JP3926325B2 - Tracking camera automatic initial setting system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a system for setting and controlling a tracking camera (surveillance camera) provided for monitoring, crime prevention, and the like, and in particular, initial settings such as a camera direction and a zoom magnification corresponding to each monitoring target of the tracking camera. The present invention relates to an automatic initial setting system for a tracking camera that can be automatically adjusted and executed.

In recent amusement halls such as pachinko halls and pachislot halls, tracking cameras (monitoring) are used to monitor the operating status of gaming machines, illegal acts on gaming machines and ball lending machines, abnormal supply of pachinko balls and pachislot medals, etc. Camera).
This type of tracking camera has a camera attached to a position where a single camera can capture a plurality of gaming machines, and a plurality of cameras capture images of all gaming machines in the amusement hall. .
Then, by installing a TV monitor that displays the images taken by the tracking camera in a management room where a hall computer for gaming machine management is installed, all the gaming machines can be monitored via the TV monitor. Can be monitored (see, for example, Patent Documents 1-3).

In such a tracking system using a tracking camera, a single camera is used to monitor a plurality of gaming machines, and each camera has a different zoom magnification and pan (for each gaming machine to be monitored). A horizontal) angle, a tilt (vertical) angle, etc. are initially set in advance.
Specifically, the pan and tilt angles of the electric pan head on which each camera is mounted, the zoom magnification of the electric zoom lens provided in each camera, and the like are monitored via a controller that controls the tracking camera. Each gaming machine is adjusted to an optimum position, angle, and value, and initial setting information is set and stored in the controller.

Then, by making predetermined initial settings for the tracking camera in advance, a large number of gaming machines to be monitored are automatically imaged with optimum pan angle, tilt angle and zoom magnification, respectively, and images are sequentially It can be displayed on the monitor for monitoring.
In addition, a gaming machine in which an abnormality is detected by a hall computer or the like can be immediately imaged with the pan angle, tilt angle, and zoom magnification set for the gaming machine, and the image can be displayed on a television monitor.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-176484 (page 3-5, FIG. 2) JP-A-5-166082 (page 3-4, FIG. 1) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-49762 (page 4, FIG. 1)

By the way, the initial settings for the tracking camera system as described above are all manually performed by the operator. Specifically, for each camera, the operator who performs the initial setting takes an image of the gaming machine to be monitored by the camera and displays it on the monitor, and while viewing the monitor screen, the joystick, keyboard, and mouse are displayed. The pan angle, tilt angle, zoom magnification, etc. were adjusted using an input means such as a trackball to optimize the projected video of the gaming machine, and these were set and stored in the camera controller.
However, in recent years, game halls such as pachinko halls have grown in size, and the number of game machines installed can range from a few hundred to around one thousand, and for all the gaming machines to be monitored, The initial setting work of the zoom magnification, pan angle, tilt angle, and zoom magnification by the operator's manual work has required enormous time and labor.

  Therefore, the present invention has been proposed to solve the above-described conventional problems, and in a system that monitors a plurality of monitoring targets for each tracking camera, the camera direction and zoom magnification corresponding to each monitoring target. A large-scale monitoring system that can automatically adjust, set, and register the initial settings based on the video of each monitoring target, install a large number of cameras, and each camera monitors a large number of targets. Even so, it is possible to automatically and quickly perform initial camera settings, and in particular, a tracking camera suitable for a game system monitoring system in which a large number of tracking cameras are installed for monitoring a large number of pachinko machines and pachislot machines. The purpose is to provide an automatic initialization system.

  To achieve the above object, the tracking camera automatic initial setting system according to the present invention is capable of imaging a predetermined area including one or more monitoring targets and a light source corresponding to each monitoring target. A tracking camera, a tracking camera controller that drives the tracking camera to a predetermined pan angle, tilt angle, and zoom magnification corresponding to each monitoring target, and a tracking camera management control unit that manages and controls the tracking camera and the tracking camera controller The tracking camera management control means includes a camera selection means for sequentially selecting an initial setting target camera for initial setting from one or two or more tracking cameras, and the selected initial setting target camera on the imaging screen of the camera. Corresponding to the wide-angle setting means to set the wide-angle that can be displayed for all monitoring targets, and the monitoring target for initial setting among all the monitoring targets displayed on the screen The light source lighting means for sequentially turning on the light source, the light source recognition means for recognizing the position of the light source on the screen, and the initial setting target camera so that the recognized light source becomes a predetermined reference position on the screen. Pan / tilt angle setting means for setting the pan angle and tilt angle, focus setting means for setting the initial setting target camera so that the lens is focused on the light source at the reference position, and an initial setting target focused on the light source Enter the distance information from the camera to the light source, calculate the zoom magnification of the initial setting target camera, and set the zoom magnification, pan angle and tilt angle set for the initial setting target camera. And a setting storage means for storing in the storage unit.

