control which displays the point on the display apparatus 14 as character information.

  Each time the player plays a game in the slot machine 1, the CPU 21 of the main control unit 20 outputs credit consumption data, which is the credit consumption recorded in the RAM 23, to the sub-control unit 30 via the input / output port 21a. To do. The credit consumption data is input to the CPU 31 via the main control unit side input / output port 36 of the sub control unit 30. Thereby, the CPU 31 converts the credit consumption data into points, and adds the points to the point data stored in the RAM 33. The point data after the addition is displayed on the display device 14 as needed. Further, the CPU 31 outputs the data for the point to the management device 40 through the management device side input / output port 37 together with the player ID. The management device 40 that has received this point data adds it to the point data associated with the ID registered in the database.

  In this way, the point data registered in the database of the management device 40 can be changed to a service corresponding to the point amount at the reception of the casino or the like as desired by the player.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the authentication information receiving unit (infrared emitting unit 38 and fingerprint reading unit 39) that reads the fingerprint pattern from the right index finger of the player that has touched the image display surface of the monitor 11 is disposed on the back side of the monitor. ing. Therefore, the authentication position (in the authentication frame) where the player's right hand index finger should be in contact exists on the image display surface of the monitor 11. Therefore, even if the monitor 11 that is required to be enlarged is disposed at a position where the workability of the authentication work by the player is good, the monitor 11 is enlarged while maintaining the good workability of the authentication work by the player. Is possible.

[Embodiment 2]
Next, another embodiment (hereinafter, this embodiment is referred to as “embodiment 2”) in which the present invention is applied to a video slot machine as in the first embodiment will be described.
Note that the basic configuration and operation of the slot machine of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment except that the configuration and operation for reading the player ID in the house card are different from those in the first embodiment. Therefore, only the parts different from the slot machine of the first embodiment will be described below.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the sub-control unit that configures the control unit of the slot machine 1 according to the second embodiment. The configuration of the main control unit is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG.
In the sub control unit 130 of the second embodiment, an IC tag communication device as an authentication information receiving unit is arranged on the back side of the monitor 11 instead of the card reader 34. The IC tag communication device includes a magnetic field generation unit 138 that generates a magnetic field on the image display surface side of the monitor 11 for receiving a player ID as authentication information from an IC tag provided in a house card that is an authentication target, and the magnetic field. The card communication unit 139 performs short-distance wireless communication with the IC tag of the house card that has received the card. The card communication unit 139 functions as a receiving unit that receives a player ID that is authentication information from an IC tag of a house card that has received a magnetic field. The card communication unit 139 is arranged on the back side of the monitor 11 with its communication antenna facing the back side of the monitor 11. In the second embodiment, the magnetic field generation unit 138 and the card communication unit 139 are disposed on the back of the monitor in a portion from the lower left of the screen on the image display surface when viewed from the player side (image display surface side). Therefore, the part from the lower left of the screen on the image display surface of the monitor 11 is the house card authentication position in the first embodiment.

  The magnetic field generator 138 generates a magnetic field on the image display surface side of the monitor 11 under the control of the CPU 31. As a result, a magnetic field is generated in a region near the authentication position. The house card of the second embodiment is provided with an IC tag that stores a player ID. This IC tag is an electromagnetic coupling type tag, an antenna coil having both a power supply function and a wireless communication function, a storage unit storing a player ID, and a card communication unit 139 of the sub-control unit 130 of the slot machine 1. And a communication circuit unit for performing short-range wireless communication. A power supply coil and a wireless communication antenna may be provided separately.

  In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, a card reading area (authentication position) for holding a house card is always displayed in the lower left part of the image display surface of the monitor 11. On this screen, a character image 11h “Please hold the card.” And a character image 11i “Card reading” indicating the card reading area are displayed on the monitor 11 as a guide image. These guide images may also be displayed by drawing with ink or sticking a sticker on the image display surface of the monitor 11.

  When a game is played in the slot machine 1 using credit data registered by the player, first, according to the guidance image displayed on the screen, the user's house card is brought close to the card reading area. In the second embodiment, since the magnetic field generator 138 constantly generates a magnetic field, power is supplied to the IC tag of the house card by bringing the house card close to the card reading area. Thereby, the communication circuit unit of the IC tag transmits the player ID as the authentication information stored in the storage unit from the antenna coil. The transmitted player ID is received by the card communication unit 139 on the back side of the monitor 11. Then, the card communication unit 139 performs ID authentication processing for determining whether or not the received player ID is normal.

  In addition, if the detection part which can detect that the house card approached the card | curd reading area is provided, it is not necessary to always generate a magnetic field in the magnetic field generation part 138. For example, the detection result is sent to the CPU 31 of the sub-control unit 30, and the CPU 31 receiving the detection result controls the magnetic field generation unit 138 to generate a magnetic field for a predetermined period. In addition, as this detection part, well-known sensors, such as an infrared sensor, can be used.

