JP2018174980A - Game machine and game device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To detect a fraudulent act to cause false recognition that a normal game medium is being used.SOLUTION: Game medium determination means includes: image conversion means for converting image data to first image data, second image data, and third image data which are different from each other; first comparison result derivation means for comparing first template data created beforehand with the first image data, and deriving a first comparison result; second comparison result derivation means for comparing second template data created beforehand with the second image data, and deriving a second comparison result; and third comparison result derivation means for comparing third template data created beforehand with the third image data, and deriving a third comparison result. The game medium determination means determines whether or not an object passing through a passage is a normal game medium based on the first comparison result, the second comparison result, the third comparison result, and a determination threshold set beforehand.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 35

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine and a gaming apparatus.

  Conventionally, a game called pachislot having a plurality of reels on each surface of which a plurality of symbols are arranged, a start switch, a stop switch, a stepping motor provided corresponding to each reel, and a control unit The machine is known. The start switch detects that the start lever has been operated by the player after game media such as medals have been inserted into the gaming machine (hereinafter, also referred to as "start operation"), and starts rotating all reels. Output the required signal. The stop switch detects that the player has pressed a stop button provided corresponding to each reel (hereinafter also referred to as “stop operation”), and outputs a signal requesting stop of rotation of the corresponding reel. Do. The stepping motor transmits the driving force to the corresponding reel. Further, the control unit controls the operation of the stepping motor based on the signals output by the start switch and the stop switch, and performs the rotation operation and the stop operation of each reel.

  In such a gaming machine, when the start operation is detected, lottery processing using random numbers (hereinafter referred to as "internal lottery processing") is performed on the program, and the result of the lottery (hereinafter referred to as "internal winning combination") Stop the rotation of the reel based on the timing of the stop operation). Then, when the rotation of all the reels is stopped and the combination of symbols relating to the establishment of the winning is displayed, a bonus corresponding to the combination of the symbols is given to the player.

  Further, such a gaming machine is provided with a medal selector for detecting a medal inserted at the tip of the medal insertion slot. Also, for this medal selector, a medal (illegal medal) which is not a proper medal (regular medal) is inserted into the medal insertion slot, or an instrument is inserted into the medal insertion slot, and the regular medal Countermeasures are taken against fraudulent acts of making a game mistaken for being inserted.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, two proximity sensors for detecting medals are provided in the medal passage, and it is determined whether or not the game medal has passed through the medal passage based on the output of each proximity sensor. A slot machine is described which detects fraudulent activity in which instruments such as bodies are used.

  In addition, Patent Document 2 describes a slot machine that uses a CCD camera to determine an inserted improper medal (illegal medal).

JP 2002-342814 A Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2006-271462

  However, in the slot machine described in Patent Document 1, it is not possible to detect fraudulent acts performed using fraudulent medals without using an instrument such as a plate-like body. For example, in the slot machine, when the rental unit price to be lent in the slot machine where the slot machine is installed is different, only the color and the mark (pattern) of the medal of 20 yen for 1 sheet and the medal of 1 sheet for 5 pieces have the same diameter. Can not determine. For this reason, in a gaming machine that handles a medal having a lending price of 20 yen as a regular medal, it has not been possible to detect an injustice to play a game using a medal (illegal medal) having a lending price of 5 yen per sheet. .

  Further, in the slot machine described in Patent Document 1, it is attached to the medal lent out in the hall where the gaming machine is installed, the medal lent out in another hall, and the gaming machine purchased in the second-hand machine dealer In the case where there are identical medals or counterfeit medals (including an instrument that appears to be medals), etc., which have the same diameter and differ only in color or marking (pattern), these can not be determined. For this reason, it has been difficult to detect (detect) an illegal act of playing a game using a medal (illegal medal) other than a regular medal.

  Further, it is desired to detect an incorrect medal more accurately than the slot machine described in Patent Document 2.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine or gaming device capable of detecting an illegal act which causes the user to misidentify that a legitimate gaming medium is used. It is to provide.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a gaming machine or gaming device having the following configuration.

An insertion slot (for example, a medal insertion slot 21 described later) for inserting game media;
A game medium detection unit (for example, a medal selector 201 described later) for detecting a game medium inserted from the insertion port;
The gaming medium detection means
A passage forming unit (for example, a medal rail 210 described later) which forms a passage through which game media pass;
An imaging unit (for example, a camera unit 209 described later) for imaging the passage;
Game medium determination means (for example, control LSI 234 described later) that determines whether or not an object passing through the passage is a legitimate game medium based on image data obtained through the imaging means ,
The gaming medium determination means
The image data is converted into different first image data (e.g. gradient average image data described later), second image data (e.g. HOG data described later) and third image data (e.g. FFT data described later) Image conversion means (for example, an image recognition accelerator circuit 249 described later);
First comparison result deriving means for comparing the first image data with the first template data generated in advance and deriving the first comparison result (for example, the image recognition DSP circuit 242 which performs gradient average image template comparison processing described later) )When,
Second comparison result deriving means (for example, an image recognition DSP circuit 242 performing HOG template comparison processing described later) for comparing the second image data with the second template data generated in advance and deriving a second comparison result ,
Third comparison result deriving means (for example, an image recognition DSP circuit 242 for performing FFT template comparison processing described later) for comparing the third image data with the third template data generated in advance and deriving the third comparison result And have
It is determined based on the first comparison result, the second comparison result and the third comparison result, and a preset determination threshold whether or not an object passing through the passage is a legitimate game medium. A game machine characterized by

A game medium detection unit for detecting game media;
The gaming medium detection means
A passage forming unit that forms a passage through which game media pass;
Imaging means for imaging the passage;
Game medium determination means for determining whether or not an object passing through the passage is a legitimate game medium based on image data obtained through the imaging means;
The gaming medium determination means
Image conversion means for converting the image data into different first image data, second image data and third image data;
First comparison result deriving means for comparing a first template data generated in advance with the first image data and deriving a first comparison result;
Second comparison result deriving means for comparing a second template data generated in advance with the second image data and deriving a second comparison result;
Third comparison result deriving means for comparing a third template data generated in advance with the third image data, and deriving a third comparison result;
It is determined based on the first comparison result, the second comparison result and the third comparison result, and a preset determination threshold whether or not an object passing through the passage is a legitimate game medium. A gaming apparatus characterized by

  The first image data is gradient average image data obtained by rotating and accumulating the image data, and the second image data is HOG data obtained by HOG (Histograms of Oriented Gradients) conversion of the image data, The third image data may be Fourier transform data obtained by Fourier transforming the image data.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to detect an illegal act that causes a player to be misidentified as using a legitimate game medium.

It is an explanatory view explaining a functional flow in a game machine of one embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view showing an example of appearance composition in a game machine of one embodiment of the present invention. It is an internal structure in the game machine of one Embodiment of this invention, and is a perspective view of the state which closed the middle door. It is an internal structure in the game machine of one Embodiment of this invention, and is a perspective view of the state which opened the middle door. It is an explanatory view showing the inside of the cabinet in the game machine of one embodiment of the present invention. It is an explanatory view showing the back side of the front door in the game machine of one embodiment of the present invention. It is the perspective view which looked at the medal selector in the game machine of one embodiment of the present invention from the slanting back of a game machine. It is an exploded view of the medal selector in the game machine of one embodiment of the present invention. It is the perspective view which looked at the medal selector in the game machine of one embodiment of the present invention from the slanting front of a game machine. It is a rear view of the base board part of the medal selector in the game machine of one embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view of the select plate of the medal selector in the game machine of one embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the path | route of the medal | token in case the medal | token selector in the game machine of one Embodiment of invention guides a medal | token to a hopper apparatus. It is a figure which shows the path | route of the medal in case the medal selector in the game machine of one Embodiment of invention guides a medal to a medal chute. It is a block diagram showing a control system in a game machine of one embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram showing an example of composition of a main control circuit in a game machine of one embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram showing an example of composition of a sub control circuit in a game machine of one embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram showing an example of circuit composition of a medal selector in a game machine of one embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram showing an example of circuit composition of control LSI in a game machine of one embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure for demonstrating distortion of the lens in the game machine of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the projection conversion process in the game machine of one Embodiment of this invention, A shows an RGB Bayer image before projective conversion, B shows the RGB Bayer image after projective conversion. It is a figure for demonstrating the threshold value graph in the game machine of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure (the 1) for demonstrating the determination area | region in the game machine of one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 16 is a second diagram illustrating the determination region in the gaming machine of the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 21 is a third diagram illustrating the determination regions in the gaming machine of the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16 is a diagram (No. 4) for explaining the determination area in the gaming machine of one embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the determination area | region determination result data memorize | stored in SRAM in the game machine of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the medal | token count determination table in the game machine of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the Gaussian filter in the game machine of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the circular area | region detection process in the game machine of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating 3 (sigma) correction processing in the game machine of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the filter process in the game machine of one Embodiment of this invention, A represents the circular area image data after 3 (sigma) correction processing typically, B shows the coefficient for edge image X, C indicates a coefficient for edge image Y. It is a figure which shows an example of the regular medal used for the game machine of one Embodiment of this invention, A shows one side of a regular medal, B shows the gradient average image data of a regular medal. It is a figure for demonstrating the HOG conversion process in the game machine of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the FFT conversion process in the game machine of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of a process which control LSI in a game machine of one embodiment of the present invention performs. It is a timing chart (the 1) of processing which control LSI in a game machine of one embodiment of the present invention performs. It is a timing chart (the 2) of processing which control LSI in a game machine of one embodiment of the present invention performs. It is a flowchart (the 1) which shows an example of the template production | generation processing in the game machine of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart (the 2) which shows an example of the template production | generation processing in the game machine of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of this template update process in the game machine of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the coefficient update process in the game machine of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the threshold value plane in the game machine of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the medal | token selector in the game machine of the modification 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structural example of the medal | token selector in the game machine of the modification 2 of this invention. FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration of a control LSI in a gaming machine of a second variation of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structural example of the medal | token selector in the game machine of the modification 3 of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the installation position of the double photosensor of the medal selector in the game machine of modification 3 of this invention. FIG. 21 is an explanatory view for explaining a selector monitoring function in the gaming machine of Modification 3 of the present invention. It is a timing chart for explaining the error mask function in the game machine of modification 3 of the present invention. FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration of a medal selector in a gaming machine according to a fourth variation of the present invention. It is a rear view of the medal selector in the game machine of modification 5 of the present invention. FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration of a medal selector in a gaming machine according to a fifth variation of the present invention. FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration of a medal selector in a gaming machine of Modification 6 of the present invention. It is the top view which looked at the game device concerning the application example 1 of embodiment of this invention from the upper surface. FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of a game device according to an application example 2 of the embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing of the hopper for counting which concerns on the application example 2 of embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view showing an example of internal structure of a game device concerning application example 3 of an embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, a pachislot machine which is a gaming machine showing one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

<Function flow>
First, referring to FIG. 1, the functional flow of the pachislot machine will be described.
In the pachislot machine of the present embodiment, medals are used as game media for playing a game. In addition to the medals, coins, gaming balls, point data or tokens for gaming may be applied as gaming media.

  When medals are inserted by the player and the start lever is operated, one value (hereinafter, random number value) is extracted from random numbers in a predetermined numerical value range (for example, 0 to 65535).

  The internal lottery means performs lottery based on the extracted random number value to determine an internal winning combination. The internal lottery means is carried by a main control circuit described later. By the determination of the internal winning combination, a combination of symbols permitting display along the later-described winning determination line is determined. In addition, as a classification of combination of the symbol, it is something which relates to the “prize” to which the player is given a privilege such as payout of medals, operation of replay, activation of bonus, etc. Is provided.

  In addition, when the start lever is operated, rotation of the plurality of reels is performed. Thereafter, when the player presses the stop button corresponding to the predetermined reel, the reel stop control means performs control to stop the rotation of the corresponding reel based on the internal winning combination and the timing when the stop button is pressed. Do. The reel stop control means is carried by a main control circuit described later.

  In the pachi slot, basically, control is performed to stop the rotation of the corresponding reel within a prescribed time (190 msec or 75 msec) from when the stop button is pressed. In the present embodiment, the number of symbols moving with the rotation of the reel within this prescribed time is referred to as the “number of sliding symbols”. If the prescribed period is 190 msec, the maximum number of sliding symbols is determined to be four symbols, and if the prescribed period is 75 msec, the maximum number of sliding symbols is determined to be one symbol.

  When an internal winning combination that permits combination display of symbols relating to winning is determined, the reel stop control means normally determines that a combination of symbols has a winning determination line within a prescribed time of 190 msec (for four symbols of symbols). Stop the rotation of the reel so that it is displayed as much as possible. In addition, the reel stop control means specifies, for example, for one or more reels, at the time of operation of a bonus bonus (CB) which is a second kind special character and a middle bonus (MB) for operating CB continuously. The rotation of the reel is stopped so that the combination of the symbols is displayed as much as possible along the winning determination line within a time of 75 msec (for one symbol). Furthermore, the reel stop control means uses various prescribed times corresponding to the game state to rotate the reel so that the combination of symbols whose display is not permitted by the internal winning combination is not displayed along the winning determination line. Stop it.

  Thus, when the rotations of the plurality of reels are all stopped, the prize determination means determines whether or not the combination of the symbols displayed along the prize determination line relates to a prize. The winning determination means is carried by a main control circuit described later. When it is determined by the winning determination means that the winning is determined, a bonus such as medal payout is given to the player. In pachislot, the above series of flows are performed as one game.

  Moreover, in the pachislot, in the above-described series of flows, display of an image performed by a display device such as a liquid crystal display device, output of light performed by various lamps, output of sound performed by a speaker, or a combination thereof is used. Various effects are performed.

  When the start lever is operated, a random number for presentation (hereinafter, random number for presentation) is extracted separately from the random number used to determine the internal winning combination described above. When the effect random number value is extracted, the effect content determination means determines by lottery the one to be executed this time out of a plurality of types of effect content associated with the internal winning combination. The effect content determination means is carried by a sub control circuit described later.

  When the contents of the effect are determined, the effect executing means interlocks with respective triggers such as the start of the rotation of the reels, the stop of the rotations of the respective reels, the determination of the presence or absence of winning, etc. to execute the corresponding effects. Thus, in Pachislot, the player has an opportunity or opportunity to know the determined internal winning combination (in other words, the combination of the symbols to be aimed) by executing the presentation content associated with the internal winning combination. Thus, the player's interest can be improved.

<Structure of Pachislot>
Next, the structure of the pachi slot 1 according to one embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[Appearance structure]
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the external structure of the pachi slot 1.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the pachi slot 1 includes an exterior body 2. The exterior body 2 has a cabinet 2a that accommodates a hopper device 51 described later, a medal auxiliary storage 52 and the like (see FIG. 5), and a front door 2b attached to the cabinet 2a so as to be able to open and close. Handles 7 are provided on both side surfaces of the cabinet 2a (only the handle 7 on one side is shown in FIG. 2). The handle 7 is a concave portion which is used when carrying the pachislot 1.

  Inside the exterior body 2, three reels 3L, 3C, 3R are provided side by side. Hereinafter, the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R are referred to as a left reel 3L, a middle reel 3C, and a right reel 3R, respectively. Each of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R has a cylindrical reel body and a translucent sheet material mounted on the peripheral surface of the reel body. On the surface of the sheet material, a plurality of (for example, 20) designs are drawn at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction.

  The front door 2 b includes a door body 9, a front panel 10, and a liquid crystal display device 11 showing one specific example of the display device.

  The door body 9 is attached to the cabinet 2a using a hinge (not shown), and opens and closes the opening of the cabinet 2a. The hinge is provided at the left end of the door body 9 when the door body 9 is viewed from the front of the pachi slot 1. The liquid crystal display device 11 is attached to the top of the door body 9. The liquid crystal display device 11 includes a display unit (display screen) 11 a, and the liquid crystal display device 11 is used to execute effects by displaying an image.

  The front panel 10 is disposed so as to overlap the display unit 11 a side of the liquid crystal display device 11, and is formed in a frame shape having a panel opening 10 a that exposes the display unit 11 a of the liquid crystal display device 11. The front panel 10 is provided with a lamp group 18. The lamp group 18 is configured of an LED (Light Emitting Diode) or the like, and lights and extinguishes light in a pattern corresponding to the contents of effects.

  A pedestal 12 is formed at the center of the front door 2b. The pedestal portion 12 is provided with a symbol display area 4 and various devices to be operated by the player.

  The symbol display area 4 is disposed on the front side overlapping the three reels 3L, 3C, 3R when viewed from the front, and is provided corresponding to the three reels 3L, 3C, 3R. The symbol display area 4 serves as a display window, and is configured to be able to transmit the respective reels 3L, 3C, 3R provided behind it. Hereinafter, the symbol display area 4 is referred to as a reel display window 4.

  When rotation of the reels 3L, 3C and 3R provided behind the reel display window 4 is stopped, the upper, middle and lower stages in the frame of the plural types of symbols of the respective reels 3L, 3C and 3R One symbol (3 in total) is displayed in each area of. In the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not a pseudo line constituted by combining any one of three predetermined areas among the upper, middle and lower regions of the reel display window 4 is to be won or not. It defines as a line (winning determination line) which becomes.

  The reel display window 4 is formed by a frame member 13 provided on the pedestal 12. The frame member 13 has a reel display window 4, an information display window 14, and a stop button mounting portion 15.

  The information display window 14 is provided continuously to the lower part of the reel display window 4 and opens upward. That is, the reel display window 4 and the information display window 14 are formed as one continuous opening. The information display window 14 and the reel display window 4 are covered by a transparent window cover 16.

  The window cover 16 is disposed on the inner surface side of the frame member 13 and can not be removed from the front surface side of the front door 2b. Further, the frame member 13 has a sheet placement portion 17 facing the opening of the information display window 14 with the window cover 16 interposed therebetween. Then, between the sheet placement unit 17 and the window cover 16, a sheet member (information sheet) in which information about the game is described is disposed. Therefore, the information sheet is covered by the window cover 16 having a smooth surface without unevenness and gaps.

  The window cover 16 constituting the mounting portion of the information sheet can not be removed from the front side of the front door 2b, and is a smooth surface without unevenness or gaps. Access to the inside of can be prevented.

  The stop button attachment portion 15 is provided below the information display window 14 and is formed in a plane facing the front. The stop button mounting portion 15 is provided with a through hole through which the stop buttons 19L, 19C, 19R pass. The stop buttons 19L, 19C, 19R are associated with the three reels 3L, 3C, 3R, respectively, and are provided to stop the rotation of the corresponding reels. Hereinafter, the stop buttons 19L, 19C, and 19R will be referred to as the left stop button 19L, the middle stop button 19C, and the right stop button 19R, respectively.

  The stop buttons 19L, 19C, 19R show examples of various devices to be operated by the player. Further, the pedestal portion 12 is provided with a medal insertion slot 21, a BET button 22, and a start lever 23 as various devices to be operated by the player.

  The medal insertion slot 21 is provided to receive medals dropped from the outside by the player. The medals accepted in the medal insertion slot 21 will be inserted into one game with a predetermined number (for example, 3 sheets) as the upper limit, and the amount exceeding the specified number will be deposited inside the pachislot 1 It becomes possible (so-called credit function).

  The BET button 22 is provided to determine the number of medals to be inserted into one game from the medals deposited inside the pachislot 1. The start lever 23 is provided to start the rotation of all the reels (3L, 3C, 3R).

  Further, on the left side of the reel display window 4 when the front door 2b is viewed from the front, a 7-segment display 24 formed of a 7-segment LED (Light Emitting Diode) is provided. The 7-segment display 24 digitally displays information such as the number of medals to be paid out to the player as a bonus (hereinafter, the number of payouts) and the number of medals deposited inside the pachislot (hereinafter, the number of credits). .

  A settlement button 27 is provided on the left side of the pedestal 12 when the front door 2 b is viewed from the front. The settlement button 27 is provided for pulling out (discharging) to the outside deposited inside the pachislot 1. A waist panel unit 31 is provided below the pedestal 12. The waist panel unit 31 has a decorative panel on which an arbitrary image is drawn and a light source for emitting light for illuminating the decorative panel from the back side.

  Below the lumbar panel unit 31, a medal payout port 32, speaker holes 33L and 33R, and a medal tray unit 34 are provided. The medal payout opening 32 guides a medal discharged from a medal selector 201 described later and a medal discharged by the driving of a hopper device 51 described later to the outside. The medals discharged from the medal payout opening 32 are stored in the medal tray unit 34. The speaker holes 33L and 33R are provided to output sounds such as sound effects and music according to the contents of the effect.

[Internal structure]
3 and 4 are perspective views showing the internal structure of the pachi slot 1. In FIG. 3, the front door 2b is opened, and the middle door 41 provided on the back side of the front door 2b is closed with respect to the front door 2b. Moreover, in FIG. 4, the front door 2b is open | released and the state which the middle door 41 opened with respect to the front door 2b is shown.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing the inside of the cabinet 2a. FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing the back side of the front door 2b.

  The cabinet 2a has a top plate 20a, a bottom plate 20b, left and right side plates 20c and 20d, and a back plate 20e (see FIG. 5). The cabinet side speaker 42 is arrange | positioned by the upper side inside cabinet 2a. The cabinet-side speaker 42 is attached to the back plate 20e of the cabinet 2a via the mounting brackets 43L and 43R. The cabinet side speaker 42 is, for example, a speaker for outputting sound effects.

  The cabinet side relay board 44 is disposed on the left side of the cabinet side speaker 42 when the inside of the cabinet 2a is viewed from the front. The cabinet side relay board 44 is attached to the left side plate 20c of the cabinet 2a. The cabinet side relay board 44 includes a main control board 71 (see FIG. 14) described later attached to the middle door 41 (see FIGS. 3 and 4), a hopper device 51, a medal auxiliary storage switch (not shown), and medal payout Relay the wiring connecting the count switch (not shown).

  At a central portion inside the cabinet 2a, an amplifier substrate 45 for controlling the output of sound from the cabinet side speaker 42 is disposed. The amplifier substrate 45 is attached to a mounting shelf 46 fixed to the left and right side plates 20c, 20d.

  Further, when the inside of the cabinet 2a is viewed from the front, an external concentrated terminal plate 47 is disposed on the right side of the amplifier substrate 45 (see FIG. 5). The external concentrated terminal plate 47 is attached to the right side plate 20d of the cabinet 2a. The external concentrated terminal plate 47 is provided to output signals such as a medal insertion signal, a medal payout signal, and a security signal to the outside of the pachi-slot 1.

  The sub power supply 48 is disposed on the left side of the amplifier substrate 45 when the inside of the cabinet 2a is viewed from the front. The sub power supply device 48 is attached to the left side plate 20c of the cabinet 2a. The sub power supply device 48 supplies the power of the AC voltage 100 V to the power supply device 53 described later. Further, the power of AC voltage 100 V is converted to the power of DC voltage and supplied to the amplifier substrate 45.

  On the lower side inside the cabinet 2a, a medal payout device (hereinafter, a hopper device) 51, a medal auxiliary storage 52, and a power supply 53 are disposed.

  The hopper device 51 (storage means) is attached to the central portion of the bottom plate 20b of the cabinet 2a. This hopper device 51 can accommodate a large amount of medals, and has a structure capable of discharging them one by one. For example, when the settlement button 27 (see FIG. 2) is pressed to settle the medals deposited inside the pachislot, the hopper device 51 discharges the accommodated medals by the number of credits. The medals paid out by the hopper device 51 are discharged from the medal payout opening 32 (see FIG. 2).

  The medal auxiliary storage 52 stores the medals overflowing from the hopper device 51. The medal auxiliary storage 52 is disposed on the right side of the hopper device 51 when the inside of the cabinet 2a is viewed from the front. The medal auxiliary storage 52 is engaged with the bottom plate 20b of the cabinet 2a, and is configured to be removable from the bottom plate 20b.

  The power supply device 53 is disposed on the left side of the hopper device 51 when the inside of the cabinet 2a is viewed from the front, and is attached to the left side plate 20c. The power supply device 53 includes a power switch 53a and a power substrate 53b (see FIG. 14). The power supply device 53 converts the power of the AC voltage 100 V supplied from the sub power supply device 48 into the power of the required DC voltage at each part, and supplies the converted power to each part.

  As shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 6, the middle door 41 is disposed at the center of the back of the front door 2b, and is configured to be able to open and close the reel display window 4 (see FIG. 4) from the back. Door stoppers 41a, 41b and 41c are provided at the upper and lower portions of the middle door 41, respectively. The door stoppers 41a, 41b and 41c fix (prohibit) the opening operation of the middle door 41 in a state in which the reel display window 4 is closed from the back side. That is, in order to open the middle door 41, it is necessary to rotate the door stoppers 41a, 41b and 41c to release the fixation of the middle door 41.

  On the middle door 41, a main control board case 55 housing a main control board 71 (see FIG. 14) and three reels 3L, 3C, 3R are attached. A stepping motor is connected to the three reels 3L, 3C, 3R via gears having a predetermined speed reduction ratio.

As shown in FIG. 6, the main control board case 55 is provided with a setting key type switch 56. The setting key type switch 56 is used when changing the setting of the pachi slot 1 or confirming the setting of the pachi slot 1.
In the present embodiment, a main control board unit is configured by the main control board case 55 and the main control board 71 housed in the main control board case 55.

  The main control board 71 (first control unit) housed in the main control board case 55 constitutes a main control circuit 91 (see FIG. 15) described later. The main control circuit 91 is a circuit that controls the main flow of the game in the pachislot 1 such as determination of internal winning combinations, rotation and stop of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R, and determination of the presence or absence of a prize. The specific configuration of the main control circuit 91 will be described later.

  Above the middle door 41, a sub control board case 57 for accommodating the sub control board 72 (see FIG. 14) is disposed, and above the sub control board case 57, a center speaker 58 is disposed. The sub control board 72 housed in the sub control board case 57 constitutes a sub control circuit 101 (see FIG. 16). The sub control circuit 101 (second control unit) is a circuit that controls execution of effects by displaying an image or the like. The specific configuration of the sub control circuit 101 will be described later.

  When the front door 2b is viewed from the back side, a sub relay board 61 is disposed on the right side of the sub control board case 57. The sub relay board 61 relays a wire connecting the sub control board 72 and the main control board 71. In addition, it is a board which relays the wiring connecting the sub control board 72 and the board disposed around the sub control board 72. In addition, as a board | substrate arrange | positioned around the sub control board 72, LED board 62A, 62B, 62C mentioned later is mentioned.

  The LED substrates 62A, 62B, and 62C are disposed on both sides of the sub control substrate case 57 as viewed from the back surface side of the front door 2b. These LED boards 62A, 62B, 62C are a plurality of LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) 85 (see FIG. 14) showing one specific example of the light source according to the effects executed by the control of the sub control circuit 101 (see FIG. 16). ) To light and display a blinking pattern. The pachi slot 1 of the present embodiment is provided with a plurality of LED substrates in addition to the LED substrates 62A, 62B and 62C.

  Below the sub relay board 61, a 24h door open / close monitoring unit 63 is disposed. The 24h door opening and closing monitoring unit 63 stores the history of the opening and closing of the middle door 41. When the middle door 41 is opened, a signal for displaying an error on the liquid crystal display device 11 is output to the sub control board 72 (sub control circuit 101).

  Below the middle door 41, a board speaker 64 and lower speakers 65L and 65R are disposed. The board speaker 64 faces the waist panel unit 31 (see FIG. 2), and the lower speakers 65L and 65R face the speaker holes 33L and 33R (see FIG. 2).

  A medal selector 201, a medal chute 202, and a door open / close monitoring switch 67 are disposed above the lower speaker 65L. The medal selector 201 is a device that determines whether or not the material, shape, and the like of the medal are appropriate, and guides the medal inserted into the medal insertion slot 21 to the hopper device 51 via the slope 203 or the medal Guide to the chute 202. The specific configuration of the medal selector 201 will be described later.

  The medal chute 202 is a substantially Y-shaped tubular member, and guides the medal guided by the medal selector 201 and the medal discharged from the hopper device 51 to the medal payout port 32 (see FIG. 2).

  The door open / close monitoring switch 67 is disposed on the left side of the medal selector 201 when the front door 2b is viewed from the back side. The door open / close monitoring switch 67 outputs a security signal for notifying the opening / closing of the front door 2 b to the outside of the pachi slot 1.

  A door relay terminal plate 68 is disposed below the reel display window 4 and in an area opened and closed by the middle door 41 (see FIG. 4). The door relay terminal board 68 includes the main control board 71 (see FIG. 14) in the main control board case 55, various buttons and switches, the sub control board 72 (see FIG. 14), the medal selector 201 and the game operation display board It is a board which relays wiring with 81 (see FIG. 14). Examples of the various buttons and switches include a BET button 22, a settlement button 27, a door open / close monitoring switch 67, a BET switch 77 described later, and a start switch 79.

<Configuration of medal selector>
Next, the specific configuration of the medal selector 201 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 13. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the medal selector 201 as viewed obliquely from the rear of the pachislot 1 and shows an aspect in which the cover member 240 fixed to the medal selector 201 is removed. FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the medal selector 201. As shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the medal selector 201 as viewed obliquely from the front of the pachislot 1. FIG. 10 is a rear view of a base plate portion 204 of the medal selector 201 described later. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a select plate 207 of the medal selector 201 described later. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a path of medals when the medal selector 201 guides the medals to the hopper device 51. As shown in FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the path of the medal when the medal selector 201 guides the medal to the medal shoot 202. In addition, arrow X shown to FIGS. 7-13 shows the left-right direction of pachislot 1, arrow Y shows the front-back direction of pachislot 1, and arrow Z shows an up-down direction. The medal selector 201 of this embodiment and the medal selector 301, the medal selector 401, the medal selector 501, the medal selector 601, the medal selector 601, the medal selector 701, and the medal selector 801 in each of the modifications described later constitute gaming medium detection means. .

  As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the medal selector 201 includes a base plate portion 204, a sub plate 205, a cancel shooter 206, a select plate 207 (guide means), and a medal solenoid 208 (drive means, see FIG. 9). And a camera unit 209 (imaging means). Further, as shown in FIG. 7, a cover member 240 that covers the rear side in the front-rear direction of the pachislot 1 of the medal selector 201 is fixed to the medal selector 201. In FIG. 7, the cover member 240 removed from the medal selector 201 is indicated by a broken line. The cover member 240 can be set in a closed state that covers the rear side in the front-rear direction of the pachislot 1 in the medal selector 201 and an open state in which the rear side is exposed.

  The base plate portion 204 is a substantially plate-like member that constitutes the outer frame casing of the medal selector 201, and is molded such that both ends in the left-right direction of the pachi slot 1 are bent rearward of the pachi slot 1. The base plate portion 204 has a rear surface 204b which is one plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the pachi slot 1 and a front surface 204a (see FIG. 9) which is the other plane. A medal rail 210 (passage forming portion) is formed in a substantially L shape on the rear surface 204 b so as to be recessed forward of the pachi slot 1. A plurality of protruding portions 210 a are formed on the surface of the medal rail 210.

  At an upper end portion of the base plate portion 204, a medal inlet portion 211 for receiving a medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 21 (see FIG. 2) is provided. The medals inserted into the medal selector 201 from the medal entrance portion 211 move downward from above along the medal rails 210. At the lower part of the base plate portion 204, a medal outlet portion 204c (see FIG. 8) is provided. The medals moved in the medal selector 201 are discharged from the medal outlet portion 204c and accommodated in the hopper device 51 through the slope 203 (see FIG. 4).

  A central hole 212 penetrating in the front-rear direction is formed at a substantially intermediate position of the medal rail 210, and an end of the medal pressure 213 (see FIG. 8) is exposed from the central hole 212. As shown in FIG. 9, the medal pressure 213 is rotatably supported by a shaft portion 214 provided on the front surface 204 a of the base plate portion 204. A coil spring 215 is attached to the shaft portion 214, and the medal pressure 213 is biased by the coil spring 215 so that the medal pressure 213 protrudes from the central hole 212.

  As shown in FIG. 9, a magnet 217 is provided on the front surface 204 a of the base plate portion 204. The magnet 217 attracts (magnetizes) an illegal medal which is not a proper material among the medals moving on the medal rail 210.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, an upper exposure hole 219 is formed in a substantially central portion of the downstream region of the medal rail 210 so as to penetrate in the front-rear direction and expose a rear end portion of an after medal pressure 218 described later. . In the lower part of the downstream region of the medal rail 210, a lower exposure hole 220 is formed which penetrates in the front-rear direction and exposes a medal stopper portion 227 described later of the select plate 207.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10, on the medal rail 210, six reference markers 260 are formed. The reference marker 260 is disposed in an imaging area A1 (shown by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 10) which is an area on the medal rail 210 that the camera unit 209 captures.

  The fiducial markers 260 are composed of an upper fiducial marker 261 and a lower fiducial marker 262, and the upper fiducial markers 261 are arranged at the upper part of the medal rail 210 so as to line up three in the lateral direction while tilting. Further, three lower reference markers 262 are arranged at the lower part of the medal rail 210 so as to line up in the left-right direction while being inclined.

  In the image data of the imaging area captured by the camera unit 209, the reference marker 260 includes the brightness of the pixel at the position where the reference marker 260 is formed, and the brightness of the pixel at the position where the reference marker 260 is not formed. Are formed so as to differ by a predetermined value or more. In the present embodiment, each reference marker 260 is formed by forming a triangular hole in the medal rail 210. The formation mode of the reference marker 260 is not limited to this, and the shape of the hole can be appropriately selected. Also, for example, the reference marker 260 may be formed on the medal rail 210 by printing a graphic having a color different from that of the ground of the medal rail 210.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the medal solenoid 208 is formed in a plate shape with a solenoid main body 208a, and one end and another end are movable plate portions 208b supported so as to be movable in the front and rear direction. Is equipped. The after medal pressure 218 is rotatably supported on the front surface 204 a of the base plate portion 204. When the front end of the after medal pressure 218 is pushed to the rear of the pachislot 1 by the movable plate portion 208 b of the medal solenoid 208, the after medal pressure 218 rotates and the rear end of the after medal pressure 218 is exposed to the upper exposed hole 219 ( (See FIG. 8).

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the cancel shooter 206 is a substantially plate-like member, and is molded such that both ends in the left-right direction of the pachi slot 1 are bent in front of the pachi slot 1. The cancel shooter 206 is detachably fixed to the base plate portion 204 and covers the lower portion of the base plate portion 204 from the rear. The cancel shooter 206 guides the medals discharged without the medal outlet portion 204c to the medal shoot 202 (see FIG. 4). At an upper portion of a substantially central portion in the left-right direction of the cancel shooter 206, a cut-out portion 206a cut out in a substantially rectangular shape is formed below.