According to the tracking camera automatic initial setting system of the present invention having such a configuration, all the monitoring targets are photographed by the tracking camera to be the initial setting target, the light source corresponding to each monitoring target is turned on, and the lit light source By recognizing and adjusting to a predetermined reference position on the screen, it is possible to automatically set the optimum pan angle, tilt angle, and zoom magnification of the camera for the monitoring target.
Then, by turning on and off the light source corresponding to the monitoring target one by one sequentially, the optimum pan angle, tilt angle, and zoom magnification can be automatically set and registered for all the monitoring targets of each camera. .
As a result, according to the present invention, all or part of the initial setting work of the tracking camera that has been performed manually by the operator can be automated, and the work load in the initial setting can be reduced. In particular, it is possible to greatly reduce and eliminate the time and labor required for the initial setting in a large-scale monitoring system in which a large number of cameras are installed and each camera images and monitors a large number of monitoring targets. Become.

Here, the drive control of the electric pan head that adjusts the pan angle and tilt angle of the camera and the electric zoom lens mechanism that changes the zoom magnification of the camera usually requires about several hundred milliseconds, but on the screen The process of recognizing the light source and determining the setting value according to a predetermined reference position can be performed by an initial setting program executed on the computer, so the processing speed of the initial setting program is several times higher than the control speed of the electric zoom lens mechanism. It will be fast.
Therefore, if the initial setting of multiple tracking cameras is performed in a time-sharing manner, the initial setting of multiple tracking cameras can be performed in parallel, and a large number of tracking targets can be monitored by a large number of tracking cameras. Even in a large-scale system, the initial setting time can be greatly shortened.

In the tracking camera automatic initial setting system according to the present invention, the tilt angle and / or pan angle of the initial setting target camera to which the zoom magnification is set is different from the reference position. Pan / tilt angle correction means for setting the reference position is provided, and the setting storage means is configured to store the pan angle and tilt angle set by the pan / tilt angle setting means in a predetermined storage unit.
According to the tracking camera automatic initial setting system of the present invention having such a configuration, after the light source is adjusted to a predetermined reference position (first reference position), the light source is further adjusted to the second reference position. The pan angle, the tilt angle, and the zoom magnification can be set so that an image that is optimal for the monitoring target is displayed at an optimal position and size regardless of the position of the monitoring target.

In the present invention, the light source serving as a reference for initial setting is not necessarily located at the center of the monitoring target. For example, the light source may be located above the monitoring target.
Therefore, in such a case, after the light source is once adjusted to the reference position (first reference position), it is adjusted to the second reference position moved by a predetermined amount from the reference position, so that the monitoring target and the light source are Regardless of the positional relationship, the pan angle, tilt angle, and zoom magnification can be set so that the monitoring target is imaged at the optimum position and size.
As a result, it is possible to realize a tracking camera initial setting system with higher versatility and expandability, which enables initial setting of the tracking camera regardless of the positional relationship between the light source and the monitoring target.

In the tracking camera automatic initial setting system according to the present invention, as described in claim 3, one or two or more monitoring targets are gaming machines installed in a game arcade.
Thus, the tracking camera automatic initial setting system of the present invention can be an initial setting system for a surveillance camera of a gaming machine provided in a game hall such as a pachinko hall or a pachislot hall.

In recent years, with the spread and expansion of pachinko and pachislot games, game halls such as pachinko halls and pachislot halls have become larger, and the number of game machines to be installed has increased from a few hundred to around one thousand. There is also a place. Therefore, in such a game arcade where a large number of gaming machines are installed, the initial setting work load of the tracking camera for monitoring the gaming machines becomes enormous.
Therefore, if the present invention, which can automatically perform all or part of the initial setting of the tracking camera, is applied as an initial setting system for the monitoring camera of the game hall, the initial setting of the tracking camera installed in the game hall can be performed easily and quickly. Setting can be performed, and the time and labor of the initial setting work which has been manually performed so far can be greatly reduced.

In the tracking camera automatic initial setting system of the present invention, the light source corresponding to each monitoring target is a calling lamp provided for each gaming machine.
According to the tracking camera automatic initial setting system of the present invention having such a configuration, a paging lamp provided in a gaming machine can be used as a light source serving as a reference for initial setting.

In the amusement hall, a call lamp is provided for each gaming machine corresponding to each gaming machine such as a pachinko machine or a pachislot machine in order for a player to call an employee of the hall. The lamp is configured by a lamp that emits red or yellow light provided at a substantially central portion above the gaming machine.
Therefore, by using this ringing lamp as a light source that is a reference for initial setting in the present invention, when the present invention is implemented as an initial setting system for a surveillance camera in a game hall, a new light source means is not provided separately. Existing game machines and their call lamps can be used as they are, and an initial setting system with low cost and excellent versatility and expandability can be realized.

Note that the calling lamp may be a calling lamp having any configuration as long as it is provided in one-to-one correspondence with the gaming machine, and is not necessarily limited to the one provided above the gaming machine. In addition, the call lamp is usually a facility provided separately from the gaming machine, but the present invention can be applied to a calling lamp provided integrally with the gaming machine.
In addition, the gaming machine is provided with various lamps, LEDs, a liquid crystal display unit, and the like for the purpose of enhancing the production effect, but it is of course possible to use these as the light source of the present invention. By using such various lamps as the light source of the present invention, the present invention can be carried out using an existing game machine as it is, as in the case of the calling lamp.

