JP2007319227A - Figure inspection instrument and method for game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a figure inspection instrument and method for game machines which enable the inspection of a pattern display device automatically at a higher efficiency with a higher reliability. <P>SOLUTION: The inspection instrument 1 photographs a display screen of the pattern display device 23 of a pachinko game machine 20 with an imaging device 2 and inspects the display screen of the pattern display device 23 from the captured images. Prior to the inspection, a reference image data for stop figures of the pattern display device 23 previously captured by the imaging device 2 is registered related to a command for the generation of stop figures. When the stop figures of the pattern display device stopped by the command generated during the inspection are captured by the imaging device 2, the data of the captured images output from the imaging device 2 are compared with the reference image data of the registered figures stored corresponding to the command to judge whether the stop figures displayed on the pattern display device 23 are proper or not. The result of the judgment on the propriety of the figures is stored together with the names of the stop figures. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a symbol inspection apparatus and a symbol inspection method for a gaming machine that inspects symbols displayed on a symbol display device such as a pachinko gaming machine.

  In recent years, in pachinko gaming machines, models equipped with a symbol display device that displays a variable symbol have become widespread, and many pachinko gaming machines with symbol display devices have been manufactured. On the main control board and the symbol control board for controlling the symbol display device of this type of pachinko machine, the program data for presentation and the image data (movie data) for presentation display are stored in the ROM in advance. In accordance with command data output based on the program data for presentation that is sent, the display is controlled so that the variable symbol is displayed on the symbol display device by the image data read from the image ROM.

  As is well known, in a pachinko gaming machine, when a game ball wins a start winning opening, a big hit lottery is performed on the main control board, and a big hit or lose is determined according to the lottery result. Variation display of a plurality of symbols is started. When a plurality of symbols are aligned and stopped in accordance with a predetermined jackpot symbol, a jackpot state advantageous to the player occurs, and otherwise the game is lost.

For this reason, in this type of pachinko gaming machine, it is important that the relation between the result of the big hit lottery and the stop symbol displayed on the symbol display device is completely the same, such as production program data stored in the ROM, etc. If there is a bug, the stop symbol of the symbol display device is displayed as a big hit symbol even though the lottery result is lost, or the stop symbol of the symbol display device is displayed even though the lottery result is a big hit symbol. It is necessary to detect and correct defects such as those that are displayed as losing symbols in an inspection at the time of manufacture of the gaming machine.
JP 7-334114 A

  Therefore, in the inspection at the time of manufacturing the conventional pachinko machine, the operating symbol display device is monitored for several hours to several tens of hours while continuously operating the pachinko machine of the prototype, and the lottery result and the pattern are displayed. An operator visually inspects whether or not the relationship with the stop symbol displayed on the display device is completely the same, and finds a bug in the program data for presentation. However, such a visual inspection of the symbol display device by the worker has a problem that it takes a lot of work man-hours, and the burden on the worker becomes excessive, and the reliability of the inspection tends to be lowered.

  By the way, as an inspection device for inspecting a liquid crystal display device, conventionally, an inspection device determines whether display data corresponding to a command signal is output from the liquid crystal drive device, and inspects a liquid crystal drive device including a CGRAM or the like. A device has been proposed in Patent Document 1 described above, but with such an inspection device, it was impossible to inspect the correctness of the stop symbol displayed on the symbol display device of the gaming machine.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems, and to provide a symbol inspection apparatus and a symbol inspection method for a gaming machine capable of automatically and reliably and efficiently inspecting a symbol display device. And

  The gaming machine symbol inspection apparatus according to the present invention inspects the symbol stop of the symbol display device in the gaming machine having the symbol display device that displays the symbol after the symbol is variably displayed and stops the symbol variation. An imaging device for imaging the display screen of the symbol display device of the gaming machine and outputting image data; and stopping the symbol display device previously captured by the imaging device before inspection Registered symbol storage means for registering / storing symbol image data in association with the stop symbol generation command, and when the imaging device captures the stop symbol of the symbol display device stopped based on the command generated during the inspection. The image data output from the imaging device and the registered symbol image data stored in the registered symbol storage means corresponding to the command are compared, and the correctness of the stop symbol displayed on the symbol display device is determined. The symbol propriety judging means for constant, the determination result of correctness of symbols figure pattern propriety determination means determines, characterized by comprising a inspection result storage means for storing together with at least stop symbol name.

  Here, in the symbol inspection apparatus, the inspection result storage means is configured to store / save the image data of the defective symbol captured by the imaging device only when the symbol correctness determination means detects the defective symbol. Can do.

