JP4299512B2 - Game machine status management system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention, Gaming machine status management systemIn particular, by analyzing the video data of multiple players taken at a wide angle.Each game arranged in the amusement storeInformation such as technical machine availabilityNewscorrectTo manageCanGame machine status management systemIt is about.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, gaming machines such as pachinko machines and slot machines that play games by inserting gaming media such as pachinko balls and medals into gaming machines are known. At game stores such as pachinko halls where these game machines are installed, it is necessary to know the number of players visiting the store and the number of players staying in the game hall. It is necessary to accurately grasp the operating rate of the gaming machine by calculating the number of players.
[0003]
For this reason, conventionally, a method has been used in which an employee counts the number of players sitting at a game seat in a game store (the number of players in the game) using a counter. In this way, the operating rate of the entire gaming machine can be calculated by counting and counting the number of players who are actually playing games with the gaming machine.
[0004]
Furthermore, when a player plays a game, an operating signal (out signal) is sent from the gaming machine as the game ball is launched. Therefore, information management is performed such as calculating the number of players playing in the hall and the operating rate of the gaming machine by counting the operating signals detected from the gaming machine with the game by the player by the management computer Yes.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional player information management system (referred to as “player information management system”) has the following problems. In other words, when counting the number of players by employees, when the number of players visiting the store is concentrated, such as when the store opens, or when the passages in the hall are congested, a counting error occurs because the work is based on visual inspection. There is a problem, there is a problem that it is impossible to grasp the exact number of players, and it becomes a factor that increases the labor and burden of employees.
[0006]
In addition, when using an operation signal detected from a gaming machine, the player releases his / her hand from the gaming machine handle, such as when raising or lowering a ball box, even though the player is actually sitting in the seat and playing a game. However, since the operation signal is not detected and this player is not counted as the number of players, the calculation of the number of players and the operation rate based on data collection from a simple gaming machine cannot be said to be accurate as data.
[0007]
Furthermore, according to the system for judging the number of players and the operating rate of the gaming machine only by collecting the above-mentioned data, for example, if the gaming machine is simply reserved with a cigarette or the like and is not played, Since this gaming machine is not counted as an operation rate, there is a problem that it is not possible to make a judgment or prediction of a model that seems to be popular or a gaming machine (type) that seems likely to have customers.
[0008]
  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems caused by the prior art,A gaming machine status management system that can accurately grasp the future operation prediction of each gaming machine installed in the gaming storeThe purpose is to provide.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the purpose,The present invention includes a first area in which a plurality of first gaming machines are disposed and a second area in which a plurality of second gaming machines of different types from the first gaming machines are disposed. Photographing means for photographing data; and operating state judging means for judging an operating state of each gaming machine arranged in the first area and the second area using video data photographed by the photographing means. A game that is present in the first area or the second area using the video data shot by the shooting means and that is not playing a game on the first gaming machine or the second gaming machine When it is determined by the counting means for counting the number of customers and the operating state determining means that all of the first gaming machines are in play and a part of the second gaming machine is free The number of players counted by the counting means is used as the first gaming machine. Characterized in that a the determining means is a potential player arrivals to wait for free.
[0010]
  In the above invention, the present invention further includes an operation signal receiving means for receiving an operation signal sent from each gaming machine arranged in the first area and the second area, and the operation status The judging means uses the video data photographed by the photographing means and the working signal received by the working signal receiving means, and the operating state of each gaming machine arranged in the first area and the second area. The counting means is present in the first area or the second area using the video data photographed by the photographing means and the operation signal received by the operation signal receiving means, and It is characterized in that the number of players who are not playing a game with the first gaming machine or the second gaming machine is counted.
[0011]
  Further, the present invention is the above invention, wherein the operating state determining means is photographed by the photographing means and reference video data photographing an unmanned state where no player is present in the first area and the second area. The operation state of each gaming machine arranged in the first area and the second area is determined by comparing with video data.
