JP4248794B2 - Player recognition and response system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a player recognition and response system, for example, a system incorporating a device installed in a game hall such as a pachinko gaming machine, a pachislot gaming machine, a prepaid card issuing machine, or a POS terminal device for prize exchange processing. is there.
[0002]
[Prior art]
When a player of a game machine such as a pachislot machine or a pachinko machine is familiar with a certain game field, he often visits the same game field repeatedly rather than changing the game field.
[0003]
In addition, there are many game halls where surveillance cameras for monitoring unauthorized players are installed, but since the positions of surveillance cameras are fixed, unauthorized players may repeatedly visit the same game hall.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
For example, the player often has familiarity with the game hall due to a human relationship with a game hall employee or the like. However, it is a device such as a gaming machine that the player is in contact with for a long time in the game hall.
[0005]
Therefore, it is preferable that a device or a system such as a gaming machine that can make a player feel familiar is present. If such a device or system exists, the game opportunity for the player is increased, the operating rate of the gaming machine and the like is increased, and the merit of the game hall is also increased.
[0006]
On the other hand, it must be prevented that an unauthorized player likes a playground.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve such a problem, the player recognition / response system of the present invention according to claim 1 includes (1) a biometric feature information acquisition unit that captures information including a biometric feature of a game hall player, and (2) the living body. A player recognition means for performing player recognition processing based on the information captured by the characteristic feature information acquisition means, and (3) a past game state that has not been continued until the present time in association with the player identification information. The player information storage means storing the game history information and (4) a plurality of voice call information for enhancing the familiarity with the player corresponding to the past game history are stored according to the type of the past game history. Based on past game history information stored in the player information storage means of the player recognized by the player recognition means. , Decide what voice call information to present A voice credit information determining means, (6) voice credit execution means for presenting voice credit information the voice credit information determining means has determined the player The biometric feature information acquisition means captures a player and obtains a player image including a face, and the player recognition means performs face recognition processing on the player image. It is characterized by that.
[0009]
Claim 2 The player recognition response system according to the present invention is as follows. 1's In the present invention, the voice call information stored in the voice call information storage means is voice information, and the voice call execution means outputs the voice call information toward the player. .
[0010]
Claim 3 The player recognition response system according to the present invention is as follows. 1 or 2 In the present invention, the voice call information stored in the voice call information storage means is image information, and the voice call execution means displays and outputs the voice call information to the player. To do.
[0011]
Claim 4 The player recognition response system according to the present invention is as follows. Any one of 1-3 In the present invention, the voice information for the unspecified person is also stored in the voice information storage means when the player cannot be recognized, and the voice recognition information is determined by the player recognition means. When the person cannot be recognized, the call information for the unspecified person is determined as the call information to be presented.
[0012]
Claim 5 The player recognition response system according to the present invention is as follows. Any one of 1-4 In the present invention, when the player recognizing means cannot recognize the player, the player information is additionally registered in the built-in recognition dictionary, and the player information The storage means is set by adding new player identification information to the storage means.
[0013]
Claim 6 The player recognition response system according to the present invention is as follows. Any one of 1-5 In the present invention, at least the biometric feature information acquisition means and the voice call execution means are mounted on a game machine.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(A) Embodiment
Hereinafter, a main embodiment of a player recognition / response system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, it is assumed that the game hall device is a pachinko gaming machine.
[0015]
(A-1-1) Overall configuration of player recognition / response system
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a player recognition / response system 1 according to the embodiment.
[0016]
In FIG. 1, a player recognition / response system 1 according to the embodiment includes a pachinko gaming machine (or a gaming machine such as a pachislot machine) 2 and a player recognition / response device 3 as main components.
[0017]
A plurality of pachinko gaming machines 2 are installed in the game hall, and each pachinko gaming machine 2 is connected to a hall computer 5 via a network 4 in the gaming hall. On the other hand, the player recognition / response apparatus 3 is connected to the hall computer 5 via the external network 6. That is, in the case of this embodiment, data communication can be performed between the pachinko gaming machine 2 and the player recognition / response device 3 by using the hall computer 5 as a relay device.
[0018]
The connection form of the game hall network 4 and the external network 6 may be any of a bus shape, a mesh shape, a ring shape, and the like. Further, the pachinko gaming machine 2 may be connected to the player recognition / response device 3 without using the hall computer 5.
[0019]
The pachinko gaming machine 2 of this embodiment also has the same function as the conventional pachinko gaming machine.