Furthermore, in the tracking camera automatic initial setting system according to the present invention, as described in claim 5, a part or all of the tracking camera management control means is installed in a game arcade and a call provided for each gaming machine. The hall computer controls the lamp, and the hall computer sequentially turns on and off the call lamps corresponding to each gaming machine by controlling the light source lighting means.
According to the tracking camera automatic initial setting system of the present invention having such a configuration, the tracking camera management control means of the present invention can be configured by a hall computer that manages the entire gaming machine installed in the game hall.

The hall computer consists of information processing devices such as personal computers and workstations installed in the amusement hall. The game data of all gaming machines in the amusement hall are input and managed, and abnormalities of each gaming machine are detected. It comes to monitor. And the call lamp provided corresponding to each game machine can turn on and off any call lamp under the control of the hall computer.
Therefore, by configuring the tracking camera management control means of the present invention with a hall computer, a call lamp used as a light source for initial setting is turned on and off in a desired order and timing under the control of the hall computer. In addition, ON / OFF of the light source in the initial setting process can be automatically performed under the control of the hall computer.
This makes it possible to perform the initial setting process of the tracking camera more easily and quickly by making the best use of the functions of the existing hall computer provided in the amusement hall, and a low-cost and highly versatile initial setting system. Can be realized.

The tracking camera automatic initial setting system of the present invention as described above can be provided as a program for causing a computer to function as a predetermined means for realizing the present invention.
That is, the present invention provides a tracking camera capable of imaging a predetermined area including one or two or more monitoring targets and a light source corresponding to each monitoring target, and a tracking camera corresponding to each monitoring target. A camera for sequentially selecting an initial setting target camera for initial setting from one or two or more tracking cameras as a computer for managing and controlling a tracking camera controller driven at a predetermined pan angle, tilt angle, and zoom magnification. A selection means, a wide angle setting means for setting the selected initial setting target camera to a wide angle at which all the monitoring targets can be displayed on the imaging screen of the camera, and initial setting among all the monitoring targets displayed on the screen Light source lighting means for sequentially turning on the light sources corresponding to the monitoring target, light source recognition means for recognizing the position of the lit light source on the screen, and the recognized light source as a predetermined reference position on the screen As described above, the pan / tilt angle setting means for setting the pan angle and the tilt angle of the initial setting target camera, the focus setting means for setting the initial setting target camera so that the lens is focused on the light source at the reference position, and the light source The zoom magnification setting means for inputting distance information from the focused initial setting target camera to the light source and calculating and setting the zoom magnification of the initial setting target camera, and the zoom magnification set for the initial setting target camera, The tracking camera automatic initial setting program can be configured to function as a setting storage unit that stores the pan angle and the tilt angle in a predetermined storage unit.
Further, according to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the computer further includes a tilt angle and / or a pan angle of the initial setting target camera to which the zoom magnification is set. Automatic tracking camera for functioning as pan / tilt angle correcting means for setting the position, and setting storage means for storing the pan angle and tilt angle set by the pan / tilt angle setting means in a predetermined storage unit It can be configured as an initial setting program.

According to the tracking camera automatic initial setting system of the present invention as described above, in the system that monitors a plurality of monitoring targets for each tracking camera, the initial setting such as the camera direction and zoom magnification corresponding to each monitoring target is set for each monitoring. It can be automatically adjusted, set and registered based on the target video.
As a result, even in a large-scale monitoring system in which a large number of cameras are installed and each camera monitors a large number of objects, the initial setting of the cameras can be performed automatically and quickly. It is possible to provide a tracking camera automatic initial setting system suitable for a game system monitoring system in which a large number of tracking cameras are installed for monitoring a large number of pachinko machines and pachislot machines.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a tracking camera automatic initial setting system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of a tracking camera automatic initial setting system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing a relationship between a gaming machine and a tracking camera in a game room to which the tracking camera automatic initial setting system of the present invention is applied.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a tracking camera automatic initial setting system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in these drawings, the tracking camera automatic initial setting system according to the present embodiment is an initial system for tracking cameras provided in game halls such as pachinko halls and pachislot halls where a large number of gaming machines such as pachinko machines and pachislot machines are installed. It is a system that automatically performs settings.
In the amusement hall, gaming machines are installed in units of so-called “islands”. In the example shown in FIG. 2, five game machine islands 1a to 1e are installed, and each island has 10 game machines on one side and 20 game machines on both sides.
A tracking camera is installed in a passage (so-called “river”) between adjacent game machine islands so that the game machines on the adjacent game machine islands are monitored. In the example shown in FIG. 2, tracking cameras 31a to 31d are installed in four passages (rivers) 2a to 2d, respectively, so that each tracking camera 31 can monitor 20 gaming machines on adjacent gaming machine islands. It has become.

Each tracking camera is attached to, for example, the ceiling of a game hall, and each tracking camera is preset (initially set) with an optimum pan angle, tilt angle, and zoom magnification for each monitored gaming machine to be managed. Always imaging and monitoring.
The tracking camera automatic initial setting system of this embodiment automatically performs different initial settings for each gaming machine of the tracking cameras installed in this way.