  In addition, the imaging device can be mounted on a suction cup via a mounting arm, and the suction cup can be installed on the front glass surface of the gaming machine.

  In addition, the symbol inspection method of the present invention inspects the symbol stop of the symbol display device in a gaming machine equipped with a symbol display device that displays a stop symbol after variably displaying a plurality of symbols. A symbol inspecting method for registering and storing, in a storage device, image data of a stop symbol of the symbol display device imaged in advance by the imaging device before the inspection in association with the stop symbol generation command; The stop symbol of the symbol display device stopped based on the command generated during the inspection is imaged by the imaging device, and the image data output from the imaging device is compared with the image data of the registered symbol stored corresponding to the command. Then, determining whether the stop symbol displayed on the symbol display device is correct or not, and storing the determination result of the determined symbol correctness along with at least the stop symbol name, And wherein the Mukoto.

  Here, in the above-described symbol inspection method, only when a defective symbol is detected, the image data of the defective symbol captured by the imaging device at the time of inspection can be provided with a step of storing and saving together with the determination result of correct / incorrect and the stopped symbol name. .

  According to the symbol inspection device and the symbol inspection method having the above-described configuration, the image data of the stop symbol of the symbol display device captured in advance by the imaging device before the inspection is registered in the storage device in association with the stop symbol generation command. At the time of the symbol display inspection performed by operating the gaming machine, the stop symbol of the symbol display device stopped based on the command generated during the inspection was imaged by the imaging device and output from the imaging device The image data and the registered symbol image data stored in response to the command are compared to determine whether the stop symbol displayed on the symbol display device is correct or not, and the correct / incorrect determination result of the determined symbol is displayed together with the stop symbol name. Since it is memorized, the inspection of whether or not the symbol display device is correct can be automatically performed by unattended over a long period of time. Therefore, the visual inspection of the symbol display device by the operator, which is performed while operating the gaming machine for a long time as in the past, is unnecessary, and the burden on the operator is greatly reduced, and the reliability of the symbol inspection can be improved. it can.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration diagram of a symbol inspection device in the pachinko gaming machine 20, FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the symbol inspection device, and FIG. 3 shows a functional block diagram of the inspection device 1.

  In general, the symbol inspection apparatus is provided with an imaging device 2 for imaging a display screen of the symbol display device 23 of the pachinko gaming machine 20 to be inspected, and the symbol imaged in advance by the imaging device 2 before the inspection. The reference image data of the stop symbol of the display device 23 is registered in the inspection device 1 in association with the stop symbol generation command, and the symbol display device 23 stopped based on the stop symbol generation command generated in the pachinko gaming machine during the inspection. When the image pickup device 2 picks up the stop symbol, the picked-up image data output from the image pickup device 2 is compared with the reference image data of the registered symbol registered corresponding to the command and displayed on the symbol display device 23. It is configured to determine whether the stopped symbol is correct or not, and to store the determined correct / incorrect determination result together with the stop symbol name or the like.

  The inspection device 1 is composed of, for example, a general-purpose personal computer, in which a central processing unit 10 such as a CPU for performing inspection of a gaming machine described later, various program data necessary for the inspection device, and fixed data are stored. ROM 11, which constitutes a work area of the processing device, RAM 12 that temporarily stores data generated by execution of the control program, input device 13 a such as a keyboard connected to central processing unit 10 through an input / output circuit, relay farm From the USB connection device 13b to which the wear 3 and the imaging device 2 are connected, the display device 13c connected to the display controller and displaying an image, and the hard disk device that stores the operation system, the application program for inspection, various registration data, etc. A storage device 19 is provided.