[0020]
The pachinko gaming machine 2 according to this embodiment cooperates with the player recognition / response device 3 and further has a function of calling out to the player. Here, the voice call function to the player is a function of giving a sentence or the like considering the player's past game history (hereinafter referred to as “voice call sentence” as appropriate) to the player as sound or an image. is there.
[0021]
In the case of this embodiment, the pachinko gaming machine 2 obtains player image information to be used for recognition processing of the player facing the gaming machine and gives it to the player recognition response device 3 as a voice call function to the player. And a process of providing the player with the spoken text given from the player recognition / response device 3.
[0022]
The player recognition / response device 3 performs a process of identifying a player based on the player image information from the pachinko gaming machine 2, and a spoken sentence in consideration of the past game history of the identified player. Responsible for the function
[0023]
In the case of FIG. 1, the player recognition / response device 3 is described as being common to a plurality of game halls (for example, common to a plurality of game halls operated by the same management parent). ), The player recognition / response device 3 may be provided for each game hall. In this case, the player recognition / response apparatus 3 is directly connected to the game hall network 4. Further, the player recognition / response apparatus 3 may be realized by the same computer as the hall computer 5.
[0024]
The hall computer 5 has a function of giving game history information and the like to the player recognition / response device 3 in terms of a voice call function. However, since the realization configuration is such that a transfer function to the player recognition / response device 3 is added to the existing hall computer 5, description of the detailed configuration of the hall computer 5 is omitted.
[0025]
(A-1-2) Detailed configuration related to voice call function of pachinko gaming machine 2
The pachinko gaming machine 2 has a configuration shown in FIG. 2 as a component related to the function of calling out to the player. In other words, the pachinko gaming machine 2 includes a main control unit 10, a communication interface unit (communication IF) 11, a CCD camera unit 12, a speaker unit 13, a voice synthesis unit 14, a liquid crystal display unit 15, An image control unit 16 and an image memory 17 are included.
[0026]
In FIG. 2, the CCD camera unit 12, the speaker unit 13, and the liquid crystal display unit 15 are displayed as images provided on the same surface (front surface) of the pachinko gaming machine 2.
[0027]
The main control unit 10 controls the entire pachinko gaming machine 2 and, in the case of this embodiment, executes control related to a voice call function in addition to control related to a conventional function such as a game function. It is.
[0028]
The communication interface unit 11 performs communication with other devices (for example, the hall computer 5 and the player recognition response device 3) connected to the pachinko gaming machine 2 via the networks 4 and 6, It also has a control function.
[0029]
The CCD camera unit 12 is provided, for example, in the vicinity of the center of the upper surface of the pachinko gaming machine 2 or the like, and photographs a player who is going to execute a game of the pachinko gaming machine 2 or a player who is playing the game. . Under the control of the main control unit 10, the CCD camera unit 12 periodically shoots for illegal monitoring during the game and immediately after the player confronts (sits) the pachinko gaming machine 2. Takes a picture for the voice call function.
[0030]
The main control unit 10 detects, for example, as follows, that the player has confronted (sits) the pachinko gaming machine 2. A seating detection sensor (not shown) is provided in the seat (chair), and the player's confrontation is recognized based on a detection signal from the seating detection sensor. The player's confrontation is recognized based on the fact that the launch handle portion (not shown) of the pachinko gaming machine 2 that launches the game ball toward the game board surface (not shown) starts to rotate. When the CCD camera unit 12 having an autofocus function is applied, the adjusted focal length data is taken from the CCD camera unit 12, and the distance is a value within the distance range when the player is confronting. The player's confrontation is recognized based on whether or not.
[0031]
In the case of this embodiment, the CCD camera unit 12 is intended to shoot an area in which the face image of the facing player facing the player is always included in the shot image. The player image data related to the voice call function obtained by photographing by the CCD camera unit 12 is transmitted to the player recognition / response device 3 and used for the player recognition processing, as will be described later.
[0032]
The CCD camera unit 12 may be for moving image shooting or may be for still image shooting.
[0033]
Under the control of the main control unit 10, the speaker unit 13 mainly outputs sound effects and the like during the game. In the case of this embodiment, the speaker unit 13 also outputs a voice signal of a voiced sentence given from the voice synthesizer 14. That is, when a player confronts (sits down) the pachinko gaming machine 2, the voice text corresponding to the player's gaming history is output as a voice so that the player has an affinity for the pachinko gaming machine 2. Let me.