Generally, a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine or a pachislot machine is provided with a calling lamp for a player to call an employee or the like for each gaming machine. In the present embodiment, the initial setting of each tracking camera is performed based on the calling lamp that is always provided one-on-one with the gaming machine (the light source according to the present invention).
Needless to say, by using the initial setting system according to the present embodiment, it is possible to re-set individual cameras. For example, when the failed tracking camera is replaced or the like, the initial setting system of this embodiment can be used even when initial setting is performed again for some of the tracked cameras that have been replaced.

Specifically, the tracking camera automatic initial setting system of the present embodiment includes a hall computer 10, a plurality of gaming machines 20 (20-1 to 20-n), and a tracking camera system 30, as shown in FIG. It has.
The hall computer 10 is composed of an information processing device such as a personal computer or a workstation installed in the game hall, and inputs game data (the number of safe balls, the number of balls out, the number of winnings, etc.) of all the gaming machines 20 in the game hall. Are managed, and abnormalities of each gaming machine are detected and monitored.
The hall computer 10 controls a call lamp 21 provided corresponding to each gaming machine 20 so that an arbitrary call lamp 21 can be turned on and off. In the present embodiment, the control function of the call lamp 21 by the hall computer 10 is used, and the call lamp 21 is used as a light source for initial setting of the tracking camera. By turning on and off at the timing, ON / OFF of the light source in the initial setting process is automatically performed under the control of the hall computer 10.

The gaming machine 20 is composed of a pachinko machine or a pachislot machine, and as described above, a predetermined number of gaming machines 20 are installed in the game hall in units of islands.
On each upper part of each gaming machine 20 (20-1 to 20-n), a call lamp 21 (21-1 to 21-n) is provided for a player to call an employee of the hall.
The gaming machines 20-1 to 20-n and the call lamps 21-1 to 21-n are connected to the hall computer 10, respectively, and game data from each gaming machine 20 is input to the hall computer 10, and the hall computer. By the control of 10, the arbitrary call lamp 21 is turned on (flashing) and turned off.

The tracking camera system 30 includes a predetermined number of tracking cameras 31 (31a to 31d), a tracking camera operation unit 32, a tracking camera controller 33, a television monitor 34 (34a to 34d) corresponding to the tracking camera 31, and an image recording device 35. It has.
The tracking camera 31 is a camera unit that captures and monitors the gaming machine 20 to be monitored. The tracking camera 31 includes an electric zoom lens 31-1 that changes the zoom magnification of the camera and is mounted on the electric head 31-2. The pan angle and tilt angle can be changed (see FIG. 3).

  Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the tracking camera 31 is installed for each aisle (river) of the game arcade and captures and monitors the gaming machine 20 to be monitored. In the present embodiment, four tracking cameras 31a to 31d are provided corresponding to the four passages (rivers) 2a to 2d. Each of the gaming machines 20 can be imaged at a pan angle, a tilt angle, and a zoom magnification set for each gaming machine 20, and the video can be displayed on the corresponding television monitor 34 (34a to 34d). ing.

The tracking camera operation unit 32 includes an information processing device such as a personal computer, and controls and operates the tracking camera system.
Specifically, the tracking camera operation unit 32 includes hardware (capture board) for capturing a recognized image and an initial setting program, and the video of each camera is displayed via the monitor 32a. The initial setting process of each tracking camera 31 can be performed while viewing (see FIG. 6). The tracking camera operation unit 32 constitutes tracking camera management control means in the present invention.
The initial setting program is a program stored and executed in the tracking camera operation unit 32, and recognizes the calling lamp 21 of the gaming machine 20 to be monitored in the video of the tracking camera 31, and displays the calling lamp 21 on the monitor screen. An initial setting process is performed to adjust the pan angle, the tilt angle, and the zoom magnification so that the video of the tracking camera is most easily seen by each gaming machine by moving to a predetermined reference position.

Here, the initial setting program sends a command to each element of the computer constituting the tracking camera operation unit 32, and performs predetermined processing / procedures such as light source recognition, change of pan angle and tilt angle, change of zoom magnification, and the like. To do.
That is, each process in the initial setting system of the present embodiment is realized by specific means in which the initial setting program and the computer constituting the tracking camera operation unit 32 cooperate.

  Specifically, the initial setting program includes a camera selection unit that sequentially selects a computer constituting the tracking camera operation unit 32, an initial setting target camera that performs initial setting from the tracking camera 31, and the selected initial setting target camera. , A wide angle setting means for setting all the monitoring targets to be displayed on the imaging screen of the camera, and among all the monitoring targets displayed on the screen, a light source (call lamp 21) corresponding to the monitoring target to be initially set. Light source lighting means for sequentially turning on), light source recognition means for recognizing the position of the lighted calling light source on the screen, and pan angle of the initial setting target camera so that the recognized light source becomes a predetermined reference position on the screen And pan / tilt angle setting means for setting the tilt angle, focus setting means for setting the initial setting target camera so that the lens is focused on the light source at the reference position, and the light source The zoom magnification setting means for inputting distance information from the focused initial setting target camera to the light source and calculating and setting the zoom magnification of the initial setting target camera, and the zoom magnification set for the initial setting target camera, It is made to function as setting storage means for storing the pan angle and tilt angle in a predetermined storage unit.