[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.Game machine status management systemThe preferred embodiment will be described in detail. In the following embodiments, the present invention is concerned.Game machine status management systemIs applied to a game system that provides a pachinko game or a slot game.
[0020]
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a game store to which the player information management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the player information management system. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the player number management apparatus.
[0021]
Here, the first embodiment is characterized in that a plurality of players existing in a game store are photographed at a wide angle by a photographing means, and this video data and a reference image in which an unmanned state in which no player is present in the game store is previously captured. By comparing the data, the number of players who actually play the game at the game store is calculated. Further, the operation rate of the gaming machine is managed by calculating the number of players. Details of the player information management system will be described below with reference to FIGS.
[0022]
That is, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the player information management system of the present embodiment (a system in a pachinko hall), a plurality of gaming machines 10 (for example, pachinko machines) are grouped for each group called “island”. ) And a card processing unit 11, and a recording medium processing device such as a card issuing machine 12 and a card settlement machine 13 is appropriately provided for each island.
[0023]
Here, FIG. 1 shows an example in which there are three islands and 60 gaming machines. Further, in FIG. 1 and each drawing shown below, a black circle mark indicates the presence of a player (sitting in a chair of a gaming machine), and a white circle mark indicates that there is no player and the corresponding gaming machine is empty. It represents that.
[0024]
Reference numeral 14 denotes a player number management device for calculating the number of players who actually play a game, which is a characteristic part of the present invention, and for managing the operating rate of the gaming machine. The gaming machine 10 purchases a pachinko ball, which is a game medium, by the card processing unit 11 and launches this pachinko ball into the gaming area of the gaming machine 10 so that a player plays a game.
[0025]
In the present invention, one photographing means 16 capable of photographing the entire area of the island is provided on the ceiling portion of the game store. The photographing means 16 has a wide-angle photographing function in which the photographing range has an orientation of approximately 360 degrees, and the photographing means 16 can photograph a plurality of players existing in the game store at a wide angle. .
[0026]
As will be described later, the video data of the player photographed by the photographing means 16 is converted as digital data and stored in the current video data storage means 34.
[0027]
The card processing unit 11 has a main function of a pachinko ball lending process with an upper limit of the frequency associated with the prepaid card PC or the member card MC. This card processing unit 11 is arranged in a form sandwiched between the gaming machines 10 so as to be paired with each other for each of the plurality of gaming machines 10 installed in the gaming store.
[0028]
The card issuing machine 12 has a prepaid card PC issuance process and an addition process for the frequency associated with the prepaid card PC and the membership card MC as its main function. It is. This card issuing machine also has a processing function for reissuing the membership card MC.
[0029]
The card settlement machine 13 has a main function of paying out the cash associated with the prepaid card PC and the membership card MC as cash, and several card settlement machines are installed in the amusement store. .
[0030]
The gaming machine 10, card processing unit 11, card issuing machine 12, card settlement machine 13, number-of-players management device 14, and photographing means 16 described above are connected to the island controller 17. The terminal controller (T / C) 18 that performs control is connected to each other by a communication medium such as a LAN. The island controller 17 has a function of detecting, monitoring, and controlling various operations and signal transmission / reception from the gaming machine 10 and the photographing means 16.
[0031]
The terminal controller 18 is connected to a game store management controller 22 that controls the game store via a communication medium 19 such as a public network. The game store management controller 22 controls the entire system of the game store, such as management of the number of players visiting the game store, sales management (sales management system), information management of players, and member management (member management system). It functions as a management center.
[0032]
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the number-of-players management device 14 for calculating the number of players playing a game with the gaming machine. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the number-of-players management apparatus 14 includes a communication I / F unit 30, a control unit 31, an image processing unit 33, a current video data storage unit 34, a reference video data storage unit 35, and a video data comparison unit 36. , A number-of-players calculating means 37 and an operation signal determining means 38 are provided.