[0034]
Under the control of the main control unit 10, the voice synthesis unit 14 not only synthesizes data related to the game by voice synthesis to form a voice signal, but also synthesizes a voice sentence (data) given from the main control unit 10. Thus, an audio signal is formed and given to the speaker unit 13. Note that the format of the input data (for example, voiced speech data) to the speech synthesizer 14 may be text data or speech segment data. In the case of text data, it is necessary to convert to speech segment data.
[0035]
The liquid crystal display unit 15 mainly displays game images under the control of the main control unit 10. A game image is a display in which a plurality of special symbols expressed as components of the image are displayed in a variable manner, for example, a rotating reel such as three rows of a slot machine is displayed in a pseudo manner. When the display is stopped, a predetermined stop mode (for example, “7-7-7”; “big hit”) indicates a transition to a special game state that is advantageous to the player. In addition, during the special symbol variation display, various effect displays including a reach effect are performed.
[0036]
In the case of this embodiment, the liquid crystal display unit 15 displays an image (voice call image) that provides a voice call text immediately after the player confronts the pachinko gaming machine 2. The image providing the voiced text may be a demo image (or game image) including the voiced text in part (for example, by a comic balloon method), and the entire image is a voiced text (voiced image). ) May be provided.
[0037]
In the pachinko gaming machine 2, a demo image is displayed when no game is played, but when the player confronts (sits down), a voice call image corresponding to the game history of the player is displayed. The player is made to feel close to the pachinko gaming machine 2.
[0038]
The image memory 17 stores demo image data and game image data. The image control unit 16 reads the stored image data.
[0039]
The image control unit 16 reads out a demo image or game image data corresponding to the standby state or game state of the pachinko gaming machine 2 from the image memory 17 and outputs the data to the liquid crystal display unit 15. Further, the image control unit 16 outputs data to the liquid crystal display unit 15 even when image data providing a voice message is given from the main control unit 10 side. Here, in the case where the image providing the voice message is synthesized (pasted) with a part of the demo image or game image, the image control unit 16 performs the synthesis process, and then the synthesized image. Data is output to the liquid crystal display unit 15.
[0040]
(A-1-3) Functional detailed configuration of the player recognition / response apparatus 3
The player recognition / response apparatus 3 is realized, for example, by an information processing apparatus of a workstation class, but has a configuration shown in FIG. 3 in terms of functionality (speaking function to the player).
[0041]
That is, the player recognition response device 3 includes a main control unit 20, a communication interface unit (communication IF) 21, a player recognition unit 22, a player information database (player information DB) 23, a voice response control unit 24, a voice call A voice database (voice over voice DB) 25, an image response control unit 26, and a voice over image database (voice over image DB) 27 are included.
[0042]
Note that the player recognition / response apparatus 3 must execute parallel communication processing, player recognition processing, player response processing, and the like with a plurality of pachinko gaming machines 2, so that all or part of the player recognition response device 3 shown in FIG. A plurality of components may be provided so that parallel processing and distributed processing are possible.
[0043]
The main control unit 20 controls the player recognition / response apparatus 3 as a whole, and relates to a player recognition process, a process of generating a response (voiced voice, voiced image) to the recognized player, and the like. Control is also performed.
[0044]
The communication interface unit 21 performs communication with other devices (for example, the pachinko gaming machine 2 and the hall computer 5) connected to the player recognition / response device 3 via the networks 6 and 4. It also has a communication control function that mediates communication with other communication partners.
[0045]
For example, when the player image data shown in FIG. 4A is transmitted from a certain pachinko gaming machine 2, the communication interface unit 21 assigns and manages a processing number (for example, a serial number) to the pachinko gaming machine. When the voice response data body returned to 2 is given from the main control unit 20 together with the process number, the pachinko gaming machine 2 as the reply destination is recognized from the process number included therein, as shown in FIG. The voice response data is returned to the pachinko gaming machine 2.
[0046]
The player image data from the pachinko gaming machine 2 to the player recognition / response device 3 has a data format shown in FIG. That is, a code indicating that it is player image data is inserted into the data type, a code assigned to the player recognition / response apparatus 3 is inserted into the destination, and the pachinko gaming machine is sent to the transmission source 2 is inserted, and at the transmission time, the time when the pachinko gaming machine 2 starts transmission is inserted. Following the header information as described above, the CCD camera unit 12 takes a picture. The player image data body obtained in this way is given. If the player recognition / response apparatus 3 can handle a plurality of game halls, not only the code of the pachinko gaming machine 2 but also the code of the game hall (hole) is inserted into the transmission source.