  The USB connection device 13b of the inspection device 1 is connected with an image pickup device 2 composed of a CCD camera, a CMOS image pickup device, and the like via a USB cable. The image pickup device 2 performs a pachinko game to be inspected as shown in FIG. The design display device 23 faces the front of the glass (transparent plate) 24 of the machine 20, that is, in front of the design display device 23, and is detachably mounted by the suction cup 4. A substantially L-shaped attachment arm 5 is attached to the suction cup 4, and the imaging device 2 is attached to the tip of the attachment arm 5 so that the angle can be adjusted. The imaging device 2 can be easily attached to the pachinko gaming machine 20 to be inspected by such a suction cup 4 toward the front symbol display device 23. The display screen of the display device 23 can be photographed satisfactorily.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the inspection apparatus 1 having the above configuration is functionally composed of regular symbols (two small circular colored symbols displayed on the upper left of the screen) displayed on the symbol display device 23 in advance before the inspection. There is a regular symbol registration function 14 for registering and storing an image of a jackpot colored symbol), a jackpot symbol displayed in advance on the symbol display device 23 before inspection (variable display so as to flow from top to bottom in the center of the screen) The effect symbol registration function 15 for registering and storing images of three rows of stop symbols that are stopped after being played, the game state display symbol (displayed in the lower right of the screen) that is displayed in advance on the symbol display device 23 before the examination, A game state display symbol registration function 16 for registering and storing an image of a game state such as a probability variation mode and a time shortening mode, and registering and storing a jackpot symbol pattern and a lost symbol pattern in advance before inspection Jackpot chart Test terminal that registers and stores the relationship between the registration function 17 and the terminal number of the test terminal 25 provided on the main control board 21 to which the connection line connecting the main control board 21 and the relay firmware 3 is connected and the gaming state. A number registration function 18 is provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the relay firmware 3 is connected to the USB connection device 13 b of the inspection device 1 via a USB cable. The relay firmware 3 controls a main part of the pachinko game in the pachinko gaming machine 20 to be inspected, and outputs various commands for designating a symbol variation pattern and a stop pattern to the symbol control board 22 and the like, And a symbol control board 22 that controls display of symbols on the symbol display device 23 based on the command.

  The main control board 21 of the pachinko gaming machine 20 is based on program data stored in advance in the ROM, a CPU that executes various processes for executing a pachinko game, a RAM that constitutes a work area of the CPU, and input / output of signals. It has an input / output circuit to perform, and a big hit lottery is performed at the start winning prize, and a big hit or a loss is determined based on the lottery result, a stop symbol is determined, and a stop symbol generation including a regular symbol and a big hit symbol or a lost symbol is generated. Command for output. In addition, when a big hit occurs, the main control board 21 performs control processing such as opening control of a large winning opening (not shown) for a predetermined time according to the number of winning balls in each round.

  In addition, the main control board 21 has a higher probability than usual in the start signal for starting the variation display of the symbols at the start winning prize, the stop signal for definitely stopping the symbols, and the big hit lottery performed by the pachinko gaming machine at the starting winning prize. In order to output a high probability mode (probability variation mode) signal that can be elected and a time shortening mode signal in which the symbol variation time during the big hit is shortened than usual, it has a plurality of terminal pins. A test terminal 25 is provided, and the test terminal 25 is connected to the relay firmware 3. The test terminal 25 is also used for a certification test performed at a certification organization before the pachinko gaming machine 20 is distributed to the market. A test signal necessary for inspecting the gaming machine is output from the test terminal 25.

  The relay firmware 3 takes in signals such as a stop symbol generation command, a change symbol start signal, a stop signal, a high probability mode signal, and a time reduction mode signal sent from the main control board 21 and temporarily stores them. And is configured to output these signals to the inspection apparatus 1 and the symbol control board 22. A signal output from the relay firmware 3 to the inspection device 1 is output as a USB serial signal. Further, the symbol control command output from the main control board 21 is connected so as to be output to the symbol control board 22 as it is.

  The symbol control board 22 includes an image control CPU, a graphic controller, an image ROM for storing all image data including a symbol variation display image, a control ROM for storing control data for controlling symbol display, and the like. Based on the command sent from the main control board 21, the screen display of the symbol display device (for example, a color liquid crystal display) 23 disposed on the game board of the pachinko gaming machine 20 is controlled and driven.

  Next, the operation of the symbol inspection apparatus having the above configuration will be described. Prior to the inspection, the inspection apparatus 1 connects the output side of the imaging apparatus 2 and the relay firmware 3 to the inspection apparatus 1 via a USB cable as shown in FIGS. Are connected to the display command transmission signal terminal P1, the stop symbol data output terminal P2, and the test terminal 25 of the main control board 21 of the pachinko gaming machine 20. The test terminal 25 shows a symbol variation start signal, a symbol stop signal, a jackpot signal, a loss signal, a probability variation mode signal indicating a gaming state, a time reduction mode signal, and an inspection time. A plurality of terminal pins for generating test signals are provided.

  Next, the pachinko gaming machine 20 and the inspection device 1 are activated, the initial setting registration software is activated, and initial setting registration processing such as an image is performed in the inspection device 1 prior to the actual inspection. This is executed as shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  In the inspection apparatus 1, an inspection object file that has already been inspected is created, and in the file (memory area of the storage device 19), all of the symbol images to be inspected, etc. (regular symbol, jackpot symbol, lost symbol) The registration number of the symbol, the game state display symbol, etc.), the command for displaying the symbol image, the delay time from when the command is output until the imaging device 2 captures the stop symbol, the symbol name, etc. Stored.