[0033]
The communication I / F unit 30 has a function as a communication interface, and can transmit and receive various data to and from the communication I / F unit (not shown) of the terminal controller 18 via a communication medium. it can. The control unit 31 has a function of controlling the overall control of the number-of-players management device 14, and predetermined processing is executed according to instructions from the control unit 31.
[0034]
The image processing unit 33 has a function of processing current video data and reference video data captured by the imaging unit 16 into digital data by analog / digital conversion processing.
[0035]
The current video data storage unit 34 is a storage unit in which video data obtained by shooting the inside of the player by the shooting unit 16 is stored. In the current video data storage means 34, video data of a player who sits on a chair and plays a game with a gaming machine is stored as digital data.
[0036]
The reference video data storage means 35 is a storage means in which video data obtained by photographing the unattended state in which no player is present in the game store by the photographing means 16 is stored as digital data. The unattended state in which no player is present indicates a state in which the player is not sitting on a chair that plays a game.
[0037]
The video data comparison means 36 has a function of comparing the video data taken inside the game shop by the photography means 16 with the reference video data stored in the reference video data storage means in advance. The number-of-players calculating unit 37 has a function of calculating the number of players based on the comparison result between the video data and the reference video data by the video data comparing unit 36.
[0038]
The operation signal determination means 38 has a function for determining the presence or absence of an operation signal (out signal) that is detected when a player plays a game machine. And since this operation signal is a signal sent when a ball is launched by the gaming machine, the gaming machine 10 from which the operation signal has been detected can determine that a game is being played by the player. .
[0039]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the player number management device 14 in the player information management system. That is, first, a player existing in the game store is photographed by the photographing means 16 (step S401), and the photographed video data is stored in the current video data storage means 34 (step S402).
[0040]
The inside of the amusement store is photographed by the photographing means 16 from the time of opening to the closing time, for example, at an hourly timing every hour. Next, the reference video data is extracted from the reference video data storage means 35 (step S403), the video data is extracted from the current video data storage means 34 (step S404), and the video data and the reference video data are compared with the video data comparison means. Comparison is made according to 36 (step S405).
[0041]
Specifically, human body data indicating the presence of a player is extracted from video data by template processing or the like. Based on the extracted values of the human body data, the number of players playing a game with a gaming machine in a predetermined time zone is calculated by the number-of-players calculation means 37 (step S406).
[0042]
Here, with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B, an analysis process for calculating the number of players from the video data will be briefly described. FIG. 5 (a) shows a part of the mapping data indicating the reference video data taken in advance when the inside of the game store is unattended (a state where the player is not sitting on the chair of the gaming machine). Indicates a part of the mapping data indicating the video data photographed by the photographing means 16 in a predetermined time zone when the game shop is opened.
[0043]
Then, by comparing the mapping data shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, image data (human body data) scattered on the mapping data in FIG. 5B is extracted. In this example, It can be calculated that 19 players are playing a game.
[0044]
Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 4, after calculating the number of players in step S406, the presence or absence of an operation signal is determined in the next step S407 (step S407). If the operation signal is detected based on the presence / absence of the operation signal (Yes at step S407), the number of detections is calculated (step S408).
[0045]
That is, the number of players can be accurately calculated by collating the number of players calculated in (Step S406) with the number of detected operation signals. In this case, the calculated number of operation signals detected can be determined as the total number of gaming machines in which a game is actually being played by the player.
[0046]
(Embodiment 2)
Next, details of the player information management system according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a player information management system to which the second embodiment is applied. FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the potential player calculating device, and FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure by the potential player calculating device.
[0047]
Here, FIG. 6 shows an example in which a region where a plurality of gaming machines are arranged on the island is divided into a gaming model A region and a gaming model B region, each having a different gaming machine model. Moreover, the broken line area | region in the figure has each shown two area | regions X and Y where the player who is not playing the game by the game machine 10 is staying (or staying). Each region includes a passage portion between the game islands and an entrance peripheral portion of the passage portion.