  The cancel shooter 206 is provided with a notification LED 206c. The notification LED 206c configures notification means to light up and notify that an error has occurred in the AE correction processing described later.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the sub plate 205 is a plate-like member that covers the medal rail 210 from the rear. The sub plate 205 has a flat plate-like main body portion 221 and a shaft portion 222 provided on the upper portion of the main body portion 221. A through hole 221 a penetrating in the front-rear direction is provided in a substantially central portion of the main body portion 221, and a downstream region is exposed from a substantially central portion of the medal rail 210 from the through hole 221 a.

  The shaft portion 222 is supported by the base plate portion 204, and the sub plate 205 is attached to the base plate portion 204 rotatably around the shaft portion 222. A coil spring 223 is attached to the shaft portion 222. Under normal conditions, the sub plate 205 is pressed against the base plate portion 204 by the biasing force of the coil spring 223. At this time, a space through which the medal can pass is formed between the sub plate 205 and the upper portion of the medal rail 210 covered by the sub plate 205. That is, the sub plate 205 functions as a guide plate for passing the medals.

Here, for example, when a medal clogging occurs in the medal selector 201, the sub plate 205 can be rotated against the biasing force of the coil spring 223 to eliminate the medal clogging.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the select plate 207 is a member for guiding a medal moving in a substantially central portion of the medal rail 210 not covered by the sub plate 205. As shown in FIG. 11, in the select plate 207, a pair of bearing portions formed by bending the substantially trapezoidal plate-like plate main body 224 and both lateral ends of the plate main body 224 forward of the pachi slot 1. 225, and. Further, at the upper portion of the plate main body 224, a flange portion 226 formed by bending the pachi slot 1 forward and bending its rear end upward is formed. Further, on one of the bearing portions 225, a medal stopper portion 227 extending downward is formed.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the plate main body 224 faces the substantially central portion of the medal rail 210 not covered by the sub plate 205 in the front-rear direction of the pachi slot 1.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the select plate 207 is rotatably supported by a shaft portion 228 provided on the front surface 204 a of the base plate portion 204. The shaft portion 228 is provided with a coil spring 229 and biases the flange portion 226 to the front of the pachi slot 1. The flange portion 226 is in contact with one end of the movable plate portion 208 b of the medal solenoid 208. When the medal solenoid 208 is in the ON state, the flange portion 226 is pressed by one end of the movable plate portion 208 b of the medal solenoid 208 and moves to the rear of the pachi slot 1 against the biasing force of the coil spring 229. The rotational position of the select plate 207 at this time is referred to as a “guide position”. The distance between the plate body 224 of the select plate 207 at the guide position and the medal rail 210 is set to a predetermined distance that can guide the hopper device 51 without discharging the medal to the cancel shooter 206 side. Also, at this time, the medal stopper portion 227 does not protrude from the lower exposure hole 220 (see FIG. 8).

  Further, when the medal solenoid 208 is in the OFF state, the flange portion 226 is released from the pressure of the medal solenoid 208 and moved to the front of the pachi slot 1 by the biasing force of the coil spring 229. The rotation position of the select plate 207 at this time is referred to as a "discharge position". The distance between the plate body 224 of the select plate 207 at the ejection position and the medal rail 210 is set to be longer than a predetermined distance. At this time, it is pressed by the flange portion 226 moving forward of the pachi slot 1, and one end of the movable plate portion 208 b of the medal solenoid 208 moves forward of the pachi slot 1. Along with this, the other end of the movable plate portion 208b of the medal solenoid 208 moves to the rear of the pachi slot 1 and presses the front end of the after medal pressure 218. As a result, the after medal pressure 218 rotates, and the rear end of the after medal pressure 218 is exposed from the upper exposure hole 219 (see FIG. 8).

  The medal stopper portion 227 does not protrude from the lower exposure hole 220 (see FIG. 8) when the select plate 207 is in the guide position, and protrudes from the lower exposure hole 220 when in the discharging position.

  As shown in FIG. 12, when the medal moving on the medal rail 210 satisfies the standard size, the select plate 207 at the guide position contacts the upper portion of the moving medal, and the medal exits the medal outlet portion 204c (see FIG. 8). Guide to). The medal, when being guided by the select plate 207, pushes the medal pressure 213 to the front of the pachi slot 1. In FIG. 12, the sub plate 205 of the medal selector 201 and the cancel shooter 206 are not shown.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 13, in the select plate 207 at the discharge position, the distance between the plate body 224 and the medal rail 210 is large even when the medal moving on the medal rail 210 satisfies the standard dimensions. Therefore, the medal can not be guided to the medal exit portion 204c (see FIG. 8). Further, the medal is pushed out to the medal pressure 213, the after medal pressure 218 projecting from the upper exposure hole 219, or the medal stopper portion 227 projecting from the lower exposure hole 220, and is discharged toward the cancel shooter 206. In FIG. 13, the sub plate 205 of the medal selector 201 and the cancel shooter 206 are not shown, as in FIG. 12.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the select plate 207 is usually positioned at the guide position, but under a predetermined condition (for example, when the specified number of medals are inserted, when an error occurs, when the game starts, etc.) It is positioned.

  Further, when the medal moving on the medal rail 210 has a diameter smaller than the standard size, the medal is not guided by the select plate 207 even when the select plate 207 is at the guide position, and is pushed out by the medal pressure 213 and the cancel shooter 206 Discharged toward the

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the camera unit 209 includes a first substrate 230, a second substrate 231, and a lens (not shown). Whether an object moving on the medal rail 210 is a regular medal or not And outputs the result of the determination to the main control circuit 91. The first substrate 230 is provided with a CMOS image sensor 232 (see FIG. 17) and an LED 233 (see FIG. 17). The second substrate 231 is provided with a control LSI 234 (see FIG. 17) communicably and controllably connected to the CMOS image sensor 232 and the LED 233.

  The first substrate 230 and the second substrate 231 are connected by a connector (not shown) of a B-to-B (Board-to-Board) type, and legs 235 provided at the corners of the respective substrates 230 and 231. It is fixed. The specific configuration of the circuit of the camera unit 209 will be described later. Also, in the present embodiment, an aspect in which the camera unit 209 is configured by two substrates 230 and 231 and a lens has been described, but instead, one substrate provided with a CMOS image sensor 232, an LED 233 and a control LSI 234 The camera unit may be configured. Also, an aperture mechanism may be added.

  The camera unit 209 is fixed by screwing the first substrate 230 in a screw hole 206 b provided around the notch 206 a at the top of the cancel shooter 206.

  The CMOS image sensor 232 (see FIG. 17) is provided at a substantially central portion of the first substrate 230. The CMOS image sensor 232 captures an image of the imaging area A1 (see FIG. 10) on the medal rail 210 via the notch 206a (see FIG. 8) of the cancel shooter 206, and controls the captured image data to the control LSI 234 (FIG. 17). Output).

  The LED 233 (see FIG. 17) emits surface light around the CMOS image sensor 232 and applies light to an object moving on the medal rail 210. The control LSI 234 (see FIG. 17) determines whether or not the object moving on the medal rail 210 is a regular medal based on the image data output from the CMOS image sensor 232, and outputs the determination result to the main control circuit 91. Do. In the present embodiment, the mode is described in which the camera unit 209 is fixed to the cancel shooter 206 by screwing in the screw holes 206b formed around the notch 206a, but the fixing mode of the camera unit is limited to this. I will not. For example, a mounting rail is provided between the first substrate 230 and the second substrate 231, and a recess is provided in the upper portion of the cancel shooter 206, and the mounting rail is fitted in the recess. May be fixed with screws or an adhesive.

<Circuit configuration of pachislot>
Next, the configuration of the circuit included in the pachi slot 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 to 18. First, an overview of the entire circuit provided in the pachi slot 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a block diagram of the entire circuit provided in the pachi slot 1.

The pachi slot 1 has a main control board 71 disposed in the middle door 41 and a sub control board 72 disposed in the front door 2b.
The main control board 71 includes a reel relay terminal board 74, a setting key type switch 56, an external concentrated terminal board 47, a hopper device 51, a medal auxiliary storage switch 75, and a power supply board 53b of the power supply device 53. It is connected. The setting key type switch 56, the external concentrated terminal plate 47, the hopper device 51 and the medal auxiliary storage switch 75 are connected to the main control board 71 via the cabinet side relay board 44. The external concentrated terminal plate 47 and the hopper device 51 have been described above, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  The reel relay terminal board 74 is disposed inside the reel body of each of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R. The reel relay terminal board 74 is electrically connected to stepping motors (not shown) of the respective reels 3L, 3C, 3R, and relays signals outputted from the main control board 71 to the stepping motors.

  The medal auxiliary storage switch 75 penetrates a switch through hole (not shown) of the medal auxiliary storage 52. The medal auxiliary storage switch 75 detects whether the medal auxiliary storage 52 is full of medals.

  A power switch 53 a is connected to the power supply substrate 53 b of the power supply device 53. The power switch 53a is turned on when the necessary power is supplied to the pachi slot 1.

  Further, on the main control board 71, via the door relay terminal board 68, the medal selector 201, the door open / close monitoring switch 67, the BET switch 77, the settlement switch 78, the start switch 79, the stop switch board 80, and the game operation display board 81 And the sub relay board 61 are connected. The door open / close monitoring switch 67 and the sub relay board 61 have been described above, so the description will be omitted. The circuit configuration of the medal selector 201 will be described later.

  The BET switch 77 detects that the BET button 22 has been pressed by the player. The settlement switch 78 detects that the settlement button 27 has been pressed by the player. The start switch 79 detects that the player has operated the start lever 23 (start operation).

  The stop switch board 80 is a board that constitutes a circuit for stopping a rotating reel and a circuit for displaying a stoppable reel by an LED or the like. The stop switch substrate 80 is provided with a stop switch. The stop switch detects that each stop button 19L, 19C, 19R has been pressed by the player (stop operation).

  The game operation display board 81 displays the number of inserted medals on the 7-segment display 24 when the three reels 3L, 3C, 3R can be turned and replay is performed when accepting the insertion of medals. It is a substrate for A 7-segment display 24 and an LED 82 are connected to the game operation display board 81. The LED 82 lights, for example, a mark indicating the start of a game, a mark to be played again, and the like.

  The sub control board 72 is connected to the main control board 71 via the door relay terminal plate 68 and the sub relay board 61. A sound I / O substrate 84, LED substrates 62A, 62B, 62C, 24h door opening / closing monitoring unit 63, and a medal selector 201 are connected to the sub control substrate 72 via the sub relay substrate 61. The LED substrates 62A, 62B, 62C, and the 24h door opening / closing monitoring unit 63 have been described above, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  The sound I / O substrate 84 outputs audio to speakers (not shown) provided on the center speaker 58, the board speaker 64, the lower speakers 65L and 65R, and the front door 2b.

Further, a ROM cartridge substrate 86 and a liquid crystal relay substrate 87 are connected to the sub control substrate 72. The ROM cartridge substrate 86 and the liquid crystal relay substrate 87 are accommodated in the sub control substrate case 57 together with the sub control substrate 72.
The ROM cartridge substrate 86 is a substrate for managing an image (video) for effect, sound, the LED substrates 62A and 62B and other LED substrates (not shown), and communication data. The liquid crystal relay substrate 87 is a substrate for relaying a wire connecting the sub control substrate 72 and the liquid crystal display device 11.

<Main control circuit>
Next, the main control circuit 91 configured by the main control board 71 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the main control circuit 91 of the pachi-slot 1.

  The main control circuit 91 mainly includes a microcomputer 92 installed on the main control board 71. The microcomputer 92 includes a main CPU 93, a main ROM 94 and a main RAM 95. The main CPU 93 and the above-described hopper device 51 constitute a gaming medium payout device of the present invention.

  The main ROM 94 is used to transmit various control commands (commands) to the control program (for example, a program for executing the above-mentioned internal lottery process) executed by the main CPU 93, the data table, and the sub control circuit 101. Data etc. are stored. The main RAM 95 is provided with a storage area for storing various data such as an internal winning combination determined by the execution of the control program.

  To the main CPU 93, a clock pulse generation circuit 96, a frequency divider 97, a random number generator 98 and a sampling circuit 99 are connected. Clock pulse generation circuit 96 and frequency divider 97 generate clock pulses. The main CPU 93 executes the control program based on the generated clock pulse. The random number generator 98 generates a predetermined range of random numbers (e.g., 0 to 65535). The sampling circuit 99 extracts one value from the generated random numbers.

The main CPU 93 counts the number of times of pulse output to the stepping motor of each of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R after detecting the reel index. Thus, the main CPU 93 manages the rotation angles of the respective reels 3L, 3C, 3R (mainly, how many reels have been rotated).
The reel index is information indicating that the reel has made one rotation. The reel index is provided, for example, at a predetermined position of each of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R, and an optical sensor having a light emitting part and a light receiving part. Detection is performed by a reel position detection unit (not shown) provided with a detection piece interposed therebetween.

  Here, management of the rotation angles of the respective reels 3L, 3C, 3R will be specifically described. The number of pulses output to the stepping motor is counted by a pulse counter provided in the main RAM 95. Then, each time the pulse counter counts the output of a predetermined number of times (for example, 16 times) necessary for the rotation of one symbol, the symbol counter provided in the main RAM 95 is incremented by one. The symbol counter is provided according to each reel 3L, 3C, 3R. The value of the symbol counter is cleared when a reel index is detected by a reel position detection unit (not shown).

  That is, in the present embodiment, by managing the symbol counter, it is managed to manage how many symbols have been rotated since the reel index was detected. Therefore, the position of each symbol of each reel 3L, 3C, 3R is detected with reference to the position where the reel index is detected.

  As described above, when the maximum number of sliding symbols is determined to be four symbols, the symbols of the left reel 3L in the middle of the reel display window 4 and its four when the left stop button 19L is pressed Each symbol within the range to the previous symbol is a symbol that can be stopped at the middle of the reel display window 4.

<Sub control circuit>
Next, the sub control circuit 101 configured by the sub control board 72 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the sub control circuit 101 of the pachislot 1.

  The sub control circuit 101 is electrically connected to the main control circuit 91, and performs processing such as determination and execution of effects based on commands transmitted from the main control circuit 91. The sub control circuit 101 basically includes a sub CPU 102, a sub RAM 103, a rendering processor 104, a drawing RAM 105, and a driver 106.

  The sub CPU 102 controls the output of video, sound and light according to the control program stored in the ROM cartridge substrate 86 in response to the command transmitted from the main control circuit 91. The ROM cartridge substrate 86 basically includes a program storage area and a data storage area.

  The program storage area stores a control program to be executed by the sub CPU 102. For example, in the control program, a main board communication task for controlling communication with the main control circuit 91, and a random number value for effect extraction, and an effect registration task for determining and registering effect contents (effect data) Is included. In addition, a drawing control task that controls the display of an image by the liquid crystal display device 11 (see FIG. 2) based on the determined effect content, a lamp control task that controls the output of light by a light source such as an LED 85, , An audio control task for controlling the output of sound from the speaker such as 65R, and the like.

  The data storage area includes a storage area for storing various data tables, a storage area for storing effect data constituting each effect content, and a storage area for storing animation data relating to creation of a video. Also, a storage area for storing sound data relating to BGM and sound effects, a storage area for storing lamp data relating to a light on / off pattern, and the like are included.

  The sub RAM 103 is provided with a storage area for registering the determined effect contents and effect data, and a storage area for storing various data such as an internal winning combination transmitted from the main control circuit 91.

  The sub CPU 102, the rendering processor 104, the drawing RAM (including the frame buffer) 105, and the driver 106 create an image according to the animation data specified by the effect content, and cause the liquid crystal display device 11 to display the created image.

  Further, the sub CPU 102 causes the speakers such as the speakers 58, 64, 65L, 65R to output the sound such as BGM according to the sound data designated by the contents of the effect. Further, the sub CPU 102 controls lighting and extinguishing of the light source such as the LED 85 in accordance with the lamp data designated by the contents of the effect.

<Circuit configuration of medal selector>
Next, the circuit configuration of the medal selector 201 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing an example of the circuit configuration of the medal selector 201. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 17, the medal selector 201 includes a camera unit 209 and a medal solenoid 208.
In addition, the medal selector 201 is connected to the main control board 71 via the door relay terminal plate 68. In addition, the medal selector 201 is connected to the sub control board 72 via the sub relay board 61. That is, the medal selector 201 is electrically connected to the main control circuit 91 and the sub control circuit 101.

  The main control circuit 91 can set the medal solenoid 208 of the medal selector 201 to the ON state or the OFF state. That is, the main control circuit 91 can move the select plate 207 to the guide position or the discharge position.

  Specifically, when the pachi slot 1 is in a state where medals can be inserted, the main control circuit 91 outputs a medal insertion signal of the contents that can be inserted. Further, when the pachi slot 1 is not in the state where the medals can be inserted, the main control circuit 91 outputs a medal insertion signal of the content that the insertion is not possible. Here, “output the medal insertion signal of the content that can be inserted” means that the signal line between the devices connected to the main control circuit 91 (in the present embodiment, the medal solenoid 208) is set to the ON state. is there. Further, “output the medal insertion signal of the content that can not be inserted” means to set the signal line between the devices connected to the main control circuit 91 (the medal solenoid 208 in the present embodiment) to the OFF state. . When the medal solenoid 208 detects that the signal line between the main control circuit 91 and the medal solenoid 208 is turned on, it sets itself to the on state. Further, when the medal solenoid 208 detects that the signal line between the main control circuit 91 and the medal solenoid 208 is turned off, the medal solenoid 208 sets itself to the off state.

  Here, to the main control board 71 (main control circuit 91), a photosensor (not shown) for detecting medals provided in the medal selector 201 is connected. When the photosensor detects a medal and outputs a medal detection signal, the main CPU 93 of the main control circuit 91 adds 1 to the value of the inserted number counter, which is a counter provided to count the number of inserted medals. Do. When the value of the insertion number counter is the maximum value (for example, 3), the number of medals being credited is incremented by one to the value of the credit counter which is a counter provided for the main CPU 93 to count.

  When the credit counter has the maximum value (for example, 50), the main control circuit 91 sets the medal solenoid 208 of the medal selector 501 to the OFF state. As a result, the select plate 207 (see FIG. 8) is positioned at the “discharge position”, the medals can not be inserted, and the medals inserted after the credit counter reaches the maximum value are transferred to the medal chute 202 (see FIG. 6). It guides and discharges to the medal tray unit 34 from the medal payout opening 32 (see FIG. 2).

  The sub control circuit 101 receives various signals and commands from the control LSI 234 of the medal selector 201 as a result of determination of color determination described later, a result of determination of marking determination, and various results.

  The camera unit 209 includes a control LSI 234, a CMOS image sensor 232, and an LED 233. The control LSI 234 of the camera unit 209 is configured by an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and is electrically connected to the CMOS image sensor 232 and the LED 233. The control LSI 234 controls the light emission of the LED 233. Further, the control LSI 234 determines whether or not the object moving on the medal rail 210 is a regular medal based on the image data output from the CMOS image sensor 232, and determines the determination result from the output PORT allocated to the GPIO 250. When a predetermined output condition to be described later is satisfied, the signal is output to the sub control board 72 (sub control circuit 101) via the sub relay board 61.

The CMOS image sensor 232 includes an exposure time setting mechanism that sets an exposure time (shutter speed) in 1 to 25 steps. The exposure time is set to extend by 7 μs each time it is raised by one step. In the present embodiment, the initial value of the exposure time (the value when the pachislot 1 is turned on) is set to the stage 10, that is, 70 μ seconds. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the exposure time can be set in the range of 70 μsec to a maximum of 175 μsec (exposure time corresponding to the step 25).
In the present embodiment, the CMOS image sensor 232 employed is a CMOS image sensor having a resolution of 648 × 488 pixels and a frame rate of 240 fps (Frames Per Second).

  The control LSI 234 is also electrically connected to the notification LED 206c. The notification LED 206 c is turned on and off according to an instruction from the control LSI 234.

<Circuit configuration of control LSI>
Next, the circuit configuration of the control LSI 234 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing an example of the circuit configuration of the control LSI 234. As shown in FIG.

  The control LSI 234 includes a host controller 241, an image recognition DSP (digital signal processor) circuit 242, a static random access memory (SRAM) 243 to which a backup power supply (not shown) is connected, a flash memory 244, and an image signal processing (ISP) circuit 245. And a medal counting circuit 246. The control LSI 234 further includes a color recognition circuit 247, a fisheye correction scaler circuit 248, an image recognition accelerator circuit 249, and a GPIO (General Purpose Input / Output) 250. The devices forming the control LSI 234 are mutually connected via a bus, and in the control LSI 234 of this embodiment, AXI (Advanced eXtensible Interface) is adopted as a protocol of the bus.

  Further, the control LSI 234 includes an ISI (Image Sensor Interface) circuit 251. The ISI circuit 251 is electrically connected to the CMOS image sensor 232 and the ISP circuit. The ISI circuit 251 converts the image data transmitted from the CMOS image sensor 232 according to the low voltage differential signaling (LVDS) method into an RGB Bayer image and outputs the image data.

<ISP circuit>
When the RGB Bayer image is output from the ISI circuit 251 (the RGB Bayer image is input), the ISP circuit 245 outputs a VSYNC (Vertical Synchronization) interrupt signal to the host controller 241.
In addition, the ISP circuit 245 performs an image correction process of performing a lens distortion correction process and a projection transformation (homography) process on the RGB Bayer image output from the ISI circuit 251.

  The lens distortion correction process is a process of correcting distortion generated due to the characteristics of the lens in the camera unit 209 on the image data captured by the CMOS image sensor 232 in order to enhance the accuracy of various discrimination / judgment processes described later. is there.

  For example, when a convex lens is employed as the lens of the camera unit 209, distortion as shown in FIG. 19 occurs because the thickness of the end of the lens is thinner than the thickness of the central portion of the lens. FIG. 19 schematically shows an image pickup area A1 of the CMOS image sensor 232 and image data G1 of the image pickup area A1 picked up by the CMOS image sensor 232. The black points in the image data G1 represent locations corresponding to the vertices of each grid of the imaging area A1.

  As shown in FIG. 19, in the image data G1, relatively large distortion occurs at the end compared to the center. The ISP circuit 245 performs lens distortion correction processing based on various correction parameters set in advance, and processes the image data G1 (RGB Bayer image output from the ISI circuit 251). Specifically, the image data G1 is complemented so that the position of the black point of the image data G1 becomes the same position as the vertex of the lattice of the corresponding imaging area A1. By this, the influence of this distortion on various discrimination processing described later is suppressed.

  Note that various correction parameters are defined in advance in the program based on the previous characteristic evaluation of the lens adopted in the camera unit 209. The various correction parameters may be stored in the flash memory 244 and referred to by the ISP circuit 245 at the time of lens distortion correction processing.

The projective transformation process is a process of correcting the image data so that the displacement of the attachment position of the camera unit 209 does not affect the accuracy of various determination / determination processes described later.
For example, when the camera unit 209 is attached to the cancel shooter 206 at an angle other than a preferable angle, as shown in FIG. 20A, an image area A2 necessary for various determination / determination processing described later is distorted and captured. May be In the projective transformation process, the distortion is corrected, and the image data is complemented in a mode suitable for various determination / determination processes described later.

  Specifically, in the projective transformation process, the ISP circuit 245 analyzes the RGB Bayer image after the lens distortion correction process, and detects the positions (coordinates: x, y) of at least four reference markers 260 in the RGB Bayer image. Do.

Next, at the position (coordinates: u, v) of the reference marker 260 in the image data suitable for enhancing the accuracy of various discrimination processes described later, which are predetermined in the program, corresponding to the four reference markers detected. Based on the conversion coefficients a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h in the following Equations 1 and 2, respectively.
u = (x × a + y × b + c) / (x × g + y × h + 1) Formula (1)
v = (x x d + y x e + f) / (x x g + y x h + 1) formula (2)

  Then, the calculated conversion coefficients a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h and the coordinate values of each pixel in the RGB Bayer image after lens distortion correction processing are substituted into the above Equations 1 and 2. The coordinates after conversion for each pixel are calculated, and this RGB Bayer image is processed so that each pixel is located at the calculated coordinates after conversion. FIG. 20B schematically shows an image area A2 shown in FIG. 20A in the RGB Bayer image after the projective transformation process.

  In the present embodiment, the aspect has been described in which the position (coordinates: u, v) of the reference marker 260 in the image data suitable for enhancing the accuracy of the various discrimination processing is defined on the program. However, instead of this, for example, the position of the reference marker 260 may be stored in the flash memory 244 and referred to by the ISP circuit 245 at the time of projection conversion processing.

  Next, the ISP circuit 245 performs color conversion processing for converting the RGB Bayer image after lens distortion correction processing and projection conversion processing into various formats. In the color conversion process, the ISP circuit 245 converts the RGB Bayer image into image data (YUV image data) corresponding to the YUV color space, and data relating to the luminance in the YUV image data (hereinafter referred to as “gray scale image data”) And may be output to the medal counting circuit 246 (output to a predetermined area of the SRAM 243 to which the medal counting circuit 246 refers). Also, gray scale image data is stored in the SRAM 243. The SRAM 243 is provided with a storage area in which a predetermined number of gray scale image data can be stored. When the number of gray scale image data stored in the SRAM 243 reaches the upper limit number, the stored order is overwritten from the old gray scale image data.

  Further, in the color conversion processing, the ISP circuit 245 generates image data (HSV) corresponding to a color space (HSV color space) composed of three components (H: hue, S: saturation, V: lightness) of the RGB Bayer image. The HSV image data is output to the color recognition circuit 247 (output to a predetermined area of the SRAM 243 to which the color recognition circuit 247 refers).

  In addition, when the power of the pachislot 1 is turned on, the ISP circuit 245 outputs a RGB Bayer image from the ISI circuit 251 (when an RGB Bayer image is input), the output image may contain a predetermined image or not. The AE (Auto Exposure) determination process is performed. In the present embodiment, the predetermined image is an image of a protrusion 210 a (see FIG. 8) formed on the surface of the medal rail 210. That is, in the present embodiment, the ISP circuit 245 configures an image determination unit that determines whether a predetermined image is included in the image data.

  When it is possible to extract a linear component having a predetermined length or more from the image output from the ISI circuit 251, the ISP circuit 245 determines that the output image includes the image of the ridge portion 210a, and extracts the linear component. When it can not be determined, it is determined that the output image does not include the image of the protrusion 210a. In addition, although extraction of the linear component more than predetermined length from the output image is performed by, for example, performing Hough transform processing to the output image, it does not restrict to this, It uses another feature extraction method. It is also good.

  When it is determined that the image output from ISI circuit 251 includes the image of protrusion 210a, ISP circuit 245 does not output the determination result of the AE determination process to host controller 241, and thereafter, For the image output from the ISI circuit 251, the AE determination process is not performed.

  On the other hand, when the ISP circuit 245 determines that the image output from the ISI circuit 251 does not include the image of the protrusion 210 a, the ISP circuit 245 outputs the determination result of the AE determination process to the host controller 241. Further, when the image is output from the ISI circuit 251 until the exposure time of the CMOS image sensor 232 is set to the upper limit of 175 μs (exposure time corresponding to the step 25) in the ISP circuit 245, AE determination processing is performed on the output image.

  In the present embodiment, the aspect has been described in which the predetermined image is the protrusion 210 a formed on the surface of the medal rail 210. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a predetermined image may be used as the reference marker 260 formed on the medal rail 210, for example. Further, although the aspect of determining whether or not the linear component can be extracted from the output image has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and the determination may be performed based on the angle of view of the extracted linear component.

<Color recognition circuit>
The color recognition circuit 247 performs color determination processing based on the hue and saturation of the HSV image data output from the ISP circuit 245. The color determination processing includes medal detection processing, threshold determination processing, saturation / hue multiplication processing, color template generation processing, and color template comparison processing.

(1) Medal Detection Processing In the color determination processing, the color recognition circuit 247 stores the HSV image data output from the ISP circuit 245 in the SRAM 243. The SRAM 243 is provided with a storage area in which a predetermined number of HSV image data can be stored. When the number of HSV image data stored in the SRAM 243 reaches the upper limit number, the stored order is overwritten from old HSV image data.

  In addition, the color recognition circuit 247 performs medal detection processing to determine whether the image of the medal is included in the HSV image data output from the ISP circuit 245. Specifically, the difference between the HSV image data output from the ISP circuit 245 and the background HSV image data stored in the SRAM 243 is detected this time, and if the difference portion matches the shape of the medal, the medal It is determined that the image of is included. The background HSV image data is HSV image data not including an image of a medal, and when the medal is not moving on the medal rail 210, for example, an image captured by the CMOS image sensor 232 immediately after the power is turned on. The data is obtained by the ISP circuit 245 converting it into HSV image data. In the present embodiment, the ISP circuit 245 stores the obtained background HSV image data in the SRAM 243. Whether or not the detected difference portion matches the medal shape is determined by comparing with the HSV image data of the medal shape stored in advance in the flash memory 244.

(2) Threshold Determination Processing When it is determined that the image of the medal is included in the HSV image data, the color recognition circuit 247 performs the threshold determination processing based on the HSV image data. In the threshold determination process, the color recognition circuit 247 is in a predetermined area of the image of the medal in the HSV image data, for example, in a substantially square area including the center of the medal in the present embodiment (hereinafter may be referred to as "medal area"). The values of saturation of all pixels are integrated, and the values of hue are integrated. Then, the integrated value is divided by the number of pixels in the medal area, the average saturation value and the average hue value are calculated, and the position on the threshold graph shown in FIG. 21 is specified based on the calculated value.

  Here, the threshold value graph of FIG. 21 is a graph in which the vertical axis is the value of saturation and the horizontal axis is the value of hue. In the threshold graph, the graph is divided into an allowable area and a non-permissible area based on a predetermined equation. In FIG. 21, the background of the tolerance area is represented by a white background, and the background of the non-permissive area is represented by a hatching.

  If the position on the threshold graph based on the average saturation value and the average hue value is within the allowable range, the color determination processing is continued. On the other hand, in the case of the non-permissible area, “threshold value determination impossible” is stored in the color determination storage area of the SRAM 243 as the determination result of the color determination process, and the color determination process is ended. Note that a predetermined number of determination results can be stored in the color determination storage area of the SRAM 243, and when the stored determination results reach the upper limit number, the stored determination results are overwritten from earlier determination results.

  Note that, instead of the above, the color recognition circuit 247 specifies the position on the threshold value graph shown in FIG. 21 based on the saturation value and the hue value of each pixel in the medal region. It is also good. In this case, it is determined whether the number of pixels positioned in the non-permissible area exceeds a predetermined number, for example 20% of the number of pixels in the medal area, and if it does not, the color determination process is continued and exceeded In this case, as the determination result of the color determination process, “Threshold determination impossible” may be stored in the SRAM 243 and the color determination process may be ended.

  Further, the allowable area and the non-permissible area in the threshold graph can be set as appropriate. For example, in addition to the non-permissive area of FIG. 21, a non-permissive area located in the non-permissive area may be provided if the value of the saturation is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, eg, 90 or more.

(3) Saturation and Hue Multiplication Processing After the threshold determination processing, the color recognition circuit 247 performs saturation and hue multiplication processing in the threshold determination processing. In the saturation / hue multiplication processing, the saturation value of each pixel in the medal area is multiplied by the hue value, and the value calculated by multiplication is stored in the SRAM 243 in association with the position of the pixel. In the following description, a group of data in which the multiplication value of the saturation value of each pixel in the medal area and the hue value is stored in association with the position of that pixel is referred to as "color determination data". There is.

(4) Color Template Generation Process The color template generation process is a process of generating (creating) a color template used in color template comparison processing described later. In the color template generation process, the color recognition circuit 247 compares the data for color judgment concerning the medals until the medals inserted after the power-on reach the prescribed initial insertion number, 50 in the present embodiment, and agrees with each other. The color determination data that are similar or similar to a predetermined degree are grouped.

  For example, the color recognition circuit 247 compares, for each of the pixel positions associated with each other, the multiplication value of the saturation value and the hue value for the data for color determination related to the 50 medals. Then, these color determination data are grouped when the number of multiplication values that match or fall within a predetermined error range (for example, ± 5) is a predetermined number or more (for example, 80% or more of the total multiplication values). .

  Next, the color recognition circuit 247 selects the top four groups in the descending order of the number of color judgment data to which the color recognition circuit 247 belongs. Then, one arbitrary color judgment data is selected for each of the upper four selected groups, and the four color judgment data are stored as color templates in the storage area of the SRAM 243 for storing color templates. The average value of the data for color judgment belonging to the same group (the average value of the multiplication values for the respective pixels, instead of selecting one arbitrary data for color judgment for each of the upper four selected groups) The color template may be generated by calculating. The color template stored in the SRAM 243 may be erased by initialization processing (not shown) of the host controller 241 when the gaming machine is powered on.

  As described above, by generating a color template, for example, when two types of medals having different impressions (patterns) and colors on the front and back are used as regular medals, and the color template is stored in the storage area of the SRAM 243. If not stored, by inserting 50 regular medals after power-on, it is possible to generate four types of color templates pertaining to the front and back of these two types of medals. When the color template is not stored in the storage area of the SRAM 243 and there are one type of 50 regular medals inserted after the power is turned on, two colors pertaining to the front and back sides of the regular medals A template is generated, and the generated two color templates are used in color template comparison processing described later.

  Note that, when the color template is not stored in the storage area of the SRAM 243, the data for color determination related to each medal until the medal inserted after the power is turned on reaches the stipulated initial insertion number, 50 in this embodiment, It is generated in accordance with an instruction of the host controller 241. When the host controller 241 determines that the medal count circuit 246 described later determines that "the medal has passed" on the medal rail 210, HSV image data of a predetermined time before the determination (that is, a predetermined frame) To instruct the color recognition circuit 247 to generate data for color judgment. In addition, this predetermined time is preset based on experiment or simulation so that the image of the medal is surely included in the HSV image data before the predetermined time.

  The color determination data is generated through the above-described medal detection process, threshold value determination process, and saturation / hue multiplication process, and is stored in the color determination data storage area of the SRAM 243. The color recognition circuit 247 executes color template generation processing when the number of color determination data stored in the color determination data storage area reaches 50, that is, when the data for color determination relating to 50 medals is created. Do.

(5) Color Template Comparison Process If it is determined that the medal image is included in the medal detection process after the color template generation process, the color recognition circuit 247 performs the color template comparison process.