  In this inspection object file, for example, as shown in the table of FIG. 8a, for a regular symbol (small circular colored symbol), “registration number (01), regular symbol command (OxE9, Ox19), time to image pick-up (for example, 250 mm seconds, name (blue, blue)), for example, five types of jackpot regular symbol commands with different colors are input and stored together with the registration number, name, etc. The

  Further, as shown in the table of FIG. 8B, the three-column winning symbols (stop symbols) that are displayed so as to flow from the top to the bottom in the center of the symbol display device 23 are “registration number (01)”. 14 types of big hits such as “hit symbol command (OxEA, Ox01) as a stop symbol generation command, delay time until image capture (for example, 250 mmsec), name (1, 1, 1)”, etc. A command for the winning symbol shown is input and stored.

  Upon entering the initial setting registration process, first, in step 100 of FIG. 4, it is determined whether or not there is a regular symbol based on the presence or absence of regular symbol data in the inspection object file, and the symbol of this pachinko gaming machine 20 is determined. When a regular symbol (two circular displays in the upper left of the screen) is displayed on the display device 23, it is determined that “the regular symbol is present”, and then the process proceeds to step 110, while the regular symbol is displayed on the symbol display device 23. If not, go to step 150.

  In step 110, when the operator operates the mouse or the like on the setting registration screen displayed on the display device 13c of the inspection apparatus 1 and clicks the regular symbol registration button displayed on the display screen, the inspection apparatus 1 starts. A command for the regular symbol for the big hit is sent to the symbol control board 22 via the relay firmware 3, and the regular symbol is displayed on the symbol display device 23. At the same time, the screen of the symbol display device 23 is picked up by the image pickup device 2, and the picked-up image is displayed on the display 13c of the inspection device 1 (step 120).

  Further, at this time, the operator designates the range of the normal symbol on the screen of the inspection apparatus 1 with a mouse or the like to extract the image (step 130), and clicks the registration start button on the screen to extract the image. The regular symbol image is registered together with the registration number of the text data and stored in a file (step 140).

  For example, if there are five big hit regular symbols such as (red, red) (blue, blue) (green, green) (yellow, yellow) (black, black) All of the five big-hit regular symbols are sent to the symbol control board 22 by sending a regular symbol command to the symbol control board 22 to display them in order on the display 13c of the inspection apparatus 1, and as described above, images of those regular symbols. Register. In this way, the regular symbol registration function 14 of the inspection apparatus 1 registers all the big symbol regular symbol images together with the text data registration number, that is, in association with the command. As a result, the text data is associated with the image data of the big symbol for the big hit photographed by the imaging device 2 and stored in the regular symbol registration function 14 of the storage device 19 as the initial setting registration data.

  Next, in steps 150 to 180, after the display is made to flow from top to bottom in the center of the symbol display device 23, three rows of big hit symbols (stop symbols) to be stopped are registered. In registering the big hit symbol, first, in step 150, when the effect symbol registration button displayed on the display 13c of the inspection apparatus 1 is clicked, a command for the big hit effect symbol is controlled by the inspection device 1 via the relay firmware 3. The effect symbol is displayed on the symbol display device 23. At the same time, the screen of the symbol display device 23 is imaged by the imaging device 2, and the captured image of the jackpot effect symbol is displayed on the display 13c of the inspection device 1 (step 160). At this time, in the same manner as described above, the operator uses the mouse or the like to specify the range of the normal symbol on the screen of the inspection apparatus 1 and extract the image (step 170), and the registration start button on the screen When is clicked, the extracted jackpot symbol image is registered together with the text data registration number and stored in a file (step 180).

  The registration of such a big hit symbol is, for example, (1,1,1) (2,2,2) (3,3,3)... (7,7,7) When there are seven effect symbols including symbols, by sending the commands for the fourteen effect symbols to the symbol control board 22 in order, the big hit symbols are displayed on the display 13c of the inspection apparatus 1 in order. As such, the images of those jackpot symbols are registered. In this way, the effect symbol registration function 15 of the inspection apparatus 1 registers all jackpot symbol images together with the registration number of the text data, that is, in association with the command. Thereby, the text data is associated with the image data of the big hit stop symbol imaged by the imaging device 2 and stored in the big hit symbol registration function 17 of the storage device 19 as initial setting registration data.