[0047]
When receiving the player image data shown in FIG. 4A, the communication interface unit 21 assigns a process number, manages the destination, the transmission source, and the transmission time, and assigns the process number to the player image data body. Is given to the player recognition unit 22.
[0048]
The voice response data from the player recognition / response device 3 to the pachinko gaming machine 2 has a data format shown in FIG. That is, a code indicating that it is voice response data is inserted in the data type, and a code (unit number, necessary) assigned to the pachinko gaming machine 2 managed in association with the processing number is stored in the destination. A code assigned to the player recognition / response device 3 is inserted in the transmission source, and the transmission time is a pachinko gaming machine managed in association with the processing number. The time when the player image data is started to be transmitted by the player 2 is inserted, and following the header information as described above, voiced voice and voiced image data to be presented to the recognized player are added.
[0049]
The communication interface unit 21 forms and transmits voice response data shown in FIG. 4B when data of voiced voice and voiced image to which a process number is assigned is given from the main control unit 20. .
[0050]
The player recognition unit 22 processes the player image data main body transmitted from the pachinko gaming machine 2 to recognize the player, register recognition data, and play a game related to the recognized player. History data is stored, retrieved, and output.
[0051]
In the case of this embodiment, the player recognition unit 22 recognizes the player by face recognition processing on the player image data main body transmitted from the pachinko gaming machine 2, and the face to which the player recognition unit 22 applies. The recognition method may be any existing method. For example, a face recognition method (disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-251534) as realized by the functional block diagram of FIG. 5 can be applied.
[0052]
In FIG. 5, the face area extraction unit 30 extracts the face area of the person from the input player image data body, and the feature point extraction unit 31 uses a separability filter from the extracted face area. Then, each feature point candidate (eye, nose, mouth, eyebrows, etc.) of the face is extracted, and the feature point set candidate selection unit 32 narrows down the feature point set candidates using the structural constraints of the face. The set evaluation unit 33a calculates the degree of similarity of the weighted sum by calculating the degree of similarity with the partial template 33b such as the eye, nose, and mouth regions registered in advance, and sets the feature points having the highest degree of matching. Is determined to be the correct combination. The normalization generation unit 34 generates a normalization image of the entire face region or a partial region such as an eye, nose, or mouth region from the feature point set, and the recognition unit 35a is registered in advance as the normalization image. The degree of similarity of each player with the dictionary image 35b is calculated, and the person corresponding to the dictionary image having a high degree of similarity is recognized as the current player.
[0053]
It should be noted that gender information may also be included in the recognition result based on the arrangement of the partial patterns and the color of the mouth. For example, it is possible to select from greetings for men and women when greetings are determined later.
[0054]
The player information database 23 is divided, for example, into a player recognition / response system or a database unit 23b related to a member player of a game hall (hall) and a database unit 23a related to a non-member player. The non-member player database unit 23a recognizes the player by processing the serial number and the player image data body transmitted from the pachinko gaming machine 2 by the player recognition unit 22 as shown in FIG. The recognition registration data (dictionary image 35b in FIG. 5) for each player at the time of the game, the latest game history data of the player, and the like are stored. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6B, the member player database unit 23b has a membership number, player bibliographic information such as a player's name, address, and gender, registration data for recognition, The game history data and the like are stored.
[0055]
The game history data may be distinguished, for example, for the past predetermined number of times (for example, once) in which the game has been played, in units of days, or may be counted once every time the game table is changed. ) And the gain and loss of the game at that time, and information on the game frequency so that it can be determined whether or not the game is regular.
[0056]
The game history data is, for example, data transferred from the hall computer 5 or data obtained by processing it. Note that data relating to the game history data may be directly transferred from the pachinko gaming machine 2 to the player recognition / response device 3.
[0057]
The voice response control unit 24 recognizes the player who is confronted (sitting) with the pachinko gaming machine 2 and the game history while referring to the voice database 25 under the control of the main control unit 20. The voice-speech data to be presented to the player is determined.
[0058]
The image response control unit 26 recognizes the player and the game history facing the pachinko gaming machine 2 while referring to the voice image database 27 under the control of the main control unit 20 when the game history is recognized. This is to determine the voice call image data to be presented to the player.
[0059]
Here, the determination by the voice response control unit 24 and the image response control unit 26 is performed, for example, as a cooperative process in which the voice response control unit 24 takes the initiative, and the determined voice call voice data and voice call image data are obtained. It is supposed to be associated.