Further, the initial setting program sets the tilt angle and / or pan angle of the initial setting target camera to which the zoom magnification is set to the second reference position where the light source is different from the reference position. The pan / tilt angle correcting means set as described above and the setting storage means for storing the pan angle and tilt angle set by the pan / tilt angle setting means in a predetermined storage unit are caused to function.
Details of processing and procedures realized by this initial setting program will be described later with reference to FIGS.

The initial setting program can be provided by storing all or a part thereof in, for example, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a semiconductor memory, or any other computer-readable recording medium, and the program read from the recording medium. Is installed and executed on the computer. Further, the initial setting program can be directly loaded into a desired computer or the like via a communication line without going through a recording medium.
The tracking camera operation unit 32 is in common with the hall computer 10 described above in that it includes an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer. Therefore, the tracking camera operation unit 32 and the hall computer 10 can be shared.
For example, part or all of the functions of the tracking camera operation unit 32 can be included in the hall computer 10. In this way, the initial setting system for the tracking camera according to the present embodiment can be realized by effectively utilizing the information processing function of the hall computer 10 that is always installed in the game hall. In this case, the tracking camera operation unit 32 and the hall computer 10 are integrated, or the hall computer 10 alone constitutes the tracking camera management control means according to the present invention.

The tracking camera controller 33 is a drive control unit for each tracking camera 31.
Specifically, the tracking camera controller 33 drives the electric zoom lens 31-1 provided in each camera to change and adjust the zoom magnification under the control of the tracking camera system, and the electric cloud equipped with each camera. The platform 31-2 is driven to change and adjust the camera pan angle and tilt angle.

The television monitors 34 (34 a to 34 d) are monitors that display the gaming machine imaged by the tracking camera 31 and the surrounding video, and are provided in a one-to-one correspondence with each tracking camera 31. The images of the plurality of gaming machines 20 taken by each tracking camera 31 are sequentially or arbitrarily switched and displayed on the television monitor 34, and are constantly monitored. In addition, the video of the gaming machine 20 in which an abnormality or the like has occurred is switched at any time and displayed on the television monitor 34.
The image recording device 35 includes data recording means such as a hard disk and a video deck, for example, and records the video image displayed on the television monitor 34 under the control of the tracking camera operation unit 32.

Next, the operation of the tracking camera automatic initial setting system of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS.
4 and 5 are flowcharts showing an initial setting processing operation in the tracking camera automatic initial setting system according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 6 shows a procedure for performing an initial setting based on the light source (calling lamp) of the pachinko machine displayed on the monitor screen of the tracking camera operation unit 32 in the tracking camera automatic initial setting system according to the present embodiment. It is explanatory drawing shown.
FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing a method of moving the recognized light source to the center of the screen in the tracking camera automatic initial setting system according to the present embodiment.

The initial setting process is performed under the control of the tracking camera operation unit 32, and the contents are displayed via the monitor 32a.
First, the initial setting program installed in the tracking camera operation unit 32 (or the hall computer 10) is started, and the tracking camera system is set to the initial setting mode.
In the initial setting mode, first, as shown in step 1 of FIG. 4, one tracking camera (initial setting target camera) 31 for initial setting is selected (S1 in FIG. 4).
At the same time, any one gaming machine 20 is selected from a plurality of gaming machines that are monitored by the selected tracking camera 31 (S2 in FIG. 4).

Next, the lens magnification of the selected initial setting target camera 31 is controlled to a wide area display (wide angle), and the entire monitoring area of the initial setting target camera 31 is controlled to enter the field of view (S3 in FIG. 4). For example, in the example shown in FIG. 2, the lens magnification is set to a wide angle at which 20 gaming machines can be imaged by one tracking camera 31. Thereby, the images of all gaming machines 20 to be monitored by the camera are displayed on the monitor screen.
Next, the call lamp 21 of the selected gaming machine 20 is turned on (S4 in FIG. 4). At this time, all the call lamps 21 of other gaming machines 20 in the monitoring area of the initial setting target camera are turned off. The call lamp 21 is turned on and off under the control of the hall computer 10.

Next, the position of the lit light source (calling lamp) is recognized on the imaging screen of the initial setting target camera 31 (S5 in FIG. 4, (a) in FIG. 6). Here, the process of recognizing the light source position on the screen is performed by recognizing the coordinates (x1, y1) at which the luminance of the light source has the maximum value among the image information on the screen as the position of the light source.
Then, the pan angle and the tilt angle of the tracking camera 31 are driven and controlled so that the recognized position of the light source comes to the reference position (first reference position) at the center of the screen (S6 to S13 in FIG. 4, FIG. 6). (B)). Specifically, a command is sent to the tracking camera controller, and the electric head 31-2 of the tracking camera 31 is driven and controlled.