  Next, in step 190 to step 220, the game state display symbols (high probability mode display, time shortening mode display in which the variation time of the symbols is shortened, and displayed with specific characters or symbols) Register. In the registration of the game state display symbol, first, in step 190, when a game state registration button displayed on the display 13c of the inspection device 1 is clicked, a command for game state display symbol is transmitted from the inspection device 1 via the relay firmware 3. Is sent to the symbol control board 22, and the gaming state display symbol is displayed on the symbol display device 23.

  At the same time, the screen of the symbol display device 23 is picked up by the image pickup device 2, and a picked-up image of the game state display symbol is displayed on the display of the inspection device 1 (step 200). At this time, similarly to the above, the operator uses a mouse or the like to specify a range on the screen of the inspection device 1 and extract an image of the game state display symbol (step 210). When the registration start button is clicked, the extracted game state display symbol image is registered together with the text data registration number and stored in a file (step 220).

  Such game state display symbols are registered for two displays, for example, a display in a high probability mode and a display in a time shortening mode in which the variation time of the symbol is shortened. , The game state display symbols are sequentially displayed on the display 13c of the inspection apparatus 1, and those images are registered as described above. In this way, the gaming state display symbol registration function 16 of the inspection device 1 registers all the gaming state display symbol images together with the registration numbers of the text data, that is, in association with the commands. As a result, the text data and the game state display symbol image data captured by the imaging device 2 are associated with each other and stored in the jackpot symbol registration function 17 of the storage device 19 as initial setting registration data.

  Next, in step 230, a big hit symbol and a lost symbol are registered. The registration of the big hit symbol and the lost symbol is a registration performed by the inspection apparatus 1 to determine the big hit or the loss for the image obtained by imaging the symbol stopped by the symbol display device 23 with the imaging device 2, for example, the normal big hit symbol. The symbol pattern “(1,1,1) (2,2,2) (3,3,3)... (6,6,6)” and the special jackpot symbol pattern (7,7,7) Input is made on the display 13c of the inspection apparatus 1 by a keyboard or the like.

  On the other hand, the lost symbols are also input on the screen of the inspection apparatus 1 so that the symbols other than the jackpot symbol are the lost symbols. Then, the captured image data of the jackpot symbol and the lost symbol are registered as text data by the jackpot symbol registration function 17 in the inspection apparatus 1.

  Next, in step 240, the relationship between the gaming terminals and the test terminals (terminals connected to the relay firmware 3) 25 provided on the main control board 21 of the pachinko gaming machine 20 is registered. As described above, the test terminal 25 has a plurality of terminal pins. Each terminal pin includes a signal indicating a probability variation mode, a signal indicating a time reduction mode, a symbol variation start signal, a symbol stop signal, A signal indicating a big hit, a signal indicating a loss, and the like are output. Along with the terminal number of each terminal pin, the definition of the signal generated there, and the state of the signal (change to high / low state or high / low) The delay time or the like is input on the screen of the inspection apparatus 1 using a keyboard or the like. Those data are registered as text data by the test terminal number registration function 18 in the inspection apparatus 1.

  As described above, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5, the symbol display of the gaming machine is inspected in the state where the initial setting registration such as the regular symbol, the jackpot symbol, and the lost symbol is performed.

  In the actual inspection of the gaming machine, the imaging device 2 and the relay firmware 3 are connected to the inspection device 1 via the USB cable in the same manner as in the initial setting registration described above, and the input side of the relay firmware 3 is connected to the pachinko machine. The game machine 20 is connected to the display command transmission signal terminal P1, the stop symbol data output terminal P2, and the test terminal 25 of the main control board 21.

  When the pachinko gaming machine 20 is activated and the inspection software of the inspection apparatus 1 is activated, an inspection screen as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the display 13c of the inspection apparatus 1. Here, prior to the inspection, it is confirmed whether the image of the symbol display device 23 of the pachinko gaming machine 20 picked up by the image pickup device 2 is picked up at the correct position and the extraction range of the image is correctly performed, and the position of the picked-up image When the correction of the extraction range or the like is necessary, the position of the captured image and the extraction range are corrected.

  That is, when an inspection screen as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the display device 13c of the inspection apparatus 1, the operator designates a folder in each of the work folder and result storage folder fields displayed on the screen. As described above, when the initial setting registration is made for the gaming machine to be inspected this time, the working folder specifies the folder in which the data is stored, and the result storage folder for storing the inspection result.

  When the “design registration” button on the inspection screen in FIG. 7 is clicked, step 300 in the flowchart in FIG. 5 is executed, and the initial setting registration data registered as described above and stored in the file is read from the file. , Is loaded into the work area of this application software. At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, the display device 13c of the inspection apparatus 1 has an image of the registered effect symbol (the reference symbol registered as the reference for the inspection of the effect symbol) in the display field R1. Image) is displayed, and a captured image of the symbol display device 23 currently captured by the imaging device 2 is displayed in the display field R2.