[0048]
The feature of this second embodiment is that a potential player is assumed to be a person waiting for the turn of a game in the vicinity of a player playing a game with a certain game model by the potential player management device 70, This potential player is calculated as a predicted operating rate of a future gaming machine.
[0049]
That is, for example, when a player who is currently playing a game of the game model A stops the game (at the time of leaving), the player who is presumed to play a game with this game model A (in the vicinity of the game model A) The player who is staying is defined as a potential player.
[0050]
FIG. 9 shows a potential player information management table in which the number of potential players in the region X and the region Y is stored in time series. As will be described later, the number of potential players can be managed in time series by this potential player information management table. Hereinafter, the details of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0051]
As shown in FIG. 7, the potential player management device 70 includes a communication I / F unit 71, a control unit 72, an image processing unit 73, an area-specific video data storage unit 74, a time-series video data storage unit 75, and a potential player. And calculating means 76.
[0052]
The image processing unit 73 has a function of processing current video data and reference video data captured by the imaging unit 16 into digital data by analog / digital conversion processing.
[0053]
The communication I / F unit 71 has a function as a communication interface, and can transmit and receive various data to and from the communication I / F unit (not shown) of the terminal controller 18 via a communication medium. it can. The control unit 72 has a function of controlling the overall control of the potential player management device 70, and predetermined processing is executed in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 72.
[0054]
The area-specific video data storage means 74 is a storage means for shooting video data of a player existing in the vicinity of different game machines A and B by the shooting means 16 and storing the video data. As will be described later, a player who is staying is determined as a potential player based on the value of the captured video data.
[0055]
The time-series video data calculation means 75 has a function of shooting video data of players existing in the vicinity of different game machines A and B by the shooting means 16 and calculating the number of potential players in time series from the video data. is doing. The potential player calculation means 76 has a function of calculating the video data of the player stored in the area-specific video data storage means 74 as a potential player.
[0056]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the potential player management device 70 in the player information management system. That is, first, the vicinity of the gaming machines A and B in the gaming store is photographed by the photographing means 16 (step S901). Specifically, by shooting the vicinity of the gaming machines A and B, the players who are staying in the areas X and Y are excluded, except for the players who are playing the game with the gaming machine 10.
[0057]
Next, in step S902, it is determined whether or not the player stays in the areas X and Y for a predetermined time or more (step S902). Based on the determination in step S902 (Yes in step S902), the video data of the players who have stayed in the areas X and Y for a predetermined time or longer are extracted and stored in the area-specific video data storage means 74 (step S903). .
[0058]
As described above, the player stored in the area-specific video data storage means 74 by the processing of step S901 to step S903 is set as a potential player, and the total number is calculated (step S904). Specifically, a player who stays in the areas X and Y for a predetermined time or more is calculated by the photographing means 16 as a potential player of each of the game machines A and B, and the video data is stored in the area-specific video data storage means. 74.
[0059]
Here, FIG. 9 shows a potential player information management table in which the number of potential players is calculated in time series. As shown in the figure, the potential player information management table has three fields of “time”, “area X”, and “area Y”, and the number of potential players is time-series corresponding to each field. Stored in
[0060]
According to the potential player information management table, for example, at time 10:00, it is indicated that there are nine potential players in area A and four potential players in area B. When the average value from opening (10:00) to closing (23:00) is calculated, it is possible to confirm the number of potential players of 8 in the area X and 4 in the area Y.
[0061]
In the second embodiment, it is possible to accurately estimate a future game machine operation prediction in a time-series manner together with the current game machine operation rate. In addition, by knowing the number of players who are actually playing games, it is possible to determine that there is an unpopular gaming machine when the operating rate of the gaming machine is low relative to the number of players. The machine can be replaced effectively.