Here, a method of moving the recognized light source so as to be the reference position in the center of the screen will be described with reference to FIG.
First, as shown in FIG. 7, when the position of the light source P1 is in the area 1 (first quadrant) (S6 in FIG. 4), the electric camera platform 31 of the tracking camera 31 is moved so that the light source P1 moves downward. -2 is tilted upward, and the electric pan head 31-2 is panned to the right so that the light source P1 moves to the left (S7 in FIG. 4). As a result, the light source P1 moves to the center of the screen (S8 in FIG. 4).
Such movement of the light source to the center of the screen is because the light source P1 is in the first quadrant and the coordinates (x1, y1) are known, so that the light source P1 is located at the center of the screen (ie, the origin (x0, y0)). The tilt angle and pan angle to be moved to () can be easily obtained. The same applies to the light sources P2 to P4 (see FIG. 7) in the second to fourth quadrants.

Similarly, when the light source P2 (see FIG. 7) is in the area 2 (second quadrant) (S9 in FIG. 4), the electric head 31-2 is tilted upward so that the light source P2 moves downward. At the same time, the pan head 31-2 is panned to the left so that the light source P2 moves to the right (S10 in FIG. 4).
As a result, the light source P1 moves to the center of the screen (S8 in FIG. 4).

Similarly, when the light source P3 (see FIG. 7) is in the area 3 (third quadrant) (S11 in FIG. 4), the electric head 31-2 is tilted downward so that the light source P3 moves upward. At the same time, the pan head 31-2 is panned to the left so that the light source P3 moves to the right (S12 in FIG. 4).
As a result, the light source P1 moves to the center of the screen (S8 in FIG. 4).

  Furthermore, when the light source is not in the third quadrant in step 11 of FIG. 4, the light source P4 (see FIG. 7) is in the area 4 (fourth quadrant). In this case, the light source P4 is on the upper side. The electric head 31-2 is tilted downward so as to move, and the electric head 31-2 is panned to the right so that the light source P4 moves to the left (S13 in FIG. 4). As a result, the light source P1 moves to the center of the screen (S8 in FIG. 4).

When the light source is adjusted to the reference position at the center of the screen by the above processing (S8 in FIG. 4), the lens of the initial setting target camera 31 is then focused on the light source (calling lamp 21) at the center of the screen (FIG. 4). 5 (S14), the distance information to the light source is obtained from the tracking camera 31.
Based on the distance to the light source, the zoom magnification necessary for monitoring the gaming machine 20 is obtained by calculation and set as the zoom magnification of the initial setting target camera 31 (S15 in FIG. 5, ( c)).
Here, the magnification of the zoom lens based on the distance to the light source can be obtained as follows, for example.
Distance to light source (example: 3.6 m) / size displayed on video display screen (example: 1.8 m) = zoom lens magnification (example: 2 times)
Note that this method of calculating the zoom magnification is an example, and it goes without saying that the zoom magnification can be obtained by other methods, mathematical formulas, and the like.

When the zoom magnification is set, the tilt angle of the electric camera platform 31-2 is then driven and controlled downward (S16 in FIG. 5), and the light source is a predetermined second reference position, specifically, the light source is at the top of the screen. Is positioned so as to be about 1/5 of the distance (S17 in FIG. 5, FIG. 6 (d)).
In the present embodiment, the call lamp 21 serving as a light source is located at the upper end portion of the gaming machine 20 to be monitored. If the call lamp 21 remains at the center of the screen (first reference position), the call lamp 21 is a monitoring target. Only one upper part of a certain gaming machine 20 is imaged, and the entire gaming machine cannot be imaged and monitored. Therefore, in this embodiment, the image of the gaming machine 20 is in an optimal state by further moving the light source aligned with the center of the screen to a predetermined second reference position (a position about 1/5 from the top of the screen). The camera can be used for imaging and monitoring.
Needless to say, the second reference position is not limited to about 1/5 from the upper part of the screen, and can be any position. For example, as long as the gaming machine is a monitoring target, any position may be used as long as the entire gaming machine can be monitored and the upper body of the player can be set as a monitoring image.

When the light source position is aligned to about 1/5 from the top of the screen (S17 in FIG. 5), the set zoom magnification of the electric zoom lens 31-1 and the pan angle and tilt angle of the electric camera platform 31-2 are set. Is stored and registered in the storage means of the tracking camera operation unit 32 (or the tracking camera controller 33, the hall computer 10, etc.) (S18 in FIG. 5).
Thereby, since the initial setting process for the gaming machine 20 is completed, the calling lamp 21 of the gaming machine 20 for which the initial setting has been completed is turned off (S19 in FIG. 5), and the initial setting process for the next gaming machine 20 is performed. Will be done.

Then, until the initial setting of all the gaming machines 20 to be monitored is completed (S20 in FIG. 5), the next gaming machine is selected (S22 in FIG. 5), and the same processing is repeated (FIG. 5). (Return to S3 of 4).
In addition, when the initial setting for all the gaming machines 20 that one initial setting target camera 20 is responsible for is completed (S20 in FIG. 5), the next initial setting target camera 20 is selected (S21, S23 in FIG. 5). ) The same processing is repeated for all the tracking cameras 31 to be initially set installed in the game hall (return to S2 in FIG. 4).
As a result, all the initial setting processes corresponding to all the gaming machines 20 that each camera handles are automatically performed for all the tracking cameras 31 installed in the game hall.