  Here, when the operator looks at the image in the display field R1 and needs to correct the registered image, the operator clicks the “image correction” button to display the image correction screen and corrects the registered image. Perform (step 310). On the image correction screen, the registered image displayed in the display column R1 in FIG. 6 is enlarged and displayed in the display column R2, and the extraction range on the screen is changed and set.

  The extraction range on the display screen can be changed by the operator moving the pointer displayed on the screen using a mouse or the like. If the extraction range is automatically set within the maximum range of the overlapped symbols), it is easy to set the overall shape of all symbols as the extraction range. It becomes possible.

  Then, after the correction of the registered image is completed, the screen returns to the screen of FIG. 6 and the symbol display device 23 of the pachinko gaming machine 20 is actually displayed with a big hit symbol or the like, that is, a specific command is sent to the symbol control board 22. As a result, a specific jackpot symbol is displayed on the symbol display device 23.

  Then, the captured image obtained by capturing the image with the imaging device 2 is displayed in the display field R2 of FIG. 6 and it is checked whether or not the inspection device 1 recognizes that the captured image is a specific jackpot symbol ( Step 320). This check is performed by clicking the “Check” button on the screen of FIG. 6, and the result is displayed in the right display column R3. When the jackpot symbol is correctly recognized, “OK” is displayed in the result column of the display column R3, and all symbols to be inspected are returned to the inspection screen of FIG. Click to start the actual inspection (step 330).

  When the inspection is started, the pachinko gaming machine 20 launches the game ball, and when the game ball wins the start winning opening on the game board, a big hit lottery is performed, and on the display screen of the symbol display device 23, Variation display of the regular symbol in the upper left and the effect symbols in the middle three columns is started. Then, after the symbols are displayed for a predetermined time, a stop symbol command is output from the main control board 21 of the pachinko gaming machine 20 to the symbol control board 22 based on the result of the big hit lottery, as shown in FIG. Thus, the normal symbol G1 at the upper left of the symbol display device 23 and the effect symbols G2 (big hit symbol or lose symbol) in the middle three columns are displayed to stop.

  At this time, the central processing unit 10 of the inspection apparatus 1 determines whether or not a stop symbol command is input in step 340, and the command is sent from the main control board 21 to the inspection apparatus 1 via the relay firmware 3. When sent, the process proceeds from step 340 to step 350, and the inspection apparatus 1 displays the display image of the symbol display device 23 captured at that time by the imaging device 2, that is, the normal symbol G 1 stopped at the upper left and the center 3. Captured image data including the effect design G2 in the column is captured.

  Next, in step 360, the central processing unit 10 of the inspection apparatus 1 captures the reference image data of the normal symbol indicated by the command registered in advance based on the stop symbol generation command sent from the pachinko gaming machine 20, and the imaging. The captured image data of the regular symbol in the captured image actually captured by the apparatus 2 is compared, and the coincidence rate of both images is determined. Similarly, the reference image data of the effect symbol indicated by the command registered in advance and the captured image data of the effect symbol in the actually captured image are compared, and the coincidence ratio between the two image data is obtained.

  In addition, when the pachinko gaming machine 20 is in the high probability mode or the time reduction mode and it is displayed at the lower right of the screen of the symbol display device 23 as shown in FIG. The captured image data of the game state display symbol G3 is extracted, and the reference image data of the game state display symbol registered in advance and the captured image data of the game state display symbol G3 of the actual captured image are compared. Find the match rate.

  Then, in step 370, if there are the normal symbol G1 and the effect symbol G2 displayed on the symbol display device 23 or the game state display symbol, it is determined whether or not the game state display symbol G3 is normal, and the normal symbol G1. For each of the effect symbol G2 and the game state display symbol G3, if the matching rate of both image data is greater than or equal to a predetermined value set in advance, it is determined as “normal” and the matching rate of both image data is preset. If it is less than the predetermined value, it is determined as “abnormal (bad)”. The matching rate of image data in the present embodiment refers to the ratio of the number of normal dots in the captured image data to the total number of dots in the reference image data.

  At this time, the central processing unit 10 of the inspection apparatus 1 includes the number of symbol fluctuations, that is, the number indicating the number of inspections, the text data of the stop symbol, the presence / absence of the big hit, the detected colors of the right and left small circular symbols of the regular symbol, When there is a game state display symbol such as probability variation, the game state display symbol, the data of the determination result of the symbol, and the inspection time are stored in a predetermined file as inspection result data.