  When it is determined that the ID authentication process is not normal, the CPU 31 notifies the CPU 21 of the main control unit 20 to that effect. Upon receiving this notification, the CPU 21 of the main control unit 20 controls the display control unit 25 to display an error message on the monitor 11. On the other hand, when it is determined to be normal, the CPU 31 notifies the CPU 21 of the main control unit 20 to that effect. Upon receiving this notification, the CPU 21 of the main control unit 20 controls the display control unit 25 to display a personal authentication screen as shown in FIG. 7 on the monitor 11 and thereafter performs the same processing as in the first embodiment. Do.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, the authentication information receiving unit (the magnetic field generation unit 138 and the card communication unit 139) that reads the player ID from the house card close to the image display surface of the monitor 11 is disposed on the back side of the monitor. Therefore, the authentication position (card reading area) where the house card should be brought close exists on the image display surface of the monitor 11. Therefore, even if the monitor 11 that is required to be enlarged is disposed at a position where the workability of the authentication work by the player is good, the monitor 11 is enlarged while maintaining the good workability of the authentication work by the player. Is possible.

  In addition, when providing a non-contact IC tag in a house card like this Embodiment 2, it becomes possible to memorize | store credit data in the memory | storage part in this non-contact IC tag. In this case, instead of performing the acquisition process of acquiring the credit data related to the player ID from the management device 40 in the first embodiment, the card communication unit 139 as the data communication unit and the short-distance wireless data with the IC tag of the house card Communicate. Specifically, the CPU 31 of the sub control unit 30 transmits a credit data acquisition request to the IC tag of the house card via the card communication unit 139. The IC tag receiving this reads out the credit data from the storage unit and transmits it from the antenna coil. The CPU 31 that has received the credit data via the card communication unit 139 sends the credit data to the CPU 21 of the main control unit 20. Then, the CPU 21 records the received credit data in the RAM 23 so that it can be used in the game of the slot machine 1. With such a configuration, the management device 40 does not need to manage credit data.

[Embodiment 3]
Next, still another embodiment (hereinafter, this embodiment is referred to as “embodiment 3”) in which the present invention is applied to a video slot machine as in the first embodiment and the second embodiment will be described.
The slot machine of the third embodiment has the same basic configuration and operation as those of the first embodiment except that the configuration and operation for performing personal authentication by fingerprint authentication processing are different from those of the first embodiment. Therefore, only the parts different from the slot machine of the first embodiment will be described below.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a control flow of the control unit when the player plays a game using the credit data registered in the management device 40 in the slot machine according to the third embodiment.
In the third embodiment, when using a service that allows a player to play a game using credit data corresponding to money deposited in advance in the casino, when the player deposits money at a casino reception or the like, the deposited money Together with the credit data corresponding to the above and the fingerprint pattern of his / her right index finger, the answer and the problem that can only be understood by him / her are registered in the database of the management apparatus 40. When the player inserts a house card into the card insertion slot 13 and the player ID stored in the card is determined to be normal (S21 to S23), the player ID received from the card reader 34 is supported. A problem and answer data acquisition process is performed (S41). Specifically, the CPU 31 of the sub-control unit 30 sends a problem and answer data acquisition request corresponding to the player ID received from the card reader 34 from the management device side input / output port 37 to the management device 40. In response to this acquisition request, the management device 40 reads the problem and answer data associated with the player ID from the database, and transmits it to the management device side input / output port 37 of the sub-control unit 30 of the slot machine. The problem and answer data received via the management apparatus side input / output port 37 is sent to the CPU 31 of the sub-control unit 30, and the CPU 31 sends the problem and answer data to the CPU 21 of the main control unit 20. Then, the CPU 21 controls the display control unit 25 based on the received problem and answer data to display a personal authentication screen as shown in FIG. 11 on the monitor 11 (S24).

  On this personal authentication screen, a question sentence 11j as a guide image based on the registered problem data is displayed so as to overlap the symbol display area 11a. The example shown in the figure is an example in which a player registers the name of a pet he / she owns as a problem. In addition, on this personal authentication screen, three correct answer frames 11k as guide images are also displayed at the bottom of the screen. Below each correct answer frame 11k, an answer 11l as a guide image based on registered answer data is also displayed. Here, in the third embodiment, the infrared emitting unit 38 and the fingerprint reading unit 39 constituting the authentication information receiving unit are arranged on the back side of the monitor at the position where the three correct answer frames 11k are displayed.

  When the player reads the above-described question sentence 11j and puts his / her right index finger on the correct answer frame 11k corresponding to the answer that he / she thinks is correct, this is the touch panel 17 as a detection unit provided on the image display surface of the monitor 11. Detected by. This detection result is sent from the touch panel 17 to the CPU 21 of the main control unit 20. CPU21 which received this judges whether it is a correct answer from the detection result of a touch panel (S42). When determining that the answer is incorrect, the CPU 21 controls the display control unit 25 to display an error message on the monitor 11 (S31). Further, the CPU 21 notifies the CPU 31 of the sub-control unit 30 that the answer is incorrect. Thereby, CPU31 sends a card discharge signal to card reader 34, and discharges the house card (S32).