  The color template comparison process compares the color template data with the data for color determination created through the threshold value determination process and the saturation / hue multiplication process for the HSV image data determined to contain the medal image. It is determined whether or not they match or are similar to a predetermined degree, and "OK" or "NO" is stored in the color determination storage area of the SRAM 243 as the determination result. In the present embodiment, since the maximum four color templates are used, the determination results for the maximum four templates are stored in the SRAM 243. In color template comparison processing, the color determination result is stored in the color determination storage area of the SRAM 243. Here, as a result of color determination, “Yes” is stored when at least one “Yes” is stored as a result of the determination for the maximum four templates, and “All” is stored when “No” is stored. "No" is stored. Therefore, in one color template comparison process, up to four determination results for up to four color templates and one color determination result based on these determination results are stored. Note that a predetermined number of determination results can be stored in the color determination storage area of the SRAM 243, and when the stored determination results reach the upper limit number, the stored determination results are overwritten from earlier determination results.

  For example, the color recognition circuit 247 compares the product of the color determination data, the saturation value and the hue value in the color template, for each position of the associated pixel. Then, when the number of multiplication values that coincide or fall within a predetermined error range (for example, ± 5) is a predetermined number or more (for example, 80% or more of all the multiplication values), it is determined as coincidence or a predetermined degree of similarity. Note that in this process, the criteria for determining whether they match or are similar to a predetermined degree can be set as appropriate.

  As described above, in the color determination process, the threshold determination process is performed, and the color template comparison process is performed, and the color determination data and the color template are compared to determine whether they match or are similar to a predetermined degree. The color recognition circuit 247 constitutes gaming medium determination means for determining whether or not an object which has passed on the medal rail 210 is a regular medal.

<Medal counting circuit>
The medal counting circuit 246 performs a counting process based on the gray scale image data output from the ISP circuit 245. The count process includes a medal image discrimination process, a medal position detection process, and an order determination process.

(1) Medal Image Discrimination Processing In the count processing, the medal counting circuit 246 first performs medal image discrimination processing. In the medal image discriminating process, the medal counting circuit 246 discriminates whether or not the gray scale image data outputted from the ISP circuit 245 includes the image of the medal. Specifically, the difference is detected for each pixel of the gray scale image data output from the ISP circuit 245 and the background gray scale image data stored in the SRAM 243 this time, and the difference is formed by a plurality of detected pixels. If the shape to be detected matches the template data of the medal shape stored in the flash memory 244, it is determined that the image of the medal is included. The background grayscale image data is grayscale image data not including the image of the medal, and when the medal is not moving on the medal rail 210, for example, the CMOS image sensor 232 captures an image immediately after the power is turned on. The obtained image data is obtained by the ISP circuit 245 converting it into grayscale image data. In the present embodiment, the ISP circuit 245 stores the obtained background grayscale image data in the SRAM 243. In the present embodiment, the medal counting circuit 246 detects the difference between the background grayscale image data and the gray scale image data output from the ISP circuit 245, and the shape formed by the plurality of pixels for which the difference is detected is a medal. It was determined whether or not the image of the medal was included depending on whether or not it matched the shape. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be determined that the image of the medal is included depending on whether a part of the shape formed by the plurality of pixels for which the difference is detected matches the part of the medal shape. If the number of pixels of the detected difference is equal to or more than a predetermined number, it may be determined that the image of the medal is included.

(2) Medal Position Detection Process Next, the medal count circuit 246 is gray scale image data output from the ISP circuit 245, and is gray scale determined to include an image of a medal in the medal image discrimination process. A medal position detection process is performed on the image data. In the medal position detection process, the medal counting circuit 246 determines whether or not a medal image is present in a predetermined determination area in the gray scale image data described above, and stores the determination result in the SRAM 243.

  The predetermined determination area is a plurality of rectangular areas in the gray scale image data G2, and in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 22 to 24, determination areas A1 to A4, B1 to B4, C1 and C2 , D1 to D4, E, and F in total of 16 determination areas are set. FIGS. 22A to 22C, 23D to 23F, and 24G are diagrams for explaining the relationship between the medal M and the determination area which are passed on the medal rail 210 and discharged from the medal outlet portion 204c. FIG. 24H is a view for explaining the relationship between the medals guided by the medal shooter 202 and the determination area.

  Each determination area is previously defined on the program by defining coordinate values (X, Y) of the corner of each determination area in the gray scale image data G2 so that a plurality of pixels are included in the determination area. ing. For example, as shown in FIG. 25, the determination region of C1 includes eight pixels in the region, and the coordinate values (450, 95), (453, 95), (450, 96), (of four corners) 453, 96) define its position. In FIG. 25, one square of the grid indicates one pixel.

  As shown in FIGS. 22A to C, 23D to F, and 24G, the determination areas A1 to A4 and B1 to B4 pass on the medal rail 210, and the lower part of the image of the medal M discharged from the medal outlet portion 204c. It is arranged to overlap with. In addition, the determination areas C1 and C2 are disposed so as to pass over the medal rail 210 and overlap the upper part of the image of the medal M discharged from the medal outlet portion 204c. In addition, the determination areas E and F are arranged so as not to overlap the image of the medal M which passes over the medal rail 210 and is discharged from the medal outlet portion 204c.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 24H, the determination area F is disposed below the grayscale image data G2 so as to overlap the image of the medal M when the medal is guided to the medal shoot 202. In addition, the determination area E is located above the path of the medal M, and is disposed above the gray scale image data G2 so as to overlap the images of various instruments used for fraudulent activity.

  The medal count circuit 246 calculates the difference value of the luminance of each pixel in each determination area of the grayscale image data to be processed and the background grayscale image data, and calculates the number of pixels whose calculated difference value is equal to or more than the threshold value. Count for each judgment area. Then, the medal counting circuit 246 determines, for each determination area, whether the number of pixels counted is equal to or more than a predetermined number (for example, 1 in the present embodiment) and determines that the number is equal to or more than the predetermined number. , It is determined that the image of the medal exists in the determination area (the medal is present). On the other hand, when it is determined that the number of counted pixels is less than the predetermined number, it is determined that the image of the medal does not exist in the determination area (there is no medal). In the present embodiment, although an aspect using gray scale image data in the present processing has been described, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, for color judgment generated by multiplying the saturation and the hue used in the color judgment processing described above Data may be used.

  Further, the medal counting circuit 246 performs a medal edge detection process on the determination area determined to have an image of a medal (there is a medal) in the medal position detection process.

  The medal edge detection process is a process of detecting the outer edge (edge) of the medal based on the arrangement of pixels in which the difference value of luminance does not satisfy the threshold value in the determination area determined that the medal image is present. In the present embodiment, the moving direction of the medal is from left to right in FIGS. Therefore, with regard to the determined determination area in which the medal image is present, the medal count circuit 246 detects the outer edge of the front side in the movement direction of the medal (the movement destination direction) if there is even one pixel to the right It is determined that there is a medal edge).

  On the other hand, with regard to the determined determination area in which the medal image is present, the medal count circuit 246 determines that the outer edge on the rear side in the movement direction of the medal (after movement) It is determined that the direction medal edge is present. If there is no pixel whose luminance difference value does not meet the threshold value, the medal counting circuit 246 determines that there is no outer edge of the medal in the determination area.

  For example, in the determination area C1 shown in FIG. 25, when there is even one pixel whose luminance difference value does not satisfy the threshold in any of the pixels 5C to 8C located on the right side, the move destination direction medal It is determined that there is an edge. On the other hand, if any of the pixels 1C to 4C, which are the pixels located on the left side, has at least one pixel whose luminance difference value does not satisfy the threshold, it is determined that there is a moving backward direction medal edge.

  In the determination areas E and F, the movement direction of the medal or various instruments is considered to be downward from the top in FIGS. 22 to 24. Therefore, the luminance difference value is lower than the pixel having the threshold value or more. When there is even one pixel in which the difference value of {circle over (1)} does not satisfy the threshold value, the medal counting circuit 246 determines that the lower outer edge (moving destination direction medal edge) in the movement direction of the medal exists. On the other hand, when there is even one pixel whose luminance difference value does not meet the threshold value above any pixel whose brightness difference value is greater than or equal to the threshold value, the medal count circuit 246 detects the upper outer edge in the movement direction of the medal (after movement It is determined that the direction medal edge is present. In addition, when there is no pixel whose luminance difference value does not meet the threshold value for a pixel located below or above the pixel whose brightness difference value is equal to or higher than the threshold value, the medal counting circuit 246 determines the medals in the determination area. It is determined that there is an image but no outer edge of the medal.

The medal counting circuit 246 determines the above determination result for each determination area of the grayscale image data to be determined, that is, the determination result of whether or not a medal image is present in the determination area, and the movement direction medal edge Alternatively, the determination result as to whether or not there is a movement backward direction medal edge is stored in the SRAM 243. For example, the medal counting circuit 246 stores data "OFF" for the determination area determined to have no medal image. In addition, data “IN” is determined for the determination area determined to have a movement destination direction medal edge, data “OUT” for a determination area determined to have a movement direction medal edge, and the medal image The data “ON” is stored for the determination area determined to have no medals but no outer edge of the medal.
When the determination result is already stored in the SRAM 243, the medal counting circuit 246 compares the latest determination result with the current determination result, and changes any one of the determination areas to the determination result. If there is a problem, the SRAM 243 stores the determination result for the entire determination area of this time. On the other hand, when there is no change in the determination result of any of the determination regions, the determination result of all the determination regions of this time is not stored in the SRAM 243.

  Further, the medal counting circuit 246 omits the determination of the determination areas A1 to A4, B1 to B4, C1, C2 and D1 to D4 when the medal can not be inserted, for example, when the credit counter has the maximum value as described later. Do. Further, in this case, the medal counting circuit 246 indicates that the above determination has been omitted for the determination areas A1 to A4, B1 to B4, C1, C2 and D1 to D4 in the SRAM, that is, "not determined". * "Data (as a specific numerical value, hexadecimal" FF ") is stored.

  Therefore, for the eight gray scale image data G2 shown in FIGS. 22A to 22C, 23D to 23F, and 24G and H, determination region determination result data as shown in FIG. 26 is stored in the SRAM 243. For example, in gray scale image data G2 in FIG. 22A, it is determined that the destination direction medal edge is present in determination areas A1 and A2, so that the data “IN” (as a specific numerical value, hexadecimal Of “01” is stored, and it is determined that the medal image does not exist for other determination areas, so the data “OFF” (specifically, hexadecimal “00”) It is memorized.

  Further, with regard to the gray scale image data of FIG. 23E, it is determined that no medal image exists in the determination regions A1 to A4, E, and F, and therefore, data “OFF” is stored. In addition, since it is determined that the backward movement direction medal edge is present in the determination areas B1, B2, C1, and C2, the data "OUT" (as a specific numerical value, "02" in hexadecimal) is stored. Be done. In addition, for the judgment areas B3, B4 and D1 to D4, although it is judged that the medal image is present but there is no outer edge of the medal, the data “ON” (as a concrete numerical value, “hexadecimal 03 ") is stored.

  Further, with regard to the grayscale image data G2 shown in FIG. 24H, it is determined that the medal image is present in the determination area F but there is no outer edge of the medal, so data of “ON” is stored. In addition, data "*" indicating that it is not determined is stored in the determination areas A1 to A4, B1 to B4, C1, C2, and D1 to D4.

  The gray scale image data G2 shown in FIGS. 22A to 22C, 23D to 23F, and 24G are output from the ISP circuit 245 when the medal passes over the medal rail 210 and is discharged from the medal outlet portion 204c. Among the grayscale image data G2, for convenience of explanation, seven grayscale image data G2 are extracted. That is, in the same case, the grayscale image data output from the ISP circuit 245 exists in addition to the grayscale image data G2 shown in FIGS. 22A to 22C, 23D to 23F, and 24G.

  In addition, the SRAM 243 is provided with a storage area for storing the above-described determination results relating to a predetermined number of gray scale image data of 14 in the present embodiment as determination area determination result data.

(3) Order Determination Process When the pachislot 1 is in the medal insertable state, the medal count circuit 246 causes the SRAM 243 to determine gray scale image data of a predetermined number, 14 in the present embodiment, as determination area judgment result data. When the determination result is stored, an order determination process is performed. In addition, when the pachislot 1 is in the medal insertion impossible state, the medal counting circuit 246 causes the SRAM 243 to perform the above-described determination result on a predetermined number of, in the present embodiment, four gray scale image data as determination area determination result data. When is stored, order determination processing is performed. In the order determination process, in the predetermined number of gray scale image data arranged in time series, the transition mode of the data of "IN", "OUT", "ON", "OFF" for each determination area is a predetermined transition It is determined whether or not it matches with the aspect of, and when it matches, it is determined that the medal has passed on the medal rail 210.

  Here, as a predetermined transition mode, in the present embodiment, the medal count determination table shown in FIG. 27 is converted into a numerical value and stored in the flash memory 244. In the medal count determination table, “IN” and “IN” in each determination area on the 14 gray scale image data arranged in time series when the medal passes on the medal rail 210 and is discharged from the medal exit portion 204 c An aspect of transition of data of OUT "," ON "and" OFF "is defined. In addition, “IN”, “OUT”, “ON”, and “OFF” data in each determination area on four gray scale image data arranged in chronological order when the medal is guided to the medal shoot 202 Aspects of the transition are defined. In addition, the mode of transition of these data is previously defined on the assumption that the medal has moved at the fastest speed by simulation, experiment, or the like.

  In the order determination process when Pachi-Slot 1 is in the state where medals can be inserted, medal count circuit 246 outputs data ("IN", "OUT") in each of the determination areas of 14 gray scale image data stored in SRAM 243. , “ON”, “OFF”) and the mode of transition of data corresponding to time series 1 to 14 defined in the medal count determination table, and if they completely match, It is determined that "the medal has passed".

  If they do not match, it is determined that "an abnormality has occurred". If they do not match, for example, the first half of the aspect of data transition in each determination region of 14 gray scale image data (hereinafter, may be referred to as “a mode of transition of data to be compared”) A transition of data corresponding to time series 1 to 8 defined in the medal count judgment table corresponds to a transition mode of data corresponding to the time series 8 to 4 defined in the medal count judgment table. If it matches the aspect of, so-called "time series retrogression" may occur.

  Further, in the order determination process when the pachislot 1 is in the medal insertion impossible state, the medal count circuit 246 determines the transition of data in each determination area of the four gray scale image data stored in the SRAM 243; The mode of transition of data corresponding to the time series E1 to E4 defined in the medal count determination table is compared, and when the two completely match, it is determined that "the medal has been guided to the medal shoot 202".

  In addition, the data ("IN", "OUT", "ON", "OFF") in each determination area is stored in the SRAM 243 first, and then the data is input to the SRAM 243 even if a predetermined time (for example, 1 second) elapses. If the data in each determination area of the gray scale image data of 14 pieces or 4 pieces of gray scale image data is not stored if yes, it is considered that a medal jam occurs. Therefore, in this case, the medal counting circuit 246 determines that "an abnormality has occurred".

  When the number of data (“IN”, “OUT”, “ON”, “OFF”) in each determination area of the gray scale image data stored in the SRAM 243 is less than a predetermined number, for example, four or If the number is less than 14, it is determined that "the medal has passed" or "the medal has been guided to the medal chute 202" in the comparison processing because the mode of transition does not match due to the lack of data. There is nothing to do. In this case, the comparison process may be omitted. In addition, after performing the order determination processing, the medal counting circuit 246 deletes data in each of the determination regions of 14 or 4 gray scale image data stored in the SRAM 243.

  In addition, the medal counting circuit 246 causes 14 pieces of the SRAM 243 to be stored in the case where any one of “IN”, “OUT” and “ON” is stored in the determination area E of the gray scale image data in the SRAM 243. It is determined that "an abnormality has occurred" without waiting for the data in each determination area of four gray scale image data to be stored.

  In the order determination process, the medal counting circuit 246 stores the above determination result in the order determination process in the SRAM 243 as the determination result of the count process. That is, in the SRAM 243, “the medal has passed” (a specific numerical value is “01” in hexadecimal) and “the medal is guided to the medal chute 202” (a specific numerical value) as the determination result of the counting process. Three kinds of determination results are stored as “02” in hexadecimal, and “an error has occurred” (“10” in hexadecimal as a specific numerical value). Here, the case where it is determined that "the medal has passed" refers to, for example, the case where the main control circuit 91 allows medals to be inserted and medals are inserted. In the case where it is determined that "the medal has been guided to the medal shoot 202", the main control circuit 91 may insert an illegal medal having an outer diameter smaller than the prescribed medal in a state where the medal can be inserted, or This is a case where a medal is inserted in a state where the control circuit 91 can not insert a medal. In addition, when it is determined that "an abnormality has occurred", it is compared with the case where a foreign object is detected outside the range where the medal passes, or the mode of transition of data defined in the above-mentioned medal counter determination table. This is the case where the mode of transition of the target data does not match.

  As a result of the comparison, instead of determining that "the medal has passed" or "the medal has been guided to the medal shoot 202" in the case of a perfect match, a predetermined degree, for example, a match degree of 80% or more In this case, it may be determined in consideration of a predetermined determination margin that “the medal has passed” or “guided to the medal shoot 202”.

  In the medal position detection process, the medal edge detection process may be omitted. In this case, the medal counting circuit 246 causes the SRAM 243 to store data "OFF" for the determination area determined to have no medal image, and "ON" to the determination area determined to have a medal image. "" Is stored. Then, in the medal count determination table shown in FIG. 27, the mode of transition of data of "ON" and "OFF" in each determination area is defined.

  Further, in the order determination process, instead of comparison using the medal count determination table shown in FIG. 27, the order of the determination area in which the data of "ON" is stored is defined in advance, The passage of the medal may be determined by comparing the order of the determination areas in which the data of “ON” is stored in the table. In this case, the order defined in advance is grouped into the determination areas A1 to A4 as the A area, the determination areas B1 to B4 as the B area, the determination areas C1 and C2 as the C area, and the determination areas D1 to D4 as the D area. It may be defined by For example, the predefined order is "OFF" for all areas A to D, then "ON" for area A only, then "A" for area A, area B and area C, and then area B, area C and area D. May be "ON", then only the D area may be "ON", and finally any of the A to D areas may be "OFF". In this case, when the area A is "ON", data of "ON" is stored for any of the determination areas A1 to A4.

  In addition, the number, the shape, and the location of the determination areas to be set on the gray scale image data can be appropriately set in accordance with the allowable required determination time and the accuracy of the determination to be obtained. For example, in FIGS. 22A to 22C, 23D to 23F, and 24G and 24H, a determination region extending in the vertical direction from the upper end to the lower end of the grayscale image data G2 may be set.

<Fisheye Correction Scaler Circuit>
The fisheye correction scaler circuit 248 acquires gray scale image data from the SRAM 243, and performs fisheye correction processing for fisheye correction of the acquired gray scale image data.

  Further, the fisheye correction scaler circuit 248 performs equalization processing on the grayscale image data subjected to the fisheye correction processing. In the equalization process, the fisheye correction scaler circuit 248 generates reduced image data reduced to 1⁄2, 1⁄4, and 1⁄8.

  Further, the fisheye correction scaler circuit 248 performs bilateral conversion processing on each of the created reduced image data in the equalization processing. In this embodiment, in order to remove noise of the reduced image data, a Gaussian filter of 3 × 3 kernel (a kernel in image processing and not a kernel indicating the function of the OS) shown in FIG. 28 is used. However, Gaussian filters have the disadvantage that the edges in the image data become unnoticeable (blurred). Then, in order to eliminate this fault, the bilateral filter shown in the following formula 3 is adopted as a processing algorithm of bilateral conversion processing. That is, the bilateral filter is a filter that performs noise correction and edge correction and enhancement using image processing noise using a Gaussian filter kernel.

  In Formula 1, an array of image data before bilateral conversion processing is f (i, j), and an array of image data after processing is g (i, j). Also, w represents the kernel size, σ represents the standard deviation, and d represents the difference in luminance value.

  Then, the fisheye correction scaler circuit 248 causes the SRAM 243 to store the reduced image data subjected to the equalization processing. The SRAM 243 is provided with a storage area in which a predetermined number of reduced image data can be stored. When the number of reduced image data stored in the SRAM 243 reaches the upper limit number, the stored order is overwritten from the old reduced image data.

<Image recognition DSP circuit>
When the reduced image data is stored in the SRAM 243, the host controller 241 instructs the image recognition DSP circuit to perform preprocessing.

  The image recognition DSP circuit 242 acquires reduced image data (in the present embodiment, reduced image data reduced to 1⁄4 in this embodiment) from the SRAM 243 in preprocessing, and detects a circular region for detecting a circular region from the acquired reduced image data Processing and non-linear diffusion filter processing are performed to create an edge image and filter processing to be stored in the SRAM 243. Further, the image recognition DSP circuit 242 performs various determination processes described later. In the present embodiment, the image data reduced to 1⁄4 is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The setting for selecting reduced image data to be used is stored in the flash memory 244 and It may be possible to select image data reduced to 1⁄2 or image data reduced to 1⁄8.

(1) Circle Area Detection Process In the circle area detection process, the image recognition DSP circuit 242 generates a background difference image indicating the difference between the acquired reduced image data and the reduced background grayscale image data corresponding to the reduced image data. Do. Here, the reduced background grayscale image data is image data obtained by applying fisheye correction processing and equalization processing by the fisheye correction scaler circuit 248 to the background grayscale image data stored in the SRAM 243, and circular area detection processing It is previously stored in the SRAM 243.

  Next, the image recognition DSP circuit 242 binarizes the generated background difference image. Then, as shown in FIG. 29, template matching is performed on the binary background difference image G3 using the binary outer shape template T1 indicating the outer shape of the medal. That is, the image recognition DSP circuit 242 specifies where the region similar to the outline template T1 exists in the background difference image G3. In other words, the image recognition DSP circuit 242 specifies where in the background difference image G3 an area that matches the outline of the medal indicated by the outline template T1 is present. The outer shape template T1 is stored in advance in the flash memory 244.

  In template matching, the outline template T1 is moved little by little (for example, by one pixel) on the background difference image G3 in the raster scan direction. In other words, the image recognition DSP circuit 242 raster scans the outline template T1 on the background difference image G3. At this time, the image recognition DSP circuit 242 generates an AND image of the outer shape template T1 and the partial region of the background difference image G3 overlapping the outer shape template T1 at each position of the outer shape template T1. Thereby, a plurality of binary AND images are generated. Then, the image recognition DSP circuit 242 compares the background difference of the outer shape template T1 used in the generation of the AND image having the largest number of pixels (high luminance pixels) with the pixel value “1” among the plurality of generated AND images. The position on the image G3 is specified. This position is a position where an area similar to the outline template T1 exists in the background difference image G3.

  Then, the image recognition DSP circuit 242 detects a partial area in the acquired reduced image data, which exists at the same position as the specified position, as a circular area. In other words, the image recognition DSP circuit 242 detects a partial area in the reduced image data overlapping with the outer shape template T1 as a circular area when the outer shape template T1 is arranged in the same position as the specified position in the reduced image data. . At this time, in the partial area, a circular area may be used in which the pixel value of each pixel outside the circular shape indicated by the outer shape template T1 is zero. The circular area extracted by the image recognition DSP circuit 242 is a gray scale image. In the present embodiment, the outer shape of the circular area is square, but may be another shape such as circular.

  Note that another method may be adopted as a method of extracting a circular area from the acquired reduced image data. For example, an extraction method using the fact that the outer shape of the medal is circular may be adopted. In this extraction method, first, edge detection is performed on the acquired reduced image data to generate an edge image. As a method of generating an edge image, for example, the Sobel method, Laplacian method, Canny method or the like is used. Next, a circular area is extracted from the generated edge image. For example, Hough transform is used as a method of extracting a circular area. Then, a circular area in the acquired reduced image data, which exists at the same position as the position of the circular area in the edge image, is regarded as a circular area.

  Further, an extraction method of extracting a circular area from reduced image data acquired using the background difference method and labeling may be adopted. In this extraction method, first, a background difference image indicating the difference between the acquired reduced image data and the reduced background grayscale image data is generated, and the generated background difference image is binarized. Then, labeling such as 4-connection is performed on the binary background difference image. Then, in the binary background difference image, a partial area of the acquired reduced image data, which exists at the same position as the position of the connected area (independent area) obtained as a result of the labeling, is set as a circular area.

(2) Filter Processing The image recognition DSP circuit 242 performs filter processing after circular area detection processing. The filtering process consists of 3σ correction process and non-linear diffusion filter process.
First, in the 3σ correction process, the image recognition DSP circuit 242 cuts out the image data of the circle area in the acquired reduced image data based on the circle area detected by the circle area detection process. Hereinafter, the cut out image data may be referred to as circle area image data.

Next, the image recognition DSP circuit 242 creates a normal distribution (see FIG. 30) centering on the average value of data within a predetermined range for the values of luminance in the cut out circular region image data. Here, 3σ is three times the standard deviation, and almost all data falls within the range of average value ± 3σ (99.7% of data falls within this range when the variation is normal distribution) Belongs).
Then, the luminance of a pixel whose luminance value is smaller than -3σ, for example, the luminance of a pixel of -4σ, is replaced with the luminance value of -3σ. In addition, the luminance of a pixel whose luminance value is larger than 3σ, for example, the luminance of a pixel of 4σ is replaced with the luminance value of 3σ. By doing this, it is possible that the pixels having extremely large luminance values (pixels too bright) and pixels having extremely small luminance values (pixel too dark), which are irregular data, affect the subsequent processing. It can be suppressed.

  Next, the image recognition DSP circuit 242 performs non-linear diffusion filter processing on the circular area image data after the 3σ correction processing to create edge images X in the X (vertical) direction and edge images Y in the Y (horizontal) direction. Do.

FIG. 31A schematically shows circular area image data after 3σ correction processing. In FIG. 31A, one square of the grid indicates a pixel. Further, FIG. 31B shows the coefficients for the edge image X. Here, assuming that the luminance values of the pixels A1 to A8 and P in FIG. 31A are a1 to a8 and p, respectively, the value of the luminance of the target pixel P in the edge image X is It is calculated by Equation 4.
Brightness of P (PX) = a1 x (-3) + a2 x 0 + a3 x 3 + a4 x (-10) + p x 0 + a5 x 10 + a6 x (-3) + a7 x 0 + a8 x 3 (4)

  The image recognition DSP circuit 242 generates the edge image X by calculating the luminance using all the pixels of the circular area image data after the 3σ correction processing using the above-mentioned equation 4.

FIG. 31C shows coefficients for edge image Y. Here, assuming that the luminance values of the pixels A1 to A8 and P in FIG. 31A are a1 to a8 and p, respectively, the value of the luminance of the target pixel P in the edge image Y is as follows using the coefficient for edge image Y: It is calculated by Equation 5.
Brightness of P (PY) = a1 x (-3) + a2 x (-10) + a3 x (-3) + a4 x 0 + P x 0 + a5 x 0 + a6 x 3 + a7 x 10 + a8 x 3 (5)

  The image recognition DSP circuit 242 generates the edge image Y by calculating the luminance using the above equation 5 for all the pixels of the circular area image data after the 3σ correction processing.

  After creating the edge image X and the edge image Y, the image recognition DSP circuit 242 creates an edge image XY from the two images. Assuming that the luminance value of the pixel in the edge image X is PX and the luminance value of the pixel in the edge image Y at the same position is PY, the luminance PXY of each pixel in the edge image XY is calculated by Equation 6 below. be able to.

The image recognition DSP circuit 242 generates the edge image XY by calculating the luminance PXY using the equation 6 for all the pixels of the edge image X and the edge image Y, and stores the generated edge image XY in the SRAM 243. Let
The various determination processes performed by the image recognition DSP circuit 242 will be described later.

<Image recognition accelerator circuit>
The image recognition accelerator circuit 249 performs processing relating to gradient average image data, processing relating to edge gradient images, and processing relating to Fast Fourier Transform (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “FFT conversion”). The image recognition accelerator circuit 249 also performs template generation processing for generating various templates used in the marking determination processing.

[Process related to gradient average image data]
The processing relating to gradient average image data includes rotational image generation processing and gradient average image data generation processing.

(1) Rotational Image Generation Processing In rotational image generation processing, the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 acquires an edge image XY from the SRAM 243, rotates the acquired edge image XY by 1 degree, and rotates a 360-degree rotational image. Generate

(2) Gradient Average Image Data Generation Processing In the gradient average image data generation processing, the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 cumulatively adds (superimposes) the 360-degree rotation images generated in the rotation image generation processing, Generate image data. As an example of gradient average image data, gradient average image data of a regular medal shown in FIG. 32A is shown in FIG. 32B. Then, the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 stores the generated gradient average image data in the SRAM 243.

[Process related to edge gradient image]
The processing related to the edge gradient image includes polar coordinate conversion processing, Scharr conversion processing, and HOG conversion processing.

(1) Polar Coordinate Conversion Processing In polar coordinate conversion processing, the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 acquires an edge image XY from the SRAM 243, converts orthogonal coordinates of the acquired edge image XY into polar coordinates, and creates polar coordinate image data. Specifically, the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 is a polar coordinate (r, φ) representing the rectangular coordinate (x, y) of each pixel of the edge image XY by the radius r and the angle φ from the reference position. Convert to). The relationship between polar coordinates (r, φ) and orthogonal coordinates (x, y) is expressed by the following equations 7 and 8.
x = r cos (φ) formula (7)
y = r sin (φ) formula (8)

  Then, the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 stores the generated polar coordinate image data in the SRAM 243.

(2) Scharr conversion processing In the Scharr conversion processing, the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 acquires polar coordinate image data from the SRAM 243 and creates an edge polar coordinate image X in the X (vertical) direction and an edge polar coordinate image Y in the Y (horizontal) direction. Do. Therefore, the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 that performs Scharr conversion processing constitutes a directional image separation unit that separates the polar coordinate image into the longitudinal image and the transverse image.
The mode of creating the edge polar coordinate image X and the edge polar coordinate image Y in the Scharr conversion process is the same as the mode of creating the edge image X and the edge image Y in the non-linear diffusion filter process described above, including the coefficients used. The description is omitted here.

(3) HOG Transformation Process In the HOG transformation process, the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 creates an edge gradient image, and performs HOG transformation on the created edge gradient image. Here, the HOG (Histograms of Oriented Gradients) conversion is to form a histogram of the gradient direction of the brightness of the local region (cell) in the image data, and the local shape change (image matching with the HOG conversion) It is characterized in that it is resistant to geometric transformations and is not susceptible to illumination variations.

  Specifically, an edge gradient image is created from the edge polar coordinate image X and the edge polar coordinate image Y created by the Scharr transformation process. Assuming that the luminance value of each pixel in the edge polar coordinate image X is QX, and the luminance value of the pixel in the edge polar coordinate image Y at the same position is QY, the following formula 9 It can be calculated by

  The gradient angle of each pixel in the edge gradient image can be calculated by the following equation 10.

  FIG. 33 schematically shows the created edge gradient image G4. The image recognition accelerator circuit 249 creates a histogram of the gradient direction of the luminance in the local region for each local region, with the rectangular frame S indicated by the two-dot chain line in the created edge gradient image G4 as the local region (cell). . Then, a set of created histograms (which may be referred to as “HOG data” in the following description) is stored in the SRAM 243.

[FFT conversion processing]
In the FFT conversion processing, the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 acquires polar coordinate image data created by the above-described polar coordinate change processing and stored in the SRAM 243, and performs FFT conversion processing on the acquired polar coordinate image data.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 34, the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 divides the acquired polar coordinate image data into a plurality of regions, and calculates values of frequency and amplitude for each of the divided regions. The figure shows an example in which polar coordinate image data is divided at predetermined angles, and values of frequency and amplitude are calculated for each of the divided regions.

  Then, the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 stores the calculated frequency and amplitude values (hereinafter, these may be referred to as “FFT data”) in the SRAM 243 for the acquired polar coordinate image data.

[Template generation process]
The image recognition accelerator circuit 249 executes a template generation process to generate this template. This template consists of a set of gradient average image data, HOG data and FFT data. In the embodiment, up to four types of main templates are generated. Further, the present template is used in the determination processing executed by the image recognition DSP circuit 242 described later. The details of the template generation process will be described later.

<Determination processing by image recognition DSP circuit>
Next, the determination process performed by the image recognition DSP circuit 242 will be described. The determination process is executed after the template is generated and registered in the template generation process. The determination processing includes gradient average image template comparison processing, HOG template comparison processing, FFT template comparison processing, and three-dimensional determination processing.

(1) Gradient Average Image Template Comparison Processing In the gradient average image template comparison processing, the image recognition DSP circuit 242 acquires, from the SRAM 243, gradient average image data generated by the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 for inserted medals.

  Next, the image recognition DSP circuit 242 compares the acquired gradient average image data with the gradient average image data of each main template, and performs zero-mean normalized cross correlation matching (in the following description). The evaluation value x of the degree of similarity is calculated by "ZNCC". In addition, the evaluation value of the similarity obtained by ZNCC is calculated in the range of −1.0000000 to 1.0000000, and 1.0000000 is the evaluation value with the highest similarity (similar).

(2) HOG Template Comparison Process In the HOG template comparison process, the image recognition DSP circuit 242 acquires HOG data of the inserted medal. Next, the acquired HOG data is compared with the HOG data of each main template to calculate the evaluation value y of similarity by ZNCC.

(3) FFT Template Comparison Process In the FFT template comparison process, the image recognition DSP circuit 242 acquires FFT data of the inserted medal. Next, the acquired FFT data is compared with the FFT data of each main template, and the evaluation value z of similarity is calculated by ZNCC.

(4) Three-Dimensional Judgment Processing In the three-dimensional judgment processing, the image recognition DSP circuit 242 calculates the following formula consisting of the evaluation values x, y, z calculated in the above processing and the preset coefficients A, C, D: When it is established, it is determined that the inserted medal and the present template are identical.
x + Ay + Cz D D formula (11)

  In the present embodiment, up to four types of templates are created. The image recognition DSP circuit 242 performs three-dimensional determination processing on each main template. If the above equation (11) does not hold for all the main templates, it is determined that the medal to be determined is not a regular medal. On the other hand, if there is one or more main templates in which the above equation (11) holds, it is determined that the medal to be determined is a regular medal. Then, the image recognition DSP circuit 242 stores the “regular medal” or the “illegal medal” in the SRAM 243 as the determination result.