  At this time, when the inspection result is “normal”, the captured image data of the symbol display device 23 actually captured by the imaging device 2 is deleted without being saved in the file (step 380), and the inspection result is “abnormal”. The captured image data is saved only when “defect” ”(step 390). Thereby, it is possible to save a storage area of the inspection apparatus 1 such as a hard disk device.

  In step 400, if there are game state display symbols such as symbol variation number, stop symbol text data, jackpot presence, regular symbol color, probability variation, etc. The game state display symbol, symbol determination result, and inspection time are displayed on the inspection screen as shown in the display column R4 of FIG.

  Such a stop symbol inspection is performed every time the symbol variation display is performed at the time of starting winning in the pachinko gaming machine 20, and the inspection results are automatically stored and saved in the inspection device 1. Then, when the predetermined inspection time is over, the operator looks at the inspection result that is finally stored, and if there is a defect in the symbol display, it can be easily combined with the captured image data storing the defective portion. It is possible to recognize this, and it is possible to easily find bugs such as production program data that cause the failure.

  Therefore, conventionally, when performing a symbol display inspection, the operating symbol display device is monitored over several hours to several tens of hours while continuously operating the gaming machine, and a lottery result and a stop symbol displayed on the symbol display device are displayed. Compared with the work in which the operator visually inspects whether or not the relationship with the Since the correctness of the display pattern of the display device is automatically inspected, the burden on the operator can be greatly reduced, and the reliability of the inspection can be improved.

  In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to the inspection of the symbols displayed on the symbol display device of the pachinko gaming machine. However, even if the gaming machine is other than a pachinko gaming machine (for example, a slot machine), the symbol display device is Any game machine having the above is applicable.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the stop symbol containing a regular symbol, a jackpot symbol, and a lose symbol is inspected, the notice symbol which announces the stop mode of a symbol can also be inspected. Further, like a slot machine, a mechanical reel display pattern is picked up by the image pickup device 2, and the picked-up image data output from the image pickup device 2 is compared with the reference image data registered in advance to make a mechanical type. It is also possible to inspect the display pattern of the reel.

  In addition to stop symbols such as regular symbols, big hit symbols, and lost symbols, movable symbols (variable symbols) called small characters can be imaged and inspected by the imaging device 2. In this case, the moving image can be inspected by performing the capturing speed of captured image data captured by the imaging device 2 at a higher speed, for example, 1/60 seconds.

The technical idea claimed by the present invention is as described in each claim of the claims, but the present invention also includes the technical idea having the following components and operational effects.
(1) In the symbol inspection apparatus according to claim 1, the symbol correctness determination unit compares the captured image data output from the imaging device with the reference image data of the registered symbol stored in the registered symbol storage unit, It is characterized in that the coincidence rate in both image data is calculated, and whether or not the stop symbol is correct is determined based on the coincidence rate. According to this configuration, the determination accuracy can be improved by setting the coincidence rate according to the type of stop symbol.
(2) The symbol inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inspection result storage means stores only symbol information determined to be abnormal by the symbol correctness determination means. According to this configuration, it is possible to save the storage area of the inspection result storage unit while saving the necessary inspection results to the minimum.
(3) Further, the symbol information stored in the inspection result storage means is the captured image data and the name of the symbol. According to this configuration, it is possible to easily grasp the abnormal symbol while effectively saving the storage area of the inspection result storage unit.
(4) The symbol inspection apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising registered image data correction means for correcting the reference image data of the stop symbol stored in the symbol registration storage means by operating the input device. To do. According to this configuration, when the reference image data of the registered stop symbol is defective, the operator can easily correct the reference image data to improve the inspection determination accuracy.
(5) In the symbol inspection apparatus according to claim 1, when the symbol correctness determination means determines whether the symbol is correct and the inspection result storage means stores the determination result, the symbol information is displayed together with the determination result. The display means for displaying is provided. According to this configuration, the user can easily recognize visually which symbol has become abnormal.
(6) In the symbol inspection apparatus according to claim 1, signals such as commands output from the main control board to the symbol control board, change symbol start and stop signals, high probability mode signal, time reduction mode signal, etc. A relay device (relay firmware) for relaying is provided in the judging means, and a memory for temporarily storing commands and various signals is provided in the relay device. According to this configuration, the symbol correctness determination means can be realized relatively easily using a general-purpose personal computer.
(7) Further, the repeater outputs a command and various signals input from the main control board to the symbol control board after a predetermined delay time has elapsed. According to this configuration, a general-purpose CCD camera or the like can be used for the imaging device, and the symbol correctness determination unit accurately determines whether the stop symbol is correct by matching the timing of capturing the command and capturing captured image data. It can be carried out.
(8) In the symbol inspection device according to claim 3, the imaging device is attached to the tip of a substantially L-shaped attachment arm fixed on the suction cup so that the imaging device faces the symbol display device side of the gaming machine. In addition, the suction cup is detachably adsorbed and attached to the front of the front door of the gaming machine. According to this configuration, even when there is no space for placing a tripod or the like in front of the gaming machine of the object to be inspected, the imaging device is simply mounted facing the front side of the gaming machine, and the display symbol of the symbol display device Can be imaged.