[0062]
(Embodiment 3)
Next, details of the player information management system according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. Here, in FIG. 10, an area in which a plurality of gaming machines are arranged on the island shows an example in which the area of the gaming machine A and the area of the gaming machine B are different in the lateral direction. In addition, a broken line area in the figure indicates one area Z where a player who is not playing a game by the gaming machine 10 stays (or stays). The area includes a passage portion between game islands and an entrance peripheral portion of the passage portion.
[0063]
The feature of the third embodiment is that it stays in the vicinity of areas A and B of different models, and the gaming machine 10 arranged in one area (for example, area B) is an empty base. The player who does not play the game by the gaming machine 10 is to determine that the player is a potential player for the gaming machine 10 arranged in the other area (area A).
[0064]
Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to the flowchart of FIG. That is, first, the vicinity of the gaming machines A and B is photographed by the photographing means 16 (step S110). Next, it is determined whether or not the player has stayed in the area Z for a predetermined time or more (step S111). Based on this determination, video data of a player who has stayed in the region Z for a predetermined time or longer (Yes in step S111) is extracted and stored (step S112).
[0065]
Specifically, a player who stays in the area Z for a predetermined time or more is calculated by the photographing means 16 as a potential player of each of the game machines A and B, and the video data is stored in the area-specific video data storage means 74. Store.
[0066]
Next, it is determined whether or not there is a vacant table corresponding to the game machines A and B (step S113). Here, as shown in FIG. 10, in this example, it can be seen that the gaming machine B has three vacancies. For this reason, when there is an empty base (Yes at Step S113), the process proceeds to the next Step S114.
[0067]
In this step S114, it is determined which of the gaming machines A and B is the vacant machine. If the vacant stand is a vacant stand corresponding to the gaming machine type A (Yes in step S114), the player staying in the area Z may be determined to be a potential player for the gaming machine type B. Yes (step S115).
[0068]
On the other hand, if it is determined whether or not the vacant table is a vacant table corresponding to the gaming machine type A and B (step S114), as shown in FIG. (No in step S114), it can be determined that the player is a potential player for the gaming machine type A (step S116). As described above, the number of potential players for the game model A can be calculated by paying attention to the vacant stand in step S114 (step S117).
[0069]
(Embodiment 4)
Next, details of the player information management system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The feature of the fourth embodiment is that the presence / absence of the operation signal detected by the operation signal determination means and the presence / absence of the acquisition of video data captured by the imaging means are combined to determine whether to notify the player or qualify as an empty board. It is in. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0070]
That is, it is determined whether or not an operation signal is detected by the gaming machine (step S210). Next, when the operation signal is detected (No at Step S210), the photographing by the photographing means 16 is performed (Step S211). Further, it is determined whether or not video data has been acquired by the photographing means 16 (step S212). Specifically, shooting is performed by the shooting means 16 for a gaming machine having an operation signal detected, and the presence of the player is confirmed.
[0071]
For this reason, when the video data is not acquired by the photographing means 16 (No in step S212) as a result of the determination in (step S212), it is possible to determine that the target gaming machine is an empty base. Is announced (step S213). On the other hand, when there is video data acquisition by the photographing means 16 (Yes in step S212), it can be determined that there is a player in the target gaming machine, so that a game by the gaming machine (ball game) A warning is notified so as to start (launching) (step S214).
[0072]
In the case of the fourth embodiment, a combination of the presence / absence of detection of the operation signal by the operation signal determination unit and the acquisition / non-existence of acquisition of the video data captured by the imaging unit 16 is performed to determine whether to notify the player or qualify as an empty board. Thus, the vacant stand can be accurately grasped, and the occupancy rate of the entire gaming machine can be improved by providing the vacant stand to the player.