<GPIO>
The GPIO 250 (see FIG. 18) is a device for input / output between each device connected to the medal selector 201 and the control LSI 234. In addition, it is a device for input and output of the control LSI 234 and various devices constituting the medal selector 201.
For example, the medal count output PORT and the medal determination output PORT of the GPIO 250 are connected to the sub control board 72 (sub control circuit 101) via the sub relay board 61 (the illustration of the sub relay board 61 is omitted in FIG. 18). It is connected. Further, the LED control output PORT of the GPIO 250 is connected to the LED 233, and the control of the LED 233 by the control LSI 234 can be controlled. Further, the notification LED control output PORT of the GPIO 250 is connected to the notification LED 206c, and the control LSI 234 can control the turning on and off of the notification LED 206c. In addition, the AE setting port of the GPIO 250 is connected to the CMOS image sensor 232, and control of the exposure time setting mechanism of the CMOS image sensor 232 by the control LSI 234 (setting of exposure time) is possible.

<Host controller>
The host controller 241 controls each device constituting the control LSI 234, such as the medal count circuit 246, the color recognition circuit 247, the fisheye correction scaler circuit 248, the image recognition DSP circuit 242, the image recognition accelerator circuit 249, and the GPIO 250.

  When the host controller 241 receives the determination result of the AE determination process from the ISP circuit 245, the host controller 241 first refers to the area storing the value of the exposure time in the SRAM 243. Next, when the exposure time step is not set to “25”, that is, the upper limit of 175 μs, the exposure time setting mechanism of the CMOS image sensor 232 via the AE setting port of GPIO 250 A signal indicating that the exposure time should be increased by one step is output. Then, 1 is added to the value of the area storing the value of the exposure time in the SRAM 243. In the present embodiment, since the initial value of the exposure time is set to 70 μsec, the initial value stored in the area storing the value of the exposure time is set to 10. That is, in the present embodiment, the host controller 241 of the control LSI 234 configures an exposure time setting unit that sets the exposure time of the CMOS image sensor 232.

On the other hand, when the exposure time is set to “25”, ie, the upper limit of 175 μsec, the host controller 241 instructs the notification LED 206 c to light through the notification LED control output PORT of the GPIO 250. Output signal. Also, the host controller 241 outputs a medal abnormality signal to the secondary control board 72 (sub control circuit 101) via the medal determination output PORT of the GPIO 250.
In addition, the host controller 241 is pressed by an initialization switch (not shown) disposed on a switch substrate (not shown) provided at an arbitrary location (for example, near the first substrate 230) of the medal selector 201. Then, the exposure time step is set to the initial value “10”, ie, the exposure time is 70 μsec. Thus, for example, when the employee of the game hall performs maintenance (cleaning, etc.) of the lens of the camera unit 209 and presses the initialization switch, it is possible to reset the exposure time of the CMOS image sensor 232 properly. Become.

  Further, the host controller 241 outputs a signal relating to the lighting instruction or the light-off instruction to the LED 233 via the GPIO 250. In addition, the host controller 241 determines, through the GPIO 250, the determination result related to the count process stored in the SRAM 243, that is, "the medal has passed", "the medal is guided to the medal shoot 202", and Output one of the judgment results. Specifically, when the determination result is "the medal has passed", the medal count signal is output from the medal count output PORT, and when it is "the abnormality has occurred", the medal abnormality signal from the medal determination output PORT Output Further, the determination result according to the color determination process is output. Specifically, when "threshold decision impossible" is stored in the SRAM 243 as the determination result of the threshold determination process, or when "no" is stored as the color determination result, the medal determination output allocated to the GPIO 250 A token abnormality signal is output from the PORT when a predetermined output condition is satisfied. In addition, the determination result according to the determination process by the image recognition DSP circuit 242 is output. Specifically, when “improper medal” is stored in the SRAM 243 as a result of the three-dimensional determination process, a medal abnormality signal from the medal determination output PORT allocated to the GPIO 250 is satisfied, and a predetermined output condition is satisfied. Output to

  The predetermined output conditions of each determination result can be set as appropriate. For example, with regard to the determination result related to the count process, when “an abnormality has occurred” is stored in the SRAM 243 as the determination result of the count process, it may be set, continuously, or immediately. It may be set that “the abnormality has occurred” is stored as a total of a predetermined determination number (for example, 50 times) of the count processing, and a predetermined number (for example, 10 times) or more. Further, as for the determination result of the threshold determination process, it may be set when the “threshold determination impossible” is stored in the SRAM 243 as the determination result, or may be set continuously or in the latest threshold determination process. It may be set that “threshold value determination impossibility” is stored in a total of a predetermined determination number (for example, 50 times) and a predetermined number (for example, 10 times) or more. In addition, the color judgment result of the color judgment process may be set to “when no” is stored in the SRAM 243, or may be set continuously or a predetermined number of judgments of the latest color judgment process ( For example, it may be set that “no” is stored at a predetermined number (for example, 10 times) or more in a total of 50 times). In addition, with regard to the result of the three-dimensional determination process, it may be set that “incorrect medal” is stored in the SRAM 243, or it may be set continuously or a predetermined number of determinations of the latest determination process ( For example, it may be set that “the fraudulent medal” is stored at a predetermined number (for example, 10 times) or more in a total of 50 times).

  A backup power supply (not shown) is connected to the SRAM 243, and the content stored in the SRAM 243 is retained for a certain period (for example, about one week) even when the power of the pachislot 1 is turned off. Further, the host controller 241 is capable of erasing various templates stored in the SRAM 243, for example, a color template and a main template, by an initialization switch (not shown) provided in the medal selector 201. Specifically, by turning on the power of Pachislot 1 while pressing the initialization switch, the area where various templates of SRAM 243 are stored is initialized (value of 0 is set at the time of initialization processing of host controller 241). Write), ie, erase various templates.

<Flash memory>
In the flash memory 244, various devices constituting the control LSI 234, for example, the host controller 241, the image recognition DSP circuit 242, the fisheye correction scaler circuit 248, the parameters used by the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 for various processes and necessary for various processes Data is stored. Further, the flash memory 244 is provided with an area in which the value of the above-mentioned exposure time is stored. Moreover, the area | region which memorize | stores coefficient A, C, D in Formula (11) is provided.

<Processing flow of control LSI>
Next, processing performed by the control LSI 234 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 35 is a processing flow diagram for illustrating the processing performed by the control LSI 234.
As shown in FIG. 35, in the control LSI 234, input processing, conversion processing, color determination processing, count processing and marking determination processing are roughly divided.

<Input processing>
Input processing is performed by the ISI circuit 251. In the input processing, as described above, the ISI circuit 251 converts the image data transmitted from the CMOS image sensor 232 by the LVDS method into an RGB Bayer image, and outputs the RGB Bayer image to the ISP circuit 245.

<AE correction processing>
AE correction processing is performed by the ISP circuit 245 and the host controller 241 when the pachislot 1 is powered on. Further, the AE correction processing is performed in parallel with conversion processing, color determination processing, and counting processing described later.

  In the AE correction process, the ISP circuit 245 determines whether or not the RGB Bayer image output from the ISI circuit 251 includes the image of the protrusion 210 a (see FIG. 8) formed on the surface of the medal rail 210. Perform AE determination processing. When it is determined that the output image does not include the image of the protrusion 210a, the ISP circuit 245 outputs the determination result of the AE determination process to the host controller 241.

  Also, in the AE correction processing, when the determination result of the AE determination processing is output from the ISP circuit 245, the host controller 241 first refers to the area storing the value of the exposure time in the SRAM 243. Next, when the exposure time step is not set to “25”, that is, the upper limit of 175 μs, the exposure time setting mechanism of the CMOS image sensor 232 via the AE setting port of GPIO 250 A control signal to instruct to increase the exposure time by one step (increase by 7 μs) is output. Then, 1 is added to the value of the area storing the value of the exposure time in the SRAM 243.

  By doing this, the image on which the ISP circuit 245 performs the AE determination process next becomes an RGB Bayer image based on the image acquired by the CMOS image sensor 232 whose exposure time has been increased by one step. The AE correction process is repeated until the ISP circuit 245 determines that the image includes the image of the ridge 210a in the AE determination process or until the exposure time is set to the upper limit of 175 μsec.

  When the ISP circuit 245 determines that the image output from the ISI circuit 251 includes the image of the protrusion 210a in the AE determination process, the determination result of the AE determination process is not output to the host controller. Also, the AE determination processing is not performed on the image output from the ISI circuit 251 thereafter. That is, the exposure time of the CMOS image sensor 232 is set to the exposure time when the ISP circuit 245 determines that the image output from the ISI circuit 251 includes the image of the protrusion 210a. When the ISP circuit 245 determines that the image output from the ISI circuit 251 is the first to be output from the ISI circuit 251, the exposure time of the CMOS image sensor 232 is an initial value. It becomes 70 microseconds (step 10).

  In the AE correction processing, when the determination result of the AE determination processing is output from the ISP circuit 245, the host controller 241 sets the exposure time step to “25”, that is, the exposure time is set to the upper limit of 175 μs. The host controller 241 outputs a control signal instructing lighting of the notification LED 206 c via the notification LED control output PORT of the GPIO 250. Further, the host controller 241 outputs a medal abnormality signal to the secondary control board 72 via the medal determination output PORT of the GPIO 250.

  As described above, when the host controller 241 outputs a control signal instructing lighting to the notification LED 206c, the exposure time is set to 175 μsec, which is the upper limit value, when the medal abnormality signal is output to the sub control board 72. Even in this case, the projection 210a of the medal rail 210 can not be imaged. In such a case, it is conceivable that some failure (for example, dirt such as dust is attached to the lens) has occurred in the camera unit 209. Therefore, in this state, since the insertion detection of game medals using the camera unit 209 and the detection of an illegal activity can not be effectively performed, the sub control circuit 101 performs the same processing as various processes when there is an illegal activity. Do the processing. For example, a predetermined error screen is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 11.

<Conversion processing>
The conversion process is performed by the ISP circuit 245. In the conversion process, the ISP circuit 245 performs an image correction process of performing a lens distortion correction process and a projection conversion (homography) process on the RGB Bayer image output from the ISI circuit 251. Next, the ISP circuit 245 performs color conversion processing to convert the corrected RGB Bayer image into YUV image data and to output gray scale image data to the medal counting circuit 246. Also, color conversion processing is performed to convert the RGB Bayer image into HSV image data and output this HSV image data to the color recognition circuit 247.

  After the conversion processing, the control LSI 234 performs color determination processing, count processing, and marking determination processing. In addition, since the circuit which performs each process is comprised as a separate circuit, these processes are performed in parallel at each feasible timing.

<Color judgment processing>
The color determination process is performed by the color recognition circuit 247. The color determination processing includes medal detection processing, threshold determination processing, saturation / hue multiplication processing, color template generation processing, and color template comparison processing.

  First, the color recognition circuit 247 performs medal detection processing to determine whether the HSV image data output from the ISP circuit 245 includes a medal image. If it is determined that the HSV image data includes an image of a medal, the color recognition circuit 247 performs threshold determination processing based on the HSV image data. In the threshold determination process, if the position on the threshold graph (see FIG. 21) based on the average saturation value and the average hue value is within the allowable range, the color determination process is continued. On the other hand, in the case of the non-permissible area, “Threshold determination impossible” is stored in the SRAM 243 as the determination result, and the color determination processing is ended.

  After the threshold determination processing, the color recognition circuit 247 performs saturation / hue multiplication processing to create color determination data. Then, the created color determination data is compared with the color template to determine whether they match or are similar to a predetermined degree, and the determination result is stored in the SRAM 243.

  Note that color template comparison processing is not performed because color templates are not generated until the number of medals inserted after power-on reaches the prescribed initial insertion number, which is 50 in the present embodiment.

  Further, the color recognition circuit 247 receives 50 medals inserted after the power is turned on and reaches 50 data for color judgment stored in the color judgment data storage area, that is, 50 When the data for color determination relating to the medal of is created, the color template generation processing is executed.

<Counting process>
The counting process is performed by the medal counting circuit 246. The count process includes a medal detection process and an order determination process. The above-mentioned medal image discrimination process and medal position detection process correspond to the medal detection process. In the medal detection process, the medal counting circuit 246 determines whether the gray scale image data output from the ISP circuit 245 includes an image of a medal. Further, it is determined whether or not a medal image is present in a predetermined determination area in the grayscale image data output from the ISP circuit 245, and the determination results (“IN”, “OUT”, “ON”, “OFF” Data) is stored in the SRAM 243.

  In the order determination process, the medal counting circuit 246 determines that the mode of transition of data of “IN”, “OUT”, “ON”, and “OFF” for each determination area stored in the SRAM 243 is a mode of predetermined transition. It is determined whether or not they match. Then, as the determination result, the SRAM 243 stores one of “the medal has passed”, “the medal has been guided to the medal shoot 202”, and “the abnormality has occurred”. Furthermore, when “the medal has passed” is stored in the SRAM 243, the host controller 241 outputs a medal count signal from the medal count output PORT allocated to the GPIO 250. The sub control circuit 101 detects that a medal has been inserted based on the medal count signal.

<Stamp determination processing>
The marking determination process includes a fisheye correction process and an equalization process performed by the fisheye correction scaler circuit 248. The image recognition DSP circuit 242 also includes circular area detection processing, filter processing, gradient average image template comparison processing, HOG template comparison processing, FFT template comparison processing, and three-dimensional determination processing. In addition, rotational image generation processing performed by the image recognition accelerator circuit 249, gradient average image data generation processing, gradient average image template generation processing, polar coordinate conversion processing, Scharr conversion processing, HOG conversion processing, HOG template generation processing, FFT conversion processing, FFT template generation processing is included.

  In the fisheye correction process, the fisheye correction scaler circuit 248 acquires gray scale image data from the SRAM 243, and performs a fisheye correction process for fish eye correction of the acquired gray scale image data. Next, in the equalization processing, the fisheye correction scaler circuit 248 performs equalization processing on the grayscale image data subjected to the fisheye correction processing, creates reduced image data, and stores the reduced image data in the SRAM 243.

  The host controller 241 instructs the image recognition DSP circuit 242 and the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 to execute processing after the circle area detection processing in the marking determination processing with respect to the reduced image data stored in the SRAM 243.

  In the circular area detection process, the image recognition DSP circuit 242 acquires the reduced image data from the SRAM 243 and detects the circular area from the reduced image data. In the circle area detection process, when the circle area can not be extracted, the subsequent processes in the marking determination process are omitted. Further, in the filter processing, the image recognition DSP circuit 242 performs non-linear diffusion filter processing on the detected circular area to create an edge image XY, and stores the edge image XY in the SRAM 243.

  Next, in the rotation image generation processing, the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 acquires the edge image XY from the SRAM 243, and generates a rotation image for 360 degrees from the edge image XY. Further, in the gradient average image data generation process, the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 accumulates (overlaps) the rotated images for 360 degrees to generate gradient average image data, and stores the gradient average image data in the SRAM 243. Let

Next, when the template is registered, the image recognition DSP circuit 242 acquires gradient average image data generated by the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 from the SRAM 243 in the gradient average image template comparison process. Then, the acquired gradient average image data and the gradient average image data of each main template are compared, and the evaluation value x of similarity is calculated by ZNCC.
On the other hand, when the template is not registered, the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 performs gradient average image template generation processing described later.

  Further, in parallel with the rotational image generation processing, the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 performs polar coordinate conversion processing. In polar coordinate conversion processing, an edge image XY is acquired from the SRAM 243, rectangular coordinates of the acquired edge image XY are converted into polar coordinates, polar coordinate image data is created, and polar coordinate image data is stored in the SRAM 243.

  Next, in the Scharr conversion process, the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 acquires polar coordinate image data from the SRAM 243 and performs non-linear diffusion filter processing to create an edge polar coordinate image X and an edge polar coordinate image Y.

  Next, in the HOG conversion processing, the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 creates an edge gradient image based on the edge polar coordinate image X and the edge polar coordinate image Y, performs HOG conversion on the created edge gradient image, and performs local regions for each local region. Create a histogram of the gradient direction of the brightness within the Then, the generated histogram set (ie, HOG data) is stored in the SRAM 243.

Next, when the template is registered, the image recognition DSP circuit 242 acquires HOG data to be determined in the HOG template comparison process, and compares the acquired HOG data with the HOG data of each template. , ZNCC to calculate the evaluation value y of the degree of similarity.
On the other hand, when the template is not registered, the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 performs HOG template generation processing described later.

  Further, in parallel with the Scharr conversion process, the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 performs an FFT conversion process. In the FFT conversion processing, the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 acquires polar coordinate image data from the SRAM 243, and performs the FFT conversion processing on the acquired polar coordinate image data.

Next, when the main template is registered, the image recognition DSP circuit 242 acquires FFT data to be determined in the FFT template comparison process, and compares the acquired FFT data with the FFT data of each main template. , ZNCC to calculate the evaluation value z of the degree of similarity.
On the other hand, when the template is not registered, the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 performs FFT template generation processing described later.

  After evaluation values x, y and z are calculated as a result of gradient average image template comparison processing, HOG template comparison processing and FFT template comparison processing, the image recognition DSP circuit 242 performs three-dimensional determination processing, and the determination result is SRAM243. Remember to

<Process timing of control LSI>
Next, with reference to FIG. 36, the timings of various processes performed by the control LSI 234 will be described.
FIG. 36 shows the relationship of processing in the host controller 241, the ISP circuit 245, the medal count circuit 246 and the color recognition circuit 247 which are devices constituting the control LSI 234 in time series. A relatively thick line in the line extending downward of each device name indicates that the device is performing the various processes described above.

In addition, broken arrows between lines corresponding to the devices indicate signals input and output between the devices. Also, the broken arrows between the line extending below “IN” and the line extending below “OUT” in the host controller indicate signals detected by the host controller 241 and signals output from the host controller 241. And their corresponding relationship with
The AE correction process performed by the host controller 241 and the ISP circuit 245 is not shown.

  First, when the CMOS image sensor 232 (see FIG. 17) outputs image data to the control LSI 234, the ISP circuit 245 acquires image data via the ISI circuit 251, and the VSYNC (Vertical Synchronization) interrupt signal # 0 (1IH). ) Is output to the host controller 241. Also, the ISP circuit 245 performs conversion processing for converting an RGB Bayer image into various formats. Then, the gray scale image data and the HSV image data are output to the SRAM 243, the medal counting circuit 246, and the color recognition circuit 247. The detailed description of the conversion process is omitted because it has been described above.

  When the VSYNC interrupt signal # 0 is input, the host controller 241 outputs a start request signal (1HC, 1HM) to the color recognition circuit 247 and the medal count circuit 246 after a predetermined time has elapsed. The predetermined time is set to be longer than the time required for the conversion process in the ISP circuit 245 based on experiments and simulations.

  When the start request signal is input, the color recognition circuit 247 performs color determination processing on the HSV image data output from the ISP circuit 245, stores the determination result in the SRAM 243, and causes the host controller 241 to perform color determination. Output interrupt signal (1CH). The detailed description of the color determination process is omitted because it is described above.

  When the activation request signal is input, medal count circuit 246 performs count processing based on the data output from ISP circuit 245, stores the determination result in SRAM 243, and causes medal count division in host controller 241. Output a built-in signal (1 MH). The detailed description of the counting process is omitted because it is described above.

  When the host controller 241 detects the color determination interrupt signal and the count interrupt signal, the host controller 241 acquires the determination result of the count process from the SRAM 243. Then, it is determined whether any one of “medal passed”, “medal has been guided to the medal shoot 202”, and “an abnormality has occurred” is stored as the determination result. Then, when none of them is stored, the host controller 241 omits the process of outputting the determination result to the sub control board 72 (sub control circuit 101) via the GPIO 250. Here, in the present embodiment, as described above, it is required that the mode of transition of data in each determination area of a plurality of gray scale image data is stored in the SRAM 243 in the order determination process of the count process. The process of outputting the determination result to the sub control board 72 is omitted at least until the number of grayscale image data received by the medal counting circuit 246 reaches a predetermined number (14 or 4 if the medal can not be inserted). There is a case.

  The timing of processing of each device triggered by the input of VSYNC interrupt signals # 1 to 4 (2IH to 5IH) and the input / output of signals shown in FIG. 36 are the input of VSYNC interrupt signal # 0 described above (1IH The description is omitted here because it is the same as the processing timing and signal input / output of each device triggered by).

  Next, processing timing and signal input / output of each device triggered by the input of VSYNC interrupt signal #n (nIH) which is the nth VSYNC interrupt signal after power on shown in FIG. 36 will be described. . Note that processing and signal input / output from the ISP circuit 245 outputting the VSYNC interrupt signal #n to the host controller 241 (nIH) until the host controller 241 acquires the determination result of the count processing from the SRAM 243. The timing of processing of each device triggered by the input of the VSYNC interrupt signal # 0 (1IH) and the input / output of signals are the same as those of the above, and therefore the description thereof is omitted here.

  The host controller 241 stores, as the determination result of the count processing, any one of “medal has passed”, “medal has been guided to the medal shoot 202”, and “an abnormality has occurred”, The determination result and the determination result of the color determination process are acquired from the SRAM 243, and the determination result is output to the assigned PORT of the GPIO 250 (nHG). That is, the host controller 241 outputs the determination result of the count determination process and the determination result of the color determination process to the sub control board 72 (sub control circuit 101) via the GPIO 250. The judgment result of the color judgment processing outputted here may be plural.

  In addition, when the determination result of the count process is “the medal has passed”, the host controller 241 relates to each medal until the medal inserted into the gaming machine reaches the prescribed initial insertion number, 50 in the present embodiment. In order to generate data for color determination, the color recognition circuit 247 is instructed to generate data for color determination using HSV image data of a predetermined time before.

In addition, the host controller 241 deletes the determination result output to the secondary control board 72 from the SRAM 243.
If the determination result of the count process is "the medal has passed", the sub CPU 102 of the sub control circuit 101 detects the medal count signal output from the medal count output PORT of the GPIO 250, and determines the number of inserted medals. The sub CPU 102 adds 1 to the value of the throw sub count sheet number storage area, which is a counter provided for counting.

  In addition, when the judgment result of the color judgment processing is "Threshold judgment impossible" or when the color judgment result is "No" or when the count judgment result is "Abnormal", the medal judgment output of the GPIO 250 By the medal abnormality signal (Judgement in FIG. 36) which is output when a predetermined output condition is established from the PORT, the sub control circuit 101 causes the gaming machine to falsely recognize that the regular game medium is used, and plays the game. Detect that there has been a fraud. Then, various processes are performed when there is a fraud. Here, the various types of processing when there is a fraudulent activity are, for example, processing for displaying that the fraudulent activity has occurred on the liquid crystal display device 11.

Next, with reference to FIG. 37, the timings of other processes performed by the control LSI 234 will be described.
FIG. 37 shows in chronological order the relationship of processing in the host controller 241, the ISP circuit 245, the fisheye correction scaler circuit 248, the image recognition DSP circuit 242 and the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 which are devices constituting the control LSI 234. . In addition, since the meaning of the various description in FIG. 37 is the same as that of FIG. 36, description is abbreviate | omitted here. FIG. 37 shows the timing of processing after the VSYNC interrupt signal #m, which is the mth VSYNC interrupt signal after power on, is output from the ISP circuit 245.

  First, when the CMOS image sensor 232 (see FIG. 17) outputs image data to the control LSI 234, the ISP circuit 245 acquires the image data via the ISI circuit 251, and the VSYNC (Vertical Synchronization) interrupt signal #m (1 IH) ) Is output to the host controller 241. Also, the ISP circuit 245 performs conversion processing for converting an RGB Bayer image into various formats. Then, the gray scale image data is stored in the SRAM 243. The detailed description of the conversion process is omitted because it has been described above.

  When the VSYNC interrupt signal #m is input, the host controller 241 detects the end of conversion processing of the ISP circuit 245, and at the timing when the conversion processing ends, the start request signal (1HG) to the fisheye correction scaler circuit 248 Output The predetermined time is set to be longer than the time required for the conversion process in the ISP circuit 245 based on experiments and simulations.

  When the activation request signal is input, the fisheye correction scaler circuit 248 acquires gray scale image data from the SRAM 243, performs fisheye correction processing and equalization processing, and stores the generated reduced image data in the SRAM 243, and The reduction end interrupt signal (1GH) is output to the host controller 241. The detailed description of the fisheye correction process and the equalization process is omitted because it has been described above.

The host controller 241 inputs a signal (1HD) instructing the image recognition DSP circuit 242 to start preprocessing.
The image recognition DSP circuit 242 performs preprocessing when the above signal is input from the host controller 241. The preprocessing includes circular area detection processing and filter processing as described above, stores the edge image XY created in the preprocessing in the SRAM 243, and outputs a preprocessing end interrupt signal (1DH1) to the host controller 241. Note that, as described above, when the circular area can not be detected in the circular area detection process, the subsequent processes are not performed. The detailed description of the pre-processing is omitted because it is described above.

  When the pre-processing completion interrupt signal is input, the host controller 241 outputs a signal (1 HA) instructing the start of the correction processing to the image recognition accelerator circuit 249. Here, the correction processing is the above-described rotational image generation processing, gradient average image data generation processing, polar coordinate conversion processing, Scharr conversion processing, HOG conversion processing, and FFT conversion processing. The detailed description of these processes is omitted because it is described above.

  The image recognition accelerator circuit 249 performs correction processing when the above signal is input from the host controller 241. Then, the generated gradient average image data is stored in the SRAM 243. The generated HOG data is stored in the SRAM 243. Also, the generated FFT data is stored in the SRAM.

  Next, when the template is already registered, the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 outputs a correction processing end interrupt signal (1AD) to the image recognition DSP circuit 242. On the other hand, when the main template is not generated yet, the process of outputting the correction process end interrupt signal to the image recognition DSP circuit 242 is omitted.

  The image recognition DSP circuit 242 performs marking determination processing when a correction processing end interrupt signal is input. The marking determination processing here includes gradient average image template comparison processing, HOG template comparison processing, FFT template comparison processing, and three-dimensional determination processing. Then, the determination result is stored in the SRAM 243. Thereafter, the image recognition DSP circuit 242 outputs the marking determination end interrupt signal (1DH2) to the host controller 241.

  When the marking determination end interrupt signal is input, the host controller 241 acquires the determination result of the marking determination process (in the three-dimensional determination process) stored in the SRAM 243. Further, when the “unauthorized medal” is stored as the acquired determination result, the host controller 241 determines the medal abnormality signal (judgment in FIG. 37) from the medal determination output PORT of the GPIO 250 when the above-described predetermined output condition is satisfied. ) To the sub control circuit 101 (1 HG). That is, the host controller 241 outputs the determination result of the marking determination process to the sub control board 72 (sub control circuit 101) via the GPIO 250. In addition, the host controller 241 deletes the output determination result of the marking determination process from the SRAM 243. In the present embodiment, the output of the judgment result of the color judgment processing and the output of the judgment result of the marking judgment processing are allocated to the same output PORT of the GPIO 250, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is also good. In this case, the sub control circuit 101 can determine whether it is a medal abnormality signal based on the determination result of the color determination processing or a medal abnormality signal based on the determination result of the marking determination processing.

  In FIG. 37, the above-described VSHYC # m is used for various processes triggered by VSYNC # m + 1, VSYNC # m + 2, VSYNC # m + 3, VSYNC # m + 4, VSYNC # m + 5, and VSYNC # m + 6 following VSYNC # m. With regard to the same processing as the various processes to be performed, the various signals output according to the process are attached with reference numerals for changing only the first numeral, and the detailed description will be omitted.

  Here, after the processing of outputting the reduction end interrupt signal (2GH, 3GH, 4GH, 6GH) from the fisheye correction scaler circuit 248 to the host controller 241, the host controller 241 starts the preprocessing to the image recognition DSP circuit 242. No processing has been performed to output a signal indicating.

  This is because the image recognition DSP circuit 242 or the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 is in processing (busy state) until the current reduction interrupt signal is input after the previous reduction end interrupt signal is input.

  The processing timing of each device in the control LSI 234 shown in FIGS. 36 and 37 is merely an example. The regular medal determination process may be performed at various processing timings in accordance with the processing capability of each device, the process content, and the process procedure.

[Template generation process]
Next, template generation processing performed by the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 38 and 39. 38 and 39 are flowcharts showing an example of the template generation process. The template generation process is repeatedly performed in a predetermined cycle. The template generation processing is processing including gradient average image template generation processing, HOG template generation processing, and FFT template generation processing shown in FIG.

  First, the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 determines whether a medal has been inserted (S1). Specifically, it is checked whether or not the medal count circuit 246 determines that the grayscale image data output from the ISP circuit 245 includes an image of a medal. That is, it is confirmed whether the medal counting circuit 246 has started the counting process. When it is determined that the medal has been inserted (when the determination in S1 is YES), the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 shifts the process to step S2. On the other hand, when it is determined that the medal has not been inserted (when the determination in S1 is NO), the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 ends the template generation process.

  In step S2, the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 holds the temporary marking (S2). Specifically, an edge image created by the fisheye correction scaler circuit 248 and the image recognition DSP circuit 242 performing various processes on grayscale image data that the medal counting circuit 246 has determined to include an image of a medal. Using XY, gradient average image data, HOG data, and FFT data of the inserted medal are generated. Then, the set of the generated data is stored in the SRAM 243.

  Next, the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 determines whether or not the medal count is OK (S3). Specifically, it is determined whether or not the determination result of the counting process by the medal counting circuit 246 that has confirmed the start in step S1 is "the medal has passed" on the medal rail 210 (S3). When the medal count is not OK in step S3 (when the determination result is not "the medal has passed", that is, when S3 is NO determination), the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 discards the temporary marking (S4). That is, the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 discards the gradient average image data, the HOG data, and the FFT data stored in the SRAM 243 in step S2. Then, the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 ends the template generation process.

  On the other hand, if the medal count is OK in step S3 (if the determination result is "the medal has passed", that is, if the determination in step S3 is YES), the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 determines whether there is a temporary template. It is determined (S5). Specifically, the temporary template storage area of the SRAM 243 is referenced to determine whether a temporary template (set of gradient average image data, HOG data and FFT data) is stored. Here, as temporary template storage areas in the present embodiment, ten temporary templates (set) can be stored. 1 to No. 10 is set.

  When it is determined that the temporary template is not stored (when the determination in S5 is NO), the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 sets the gradient average image data, the HOG data, and the FFT data stored in the SRAM 243 in step S2 as the temporary template. Temporary template storage area No. 1 to No. The value is stored in the free space in 10, and the value of the temporary template cumulative counter according to the free space No is set to 1 (S6). In the following description, temporary template storage area no. 1 to No. The temporary templates stored in each of 10 may be referred to as “temporary template Nos. 1 to 10”. That is, for example, temporary template storage area No. The temporary template stored in 1 may be referred to as "temporary template No. 1".

  Next, the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 counts learning medals (S7). Specifically, the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 adds 1 to the value of the learning medal counter provided in the SRAM 243.

  Next, the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 determines whether the value of the learning medal counter is 127 (S8). If the value of the learning medal counter is 127 (if the determination in step S8 is YES), the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 shifts the process to step S14 described later. On the other hand, when the value of the learning medal counter is not 127 (when the determination in S8 is NO), the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 determines whether the value of the learning medal counter is 259 (S9). When the value of the learning medal counter is 259 (when the determination in S9 is YES), the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 shifts the processing to step S16 described later. On the other hand, when the value of the learning medal counter is not 259 (when the determination in S9 is NO), the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 ends the template generation process.

  Here, if the description is returned to step S5 and it is determined that the temporary template is stored (if S5 is a YES determination), the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 stores the gradient average image data stored in the SRAM 243 in step S2. The HOG data and the FFT data are temporary template No. 1 to No. It is determined whether it is the same as one of 10 (S10). That is, the inserted medal is temporary template No. 1 to No. Determine whether it is the same as one of 10.

  In this comparison, the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 makes the gradient average image data, the HOG data, the FFT data, and the temporary template No. 1 stored in the SRAM 243 in step S2. 1 to No. 10 (gradient average image data, HOG data, FFT data) are compared, and evaluation values x, y, z of similarity are calculated. Specifically, an evaluation value x is calculated for gradient average image data by ZNCC, an evaluation value y is calculated for HOG data, and an evaluation value z is calculated for FFT data. And, when the above-mentioned equation (11) consisting of the calculated evaluation values x, y, z and the preset coefficients A, C, D holds, the inserted medal and the temporary template are the same. It is determined that

  In step S10, the medal inserted in step S2 is a temporary template No. 1 to No. If it is determined that it is the same as any one of 10 (if S10 is a YES determination), the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 shifts the processing to step S11. In step S11, the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 performs an accumulation count and performs an update process on the temporary template for which the above equation is established (that is, determined to be the same as the inserted medal) (S11).

  Specifically, the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 transmits the temporary template No. 1 to No. Among the accumulated counters provided every 10, 1 is added to the value of the accumulated counter of the temporary template determined to be the same as the inserted medal in step S10. Also, for gradient average image data, HOG data, and FFT data of temporary templates determined to be the same, gradient average image data, HOG data, and FFT data of the input medals stored in the SRAM 243 in step S2 respectively. Average each and update. Then, the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 shifts the processing to step S7.

  On the other hand, in step S10, equation (11) does not hold, and the inserted medals are temporary template No. 1 to No. If it is determined that none of 10 is the same (if S10 is NO), the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 shifts the processing to step S12. In step S12, the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 determines whether there are ten temporary templates (S12). Specifically, the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 uses the temporary template storage area no. 1 to No. Referring to 10, it is determined whether temporary templates are stored in all.

  Temporary template storage area No. 1 to No. If temporary templates are not stored in all 10 (if S12 is NO), the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 shifts the processing to step S6. Then, in step S6, using the gradient average image data, the HOG data, and the FFT data stored in the SRAM 243 in step S2 as a temporary template, the temporary template storage area No. 1 is used. 1 to No. Store in the free space of 10.

  On the other hand, temporary template storage area No. 1 to No. When temporary templates are stored in all of 10 (when S12 is a YES determination), the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 shifts the processing to step S13. In step S13, the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 discards the gradient average image data, the HOG data, and the FFT data stored as the lowest temporary template. (S13). Further, the accumulated count value of the discarded temporary template No is set to 0. Then, the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 shifts the processing to step S6. In step S6 after transition, the gradient average image data, the HOG data, and the FFT data stored in the SRAM 243 in step S2 are stored as a temporary template. That is, the gradient average image data, the HOG data, and the FFT data stored in the SRAM 243 in step S2 are stored so as to replace the temporary template discarded in S13.