[0060]
The voice call voice database 25 includes, for example, a greeting database part 25a shown in FIG. 7A and a voice call main body database part 25b shown in FIG. 7B. Consists of a greeting part extracted from the greeting database part 25a and a voice part body part extracted from the voice part body database part 25b. For example, in the case of voice data for a member player, a member's name or name portion such as “Mr. XX” is added before the greeting portion described above.
[0061]
As shown in FIG. 7A, the greeting database unit 25a is composed of greeting words included in the greeting part of the voice call voice data and the player's frequency condition when the greeting words are applied.
[0062]
The application condition may include time information at that time in addition to the frequency condition of the player. For example, when a player whose frequency condition is “general” is recognized before 10:30 am, the applicable greeting is determined to be “good morning”. In addition, for example, when a regular person having a higher frequency among regulars is recognized as a player, the applicable greeting is determined to be “every time”. The frequency of the player is determined based on the game history data in the player information database 23. Alternatively, data applicable to the frequency condition is immediately included in the game history data of the player information database 23.
[0063]
It is also preferable to set a priority between the application conditions so that greetings can be uniquely determined even when two or more application conditions are satisfied for the same player. When the application conditions of “Regular (A)” and “Person who has been a long time (person who has been on the regular flag for more than 7 days from the previous time)” are satisfied, the latter should be given priority in advance. Make a decision.
[0064]
In addition, it is preferable to prepare a greeting “welcome” for a player who is not registered in the player information database 23 (unspecified player).
[0065]
As shown in FIG. 7B, the voice body database unit 25b applies the voice body text or words to be included in the voice body portion of the voice data and the text or words of the voice body. With the player's conditions. For example, if a player is recognized as “a person who has played more than 10,000 balls last time”, the sentence is determined to be “Japan's best.
[0066]
It should be noted that a voice call main body portion for a player who is not registered in the player information database 23 may not be prepared, but may be voice call voice data for only a voice greeting, and is registered in the player information database 23. It is possible to prepare only one type of voice call main body portion for a non-player, and to prepare two or more types of voice call main body portions for players not registered in the player information database 23. It is also possible to determine what to apply by generating.
[0067]
As described above, when voiced voice data is determined, voiced image data corresponding to the voiced voice data is determined.
[0068]
When the recognized player is a member player, the member information may also be reflected in the application conditions of the greeting part and the calling body part. For example, depending on whether the recognized member player is a woman or a man (input information at the time of initial registration of a member), the greeting part or the calling body part to be applied may be changed.
[0069]
(A-2) Voice call operation of embodiment
Next, the operation for realizing the voice call function in the player recognition / response system of the embodiment will be described.
[0070]
(A-2-1) Operation of pachinko machine 2
First, an operation related to the voice call function in the pachinko gaming machine 2 will be described.
[0071]
The pachinko gaming machine 2 waits for a player's confrontation (sitting) when the player is not confronting (sitting), and when a seating detection configuration such as a seating detection sensor is detected, the flowchart of FIG. The process at the time of seating detection shown in FIG.
[0072]
First, the opposing player is photographed by the CCD camera unit 12 (S1), and the player image data shown in FIG. 4A including the data of the photographed image is formed and transmitted to the player recognition response device 3 ( S2).
[0073]
Thereafter, the pachinko gaming machine 2 waits for the voice response data shown in FIG. 4B to be returned from the player recognition response device 3 (S3). Although different from FIG. 8, when a predetermined time is started from the point of time when the player image data is transmitted, and the voice response data is not returned when the predetermined time has elapsed, the above-described step S <b> 1 is performed. The processing may be started again from (shooting).
[0074]
When the voice response data transmitted (replyed) by the player recognition / response apparatus 3 arrives, the pachinko gaming machine 2 separates and extracts the voice response voice data included in the voice response data, and the voice synthesizer 14 The voice signal is converted into a sound signal and output from the speaker unit 13 (S4), and the voice image data included in the incoming voice response data is separated and extracted and converted into an image signal that can be displayed by the image control unit 16. The display is output from the liquid crystal display unit 15 (S5).
[0075]
The display time may be the same as the sound output time, may be longer (or shorter) by a predetermined time, or may be a fixed display time.
[0076]
When the voice call voice and the voice call image are output as described above, the pachinko gaming machine 2 instructs the hall computer 5 to mark data related to the game to be started (for example, the amount of money to be thrown in and the amount of money to be paid out). A notification is transmitted (S6), and the series of processing shown in FIG.
[0077]
Some of the voice response data includes data indicating that no voice is required in the voice voice data and the voice image data area. When such voice response data arrives, Steps S4 and S5 are omitted.