It is a schematic block diagram of the symbol inspection apparatus of the game machine which shows one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the configuration of the pattern inspection device. It is a functional block diagram of an inspection device. It is a flowchart which shows the process of initial setting registration. It is a flowchart which shows a symbol test | inspection process. It is screen explanatory drawing at the time of correction of a registration screen. It is screen explanatory drawing at the time of inspection of an inspection device. (A) is a table | surface which shows the command for regular symbols, the name of the symbol, etc., (b) is a table which shows the command for winning symbols, the name of the symbol, etc.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Inspection apparatus 2 Imaging device 3 Relay firmware 4 Suction cup 10 Central processing unit (symbol correctness determination means)
14 regular symbol registration function 15 effect symbol registration function 16 game state display symbol registration function 17 jackpot symbol registration function 18 test terminal number registration function 19 storage device (registered symbol storage means, inspection result storage means)
20 Pachinko machines 21 Main control board 22 Design control board 23 Design display device

Claims (6)

In a gaming machine equipped with a symbol display device for displaying a stop symbol after variably displaying a symbol, the symbol inspection device for inspecting the stop symbol of the symbol display device,
An imaging device that images the display screen of the symbol display device of the gaming machine and outputs image data;
Registration symbol storage means for pre-registering and storing image data of the stop symbol of the symbol display device imaged by the imaging device in association with the command for generating the stop symbol;
When the imaging device picks up the stopped symbol of the symbol display device that has been stopped based on the command generated during the inspection, the image data output from the imaging device and the command stored in the registered symbol storage means corresponding to the command A symbol correct / incorrect determination means for comparing the image data of the registered symbol and determining whether the stop symbol displayed on the symbol display device is correct or not;
A test result storage means for storing a determination result of the correctness of the symbol determined by the symbol correctness determination means together with at least the stop symbol name;
A game machine pattern inspection apparatus characterized by comprising:  2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the inspection result storage unit stores and stores image data of a defective symbol captured by the imaging device only when the symbol correctness determination unit detects a defective symbol. 3. Pattern inspection device.  2. The game machine symbol inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging device is mounted on a suction cup via a mounting arm, and the suction cup is installed on the front surface of the gaming machine. In a gaming machine equipped with a symbol display device for displaying a stop after variably displaying a symbol, a symbol inspection method for inspecting a stop symbol of the symbol display device,
Registering and storing in the storage device the image data of the stop symbol of the symbol display device imaged in advance by the imaging device before inspection in association with the command for generating the stop symbol;
The stop symbol of the symbol display device stopped based on the command generated during the inspection is imaged by the imaging device, the image data output from the imaging device, and the image data of the registered symbol stored corresponding to the command, And determining whether the stop symbol displayed on the symbol display device is correct or not;
Storing the determination result of whether or not the determined stop symbol is correct together with at least the stop symbol name;
A game machine pattern inspection method comprising:  The step of storing the determination result is characterized in that only when a defective symbol is detected, the image data of the defective symbol captured by the imaging device at the time of inspection is stored and stored together with the determination result of correct / incorrect and the stopped symbol name. The game machine pattern inspection method according to claim 4. In a gaming machine equipped with a symbol display device for displaying symbols after variably displaying symbols, the symbol inspection device for inspecting the symbols of the symbol display device,
An imaging device that images the display screen of the symbol display device of the gaming machine and outputs image data;
Registration symbol storage means for pre-registering and storing image data of the stop symbol of the symbol display device imaged by the imaging device in association with the command for generating the stop symbol;
When the imaging device images the symbol of the symbol display device, the image data output from the imaging device is compared with the registered symbol image data stored in the registered symbol storage means corresponding to the command, Symbol correct / incorrect determination means for determining whether the symbol displayed on the symbol display device is correct or not;
A game machine pattern inspection apparatus characterized by comprising:

Images