  Here, the description returns to step S8, and when the value of the learning medal counter is 127 (when S8 is a YES determination), the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 has one or two temporary templates with a value of accumulation counter of 10 or more. It is determined whether the type is (S14). If it is determined that the value of the cumulative counter is not one or two of the temporary templates of ten or more (if the determination in step S14 is NO), the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 ends the template generation process. The case where the value of the accumulation counter is 10 or more is not one type or 2 types means the case where the value of the accumulation counter is 0 or 3 or more types.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that one or two types of temporary templates having a cumulative counter value of 10 or more are determined (if YES in step S14), the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 selects temporary templates having 10 or more cumulative counters. , And other temporary templates registered in this template and stored in the temporary template storage area are discarded (S15). Here, registration in the present template means storing a temporary template having an accumulation counter of 10 or more in the present template storage area set in the SRAM 243, that is, completing generation of the template. Then, the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 ends the template generation process. In the following description, a temporary template stored in the main template storage area may be referred to as a "main template".

  Here, the description returns to step S9, and when the value of the learning medal counter is 259 (when S9 is a YES determination), the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 determines whether or not there are 0 types of temporary templates with an accumulation counter of 10 or more. It is determined (S16). When it is determined that the temporary template having the accumulation counter value of 10 or more is 0 type (when the determination in S16 is YES), the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 shifts the process to step S20 described later.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the temporary template whose cumulative counter value is 10 or more is not 0 type (when S16 is NO determination), the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 has 5 or more temporary template types whose cumulative counter value is 10 or more. It is determined whether or not (S17). When it is determined that the value of the cumulative counter is 10 or more and that the number of temporary templates is not 5 or more (when S17 is NO, that is, 1 to 4 types of temporary templates of 10 or more), the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 A temporary template having a counter value of 10 or more is registered in the template, and the other temporary templates stored in the temporary template storage area are discarded (S18). Then, the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 ends the template generation process.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the number of temporary templates whose cumulative counter value is 10 or more is 5 or more (when S17 is a YES determination), the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 determines that the cumulative counter values are the fourth and fifth highest. For the temporary template, it is determined whether the values of the cumulative counters are equal (S19). When the values of the accumulation counters are not equal (when the determination of 19 is NO), the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 registers four types of temporary templates with the values of the accumulation counters from the top 1 to the 4 in the template. The other temporary templates stored in the template storage area are discarded (S21). Then, the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 ends the template generation process.

  In step S16, if it is determined that the temporary template having a cumulative counter value of 10 or more is 0 type (if YES in S16) and if it is determined in step S19 that the values of the cumulative counter are equal (YES in S19) In the case of determination), the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 outputs a template error signal (medal abnormality signal) (S20). Then, the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 ends the template generation process.

[This template update process]
Next, the template updating process performed by the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 40 is a flowchart showing an example of the template update process. This template update process is executed each time the image recognition DSP circuit 242 performs the three-dimensional determination process.

  First, the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 determines whether the determination result of the three-dimensional determination process of the image recognition DSP circuit 242 is a "regular medal" (S31). If the determination result is not the “regular medal” (if the determination in S31 is NO), the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 ends the template update process.

  On the other hand, if the determination result is "regular medal" (if S31 is a YES determination), the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 adds 1 to the value of the regular medal counter set in the SRAM 243 (S32).

  Next, the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 determines whether the value of the regular medal counter is 4 (S33). When the value of the regular medal counter is not 4 (when the determination in S33 is NO), the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 ends the template updating process.

  On the other hand, when the value of the regular medal counter is 4 (when the determination in S33 is YES), the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 performs the template updating process (S34). Specifically, gradient average image data, HOG data, HOG data, and the like for each of the gradient average image data, HOG data, and FFT data of the present template for which equation (11) holds in the latest three-dimensional determination process. Synthesize FFT data. In this embodiment, the gradient average image data, HOG data, and FFT data of the inserted medal are combined with the gradient average image data, HOG data, and FFT data of the present template by a weighted average of 1/256. The weighting for the gradient average image data, HOG data, and FFT data of the inserted medal is not limited to 1/256, and can be set arbitrarily. Moreover, although the method to combine by a weighted average was described in this embodiment, it may combine not only with this but a simple average or an exponential average.

After step S34, the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 clears the regular medal counter, and ends the template update process.
When there are a plurality of main templates for which the equation (11) holds, the main template is updated in which the value calculated by x + Ay + Cz is the largest. For example, when two of the templates A and B are registered as the template, the value of x + Ay + Cz is 2.4 when the inserted medal is compared with the template A, and the inserted medal is If the value of x + Ay + Cz in comparison with the template B is 2, this template A is updated.

  For example, in the case where two types of medals with different markings (patterns) on the front and back sides are used as regular medals by the above-described template generation process (see FIGS. 38 and 39), the front and back sides of these two types of medals Four types of templates can be generated. When one type of regular medal is used, two types of templates can be generated according to the front and back of the regular medal.

  The sub control circuit 101 that has detected the template error signal (the medal abnormality signal) may cause the sub 7-segment display to display a predetermined display (for example, “CC”). In addition, when the output PORT is provided separately for each of the various types of medal abnormality signals having different output causes, the secondary control circuit 101 outputs the medal abnormality signal to the secondary 7-segment display, or the medal abnormality Characters or symbols that can confirm the cause of the signal output may be displayed, for example, “TE” when a medal abnormality signal based on template generation error processing is detected.

[Coefficient update processing]
Next, coefficient update processing performed by the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 41 is a flowchart showing an example of the coefficient update process. The coefficient update process is a process of updating the values of the coefficients A, C, and D in equation (11). The coefficient update process is executed each time the image recognition DSP circuit 242 performs the three-dimensional determination process.

  First, the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 determines whether the determination result of the three-dimensional determination process of the image recognition DSP circuit 242 is OK, that is, whether it is a "regular medal" (S41). If the determination result is not the “regular medal” (if the determination in S41 is NO), the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 ends the coefficient update process.

  On the other hand, if the determination result is "regular medal" (if S41 is a YES determination), the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 adds 1 to the value of the update medal counter set in the SRAM 243 (S42).

  Next, the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 accumulates the result of the template comparison (S43). Specifically, the standard deviation and the average value of the evaluation values x, y, and z when it is determined that the “normal medal” is determined in the three-dimensional determination process is calculated. Then, the calculated average value and standard deviation of x, y and z are stored in a predetermined area of the SRAM 243.

  Next, the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 determines whether the value of the update medal counter is a predetermined value (S44). In the present embodiment, the predetermined value is set, for example, to 500, 1000, and thereafter to a multiple of 1000 (for example, 2000, 3000, 4000).

  If the value of the updating medal counter is not the predetermined value (if the determination in S44 is NO), the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 ends the coefficient updating process. On the other hand, when the value of the update medal counter is a predetermined value (when S44 is YES), the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 updates the threshold.

Here, the method of updating the threshold value will be described by way of example when the value of the update medal counter is 500, that is, when the number of regular medals inserted after the template generation reaches 500. First, paying attention to the evaluation value x and the evaluation value y, when x + Ay 成 り 立 つ B holds, it is considered to be determined as a regular medal. In this case, for 500 medals inserted after template generation and determined to be regular medals, the average of x is “μx”, the standard deviation is “σx”, the average of y is “μy”, and the standard deviation is “σy The value of x on the threshold line when y = 1 is given by the following equation.
x1 = μx−σx × kx formula (12)

Further, the value of y on the threshold line when x = 1 is given by the following equation.
y1 = μy−σy × ky formula (13)
Here, k is a constant determined separately, such as 12α.

The coefficients A and B can be obtained by the following equations using the above equations (12) and (13).
A = (x1-1) / (y1-1)
B = x1 + A

Next, coefficients C and D in x + Ay + CzzD in equation (11) are similarly determined using the coefficient A determined above.
Here, assuming that x + Ay = w and w + CzDD, 500 pieces of medals inserted after the template generation and judged as regular medals are made the average “μz” of z, and the standard deviation of z is “σz” Then, the value of z on the threshold line when w = 1 is given by the following equation.
z1 = μz−σz × kz formula (14)

Also, the value of w on the threshold line when z = 1 is given by the following equation.
w1 = μw−σw × kw formula (15)
Here, μw = μx + Aμy, σw = σx + Aσy.

By the above equations (14) and (15), C and D can be determined by the following equations.
C = (w1-1) / (z1-1) formula (16)
D = w1 + C .. Formula (17)

  Here, in FIG. 42, x1, y1, and z1 are shown as a three-dimensional graph. In FIG. 42, thick lines connecting x1, y1, z1 indicate the contour of the threshold plane. In FIG. 42, the evaluation value x, as a result of comparison with the present template, in a portion (indicated by hatching in the portion in front of FIG. 42) within the threshold plane and the space surrounded by the broken line. When the points indicated by y and z are included (that is, when the determination result is OK in the three-dimensional determination process), the inserted medal is determined to be a regular medal. That is, in the present embodiment, the evaluation value x, between the threshold plane formed by x1, y1, z1 calculated by the above equations (12) to (14) and the determination reference coordinates (1, 1, 1) The determination method of determining whether y and z are included is referred to as three-dimensional determination processing. In FIG. 42, the space of coordinates (0, 0, 0) to (-1, -1, -1) is omitted for convenience.

  Next, the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 updates the coefficients A, C, D stored in the flash memory 244 to the calculated coefficients A, C, D (S46). Then, the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 ends the coefficient update process.

[Cover opening detection processing]
Next, the cover opening detection process performed by the medal counting circuit 246 will be described.
As described above, the medal selector 201 is fixed with a cover member 240 that covers the rear side of the pachislot 1 of the medal selector 201 in the front-rear direction (see FIG. 7). When the cover member 240 is set to an open state exposing the rear side in the front-rear direction of the pachislot 1 in the medal selector 201, it is on the medal rail 210 compared to the case where the cover member 240 is set to a closed state covering the rear side. An extra light strikes the As a result, the mark determination processing performed by the medal selector 201 may be adversely affected and the determination accuracy may be degraded. Also, in normal operation, the cover member 240 may be in the open state due to defective attachment of the cover member 240 at the time of maintenance of the medal selector 201 or a goto action to the medal selector 201 (for example, a full credit goto etc.) Is considered.

  Therefore, the medal counting circuit 246 according to the present embodiment performs a cover open detection process for detecting that the cover member 240 is in the open state. Here, in the gray scale image, there are cases where the change of the brightness related to the passage of the medal and the change of the brightness when the extra light is hit on the medal rail 210 are similar. Therefore, in the present process, medal count circuit 246 determines that the determination result is "ON" in a plurality of determination areas, for example, determination areas A1 to A4, B1 to B4, C1, C2, D1 to D4 (see FIG. 22). When the state continues for a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds), it is determined that the cover member 240 is in the open state. Then, the determination result is output to the host controller 241. When the host controller detects the determination result, the host controller outputs a cover open error signal (or command) to the sub control circuit 101.

  When the sub control circuit 101 detects a cover open error signal (or command), the sub control circuit 101 executes cover open error notification processing. Here, the cover opening error notification processing is processing for displaying, for example, a notification screen indicating that the cover member 240 is in the open state on the liquid crystal display device 11. Thus, a person who watches this notification screen, for example, an employee of the game hall, can grasp that the cover member 240 is in the open state.

  In the present embodiment, in the cover open detection process, the state of the determination result “ON” continues for a predetermined time for the determination regions A1 to A4, B1 to B4, C1, C2, D1 to D4 (see FIG. 22). In this case, the aspect of determining that the cover is open is described. However, a plurality of determination areas to which attention is paid in the cover open detection process can be set as appropriate. However, in the case of medal clogging, there is an area (for example, A2 and D4) that is not simultaneously turned ON when one medal passes without problems so that the cover is not determined to be open by mistake. Is desirable.

<First action>
In the pachislot 1 of the present embodiment, “the threshold determination can not be made” or any of the four color templates matches the result of the color determination processing based on the image data output from the CMOS image sensor 232 performed by the color recognition circuit 247. Or, if it is not similar to the predetermined degree, that is, if the color of the inserted medal does not match the color of the regular medal, the secondary control circuit 101 determines that the regular game medium is used for the gaming machine. It detects that there has been an illegal act of making a mistake and playing a game.

  Also, if the result of the count processing based on the image data output from the CMOS image sensor 232 is "an abnormality has occurred", the sub control circuit 101 misinterprets that the gaming machine is using a legitimate gaming medium. To detect that there has been a fraudulent act of playing a game.

  Further, when the result of the marking determination processing (in the present embodiment, the result of the three-dimensional determination) performed by the image recognition DSP circuit 242 based on the image data output from the CMOS image sensor 232 is "illegal medal", that is, If the stamp of the medals and the stamp of the regular medals are different, the sub control circuit 101 detects that there has been an illegal act of making the gaming machine misidentify that the regular game medium is used and performing the game.

  Therefore, the sub control circuit 101 performs an illegal act performed by inserting a special device into the medal insertion slot, or an illegal act performed using a medal having the same diameter as the regular medal but different in color and marking (pattern), It can be detected accurately.

<Second action>
Further, in the pachislot 1 of the present embodiment, the control LSI 234 of the medal selector 201 passes on the medal rail 210 until the number of inserted medals reaches the prescribed initial insertion number, 50 in the present embodiment, after the power is turned on. The color template used in the color determination process is generated based on the image including.

  Therefore, when there is a change in medals used as regular medals in the game arcade, after the power is turned on, 50 regular medals after the change are continuously inserted to obtain a color template for the regular medals after the change. It can be easily generated. In addition, regular medals deteriorate due to, for example, insertion into a gaming machine, payout, or washing in a game arcade, and a color template corresponding to the current state of regular medals can be generated, so the results of various determinations Can maintain the accuracy of

<Third Action>
Further, in the pachi slot 1 of the present embodiment, the present template used in the marking determination process is generated by the above-described template generation process. Therefore, since the main template can be generated by inserting a predetermined number of medals, the main template can be easily generated.

  Further, the template is sequentially updated by the above-described template update process. Therefore, for example, even if the mark is deteriorated by being inserted into a game machine, paid out, or washed in a game arcade, and the mark becomes less noticeable than the initial mark, the template can be updated according to the current state of the regular medal. . Therefore, the accuracy of the results of various determinations can be maintained.

  Further, with the three-dimensional determination process, determination of marking can be performed on one determination target based on the results of three different types of template comparison processes. Therefore, the accuracy of the determination is improved.

  Further, since the coefficients A, C, and D in the above equation (11) used in the three-dimensional determination process are updated by the above-described coefficient update process, the current situation of regular medals even when a change occurs in marking due to aged deterioration or the like. The coefficients can be updated according to the state of Therefore, the accuracy of the results of various determinations can be maintained.

<4th effect>
Further, in the pachislot 1 of the present embodiment, the medal count circuit 246 of the control LSI 234 performs a count process based on the gray scale image data output from the ISP circuit 245. The medal count circuit 246 determines “IN”, “OUT”, “ON” based on the change in luminance for a plurality of (16 in the present embodiment) determination areas stored in the SRAM 243 in the order determination process in the count process. It is determined whether the mode of transition of the data of “OFF” is identical to the mode of transition of the medal count determination table (see FIG. 27). Then, if they match, it is determined that "the medal has passed" on the medal rail 210 or "the medal has been guided to the medal shoot 202". When any one of “IN”, “OUT”, and “ON” data is stored in the determination area E, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred.

  As described above, since the passage of the medal or the like is determined based on the change in luminance in the plurality of determination regions, the accuracy of the determination can be enhanced.

  Further, the number of determination areas set on gray scale image data can be appropriately set according to the allowable determination required time and the accuracy of the determination to be determined. Therefore, for example, even when the number of determination areas is increased in order to further improve the determination accuracy, it is not necessary to newly install a component such as a photosensor for counting medals. Therefore, an increase in manufacturing cost can be suppressed.

  In addition, when the determination result of the counting process is "an abnormality has occurred", the sub control circuit 101 misrepresents that the gaming machine is using a legitimate gaming medium, and there is a fraudulent act of playing a game. To detect That is, based on the determination result of the counting process, it is possible to detect fraud.

<Fifth operation>
Further, in the pachislot 1 of the present embodiment, the ISP circuit 245 of the control LSI 234 performs an image correction process in which a lens distortion correction process and a projection conversion (homography) process are performed on the RGB Bayer image output from the ISI circuit 251.

  For this reason, it is possible to complement the RGB Bayer image so that the characteristics of the lens of the camera unit 209 and the displacement of the attachment position of the camera unit 209 do not affect the various determination / determination processing, thereby enhancing the accuracy of the various determination processing.

<Sixth Action>
Further, in the pachislot 1 of the present embodiment, the color recognition circuit 247 of the control LSI 234 performs threshold value determination processing. As a result, it is possible to suppress false determination that the value of the hue or saturation is different from that of the regular medal as being identical to the color template or similar to a predetermined degree. That is, in addition to the determination based on the degree of coincidence with the color template, it is possible to determine whether the color to be determined itself is a valid color, so the accuracy of the determination result of the color determination process can be enhanced.

<Seventh operation>
Further, in the pachislot 1 of the present embodiment, the fisheye correction scaler circuit 248 of the control LSI 234 performs bilateral conversion processing on each of the created reduced image data in the equalization processing.
This can reduce noise in the gray scale image data and enhance edges in the gray scale image data. Therefore, the accuracy of the determination result in the marking determination process can be enhanced.

<Eighth Action>
Further, in the pachislot 1 of the present embodiment, the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 of the control LSI 234 performs HOG conversion processing. Further, the image recognition DSP circuit 242 evaluates, in the marking determination process, the degree of coincidence between the HOG data to be determined created by the HOG conversion process and the HOG data of the template, and calculates an evaluation value. And marking determination is performed using the calculated evaluation value.

  Therefore, the marking determination process is performed by performing the image matching with the HOG conversion process having an advantage in the local shape change (geometrical conversion) on the imaging data of the medal passing on the medal rail 210 while rotating. The accuracy of the determination result of can be enhanced.

<9th effect>
In the pachislot 1 of the present embodiment, the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 of the control LSI 234 performs polar coordinate conversion processing before the HOG conversion processing.
This makes it easy to reflect the feature of the outer peripheral area of the regular medal in the set of histograms created by the HOG conversion process. Therefore, it is possible to enhance the accuracy of the determination result of the subsequent marking determination processing for the medals on which the characteristic marking (pattern) is applied to the outer peripheral area.

<10th action>
In the pachislot 1 of the present embodiment, the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 of the control LSI 234 performs FFT conversion processing. Further, in the marking determination process, the image recognition DSP circuit 242 evaluates the degree of coincidence between the FFT data of the determination target created by the FFT conversion process and the FFT data of the template, and calculates an evaluation value. And marking determination is performed using the calculated evaluation value.

  For this reason, not only comparison of the whole image but individual comparison in a predetermined angle unit can be facilitated. Therefore, it is possible to improve the accuracy of the determination result of the marking determination process by omitting the determination on the portion (plane) where the characteristic of the marking of the medal is hard to appear and removing the noise component due to the scratch or the like.

<Eleventh Action>
In the pachi slot 1 of this embodiment, the AE correction processing is performed by the ISP circuit 245 and the host controller 241 of the control LSI 234. Therefore, the exposure time of the CMOS image sensor 232 can be set to an exposure time that allows the projection 210a of the medal rail 210 to pick up an image. As a result, an appropriate exposure time can be set, and therefore, the accuracy of the color determination process, the marking determination process, and the count process based on the image captured by the camera unit 209 including the CMOS image sensor 232 can be secured.

  Further, even if dust or the like adheres to the lens of the camera unit 209 and is stained, color determination processing is performed while suppressing shortening of the service life of the LED 233 by extending the exposure time instead of increasing the luminance of the LED 233. The accuracy of the marking determination process and the counting process can be secured. In addition, since the frequency of removal of lens dirt can be reduced, the work load of the game hall employee can be reduced.

<12th action>
In the pachi slot 1 of the present embodiment, when the determination result of the AE determination process is output from the ISP circuit 245 in the AE correction process, the host controller 241 notifies when the exposure time is set to 175 μsec, which is the upper limit. A signal instructing lighting is output to the LED 206c, and the notification LED 206c lights. By this, a person who watches the notification LED 206c, for example, a manager of the game hall, can grasp that the camera unit 209 has some trouble (for example, dirt such as dust is attached to the lens). .

  Further, in the AE correction processing, when the determination result of the AE determination processing is output from the ISP circuit 245, the host controller 241 sets the medal on the sub control board 72 when the exposure time is set to 175 μsec, which is the upper limit. Output an abnormal signal. Then, when the medal abnormality signal is output, the sub control circuit 101 notifies an error (for example, the liquid crystal display device 11 displays a predetermined error screen). As a result, it is possible to prevent the game from being performed in a state in which the accuracy of the color determination process, the marking determination process, and the count process can not be secured, that is, the fraud detection can not be performed effectively.

  In the present embodiment, the aspect of performing the AE correction processing when the power of the pachislot 1 is turned on has been described, but the execution timing of the AT correction processing can be set as appropriate. For example, when the front door 2b is opened and the main control circuit 91 detects a security signal output from the door open / close monitoring switch 67, the AE correction process may be performed. Further, the AE correction processing may be executed when a predetermined time has elapsed after the operation on the pachislot 1 is not detected. Also, the AE correction process may be performed each time a predetermined time, for example, one hour has elapsed.

  Further, when the host controller 241 outputs a signal instructing lighting to the notification LED 206c, and outputs a medal abnormality signal to the sub control board 72, the output PORT for the medal abnormality signal is determined as a medal. It may be provided separately from the output PORT. By doing this, the secondary control board 72 can distinguish between the medal abnormality signal output from the medal determination output PORT and the medal abnormality signal output from the separately provided output PORT.

  Thus, when the medal abnormality signal is input from the output PORT provided separately from the medal determination output PORT, the sub control board 72 converts the image data acquired by the CMOS image sensor 232 even if the exposure time is adjusted. It can be understood that a predetermined image is not included. In addition, the sub control circuit 101 can notify a message prompting removal of dirt on the lens (for example, the liquid crystal display device 11 can display a message to that effect). By this, it is possible to urge the employee of the game hall to remove the dirt of the lens.

<Modification>
As described above, the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described including its effects. However, the gaming machine of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention described in the claims. In the following description of the modification, the description of the same or similar components as the components in the above-described embodiment will be omitted, and the same reference numerals will be given in the drawings.

<Modification 1>
For example, the medal selector 301 provided with a hole at a position corresponding to the determination area shown in FIGS. 22 to 24 may be used.
The configuration of the medal selector 301 according to the first modification will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 43 is a diagram for explaining the medal selector in the first modification. In FIG. 43, the cancel shooter 206 of the medal selector 301 and the camera unit 209 (see FIG. 7) are not shown.

  A medal rail 310 is formed in a substantially L shape on the base plate portion 304 of the medal selector 301 so as to be recessed forward of the pachi slot 1. A plurality of protruding portions 310 a are formed on the surface of the medal rail 310.

  Further, in the medal rail 310, a determination area AB hole 310b having the same shape as the shape obtained by combining these determination areas is formed at the position corresponding to the determination areas A1 to A4 and the determination areas B1 to B4 shown in FIGS. It is done. Similarly, a determination area C hole 310c of the same shape is formed at the position corresponding to determination areas C1 and C2, and a determination area D310d hole of the same shape is formed at the position corresponding to determination areas D1 to D4. . Although illustration is omitted, in the base plate portion 304, a determination area F hole 310e is formed at a position corresponding to the determination area F shown in FIGS.

Further, as shown in FIG. 43, on the sub plate 305 of the medal selector 301, a determination area F hole 305a is formed at a position corresponding to the determination area F shown in FIGS. The determination area F holes 305 a formed in the sub plate 305 and the determination area F holes 310 e formed in the base plate portion 304 communicate with each other in the front-rear direction.
The other points of the medal selector 301 are the same as those of the medal selector 201, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  In this modification, holes (determination area AB hole 310b, determination area C hole 310c, and determination area D310d) are provided at corresponding positions of determination areas A1 to A4, B1 to B4, C1, C2, D1 to D4, and F, respectively. Holes and judgment area F holes 310e, 305a) were provided. Therefore, the value of the luminance of the position corresponding to each determination area of the background grayscale image data (grayscale image data not including the image of the medal) used in the medal position detection process performed by the medal counting circuit 246 This is a lower value (since the light from the light source LED 233 does not reflect to the CMOS image sensor 232 by passing through the hole) as compared with the case where the hole is not provided. Therefore, even if medals of luminance close to the surface of the medal rail 310 are used, the difference between the luminance in each determination area of the background grayscale image data and the luminance of the medal image in the grayscale image data to be processed (For example, when the value of the luminance of the surface of the medal rail 310 is 50, if the value of the luminance of the hole portion is 22, the value of 28 is calculated as the difference). Therefore, in the medal position detection process, a medal whose luminance is close to the surface of the medal rail 310 (a medal whose surface is processed to a black, gray, or brown color), a medal whose surface is deteriorated or stained and light reflection is not sufficient Etc.) can be accurately detected. Similarly, the accuracy of the medal edge detection process performed by the medal counting circuit 246 can be enhanced. That is, in the present modification, the medal counting circuit 246 which performs the medal position detecting process constitutes an object presence / absence detecting means.

  In addition, you may provide the hole of the same shape in the position corresponding to the determination area | region E shown to FIGS. 22-24 in the medal rail 310. FIG. Moreover, the other points of this modification are the same as those of the above-described embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

<Modification 2>
Next, the gaming machine of the second modification will be described with reference to FIGS. 44 and 45. FIG.
FIG. 44 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration example of the medal selector in the gaming machine of the second modification. FIG. 45 is a block diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration of a control LSI in a gaming machine of the second modification.
In the following description of the gaming machine according to the second modification, the description of the configurations and functions common to those of the pachi slot 1 in the above-described embodiment will be omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 44 and 45, the control LSI 234 and the medal solenoid 208 in the medal selector 401 of the second modification are electrically connected. Therefore, the control LSI 234 can set the medal solenoid 208 to the ON state or the OFF state. Specifically, the control LSI 234 outputs a control signal for setting the medal solenoid 208 to the ON state or the OFF state from the output PORT allocated to the GPIO 250 via the GPIO 250 to the medal solenoid 208.

  The host controller 241 of the medal selector 401 in the present modification, similarly to the above-described medal selector 201, generates the reduced image data by the fisheye correction scaler circuit 248 and stores the reduced image data in the SRAM 243. The image recognition DSP circuit 242 and the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 are instructed to execute the processing after the circular area detection processing in the marking determination processing for the data. In the circle area detection process, when the circle area can not be extracted, the subsequent processes in the marking determination process are omitted.

  By doing this, before the object moving on the medal rail 210 reaches the upper exposure hole 219 or the lower exposure hole 220 (see FIG. 8) of the medal rail 210, the image recognition DSP circuit 242 performs the process for the object. The determination result of the marking determination process (the result of the three-dimensional determination) can be stored in the SRAM 243. Further, the host controller 241 can obtain the determination result of the marking determination processing stored in the SRAM 243 in accordance with the marking determination end interrupt signal from the image recognition DSP circuit 242.

  The host controller 241 that has acquired the result of the marking determination outputs a control signal for setting the medal solenoid 208 to the OFF state to the medal solenoid 208 when the obtained determination result is “illegal medal”. In this case, the object to be determined can be pushed out to the after medal presser 218 protruding from the upper exposure hole 219 or the medal stopper portion 227 protruding from the lower exposure hole 220 and discharged toward the cancel shooter 206.

  In addition, the host controller 241 of the medal selector 401 in the present modification, similarly to the above-described medal selector 201, determines the result of the latest color determination processing stored in the SRAM 243 each time the color determination interrupt signal is input. And outputs a control signal to the medal solenoid 208 to set the medal solenoid 208 in the ON state or the OFF state according to the determination result of the color determination process.

  For this reason, in the present modification, before the object moving on the medal rail 210 reaches the upper exposure hole 219 or the lower exposure hole 220 (see FIG. 8) of the medal rail 210, the determination result of the color determination process for this object Accordingly, the medal solenoid 208 can be set to the ON state or the OFF state.

  Specifically, the host controller 241 stores the token solenoid 208 when “threshold determination impossible” is stored as the determination result of the acquired threshold determination processing, or when “no” is stored as the color determination result. Is output to the medal solenoid 208. In this case, the object to be determined can be pushed out to the after medal presser 218 protruding from the upper exposure hole 219 or the medal stopper portion 227 protruding from the lower exposure hole 220 and discharged toward the cancel shooter 206.

  On the other hand, when "threshold judgment impossible" is not stored as the judgment result of the threshold judgment processing, and "OK" is stored as the color judgment result, the judgment result of the acquired marking judgment processing is "normal medal" In the case of “,” the host controller 241 causes the state of the medal solenoid 208 to be maintained in the ON state. In this case, the object to be determined is guided to the hopper device 51.

  The host controller 241 of the medal selector 401 in the modification sets the medal solenoid 208 in the ON state when the circle area can not be detected in the circle area detection processing performed on the reduced image data stored in the SRAM 243. Is output to the medal solenoid 208. By doing this, when the object inserted next is a regular medal, this medal can be appropriately guided to the hopper device 51. That is, the control LSI 234 constitutes drive control means for controlling the drive of the medal solenoid 208.

  Further, when the predetermined condition is satisfied, the host controller 241 of the medal selector 401 in the present modification uses the medal determination output PORT of the GPIO 250 via the sub relay board 61 for the medal abnormality signal related to the marking determination process and the color determination process. Output to the sub control board 72. The predetermined output condition can be set as appropriate. For example, the SRAM 243 is provided with an area for storing the value of the number of times the medal solenoid 208 is set from the ON state to the OFF state based on the result of the marking determination process and the color determination process of this modification. The host controller 241 adds “1” to the value of this area each time the medal solenoid 208 is set from the ON state to the OFF state. Then, when the stored value reaches a predetermined value, for example, “10”, the host controller 241 outputs a medal abnormality signal to the sub control board 72. That is, the host controller 241 of the control LSI 234 constitutes an error notification unit.

  The value of the number of times stored in the area is cleared when the power is turned on or when the initialization switch (not shown) is pressed after the power is turned on. Also, it is cleared each time a predetermined time, for example, one hour, has elapsed. The clear condition can be set appropriately.

  In the present modification, the main control circuit 91 (main control board 71) outputs a medal insertion signal to the medal selector. Specifically, when the pachislot 1 is not in the medal insertion permission state capable of inserting the medal, the main control circuit 91 outputs a medal insertion signal of the content that the insertion is not possible to the medal selector 401.

  Here, when the pachislot 1 is not in the medal insertion permission state where medals can be inserted, for example, after the start lever 23 is operated by the player in the unit game, the credit counter has a maximum value (for example, 50). It is

  When the main control circuit 91 outputs a medal insertion signal indicating that insertion is not possible, the host controller 241 of the medal selector 401 sets the medal solenoid 208 to the OFF state.

  Further, when the pachislot 1 is in the medal insertion permission state where the pachislot 1 can insert the medal, the main control circuit 91 outputs a medal insertion signal of the content of the insertion permission to the medal selector 401. The host controller 241 sets the medal solenoid 208 to the ON state when the main control circuit 91 outputs a medal insertion signal of the content of the insertion permission.

  In the present modification, when the medal abnormality signal is output, the sub control circuit 101 causes the medal selector 401 to have some abnormality (such as medal clogging), or a regular game medium is used for the gaming machine. To detect that there has been an illegal act of making a mistake. Then, various processes are performed when there is a fraud. As various processes when there is an illegal activity, the liquid crystal display device 11 displays and notifies that the medal selector 401 has some abnormality or that there is an illegal activity.

In addition, the sub control circuit 101 continues the above-described notification until the initialization switch (not shown) provided to the medal selector 401 is pressed. When the initialization switch is pressed and it changes from the OFF state to the ON state, the host controller 241 ends outputting the medal abnormality signal to the sub control circuit 101. When the output of the medal abnormality signal ends, the sub control circuit 101 ends various processing when there is the above-mentioned fraudulent act.
In addition, about the other point of this modification, since it is the same as that of said embodiment, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  Also in the pachi-slot 1 of the present modification, the marking determination process and the color determination process are performed on an object passing on the medal rail 210, and the medal solenoid 208 is operated based on the result. Therefore, the object to be determined can be appropriately guided to the cancel shooter 206 or the hopper device 51 based on the result of the determination.

  In addition, the host controller 241 sub-controls the medal abnormality signal when the value of the number of times that the medal solenoid 208 is set from the ON state to the OFF state reaches "10" based on the result of the color determination process and the marking determination process. Output to the substrate 72. Then, when the medal abnormality signal is output, the sub control circuit 101 detects that there is an illegal act of causing the gaming machine to misidentify that the regular game medium is used, and performs various processes. I do. Thereby, when an illegal medal which is not a regular medal is frequently used for a short period (in the present modification, the value of the number of times from ON state to OFF state as described above is cleared every hour), The sub control circuit 101 can detect that there has been a fraudulent act.

Further, when the value of the number of times of setting the medal solenoid 208 from the ON state to the OFF state based on the result of the color determination processing and the marking determination processing does not reach “10”, the host controller 241 It does not output to the control board 72. Therefore, for example, when the illegal medal is not used frequently in a short period of time, such as when the player has intentionally inserted the illegal medal into the pachislot 1 regardless of intention, the above notification is It can prevent being done.
The main control circuit 91 may directly set the medal solenoid 208 to the ON state or the OFF state without the intervention of the host controller 241.

<Modification 3>
Next, a gaming machine (pachislot machine) of the third modification will be described with reference to FIG. 46 and FIG.
FIG. 46 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration example of the medal selector in the gaming machine of the third modification. FIG. 47 is a view for explaining the installation position of the double photosensor of the medal selector in the gaming machine of the third modification.
In the following description of the gaming machine according to the third modification, the description of the configurations and functions common to those of the pachi slot 1 in the above-described embodiment will be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 46, in the present modification, the medal solenoid 208 of the medal selector 501 is connected to the main control board 71 via the door relay terminal plate 68, as in the above-described medal selector 201. Therefore, the main control circuit 91 configured of the main control board 71 can set the medal solenoid 208 to the ON state or the OFF state.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 46 and FIG. 47, the medal selector 501 is provided with a double photo sensor 502 including a first photo sensor 503 and a second photo sensor 504 in addition to each component of the medal selector 201. . The double photo sensor 502 is connected to the main control board 71 via the door relay terminal plate 68.

  As shown in FIG. 47, the first photosensor 503 is provided in the vicinity of the medal outlet 204 c in the base plate 204 of the medal selector 501. The first photosensor 503 has a photodiode (not shown) embedded on the medal rail 210 of the base plate portion 204, and a light emitter (not shown) for irradiating the photodiode with light (infrared light). . The photodiode and the light emitter face each other by more than the thickness of the medal, and when the select plate 207 is at the guide position, the medal moving on the medal rail 210 can pass between the photodiode and the light emitter It has become. In FIG. 47, the sub plate 205 of the medal selector 501, the cancel shooter 206 (see FIG. 8), and the like are omitted.