[0078]
Although illustration of the flowchart is omitted, after that, the pachinko gaming machine 2 performs game processing similar to the conventional one (ball lending, processing of the game itself, etc.). In such a game process, the pachinko gaming machine 2 appropriately determines the amount of information (for example, a prepaid card may be used) inserted for renting a game ball (pachinko ball) and each stage of the game. The game information and the like at is transmitted to the hall computer 5 as in the conventional case.
[0079]
In the state where the player is facing (seating) the pachinko gaming machine 2, when the seating detection configuration such as the seating detection sensor detects that the player has left the seat, the processing at the time of seat detection shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9 is performed. I do. That is, the pachinko gaming machine 2 transmits to the hall computer 5 a notification that the marking of data related to the game by the same player so far may be terminated (S8).
[0080]
(A-2-2) Operation of hall computer 5
Next, an operation related to the voice call function in the hall computer 5 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
[0081]
When the hall computer 5 receives a notification from a certain pachinko gaming machine 2 to instruct to mark the data related to the game to be started, as shown in FIG. A management flag is set (S10).
[0082]
When the hall computer 5 is given data related to a game from a certain pachinko gaming machine 2 (for example, data such as the amount of money to be thrown in or out), first, as shown in FIG. The table data is updated according to the data that has arrived this time (S12). For example, the total input amount from the business start time of the day is managed, and if new input amount information arrives, the total input amount is updated.
[0083]
When the update of the base data is completed, the hall computer 5 determines whether or not the per-game management flag is set for the pachinko gaming machine 2 that has transmitted the data (S13). If the management flag for each game is not set, the series of processing shown in FIG. 11 is immediately terminated. If the management flag for each game is set, the machine data for each game is updated (S14), and then the series of processing is completed. The process ends.
[0084]
For example, for a pachinko gaming machine 2, if the player who is currently playing the game is the third player of the day, the table data is data that reflects the game of the three players. The table data is data reflecting the game of only the third player.
[0085]
When the hall computer 5 receives a notification from the pachinko gaming machine 2 that the marking of the data related to the game may be finished, as shown in FIG. 12, the game machine data at that time is sent to the pachinko gaming machine. Along with the identification information of 2 (unit number, hall number), it is transmitted to the player recognition response device 3 (S16), and thereafter, the management flag for each game is canceled (S17).
[0086]
(A-2-3) Operation of player recognition / response device 3
Next, the operation of the player recognition / response apparatus 3 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
[0087]
When the player image data shown in FIG. 4A is transmitted from a certain pachinko gaming machine 2, the player recognition / response apparatus 3 starts the process shown in FIG. 13 and associates it with the received player image data. A processing number (for example, a serial number) is assigned (S20). When data is moved or processed in the player recognition / response apparatus 3, the assigned process number is continuously given so that the processing target can be identified.
[0088]
Thereafter, the player recognition / response apparatus 3 performs face recognition processing on the player image data body inserted in the received player image data (S21), and determines the recognition result (S22).
[0089]
For example, in the case where the collation processing with the stored information in the player information database 23 is not reached so that the parts such as eyes and mouth cannot be separated from the player image data main body, the player recognition / response device 3 The voice response data not including the data and the voice image data is formed and returned to the pachinko gaming machine 2 corresponding to the process number (S23), and the series of processes shown in FIG.
[0090]
If the player can be identified by the face recognition process, that is, if it can be recognized that the information is registered in the player information database 23 (including provisional registration described later), that fact Is associated with the process number (S24). That is, the player specifying setting is performed. Thereafter, it is determined whether the player is identified for the first time today (S25). In the second and subsequent specific cases, the player recognition / response device 3 forms call response data that does not include the call voice data and the voice call image data, and returns it to the pachinko gaming machine 2 corresponding to the process number. Then (S23), a series of processing shown in FIG. In this case, today's specific number of times is updated.
[0091]
On the other hand, although collation with the information stored in the player information database 23 has been performed, if the player cannot be specified, that fact is associated with the processing number (S26). That is, the player indefinite setting is performed. Thereafter, the data obtained by the current recognition process and used for collation are temporarily registered as new player information in the player information database 23 (S27).
[0092]
Whether the player specific setting or the player indefinite setting is performed, then the voice call voice data and the voice call image data are determined (S28), and voice response data including the voice call voice data and the voice call image data is formed, It returns to the pachinko gaming machine 2 corresponding to the process number (S29). In the determination of voiced voice data and voiced image data in the player specific setting, the content is determined by referring to the game history of the player. Further, the contents are determined with reference to whether or not the specific player is a member player. In the determination of voiced voice data and voiced image data in an indefinite setting of the player, the content is determined to be a general untouched content (fixed content).