  On the other hand, when determining that the answer is correct, the CPU 21 notifies the CPU 31 of the sub-control unit 30 that the answer is correct. Upon receiving this notification, the CPU 31 sends an infrared emission command to the infrared emission unit 38. Thereby, infrared rays are emitted from the infrared emitting unit 38, the fingerprint pattern of the player's right index finger is read by the fingerprint reading unit 39, and the fingerprint pattern information is sent to the CPU 31 (S26). Subsequent processing is the same as in the first embodiment.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, the three answers 11l are displayed on the image display surface of the monitor 11, and the authentication position (in the correct answer frame corresponding to the pot) corresponding to the correct answer (for example, the pot) can be touched. For example, the fingerprint pattern is read, but the fingerprint pattern is not read even if the authentication position corresponding to the incorrect answer (in the correct answer frame corresponding to tallow and black) is touched. As a result, a problem that only the player related to the player ID can know the correct answer is answered, and credit data corresponding to the player ID cannot be used unless the answer is correct. As a result, the security can be further improved compared to the case of the first embodiment in which the process for determining whether or not the player is the player himself / herself associated with the player ID is only the fingerprint authentication process.

  In addition, while displaying the question sentence which the casino side issues on the monitor 11, by displaying a plurality of answers 11l on the image display surface of the monitor 11 and touching the correct answer frame corresponding to the correct answer, for example, points are given as gifts. Can also provide services. In this case, the CPU 21 of the main control unit 20 that has determined that the answer is correct notifies the CPU 31 of the sub-control unit 30 that the answer is correct. Upon receiving this notification, the CPU 31 adds the present points to the point data stored in the RAM 33.

  In each of the above embodiments, the slot machine installed in the casino has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is a product for which an increase in the size of a monitor is desired, and performs authentication processing. If so, it can be applied to any product. In particular, the present invention can be effectively used for notebook personal computers, mobile phones, and the like that are desired to be downsized while the products themselves are desired to be downsized.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a monitor portion of the slot machine according to the first embodiment. External perspective view of the slot machine. The block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the main control part of the slot machine. The block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the sub-control part of the slot machine. The flowchart which shows the flow of one game in the slot machine. The flowchart which shows the flow of control in a slot machine control part when a player plays a game using the credit data registered into the management apparatus. Explanatory drawing of the personal authentication screen in the slot machine. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a sub-control unit of the slot machine according to the second embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the game screen for performing ID authentication process in the slot machine. 9 is a flowchart showing a flow of control by a control unit when a player plays a game using credit data registered in a management device in the slot machine according to the third embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the personal authentication screen in the slot machine.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Slot machine 11 Monitor 13 Card insertion slot 17 Touch panel 11a Symbol display area 20 Main control part 30,130 Sub-control part 34 Card reader 38 Infrared emitting part 39 Fingerprint reading part 40 Management apparatus 138 Magnetic field generation part 139 Card communication part

Claims (11)

A display for displaying an image;
An authentication information receiving unit that is arranged on the back side of the display unit and receives authentication information from an authentication target that is close to or in contact with the image display surface of the display unit;
And an authentication unit that performs an authentication process based on the authentication information received by the authentication information receiving unit. The authentication device according to claim 1,
The authentication information receiving unit emits an electromagnetic wave for receiving authentication information from an authentication target to the image display surface side of the display unit via the display unit, and authentication information from the authentication target that has received the electromagnetic wave An authentication apparatus comprising: a receiving unit that receives the password. The authentication device according to claim 1,
The authentication information receiving unit generates a magnetic field for receiving authentication information from an authentication target on the image display surface side of the display unit, and a receiving unit for receiving authentication information from the authentication target that has received the magnetic field. An authentication device comprising: The authentication device according to claim 2,
A detection unit that detects that the authentication target is close to or in contact with the image display surface of the display unit;
The said emission part emits the said electromagnetic wave according to the detection result of the said detection part, The authentication apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. The authentication device according to claim 3.
A detection unit that detects that the authentication target is close to or in contact with the image display surface of the display unit;
The authentication apparatus, wherein the magnetic field generation unit generates the magnetic field according to a detection result of the detection unit. The authentication device according to claim 4 or 5,
The authentication unit, wherein the detection unit is a transparent touch sensor provided on an image display surface of the display unit. The authentication device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6,
The display device displays on the image display surface a guide image for guiding the authentication object to approach or contact the authentication position on the image display surface. The authentication device according to claim 7, wherein
The display unit displays a plurality of different guide images respectively guiding a plurality of different authentication positions on the image display surface;
The authentication information receiving unit receives only authentication information from an authentication object that is close to or in contact with a part of the plurality of authentication positions, and authentication information from an authentication object that is close to or in contact with another authentication position. The authentication device is configured not to receive the authentication device. The authentication device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8.
An authentication apparatus comprising: a data communication unit that performs wireless data communication with the authentication target after the authentication unit finishes the authentication process. The authentication device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8.
The authentication information receiving unit is configured to receive biometric authentication information indicating a biometric feature that can identify an individual. A game control unit for controlling the progress of the game based on a predetermined game program;
An authentication device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10.
The display device displays a game screen corresponding to the game progress of the game progress means on the image display surface.

Images