  The light emitter always emits light of a predetermined light amount. When the photodiode receives light of a predetermined light amount or more from the light emitter, the first photosensor 503 outputs a high level signal. On the other hand, when the amount of light received by the photodiode does not reach the predetermined light amount, the first photosensor 503 outputs a low level signal (medal detection signal). Therefore, when the medal passes between the photodiode and the light emitter and the light of the light emitter is blocked, the first photosensor 503 outputs a medal detection signal.

  The second photosensor 504 moves on the medal rail 210 in the vicinity of the medal outlet portion 204 c of the base plate portion 204 of the medal selector 501 and in the vicinity of the first photosensor 503 more than the first photosensor 503. It is provided on the downstream side of the moving direction of the medal. The other points are similar to those of the first photosensor 503, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  As described above, the first photosensor 503 is provided in the vicinity of the medal outlet portion 204 c, and the second photosensor 504 is provided downstream of the first photosensor 503 on the medal rail 210. Therefore, in the first photosensor 503 and the second photosensor 504, the select plate 207 is at the guide position, and the medal moving to the medal outlet portion 204c (see FIG. 8) side is detected. And does not detect a medal guided to the medal shoot 202 (see FIG. 6).

  In the present modification, the medal detection signal output from the first photosensor 503 and the second photosensor 504 is input to the main control board 71 (main control circuit 91) via the door relay terminal board 68. After the main CPU 93 (see FIG. 15) of the main control board 71 detects the medal detection signal input from the first photosensor 503, the medal detection signal input from the second photosensor 504 is detected within a predetermined time. When it is detected, the number of inserted medals is incremented by 1 to the value of the inserted number counter which is a counter provided for the main CPU 93 to count. When the value of the insertion number counter is the maximum value (for example, 3), the number of medals being credited is incremented by one to the value of the credit counter which is a counter provided for the main CPU 93 to count.

  When the credit counter has the maximum value (for example, 50), the main control circuit 91 sets the medal solenoid 208 of the medal selector 501 to the OFF state. As a result, the select plate 207 (see FIG. 8) is positioned at the “discharge position”, the medals can not be inserted, and the medals inserted after the credit counter reaches the maximum value are transferred to the medal chute 202 (see FIG. 6). It guides and discharges to the medal tray unit 34 from the medal payout opening 32 (see FIG. 2).

  The main control circuit 91 sets the medal solenoid 208 of the medal selector 501 to the OFF state even after the start lever 23 is operated by the player in the unit game.

  When the main CPU 93 receives a medal detection signal in the order of the medal detection signal input from the second photosensor 504 and the medal detection signal input from the first photosensor 503, the medals are placed on the medal rail 210. It is detected that a so-called retrograde error has occurred that moves in a movement direction different (reverse) from the proper movement direction.

  Also, even if a predetermined time has passed since the main CPU 93 detected the medal detection signal, the medal detection signal continues to be output from one or both of the first photosensor 503 and the second photosensor 504. In the case where the medal detection signal from the second photosensor 504 can not be detected even if a predetermined time has passed after detection of the medal detection signal from the first photosensor 503, the medal stays on the medal rail 210, so-called Detect that a medal clogging error has occurred.

  When the main control circuit 91 (main CPU 93) detects a retrogression error or a medal clogging error, it forcibly suspends the game, and an error code corresponding to the contents of the detected error in the 7-segment display 24 (see FIG. 2) While displaying an error command according to the content of the detected error to the sub control circuit 101 and notifying the error via the sub control circuit 101. For example, when an error screen indicating the content of an error is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 11 or a sub 7-segment display (not shown) for controlling the display by the sub control circuit 101 is provided, this sub 7-segment display To display the

  As shown in FIG. 46, the control LSI 234 of the camera unit 209 in the medal selector 501 is connected to the sub control board 72 via the sub relay board 61. Therefore, also in the present modification, various signals output from the host controller 241 of the control LSI 234, that is, medal count signals output from the medal count output PORT allocated to the GPIO 250, and from the medal determination output PORT allocated to the GPIO 250 The medal abnormality signal to be output can be detected by (the sub CPU 102 of) the sub control circuit 101 configured by the sub control board 72.

  When the sub control circuit 101 detects the medal count signal or the medal abnormality signal, the sub control circuit 101 stores the detection date and the detection content in the backup area of the sub RAM 103. Information related to the medal abnormality signal stored in the sub RAM 103 can be displayed on the liquid crystal display device 11 by the administrator of the gaming machine (for example, an employee of the gaming hall) operating the setting key switch 56 (see FIG. 6). When the error history menu is selected on the displayed hole menu screen (not shown), reference can be made.

  When the setting key type switch 56 is operated, the main CPU 93 outputs a predetermined command, and the sub CPU 102 displays the hall menu screen on the liquid crystal display device 11 when the predetermined command is detected. On the hall menu screen, various selectable menus, a date and time setting change menu and an error history menu are displayed by operating the select button and the enter button (not shown) provided on the pedestal 12 (see FIG. 2) When the error history menu is selected, the sub control circuit 101 causes the liquid crystal display device 11 to display the detection date and the detection content of the medal count signal and the medal abnormality signal stored in the sub RAM 103. For example, the liquid crystal display device 11 displays “01/01/2016 11:10:20 medal abnormality signal”.

  In addition, as described above, the medal abnormality signal based on the determination result of the color determination process, the medal abnormality signal based on the determination result of the marking determination process, the medal abnormality signal based on the AE correction process, the determination result of the count process For example, if an output PORT is provided separately for each of the medal abnormality signals based on the fact that “it has been done,” “01.01.01 11:10:20 color judgment abnormality”, “Jan. 01, 2016,” Day 12:00 00:05 Marking judgment abnormality ", January 2, 2016 10: 01: 05 AE correction error", "Jan 02, 02 11 11: 05, Count processing error", and display Be done. That is, the information related to the token abnormality signal stored in the sub RAM 103 is displayed in such a manner that the date and time when the token abnormality signal is output and the output cause can be confirmed.

  When the sub control circuit 101 is provided with a sub 7-segment display (not shown) for controlling display, when the sub-control circuit 101 detects a medal abnormality signal, a predetermined display is made on the sub 7-segment display (for example, Display “CC”). In addition, as described above, the medal abnormality signal based on the determination result of the color determination process, the medal abnormality signal based on the determination result of the marking determination process, the medal abnormality signal based on the AE correction process, the determination result of the count process When an output PORT is provided separately for each of the medal abnormality signals based on the fact that “is done,” a medal abnormality signal is output to this sub 7-segment display, or a medal abnormality signal is output. Characters or symbols that can confirm the cause (for example, "CE" when detecting a medal abnormality signal based on the judgment result of the color judgment processing, "KE" when detecting a medal abnormality signal based on the judgment result of the marking judgment processing ) May be displayed.

  In this modification, the main control circuit 91 controls the medal solenoid 208 of the medal selector 501 when the credit counter is at the maximum value (for example, 50) or after the player operates the start lever 23 in a unit game. Set to OFF state.

  Also, if the weight of the inserted medal is different from the weight of the regular medal (if it is lighter than the weight of the regular medal), the medal should press and move the medal pressure 213 (see FIG. 8) to the front of the pachislot 1 Since the medal is not held between the select plate 207 in the guide position and the medal pressure 213, it is possible to prevent the fraudulent action using the medal whose weight is different from the weight of the regular medal. When the outer diameter of the medal is different from the outer diameter of the regular medal, for example, in the case of a smaller diameter than the regular medal, the medal is not guided by the select plate 207 even when the select plate 207 is in the guide position. Since it is pushed out and discharged toward the cancel shooter 206, it is possible to prevent a fraudulent action using a medal whose outer diameter is different from the outer diameter of the regular medal.

  In addition, by selecting the error history menu on the hall menu screen as described above, it is also possible to use the medals that the illegal medals that differ in color and markings (patterns) have been used with regular medals as well, It can be grasped by confirming the display of the display.

  Here, even if a regular medal is inserted, it is conceivable that a medal abnormality signal is output from the medal selector 501 when the regular medal is dirty or when the marking or color is changed due to wear due to use. In this case, if the game is forcibly stopped as a result of the output of the medal abnormality signal, the game is discontinued for the player although the regular medal is inserted, which makes the player uncomfortable. There is a risk of giving In the present modification, even if the sub control circuit 101 detects a medal abnormality signal, the main control circuit 91 does not stop the game, so it is possible to prevent the player from feeling uncomfortable.

  Also, as described above, when the main control circuit 91 detects a retrograde error or a medal clogging error based on the signal output from the double photo sensor 502, the main control circuit 91 forcibly interrupts the game. Therefore, it is possible to prevent cheating using cheating equipment.

  Here, in the present modification, as described above, the main CPU 93 (see FIG. 15) of the main control board 71 (main control circuit 91) detects the medal detection signal input from the first photosensor 503. When the medal detection signal input from the second photosensor 504 is detected within a predetermined time, the main CPU 93 adds 1 to the value of the insertion number counter which is a counter provided for the main CPU 93 to count the number of medals inserted. Do. If the value of the insertion number counter is the maximum value (for example, 3), the number of medals being credited is incremented by one to the value of the credit counter which is a counter provided for the main CPU 93 to count. In addition to this, as described above, the sub control circuit 101 is provided with the sub insertion number provided on the sub RAM 103 separately from the insertion number counter and the credit counter based on the medal count signal output from the medal selector 501. Similar to the main control circuit 91, the number of inserted cards and the number of credited medals may be managed by the counter and the sub-credit count.

<Difference sheet number notification function>
Further, in the pachislot of this modification, the number of medals managed by the main control circuit 91 is compared with the number of medals managed by the sub control circuit 101 at a predetermined timing, and the difference is A difference number notification function may be provided to notify when the predetermined number is exceeded. The difference sheet number notification function will be described in detail below.

  The main CPU 93 of the main control circuit 91 detects the medal detection signal input from the first photosensor 503 of the double photosensor 502, and then detects the medal detection signal input from the second photosensor 504 within a predetermined time. When detected, the number of inserted medals is added to the value of the number-of-insertions counter or the credit count which is a counter provided for the main CPU 93 to count, and the value of the main count number storage area provided in the main RAM 95 Add 1 to The main count sheet number storage area consists of a 2-byte storage area. That is, the value of the main count sheet number storage area can be changed in the range of 0 to 65535. When one is added to the value of the main count sheet storage area, if the value of the main count sheet storage area is 65535, the main CPU 93 sets the value of the main count sheet storage area to 0.

Here, the commands transmitted from the main control circuit 91 to the sub control circuit 101 include a winning operation command, a medal insertion command, an input state command and a no-operation command in addition to the above-mentioned error command.
The winning operation command includes, for example, parameters indicating the type of display combination, a flag relating to a lock effect, the number of medals paid out, and the like. The sub control circuit 101 can recognize the symbol combination displayed along the winning determination line by receiving the winning operation command, and can determine the timing etc. of executing various effects. .

  The medal insertion command is configured to include parameters indicating the number of inserted medals and the value of the credit counter. The medal insertion command is transmitted from the main control circuit 91 to the sub control circuit 101 at the time of operation of replay or at the player's insertion operation (depression of the BET button 22 or insertion of a medal into the medal insertion slot 21). The values of the number of inserted medals and the value of the credit count included in the parameters of the medal insertion command are reflected in the values of the sub insertion number counter and the sub credit counter provided in the sub RAM 103.

The input state command and the no-operation command are commands transmitted in the processing of an interrupt which the main CPU 93 executes every predetermined time (for example, 1.173 ms). The input state command is transmitted when the various buttons (the BET button 22 and the stop buttons 19L, 19C, 19R) are pressed or released. The input state command includes parameters indicating that various buttons have been pressed or released. The sub control circuit 101 can execute various effects in synchronization with the operation of the various buttons by receiving the input state command.
A no-operation command is transmitted when not transmitting all commands other than the above-mentioned no-operation command in the above-mentioned interrupt processing. The no-operation command can include any parameter.

  In the present modification, when (the main CPU 93 of) the main control circuit 91 transmits a non-operation command to the sub control circuit 101, the main control circuit 91 includes the value of the main count number storage area at that time in the non-operation command as a parameter. .

  When the sub control circuit 101 receives a medal count signal from the medal selector 501, the sub CPU 102 adds 1 to the value of the sub count sheet number storage area provided in the sub RAM 103. The subcount sheet number storage area consists of a 2-byte storage area. That is, the value of the subcount sheet number storage area can be changed in the range of 0 to 65535. When one is added to the value of the sub count sheet storage area, if the value of the sub count sheet storage area is 65535, the sub CPU 102 sets the value of the sub count sheet storage area to 0.

When the sub control circuit 101 receives a non-operation command from the main control circuit 91, the sub CPU 102 refers to the sub count sheet number storage area, and based on the value of the sub count sheet number storage area, the main count sheet number included in the non operation command. Subtract the value of the storage area. Then, the sub CPU 102 determines whether or not the absolute value of the subtraction result is 5 or more. If the result of the determination is five or more, the sub CPU 102 causes the sub 7-segment display to display a predetermined display (for example, "CC") and reports an error. On the other hand, if the result of the determination is not 5 or more, the sub CPU 102 does not display a predetermined display (for example, “CC”) on the sub 7-segment display.
It should be noted that, instead of "CC", the predetermined display on the sub 7-segment display is managed by the sub control circuit 101 with the counted number of medals (main count number storage area value) managed by the main control circuit 91. In order to be able to easily recognize that an error occurs in which the difference between the counted number of medals (the value of the sub count number storage area) and the number of medals being counted is equal to or more than the predetermined number (five or more in this modification) , And may be displayed, for example, "CE". Further, the predetermined number can be set as appropriate. For example, ten sheets may be set.

  In a pachislot machine equipped with a difference number notification function, if the difference between the counted number of medals managed by the main control circuit 91 and the counted number of medals managed by the sub control circuit 101 is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, By displaying a predetermined display on the 7-segment display, it is possible to notify of that. In this modification, the value of the sub count sheet number storage area and the value of the main count sheet number storage area are subtracted, and when the absolute value of the result is 5 or more, an example of notifying an error with the sub 7 segment indicator Explained. However, the manner of notification of an error is not limited to this. For example, instead of displaying a predetermined display on the secondary 7-segment display, an error screen may be displayed on the liquid crystal display device 11 (see FIG. 14). Further, in addition to displaying a predetermined display on the secondary 7-segment display, a warning sound may be output from all or any of the speakers 58, 64, 65L and 65R (see FIG. 14). In addition, notification may be performed by appropriately combining notification using the sub 7-segment display described above, notification using the liquid crystal display device 11, and notification using the speakers 58, 64, 65L, and 65R.

  Here, in the case where the difference between the counted number of medals managed by the main control circuit 91 and the counted number of medals managed by the sub control circuit 101 is equal to or more than a predetermined number, the double photo sensor 502 is used. If the medal detection signal is not output properly due to the occurrence of a fault, or if a fault occurs in the control LSI 234 of the medal selector 501, the medal count processing performed by (the medal count circuit 246) of the control LSI 234 is appropriately performed. If not, it is possible.

  For this reason, when there is a notification related to the difference number notification function, a manager of the gaming machine (for example, an employee of the game hall) checks the behavior of the double photosensor 502 and the control LSI 234, thereby causing a failure. Can be recognized and the fault can be eliminated. Therefore, since various processes can be performed without a fault, the reliability of the process of counting medals in the main control circuit 91 based on the medal detection signal output from the double photo sensor 502 is improved. Further, the reliability of various processes including the token counting process performed by the control LSI 234 is improved.

  Although the example in which the parameter indicating the value of the main count is included in the non-operation command has been described, the command including the parameter is not limited to this, and for example, the prize operation command or the medal insertion command includes the parameter. It may not be.

<Selector monitoring function>
Further, in the pachislot of this modification, it is determined whether the select plate 207 has moved to the guide position or the discharge position according to the instruction from the main control circuit 91, and the select plate according to the instruction from the main control circuit 91. If it is determined that the position 207 does not move, a selector monitoring function may be provided to notify an error. Note that various processes performed by the main control circuit 91, the sub control circuit 101, and (the control LSI 234 of the medal selector 501) related to the selector monitoring function described below are performed in parallel with the various processes performed by each device described above. .

  In a pachislot equipped with a selector monitoring function, when transmitting a no-operation command to the sub control circuit 101, whether the medal solenoid 208 is set to the ON state or to the OFF state at that time. The parameter which indicates is included in the no operation command. Specifically, when the signal line between the main control circuit 91 and the medal solenoid 208 is set to the ON state, the main control circuit 91 sets a parameter indicating that the medal solenoid 208 is set to the ON state. When the signal line between the main control circuit 91 and the medal solenoid 208 is set to the OFF state, the main control circuit 91 sets the medal solenoid 208 to the OFF state. A parameter indicating that is included in the no-operation command. That is, the main control circuit 91 controls the medal solenoid 208 to move to the ejection position whether the select plate 207 is controlled to move to the guide position (set to the ON state). Information indicating whether (set to OFF state) is included in the non-operation command and output.

  When the sub-control circuit 101 receives the non-operation command, the sub-control circuit 101 selects the medal solenoid based on the parameter indicating whether the medal solenoid 208 included in the received non-operation command is set in the ON state or in the OFF state. A solenoid signal, which is a signal indicating whether 208 is set to ON or OFF, is output to the control LSI 234. Specifically, when the received no-operation command includes a parameter indicating that the medal solenoid 208 is set to the ON state, a signal line for a solenoid signal between the sub control circuit 101 and the control LSI 234 Set to ON state. On the other hand, when the parameter indicating that the medal solenoid 208 is set to the OFF state is included in the received no-operation command, the signal line for the solenoid signal between the sub control circuit 101 and the control LSI 234 is in the OFF state. Set to

  The control LSI 234 monitors the state of the signal line for the solenoid signal between the sub control circuit 101 and the control LSI 234 (the state of the input PORT of the GPIO 250) at a predetermined cycle. When the state changes from the ON state to the OFF state, or when the state changes from the OFF state to the ON state, that is, when the state changes, the position determination processing is performed. In the present modification, the control LSI 234 that performs position determination processing constitutes position determination means.

  In position determination processing, the control LSI 234 is generated by the ISP circuit 245 performing color conversion processing for converting the RGB Bayer image after lens distortion correction processing and projection conversion processing into various formats, and is stored in the SRAM 243. Get new grayscale image data.

  Next, the control LSI 234 analyzes the acquired grayscale image data, and determines whether the select plate 207 is at the guide position or at the discharge position. Specifically, in the control LSI 234, the width of the medal rail 210 in a direction orthogonal to the traveling direction of the medal in the gray scale image data (direction of arrow A in FIG. 48) (hereinafter, may simply be referred to as "rail width") It is determined based on whether the guide position or the discharge position is present.

  In FIG. 48, the select plate 207 in the guide position is indicated by a solid line, and the end of the plate body 224 (a part extending along the advancing direction of the medal) in the select plate 207 at the discharge position is indicated by a chain line. . As shown in FIG. 48, the rail width W1 when the select plate 207 is at the guide position is smaller than the rail width W2 when the select plate 207 is at the discharge position. The control LSI 234 compares the rail width at the guide position set in advance based on experiment and simulation with the rail width in the gray scale image data, and if they match, it is assumed that the select plate 207 is at the guide position. judge. On the other hand, when the rail width in the grayscale image data is wider, it is determined that the select plate 207 is at the discharge position.

  As a method of determining whether the select plate 207 is at the guide position or at the discharge position, any method other than the method described above can be adopted as appropriate. For example, the control LSI 234 compares the shape data of the select plate 207 at the guide position set in advance based on experiments and simulations with the shape of the select plate 207 in gray scale image data, and if they match, If it is determined that the select plate 207 is at the guide position, and if it does not match, it may be determined that the select plate 207 is at the discharge position.

Next, when the control LSI 234 determines that the select plate 207 is at the ejection position (not at the guide position) in the position determination processing when the signal line for the solenoid signal is in the ON state, the medal abnormality signal is Output via the medal determination output PORT of the GPIO 250. On the other hand, in the same case, when it is determined that the select plate 207 is at the guide position, the position determination processing is ended without outputting the medal abnormality signal.
When the control LSI 234 determines that the select plate 207 is at the guide position in the position determination process when the signal line for the solenoid signal is in the OFF state, the medal abnormality signal is output as the medal determination output PORTO of the GPIO 250. Output through On the other hand, in the same case, when it is determined that the select plate 207 is at the ejection position (not at the guide position), the position determination processing is ended without outputting the medal abnormality signal.

  The outputted medal abnormality signal can be detected by the sub control circuit 101 configured by the connected sub control board 72. When the medal abnormality signal is detected, the sub control circuit 101 causes the sub 7-segment display to display a predetermined display (for example, "CC"). That is, in the present modification, the control LSI 234 that outputs the token abnormality signal constitutes an error notification means.

  When the output PORT is provided separately for each of the various types of medal abnormality signals having different output causes, the secondary control circuit 101 outputs the medal abnormality signal to the secondary 7-segment display, or the medal abnormality For example, when a medal abnormality signal based on the determination result of the position determination processing is detected, "SE" may be displayed.

  In the pachi-slot of this modification, the select plate 207 is in the discharge position despite the fact that the main control circuit 91 sets the medal solenoid 208 in the ON state (the medal insertion signal which can be inserted is output) ( An error is signaled when not in the guide position). When the select plate 207 is at the guide position (not at the discharge position) despite the fact that the main control circuit 91 sets the medal solenoid 208 to the OFF state (outputs the medal insertion signal which can not be inserted). An error is reported to That is, when the select plate 207 is not moved according to the instruction from the main control circuit 91, an error can be notified.

  As a case where the select plate 207 is not moved according to an instruction from the main control circuit 91, for example, a case where the medal solenoid 208 is broken can be considered. Further, for example, there may be a case where a foreign object is present on the medal rail 210 and prevents the select plate 207 from moving to the guide position. In this modification, the manager of the gaming machine (for example, an employee of the gaming hall) can grasp the failure of the medal solenoid 208 and the presence of the foreign matter on the medal rail 210 by the notification of the error. It is possible to respond early.

  In the present modification, as described above, the content of the medal insertion signal and the position of the select plate 207 are determined based on the grayscale image data acquired by the control LSI 234 and the solenoid signal output from the sub control circuit 101. It is determined whether or not there is a match, and in the case of a mismatch, a medal abnormality signal is output to the sub control circuit 101. An example in which an error is notified when the select plate 207 is not moved to the position corresponding to the instruction from the main control circuit 91 has been described. However, instead of this, for example, the output of the solenoid signal of the sub control circuit 101 may be omitted. In this case, the control LSI 234 determines whether the select plate 207 is at the guide position or the discharge position based on the acquired gray scale image data, and outputs the determination result to the sub control circuit 101. Then, based on the determination result and the parameter indicating whether the medal solenoid 208 included in the no-operation command is set to ON or OFF, the sub control circuit 101 determines the main control circuit. It is determined whether or not the select plate 207 has moved in accordance with the instruction from 91, and an error is notified when it has not moved to the position corresponding to the instruction.

  Also, instead of the selector monitoring function of analyzing the image data described above and determining whether the select plate 207 is at the guide position or the discharge position, a selector monitoring function of another form may be adopted. For example, the medal solenoid 208 and the control LSI 234 are connected by a signal line, and when the medal solenoid 208 is in the ON state, the medal solenoid 208 sets the signal line in the ON state. Set the signal line to the OFF state. Then, when the control LSI 234 receives the non-operation command, the control LSI 234 confirms the state of this signal line, and the state (ON state or OFF state) of the medal solenoid 208 indicated by the received non-operation command and the state of this signal line It is determined whether or not they match. If they do not match, a medal abnormality signal may be output via the medal determination output PORT of the GPIO 250.

  Further, as a selector monitoring function of another aspect, when the control LSI 234 receives a non-operation command, the control LSI 234 confirms the state of a signal line connecting the main control circuit 91 and the medal solenoid 208, and the medal indicated by the received non-operation command. It is determined whether or not the state of the solenoid 208 (ON state or OFF state) matches the state of this signal line, and if they do not match, a medal abnormality signal is output via the medal determination output PORT of GPIO 250. You may output it.

<Error mask function>
In addition, the pachi slot of this modification may have an error mask function. In the error mask function, the time from the power-on of the pachislot to the normal operation of the sub control circuit 101, that is, the time until the activation is completed (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “activation time”) This is a function that is used so that processing relating to an error does not occur wastefully because the activation time of the control LSI 234) and the like differ from each other.

FIG. 49 is a timing chart for explaining the error mask function.
As shown in FIG. 49, in the present modification, it takes 5 seconds (second startup time) after the power-on to complete the startup of the sub control circuit 101. In addition, it takes 18 seconds (third activation time) after the power is turned on to complete activation of (the control LSI 234) of the medal selector 501.

Here, during 18 seconds from the power-on to the completion of activation of the medal selector 501, the medal determination output PORT allocated to the GPIO 250 is in the ON state so as not to be affected by the noise at the time of activation. It is set. That is, the signal line connecting the medal determination output PORT allocated to the GPIO 250 and the sub control circuit 101 is set to the ON state. Therefore, during the 18 seconds from the power-on to the completion of activation, the medal abnormality signal can be continuously output regardless of whether the output condition is satisfied.
When 18 seconds have passed since the power was turned on, the control LSI 234 sets the medal determination output PORT to the OFF state if the condition for outputting the medal abnormality signal is not satisfied (the medal determination output PORT allocated to GPIO 250 is And the signal line connecting the sub control circuit 101 to the OFF state). That is, the output of the medal abnormality signal is stopped. Thereafter, the control LSI 234 outputs the medal abnormality signal in response to the establishment of the condition for outputting the medal abnormality signal.

  The sub control circuit 101 operates normally after 5 seconds have passed since the power was turned on. Therefore, the sub control circuit 101 can detect the medal abnormality signal after 5 seconds have passed since the power was turned on. Specifically, when the sub control circuit 101 confirms the state of the signal line connecting the sub-control circuit 101 and the medal determination output PORT assigned to the GPIO 250 at a predetermined cycle, and is set to the ON state Detects a medal abnormality signal.

  As described above, during the 18 seconds after the power is turned on, the medal abnormality signal continues to be output regardless of whether the output condition is satisfied. For this reason, based on the fact that the sub control circuit 101 has detected a medal abnormality signal within 5 seconds to 18 seconds after the power is turned on, a predetermined display (for example, "CC") is displayed on the sub 7-segment display, etc. If an error notification is given, an error notification may occur although no error has actually occurred.

Therefore, in the present modification, even if the sub control circuit 101 detects a medal abnormality signal within 5 seconds to 18 seconds after the power is turned on, notification of an error, such as displaying a predetermined display on the sub 7-segment display Do not do. That is, the sub control circuit 101 masks an error. In this way, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of an error notification as it is, even though no error has actually occurred.
If 18 seconds have passed after the power is turned on and the medal abnormality signal is detected, the sub control circuit 101 notifies an error such as displaying a predetermined display on the sub 7-segment display.

  By the way, as shown in FIG. 49, in the present modification, it takes 20 seconds (first start time) after the power is turned on to complete the start of the main control circuit 91. When 20 seconds have passed since the power was turned on, and the main control circuit 91 operates normally, the main control circuit 91 outputs a medal insertion signal that can be inserted if the medal can be inserted, and can not insert the medal. If it is the case, a medal insertion signal that can not be inserted is output. That is, when the medal can be inserted, the signal line between the main control circuit 91 and the medal solenoid 208 is set to the ON state, and when the medal can not be inserted, the signal line is set to the OFF state. If the medal can not be inserted when the power is turned on, if the setting key type switch 56 is in the ON state, the main control circuit 91 detects a certain error, or the power is turned off after a power failure occurs during the game operation. There are cases such as when it is thrown.

Then, the main control circuit 91 transmits a parameter indicating that the medal solenoid 208 is set to the ON state to the non-operation command to be transmitted next, to the sub control circuit 101.
When the sub control circuit 101 receives a non-operation command including a parameter indicating that the medal solenoid 208 is set to the ON state, a signal line for a solenoid signal between the sub control circuit 101 and the control LSI 234 of the medal selector 501. Set to ON state.

  The other points of the medal selector 501 are the same as those of the medal selector 201, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

<Modification 4>
Next, a gaming machine according to the fourth modification will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 50 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration example of the medal selector in the gaming machine of the fourth modification.
In the following description of the gaming machine according to the fourth modification, the description of the configurations and functions common to those of the pachi slot 1 in the above-described embodiment will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 50, in the medal selector 601 of this modification, the control LSI 234 and the medal solenoid 208 are electrically connected, as in the medal selector 401 according to the above-described second modification. Therefore, the control LSI 234 can set the medal solenoid 208 to the ON state or the OFF state.
Further, the control LSI 234 in the present modification performs marking determination processing on an object moving on the medal rail 210 as in the above-described modification, and controls the operation of the medal solenoid 208 according to the result.

  That is, in this modification, as in the second modification, before the object moving on the medal rail 210 reaches the upper exposure hole 219 or the lower exposure hole 220 of the medal rail 210, the image recognition DSP circuit 242 of the control LSI 234 Makes the SRAM 243 store the determination result of the marking determination process for this object. Further, the host controller 241 of the control LSI 234 obtains the determination result of the marking determination processing stored in the SRAM 243 in accordance with the marking determination end interrupt signal from the image recognition DSP circuit 242.

  The host controller 241 that has acquired the determination result of the marking determination process outputs, to the medal solenoid 208, a control signal for setting the medal solenoid 208 in the OFF state when “illegal medal” is stored as the acquired determination result. In this case, the object to be determined can be pushed out to the after medal presser 218 protruding from the upper exposure hole 219 or the medal stopper portion 227 protruding from the lower exposure hole 220 and discharged toward the cancel shooter 206.

  In addition, the host controller 241 acquires the determination result of the latest color determination processing stored in the SRAM 243 each time the color determination interrupt signal is input, and the medal solenoid 208 according to the determination result of the color determination processing. Is output to the medal solenoid 208 as a control signal for setting the switch to the ON state or the OFF state.

  Therefore, before the object moving on the medal rail 210 reaches the upper exposure hole 219 or the lower exposure hole 220 (see FIG. 8) of the medal rail 210, the medal according to the determination result of the color determination process for this object The solenoid 208 can be set to the ON state or the OFF state.

  Specifically, the host controller 241 stores the token solenoid 208 when “threshold determination impossible” is stored as the determination result of the acquired threshold determination processing, or when “no” is stored as the color determination result. Is output to the medal solenoid 208. In this case, the object to be determined can be pushed out to the after medal presser 218 protruding from the upper exposure hole 219 or the medal stopper portion 227 protruding from the lower exposure hole 220 and discharged toward the cancel shooter 206.

  Further, when the determination result concerning the latest count processing stored in the SRAM 243 is “an abnormality has occurred”, the host controller 241 outputs a control signal for setting the medal solenoid 208 to the OFF state to the medal solenoid 208 Do.

  On the other hand, the determination result related to the latest count processing stored in the SRAM 243 is not "an abnormality has occurred", and "a threshold determination is not possible" is not stored as a determination result of the threshold determination processing, and "a color determination result is When “OK” is stored and “regular medal” is stored as the determination result of the marking determination process, the host controller 241 maintains the state of the medal solenoid 208 in the ON state. Do. In this case, the object to be determined is guided to the hopper device 51.

  In addition, the host controller 241 of the medal selector 601 in this modification sets the medal solenoid 208 to the ON state when the circular area can not be detected in the circular area detection process performed on the reduced image data stored in the SRAM 243. Control signal is output to the medal solenoid 208.

  As shown in FIG. 50, the medal selector 601 is provided with a double photosensor 502 composed of a first photosensor 503 and a second photosensor 504. The double photo sensor 502 is connected to the main control board 71 via the door relay terminal plate 68. Note that the main control circuit 91 is based on the configuration and function of the double photo sensor 502 of this modification, and the medal detection signal output from (the first photo sensor 503 and the second photo sensor 504 of) the double photo sensor 502. About the aspect of management of the value of the injection | throwing-in number counter of this, and a credit counter, since it is the same as that of the modification 3, description here is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 50, the control LSI 234 of the camera unit 209 in the medal selector 601 is connected to the sub control board 72 via the sub relay board 61. Therefore, in the present modification, various signals output from the host controller 241 in the control LSI 234 of the medal selector 601, that is, the medal count signal and the medal abnormality signal The CPU 102) can be detected.

  When the sub control circuit 101 configured by the sub control board 72 detects the medal count signal or the medal abnormality signal, the sub control circuit 101 stores the detection date and time and the detection content in the backup area of the sub RAM 103. Information related to the medal abnormality signal stored in the sub RAM 103 can be displayed on the liquid crystal display device 11 by the administrator of the gaming machine (for example, an employee of the gaming hall) operating the setting key switch 56 (see FIG. 6). When the error history menu is selected on the displayed hole menu screen (not shown), reference can be made. The display mode of the operation for selecting the error history menu and the display mode of the information related to the token abnormality signal stored in the sub RAM 103 in the error history menu is the same as that of the third modification, so the description here is omitted.

  The main control circuit 91 configured by the main control board 71 in the present modification is, for example, after the start lever 23 is operated by the player in the unit game when the pachislot 1 is not in the medal insertion permission state capable of inserting medals. Also, when the credit counter has the maximum value, the medal insertion command of the content that the medal can not be inserted is transmitted to the sub control circuit 101 configured by the sub control board 72. When the pachislot 1 is in the medal insertion permission state where medals can be inserted, a medal insertion command of the content of the insertion permission is transmitted to the sub control circuit 101.

  The sub control circuit 101 receives the medal insertion command transmitted from the main control circuit 91 via the door relay terminal board 68 and the sub relay board 61. The sub control circuit 101 having received the medal insertion command outputs a sub medal insertion signal having the same content as the received medal insertion command. The secondary medal insertion signal is detected by the control LSI 234 of the medal selector 601 via the secondary relay board 61.

  Upon detection of the secondary medal insertion signal of the content that can not be inserted output from the secondary control circuit 101, the host controller 241 of the control LSI 234 sets the medal solenoid 208 to the OFF state. That is, in the present modification, when the result of the latest count processing is “an abnormality occurred”, the host controller 241 marks the case where the determination result of the color determination processing is “threshold determination impossible” or “not”, and When the determination result of the determination processing is “illegal medal” and when the sub medal insertion signal of the non-insertable content output from the sub control circuit 101 is detected, the medal solenoid 208 is set to the OFF state.