[0093]
In the case of the specific player setting, it is confirmed whether the specific player is temporarily registered in the player information database 23 (S30, S31). Is switched to full registration (S32).
[0094]
In addition, when voice response data including voice voice data and voice image data is transmitted, the pachinko game that the player is currently playing in the player's information column in the player information database 23 The identification information (machine number, hall number) of the machine 2 is also described.
[0095]
When the player recognition / response apparatus 3 is transmitted from the hall computer 5 from the data for each game (see FIG. 12) accompanied by the identification information (the machine number, the hall number) of the pachinko gaming machine 2, it is shown in FIG. Start processing. First, the player information database 23 is accessed to determine the information of the player who has played with the pachinko gaming machine 2 (S35), and the game history data in the determined player information is determined for the game received this time. It is updated according to the data for each device (or the game data received this time is added as the game history data).
[0096]
By such a process, for example, even if a certain player plays a game with three pachinko machines 2 on that day, the game history data is integrated with the game results of the three machines, in other words, the total for the day. It is also possible to store game results as
[0097]
For example, the player recognition / response apparatus 3 executes the process shown in FIG. 15 at a timing (for example, 2:00 am) when all the game halls related to the player recognition / response system 1 are in non-business hours.
[0098]
That is, of the player information registered in the player information database 23, the information is provisionally registered and the provisional registration period exceeds a predetermined number of days (for example, 10 days). Is deleted from the player information database 23.
[0099]
(A-3) Effects of the embodiment
According to the player recognition and response system 1 of the above embodiment, since the player is instructed from the pachinko gaming machine 2 according to the past gaming history, the player who has an affinity for the pachinko gaming machine 2 is also available. The number of visitors to the same amusement park and an increase in gaming opportunities can be expected.
[0100]
In addition, since the player information automatic registration function is provided, it is possible to call out to non-member players and to please the players.
[0101]
Furthermore, for an unauthorized player, the consciousness of monitoring is increased by calling out according to his / her game history, and an anti-fraud effect can also be expected.
[0102]
Furthermore, the player recognition / response device 3 can be provided as a common device for a plurality of game halls, so that it is possible to suppress capital investment at the game hall when adding a voice call function. In other words, the player recognition / response system 1 can be realized at low cost.
[0103]
(B) Other embodiments
In the description of the above-described embodiment, various modified embodiments have been referred to. However, modified embodiments as exemplified below can be cited.
[0104]
In the above embodiment, the device that presents the player with the contents of the call according to the past game history is a pachinko gaming machine, but it may be another game machine such as a pachislot machine. It may also be a game-related device such as a prepaid card issuance machine for games or a prepaid card settlement machine that can be settled.
[0105]
In the above-described embodiment, the voice and the image are shown. However, the system may be a system that performs only the voice or a system that performs only the image. Furthermore, the player recognition / response device may be one that gives voice and image data to the pachinko gaming machine and gives only voice data to the pachislot machine.
[0106]
Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the player is identified (recognized) by the face recognition technology, but the recognition technology using other biological characteristics of the player such as fingerprint, palm print, iris, voice print, A player may be specified. For example, when applying fingerprint recognition technology, it may be requested to touch a finger at a predetermined position by a demonstration screen during game standby, and the button surface touched by the game is made of a light-transmitting member such as glass. The finger image may be photographed unconsciously from the inside of the button.
[0107]
Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a voice call is shown only at the start of the first game of the day, but instead of this, or in addition to this, a voice call may be made at another timing. The number of calls per day is not limited to one.
[0108]
For example, each time a user sits on a new game stand, the call may be made in consideration of the game history so far (the game history of the day may be included). Moreover, you may be made to call out during a game. For example, a voice call (for example, “good condition”) may be performed every time a predetermined time (for example, 1 hour) elapses from the start of the game. Further, a call may be made at the end of the current game (for example, “I was sorry”). Furthermore, a reward ball counting device or the like may call out at the end of the counting.
[0109]
In the above embodiment, the game history that defines the content of the voice call has been shown in the game history at the game hall where the pachinko gaming machine that performs the voice call is installed. It is also possible to make a voice call reflecting it.
[0110]
It goes without saying that the division of functions into each device of the player recognition / response system of the present invention is not limited to that of the above embodiment.