[0073]
【The invention's effect】
  As explained above,According to the present invention, the first area in which a plurality of first gaming machines are arranged and the second area in which a plurality of second gaming machines of different models from the first gaming machines are arranged. An image capturing means for capturing image data including the image data is provided, and the operating state of each gaming machine disposed in the first area and the second area is determined using the imaged video data, and the captured image data is Used to count the number of players who are in the first area or the second area and are not playing games on the first gaming machine or the second gaming machine, and all of the first gaming machines are playing games And when it is determined that a part of the second gaming machine is free, the counted number of players is determined to be the number of potential players waiting for the first gaming machine to be free Therefore, for example, when the first gaming machine is a popular model, the game located in the second area Since it also counted as potential game number of customers waiting for first game machine with respect to, it is possible to accurately determine the future production predictions of the gaming machine disposed in a game store.
[0074]
  In addition, according to the present invention, the operation signal receiving means for receiving the operation signal sent from each gaming machine arranged in the first area and the second area is further provided, and the image captured by the imaging means The operating state of each gaming machine arranged in the first area and the second area is determined using the data and the operating signal, and the first area or the second is determined using the captured video data and the operating signal. Since it is configured to count the number of players who are present in the area and are not playing games on the first gaming machine or the second gaming machine, not only video data but also operating signals sent from gaming machines are used. The operating state of each gaming machine and the number of potential players can be grasped more accurately.
[0075]
  In addition, according to the present invention, the reference video data obtained by shooting the unattended state in which the player is not located in the first area and the second area are compared with the shot video data, and the first area and the second area are compared. Since the operation state of each gaming machine arranged in the area is determined, the operation state of each gaming machine can be determined efficiently by a simple process of comparison with reference video data.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a game store to which a player information management system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a player information management system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the player number management device shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the player information management system in the first embodiment.
5A is a diagram showing mapping data when an amusement store is unattended, and FIG. 5B is a diagram showing mapping data after the amusement store is opened. FIG.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a game shop to which the player information management system according to the second embodiment is applied.
FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a potential player calculating device.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure by the potential player management device.
FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram showing a potential player calculation table.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a game shop to which the player information management system according to the third embodiment is applied.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the player information management system in the third embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the player information management system in the fourth embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 gaming machines
11 Card processing unit
12 Card issuing machine
13 card settlement machine
14 Number of players management device
16 Photography means
17 Island Controller
18 Terminal controller
19 Communication media
22 amusement store management controller
30, 71 Communication I / F part
31, 72 control unit
31 Control unit
33, 73 Image processing means
34 Current video data storage means
35 Reference video data storage means
36 Video data comparison means
37 Number of players calculation means
38 Operation signal judgment means
70 Potential player management device
74 Region-specific video data storage means
75 Time-series video data storage means
76 Potential player calculation means

Claims (3)

Shooting video data including a first area in which a plurality of first gaming machines are disposed and a second area in which a plurality of second gaming machines of different types from the first gaming machines are disposed. Photographing means;
  An operating state determination unit that determines an operating state of each gaming machine disposed in the first area and the second area using video data captured by the imaging unit;
  Number of players who are present in the first area or the second area using the video data photographed by the photographing means and are not playing a game in the first gaming machine or the second gaming machine Counting means for counting
  Counted by the counting means when it is determined by the operating state determining means that all of the first gaming machines are in play and a part of the second gaming machine is idle. Determining means for determining that the number of players is the number of potential players waiting for a free space in the first gaming machine;
  A gaming machine status management system characterized by comprising: An operation signal receiving means for receiving an operation signal sent from each gaming machine disposed in the first area and the second area;
  Each of the gaming machines disposed in the first area and the second area by using the video data photographed by the photographing means and the working signal received by the working signal receiving means. Determine the operating status of
  The counting means is present in the first area or the second area using the video data imaged by the imaging means and the operation signal received by the operation signal receiving means, and the first area Count the number of players who are not playing games on the gaming machine or the second gaming machine
  The gaming machine status management system according to claim 1. The operating state determination means compares the reference video data obtained by shooting an unattended state in which the player is not located in the first area and the second area with the video data shot by the shooting means. 3. The gaming machine status management system according to claim 1, wherein an operating state of each gaming machine arranged in the first area and the second area is determined.

Images