Further, as in the third modification, the main control circuit 91 detects a retrograde error or a medal clogging error based on the medal detection signal output from the double photo sensor 502, and when these errors are detected, Force the game to end.
Note that since these errors can be detected by the medal selector 601 (counting process by the control LSI 234, etc.), the process relating to the detection of the retrogression error or the medal jam error by the main control circuit 91 may be omitted. If omitted, when a retrogression error or medal clogging error occurs, the sub control circuit 101 indicates to that effect (indicating that a medal abnormality signal is detected based on the result of the count processing determination “an abnormality occurred”). When the main control circuit 91 detects this signal, the main control circuit 91 detects the occurrence of a retrogression error or a medal clogging error and forcibly terminates the game.
The other points of the medal selector 601 are the same as the medal selector 401 described in the second modification, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  In this modification, when the pachislot 1 is not in the above-described medal insertion permission state, the main control circuit 91 transmits the medal insertion command of the content that can not be inserted, and the sub control circuit 101 that has received the medal insertion command has the same content. Output a secondary medal insertion signal. Then, when the control LSI 234 of the medal selector 601 detects a secondary medal insertion signal of the content that can not be inserted, the medal solenoid 208 is set to the OFF state, and the medal is discharged toward the cancel shooter 206. Further, even in the medal insertion permission state, the control LSI 234 of the medal selector 601 determines that the determination result of the color determination processing is “threshold value can not be determined” or “not” when the determination result of the count processing is “error occurred”. At the time, or when the result of the marking determination process is "illegal medal", the medal solenoid 208 is set to the OFF state, and the medal is discharged toward the cancel shooter 206. Therefore, the inserted medals can be properly counted. In addition, the inserted medal can be appropriately guided to the cancel shooter 206 or the hopper device 51.

<Modification 5>
Next, the gaming machine of the fifth modification will be described with reference to FIGS. 51 and 52.
FIG. 51 is a rear view of the medal selector in the gaming machine of the fifth variation. In FIG. 51, the sub plate 205 of the medal selector 701, the cancel shooter 206, and the reference marker 260 are not shown.
FIG. 52 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration example of the medal selector in the gaming machine of the fifth modification.
In the following description of the gaming machine according to the fifth modification, the description of the configurations and functions common to those of the pachi slot 1 in the above-described embodiment will be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 51, the medal selector 701 of this modification includes two select plates, a select plate 707a and a select plate 707b. Further, as shown in FIG. 52, the medal selector 701 includes two medal solenoids, a first medal solenoid 708a and a second medal solenoid 708b. The first medal solenoid 708a and the second medal solenoid 708b have a solenoid main body (not shown) and a movable plate (not shown) similar to the medal solenoid 208 (see FIG. 9).

  As shown in FIG. 51, the select plate 707a includes a plate-like plate body 724a and a pair of bearing portions formed by bending both ends in the left-right direction of the plate body 724a to the front of the pachi slot 1. (Shown). In addition, a flange portion 726a formed by bending the pachi slot 1 forward and bending its rear end upward is formed on the upper portion of the plate main body 724a.

  The select plate 707 a is rotatably supported by a shaft (not shown) provided on the front surface 204 a of the base plate 204. A coil spring is provided on the shaft portion, and urges the flange portion 726 a to the front of the pachi slot 1. The flange portion 726a is in contact with one end portion of the movable plate portion of the first medal solenoid 708a. When the first medal solenoid 708a is in the ON state, the flange 726a is pressed against one end of the movable plate of the first medal solenoid 708a, and moves to the rear of the pachi slot 1 against the biasing force of the coil spring. The rotational position of the select plate 707a at this time is referred to as a "guide position". The distance between the plate body 724a of the select plate 707a at the guide position and the medal rail 210 is set to a predetermined distance that can be guided to the medal outlet 204c (see FIG. 8) without discharging the medal to the cancel shooter 206 side. It is done.

  Further, when the first medal solenoid 708a is in the OFF state, the flange portion 726a is released from the pressing of the first medal solenoid 708a, and moves to the front of the pachi slot 1 by the biasing force of the coil spring. The rotation position of the select plate 707a at this time is referred to as a "discharge position". The distance between the plate main body 724a of the select plate 707a at the ejection position and the medal rail 210 is set to be longer than a predetermined distance.

  When the medal moving on the medal rail 210 satisfies the standard size, the select plate 707a at the guide position contacts the upper portion of the moving medal, and the medal is on the medal exit portion 204c (see FIG. 8) side (right side in FIG. 51). Guide to move to). The medal, when being guided by the select plate 707 a, pushes the medal pressure 213 to the front of the pachi slot 1.

  On the other hand, in the select plate 707a at the discharge position, even if the medal moving on the medal rail 210 satisfies the standard dimensions, the distance between the plate main body 724a and the medal rail 210 is large, so the medal exits the medal It can not be guided to the part 204c (see FIG. 8) side. Also, the medal is pushed out by the medal pressure 213 and discharged toward the cancel shooter 206 (see FIG. 7).

  Further, when the medal moving on the medal rail 210 has a diameter smaller than the standard dimension, the medal is not guided by the select plate 707a even when the select plate 707a is at the guide position, and is pushed out by the medal pressure 213 and the cancel shooter 206 Discharged toward the

  As shown in FIG. 51, the select plate 707b is provided downstream of the select plate 707a in the direction in which the medal moves in the medal rail 210. The select plate 707 b has a plate-like plate body 724 b and a pair of bearing portions (not shown) formed by bending both end portions in the left-right direction of the plate body 724 b to the front of the pachi slot 1. ing. In addition, a flange portion 726b formed by bending the pachi slot 1 forward and bending its rear end upward is formed on the upper portion of the plate main body 724b. Further, a medal stopper portion 727b extending downward is formed in one of the bearing portions.

  The select plate 707 b is rotatably supported by a shaft (not shown) provided on the front surface 204 a of the base plate 204. A coil spring is provided on the shaft portion, and biases the flange portion 726 b to the front of the pachi slot 1. The flange portion 726b is in contact with one end portion of the movable plate portion of the second medal solenoid 708b. When the second medal solenoid 708b is in the ON state, the flange portion 726a is pressed by one end of the movable plate portion of the second medal solenoid 708b, and moves to the rear of the pachi slot 1 against the biasing force of the coil spring. The rotational position of the select plate 707 b at this time is referred to as a “guide position”. The distance between the plate body 724b of the select plate 707b at the guide position and the medal rail 210 is set to a predetermined distance that can guide the medal to the medal outlet 204c without discharging the medal to the cancel shooter 206. Further, at this time, the medal stopper portion 727 b does not protrude from the lower exposure hole 220.

  Further, when the second medal solenoid 708b is in the OFF state, the flange portion 726b is released from the pressing of the second medal solenoid 708b, and moves to the front of the pachi slot 1 by the biasing force of the coil spring. The rotation position of the select plate 707b at this time is referred to as a "discharge position". The distance between the plate main body 724b of the select plate 707b at the ejection position and the medal rail 210 is set to be longer than a predetermined distance. At this time, it is pressed by the flange portion 726 b moving forward of the pachi slot 1, and one end of the movable plate portion of the second medal solenoid 708 b moves forward of the pachi slot 1. Along with this, the other end of the movable plate portion of the second medal solenoid 708b moves to the rear of the pachi slot 1 and presses the front end of the after medal pressure 218 (see FIG. 8). As a result, the after medal pressure member 218 is rotated, and the rear end portion of the after medal pressure member 218 is exposed from the upper exposure hole 219. Further, the medal stopper portion 727 b protrudes from the lower exposure hole 220.

  When the medal moving on the medal rail 210 satisfies the standard size, the select plate 707b at the guide position contacts the upper portion of the moving medal, and the medal is on the medal exit portion 204c (see FIG. 8) side (right side in FIG. 51). Guide to).

  On the other hand, in the select plate 707b located at the ejection position, the distance between the plate main body 724b and the medal rail 210 is large even when the medal moving on the medal rail 210 satisfies the standard dimension, so the medal is exited from the medal It can not be guided to the part 204c (see FIG. 8) side. Further, the medal is pushed out to the after medal pressure 218 which protrudes from the upper exposed hole 219 or the medal stopper portion 727 b which protrudes from the lower exposed hole 220, and is discharged toward the cancel shooter 206.

  As shown in FIG. 52, the medal selector 701 includes a double photosensor 502 including a first photosensor 503 and a second photosensor 504. The double photo sensor 502 is connected to the main control board 71 via the door relay terminal plate 68.

As in the third modification, the first photosensor 503 of the double photosensor 502 is provided in the vicinity of the medal outlet portion 204c (see FIG. 8), and the second photosensor 504 is a medal rail more than the first photosensor 503. It is provided downstream above 210. Therefore, in the first photosensor 503 and the second photosensor 504, the select plate 707b is at the guide position, and the medal moving to the medal outlet portion 204c (see FIG. 8) side is detected, but the select plate 707a or the select plate 707b is at the discharge position, and the medal guided to the medal chute 202 (see FIG. 6) is not detected.
In addition, the main control circuit based on the other configuration and function of the double photo sensor 502 of this modification, and the medal detection signal output from (the first photo sensor 503 and the second photo sensor 504 of) the double photo sensor 502. About the aspect of management of the value of the injection | throwing-in number counter and credit counter in 91, since it is the same as that of the modification 3, description here is abbreviate | omitted.

  In addition, the first medal solenoid 708 a is connected to the main control board 71 via the door relay terminal plate 68. Therefore, the main control circuit 91 configured of the main control board 71 can set the first medal solenoid 708a to the ON state or the OFF state.

  When the pachislot 1 is not in the medal insertion permission state where medals can be inserted, for example, after the start lever 23 is operated by the player in the unit game, the main control circuit 91 also operates when the credit counter is at the maximum value. The first medal solenoid 708a is set to the OFF state. In addition, when the pachi slot 1 is in the medal insertion permission state where medals can be inserted, the first medal solenoid 708a is set to the ON state.

Further, as shown in FIG. 52, the control LSI 234 in the medal selector 701 and the second medal solenoid 708 b are electrically connected. Therefore, the control LSI 234 can set the second medal solenoid 708 b to the ON state or the OFF state.
Further, the control LSI 234 in the present modification performs marking determination processing and color determination processing on an object moving on the medal rail 210, similarly to the control LSI 234 of the medal selector 401 in the above-described modification 2, and according to the determination result. The second medal solenoid 708b is controlled.

  That is, in this modification, as in the second modification, before the object moving on the medal rail 210 reaches the upper exposure hole 219 or the lower exposure hole 220 of the medal rail 210, the image recognition DSP circuit 242 of the control LSI 234 Makes the SRAM 243 store the determination result of the marking determination process for this object. Further, the host controller 241 of the control LSI 234 obtains the determination result of the marking determination processing stored in the SRAM 243 in accordance with the marking determination end interrupt signal from the image recognition DSP circuit 242.

  When the “incorrect medal” is stored as the determination result of the marking determination process, a control signal for setting the second medal solenoid 708 b to the OFF state is output to the second medal solenoid 708 b. In this case, the object to be determined can be pushed out to the after medal pressure member 218 protruding from the upper exposure hole 219 or the medal stopper portion 727 b protruding from the lower exposure hole 220 and discharged toward the cancel shooter 206.

  The host controller 241 acquires the determination result of the latest color determination processing stored in the SRAM 243 each time the color determination interrupt signal is input, and the second medal according to the determination result of the color determination processing. A control signal for setting the solenoid 708b to the ON state or the OFF state is output to the second medal solenoid 708b.

  Therefore, before an object moving on the medal rail 210 reaches the upper exposure hole 219 or the lower exposure hole 220 of the medal rail 210, the second medal solenoid 708b is operated according to the determination result of the color determination process for this object. It can be set to the ON state or the OFF state.

  Specifically, the host controller 241 stores the second medal when “threshold determination impossible” is stored as the determination result of the acquired threshold determination process, or when “no” is stored as the color determination result. A control signal for setting the solenoid 708b to the OFF state is output to the second medal solenoid 708b. In this case, the object to be determined can be pushed out to the after medal pressure member 218 protruding from the upper exposure hole 219 or the medal stopper portion 727 b protruding from the lower exposure hole 220 and discharged toward the cancel shooter 206.

  The host controller 241 sets a second medal to the control signal for setting the second medal solenoid 708b to the OFF state, when the determination result related to the latest count processing stored in the SRAM 243 is “an abnormality has occurred”. It outputs to the solenoid 708b.

  On the other hand, the determination result according to the latest count process is not "abnormal", and "threshold determination impossible" is not stored as the determination result of the threshold determination process, and "OK" is stored as the color determination result If yes, and if the determination result of the acquired marking determination process is “regular medal”, the host controller 241 causes the state of the second medal solenoid 708 b to be maintained in the ON state. In this case, the object to be determined is guided to the hopper device 51.

  Also, the host controller 241 of the medal selector 701 in the modified example turns on the second medal solenoid 708b when the circular area can not be detected in the circular area detection processing performed on the reduced image data stored in the SRAM 243. A control signal to be set is output to the second medal solenoid 708b.

As shown in FIG. 52, the control LSI 234 of the camera unit 209 in the medal selector 701 is connected to the sub control board 72 via the sub relay board 61. Therefore, in the present modification, various signals output from the host controller 241 in the control LSI 234 of the medal selector 701, that is, the medal count signal and the medal abnormality signal The CPU 102) can be detected.
In addition, the secondary control circuit 101 can set the second medal solenoid 708b to the ON state or the OFF state via the host controller 241 in the control LSI 234 of the medal selector 701. Specifically, when detecting the medal count signal output from the host controller 241 of the medal selector 701, the sub control circuit 101 adds 1 to the value of the insertion number counter provided in the sub RAM 103. If the value of the insertion number counter of the sub RAM 103 is the maximum value (for example, 3), the value of the credit counter, which is a counter provided in the sub RAM 103 for the sub CPU 102 to count the number of medals credited. Add 1 to After the start lever 23 is operated by the player in the unit game (when the start command is received), and the credit counter of the sub RAM 103 has the maximum value (for example, 50), the sub control circuit 101 The medal solenoid 708 b is set to the OFF state via the host controller 241 of the medal selector 701. When the pachislot player is in the medal insertion permission state where the medal can be inserted, the second medal solenoid 708 b is set to the ON state via the host controller 241.

  When the sub control circuit 101 configured by the sub control board 72 detects the medal count signal or the medal abnormality signal, the sub control circuit 101 stores the detection date and time and the detection content in the backup area of the sub RAM 103. Information related to the medal abnormality signal stored in the sub RAM 103 can be displayed on the liquid crystal display device 11 by the administrator of the gaming machine (for example, an employee of the gaming hall) operating the setting key switch 56 (see FIG. 6). When the error history menu is selected on the displayed hole menu screen (not shown), reference can be made. The display mode of the operation for selecting the error history menu and the display mode of the information related to the token abnormality signal stored in the sub RAM 103 in the error history menu is the same as that of the third modification, so the description here is omitted.

Further, as in the third modification, the main control circuit 91 detects a retrograde error or a medal clogging error based on the medal detection signal output from the double photo sensor 502, and when these errors are detected, Force the game to end. Further, the main control circuit 91 transmits an error command corresponding to the content of the detected error to the sub control circuit 101.
The sub control circuit 101 turns off the second medal solenoid 708b via the host controller 241 in the control LSI 234 of the medal selector 701 when receiving an error command relating to a retrogression error or a medal clogging error from the main control circuit 91. Set to state.
Since these errors can be detected by the medal selector 701 (counting process by the control LSI 234, etc.), the process relating to the detection of the retrogression error and the medal jam error by the main control circuit 91 may be omitted. If omitted, when a retrogression error or medal clogging error occurs, the sub control circuit 101 indicates to that effect (indicating that a medal abnormality signal is detected based on the result of the count processing determination “an abnormality occurred”). When the main control circuit 91 detects this signal, the main control circuit 91 detects the occurrence of a retrogression error or a medal clogging error and forcibly terminates the game.

  In the present modification, when the pachi slot 1 is not in the above-described medal insertion permission state, the main control circuit 91 sets the first medal solenoid 708a to the OFF state, and discharges the medal to the cancel shooter 206. In addition, even if the first medal solenoid 708a is in the ON state, the control LSI 234 of the medal selector 701 determines that the determination result of the color determination process is “the threshold value can not be determined” when the determination result of the count process is “error occurred”. Alternatively, if the result of the marking determination process is "NO", the second medal solenoid 708b is set to the OFF state, and the medal is discharged toward the cancel shooter 206. Therefore, the inserted medals can be properly counted. In addition, the inserted medal can be appropriately guided to the cancel shooter 206 or the hopper device 51.

<Modification 6>
Next, a gaming machine according to the sixth modification will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 53 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration example of the medal selector in the gaming machine of the sixth modification.
In the following description of the gaming machine according to the sixth modification, the description of the configurations and functions common to those of the pachi slot 1 in the above-described embodiment will be omitted.

  The medal selector 801 in the present modification includes two select plates, a select plate 707a and a select plate 707b, as in the medal selector 701 of the fifth modification (see FIG. 51).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 53, the second medal solenoid 708 b of the medal selector 801 and the sub control board 72 are electrically connected via the sub relay board 61. Therefore, the sub control circuit 101 configured by the sub control board 72 can set the second medal solenoid 708 b to the ON state or the OFF state. On the other hand, the control LSI 234 and the second medal solenoid 708 b are not electrically connected. This point is the difference from the fifth modification. In the following, this difference will be described, and the description in common with the fifth modification will be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 53, as in the fifth modification, the control LSI 234 of the camera unit 209 in the medal selector 801 is connected to the sub control board 72 via the sub relay board 61. Therefore, in the present modification, the sub control circuit 101 formed of the sub control board 72 detects various signals output from the host controller 241 of the control LSI 234, that is, the token count signal and the token abnormality signal. It is possible.

  In this modification, as with the medal selector 401 of the second modification, the image recognition DSP of the control LSI 234 before an object moving on the medal rail 210 reaches the upper exposure hole 219 or the lower exposure hole 220 of the medal rail 210. The circuit 242 causes the SRAM 243 to store the determination result of the marking determination process for the object. Further, the host controller 241 of the control LSI 234 obtains the determination result of the marking determination processing stored in the SRAM 243 in accordance with the marking determination end interrupt signal from the image recognition DSP circuit 242.

  Then, when the determination result of the marking determination process is “illegal medal”, the host controller 241 outputs a medal abnormality signal. In addition, the host controller 241 acquires the determination result of the latest color determination processing stored in the SRAM 243 every time the color determination interrupt signal is input, and “the threshold determination can not be performed as the determination result of the acquired threshold determination processing. Is stored, or when "not" is stored as the color determination result, a medal abnormality signal is output.

  Further, the host controller 241 outputs a medal abnormality signal when the determination result concerning the latest count processing stored in the SRAM 243 is “an abnormality has occurred”.

  The sub control circuit 101 (of the sub CPU 102) detects a medal abnormality signal output from the host controller 241 of the control LSI 234, or receives an error command relating to a retrograde error or a medal jam error from the main control circuit 91. A control signal for setting the two medal solenoid 708b to the OFF state is output to the second medal solenoid 708b. In this case, the object to be determined can be pushed out to the after medal pressure member 218 protruding from the upper exposure hole 219 or the medal stopper portion 727 b protruding from the lower exposure hole 220 and discharged toward the cancel shooter 206.

  On the other hand, the determination result according to the latest count process is not "abnormal", and "threshold determination impossible" is not stored as the determination result of the threshold determination process, and "OK" is stored as the color determination result If “Yes” is stored as the obtained gradient average determination result and HOG determination result, the host controller 241 does not output the medal abnormality signal. Therefore, the state of the second medal solenoid 708b is maintained in the ON state. In this case, the object to be determined is guided to the medal outlet portion 204 c side, that is, guided to the hopper device 51.

  Further, when the circular area can not be detected in the circular area detection processing performed on the reduced image data stored in the SRAM 243, the host controller 241 of the medal selector 801 in the modification outputs a signal indicating that. When (the sub CPU 102 of) the sub control circuit 101 detects this signal, the sub control circuit 101 outputs a control signal to set the second medal solenoid 708 b to the ON state to the second medal solenoid 708 b.

  In the present modification, when the pachi slot 1 is not in the above-described medal insertion permission state, the main control circuit 91 sets the first medal solenoid 708a to the OFF state, and discharges the medal to the cancel shooter 206. In addition, even if the first medal solenoid 708a is in the ON state, the control LSI 234 of the medal selector 701 determines that the determination result of the color determination process is “the threshold value can not be determined” when the determination result of the count process is “error occurred”. Alternatively, when the result is "No" or when the result of the marking determination process is "No", the medal abnormality signal is output. Then, the sub control circuit 101 which has detected the medal abnormality signal sets the second medal solenoid 708 b to the OFF state, and discharges the medal to the cancel shooter 206. Therefore, the inserted medals can be properly counted. In addition, the inserted medal can be appropriately guided to the cancel shooter 206 or the hopper device 51.

<Other Modifications>
In the above embodiment, the four color templates and the aspect of generating the main template have been described. However, the number of these templates can be appropriately set in accordance with the required time required for determination and the accuracy of the determination to be obtained.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the aspect has been described in which the color determination process and the marking determination process are performed on all the inserted medals. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A switch substrate is provided at an arbitrary place of the medal selector 201 (for example, near the first substrate 230), and the color determination ON / OFF switch and the marking determination ON / OFF switch on the switch substrate. The host controller 241 may select whether or not to execute the color determination process and the marking determination process by reading the state of the switch.

  In the above embodiment, the color template and the template stored in the SRAM 243 are erased when the initialization switch is pressed when the game machine is powered on. However, instead of this, an arbitrary operation may be set to erase various templates stored in the SRAM 243. For example, various templates of the SRAM 243 may be deleted in conjunction with the change of the setting of the gaming machine.

  Further, in the order determination processing in the case where the medal can not be inserted, the mode of transition of data in each determination area of the four gray scale image data stored in the SRAM 243 and E1 to E specified in the medal count determination table If the mode of transition of the data corresponding to E4 does not match, it may be determined that “an abnormality has occurred”, and the determination result may be stored in the SRAM 243.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the aspect has been described in which the host controller 241 instructs the image recognition DSP circuit 242 to execute preprocessing when the reduced image is stored in the SRAM 243. However, instead of this, the host controller 241 determines that the medal count circuit 246 has determined that "the medal has passed" on the medal rail 210, a predetermined time before the time of the determination (that is, a predetermined frame before Image processing DSP circuit may be instructed to perform preprocessing using the reduced image data). In addition, this predetermined time is preset based on experiment or simulation so that the image of the medal is always included in the reduced image before the predetermined time. In this case, after passing the medal, it is determined whether or not the medal passing through is a regular medal after the fact.

  Also, the threshold determination process in the color determination process may be omitted. Also, the color recognition circuit 247 may perform the following color judgment processing based on the data related to the hue and saturation output from the ISP circuit 245. In this color determination process, the color recognition circuit 247 first represents the integrated value of data relating to hue and saturation near the center of the image data as a vector (vector conversion), and the vector angle in three-dimensional space calculate. Next, the color recognition circuit 247 compares the calculated angle of the vector with a predetermined color threshold to determine whether or not the color of the regular medal matches. The predetermined threshold is a predetermined threshold based on the angle of the vector calculated by the same method as the above-described process for the image data related to the regular medal (for example, the three-dimensional space related to the regular medal to be compared) Within ± 10 degrees of the angle on the individual coordinates (XYZ) of the vector).

  In the above embodiment, the timing at which the color template is generated (when 50 medals are inserted after power on) and the timing at which the template is generated (the value of the learning medal counter is 127 or 259) are different. . Therefore, the color determination process may not be performed until the present template is generated. Alternatively, even if color determination processing is performed during generation of the template, and data relating to medals for which the determination result of the color determination processing is “threshold determination impossible” or “not” is not used for generation of the template Good.

Also, the present invention may be adopted to other gaming machines using gaming media, such as pachinko.
Further, in the third to sixth modifications, although the aspect using the double photo sensor 502 has been described as an example of the proximity sensor for detecting an object moving on the medal rail 210, the present invention is not limited thereto. Other proximity sensors (inductive type, capacitive type, ultrasonic type, photoelectric type, magnetic type proximity switch) that can detect the presence or absence of contactlessly may be used.

[Application 1 of one embodiment of the present invention]
Next, a game device 1500 according to the application example 1 of the embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The gaming device 1500 is a medal counter installed in a hall, and is provided, for example, at an end of an island where a plurality of pachislots 1 are arranged. Further, in the gaming apparatus 1500, in the above-described modified example, the medal selector in which the control LSI 234 can set the medal solenoid to the ON state or the OFF state (for example, the medal selectors 401 and 601 of the modified examples 2, 4 and 5) , 701). In the following description, the gaming apparatus 1500 provided with the medal selector 401 of the second modification will be described.

  FIG. 54 is a plan view of the gaming apparatus 1500 according to the application example 1 of the embodiment of the present invention as viewed from above. As shown in FIG. 54, the gaming apparatus 1500 is provided with a hopper 1543 (gaming medium storage means) in which a bowl-shaped concave portion is formed for storing inserted medals (gaming medium). At the lower part of the hopper 1543, there is provided a holed rotary disc 1526 for dropping each inserted medal into the medal receiving hole 1524 and eccentrically rotating the medal receiving hole 1524. The holed rotary disk 1526 starts its rotation by pressing the count start switch 1541. The medals in the medal receiving hole 1524 of the rotary disc 1526 with a receiving hole are discharged from the lower part of one hopper 543 with the rotation of the rotary disc 1526 with a receiving hole, and the medal selector 401 provided below the hopper 1543 Only legitimate ones are detected, detected and counted by the medal detecting portion 1544 and the counter control means 1542 of the counting machine 1549 (game medium counting means) based on the medal count signal from the medal selector 401, and stored.

  Pressed when setting the number of sheets to be printed on the receipt (one form of the recording medium) of the inserted medals on the upper surface of the gaming device 1500 and displaying the number of inserted medals and the number of inserted medals display portion 1540a Set the number of receipt print count setting switch 1534r, the number of receipt print count display unit 1540b for displaying the set number of print receipts, and the number of stored medals to be recorded on the stored medal card (one form of recording medium) of inserted medals. A card record count setting switch 1534c to be pressed when performing this operation, and a card record count display unit 1540c for displaying the set card record count.

  In addition, on the upper surface of the gaming device 1500, the number switches 0 to 9 for setting the number of medals to be printed on the receipt among the inserted medals and the number of medals to be recorded on the medal card (an embodiment of the input means 1534). And a BS switch that is pressed to correct the input number of sheets and that erases the numerical value input immediately before. Further, on the upper surface of the gaming device 1500, an entry switch 1534e is provided which instructs to execute processing of printing on a receipt and processing of recording on a stored medal card after setting the number of the medals.

  In addition, the gaming device 1500 reads and writes the number of stored medals with respect to a stored medal card having a magnetic recording type or an IC tag, and a card reader / writer 1537 which reads unique identification information (card ID) for identifying a player. (One embodiment of recording medium control means) and receipt printing means 1539 (One embodiment of recording medium control means) for printing and outputting the number of medals, barcodes, or QR code (registered trademark) on the sheet of the receipt. And a medal receiver 1517 for storing medals detected as medals that are not regular medals by the medal selector 401.

  According to the gaming device 1500 provided with such a medal selector, the same operational effects as those of the above-described embodiment or the above-described modification can be obtained. That is, it is possible to detect an illegal act that causes the game medium to be misidentified as being used.

[Application 2 of one embodiment of the present invention]
Next, a gaming apparatus 1600 according to an application example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The gaming apparatus 1600 is a medal counting machine which is juxtaposed to each pachi slot 1 and installed corresponding to the adjacent pachi slot 1 in the hall and is communicably connected to the corresponding pachi slot 1. Further, in the gaming apparatus 1600, in the above-described modified example, the medal selector in which the control LSI 234 can set the medal solenoid to the ON state or the OFF state (for example, the medal selectors 401 and 601 of the modified examples 2, 4 and 5) , 701). In the following description, the gaming apparatus 1600 including the medal selector 401 of the second modification will be described.

  FIG. 55 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of the gaming device 1600 according to the application 2 of the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 55, an LED (light emitting diode) portion 1631, a card insertion slot 1632, a bill insertion slot 1633 capable of inserting a bill, and a touch panel LCD (liquid crystal display) are provided on the front portion 1621 of the gaming apparatus 1600. An operation unit 1634, a camera 1635, a noncontact IC card reader / writer 1636, a medal (gaming medium) payout tray 1637, a speaker cover 1638, a medal (gaming medium) counting slot 1639, and the like are provided. The card insertion slot 1632 is, for example, an insertion slot capable of receiving an information card issued by a card issuing machine (not shown) in the hall. The LED unit 1631 is configured of a full color LED 1631A and an infrared LED (infrared light emitting diode) 1631B.

  By inserting an information card or a bill of a predetermined amount into the card insertion slot 1632 or the bill insertion slot 1633, the player can receive the lending of medals as game media necessary for playing a game. Also, by holding the non-contact IC card over the non-contact IC card reader / writer 1636, the player can receive the medals necessary for the game.

  When receiving the insertion of the value medium such as the information card, the bill, and the IC card, the gaming device 1600 receives the number of medals corresponding to the amount of the inserted value medium, and the dispensing hopper provided therein (first counting Department) counting by 1651 and paying out from the medal payout tray 1637. The player can play a game in the pachislot 1 by inserting the medals paid out from the medal payout tray 1637 into the medal slot 21 (see FIG. 2) of the pachislot 1 (see FIG. 2).

  Further, in the pachislot 1, medals are paid out to the medal tray unit 34 according to the result of the game. The player can count this medal by the gaming device 1600 by picking up the medal from the medal tray unit 34 and inserting it into the medal counting insertion slot 1639 of the gaming device 1600. The gaming device 1600 counts the medals inserted from the medal counting slot 1639 using a counting hopper (second counting unit) provided therein.

  The counted results are recorded on the card inserted from the card insertion slot 1632 or stored in the storage unit provided in the hall computer.

  The medals counted in the counting hopper are discharged from the discharge port provided on the bottom of the gaming apparatus 1600 to the transport conveyor and collected. In a place where the transfer conveyor is not provided, a storage box for storing medals may be installed at the lower part of the gaming apparatus 1600, and the medals may be discharged to the storage box.

  The gaming device 1600 includes an identification unit (an information card reader, a bill identification device 1661, an IC card reader / writer, etc.) for identifying value media such as an information card, a bill, a noncontact IC card, etc. A first storage space AR11 for storing the unit 1665 is provided. Further, below the first storage space AR11, there is provided a second storage space AR13 in which the dispensing hopper 1651 and the counting hopper 1671 are vertically arranged side by side. In the first storage space AR11, identification means (an information card reader, a bill identification device 1661, an IC card reader / writer, etc.) is stored at the top, and a power supply unit 1665 is stored at the bottom. That is, the lower part of the first storage space AR11 forms a power supply unit storage space AR12 for storing the power supply unit 1665.

  The dispensing hopper 1651 stored in the second storage space AR13 below the first storage space AR11 is provided from the hole via the replenishment opening 1652 provided on the back of the housing 1622 at the upper part thereof. Medals are supplied by the supply route. A replenishment passage 1653 is provided between the replenishment opening 1652 and the dispensing hopper 1651, and the medals replenished from the replenishment opening 1652 fall into the dispensing hopper 1651 via the replenishment passage 1653. Do.

  On the other hand, an introduction passage 1672 is provided between the medal counting slot 1639 and the counting hopper 1671 provided in the front face portion 1621 of the housing 1622, and the medals inserted from the medal counting slot 1639. Drops into the counting hopper 1671 through the introduction passage 1672 (arrow a). The counting hopper 1671 is provided with a medal selector 401 for removing illegal medals and counting means for counting medals. Only the regular medals are detected by the medal selector 401 for the medals inserted from the medal counting slot 1639, and only the regular medals are counted by the counting means, and from the outlet 1673 provided on the bottom of the housing 1622 It is discharged to the conveyer (arrow b) and collected.

  A front panel 1623 is provided on the front portion 1621 of the gaming apparatus 1600, and a speaker cover 1638 is provided on the front panel 1623. The speaker cover 1638 has a plurality of transmission ports for transmitting the sound from the speaker provided on the back side of the front panel 1623 (speaker cover 1638) to the front.

  FIG. 56 is a cross-sectional view of a counting hopper 1671 according to Application 2 of the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 56, an opening 1675 for receiving medals is provided on the front surface of the medal passage 1676 of the counting hopper 1671. In the opening 1675, medals for inserting medals from the outside are provided. A counting inlet 1639 (see FIG. 55) is attached. Thus, the medals inserted into the medal counting slot 1639 are guided to the counting hopper 1671 through the opening portion 1675 and the medal passage 1676. The medals introduced to the counting hopper 1671 are detected only by the selector 401 by the selector 401, counted by the counting means on the basis of the medal count signal from the medal selector 401, and provided on the bottom of the counting hopper 1671 From the outlet 1674, the sheet is discharged to the transfer conveyer through the discharge port 1673 (see FIG. 55) of the housing 1622. The discharge port 1674 of the counting hopper 1671 is provided with guide portions 1674A and 1674B for guiding the discharged medals, and the discharge direction of the medal can be made oblique by the guide portions 1674A and 1674B. Thus, the discharge direction of the medals discharged from the discharge port of counting hopper 1671 (that is, the medals discharged from discharge port 1673 (FIG. 55) of housing 1622) is disposed in the vicinity below the gaming apparatus 1600. It can be in the direction of the transport conveyor.

  Incidentally, the sizes of the opening 1675 of the counting hopper 1671 and the medal counting slot 1639 (see FIG. 55) are set so that the hand of the player can not easily enter. A plate-like medal guide member 1629 (see FIG. 55) is fixed to the medal counting slot 1639 in parallel with the front panel 1623 (see FIG. 55). This makes it difficult for the player's hand to enter from the medal counting slot 1639.

  Further, a photo sensor (not shown) is provided in the opening 1675 so as to detect a player's hand when it enters. As a result, when the player's hand is inserted erroneously, or when the hand is inserted illegitimately, etc., the operation of the counting hopper 1671 can be stopped by the detection by the photo sensor. Note that the attachment position of the photo sensor is provided at a position where the medal inserted via the medal counting slot 1639 (see FIG. 55) and the opening 1675 is not erroneously detected. For example, by detecting only the state of the upper part of the opening 1675, it is possible to detect only the player's hand entering the upper part of the opening 1675 without detecting the medal sliding in the lower part of the opening 1675. it can. Incidentally, the counting hopper 1671 is also provided with a sensor (not shown) for detecting insertion of a medal.

  According to the gaming device 1600 including such a medal selector 401, the same operational effects as those of the embodiment or the modification can be obtained. That is, it is possible to detect an illegal act that causes the game medium to be misidentified as being used.