As described above, according to the tracking camera automatic initial setting system according to the present embodiment, the tracking camera 31 that performs the initial setting target causes all the gaming machines 20 to be monitored assigned to the camera to be imaged. By turning on the call lamp 21 corresponding to the gaming machine 20, and recognizing the calling lamp 21 and adjusting it to the reference position on the screen, the tracking camera 31 can be adjusted to the optimum pan angle, tilt angle, The zoom magnification can be automatically set and registered.
Then, by turning on and off the call lamps 21 corresponding to the gaming machines 20 to be monitored one by one in sequence, the optimum pan angle, tilt angle, and zoom magnification for all the gaming machines 20 assigned to each camera, respectively. Can be automatically set and registered.
As a result, according to the present embodiment, the initial setting work of the tracking camera, which has been conventionally performed manually by the operator, can be automated, and the work load in the initial setting can be reduced.

  In particular, the drive control of the electric pan head for adjusting the pan angle and tilt angle of the tracking camera 31 and the electric zoom lens for changing the zoom magnification of the camera usually requires about several hundred milliseconds, but on the screen. The process of recognizing the call lamp 21 and determining the set value in accordance with a predetermined reference position can be performed by an initial setting program executed on the computer. Therefore, the processing speed of the initial setting program is higher than the control speed of the electric zoom lens mechanism. It will be several times faster. Therefore, if the initial setting of the plurality of tracking cameras 31 is performed in a time-sharing manner, the initial setting of the plurality of tracking cameras can be performed in parallel, and a large number of monitoring targets can be set by a large number of tracking cameras. Even for a large-scale system to be monitored, the initial setting time can be greatly reduced.

Therefore, in a large-scale monitoring system such as a pachinko hall or pachislot hall where a large number of cameras are installed and each camera images and monitors a large number of gaming machines, the time required for initial setting and Labor can be greatly reduced and eliminated.
In addition, since the initial setting program and the hardware for capturing the recognized image need only be installed in the tracking camera operation unit 32 or the hall computer 10, an existing tracking camera system can be used without requiring a special device or system. Can be used to realize the initial setting system according to the present embodiment.

In this embodiment, the call lamp 21 serving as the light source is turned on while the position is recognized and specified. However, the call lamp 21 is turned on at a constant cycle (for example, 0.5 seconds on, 0.5 seconds). It may be made to blink by, for example, turning off the second). In this way, the recognition and determination of the gaming machine that is currently set can be made clearer.
In the present embodiment, the call lamp 21 is turned on and off by automatic control from the hall computer 10. For example, a hall employee directly turns on / off the call lamp 21 switch. It may be turned on / off / flashing manually.
Further, the calling lamp 21 may be a calling lamp having any configuration as long as it is provided in one-to-one correspondence with the gaming machine 20, and is not necessarily limited to the one provided above the gaming machine 20. The call lamp 21 is usually a facility provided separately from the gaming machine 20, but may be a calling lamp provided integrally with the gaming machine.

The gaming machine 20 is provided with various lamps, LEDs, a liquid crystal display unit, and the like for the purpose of enhancing the production effect, but these are used as a light source for alignment instead of the calling lamp 21. You can also
Further, as the light source, it is possible to separately provide a light source dedicated for alignment for each gaming machine. For example, it is possible to attach a lamp or the like to the upper end of an upright column such as a microphone stand and place it at a position where the player normally plays a game as a light source. In this case, since the height of the stand can be adjusted, the height of the stand is adjusted in advance so that the light source comes to a predetermined position. This completes the process of moving to the top of the screen.

The tracking camera automatic initial setting system of the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment, but the tracking camera automatic initial setting system according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the present invention is not limited thereto. It goes without saying that various modifications can be made within the range described above.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the monitoring target of the tracking camera is a gaming machine (pachinko machine, pachislot machine, etc.) has been described as an example, but the monitoring target is not limited to the gaming machine.

That is, the present invention is a monitoring camera system provided with one or two or more tracking cameras and is required to set a pan angle, a tilt angle, and a zoom magnification for each monitoring target assigned to each tracking camera. It can be applied to any target. For example, a light source is installed in the vicinity of a counter for game media (balls, medals, etc.) installed at the end of the “island” of the game hall. By doing so, the initial setting system according to the present invention can be applied.
Moreover, it can also be used as an initial setting system for a tracking camera at an ATM corner of a financial institution or the like in which a large number of ATMs (automatic cash deposit / payment machines) are installed, for example, as well as a game hall.

  The tracking camera automatic initial setting system of the present invention as described above can be used for a system for setting and controlling a tracking camera (monitoring camera) provided for monitoring, crime prevention, etc. It can be suitably used for a monitoring system of a game hall where a large number of pachinko machines and pachislot machines are installed.