[0111]
For example, the pachinko machine 2 has a database of voiced voice data and voiced image data, such as “regular”, “general person”, “person who won yesterday” given from the player recognition and response device 3 It may be such that the pachinko gaming machine 2 takes out the content of specific voice call voice data or voice call image data from the information.
[0112]
Further, for example, the game data being played by the pachinko gaming machine 2 may be obtained not only by the hall computer 5 but also by the player recognition / response device 3 directly by the game machine data.
[0113]
Further, for example, a single device (for example, a prepaid card issuing machine) that actually makes a call may include all the elements of the player recognition / response system of the present invention.
[0114]
In the above embodiment, members and non-members are separately registered in the player information database. However, only members may be registered in the player information database, and the system can be used regardless of the membership system. You may make it comprise. Although the automatic registration function is preferable, in that case, it is preferable to provide a function for automatically erasing information of a player who has not played a game for a long time (for example, three months).
[0115]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the player recognition / response system of the present invention, since the player is voiced according to the past game history from the game machine or the like, the game machine or the like is familiar. The number of players who have a large number of players is expected, and visitors to the same amusement park and gaming opportunities can be expected to increase. In addition, for an unauthorized player, the consciousness of monitoring is increased by calling out according to his / her game history, and an anti-fraud effect can also be expected.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a player recognition / response system according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration related to a voice call function of the pachinko gaming machine according to the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of the player recognition / response apparatus according to the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a format example of data exchanged between the pachinko gaming machine and the player recognition / response device of the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a face recognition configuration in the player recognition unit of the embodiment.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a record format example of a player information database according to the embodiment.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a record format of a voice call voice database according to the embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation at the time of detecting a player seating of the pachinko gaming machine according to the embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation of the pachinko gaming machine according to the embodiment when a player's absence is detected.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation at the time of game start notification of the hall computer of the embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation when game data is received by the hall computer of the embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an operation at the time of game end notification of the hall computer of the embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an operation when receiving player image data of the player recognition / response apparatus of the embodiment.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an operation when receiving data for each game of the player recognition / response apparatus of the embodiment.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a registration review operation of the player recognition / response apparatus according to the embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 ... Player recognition and response system,
2 ... Pachinko machines,
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Main control part, 11 ... Communication interface part, 12 ... CCD camera part,
13 ... Speaker unit, 14 ... Speech synthesis unit, 15 ... Liquid crystal display unit,
16 ... Image control unit, 17 ... Image memory,
3 ... Player recognition response device,
20 ... main control unit, 21 ... communication interface unit, 22 ... player recognition unit,
23 ... Player image database, 24 ... Voice response control unit,
25 ... Voice-speech database, 26 ... Image response control unit,
27 ... Voice image database,
5 ... Hall computer.

Claims (6)

A biometric feature information acquisition means for capturing information including a biometric feature of a game hall player;
Player recognition means for performing player recognition processing based on the information captured by the biometric feature information acquisition means;
In association with the player identification information, player information storage means for storing past game history information in which the gaming state has not continued until the present time;
Voice call information storage means for storing a plurality of voice call information that enhances familiarity with a player corresponding to past game histories according to the type of past game history;
Calling information for determining the call information to be presented from a plurality of the call information based on past game history information stored in the player information storage means of the player recognized by the player recognition means. A determination means;
Voice calling execution means for presenting the player with the voice call information determined by the voice call information determination means ,
The biometric feature information acquisition means captures a player and obtains a player image including a face, and the player recognition means performs face recognition processing on the player image. Player recognition and response system. Voice credit information the voice credit information storing means stores is audio information, in claim 1, wherein said voice credit execution means is to sound output to the player a voice credit information The player recognition response system described. Voice credit information the voice credit information storing means stores is image information, according to claim 1 or, wherein said voice credit executing means is for displaying output to the player a voice credit information 2. The player recognition response system according to 2. The voice call information storage means also stores voice call information for an unspecified person when the player cannot be recognized, and the voice call information determination means can recognize the player by the player recognition means. 4. The player recognition / response system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein, if not, the unspecified person calling information is determined as the calling information to be presented. The player recognizing means additionally registers the information obtained by the recognition process at that time in the built-in recognition dictionary and newly stores the information in the player information storing means when the player cannot be recognized. 5. A player recognition / response system according to claim 1, wherein a storage area is set by adding identification information of a player. The player recognition / response system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein at least the biometric feature information acquisition means and the voice call execution means are mounted on a game machine.

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