[Application 3 of one embodiment of the present invention]
Next, a gaming apparatus 1700 according to Application 3 of the embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In the gaming apparatus 1700, in the above-described modified example, the medal selector in which the control LSI 234 can set the medal solenoid to the ON state or the OFF state (for example, the medal selectors 401, 601, 701 of the modified examples 2, 4 and 5). ). In the following description, the gaming apparatus 1700 provided with the medal selector 401 of the second modification will be described. Also, the gaming apparatus 1700 may be a stand-alone device that only selects gaming media, or is connected to a device for counting the number of gaming media (a so-called jet counter, each machine counter). It may be built in or may be built in a game machine.

FIG. 57 is a perspective view showing an internal structure example of the gaming device 1700 according to the application example 3 of the embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 57, the gaming apparatus 1700 is provided in the housing M2 and the upper side of the housing M2, and is disposed inside the housing M21 in which the medals to be sorted are housed, and inside the housing M2, A hopper device M20 as a delivery unit for delivering the inserted medals one by one, a medal selector 401 for selecting medals, and a first guide portion for receiving the medals sent out from the hopper device M20 and guiding the medals to the medal selector And a guide member M40. As described above, in the application example 3, two medal selectors 401 are provided. That is, medals are supplied from the hopper device M20 to the two medal selectors 401 via the two guide members M40 and M40. Also, the gaming apparatus 700 has a power supply unit M10 at the lower rear of the inside of the housing M2. Although not shown, the power supply unit M10 is electrically connected to supply power to the hopper device M20 and the medal selector 401.

  Further, below the two medal selectors 401, a first discharge passage M50 for guiding the medals detected as regular medals by the two medal selectors 401 to the discharge port is disposed. Further, below the two medal selectors 401, second discharge passages M8 and M8, which are passages for passing the medals determined to be incorrect by the two medal selectors 401 and guiding them to the lower tray, are respectively arranged. ing. Further, second discharge ports M11 and M11 are formed on the bottom surface of the case M2 at positions corresponding to the second discharge passages M8 and M8.

  According to the gaming apparatus 1700 provided with such a medal selector 401, the same operational effects as those of the above-described embodiment or the above-described modification can be obtained. That is, it is possible to detect an illegal act that causes the game medium to be misidentified as being used.

  As mentioned above, although the modification of this embodiment and the application examples 1 to 3 have been described, each configuration of the present embodiment and each configuration of the modification and the application examples 1 to 3 are arbitrarily combined with each other as long as there is no contradiction. be able to.

  As mentioned above, although the embodiment of the gaming machine concerning the present invention, various modifications, and an application example were explained, the present invention is not limited to this, You may combine the composition of the above-mentioned embodiment and various modifications suitably.

<Summary>
[Difference sheet number notification function]
Based on the detection result of the proximity sensor included in the gaming medium detection unit, the first control unit performing counting processing of gaming media, and the image data obtained by imaging the object passing through the passage by the passage determination unit included in the gaming medium detection unit In the gaming machine provided with a second control unit that performs counting processing for counting gaming media when it is determined that an object has passed the passage, it is desired to improve the reliability of the counting processing performed by the first control unit. There is. Further, it is desired to improve the reliability of various processes performed by the second control unit.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above first problem, and a first object of the present invention is to improve the reliability of the counting process performed by the first control unit and the second control unit. is there.

  In order to solve the first problem, the present invention provides a first gaming machine having the following configuration.

An insertion slot (for example, a medal insertion slot 21) for inserting game media;
Gaming medium detection means (for example, medal selector 501) for detecting game media inserted from the insertion slot;
A first control unit (for example, the main control circuit 91) that executes control related to gaming;
A second control unit (for example, the sub control circuit 101) that executes control relating to a game effect;
A storage unit (for example, a hopper device 51) for storing gaming media, the gaming machine comprising:
The gaming medium detection means
A passage forming unit (for example, a medal rail 210) forming a passage through which game media pass; a proximity sensor (for example, a double photosensor 502) for detecting an object moving in the passage;
An imaging unit (for example, a camera unit 209) for imaging the passage;
Passage determining means (for example, control LSI 234) for determining whether or not an object has passed through the passage based on image data obtained through the imaging means;
Passing determination notifying means (for example, control LSI 234) for notifying the second control unit of the fact that the object has determined that the passage has passed through the passage;
Game medium determination means (for example, a color recognition circuit 247 and an image recognition DSP circuit 242 of the control LSI 234) for determining whether or not an object passing through the passage is a legitimate game medium based on the image data;
Guide means (for example, select plate 207) provided so as to be movable between a guide position for guiding an object passing through the passage to the storage means, and a discharge position for discharging the object to the outside of the gaming machine;
Drive means (eg, medal solenoid 208) for driving the guide means;
The first control unit is
Counting of an object moving in the passage based on the detection result of the proximity sensor;
When the game medium is allowed to be inserted, the drive means is controlled to move the guide means to the guide position,
When the game medium is not allowed to be inserted, the drive means is controlled to move the guide means to the discharge position,
The second control unit counts an object that has passed through the passage based on the notification from the passage determination notifying unit,
An error is notified when the difference between the value counted by the first control unit and the value counted by the second control unit is equal to or more than a predetermined value.

The proximity sensor has a first sensor (for example, a first photosensor 503) and a second sensor (for example, a second photosensor 504) that output a detection result when detecting an object passing through the passage.
The first control unit counts an object moving in the passage, when the order of the output of the detection result of the first sensor and the output of the detection result of the second sensor is a predetermined order. Good.

First count storage means (for example, main RAM 95) for storing the value counted by the first control unit;
A second count storage unit (for example, a sub RAM 103) for storing the value counted by the second control unit;
Each of the first count storage unit and the second count storage unit may be configured by a storage area of 2 bytes.

In the first gaming machine of the present invention of the above configuration, an error is notified when the difference between the value counted by the first control unit and the value counted by the second control unit is equal to or more than a predetermined value.
Here, as a case where the difference between the value counted by the first control unit and the value counted by the second control unit is equal to or more than a predetermined value, it is conceivable that a fault occurs in the proximity sensor or the passage judging means, etc. .

  Therefore, upon notification of an error, the administrator of the gaming machine (e.g., an employee of the gaming hall) may recognize a failure that has occurred in these by checking the behavior of the proximity sensor or the passage determining means. Yes, you can eliminate obstacles. Therefore, since various processes can be performed without a failure, the reliability of the counting process performed by the first control unit can be improved. In addition, the reliability of various processes performed by the second control unit can be improved.

[Selector monitoring function]
It is desirable to quickly grasp and cope with deficiencies such as failure of drive means for driving guide means for guiding game media, and presence of foreign matter on a passage through which game media passes.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above second problem, and the second object of the present invention is the failure of the drive means for driving the guide means for guiding the game media, and the passage of the game media. An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of notifying of the presence of foreign matter on a passage.

  In order to solve the second problem, the present invention provides a second gaming machine having the following configuration.

An insertion slot (for example, a medal insertion slot 21) for inserting game media;
Gaming medium detection means (for example, medal selector 501) for detecting game media inserted from the insertion slot;
A first control unit (for example, the main control circuit 91) that executes control related to gaming;
A second control unit (for example, the sub control circuit 101) that executes control relating to a game effect;
A storage unit (for example, a hopper device 51) for storing gaming media, the gaming machine comprising:
The gaming medium detection means
A passage forming unit (for example, a medal rail 210) forming a passage through which game media pass; a proximity sensor (for example, a double photosensor 502) for detecting an object moving in the passage;
An imaging unit (for example, a camera unit 209) for imaging the passage;
Game medium determination means (for example, color recognition circuit 247 of control LSI 234 and image recognition for determining whether or not an object passing through the passage is a legitimate game medium based on image data obtained through the imaging means DSP circuit 242),
Guide means (for example, select plate 207) provided so as to be movable between a guide position for guiding an object passing through the passage to the storage means, and a discharge position for discharging the object to the outside of the gaming machine;
Drive means (eg, medal solenoid 208) for driving the guide means;
The first control unit is
The game media is counted based on the detection result of the proximity sensor,
When the game medium is allowed to be inserted, the drive means is controlled to move the guide means to the guide position,
When the game medium is not allowed to be inserted, the drive means is controlled to move the guide means to the discharge position,
Outputting control content information indicating whether the driving means is controlled to move the guide means to the guide position or to move to the discharge position;
The gaming medium detection means
The guide means is at the guide position when the control content information indicates that the guide means is controlled to move to the guide position, based on the image data obtained via the imaging means. It is determined whether or not the guide means is in the discharge position when the control content information indicates that the guide means is controlled to move to the discharge position. Position determination means,
When the position determination means determines that the guide means is not at the guide position, or when the position determination means determines that the guide means is not at the discharge position, an error is notified to the second control unit Further comprising error notification means;
A game machine characterized in that the second control unit reports an error notified from the error notification unit.

Further, in the image data obtained through the imaging means, the width of the passage becomes narrower when the guide means is at the guide position than when the guide means is at the discharge position.
The position determination means determines whether the guide means is at the guide position or not, based on the width (for example, rail widths W1 and W2) of the passage in the image data obtained through the imaging means. It may be determined whether or not the guide means is in the discharge position.

  Further, the position determination means may determine whether the guide means is at the guide position or not based on image data obtained by converting color image data obtained through the imaging means into gray scale data, or the guide means It may be determined whether or not the discharge position is at the discharge position.

  In the second gaming machine of the present invention of the above configuration, when the first control unit controls the drive unit to move the guide unit to the guide position, the guide unit is not at the guide position. An error is reported. In addition, although the first control unit controls the drive unit to move the guide unit to the discharge position, an error is notified when the guide unit is not at the discharge position. That is, when the guide means is not moved according to the instruction from the first control unit, an error can be notified.

  As a case where the guide means is not moved according to an instruction from the first control unit, for example, a case where the drive means is broken can be considered. Further, for example, there may be a case where foreign matter is present on the passage through which the game medium passes and the guide means is prevented from moving to the guide position. In this modification, the manager of the game machine (for example, an employee of the game hall) can recognize the failure of the drive means and the existence of the foreign matter on the passage through which the game medium passes by notifying the error. You can respond early to

[Error mask function]
It is desirable to prevent generation of an error notification in vain even when an error has not occurred in the game medium detection means.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned third problem, and the third object of the present invention is that the error of the game medium detection means has not occurred but a notification of the error is generated in vain. An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of preventing the end of the game.

  In order to solve the third problem, the present invention provides a third gaming machine having the following configuration.

An insertion slot (for example, a medal insertion slot 21) for inserting game media;
Gaming medium detection means (for example, medal selector 501) for detecting game media inserted from the insertion slot;
A first control unit (for example, the main control circuit 91) that executes control related to gaming;
A second control unit (for example, the sub control circuit 101) that executes control relating to a game effect;
A storage unit (for example, a hopper device 51) for storing gaming media, the gaming machine comprising:
The gaming medium detection means
A passage forming unit (for example, a medal rail 210) forming a passage through which game media pass; a proximity sensor (for example, a double photosensor 502) for detecting an object moving in the passage;
An imaging unit (for example, a camera unit 209) for imaging the passage;
Game medium determination means (for example, color recognition circuit 247 of control LSI 234 and image recognition for determining whether or not an object passing through the passage is a legitimate game medium based on image data obtained through the imaging means DSP circuit 242),
Error notification means (for example, GPIO 250) for notifying the second control unit of an error when a predetermined condition is satisfied;
Guide means (for example, select plate 207) movably provided at a guide position for guiding an object passing through the passage to the storage means, and a discharge position for discharging the object to the outside of the gaming machine;
Drive means (eg, medal solenoid 208) for driving the guide means;
The first control unit is
The game media is counted based on the detection result of the proximity sensor,
When the game medium is allowed to be inserted, the drive means is controlled to move the guide means to the guide position,
When the game medium is not allowed to be inserted, the drive means is controlled to move the guide means to the discharge position,
The error notification means notifies the second control unit of an error regardless of the success or failure of the predetermined condition from the time the power of the gaming machine is turned on to the time the game medium detection means is activated.
The second control unit is
Between the power on of the gaming machine and the activation of the gaming medium detection means, the error notified from the error notifying means is not notified,
A game machine characterized by notifying an error notified from the error notification means after the game medium detection means is activated.

In addition, starting of the first control unit requires a first start-up time (for example, 20 seconds) after the power is turned on.
Starting of the second control unit requires a second start time (for example, 5 seconds) shorter than the first start time after the power is turned on.
The activation of the game medium detection means may require a third activation time (e.g., 18 seconds) longer than the second activation time and shorter than the first activation time after the power is turned on.

  The period in which the second control unit does not notify about the error notified from the error notification unit may be from the elapse of the second activation time to the elapse of the third activation time.

  In the third gaming machine of the present invention of the above configuration, the second control unit does not notify of an error notified from the error notifying unit during the period from the power-on of the gaming machine to the activation of the gaming medium detection unit. That is, the second control unit masks an error between the power on of the gaming machine and the activation of the gaming medium detection means. In this way, it is possible to prevent unnecessary notification of an error from occurring even though no error has actually occurred.

[Template generation process]
Whether the object passed through the passage is a legitimate game medium based on whether the image data obtained by imaging the object passing through the passage and the template data match or are similar to a predetermined degree. In the case of determining whether or not the template data generation means is provided to generate template data, it is possible to suppress generation of template data based on an illegal medal mixed in a large number of regular medals. Is desired.

  The present invention has been made to solve the fourth problem, and a fourth object of the present invention is to generate a template based on an incorrect medal mixed in a large number of regular medals. An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of suppressing the

  In order to solve the fourth problem, the present invention provides a fourth gaming machine having the following configuration.

An insertion slot (for example, a medal insertion slot 21) for inserting game media;
A gaming medium detection unit (for example, a medal selector 201) for detecting gaming media inserted from the insertion slot;
The gaming medium detection means
A passage forming unit (for example, a medal rail 210) for forming a passage through which game media pass; an imaging unit (for example, a camera unit 209) for imaging the passage;
A game medium determination unit (for example, a color recognition circuit 247 of the control LSI 234 and the like) which performs a determination process of determining whether an object passing through the passage is a legitimate game medium based on image data taken by the imaging means. Image recognition DSP circuit 242),
Template generation means (for example, a color recognition circuit 247 of the control LSI 234 and an image recognition accelerator circuit 249) for generating template data used in the determination process;
The game medium determination means determines whether or not an object passing through the passage is a legitimate game medium based on whether the image data and the template data match or are similar to a predetermined degree. And
The template generation unit groups a plurality of the image data into a group of the image data that is the same or similar to a certain degree, and the group within a predetermined top priority order in descending order of the number of the image data belonging to the same group The gaming machine, wherein the template data is generated on the basis of the image data belonging to each of the groups, for each of the groups having a predetermined number or more of the image data belonging thereto.

  Further, before the number of the image data can not generate the predetermined number or more of the groups by the template generation unit before the number of game media inserted from the insertion port exceeds a specific number (for example, 259). May include template abnormality notification means (for example, control LSI 234) for notifying a template abnormality.

Further, the template generation unit
When the number of gaming media inserted from the insertion slot is a first prescribed number (for example, 127), the number of the groups of image data is greater than or equal to the predetermined number is a first number of groups (for example, 1) In the case of 2), or when the number of game media inserted from the insertion slot is a second prescribed number (for example, 259), the number of the image data is greater than or equal to the predetermined number. In the case of two groups (for example, 1 to 4), the template data may be generated.

  In the fourth gaming machine of the present invention having the above configuration, template data is not generated based on a group in which the number of belonging data does not reach a predetermined number. For this reason, it is possible to suppress that the template data is generated based on the illegal medals mixed in the majority of regular medals.

[FFT imprint judgment]
Conventionally, a proximity sensor for detecting two medals is provided in the medal passage, and it is determined whether or not a medal for game has passed through the medal passage based on the output of each proximity sensor, thereby a device such as a plate-like body There is known a slot machine for detecting a fraudulent act in which the player is used (see, for example, JP-A-2002-342814). There is also known a slot machine that uses a CCD camera to determine an inserted improper medal (illegal medal) (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-271462).
A fifth object of the present invention is to improve the accuracy of detection of fraud which causes a game medium to be misidentified as being used.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a fifth gaming machine or gaming device having the following configuration.

An insertion slot (for example, a medal insertion slot 21 described later) for inserting game media;
A game medium detection unit (for example, a medal selector 201 described later) for detecting a game medium inserted from the insertion port;
The gaming medium detection means
A passage forming unit (for example, a medal rail 210 described later) which forms a passage through which game media pass;
An imaging unit (for example, a camera unit 209 described later) for imaging the passage;
Game medium determination means (for example, control LSI 234 described later) that determines whether or not an object passing through the passage is a legitimate game medium based on image data obtained through the imaging means ,
The gaming medium determination means
First image conversion means (e.g., an ISP circuit 245 which performs color conversion processing described later) which converts the image data into first image data which is rectangular coordinate image data and is a grayscale image;
A second image conversion unit (for example, an image recognition accelerator circuit 249 that performs polar coordinate conversion processing described later) that converts the first image data into second image data that is polar coordinate image data;
Third image conversion means (for example, an image recognition accelerator circuit 249 that performs FFT conversion processing described later) that Fourier-transforms the second image data in predetermined angle units and converts it into third image data;
A comparison result deriving unit (for example, an image recognition DSP circuit 242 that performs FFT template comparison processing described later) that compares the template data generated in advance with the third image data and derives a comparison result;
It is determined whether or not an object passing through the passage is a legitimate game medium based on the comparison result.

A game medium detection unit for detecting game media;
The gaming medium detection means
A passage forming unit that forms a passage through which game media pass;
Imaging means for imaging the passage;
Game medium determination means for determining whether or not an object passing through the passage is a legitimate game medium based on image data obtained through the imaging means;
The gaming medium determination means
First image conversion means for converting the image data into first image data which is rectangular coordinate image data and is a gray scale image;
Second image conversion means for converting the first image data into second image data which is polar coordinate image data;
Third image conversion means for performing Fourier transform on the second image data in predetermined angle units to convert it into third image data;
Comparison result deriving means for comparing a template data generated in advance with the third image data and deriving a comparison result;
It is determined whether or not an object passing through the passage is a legitimate game medium based on the comparison result.

  In the fifth gaming machine or gaming device of the present invention configured as described above, not only comparison of whole images but also individual comparison in angle units can be easily made, so it is misidentified as legitimate gaming media being used. The accuracy of fraud detection is increased.

[3D judgment]
In addition, to achieve the fifth object, the present invention provides a sixth gaming machine or gaming device having the following configuration.

An insertion slot (for example, a medal insertion slot 21 described later) for inserting game media;
A game medium detection unit (for example, a medal selector 201 described later) for detecting a game medium inserted from the insertion port;
The gaming medium detection means
A passage forming unit (for example, a medal rail 210 described later) which forms a passage through which game media pass;
An imaging unit (for example, a camera unit 209 described later) for imaging the passage;
Game medium determination means (for example, control LSI 234 described later) that determines whether or not an object passing through the passage is a legitimate game medium based on image data obtained through the imaging means ,
The gaming medium determination means
The image data is converted into different first image data (e.g. gradient average image data described later), second image data (e.g. HOG data described later) and third image data (e.g. FFT data described later) Image conversion means (for example, an image recognition accelerator circuit 249 described later);
First comparison result deriving means for comparing the first image data with the first template data generated in advance and deriving the first comparison result (for example, the image recognition DSP circuit 242 which performs gradient average image template comparison processing described later) )When,
Second comparison result deriving means (for example, an image recognition DSP circuit 242 performing HOG template comparison processing described later) for comparing the second image data with the second template data generated in advance and deriving a second comparison result ,
Third comparison result deriving means (for example, an image recognition DSP circuit 242 for performing FFT template comparison processing described later) for comparing the third image data with the third template data generated in advance and deriving the third comparison result And have
It is determined based on the first comparison result, the second comparison result and the third comparison result, and a preset determination threshold whether or not an object passing through the passage is a legitimate game medium. A game machine characterized by

A game medium detection unit for detecting game media;
The gaming medium detection means
A passage forming unit that forms a passage through which game media pass;
Imaging means for imaging the passage;
Game medium determination means for determining whether or not an object passing through the passage is a legitimate game medium based on image data obtained through the imaging means;
The gaming medium determination means
Image conversion means for converting the image data into different first image data, second image data and third image data;
First comparison result deriving means for comparing a first template data generated in advance with the first image data and deriving a first comparison result;
Second comparison result deriving means for comparing a second template data generated in advance with the second image data and deriving a second comparison result;
Third comparison result deriving means for comparing a third template data generated in advance with the third image data, and deriving a third comparison result;
It is determined based on the first comparison result, the second comparison result and the third comparison result, and a preset determination threshold whether or not an object passing through the passage is a legitimate game medium. A gaming apparatus characterized by

  The first image data is gradient average image data obtained by rotating and accumulating the image data, and the second image data is HOG data obtained by HOG (Histograms of Oriented Gradients) conversion of the image data, The third image data may be Fourier transform data obtained by Fourier transforming the image data.

  According to the sixth gaming machine or gaming device of the present invention having the above-described configuration, it is possible to perform marking determination on one determination target based on the results of three different types of template comparison processing. For this reason, the accuracy of the determination is improved, and the accuracy of the detection of the cheating that misrepresents that a regular game medium is used is enhanced.

[Coefficient update processing]
Further, to achieve the fifth object, the present invention provides a seventh gaming machine or gaming device having the following configuration.

An insertion slot (for example, a medal insertion slot 21 described later) for inserting game media;
A game medium detection unit (for example, a medal selector 201 described later) for detecting a game medium inserted from the insertion port;
The gaming medium detection means
A passage forming unit (for example, a medal rail 210 described later) which forms a passage through which game media pass;
An imaging unit (for example, a camera unit 209 described later) for imaging the passage;
Game medium determination means (for example, control LSI 234 described later) that determines whether or not an object passing through the passage is a legitimate game medium based on image data obtained through the imaging means ,
The gaming medium determination means
The image data is converted into different first image data (e.g. gradient average image data described later), second image data (e.g. HOG data described later) and third image data (e.g. FFT data described later) Image conversion means (for example, an image recognition accelerator circuit 249 described later);
First comparison result deriving means for comparing the first image data with the first template data generated in advance and deriving the first comparison result (for example, the image recognition DSP circuit 242 which performs gradient average image template comparison processing described later) )When,
Second comparison result deriving means (for example, an image recognition DSP circuit 242 performing HOG template comparison processing described later) for comparing the second image data with the second template data generated in advance and deriving a second comparison result ,
Third comparison result deriving means (for example, an image recognition DSP circuit 242 for performing FFT template comparison processing described later) for comparing the third image data with the third template data generated in advance and deriving the third comparison result And have
An object passing through the passage is a regular game medium based on the first comparison result, the second comparison result and the third comparison result, and a preset determination threshold (for example, a coefficient D described later) Determine if there is,
A game machine characterized by updating the judgment threshold based on an average and a deviation of each of the first comparison result, the second comparison result and the third comparison result.

A game medium detection unit for detecting game media;
The gaming medium detection means
A passage forming unit that forms a passage through which game media pass;
Imaging means for imaging the passage;
Game medium determination means for determining whether or not an object passing through the passage is a legitimate game medium based on image data obtained through the imaging means;
The gaming medium determination means
Image conversion means for converting the image data into different first image data, second image data and third image data;
First comparison result deriving means for comparing a first template data generated in advance with the first image data and deriving a first comparison result;
Second comparison result deriving means for comparing a second template data generated in advance with the second image data and deriving a second comparison result;
Third comparison result deriving means for comparing a third template data generated in advance with the third image data, and deriving a third comparison result;
Based on the first comparison result, the second comparison result and the third comparison result, and a preset determination threshold value, it is determined whether an object passing through the passage is a legitimate game medium.
The game threshold value is updated based on an average and a deviation of each of the first comparison result, the second comparison result and the third comparison result.

  Further, the game medium determination means may update the determination threshold when it is determined that the object passing through the passage is a regular game medium a predetermined number of times.

  According to the seventh gaming machine or gaming apparatus of the present invention having the above-described configuration, even if a change occurs in marking due to age-related deterioration, various types of thresholding used for determination are made according to the current state of the regular medals. The coefficients can be updated. Therefore, the accuracy of the results of various determinations can be maintained. Therefore, it is possible to enhance the accuracy of detection of fraudulent behavior that causes the game medium to be misidentified as being used.

[Template update process]
In order to achieve the fifth object, the present invention provides an eighth gaming machine or gaming device having the following configuration.

An insertion slot (for example, a medal insertion slot 21 described later) for inserting game media;
A game medium detection unit (for example, a medal selector 201 described later) for detecting a game medium inserted from the insertion port;
The gaming medium detection means
A passage forming unit (for example, a medal rail 210 described later) which forms a passage through which game media pass;
An imaging unit (for example, a camera unit 209 described later) for imaging the passage;
Game medium determination means (for example, control LSI 234 described later) that determines whether or not an object passing through the passage is a legitimate game medium based on image data obtained through the imaging means ,
The gaming medium determination means
The image data is converted into different first image data (e.g. gradient average image data described later), second image data (e.g. HOG data described later) and third image data (e.g. FFT data described later) Image conversion means (for example, an image recognition accelerator circuit 249 described later);
Template generation means for generating first template data, second template data and third template data corresponding to each of the first image data, the second image data and the third image data;
A first comparison result deriving unit (e.g., an image recognition DSP circuit 242 that performs gradient average image template comparison processing described later) that compares the first template data with the first image data and derives a first comparison result;
A second comparison result deriving unit (e.g., an image recognition DSP circuit 242 that performs HOG template comparison processing described later) that compares the second template data with the second image data and derives a second comparison result;
Third comparison result deriving means for comparing the third template data with the third image data and for deriving a third comparison result (for example, an image recognition DSP circuit 242 for performing an FFT template comparison process described later) And
An object passing through the passage is a regular game medium based on the first comparison result, the second comparison result and the third comparison result, and a preset determination threshold (for example, a coefficient D described later) Determine if there is,
The template generation unit is configured to generate the first image data, the second image data, the third image data, the first template data, the second template data, and the second image data relating to a game medium determined to be a legitimate game medium. A gaming machine characterized by performing a template update process for synthesizing the third template data.

A game medium detection means is provided,
The gaming medium detection means
A passage forming unit that forms a passage through which game media pass;
Imaging means for imaging the passage;
Game medium determination means for determining whether or not an object passing through the passage is a legitimate game medium based on image data obtained through the imaging means;
The gaming medium determination means
Image conversion means for converting the image data into different first image data, second image data and third image data;
Template generation means for generating first template data, second template data and third template data corresponding to each of the first image data, the second image data and the third image data;
First comparison result deriving means for comparing the first template data with the first image data and deriving a first comparison result;
Second comparison result deriving means for comparing the second template data with the second image data and deriving a second comparison result;
And third comparison result deriving means for comparing the third template data with the third image data and deriving a third comparison result.
Based on the first comparison result, the second comparison result and the third comparison result, and a preset determination threshold value, it is determined whether an object passing through the passage is a legitimate game medium.
The template generation unit is configured to generate the first image data, the second image data, the third image data, the first template data, the second template data, and the second image data relating to a game medium determined to be a legitimate game medium. A gaming apparatus characterized by performing a template update process that combines the third template data.

  Further, the template generation means may be configured to determine the first image data relating to a game medium determined to be a regular game medium whenever the game medium determined to be a regular game medium by the game medium determination means reaches a predetermined number. A template updating process for combining each of the second image data and the third image data by weighted averaging, weighted averaging, and combining the first template data, the second template data, and the third template data; You may go.

  According to the eighth gaming machine or gaming device of the present invention configured as described above, the template is successively updated. For this reason, for example, even if it is deteriorated due to insertion into a gaming machine, payout, washing in a game arcade, or the like, and the marking becomes less noticeable than in the beginning, the template can be updated according to the current state of regular medals. Therefore, the accuracy of the results of various determinations can be maintained. Therefore, the accuracy of the detection of the fraudulent act which misindicates that the formal game media are used is enhanced.

[Open cover detection]
Conventionally, there has been known a slot machine which determines an inserted improper medal (illegal medal) using a CCD camera (see, for example, JP-A-2006-271462).
However, in the above-mentioned slot machine, when unnecessary light strikes the location where the CCD camera of the medal selector captures an image, the inserted medal, the CCD camera, etc., the inserted medal based on the captured image is a normal medal or not. The accuracy of this determination may be reduced. In addition, if a sensor or the like for detecting unnecessary light is provided for that purpose, the number of parts of the medal selector increases and the manufacturing cost increases.
A sixth object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine or a gaming apparatus which can suppress the manufacturing cost and prevent the accuracy of the determination of whether or not a regular medal is lowered.
In order to achieve the sixth object, the present invention provides a ninth gaming machine or gaming device having the following configuration.

An insertion slot (for example, a medal insertion slot 21 described later) for inserting game media;
A game medium detection unit (for example, a medal selector 201 described later) for detecting a game medium inserted from the insertion port;
The gaming medium detection means
A passage forming unit (for example, a medal rail 210 described later) which forms a passage through which game media pass;
An imaging unit (for example, a camera unit 209 described later) for imaging the passage;
Game medium determination means (for example, control LSI 234 described later) that determines whether or not an object passing through the passage is a legitimate game medium based on image data obtained through the imaging means;
The presence or absence of game media is determined for a plurality of passage determination areas preset in the image data, and the change mode of the presence or absence of game media for the plurality of passage determination areas in a plurality of the image data continuous in time series is And a counting unit (for example, a medal counting circuit 246 described later) for counting game media when it matches a predetermined mode,
At a predetermined position of the game medium detection means, a light shielding means (for example, a cover member 240 described later) for blocking light unnecessary for the judgment of the game medium judgment means is disposed,
The counting means has a light blocking judgment means for judging whether the light blocking means is disposed at a predetermined position,
The light shielding judgment means detects an abnormality in which the light shielding means is not arranged at a predetermined position when detecting a change in luminance of the predetermined passage judgment area for a predetermined time or more (for example, cover open detection processing described later) )
A game machine characterized by

A game medium detection means is provided,
The gaming medium detection means
A passage forming unit that forms a passage through which game media pass;
Imaging means for imaging the passage;
Game medium determination means for determining whether or not an object passing through the passage is a legitimate game medium based on image data obtained through the imaging means;
The presence or absence of game media is determined for a plurality of passage determination areas preset in the image data, and the change mode of the presence or absence of game media for the plurality of passage determination areas in a plurality of the image data continuous in time series is And counting means for counting game media when it matches the predetermined mode,
At a predetermined position of the game medium detecting means, a light shielding means for blocking light unnecessary for the judgment of the game medium judging means is disposed,
The counting means has a light blocking judgment means for judging whether the light blocking means is disposed at a predetermined position,
The game apparatus characterized in that the light shielding judgment means detects an abnormality in which the light shielding means is not arranged at a predetermined position, when the change of the luminance of the predetermined passage judging area is detected for a predetermined time or more.

According to the ninth gaming machine or gaming apparatus of the present invention having the above-described structure, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the accuracy of determination of whether or not a regular medal without raising the manufacturing cost. That is, since it is possible to prevent an unnecessary light from striking the determination, it is possible to maintain the accuracy of the determination result. Therefore, the accuracy of the detection of the fraudulent act which misindicates that the formal game media are used is enhanced.
In addition, since it is determined whether the light shielding means is disposed at a predetermined position based on image data obtained through the imaging means, it is not necessary to attach another sensor for the determination. For this reason, the number of parts can be reduced, and an increase in manufacturing cost can be suppressed. In addition, because of the determination based on the image data, the condition of the determination can be easily changed as compared with the case where a dedicated sensor is provided.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Pachi slot, 3L ... left reel, 3C ... inside reel, 3R ... right reel, 4 ... reel display window, 21 ... medal insertion slot, 23 ... start lever, 32 ... medal payout opening, 51 ... hopper device, 71 ... main Control board, 72: secondary control board, 79: start switch, 80: stop switch board, 91: main control circuit, 101: secondary control circuit, 140: cancel shooter, 201: medal selector, 202: medal shoot, 203: slope , 204: base plate portion, 205: sub plate, 206: cancel shooter, 207: select plate, 208: medal solenoid, 209: camera unit, 210: medal rail, 211: medal entry portion, 212: central hole, 213 ... Medal pressure, 217 ... magnet, 218: After medal pressure, 227: medal stopper portion, 230: first substrate, 231: second substrate, 232: CMOS image sensor, 233: LED, 234: control LSI, 235: leg portion, 241: host controller , 242: image recognition DSP circuit, 243: SRAM, 244: flash memory, 245: ISP circuit, 246: medal count circuit, 247: color recognition circuit, 248: fisheye correction scaler circuit, 249: image recognition accelerator circuit, 250 ... GPIO, 251 ... ISI circuit

Claims (3)

An insertion slot for inserting game media,
Game medium detection means for detecting game medium inserted from the insertion port;
The gaming medium detection means
A passage forming unit that forms a passage through which game media pass;
Imaging means for imaging the passage;
Game medium determination means for determining whether or not an object passing through the passage is a legitimate game medium based on image data obtained through the imaging means;
The gaming medium determination means
Image conversion means for converting the image data into different first image data, second image data and third image data;
First comparison result deriving means for comparing a first template data generated in advance with the first image data and deriving a first comparison result;
Second comparison result deriving means for comparing a second template data generated in advance with the second image data and deriving a second comparison result;
Third comparison result deriving means for comparing a third template data generated in advance with the third image data, and deriving a third comparison result;
It is determined based on the first comparison result, the second comparison result and the third comparison result, and a preset determination threshold whether or not an object passing through the passage is a legitimate game medium. A game machine characterized by The first image data is gradient average image data accumulated by rotating the image data,
The second image data is HOG data obtained by converting the image data into HOG (Histograms of Oriented Gradients),
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the third image data is Fourier transform data obtained by Fourier transforming the image data. A game medium detection unit for detecting game media;
The gaming medium detection means
A passage forming unit that forms a passage through which game media pass;
Imaging means for imaging the passage;
Game medium determination means for determining whether or not an object passing through the passage is a legitimate game medium based on image data obtained through the imaging means;
The gaming medium determination means
Image conversion means for converting the image data into different first image data, second image data and third image data;
First comparison result deriving means for comparing a first template data generated in advance with the first image data and deriving a first comparison result;
Second comparison result deriving means for comparing a second template data generated in advance with the second image data and deriving a second comparison result;
Third comparison result deriving means for comparing a third template data generated in advance with the third image data, and deriving a third comparison result;
It is determined based on the first comparison result, the second comparison result and the third comparison result, and a preset determination threshold whether or not an object passing through the passage is a legitimate game medium. A gaming apparatus characterized by

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