It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the whole structure of the tracking camera automatic initial setting system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows typically the relationship between the game machine and tracking camera in the game arcade to which the tracking camera automatic initial setting system of this invention is applied. It is a block diagram which shows the tracking camera automatic initial setting system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the initial setting process operation | movement in the tracking camera automatic initial setting system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the initial setting process operation | movement in the tracking camera automatic initial setting system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a procedure for performing initial setting based on a light source (calling lamp) of a pachinko machine displayed on a monitor screen of a tracking camera operation unit in a tracking camera automatic initial setting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. (A) is a state in which the light source position of a specific pachinko machine is recognized from among a plurality of pachinko machines, and (b) is a state where the light source position is adjusted to the center of the screen (first (C) is a state in which the light source is focused and then the zoom magnification is adjusted and the image is enlarged. (D) is a state in which the light source position is set at a predetermined position (second position) at the top of the screen. A state of being moved to a reference position) is shown. It is a conceptual diagram in the case of moving the imaged light source to the center of a screen in the tracking camera automatic initial setting system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Hall computer 20 Game machine 21 Call lamp 30 Tracking camera system 31 Tracking camera 31-1 Electric zoom lens 31-2 Electric pan head 32 Tracking camera operation part 33 Tracking camera controller 34 Television monitor 35 Image recording apparatus

Claims (7)

A tracking camera capable of imaging a predetermined area including one or more monitoring targets and a light source corresponding to each monitoring target, and tracking for driving the tracking camera to a predetermined pan angle, tilt angle, and zoom magnification corresponding to each monitoring target A camera controller, and tracking camera management control means for managing and controlling the tracking camera and the tracking camera controller;
Tracking camera management control means
Camera selection means for sequentially selecting an initial setting target camera for initial setting from one or two or more tracking cameras;
Wide angle setting means for setting the selected initial setting target camera to a wide angle at which all the monitoring targets can be displayed on the imaging screen of the camera;
Light source lighting means for sequentially lighting the light sources corresponding to the monitoring target to be initially set among all the monitoring targets displayed on the screen,
Light source recognition means for recognizing the position of the light source on the screen,
Pan / tilt angle setting means for setting the pan angle and tilt angle of the initial setting target camera so that the recognized light source becomes a predetermined reference position on the screen;
A focus setting means for setting the initial setting target camera so that the lens is focused on the light source at the reference position;
Zoom magnification setting means for inputting distance information to the light source from the initial setting target camera focused on the light source and calculating and setting the zoom magnification of the initial setting target camera;
Setting storage means for storing the zoom magnification, pan angle and tilt angle set in the initial setting target camera in a predetermined storage unit;
A tracking camera automatic initial setting system comprising: Pan / tilt angle correction means for setting the tilt angle and / or pan angle of the initial setting target camera with the zoom magnification set so that the light source is at a second reference position different from the reference position;
The tracking camera automatic initial setting system according to claim 1, wherein the setting storage means stores the pan angle and tilt angle set by the pan / tilt angle setting means in a predetermined storage unit.   The tracking camera automatic initial setting system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the one or more monitoring targets are gaming machines installed in a game hall.   4. The tracking camera automatic initial setting system according to claim 3, wherein the light source corresponding to each monitoring target is a calling lamp provided for each gaming machine. Part or all of the tracking camera management control means is composed of a gaming machine installed in a game hall and a hall computer that controls a call lamp provided for each gaming machine,
5. The tracking camera automatic initial setting system according to claim 4, wherein the hall computer sequentially turns on and off the calling lamps corresponding to each gaming machine by controlling the light source lighting means. A tracking camera capable of imaging a predetermined area including one or more monitoring targets and a light source corresponding to each monitoring target, and tracking for driving the tracking camera to a predetermined pan angle, tilt angle, and zoom magnification corresponding to each monitoring target A computer to manage and control the camera controller,
Camera selection means for sequentially selecting initial setting target cameras for initial setting from one or two or more tracking cameras;
Wide angle setting means for setting the selected initial setting target camera to a wide angle at which all the monitoring targets can be displayed on the imaging screen of the camera;
Light source lighting means for sequentially lighting the light sources corresponding to the monitoring target to be initially set among all the monitoring targets displayed on the screen,
Light source recognition means for recognizing the position of the light source on the screen,
Pan / tilt angle setting means for setting the pan angle and tilt angle of the initial setting target camera so that the recognized light source is at a predetermined reference position on the screen;
Focus setting means for setting the initial setting target camera so that the lens is focused on the light source at the reference position,
The zoom magnification setting means that inputs the distance information to the light source from the initial setting target camera focused on the light source, calculates and sets the zoom magnification of the initial setting target camera, and the zoom set for the initial setting target camera Setting storage means for storing the magnification, pan angle and tilt angle in a predetermined storage unit;
Tracking camera automatic initial setting program to function as. Said computer further
Pan / tilt angle correction means and pan / tilt angle setting means for setting the tilt angle and / or pan angle of the initial setting target camera to which the zoom magnification is set so that the light source is at a second reference position different from the reference position Setting storage means for storing the pan angle and tilt angle set in step S in a predetermined storage unit;
A tracking camera automatic initial setting program according to claim 6 for functioning as:

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